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Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. This morning we opened our doors to 62 precious children as Donum Dei students. The first day of school symbolizes a new beginning, an opportunity for a fresh start with a clean slate.
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! This morning we opened our doors to 62 precious children as Donum Dei students. This is my 43rd “first day of school” as either a teacher or administrator and my 33rd year as head of a Christian school. The first day of school is always a special time for me. I love greeting students as they arrive at school–some nervous, some excited, some confident, and some apprehensive. I also enjoy seeing parents drop off their children–some nervous, some excited, some confident, and some apprehensive as well. And I have to say that I love the Donum Dei tradition of serving donuts on the first day of school. Donuts are always a special treat, especially when served on Treat Avenue (pun intended)!
The first day of school symbolizes a new beginning. It’s an opportunity for a fresh start with a clean slate. In his letter to the Philippian church, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to forget the past and focus on the future. In Philippians 3:12-14 we read (NLT)
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Isn’t it great that we serve a God who forgives our past sins, no matter how egregious, and offers redemption through his Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior? Isn’t it wonderful that we worship the God of “second chances”? Aren’t we blessed that we can look forward to the heavenly prize that God is calling us to receive? What an exciting, hope-filled future we have waiting for us! I look forward to this new beginning with you as we “press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed (us)....”
Soli Deo Gloria,
Bill McGee
Interim Head of School
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mr. Bill McGee
At Donum Dei we have a passion for excellence. We aim to be that school that families tour and can’t imagine having ever lived without it...
As a child I was afraid of the dark. There is something about darkness that we humans dislike. But in God's ultimate wisdom, He often does His most majestic works in the silence and the dark.
During this time of year as we head toward our fall break, I'm always grateful for the intentional rhythms of rest that our school practices. An invitation to abide rather than strive in our own strength.
DONUM DEI
CLASSICAL ACADEMY
