Dear Boundless Families:
“Alive and well.” “Settling in.” “Getting the lay of the land.”
These clichés are all true when it comes to your kids in their first few days of boarding school. At this very moment, they are mastering the rapids on a day so stunning it makes you realize that heaven is indeed on earth.
But those sayings don’t capture the essence of what’s really happening. The complexity of these teens suggests there is so much going on inside their rapidly developing brains.
The first thing that comes to mind is bravery. It was a courageous act, especially for the new students (who make up 60% of the crew), to step into the unknown as they have. In my opening talk a few days ago, I spoke about the Polynesians and what they feared most about beginnings. For them, it wasn’t the sea. It wasn’t even the threat of hunger that daunted them, as they traveled thousands of kilometres between islands, guided only by their valour and the stars.
It was the first dip of their paddles away from home.
So it is for these new students. I think of the parents and caregivers who fought back tears in the parking lots. The kids drove away knowing they were loved.
Fear wears many costumes, especially for teenagers. The shy ones close themselves off, concealing their apprehension. Others put on false bravado, masking how shaky they feel inside as they try to figure this place out. My favourite is the “too-cool-for-school” kid, who appears disinterested but is in fact carefully watching everything. The nonchalance is an almost perfect shroud for the anxiety within.
And yet today, every student is in the Boundless game, soaking in the sunshine, finding their place, and exhausting themselves before bedtime. Their sleeps so far have been shockingly good and deep.
I find it astounding how quickly young people can break their screen addictions. We can get away with this up here. I have empathy for the hundred thousand teachers across this province who don’t have the same opportunity.
Perhaps the most poignant activity in these young minds is how they are receiving the random kindness that floats above them like a benevolent fog. Some can’t quite take it all in. Too much, too fast. Yet they sense its authenticity. Could this place really be for real?
All of this is to say your kids are doing just fine.
The adventure now moves to the next predictable hurdle. Science begins this weekend. Your kids will have to sit. The honeymoon of this first week will soon end, and the grinds shall begin.
Wish us well.
Thank you for sending your kids to us.
Steven
Above Photo AI Generated
