Dear St. Philip’s Community,
For me, there are few things more relaxing than listening to symphonic music. Beethoven’s Ode to Joy is among my favorites. There are a myriad of instruments in that piece, ranging from flute to trumpet to cello to timpani. Each instrument has a different tone and plays different notes, but they come together to create something beautiful, rich, and “joyful” in its complexity and harmony.
Our school community, too, could be compared to a symphony. Each family brings a unique personality and perspective to our campus, and together the learning experience of our students is enriched. By working, playing, and worshipping together, our students learn to communicate, collaborate, and appreciate the differences in abilities, preferences, and communication styles among their peers. Together, they create the deeply connected community we know as St. Philip’s. Our school is a unique microcosm of this country -- a country built on democracy and one that is rich in history and culture.
Tomorrow, early voting begins in Florida. Over the next couple of weeks, and again on November 3rd, Americans will participate in a long-lasting democracy by casting ballots for political leaders. This is a monumental time in our nation’s history. While final election results may not be known in many of the races for some time, as a country we will prepare to live with uncertainty a little longer. During this time, we must continue to foster a supportive environment for our children. The spiritual bonds that tie us together at St. Philip’s are firm and will continue to hold true.
You, as parents, along with our faculty and staff, have chosen St. Philip’s because we believe strongly in our mission--to educate each child spiritually, intellectually, and physically in an atmosphere of acceptance and inquiry. Our mission and our Episcopal identity are the foundation of our school. In times of certainty and uncertainty, carrying out our mission and making decisions in the best interest of our students remain our guiding principles.
As we move forward into the next couple of weeks, I ask that we join together as a community to focus our efforts on those principles. Let us be mindful that our youngest learners are the most impressionable, and this is the time in their lives when our words and attitudes are the most impactful. It is our responsibility to teach our students to respect the dignity and worth of every human being.
I offer this prayer for your consideration in the coming weeks:
Almighty God, by whose grace all worldly leaders exercise power, help politicians and voters move through this election season with respect and dignity. Bless all who are vying for political office with clarity and transparency in their campaigns and give voters openness and diligence in casting their ballots. Help us keep perspective that we may be firm in our convictions, kind and respectful to those who vote differently, and ever mindful that how we treat others is how we treat you. This we ask of the One who is Lord over every election, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Jasmine B. Harris, EdD
Head of School