It is one of our special traditions. Each year during the opening week of school we devote a Community Meeting to the individual introduction of teachers and students. Everyone sits in a huge double circle around the periphery of the Great Room in the School House. Amy Bigelow, who is our Mathematics Department Chair beginning her eleventh year at Franklin Academy, goes from person to person, providing an introduction for each student and teacher – first name, last name, hometown, and state. Believe it or not, Amy never makes a mistake, and she inspires all of us to learn quickly the name of every student. We know that when all of us know your name, you suddenly feel like you belong. Indeed, this is the first and most important milestone in the re-creation of community at the start of every new school year. We want each student to realize that he or she is a cherished member of our school community.
