Good Afternoon Du Bois Families,
A former colleague of mine from the Pittsfield Public Schools came to see the musical last weekend. At the intermission, I was going on about the brilliance of the show and the performances of the students. My friend, an elementary teacher and performer himself, agreed with my gushing. But, as a much better educated and much, much smarter individual than I, added this: The most impressive piece of this is that it is evidence of an unthinkable amount of collective dedication by teenagers and preteens to a single long-term goal. The world would not see this as a strong suit of middle schoolers–Du Bois proves the world wrong.
Several fifth graders started asking me about the show in August. Auditions started in November, with rehearsals starting after the December break. The show entertained nearly 2,000 people at the end of March–and comprised 80 students, six adults running the program, and a dozen family volunteers. A long-term goal indeed–and one achieved flawlessly to those of us blessed enough to see the show.
This monumental effort, months in the making, was and is a stunning example of what a community can do when dedicated to a sole, important purpose. I hope we all learn from the example the Du Bois Musical Family puts before each year. When we dedicate ourselves to an important end that we care about passionately, and have the discipline to put in the effort and work, we can do miracles. We can move mountains. As families, a school, a district, as communities–even as a nation–our middle schoolers give us the blueprint for what power a group of people can have and exercise. Thanks to all of them and the adults who support them in their work.
Thank you, and have a peaceful weekend.
Jake M.
