A Note From the Head of School:
Encouragement: Putting the Courage in Our Kids to Push Forward
Last week, the school took part in our kick-off for the Run for Radcliffe, but this particular morning was one that I will remember for a very long time. It felt so perfectly Radcliffe. Each student and staff member was clad in a Radcliffe Run shirt, and we were joined by several parents. A large group paraded from school down to Wilmer Park, and many students proudly carried the sponsorship signs they had created. Traffic stopped allowing people to smile and wave.
The goal for each and every person was to go at least once around the Park. The temperature was neither too hot nor too cold and the Chester River sparkled as a perfect backdrop. Students lined up largest to smallest and, with an "on your mark, get set, go," ran through a handmade banner. Some children ran so quickly it looked like they were flying, others sprinted and walked in spurts, and several runners were slow and steady in their pace, always moving. Laughing children strolled arm and arm, calling encouragement to classmates who were running by them and to some of their power-walking teachers. Several children unexpectedly decided to try to "go for it" and complete the 5K because they became confident enough to try.
Just like at school, everyone was provided with a set structure and a collective goal. Then, each person had their own individual goal such as having a good finish time, being social, running instead of walking, traveling the whole entire lap on their own, or working for a set amount of time. We all tried and pushed ourselves to do our best at that moment in time. We supported each other. Little groups would gather near the finish line to cheer others to the end. Most were a little sweaty, faces red, muscles tired, but there was so much joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Author Belinda Lethfield reminds us about the morphology of the word encouragement. She said encouragement isn't just a pat on the back. The word itself means to "put courage in." Events like this at Radcliffe enable students to keep pushing themselves, so they can keep growing. Giving our children the gift of gaining that feeling of competence and confidence is crucial for their later success in life.
I am encouraging you to try something new with your family this weekend!
Head of School
