Letter to Families During Uncertain Times

May 2025–As we close out the school year, we do so with full hearts—filled with pride for our students and gratitude for this community. And yet, we also recognize the uncertainty that continues to ripple through our world. In the face of global complexity, social challenges, and fast-paced change, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed or even disheartened.

But within our Acera classrooms and the commons, we see something different. We see promise. We see students who, even in uncertain times, are grounded in purpose, creativity, and integrity. We see what becomes possible when young people are entrusted with meaningful choice and mentored by adults who listen, coach, and guide—not to direct, but to bolster their growth.

In these final few days of the school year, we pause for a few special school traditions celebrating the work of the Acera students. At our student-led IMPposium, we’ll witness what happens when students are encouraged to follow their curiosity and pursue learning with joy and purpose. Next week, at our Museum Walk, we’ll showcase creativity and choice, and what happens when teachers and students share their passions, offering apprenticeship, extending their love and respect for the craft to future generations. These traditions reflect the heart of the school —they are powerful demonstrations of what education can look like when students are respected as capable, thoughtful, and innovative people, and given the space to create, reflective of our Acera Core Values and Capacities. 

Yes, even amidst a shifting world, we remain steadfast in our Acera Core Values. We challenge our students to live out Community, Openness, Curiosity & Innovation, Integrity, and Leadership every day—in their willingness to collaborate, to take risks, to innovate, and to contribute to our Acera Community. These values are more than aspirations; at Acera they are practiced, tangible, and real.

These values equip the Acera students to meet complexity not with fear, but with courage, creativity and clarity. In a changing world, these capacities enable students to respond with flexibility, intentionality, and kindness. 

At Acera, we see a generation rising that is thoughtful, engaged, and ready for challenge, ready to see the world differently, and getting ready to shape the future of the world with fresh perspectives. Our Acera student paths may not be linear, but they are purposeful. And because of that, we are filled with hope.

Thank you for your partnership, your support of this community, and your belief in Acera — in what becomes possible when education prioritizes curiosity, inquiry, and process, and when families embrace the opportunities within a school that dares to forge a less-traveled path. We eagerly look forward to these jam packed final days of the 2024-2025 school year, and we wish you a joyful, restorative summer and look forward to all that lies ahead.

With appreciation and hope,

Dr. Heather J. Pinedo-Burns