From the Headmaster
Running with the Buffalo
February 2023
Dear Saint David ’ s Community ,
Each of us needs to be stretched in order to live our best lives , awakened from habits , shaken out of the trivial , the comfort found in routine , and challenged to face the new and unknown , to overcome fears and challenges . There are also times when living our best lives means staying put , holding firm to tradition and weathering the storm until it passes . Helping our boys strike that joyful balance can help them grow , prosper , and ultimately fulfill their potential .
In reflecting on this year ’ s schoolwide theme , I ’ m reminded of the following parable : On the great plains , when a storm ’ s brewing , the buffalo and cows , like many animals , can sense it . When the cows sense the storm they do something very natural , something that almost all animals do , they run away from it . Cows don ’ t run very fast , so before long the storm catches up with them ; but instead of stopping , the cows keep running . If they would stop and let the storm pass , they ’ d be better off . Instead , they end up caught in its misery and turbulence , and they tire . In contrast , when the buffalo sense the storm , they do the exact opposite ; they run right into it . Their initial terror is short-lived as the storm passes over them more quickly and they come out the other side faster , happier , and less tired , able to enjoy all that the storm has left behind — fresh water , cooler air , and richer grass .
We can imagine having conversations with our children and maybe even ourselves : What do you want to achieve , son ? Better grades ? More friends ? A happier life ? Is it influence that you seek ? Are you running away from your challenges ? Or are you seeking more knowledge and greater wisdom ? Life can be difficult . Are you going to quit at the first sign of a storm ? .… Are you going to live cautiously or courageously ?
Saint David ’ s calls on her boys to live their best , to pursue goodness , to sustain a drive to fulfill their potential . Our boys need to be reminded that it is often easier to worry endlessly , to let others do the hard work , to run away or relax in the comfort of what ’ s familiar and easy rather than striving to be our best ; but easy isn ’ t better . Easy isn ’ t learning . Easy isn ’ t going to lead to fulfillment . The solution is not to throw in the towel and run at the first sign of difficulty ; it is to remain focused on what it is we really want and to be honest about whether we ’ re being cautious or courageous . Are we shuffling along with the cows , or running with the buffalo ?
Enjoy this edition of Saint David ’ s Magazine . I remain ,
Appreciatively yours ,
P . David O ’ Halloran
Saint David ’ s is an independent elementary school for boys of all faiths and backgrounds whose parents seek a school program rooted in its founding Catholic faith . Boys are admitted to Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight . Since its founding in 1951 , Saint David ’ s has graduated more than 2,200 students . They have gone on to the most competitive New York City secondary schools and regional boarding schools , and from there to ranking universities and colleges throughout the nation . The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools , subscribing to its Principles of Good Practice for admission of students . Saint David ’ s also belongs to the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York . The school ’ s headmaster is Dr . P . David O ’ Halloran .
Community and Inclusion
In addition to our rigorous academic program and in keeping with our Catholic traditions , Saint David ’ s is known for its sense of family , compassion , and kindness . Our community includes boys and faculty that reflect the cultural , ethnic , racial , socioeconomic , and religious diversity of New York City . At Saint David ’ s , we believe that being curious without prejudice and without bias is essential to a well-informed , educated young man . Our boys develop cultural competency as they are taught to respect and embrace difference in all its myriad manifestations . Boys broaden their perspectives as they learn from diverse traditions , creeds , and ways of life — fundamental in fulfilling the aspiration of the Founders “ that they be good men .”
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