Let's Quit Talking about the 'Whole Child'

Language matters. This is my third article on that theme, arguing that we miss the opportunity to use evocative language to discuss our mission,  or even misconstrue the mission itself, when we use words or phrases unreflectively to describe ourselves. I wrote earlier we should stop saying parents “sacrifice” to send us their children, and in another piece, that we shouldn’t use the phrase “the Catholic piece” or talk about our faith as one of the “pillars” of our school. This time, I’d like to suggest we do away describing our mission as a focus on the “whole child" and its accompanying list of minds, bodies, spirits, hearts,  souls, etc. 

It’s not that the "whole child" emphasis is philosophically wrong. Indeed, our schools should be more broadly concerned about kids than just their minds— we do care about their spirits and souls! My objection, rather, is that it’s a repetitive theme that came into vogue in the 1970’s  and has  hashed and rehashed in our schools ever since. It's uninspiring! We can do better. 

There’s an oft-repeated story in a diocese I know. A Catholic elementary school invited two Catholic high schools in the area for a “Parent Information Night” for their 8th grade families. The moderator asked each principal to make a ten minute “pitch” to the parents,  and then he’d open up the meeting for questions.  The first principal made the traditional presentation, invoking the many ways his school help students grow in mind, body and spirit. He was articulate, and his bit went the full ten minutes. The second principal walked up to the microphone and said “Our purpose is to help your child become a disciple of Jesus Christ.” He spoke for a few minutes more, then sat down. 

The bracing simplicity of the second principal’s statement stole the show, as the story is told. The parents were fascinated, and asked that principal many more questions than the first principal. Tactically, his strategy worked, because by the end of the night, even through his initial presentation was shorter, he ended up with much more “microphone time,”  responding to parent’s questions. It was clear that his language resonated. 

And that’s my point, really. There’s nothing wrong with the “whole child” emphasis, but it lacks evocative power to move people. In fact, I suggest that in today’s world, where we are inundated with advertisements, social media, talking heads, and 24 hour “news,” that LESS IS MORE--that pointed, simple phrases are much more powerful that longer, wordier statements. We can see this same sentiment in web page design (featuring fewer words, more white space, more pictures) or in home decor design (bright white, no clutter). Home stereo systems now rely on blue tooth instead of wires. Cars emphasize the “clean look” in dashboard design. Everyone likes simple. 

So how can we be simpler and more evocative in our self descriptions? I’ve spent some time tooling around school web pages, and here are some of statements I like:

• "We share we share in the responsibility to prepare students for college and beyond,  while helping them to grow to become persons of faith, virtue, and wisdom." (Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, Montgomery)

• “Catholic. Marianist. Forming our Students into Remarkable Men.” (Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati)

• “St. Michael aspires for its students to become scholars, leaders and disciples of Jesus Christ” (St. Michael, Fairhope, the school of which I'm principal)

• Heart of Mary Catholic School seeks to form students who are faithful to Jesus Christ, committed to their studies, and proud of themselves and their school." The "tagline" for the school is thus "Faithful. Committed.Proud!" (Heart of Mary Catholic elementary, Mobile, AL). 

I've traveled with our students to the March for Life in Washington D.C. several times. One year, I think in 2010, the weather was miserably cold and snowy, but that didn’t dampen our students’ enthusiasm—they were proud to be witnesses to life, and thrilled to be marching with hundreds of thousands of other teenagers for that cause. About half way through they began singing, including one song,  “Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary."  the lyrics of which are simple: 

Lord prepare me, 
To be a sanctuary
Pure and holy
Tried and true
With thanksgiving
I’ll be a living
Sanctuary, for You

I got choked up as I heard our students sing this, over and over—not just because it’s powerful to hear teenagers be so joyful and public about their faith, but also because it’s the purest, most simple iteration of our mission as Catholic schools that I’ve ever heard:  to help our students become living sanctuaries for the Lord. 

Let’s take time to simplify and elevate what we say about our selves, reminding our students, families and teachers of our most essential task!