December has always been our month of light, music, and joyful celebration, and, by cherished tradition, our Kindness Month.

At HSArts we keep discovering that true kindness is far more than politeness or pleasantness. It often asks something of us: a moment of patience when we are tired, the courage to speak when silence would be easier, or the quiet gift of time and attention when nothing is expected in return. It is rarely convenient. At its deepest level, what we call redemptive kindness, it may even cost us our pride or our desire for revenge. Yet when we choose it, something extraordinary happens: we break the chain of hurt, heal a piece of the world, and grow into the fullest, most alive version of ourselves.

We are off to a strong start this fall semester! In just three weeks, our students have demonstrated remarkable motivation and punctuality, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. This month, we have been focusing on study skills—goal-setting, creating daily schedules, and building productive habits. Each student has thoughtfully identified one specific skill to strengthen in order to become a more effective learner.