Campus Voices
Middle School
When I smell the musky scent of the annual mulch delivery on our Sparks Street campus, it’s a gentle, and somehow unbelievable, reminder that the end of the year is suddenly upon us. I always treasure the much anticipated arrival of the tulips and lilacs bursting from the thawing earth below, but it somehow always feels like a jolt. I am immediately transported and reminded of the careful plantings back in the fall. Where has all the time gone? Will all the bulbs pop? Did we plant them well? Will they all blossom on time?
Who would have ever predicted the strong connection between the annual Burpee direct mail catalogue and the life cycle of a Middle School student on Sparks Street?
Burpee was founded back in 1876, and they have come to be one of the “leading and most progressive” garden companies. These retail marketers pride themselves on providing support and education; they strive to empower the aspiring gardener to be bold and dream up a vision for their new garden. They encourage diversity of colors, heights, and textures. They answer questions from budding gardeners in the summer and fall as preparation and plans are made for the much anticipated varied plantings. There are questions about design, blooming cycles, depth and mixture of the best potting soil. Decisions are made and the process begins. There are check-ins. There are inquiries about observations and/or concerns about whether the roots are taking take hold. We watch the weather predictions. Too many unknowns—it is clear that we must wait….
We try to trust and wait—and wait.
And finally, the fruit of our work.
Spring has sprung.
The patient gardeners are rewarded with results.
With each passing day, the sunshine brings more visible growth. The roots have taken hold and the flowers are blooming. Who would have known that these students would have achieved the enormous growth, both individually and collectively, that they have? Challenges have been met and overcome and the connections are deeper and stronger.
How can we not appreciate the remarkable beauty in these impressive gardens? We are reaping the benefits of the creative, diverse, and thoughtful plantings. Throughout the community, we can’t help but notice, enjoy, and celebrate the bursts of color, energy, and pride.
So now, as I enter my campus, the scent of mulch and lilacs take me quickly back to the fall. As a community, we have come a long way from our opening days. There has been tremendous growth intellectually, emotionally, and socially within these two classes. They have come together in wonderful ways and I am confident that there is more to come.
As I look out, the dynamic and impressive blooms arrange themselves in their own way. I take in the vibrant colors, the movement, the array of textures and sizes around me. I breathe deeply and smile.
Where has all the time gone?
Calendar
