Tonight was our second Family Night. We welcomed the Class of 2011 and their families. It was a year ago this week that we got together at the Franklin Institute and welcomed a group of families as they walked a dream with us. Tonight, we invited a group of families into a school that already exists.

I think tonight marked the first time we did anything for the second time.

It was a great night tonight, as our students — as always — talked so passionately about SLA. As the teachers were introducing themselves, the kids were cheering for them. It felt like a rock concert. And our teachers all played an amazing role. Folks stepped up and talked about their roles at SLA with energy and passion and intelligence and pride. It was amazing for me to watch the conversations develop. It’s wonderful for me to not have to be "the voice" of SLA… seeing that voice be shared, that vision shared… seeing other people contribute their voice to the mix to where the school really does feel like the blend of so many voices. It really does just make me so happy and proud and humbled.

And I do think and hope that the families and students who came tonight do understand how special we think our school is… and how excited we are to have them join us.

Happy Birthday, SLA. It’s been an amazing first year so far. I can’t wait for the second year.