Today to my surprise, the first thing I saw was a picture of an old barn. With Mike's permission, I share his Morning Message below. Thanks, Mike!
If Those Walls Could Talk
I like cool old barns because they are a dying breed but also because they house the character of the workmen who crafted them with their own hands and with their own brawn. I also like them because they store within them a rich history. Over the years an old barn saw many livestock and lots of manual labor. An old barn also saw triumphs, tragedies, and most likely was a spot where people gathered to laugh and to chew the fat. For a farmer, a barn is like a second home. It’s where he spends many long hours toiling in the heat or freezing in the cold. Over time the barn stands and it takes in all the stories deep into the grains of its hand-hewn beams. I always marvel at these old barns and would love to tap those stories and memories from deep within. The walls of a school are like the siding on an old barn. They too soak in the triumphs, tragedies, and conversations that happen within. They too soak in the stories and the laughter. A school, like an old barn, holds within its walls something magical. It holds the possibilities of childhood and innocence of youth. Fifty years from now someone will look back on the walls of this school and think, “I wish those walls could talk”. It’s ironic to think that today we are adding another chapter to the story of our school. We will have triumphs and failures in this chapter. We will also have many moments of laughter and joy. But we will also be building something incredible for ourselves and for our students: Memories. And if you take a moment to recognize this, the memory will be richer and deeper down the road of life when someday you strive once again to relive a time where you were surrounded by people you liked, doing something you were put on this earth to do. So take a moment today to look around and to capture in your hearts and minds the nuances of your space, the sounds of your colleagues and students, and smells of fresh crayons and endless possibilities. Because in many ways this is the best of times and we are so fortunate to not only be living it but also fortunate to recognize its worth. Have a great school year.
Michael R. Pinto
Principal, James Cole Elementary School
