Proctor’s Day Student Picnic held Wednesday evening marks the “official” start of the school year as it is the first time students are on campus. Seeing smiling faces and the contagious energy of adolescents back on campus reminded us that they are the final piece of the puzzle that enables the Proctor magic to flow.  

Getting to this point, where we welcome families to campus and tangibly feel the anticipation of the school year ahead, does not simply happen. Hundreds of emails, phone calls, and countless hours of preparations from families, advisors, dorm parents, teachers, and our amazing support staff go into the launch of the school year. A year ago, Proctor’s Admissions Team first began conversations with this class of new students and their families.

Over the summer months our Health Center nurses have been collecting forms, answering questions, and troubleshooting unexpected illnesses and a million other details. Our Housekeeping Team has deep cleaned all of our 47 buildings, including all 21 dormitories making sure our boarding students’ new home away from home is ready. Our Maintenance Team has been servicing vans, mowing lawns, and with the help of faculty volunteers weeding flower beds around campus. 

Our Business Office and IT Department have been working tirelessly all summer to make sure the behind-the-scenes experiences of our families is smooth. Our Dining Services Team, once again, put their talent on display with last night’s dinner, while advisors, coaches, teachers, and dorm parents have worked to prepare a Proctor experience that will expand this group of students’ perception of who they are and who they could become. 

Each of these preparations are made with remarkable commitment and care, but they only have meaning when our students re-enter our lives. Tonight we celebrated our Day Students and their families with a dinner on campus. The student energy was infectious as returning students welcomed new students, connections were made, and advisors met with their advisees. Our students breathe life into our soul as a school. With each hug, smile, and conversation we feel ourselves fill with purpose. We become complete as preparations are put into motion and the school year is launched. Here's to a great year ahead!