Weekly Message from Head of School

April 30, 2020

Message from the Head of School

The End Crowns the Work… Even for the Class 2020

My son Andrew handed in his final college paper over our April “staycation.” Just like that, he was done with college: four years gone in the blink of an eye. Like so many parents of seniors in 2020, I gave him a hug and told him how proud I was of his accomplishments. I really meant it: I am proud, and more importantly I know he is proud of his college career. Still, I have to stop myself from wanting a different ending to college for him, a chance to celebrate with friends and teammates, to find the tie and coat, head to obligatory commencement activities, and process what it means to savor this chapter in his own way on the campus he grew to love. I have to stop myself, because no matter how much my heart aches for him, his classmates and all of the seniors here at Lincoln Academy are sharing the same experience: they are finishing their school experiences in a different world than they started in. I have to stop myself because as our motto reminds us, the end crowns the work. 

For me, the “end” in our motto does not refer to a ceremony or a celebration, it is realization of how the work has shaped the direction of your life; has brought into focus what is most important. This clarity of purpose becomes the crown; it is what the work tells my son about his convictions and talents. Perhaps my desire for a more normal end of his career, a graduation with pomp and circumstance, shows that what I really want is for things to be normal, the way they have always been.

And as I watch him move about the house this week, play catch and cook dinner with his brother and sister, and begin looking for his next step, I see what I am certain many of you see in your children, spouses, partners and family members. I see resilience. There is something about this moment: we have embraced humanity in a way that is empowering and leveling. Perhaps the fact that we are all struggling right now has allowed us to see our own strengths, find our own resilience, judge ourselves less harshly against our peers.

The Lincoln Academy faculty and staff helped bring our seniors to the place where they can start to see how the end crowns their work. All of us are struggling to find a way to honor this accomplishment authentically, practically and safely. One thing I know for certain is that this celebration will be different for this group of seniors than for any other in the school's 219-year history. We have a good team working on the best options to honor the graduates and help them close out their time with us at Lincoln. I remain confident in our students and their resilience, and I am grateful for the chance to share this moment with them.

We know that families are also seeking ways to honor and celebrate students right now. If we can help in any way, do not hesitate to reach out.

Be well and stay safe.

Jeffrey S. Burroughs
Head of School