School starts soon. As we live in an area where many families are transient due to their jobs, undoubtedly there will be new faces in the classrooms and in the hallways. Many of you are familiar with what it is like to be the 'new kid.' If you know, you know: "Will anyone speak to me? Will I make friends? Will I be bullied? I sure miss my old friends. Why did we have to move?" Knowing that, I ask you what your role should be in welcoming 'the new kid?' Will you ignore or will you engage? Will you add to the anxiety, or will you take it away? Will he or she have to earn your friendship, or will you give it freely? If you are passing in the hall, will you offer a smile? Do your best to make the new kids feel welcome, as you would want to feel welcome if you were in their shoes. To close with a quote from Maya Angelou, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
A Scout is Friendly. A Scout is Kind.