New School Year Begins With Excitement, Expectations

Collegiate School was abuzz early this morning as new Head of School Penny B. Evins greeted excited JK-12th Grade students across the Mooreland Road campus on their (and her) first day of school. A new year is beginning, and with it comes numerous opportunities to learn, grow and serve.
Mrs. Evins began her day welcoming Lower School students during carpool. She, along with Head of Lower School Debbie Miller and other staff members, high-fived, hugged and cheered on JK-4th Graders and their families as they headed to their classrooms. Mrs. Evins also introduced official Cougar pup Ansley to students.
 
At the first Upper School assembly of the year, co-SCA leaders Addison Smith and Austin King welcomed everyone and expressed enthusiasm for the coming year. After the musical group Con Brio performed the song Brand New, Addison and Austin introduced Head of School Penny Evins and invited her to participate in a short Q&A session. The two asked about her background, how she came to Collegiate and what she looks forward to this year.

“Getting to know you all, without a doubt,” she said. “Today was such an exciting day because I’ve been waiting to have students in the buildings.”
 
They ended the session by asking, If you could invent one thing to change the world for the better, what would it be? 
 
“I’d want everyone to have the kind of education that you have,” she said. “If you could start this year thinking about the privilege of this education. What I would call all of you to do is to try some new things this year. Take full (advantage) of this education that you have at Collegiate. It is remarkable, it is priceless and it is a privilege.”
 
Upper School Head Patrick Loach then addressed the students with words of encouragement: “This is going to be an exciting year. You get a sense of all the talent we have at this school — artistic talent, athletic talent, intellectual talent —  and you certainly get the idea that we’re going to have a great year.”
 
After welcoming new students and faculty members, the entire Upper School rose and ended the assembly with a hearty rendition of Hail, Collegiate.
 
Later in the morning during their opening of school assembly, new Head of Middle School Tung Trinh (who experienced his first carpool duty today) welcomed 5th-8th Graders. He presented a slideshow about himself that showed what he cared about as a Middle Schooler (food, sleep and basketball) and expressed how teachers impacted him.
 
“My teachers showed me that there was room in my mind and in my heart for basketball and school,” he said. “That’s when I learned how important teachers were in my life.”
 
He also told the students that he hoped the year would be about getting to know all of them. 
 
“Because every one of you matters,” he said. “I hope when you see me that you ask me something or tell me something. My hope for this year is to have many conversations with you.”
 
In the afternoon, Mr. Trinh met with the entire 8th Grade on the blacktop. Before handing out popsicles, he talked to them about being good leaders.
 
“Being a good leader does not mean going around giving orders,” he said. “Do the right thing when no one is watching. If you see trash on the ground, pick it up. If you enter a building, look to see if someone is behind you and hold the door for them.”
 
Meanwhile, numerous students showed up to school with “First Day Of” signs this morning, while photos of others holding their signs flooded in through social media – featuring smiling students eager to begin the 2019-20 school year. It was a great day to be a Cougar!
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