The 2021-2022 school year is starting in just a couple of weeks, and I have never been more excited to welcome our Laurence students back to campus. What a difference a year makes! We are excited to bring new ideas and programs to Laurence, while other programs are returning after 18 months of the pandemic. And while we will still be wearing masks, I know that each of us will be smiling underneath them as we celebrate the fact that all of our students will be starting the school year learning in-person on a full-time basis. 

Happy August! We hope that you have been able to enjoy time with your loved ones and have created some lasting memories over this summer break. Although we have not yet made it to the "other side" of the storm that is the COVID pandemic, at Laurence, we keep our sails raised, poised to catch new winds of opportunity, while also reflecting and learning from our path thus far. On this occasion, we thought it would be appropriate to share with you some of the lessons we have learned over the past year, and how we can leverage our successes and innovations to make our school program even stronger this year and in the years to come.

Our journey in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and the dialogue around deepening the sense of community belonging amongst our students, families, and faculty and staff is ongoing and continuously evolving. While it has always been in Laurence's mission to educate our students in an inclusive environment where differences are respected, we are making it a priority this year to cultivate belonging so each student feels personally accepted, respected, included, and supported at school. 

We are just a few weeks away from those magical first moments of the school year – when the campus comes alive again and is filled with the laughter of children, along with the aspirations and optimism of a new year.  New families and new children infuse the school with energy and enthusiasm.  Returning children come back to their friends, academics, and activities, which they love so much.  As parents, we rest assured that they are getting the best education possible.  

I hope that you all have had a wonderful summer and that your children are excited for the start of a new school year – together on campus! The Laurence Parent Association has been busy planning for the upcoming year, as we hope to bring back more opportunities for our parent body to be involved in the life of our school. Our parent community is so special, and I know that whatever challenges we face this year, we will rise to the occasion and continue to bring joy and enthusiasm to our families in 2021-2022. 

Each year, we like to help you and your children get to know our new faculty and staff by providing you with their educational and professional backgrounds, as well as a few fun facts. You may have already met some of our new community members during Summer Camp, but you probably don't know their favorite foods or books! Read on to find out about the newest members of the Laurence family.