The Summer Letter

When I was a Principal, we held a retreat at the end of each school year.

It was a chance to reflect and look forward. We could speak honestly and openly while our synapses were all still ​firing.

Before we broke for Summer. Before we rested.

Staff had time to review their curriculum and collaborate with their colleagues.

During each retreat I shared a “Summer Read” that connected to our work and where we were headed. Usually, this ​was a book.

However, at the end of the 2015-2016 school year I felt that a “Summer Listen” was more appropriate for where we ​were.

I chose The Beatles’ “Revolver” Album. I wrote the note below to go along with it.

Our school had established a foundation of safety and order. We had moved out of the day to day fires, were moving ​towards our vision, and had established a culture where individual voice mattered and the best idea always won.

Given enough time, luck, and collective work, all organizations should come to this inflection point. It is a time where a ​leader needs to begin to decide what practices will remain, which ones will fade, and where we will evolve.

It was time for our school to become stronger by each one of us becoming the best versions of ourselves.

Questions For You

How do you acknowledge the work your team did before they scatter for Summer?

How do you ensure that, even if we’re not together, we know exactly where we’re going?

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