Interim Head of School Sarah Pelmas shared the following letter with the Beaver community on November 24, 2025
Dear Beaver Community,
When I went into the backyard this weekend to refill the bird feeders, a flock of sparrows sat in the bare branches of the lilac bush, watching me. I walked away from the replaced feeder, and they descended, cacophonous, joined by finches, blue jays, and grackles. Such noise! And for almost an hour, they persisted. But eventually it quieted, and I realized they were all gone, perhaps to a midday nap. I stood on the back deck and a small chickadee landed two feet away, followed by a titmouse and, a bit farther away, a pair of cardinals. They were mostly quiet, except for the chickadees, who could not stop saying their own name. And they were beautiful, flitting gently, less skittish than their earlier counterparts, flashes of black, white, grey, and red as they sat at the feeders in the midday chill.
This time of year calls on us to pay attention to our gratitude, and I did notice how thankful I am for these small, bright-eyed creatures who graced our feeders, and also for the loud, chaotic group that started the day. This is gratitude for life, in all its manifestations, and for my ability to notice it, too.
The Beaver school day is not unlike my bird feeder. I am thankful for the middle schoolers practicing “Sweet Caroline” for the Music Exhibit—strings and brass and woodwind and percussion—all filling Bradley Hall and the adjacent hallways with their music. Did I perhaps suggest they could open for the Red Sox? I might have.
I am grateful for the two upper schoolers who walked to class with their arms draped over each other’s shoulders. For the many inspiring and brilliant end-of-term presentations by upper schoolers. For the parents who took the time to create, buy, and bring treats for the Faculty/Staff Appreciation breakfast. For the 6th grader who talked with me about the books she is reading as she waited for her ride home on Friday. For the players and coaches who made the third annual BVR Bowl a pure delight (go seniors!). For the fact that every day, I learn something new at Beaver—and there is very little as joyful as learning.
We know practicing gratitude measurably improves our well-being, but that is not the reason we should be thankful. Instead, it’s because it is a gift to be filled with wonder at things large and small, and to share that wonder with others. To be delighted by those around us, to be surprised by life, to be moved by our shared humanity.
I see those moments every day at Beaver, and they remind me how lucky we are to be here, together. May you have many such moments this holiday season.
Warmly,
Sarah Pelmas
Interim Head of School