On my school mantra

Be brave and kind

Brave and kind

The learning will happen

I’m confident of that

But when you find that kid

I want you to remember

That perhaps this phase is about more than math

and spelling

and homework

and projects

That this phase

(Like this whole life)

Is more about how we show up

Especially to the lonely one

To the uninvited

To the ignored

To the bullied

I want to raise kids who see that kid

Who speak up, say yes, include

In small brave and kind ways

So we’ll repeat this phrase every morning

We’ll see the tests and grades

But we’ll celebrate the kindness and bravery

For these first few days in particular

And then some more

As the days go on

Be brave and kind