Embracing Boldness
Congratulations on wrapping up the first few weeks of school! Whether a student, parent, grandparent, or employee of The Ellis School, I hope the 2024-2025 academic year—thus far—is everything you’d hoped it would be, and more.
It brings me a sense of joy knowing that school is officially back in session. As I wander the campus on my daily walks, I hear laughter echoing from the Lower School classrooms, see Middle School students happily enjoying lunch in Alumnae Hall, and watch our Upper School students busy practicing on the field, playing instruments, and sharing ideas about summer reading.
I have been welcomed into the Ellis community with open arms and I am beyond grateful for each connection I have made up until this point. I’d like to extend my thanks to this entire community for embracing me into the Ellis tapestry. The waves and greetings in car line are small examples of our unique and special environment.
As you’ll see in this issue, we are welcoming many new faces to campus this year. This is a chance for us to celebrate each person’s uniqueness. We encourage Ellis students and everyone in our community to bring their authentic selves to every challenge. Individual uniqueness is your strength, and it adds to the richness of our community.
Ellis’ mission statement calls on us to educate girls and young women to become bold, authentic, and intellectually vibrant changemakers, and this year I want to focus on one piece of that: embracing boldness.
This year is an opportunity to step into boldness—to take healthy risks, be curious, and challenge ourselves to grow in new ways. This is evident through the actions we take in our communities, achievements we strive for, Ellis’ unique curriculum, the vision our students build for their future. Throughout the year, the Greensheet will highlight the various ways in which we are bold.
Here are some other things to keep in mind, which I recently shared with our Upper School students during community homeroom:
- Pursue Intellectual Vibrancy: An Ellis education is about more than knowledge—it’s about thinking deeply, asking tough questions, and letting your curiosity lead you to new discoveries.
- Lead by Example: Ellis girls are bold because they can lead by example. They are compassionate, driven, and respectful. Younger students look to older students for guidance, and older students look to our fabulous faculty, staff, and alumnae for the same.
- Mentor and Inspire: We encourage our students to take every opportunity to mentor younger Ellis students and other girls in their communities—that leadership can spark boldness, confidence, and passion in others.
- Cherish New Opportunities: Each day is a new opportunity to grow and to make meaningful connections with each other. We will approach this year with excitement and an open mind.
- Support Each Other: Success isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s about lifting each other up. We will be there for one another, because this is how we achieve more.
Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful community. I look forward to this year with you!
