In My Beginning is Not Necessarily My End
Neil Mufson, Head of School

Ever since discovering T.S. Eliot’s The Four Quartets while a comparative literature major in college, I have been intrigued by the lines in the poem East Coker that say, “In my beginning is my end… [and] in my end is my beginning.” While Eliot was ruminating on more metaphysical questions about human existence, as an educator, at this point I find these lines memorable because they are only marginally true for primary-aged children when one considers their progress in any given school year.

Think about how and where your children began the academic year. Now consider what they are like as they end it. Many have seen truly remarkable, meteoric growth in numerous areas. While in some ways their “beginnings” can be recognized in their “ends,” in most cases a school year has worked its magic and utterly transformed them.

Similarly, children will not necessarily begin next year where they end this one. The academic skills they have acquired will not be maintained over the summer without a conscious parental effort. While children certainly need a change of pace over the summer, they also need to continue to read, write, and do math. The school’s summer reading and math suggestions that will be coming home shortly are a good starting point, but parents also need to be alert to opportunities to inject this kind of practice (even if it’s unobtrusive) into their family’s regular routine. In that way, to quote Eliot, “The end is where we start from.”

It has been an absolute pleasure working with you and your precious children during this, my first year at Primary Day. I truly look forward to more growth in the years ahead. My best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful summer!