Matt Burgy, Head of School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 12, 2024

Dear Oakridge Family,

This week was an absolutely amazing week at Oakridge, highlighted by the Total Solar Eclipse. Coming into the day, I was concerned that the planning and preparation by our teachers and staff would be for not with the threat of cloud cover and the potential for storms. Fate proved different, and we had the most spectacular time experiencing this once (or twice) in a lifetime celestial phenomenon. 

I had the great fortune to be with our Upper School students in the Quad as we waited for the eclipse to occur. As I walked around, talking with our students about the experience, I noticed a unique excitement bubbling; electricity was amongst us in anticipation of something most of us had never experienced. The moon crept over the face of the sun, and as the moon entirely canvassed the sun, a cheer erupted that could be heard across campus…and then, silence and awe overcame us. The temperature dropped, the Quad lights came on and there was a shared peace amongst us. It is hard to convey the feeling, but in my conversations with our students after the event, there was a “oneness” that we all felt. I was reminded of our place in the cosmos, and the importance of appreciating the magnificence of nature with the mysteries in our universe. 

The opportunity for us to come together as a community and share this experience is truly amazing. I loved seeing so many of our parents on campus to not only have this experience with their children, but to also share this together as a school family.

Warmly,

Matt Burgy
Head of School