Why Strategic Renewal Hits Strong at the Beginning - A Visit to PA
There has always been something deeply magical about the beginning of a new school year.
It’s that unique blend of palpable excitement, quiet anticipation, slight nervous anxiety, and the frantic execution of the thousand small details that must happen before students step onto campus. But beneath the logistical rush lies something much more profound: the power of a fresh start.
Every August and September brings a clean slate—a season filled with new relationships, fresh ideas, untried possibilities, and the vibrant energy of students and families returning to campus eager for what lies ahead.
After years in school leadership, I’ll admit it: I miss that feeling.
Reconnecting with the Magic at La Salle College High School
That’s why I was especially grateful to kick off the 2026–2027 academic year alongside the exceptional faculty and staff at La Salle College High School in Pennsylvania. Being on campus for their first day back instantly brought that familiar spark returning—a vivid reminder of why being part of a living, breathing school community is so special.
Rather than just reviewing day-one logistics, the team at La Salle used that initial surge of energy to look far down the horizon. We spent an incredible day diving headfirst into strategic design, asking the big, courageous questions:
What is truly possible for our students in an rapidly changing world?
How do we design learning experiences that build resilience, adaptability, and character?
How can we align our institutional strengths to ensure our outcomes prepare graduates for the future ahead?
Why Strategic Renewal Hits Strong at the Beginning
It’s easy to treat strategic thinking as an end-of-year exercise or a summer retreat project. But weaving strategic vision into the very first days of the school year sends a powerful message to faculty and staff: our daily work is connected to a larger purpose.
When educators start the year not just with class rosters and syllabi, but with a shared vision of what's possible, that energy trickles directly into the classroom.
Fresh starts are inherently powerful. But even more powerful are the educators and leaders willing to channel that fresh energy into imagining—and actively building—what comes next.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire LSCHS community and to Kevin Dougherty for the warm welcome, inspiring collaboration, and a fantastic start to the school year!
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