A few words before the year gets underway –

First and foremost, I want to take a moment to say how excited I am to be in this role as the Assistant Principal here at Sutherland. I have been here at Sutherland for a decade now, and I speak from the heart when I say I have never worked in a building that feels like a home more than this school does. Your children become our children for such a brief period of time – just three blink-and-you-will-miss-them years – but during their time here, they grow and change and morph into the young adults that will soon make their mark on this world. It is always amazing to watch that transformation take place.

Tomorrow, our newest group of students will enter this building ready to take on the challenges this year holds for them. As someone who has spent their adult life still in a school, I have come to know their faces. Many will walk in with smiles, ready to see their friends and find their new classrooms, lockers, and desks. Others will walk in overwhelmed as this will be the largest school they have attended. Some will walk in not yet fully aware that summer is over and that the task of learning is about to get underway again. There are those that will walk in already disliking school because learning has never been an easy task. We take them all, no matter where they are when they walk in that door, and they become ours for another year. It is an honor. I recognize that I am biased, but I do believe through these doorways pass the greatest students in the world.

When I was younger, I spent my summers going to camp that was as much a “home” to me as my real home was. I always remember that feeling the night before camp started. I never got any sleep as I was so eager for the next day to start. I get those same butterflies now. The night before school starts, I prepare for a sleepless night of excitement, nerves, and just a touch of anxiety. Each year brings new challenges – some good, some bad. Each experience helps me to grow as a person and as an educator. For me, this is an exciting journey. What makes walking this path much easier is all of you. The hard work each and every one of you do behind the scenes to help your children succeed in school is always evident. Take this as a preemptive “thank you”. The reason I say through these doorways pass the greatest students in the world is because of the hard work many of you have done in paving their path. So, to the parents, guardians, family members, coaches, teachers, and everyone else that has - in some small way - helped shape your child’s life: Thank you. It truly does take a village to help every child succeed, and we are thrilled to be part of that community.  

I know I am eager for this year to begin. Never hesitate to reach out and ask a question should you have one. Take care and see you all soon!

Mr. Guy