This is what we are given. This moment, this now, this ground under our feet, this sky over our heads, this encounter with new faces and experiences, this awareness. Be here in this moment. Awaken your spirit to adventure. Let your heart be your guide. A new year awaits you.

These words—penned by our Director of Philosophy, Ethics, and World Religions Mirza Khan—began this year’s Opening of School Community Reflection, at which all students K-12 gather with faculty, staff, friends, and family to honor and celebrate the new school year ahead of us.

This year’s assembly included student speeches in multiple languages, as well as performances by our many talented dancers, singers, and musicians of all ages. We hope you enjoy the photos!

We belong. You belong. Here, in this field, among all of us. Every one of us has a different personality, different identities, different cultures, different experiences, different perspectives. When you acknowledge another person, acknowledge their background, acknowledge their experience, acknowledge who they are, then you help create a space where people feel safe to share about themselves. With open minds, with kindness, with an authentic honoring of diversity, we can make San Domenico a place where everyone belongs and everyone feels acknowledged for who they are. 
Aarya C. ’24

We are all changing. In learning to change, to respect, to discover, and to love, we become a little smarter and a little stronger every day. As the earth rotates every day, each of us is faced with a new possibility for growth. The earth changes, and we change with it. That is what it means to be human. 
Addy S. ’24