On a crisp, clear morning, the school community gathered this week to celebrate the new school year. In a ceremony featuring beautiful and inspiring dance, song, music, and spoken word performances by the students, San Domenico’s Director of Philosophy, Ethics, and World Religions Mirza Khan invited our gathered community to consider the wisdom and gifts that lie in new beginnings. 

As part of the community gathering, students, faculty, and staff were invited to share aloud their goals and dreams for the coming year.

“I want to learn my multiplication tables.” - Lower School student
“I want to find out what I’m going to do in my life after SD.” - 12th grade student
“I want to help homeless people get homes and good food.” - Lower School student
“I want to make more friends.” - Middle School student
“I want to connect more with friends and family.” - faculty member
“I want to make the world a better place.” - Lower School student

Such wonderful goals from our amazing community.

What are your goals for the year ahead? For inspiration, we leave you with this thought shared by the Fifth Grade Leadership Team. 

In Zen Buddhism there is a concept called shoshin (初心) "beginner's mind”—openness, excitement, a lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level.
 
To cultivate beginner’s mind:
 
Let go of preconceptions about how things work.
 
Give up expectations about what will happen.
 
Fill yourself with curiosity to understand things more deeply.
 
Ask simple questions.
 
Open yourself up to new possibilities.