Opening Day: Learning the Story

There is a great deal of research on ways to best manage leadership transition. As I leap into the new school year with you, it is clear that Shore has done a remarkable job of taking its community through the most important steps leading up to this new chapter. The way the school thanked and honored Larry Griffin says so much about what the community values. The way the school has welcomed my family and me reflects your core values of being kind, true, respectful, open, dependable, and your best. 

Today, Opening Day, has been yet another reminder of why I am here, and why I am so pleased to be not only Head of School at Shore, but also a Shore parent. Each person, young or old, I had the privilege to meet this morning reinforced for me that Shore is a community of true engagement, where the vibrant voices of all individuals contribute to the narrative of our school every day.

Now that I am on campus full time and am able to immerse myself in Shore, two very important areas of focus have emerged. First, it is important to me to begin collecting the community stories. These stories reflect the Shore Country Day School culture, and I need to make them my stories as quickly as possible. Our steadiness as a community will happen when there is clear cultural alignment between the leader and each member of the school: past, present, and even future. When we achieve this alignment, we will be able to create a shared narrative that gives way to a shared vision about what is possible for Shore.

My other area of focus this year is to absorb the concept of tradition at Shore. Tradition is the footing on which we will lean as we reach forward together. Innovation must be balanced with our roots in order to be effective. So I will make myself a student. I am watching, noticing, and wondering as I experience the annual rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations. The opportunity to build our innovation on our foundation will be my focus this year.

I have filled my summer with opportunities to listen. I have met with employees, trustees, students, alumni families, and current families. Each and every moment reminds me of why I wanted to be a part of this school. You should know that when asked what individuals value about Shore, nearly everyone believes it to be the people. I am grateful to be a part of your community and a part of this very special environment for raising wonderful children.

I leave you with a quintessential Shore moment. On July 5th, my first day on campus, I received an e-mail from a ninth grade student. Her e-mail opened with, “Welcome to Shore!” and finished with, “I can’t wait to meet you.” This sentiment, so revealing of our core values, is the best indication that this is a tremendously strong community of dedicated people capable of wonderful things.
 
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    • Raising the flag

    • Keisha Myrie greets Mary Pollock '23

    • A handshake with Hugo Foster

Shore Country Day School

545 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 927-1700
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.