Head of School INNSider: February 2025

Dear SCH Community,

Some argue that February is the longest month of the school year. Its frigid temperatures, post-holiday malaise, academic intensity, and winter fatigue make it feel more like a drag than a glide. While the winter doldrums are no laughing matter, moments of joy can break through and remind us why our work is meaningful. One such moment happened just before winter break when I visited a first-grade classroom. A little girl looked at me and said, “Dr. Dinkins, I can’t stop smiling. I just can’t help it. I smile every day—even when I’m sleeping!” Her infectious joy was a gift, reminding me that our daily efforts create a space where children feel seen, safe, and inspired—where smiles come naturally.

And smiles spoke loudly with the Eagles’ commanding Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. Going into the game, the campus was ablaze with green and firing on all cylinders to support our hometown heroes. Coming out of the game, we could not be more proud of the team that capped off its glorious season with a defiant win against a team favored to take home the Lombardi Trophy. Regarded as one of the most resilient teams in sports, the Birds understood the assignment and got it done!

While it may not compare to the Super Bowl’s ability to ignite the imagination, our recent reaccreditation process with the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) brought joy, affirmation, and a reminder that resilience is one of our core values. Over three days, 15 educators visited our campus to understand better how effectively we are fulfilling our mission. They reviewed our programs, evaluated our operations, and assessed our practices while engaging with our faculty and staff. Their feedback confirmed what many of us already know: SCH is a remarkable institution doing transformative work for its students.

Their observations read like a love letter to our community. They praised our innovative spirit, reflected in programs such as CEL, Robotics, and Outdoor Education. They commended our commitment to campus planning, acknowledging the remarkable impact of the McCausland Lower School and our thoughtful approach to managing our facilities despite the challenges posed by deferred maintenance. They celebrated the strength of our one-school ethos, reflecting our post-merger identity. They recognized our strategic plan, Shaping Our Future, as an inclusive and disciplined process for envisioning SCH’s next chapter. Finally, they applauded the growth of our Early Childhood Center, including its expansion into the Kline Building. Most importantly, they hailed the dedication of our faculty and staff, whose hard work and creativity make SCH an extraordinary place for learning.

I extend my deepest gratitude to SCH’s Accreditation Steering Committee, which worked tirelessly for 20 months to prepare for this visit. Thank you to everyone who contributed—whether by meeting with visiting team members, opening classrooms, providing tours, or ensuring our guests felt warmly welcomed. This visit was not just an evaluation but a celebration of our collective efforts, reaffirming SCH’s impact and bright future.

In reflecting on this success, I’ve also considered the importance of appreciation—something that feels particularly relevant during this Valentine’s season. Each year, I revisit a collection of cherished letters—pale and faded pages filled with margin notes and scratched-out words, reminders of who I was and who I’ve become. Some are over 35 years old, holding memories, courage, and truths that connect me to my past and help guide my future. I keep them because they represent something enduring—the power of thoughtful words shared with care.

In today’s digital world, our students communicate in ways that can be both transient and lasting—through texts, stories, and snaps that either disappear in an instant or remain indefinitely. While something is compelling about that impermanence, there is also something profoundly meaningful about messages that last. Whether through a handwritten note, a conversation, or a heartfelt expression of gratitude, taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate one another strengthens our bonds and deepens our sense of community.

Thank you for your love and commitment to SCH this Valentine's Day. Your hard work, support, and belief in our mission make this community unique. Thank you for cherishing our school and ensuring that moments of joy, like that first grader’s unstoppable smile, continue to shine through—even in February.

Best,

Delvin Dinkins
Head of School