The first assembly of 2010-2011 took place at D-E this week, in the Modell’s Sports Complex Large Gym. The assembly is a tradition at the start of school for the 1,000+ members of the D-E community, bringing all three divisions together. This year’s event featured testimonials from parents, faculty, and students of all backgrounds and ages. The assembly’s key themes of change and kindness were accented with video segments, including Brad Paisley’s popular “Welcome to the Future” music video and a touching animated short, “A True Act of Kindness”. The program wrapped up with select individuals’ reflections on “Why Am I Here?” -- personal stories about what makes our community strong and unique.

Student Government President Harry Shulman ’11 kicked-off the program by welcoming everyone back to school, noting his amazement that he was now a senior and starting his final year at D-E. He noted, “A school is more than a place where teachers teach. WE are D-E; How we are defines our school. (We can) make change and we are a community together…”

Head of School Dr. De Jarnett followed, first expressing appreciation to the school’s summer maintenance team, who prepared the campus for the start of school. Quoting from Plato, Dr. De Jarnett then spoke on the themes of change and kindness, remarking, “I see acts of kindness everyday at D-E, some small and some great. …I ask this year that we all think more deliberately and regularly about kindness. Our kindness to each other is at many times, our greatest strength…”

Remarks from other students included those of Lauryn Fuld, a Lower School 2nd grader, who spoke with clarity and grace of a friend’s kindness on the playground; and Justin Kim ’11, who described compassion as sometimes simply “keeping a promise”. Kim shared a personal experience of working with Cambodian orphans not accustomed to people who follow-through.

Speaking about learning to be comfortable with change, Middle School faculty member Matt Larrowe shared his distinct memories of moving to the New York metro area from his much more rural southern roots of Virginia and North Carolina.  Jack Feikens, a Middle School 8th Grader, made the point that change may be hard but it can turn out to be much more positive than was expected.

Board of Trustees’ President Karen Aboodi provided personal impressions of when her oldest child, Gabriella (D-E Class of 2010) arrived on the first day of school, to a warm welcome from the Lower School Principal. She continued, “But the most important reason I am here is because Dwight-Englewood is like family. You can take your family for granted, not notice they are there, but when you need them, they invariably come through, and you remember and appreciate their importance in your life.”

Bianca DiGiovanni ’11 echoed Aboodi’s sentiments, noting, “As the years go on, I find more reasons to be here. As I have grown through the years, Dwight has given me more independence….The most important part of this independence is that it always comes with guidance. The teachers, advisors, administrators, and peers (with whom) you develop relationships...are there for you every step of the way.”

Finally Zach Hodges ’11 wrapped-up the program and used this forum to challenge the audience. He asked: “If this was your last minute, how would you act? How would you act? We have 260,000 of these minutes left in our school year. Waste none of them.”

By all accounts, this first all-assembly was an engaging, inspiring way to start off the new 2010-2011 school year all together as a community.