The Riverwalk Roar

Happy Sunday, Pride,

I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful Winter Break. My family and I enjoyed our break as well. While I spent a good bit of time at school preparing for the transition to the new building, we made sure to carve out quality family time. We took a quick trip to Murrells Inlet and enjoyed a few visits to Carowinds’ WinterFest.

Now, an update on the transition to our new building. Middle school families have already been informed of this update, but I want to share it with our entire community. Initially, we planned for our 6th–9th-grade students to begin in the new building on Tuesday, January 7th. Unfortunately, we encountered a delay late last week. A critical item for the life safety inspection was lost during shipment. It’s expected to arrive on Monday, after which we’ll schedule the required safety inspection to obtain our certificate of occupancy.

Additionally, families will notice that the new road and parking lot remain unpaved. Asphalt can only be poured when temperatures are “45 and rising,” so paving will likely happen in the coming weeks. Thankfully, this delay will not impact arrival and dismissal procedures.

While these setbacks are disappointing, we’re working diligently to move forward as quickly and safely as possible. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding during this final phase of the transition.

A Focus for 2025: One Word

As we enter the new year, I’d like to share a tradition I follow annually: choosing a singular “one word” to guide my focus for the year. Instead of a resolution, this one word serves as a focal point for my aspirations and intentions, both personally and professionally.

The concept of “one word” encourages us to embrace a personal mantra—a simple yet powerful reminder of what we wish to embody or achieve throughout the year.

Why Choose One Word?

Unlike traditional resolutions, which can often feel overwhelming, a single word offers clarity and focus. It becomes a guiding principle, creating a more intentional and meaningful approach to self-improvement.

How It Works:

• Reflect: Spend time considering what you’d like to bring into your life this year. It could be a feeling, a personal attribute, or an area of growth.

• Select: Choose a word that resonates with your aspirations, such as Patience, Courage, Balance, or Joy.

• Implement: Incorporate this word into your daily life through affirmations, journaling, or creative projects.

For Children and Families:

This practice is especially beneficial for children. A single word is simple to remember and allows for creative expression as their understanding of it evolves. Families can engage together by discussing their words, creating vision boards, or reflecting on progress throughout the year.

At School:

We’ll integrate the “One Word” concept into activities and discussions with students, encouraging them to reflect on and live out their chosen words. We can’t wait to see how this practice inspires positivity and growth within our Pride.

I encourage all of you to join me in this practice as we embark on 2025. Please feel free to share your word with us and let us know how it’s impacting your year. I’ll share my “one word” with you in next week’s newsletter.

Here’s to a year of intention, growth, and purpose!

In Pride and Purpose,

~Dr. Compton