Celebrate!

com·mence·ment
/kəˈmens-mənt/
noun: a start or new beginning.

It is that time of year—across the nation and here in New Jersey; commencement ceremonies and celebrations are under way. There are caps and gowns, speeches, awards, and plenty of balloons! These rites of passage are important markers in the lives of our students, and remind us of the importance of our work — to get students ready for adult life!

It is important that we take time to celebrate not only the achievements of our students, but our own successes as well. The past two years have been exceptionally hard on all of us. As we begin again to safely reconnect and resume traditions, we have plenty of celebrations to catch up on.

There have been major transitions, new leaders, student honors, and innovations. There have been so many “new beginnings,” as we learned new ways of doing familiar things (how many Zoom meetings did you attend before the pandemic?), and re-configured learning (remember when “hybrid” referred to a vehicle, not a classroom?).

I have been with ASAH for nearly eight months and have witnessed firsthand your dedication, hard work, compassion, and commitment to excellence. ASAH members are a collegial and supportive community committed to raising the bar for all, and celebrating a rising tide that lifts all boats. In spite of the challenges we face, you are resilient and innovative. Take pride in that, just as you take pride in the successes—large and small—of your students and your staff.

This spring, as we mark a new beginning, let us all take a moment to celebrate our students, our teachers, our industry, and our own school leaders.