It all begins here

This morning, fourth graders received certificates honoring their participation in the annual Battle of the Books.

It was a celebration.

It was also a lesson.

In four years, these students will cross the stage at Commencement.

They’ll accept their diplomas, and shake the hands of the leaders of the school.

At the end of the ceremony, they will stand in a receiving line.

They will greet, one by one, the teachers, staff and parents who supported them during their time at Gordon.

They will shake hands firmly.

They will make eye contact.

They may even make small talk.

These are skills, ones they will have practiced throughout their time at Gordon.

Ones they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

At weddings and funerals.

At ribbon cuttings and coronations.

At the Oscars and at the Nobel Prize ceremonies.

It all begins here.