Letter from the Head of School < < < < < < < < < < < < â€œChallenge, when accompanied by a healthy degree of love and support, travels with an ever-present companion called growth. â€? Dear Cannon Families, Challenge. This edition of Cannon Magazine focuses on the theme of challenge. Some of the articles and authors take on the topic directly. They explore the elements and benefits of challenge in a classroom. Some of the articles and authors circle around the topic and discuss how we challenge ourselves as a school and how we anticipate certain challenges and provide support and orientation in support of that challenge. The challenge in this introductory note is the challenge found in the dinner salad. I need to put together a little something that adds value and fits in with the larger endeavor and yet does not delay the entry into the feast. So here are just a couple of thoughts on the topic of challenge to entice you to find a quiet moment to read our magazine. Nearly every world-life view present today acknowledges that challenge will be part of the human journey. In turn, experience and research teach that our school-aged children benefit from being exposed to and supported through challenge. Life teaches that the greater the attempt, the more ambitious the goal, the greater the challenge will be. The ratio is true for a Middle School basketball team, for a teacher wanting to reach every student, and for a school working to provide meaningful experiences each day. And the piece we cannot forget: Challenge, when accompanied by a healthy degree of love and support, travels with an everpresent companion called growth. Matthew E. Gossage, Head of School Please know how much we cherish this communityâ€™s healthy support of this school as we work daily to meet the challenge of realizing the fullest expanse of our vibrant mission. Thank you, CANNON MAGAZINE | 3