Welcome and welcome back! Whether you are a returning student or a new student, the new year is full of possibilities, challenges, and opportunities. On behalf of all of us at ASM, I welcome you and invite you to participate in making this year a year of discovery and accomplishment.

Long ago, I was a commercial fisherman off the coast of Maine. We fished offshore in the winter, well beyond the sight of land. We navigated by compass and landmarks. Lining up mountains on the mainland with the last islands when we could and by compass heading and pocket watch when they sank below the horizon. Fishing vessel or school, it is critical to know where you have been and where you intend to go. I want to begin the year with you by looking back at the key documents that will be our chart and compass going forward; ASM’s Mission and the new ASM DEIJ Statement.

The American School of Madrid Mission

We empower lifelong learners to take on challenges and thrive, care for others in our diverse international community, and think globally and creatively toward a better future.

The cornerstones of ASM’s Mission: empower, challenge, care, create give us direction and purpose. These key words shape our plans and help us set priorities. They are how we want to be remembered as a community.

In addition to the Mission, last school year, a Guiding Coalition of students, parents and staff members worked with external consultants to develop the ASM Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ). The statement was approved by the ASM Board of Trustees in early July. ASM’s DEIJ Statement clearly articulates what ASM stands for and makes our expectations for all members of the community clear.

Finally, last school year, we opened with optimism but still a high degree of uncertainty about COVID. By the end of the year, we finally emerged from restrictions and were deeply grateful to be able to host events and welcome parents back on campus. This year, almost all COVID restrictions and requirements have been lifted except for the mask mandate on the buses and when visiting the nurses’ station. This allows us to have almost a full schedule of community events and student activities. While we are relieved and happy to have moved past the crisis response to covid, it is critical that our community continue with what should by now, be basic and regular habits.

Yours in learning,

Mr. Ben