“Listening” is the theme for the 2024-2025 school year at Princeton Day School. Although many students have heard of the theme, not all understand its purpose and backstory.
Princeton Day School’s Head of Upper School, Ms. Katie Katie O’Shaughnessey, describes listening as essential to a thriving school environment. “My personal goal is to build in spaces and time to listen, respond, and empower student voices,” she explains. For Ms. O’Shaughnessey, this is both a mission for both herself and the community. She is making efforts to be fully immersed in the school community by hearing the students’ voices on a daily basis, actively checking in on how they’re doing. She believes being listened to helps students feel seen and heard, which in turn builds trust and encourages open communication.
Ms. O’Shaughnessey also emphasizes that “listening goes hand in hand with civil discourse,” explaining that meaningful conversations only happen when people truly listen to one another. When asked about the connection between this year’s theme and last year’s focus on community, she stated, “I don’t think you can have a strong community if you don’t listen to the people in the community.” For her, listening is a foundation for building a stronger, more inclusive community, where everyone feels like they belong.
Additionally, Ms. O’Shaughnessey is thankful for the school’s focus on listening because it can be a great skill to learn, especially during an election year. She believes that listening is vital for a democracy. “It’s a really important skill for democracy to thrive, that we listen to each other,” she said. One of her hopes for PDS is to help students learn to listen, not just to respond, but to understand. This aspirational goal encourages students to slow down and engage in conversations with empathy, instead of rushing to express their own opinions.
In the classroom, teachers are also embracing this theme by creating opportunities for students to listen and reflect. Listening is also becoming a big part of students’ lives outside the classroom. Junior Amber Pancholi has seen how powerful it can be. She believes that when we really listen, it “makes conversations so much more meaningful; it’s not just hearing what someone says but being fully present and showing that you care.” This sentiment is echoed in PDS’s extracurricular activities, where listening has helped to create deeper connections among students.
As the year progresses, PDS hopes that the theme of listening will not only improve communication and relationships within the school but also help students develop a lifelong skill. Whether in discussions, debates, friendships, or community building, listening has the power to transform interactions and strengthen bonds.
Ultimately, the focus of listening at PDS represents a larger goal of creating a safe environment, one where every voice matters, and where understanding and empathy serve as the keys to a stronger community.
