It’s the second week of winter break and eerily quiet here at St. Paul’s Academy. My mind keeps wandering as I draft my end-of-year donation appeal and prep for the upcoming Grand Cru Auction. In this quiet interlude between Christmas and New Year, I find myself reflecting on the challenges and successes of the past year. This year has been exciting, and filled with many changes.

Last September, just after the new school year started, I resigned from my job with another non-profit and accepted a new job at SPA. Between my duties as Development Director and my volunteer role with PALS, the kids and I often spend 8-10 hours per day at the school. This change has shifted our family routines, but has also been the best change of the year. I wake up every morning looking forward to a full day of meaningful work and still get to be present for most of the small and not-so-small events in my children’s lives.

While reflecting back over this past year and our previous 5 years at SPA, several themes kept emerging again and again. These are the reasons that we stay with St. Paul’s Academy, and give all we can to help the school to grow and flourish. In the spirit of reflection and engagement, today I would like to share with you the top 5 reasons why I am grateful for SPA. 

Best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year,

Heather Carter
SPA Development Director

There’s still time to make a tax-deductible gift before the end of 2017! Donate today

5 reasons why I am grateful for SPA

1. Continuity
Our family has moved several times in the past few years.  Knowing that we have a “home” at SPA has helped to relieve my kids anxieties about having to move. Our address may change, but they will still have their friends, teachers, and community of caring adults at SPA . Having all of my kids in the same square-block radius is extremely convenient too!

2. Caring
It feels like every person at SPA genuinely cares about each other. Teachers, staff, students, families, board members – we all appreciate the energy it takes to keep our school going, and I think that adds a little extra measure of understanding and willingness to go the extra mile to help another member of our community. From meal trains for families in need through Chapel Guild, to secret pal and secret Santa gifting, or our ambassador program for prospective and new students,  we are a community that cares.  We care so much that this spirit overflows into the community with service projects for each grade and special projects led by House Council. Our SPA community strives to make a positive impact on the greater Bellingham community.

3. Small classes
This is the probably the best-known hallmark of our program at SPA. My husband and I didn’t appreciate what a difference class size could make until we saw it in action for ourselves. SPA teachers have more time to interact with each student, to make sure they’re fully engaged in learning and getting along with peers. They learn all of the little personality quirks and tells, and are really able to tune in to what each of our children needs to focus and thrive. With four kids attending SPA last year, we watched this principle in action across all levels of the school.  The impact on each child is amazing.  The shy one can’t hide in the back of class.  The social butterfly can’t get away with goofing off and talking. The sensitive one can’t retreat into their shell when buttons are pushed.  The sassy one is learning restraint and empathy, and given additional challenges to limit time for boredom to set in. I wish that every child could benefit from this small class model, and am so grateful to be part of a school where keeping classes small is a major priority.

4. Spirituality
It’s become taboo to talk about religion or spiritual matters across many sectors of our society, yet it’s such a huge part of our shared human experience. I appreciate the balance that SPA strives to achieve with our chapel program: spiritual education, respect for all beliefs, a forum for discussions, and focus on what draws us together as humans seeking to understand the meaning of our existence. I sent my eldest daughter to college this year confident that she is grounded in her identity because she had the safe space and encouragement to discuss the big questions of life before entering the adult world. Yet this facilitated discussion and reflection time takes place in chapel, and doesn’t guide curriculum. The lines between academic instruction and spiritual reflection are clearly drawn. We are reassured that our children will receive a fact-based academic education while supporting their social and spiritual journey.

5. Family
More than anything, I feel a deep sense of belonging here at SPA.  I have life-long friends here, and continue to meet kind, witty, humorous, and dedicated people that enrich my life daily. Change is a part of life.  It is exciting, but can also be scary.  We’ve experienced many changes this year at SPA. I know that we will survive the challenges before us and grow stronger because we are a family, and when life gets hard we lean in together to make it through. Thank you for being part of our family.

Is your family grateful for St. Paul’s Academy too?  Show your appreciation by making a tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund before December 31, 2017.