One Word for 2022

What will your word be?

Research shows that 50% of people who make New Year’s resolutions will fail by the end of January. Nonetheless, approaching a new year with the spirit of focus and growth is a good thing. So how can you do this without setting finite, often unattainable goals? Just pick one word!

That is exactly what our SAA Lower School Stars are doing to jump start a great new year. Inspired by the book One Word for Kids: A Great Way to Have Your Best Year Ever, Dean Boccia challenged each K-6 student and the faculty to choose one word to help them to be their best in the new year.

 “I encouraged them to choose a word that really means something to them. A word that would give them a purpose and a mission,” said Dean Boccia.  “I asked them to reflect on last year and choose a word that will guide them to be the best version of themselves in 2022.”

For the past three years, the Lower School girls have chosen a word for the year that the whole hallway would focus on. While they have done the same this year, choosing Together as the Lower School word for 2022, the challenge of choosing a personal word has taken the concept a step further.

On the surface this may seem like a tough challenge, but even the youngest students on the hallway have jumped into the process. SAA Kindergarten teacher Jamie Lassandrello shared, “Allowing each child to come up with a word has led to good discussions in the classroom. We are going through the process of choosing words right now, and each KinderStar is super excited to share their word with their classmates. The word I chose for the year is improve. I tell my students there is always room for improvement!”

Students are also encouraged to find their word in the bible and choose a verse that helps them to remember the role God plays in everything that they do.  The verse chosen to represent the Lower School word Together, is Psalm 133:1, “How good and how pleasant it is, when we dwell together as one.”

Each student will share their word with the other Lower School students, and they will create visual reminders in journals, on lockers, and other important spaces to help them stay focused. We cannot wait to see what the girls have chosen! So, we ask you, in 2022, what will your word be?