When my children were small, like many of you probably do, we devoted a door jamb to marking their height at least a couple of times a year. It was always astonishing to come back and note how much taller they had become. If you could, what other types of growth would you like to be able to mark during the course of this coming school year? It’s a worthy question to consider as we start 2025-26.

The ages of Primary Day children encompass such growth that the options are vast. Tracking academic or athletic progress is relatively straightforward. You can observe how your child becomes a more fluent reader or more skilled on the pitch. You can ascertain how adeptly their piano skills develop, or sense how they become more observant of the natural world unfolding around them.

What evidence would you seek, though, to help assess if your child is growing in kindness, responsibility, or empathy? What markers would tell you that he is becoming more empathetic, more caring, or more independent? What kind of development do you hope to see in her social or interpersonal skills?

Whatever yardsticks you select, one thing is certain: remarkable transformations are ahead! As we at Primary Day partner with you to help develop good people, we know that some powerful basics help children reach their potential: a good night’s sleep; lots of chances to explore outdoors; a consistent routine; arriving at school and other places on time; very little, if any, screentime; and dinner as a family at least 3 or 4 times a week. Such a regimen helps your child make the most of the remarkable opportunities here at Primary Day and in their overall lives. The faculty, staff, and I are eager to nurture, challenge, and guide your children as they navigate all sorts of growth this year. Along the way, be sure to reach out to any of us if you have questions, concerns, or ideas. Welcome to the new school year and the Primary Day experience!