If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. —Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Dear Turning Point Families,
A few days ago, we stepped into the new school year with open hearts, keen minds, and just a hint of nervous energy. As I shared in my August blog post, parenting (and teaching) isn’t about perfection but about presence. It is a precious gift to witness that presence in action during our first week together.
You may be familiar with Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s metaphor of passionate, fearless discovery. I love its invitation to feel a sense of wonder, ownership, and possibility, which resonates deeply with the principles of positive psychology that inform Turning Point’s educational philosophy.
At Turning Point School, we design learning experiences that move beyond task completion and box checking. Instead, we invite students to embark on a journey where curiosity fuels their pursuits, and they grow comfortable navigating the depths of compelling ideas.
In these first weeks of school, teachers and students co-create classroom norms and culture, shaping learning spaces where every student feels empowered to take risks and explore bold ideas. When students have choice, voice, and a sense of ownership, their engagement deepens, not out of obligation but out of genuine inspiration. We foster and model that spirit early in the year, because meaningful learning begins with meaningful connection.
Each year, we select an “essential question” to help us guide our work ahead.
This year’s question is:
How can we consistently make others feel truly seen, valued, and cared for to build lasting relationships and inspire a dynamic learning community?
This week, we saw that spirit in a teacher kneeling to meet a student’s eyes with warmth and patience; in a child inviting a new friend to join in play at recess; in the quiet pride of students sharing about their summers and setting goals for the year ahead. In every small act of noticing, encouraging, and celebrating, our community is not just building ships, but nurturing a deep longing for the sea.
Our goal for students is not only academic success but overall flourishing where they cultivate strengths, resilience, and optimism in the face of challenges. We want students to be invested in learning for the long term and in pursuing knowledge with intention, resulting in a growth mindset that embraces setbacks as opportunities for growth.
These early moments set the tone for the journey ahead and remind us that lasting growth happens not from grand gestures, but from consistent care, connection, and presence.
The photos included here are just a sample of snapshots from our first week—moments of exploration, curiosity, and connection. Every snapshot in time captures the spirit of a community already in motion, where relationships are forming and each child is stepping into the new year with a sense of purpose and belonging.
This year’s voyage has just begun, and we look forward to every milestone ahead!
Gratefully,
Laura
Dr. Laura Konigsberg
Head of School
lkonigsberg@turningpointschool.org
