Letter from the Principal - November 2023

November 8, 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy November!   November is a time of transition, providing us with moments of darkness and experiences filled with light.  

The simple act of turning back the clocks reminds us that the seasons are changing and we are entering a time of darkness. Yes, we gained an hour of sleep, but now our circadian rhythms are off-kilter.  It gets dark earlier, and the weather is colder. Summer activities are long behind us, and fall activities will soon end. Our students and teachers face increased stress at the end of the trimester, while parents feel the pressure of the holidays sneaking up on them. 

November also promises the light of the holidays, change, and a fresh start. We are entering the winter athletics, activities, and fine arts seasons. That first game, fine arts performance, speech tournament, mock trial, or robotics competition can be invigorating. Students and teachers will soon begin the second trimester of classes, allowing them to start with a clean slate. Many of us look forward to the first fresh snowfall of the season or celebrating the holidays with family and friends.  

While many welcome this time of year, it can be difficult for others.  Shorter days, loneliness, the death of loved ones, the holidays, and the long winter months can all be triggers for depression, particularly for our teenagers. It can be difficult to distinguish between the ups and downs of adolescence and depression, and parents and teachers often feel ill-equipped to help them. It’s okay to contact a trusted healthcare professional or one of our counselors if you need guidance. It isn’t a sign of failure to ask for help. I also encourage families to be proactive and establish positive routines to help depression before the dark of winter arrives. 

We also know that strong communities positively impact teenagers' mental health and well-being. Our students are blessed to be surrounded by this exceptional CDH community. The recent outpouring of love, support, and prayers for those students and families who have experienced loss is remarkable. Our individual actions may seem insignificant, but our cumulative response makes a meaningful difference.   

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. May you be blessed with the gift of a grateful heart and the spirit of generosity.

Mona Passman, Principal