Monday Message 2-22-2021

Dear Trinity Families,

As I plan for each day’s events and challenges that will arise throughout the week, I have found that the word “trust” comes up again and again. As head of school, I cannot do this work without the reservoir of trust that has been built in the school and in the community. It reminds me of Brené Brown’s description of trust as the “stacking of small moments over time,” akin to preparation for COVID, that first week back to school in mid-August and now, our catastrophic freeze accompanied by lack of power and water last week. We have all found opportunities to trust and know that our community is doing the best it can with the information and tools it has before us.

I have witnessed how neighbors, teachers, and parents have treated each other, I have watched students reach out to their peers, and I am in awe. I observe how colleagues patiently inspire each other. We all must show great courage, empathy, and trust in our work. I could go on and on about trust, but I do believe Blaine Lee from the Power Principle says it best: “When people honor each other, there is a trust established that leads to synergy, interdependence, and deep respect. Both parties make decisions and choices based on what is right, what is best, what is valued most highly." Trust is like a "THINK filter,” we all use this tool all the time. For example, we trust our food in grocery stores or at restaurants is safe, we trust our mechanics, and in dropping off our children at Trinity every day we trust that “all will be well.” Your gut sometimes works better than your brain, and this is important to remember when your children become teenagers. Trust is established over time.

We all continue to trust that our school community is staying safe and making healthy behavioral choices when not on campus and we trust in ourselves to utilize our God-given talents to make our community a little better each day.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. -Maya Angelou

With gratitude,

Mark Ravelli

Head of School