Advisers

Thanks giving

The month of November is often synonymous with Thanksgiving, but without prompting, we rarely stop to consider the why’s  or how’s of giving thanks.  At SIS, to talk about our relative privilege or opportunity, no matter how sincerely, we will come off sounding patronizing or trite.  Those are good things to be thankful for, but this year, let’s leave those out of our conversation at school.  Instead, I’d like to see the student council leading us in a focus on what we can give, rather than what we have received.  As the year started, Nick laid out a theme for the year: participation.  That theme gains new meaning at a time of showing thanks.  We should celebrate our ability to give.  Whether contributing to a community service organization or performing before the entire school at Tiger Idol, you have a special ability to give something back to the communities in which you live.  So this November, take another look at all of the opportunities to serve or give back, but this time without the cynicism that has become so prevalent here at SIS.  I think that you will see that the stereotype of students busy padding their file for college applications is more fiction than fact.  You will see students putting their time and energy that is divided so many ways into making the world more livable for others around them.  This year, I am going to be thankful for all of you who dedicate time to teaching English, raising awareness about environmental problems, raising money and awareness about the problem of poverty, building affordable houses for people without shelter, tutoring SIS students who need help, and all of the other ways in which SIS students practice citizenship through service.  Thanks everyone, and keep up the good work.