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Letters from the Head of School

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  • Letters from the Head of School
Alfred F. (Rik) Dugan III, Head of School

“A person should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

Listen to a child sing with their heart. Appreciate a boy’s artwork. Marvel as a young man makes a musical instrument play his masterpiece. Take in the magic of Princeton Academy’s Middle School Evening of the Arts, where the “sense of beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul” is on full display.

I believe that every child possesses unique gifts and talents, and that it is our responsibility as adults to create an environment where they can flourish. In his book The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, the late Sir Kenneth Robinson reminds us that “young children are wonderfully confident in their own imaginations.” Asserting the importance of maintaining creativity as we grow older, Robinson uses “the term the Element to describe the place where the things we love to do and the things we are good at come together.” According to Robinson, “It’s also about understanding the conditions under which human talents will flourish or fade. It’s about how we can all engage more fully in the present, and how we can prepare in the only possible way for a completely unknowable future.” We owe this to our children.

Artistry comes in a multitude of forms, and when a child sees themself as an artist, something magical occurs: They believe in themselves. It is vital that children see themselves as artists in whatever domain they choose; free from judgment, exempt from critique, all affirming. Artistic expression is human expression. It is healthy, it is necessary, and it is life. While we as humans are often drawn to the aesthetic in its final form, it is the process by which this artistic expression comes about (whether visual, musical, performance, literary, et al) that engenders the formation of our identities and connects us across cultures and time. Promoting the arts at every level of a K-8 educational experience ensures that our students grow up to be artists in their own unique manner, perhaps finding their element in a most transformational way.

I am proud of how we celebrate the arts at Princeton Academy. It is so important to take intentional time to love and validate a child’s creativity. Call it what it is - we all feel a sense of pride and affirmation when our work, our art, is appreciated. When a child’s creation is on display, or their song is applauded, they are nourished spiritually. Every child deserves this moment. When I hear students say to their peers, “Yo, that is so cool!” or “You have a really awesome voice!” or “How did you get so good at the piano?” I know that they are building each other up, fortifying self-esteem, and putting goodness into our world. What they are really saying is “I see you” and “I appreciate you”.

Bravo to our artists and thank you to our educators for creating a safe space for our students to be in their element and shine their light to the world - a true work of art, and a true work of heart.

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