The good rain reads the seasons, it arrives with spring
unnoticed alongside the night breeze, it waters without making a sound
as the paths and the clouds remain unlit, in the glimmer from the lantern of a passing boat.
At dawn the red petals glow, the city adorned with bedewed blossoms

– Du Fu

In a society that often glorifies self-sufficiency, it’s crucial to remember that we are all inherently interconnected. I recently heard a metaphor discussing rain and rivers beautifully illustrating this truth; both provide the nourishment of water but in wholly different ways.

When water is distributed through rivers, those lucky enough to live near its shores can drink readily. They may conclude that they are self-sufficient and can forget that neighbors downstream may not have the luxury to forget about interdependence. Rain, in contrast, cannot be controlled by the lucky few; while less predictable in its timing, rain allows all to be nourished, ensuring that everyone receives their share.

At Turning Point School, we strive to embody this spirit of interdependence. The idea of rain over rivers resonates powerfully with the sense of community we strive to create—one where every child belongs, where the education and well-being of other people’s children are as important as the education and well-being of our own—because we all know that when each child has a sense of belonging, the whole community is uplifted.

In our diverse community, each member brings their own complex histories, identities, and experiences to common experiences: we all enjoy celebrations and endure sorrows, and we all want to be seen and valued. At Turning Point, we celebrate our diversity and strive to create an environment where everyone can belong. This includes caring for each other in community by inviting new families to join events, reaching out to those who are grieving, listening closely to others to hear and honor their stories—not even when but especially when their experiences diverge from our own.

Throughout the year, we celebrate various cultural and heritage months, inviting both middle school and parent Affinity Groups to create displays and share their stories. These efforts are not simply for visual effect; they are a monument to beautiful narratives that weave a durable web of connectedness and build bridges across differences. I invite you to find time to view these remarkable exhibits and then reach out to the creators to share what you felt or learned from their efforts.

Caring for our community is a collective responsibility. We know, for instance, that the upcoming anniversary of the atrocities of the October 7 terrorist attack is heart-rending for our Jewish community, and that the subsequent war in Gaza has left our Arab American and Palestinian families bereft. So, let’s reach out to support members in our community who are hurting or who would be grateful to know you are thinking of them during difficult times.

Turning Point’s mission is: We open our doors every day to create a dynamic learning community in which each child grows into their best self. We know this growth can only happen in a supportive community where all children are loved and encouraged to flourish.

As we navigate this journey together, we invite all members of our community to be like the “good rain” described in Du Fu’s ancient Chinese poem—gentle, nurturing, and quietly transformative. In this vision, the “good rain” isn’t the big storm, it’s gentle mist that silently moistens leaves, that’s almost invisible later in the day.

In these noisy moments of a turbulent time, we can all be the gentle rain that “reads the seasons” and helps our community glow from our tender, collective efforts to sustain each other and the world beyond.

Warmly,
Laura

Dr. Laura Konigsberg
Head of School
lkonigsberg@turningpointschool.org