- Discover Episcopal
- Admission
- Our Program
- Athletics
- Arts
- Spirituality
- Student Life
- Support Episcopal
- Alumni
- Parent Support
- Knightly News
- Contact Us
- Calendar
- School Store
- Lunch Menu
- Summer Camps
« Back
Celebrate Kindness this Holiday Season
November 17th, 2023
This week, our school community gathered for an all-school chapel service focused on a simple and profound concept – kindness. Our Middle School Praise Band filled the gym with song, and Upper School students read the Word of God. It was a joy to see Lower School students carefully watching everything and singing with pride when they recognized a hymn. Our spiritual leader, Rev. Kirkland “Skully” Knight, offered prayers for peace, the human family and unity. Senior Ryann Richard spoke about what it means to be kind and in a place where bullying and hate are not tolerated. “It is not anything new for us to be kind,” she reminded the gathered Knights.
In fact, kindness is not new. We’ve been called upon to be kind for generations. The Episcopal Baptismal Covenant reminds us to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself” and “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” Such a commitment stems from kindness, grace and love, and I am so thankful to be a part of a community that strives for kindness in everything we do.
Kindness takes intention and regular practice. For 13 years, our kindness ambassador, Father Skully, has helped our Episcopal community strive to achieve this. He reminds us that kindness looks like a community where all are welcome and experience belonging. Together, our school community has faced tremendous challenges, and Father Skully has been a calm, guiding voice. Always reminding us that we are Episcopal Knights, he has called on us to comfort those in need, offer patience and understanding, and live and love sacrificially. Lessons and Carols, International Day of Peace and school-wide Eucharistic services are visible reminders of our shared commitment to each other and the kindness that prevails even during difficult times.
As you know, this will be Father Skully’s last holiday season with us, but I am confident that the foundation he has established here at Episcopal will live on for years to come. I am so grateful for the example he has provided for our Episcopal family.
Father Skully, we thank you for your kindness, insight and love. You will be dearly missed.
Throughout my tenure as Head of School, I have witnessed the kindness of our Episcopal Knights, and I am so thankful for who we are. As an Episcopal school, approximately 15% of our families are Episcopalians. This means we have a wide diversity of religious backgrounds among us, and we celebrate this fact. Recently, a group of Lower School families shared how they observe Diwali. Our students were inquisitive and engaged, and the student performers were confident in sharing this important aspect of their faith. Such an experience showcases the welcoming and kind nature of our community and the openness we have for conversations with others regarding different perspectives and experiences. These conversations are how we grow and develop in kindness.
Episcopal schools educate the head and the heart, and we strive for justice and peace among all people. We want our students to ask questions like why and how. Our faculty provide opportunities such as the Service Learning and Community Impact course, during which they seek to help students understand why people are in certain situations and how we can positively impact others. Dr. Rebecca Kuhn and Chaplain Charlie guide this student-driven course, which allows students to thoughtfully consider topics such as criminal justice, homelessness and addiction. Through open and respectful conversations, students share their thoughts and opinions, and they have told us the course is “empowering” and “impactful.”
Through service, our kindness reaches beyond our campus. For 20 years now, Episcopal students have served the community through the Habitat for Humanity youth build. Each holiday season, our community shatters contribution records to the Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry Thanksgiving Food Drive. I am so thankful to all of you for supporting these meaningful efforts.
Service learning is intentional and emphasizes quality over quantity because we want our students to learn as they reflect on the impact of these experiences. New Service Learning Coordinator Ginny Barr is expanding this program and working alongside our teachers to create experiences that connect the curriculum to the needs of the community. Next semester, we hope to offer experiences for the entire Episcopal community to unite in service. I am so proud that the kindness we share on campus flows beyond us and makes a true difference in the lives of others. I hope you will join us in this important work.
Through worship, belonging, open communication and service, our community models kindness every day of the year. This is how we prepare the next generation for lives of purpose and meaning. This offers us hope for the future and a world where kindness happens 365 days of the year.
Taking a moment to reflect on our school community fills me with tremendous gratitude. Our students continue to excel, our faculty and staff develop meaningful learning experiences and our families truly care about student growth. The Spirit of Episcopal unites us in support of our next generation of Knights, and I thank all of you for being a part of this effort. Thank you for the kindness you show each other and the support you offer our students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carrie Steakley
Head of School
The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.
Other articles to consider
Jun20Sarah Bonnecaze '24 Named Gatorade Louisiana Girls Soccer Player of the Year!
Soccer standout Sarah Bonnecaze earned tremendous honor.
See DetailsMay22Dr. Steakley Reflects on the School Year in End-of-Year Message
Dr. Steakley celebrates this year's success and looks forward to another great year beginning in August.
See DetailsMay22Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Celebrates 2024 Legacy Graduates
Check out photos from the annual Legacy Reception.
See DetailsMay21Congratulations to the 2024 Episcopal Valedictorian!
Congratulations to this year’s Valedictorian, Kathy Hu. Kathy will attend MIT this fall. Read more about her Episcopal experience and her plans going forward.
See Details
Categories
- All
- Admission
- Athletics
- College Bound 2019
- College Bound 2020
- College Bound 2021
- College Bound 2022
- College Bound 2023
- College Bound 2024
- Counselors Corner
- Episcopal Alumni
- Giving
- Head Of School
- Lower School
- Middle School
- Spirituality And Service
- Student Work
- The Teachers' Lounge
- Upper School
- Visual And Performing Arts