Counselor's Corner
Hello Gray Stone families!
This week’s Counselor’s Corner focuses on a concept that we have at Gray Stone called the Knight Way. I first wrote this article almost 5 years ago while working in the Middle School and want to share it with you again today. It is a bit longer than usual but I hope that you will spend a few minutes with me as I share with you my thoughts on the Knight Way from a counselor’s perspective, and how we want to embody these ideals in the thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes of our student body.
The romanticized version of the knights of the Middle Ages embodies the concepts of chivalry, valor, honor, and integrity as traits that were practiced by men and women of nobility. Most of these individuals who held the status of noble were born into it, but as time progressed others could earn their way into nobility. To become a knight in the days of old, one would first begin as a lowly squire. The squires would learn, train, and be mentored by renowned knights until they progressed to the place of honor themselves and would be knighted into nobility. This was a time-consuming and tedious process as many squires were from uneducated and less-than-noble backgrounds. These squires were very rough around the edges and I am sure that many seasoned knights wondered whether they would ever reach the goal. Many mistakes were made as these squires developed and adopted the Code of Chivalry. In time, those who persevered would attain their goal. They would rise to nobility and the end product would resemble very little of the starting point. They would have learned a higher, nobler way of living. They would be Knights.
Much the same as that romanticized version of squire to knighthood, I envision our process of student development as working to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow students to function in higher levels of society. Many of our students have already experienced these interactions. Many have not. All begin as squires in the 6th grade and work through the process of development from Middle School to High School. You/they are learning a new, nobler way of living and being in addition to their academic studies. Along the way you/they become Knights! Sure, there will be slip-ups, mistakes, progression and regression as you/they learn; but with every lesson, every completed assignment, each test passed, and each task completed, you/they will grow. We will not give up on you/them. I know you will not either.
In the end, the mixed-up, topsy-turvy, hectic student of the Middle and High School years will become the polished, accomplished person of honor, integrity, and responsibility that Gray Stone Day School seeks to produce in each of our students. I am excited to be part of the journey and process with you all.
After almost 10 years at Gray Stone, I still believe in this process and I believe in you. When I first typed these words, I could not have envisioned all that we would experience in the years that followed. Even now, we are going through bumps in this process. Not everyone gets what I am trying to accomplish with each of these messages and I receive far fewer responses these days than when I first began writing to families in 2019. Still, I believe that we are all capable of becoming something better than we see today. It takes the student, the family, and the staff working together for a common good and a common goal: to be the best version of ourselves possible. I sincerely hope that I am helping you on your journey. After all, that is why I chose this profession and why I send these messages to you.
As always,
You Matter!
Gray Stone's Got Talent
We're inviting Gray Stone students and staff to share their talents with the wider school community. Whether you're an actor, musician, singer, dancer, comedian, juggler, or...other, we'd love to see you perform at the Gray Stone Talent Show on Thursday, February 20, at 6 p.m.
Auditions will be held after school on Thursday and Friday, February 6 and 7. Performers, please see Mr. Hodges in room 101 this week for a registration form and an audition time.
About Us
Email: slisk@graystoneday.org
Website: graystoneday.org
Location: 49464 Merner Terrace, Misenheimer, NC, USA
Phone: 704-463-0567
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrayStoneDay/
Twitter: @graystoneday