In general, Soldotna has been a very welcoming community. In the case of this group, that feeling of welcome is magnified even more. It has been good to make such good connections in such a short period of time. I look forward to growing our relationships in the coming months and years.
These past few days have felt like a substantial win for me in regards to becoming more a part of the community. Our staff meal times yesterday and then today's staff development allowed me to make some surprising connections with people based on Star Wars, Catan, and even my struggle with diabetes. I've been surprised at how many people at my school share many of the same interests that I have. Even my conferences with parents showed common interests beyond just the well-being of the students.
Add in the massive snowflakes that fell for a few hours today and, despite my anxieties about where we will live and how we will pay for it, I really feel that I've found a community where I truly belong.