Dear Stuyvesant Staff,
Happy and well-deserved holidays. I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for the immense effort you have contributed these past ten months. I know how challenging these times have been and I am so appreciative of all that you have given to our school community. Your commitment to our students is evident every day.
As we close out 2020 I hope you take the opportunity to reflect on the past year and the indelible moments that have left an imprint on you. This time of year is so important because it prompts both contemplation and excitement -- contemplation for what was accomplished as the current year concludes and excitement about the new possibilities and sense of renewal that the impending new year brings. December is a reminder for us to recalibrate our purpose as individuals for both our personal and professional personas. I cherish this time for thoughtfulness that inspires and motivates me to become a better version of me - “ a version 2.0.” And I hope this time inspires the same in you.
And while I encourage you to find some time for solitude, I do wish that you also have time with loved ones (and safely). Smiling and laughing with loved ones (even remotely if necessary) for the next few days is the best remedy for ten months of emotional and intellectual exertion with working with young adults. However, I anticipate that much of your smiling and laughing will be from you reminiscing about one of our students saying or doing something memorable that you just can’t help but share the story for its authenticity, absurdity, or both. It’s our stories as educators at Stuyvesant High School that make us uniquely special and invaluable in the lives of the 3,300+ young people we impact every day. And while you share your stories about your experiences with a student or students who made you laugh, cry, smile, frustrated, or proud -- the plethora of emotions that only a teenager can bring out of us at any given moment -- consider that our students are also sharing their stories about their experiences with us in which you/we may have made them laugh, cry, smile, frustrated, or proud -- the plethora of emotions that only a CARING adult can bring out of a teenager at any given moment. Chances are that these indelible stories that are shared will be heard by everyone except for whom the story is about. Simply put, you are making an influential and positive impression on a student(s) and most likely you will never hear the wonderful things that are being said about you by that student. But you are making a difference in their lives even if they don’t always tell you.
Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do for our young people. I hope you take the time to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate. You deserve it. Be sure to check out the Virtual Holiday Concert 2020 (thank you Dr. Winkel) and the Chorus Holiday Card 2020(thank you Ms. Shamazov)– it will bring a smile to your face.
Happy holidays and a happy new year in 2021! I love this year’s holiday card artwork submitted by Freshman Eugene Park, and I hope you do too!
Sincerely,
Seung
