It’s December 16! This is the last newsletter I’ll send until the new year. You all deserve time off— not only from me, but from anything clogging your inbox.
Today’s my birthday. It’s my brother’s birthday, too. I was four years old when he was born. He came along, and in one fell swoop took my birthday, my “youngest child” status, and the “cutest kid” status— he was cuter, of course, and besides, he was a boy! After three girls.
So I got demoted pretty quickly.
The truth is— I actually liked sharing my birthday with my brother, not least because I have gotten to spend almost fifty years acting martyred.
My Mom used to make a cake just for me. It was a Betty Crocker Chocolate Cake Mix (because boxed cake mixes are awesome) with Betty Crocker Chocolate Icing (because same) and then she’d scatter Peanut M-n-Ms on top of the iced cake. I loved it— just loved it.
Birthday or not, this is the season of treats, of sugar and chocolate and deliciousness, of indulgence and satisfaction, of illumination and music and lights and concerts.
You are all probably hosting some amazing holiday parties at school, watching musical performances by your students and your hardworking performance arts staff.
You’ve spent some of your own money on a holiday gift for your staff.
You’ve adopted a family and you’ve worn a Santa hat.
Holiday music is piping from the P.A. system in the morning.
Secret Santa staff shenanigans are wrapping up. Maybe a PTO pancake breakfast. Maybe a gift exchange. Maybe a staff happy hour, a snowman suit, a snow day, spirit week, a lost-and-found bulging with hats and gloves and water bottles.
All the things.
You’ll limp to the finish line this month, exhausted as can be, but you’ll also be full and happy and validated. You might be in a school where parents give you Starbucks gift cards, and you might be in a school where you won’t get a single thing from your families because they can’t. Either are fine.
What you will get? A break.
Wanna know why I sooooooo love winter break? Because most people truly step away from their keyboards and let things be. Last year, I went two or three whole days without an email. It was a holiday miracle.
So to all of you: I hope you have the most wonderful break. My suggestion? Disconnect from your laptop and your school, immerse yourself in your family, friends, your travel, your books, your movies, your football, your skiing, your surfing, whatever it is you do. And wherever you are in the world, I hope you close out the year and come back ready for 2026 like the spectacular leader you have become, like the phenomenal soul you are.
Hugs to all of you, dear leaders.
Jen
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