Inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall

Aloha Island School Families,

What a fun and full week it has been! Cross country and air riflery athletes gave it their all last Saturday, with many doing it again this weekend. I had the great pleasure to sit next to Kumu Sabra in the stands on Tuesday night for the volleyball game. As a former player herself, I loved hearing her passionate cheering for our girls. I also loved the expressions of spirit from our Elementary School students - whether it was on “fancy dress” day or “Western Wednesday” - there was lots of fun in taking on each theme across the week. I hope those in our community who paused this past week for the High Holidays - Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - had meaningful family time to reflect and look towards a new year on the Jewish calendar. And finally, if you didn’t get a chance to see the news, amongst the many different challenges that crossed the air waves, I had to pause and think about the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall.

Sometimes there are so many current events that are hard, I can feel overwhelmed. Maybe you can relate to that. I get the New York Times into my email as a way for me to stay up-to-date, an expectation of my job. I usually wait until the evening or early morning to read the news. But when I saw the announcement about Dr. Goodallʻs death, I had to stop and pause in my day. Why do you ask? Well, you may or may not know that I was an Anthropology major when I was in college (along with my dual major of Education). Her work as a ground-breaking female researcher was an inspiration to me regarding what I might pursue in my own life. If you didnʻt see this video summary of her life, perhaps you might want to take a look. 

Dr. Goodall reminds me of all that we want to do for our children: to see the world with their unique perspective, to find their passion and pursue it wholeheartedly, to have the courage to go out and do something even if the world hasn’t shown you an example of anyone like you doing it before, to love and care, mālama ʻāina, for the “island” of our planet, and to show compassion and respect for humans and animals alike.

I hope this week gives you and your family many opportunities to be inspired, to pursue a passion, and to get needed rest and rejuvenation. I continue to be humbled in the work that I have the opportunity to do with the Island School ʻOhana, and I look forward to our return together on Monday, October 13, when classes resume.

Together,

Nancy Nagramada P’29

Head of School

n.nagramada@ischool.org