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Letters from the Middle School Head

Dear Middle School Parents,

Being a "You First" Community

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of addressing the entire Montgomery community for the first time in the form of a Chapel talk. In preparation for my address, I initially struggled to land on a topic that would be both palatable and accessible to such a broad range of ages (PreK to adults). However, I thought it wise to begin with a focus on the one of the School's guiding tenets: Caritas. Caritas is the latin word for "charity, compassion" and is a highly tangible character trait that we all need to hone and apply daily, especially if we desire to be a community where all members flourish.

I proposed that in order for us to be marked by compassion, we must be a "You First" community, looking for ways we can say "You First" to others.

  • Why? We are designed for relationship; we desire harmony and connection with others.
  • Why is putting others first a challenge? From infancy, we all have a propensity for selfishness, for prioritizing our own needs and desires over those of others. Also, we're sold the lie daily that getting what we want will result in our own happiness. However, when we focus solely on ourselves, we actually tend to feel more isolated and dissatisfied.
  • How might we put others first today? One's character is composed of countless seemingly small decisions; it's in the little things. New York Times columnist David Brooks makes an important distinction between "resume virtues" (those things done in hopes of bolstering one's resume) and "eulogy virtues" (those things done in hopes of leaving a legacy of selflessness and joy).

Being a "You First" community is not easy. It requires individual reflection, a searching of one's own motives. May we all (faculty, students, parents) seek to leave a legacy of selfless compassion for others, across the street and around the world.

Read more about Letter from Mr. Dixon - October 2016

Dear Middle School Families,

I am excited to reach out to you with a new school year on the horizon, and begin to fill you in on what you can expect this year in the Middle School at Montgomery. In case you missed it, you can learn more about my initial areas of focus in my introductory letter sent out last month.

The Middle School is fortunate to have all of our faculty members returning again this year. This kind of continuity will prove advantageous for the growth and unity of our Middle School team, as well as for the students who are able to flourish in a secure and consistent ecosystem. Over the past month, I have had the pleasure of sitting down with each Middle School faculty member and listening to each one share with me their Montgomery experience. As you might imagine, several common themes have emerged from these conversations, but I've heard one phrase over and over again:"You're going to love Montgomery!" It is abundantly evident that this is a special place - a unique community that allows for deep, nurturing relationships and rich opportunities for discovery - for faculty, students, and families.

Read more about Letter from Mr. Dixon - August 2016