Weekly Message from HOS 2025/11/03-2025/11/07
Dear Keystonians,
Last week marked the thrilling conclusion of the first Keystone Activities Program (KAP) athletics season, capped off by a weekend of final tournaments and an impressive list of victories for our teams. My deepest thanks go to all the dedicated coaches and supportive families who pour their time and energy into these invaluable athletic experiences for our children. It is a joy to see Keystone’s sports culture thriving.
Our vibrant sports community extends beyond our students. Just last weekend, we witnessed a massive parent “House Cup” Basketball tournament, while our parent soccer teams were in action all day Sunday.
In the spirit of celebrating a fantastic fall season, I’d like to share the letter I wrote to my U12 Boys football team. It was an honor to be their coach this season, and I learned so much from them.
Have a great weekend,
Emily
Dear Boys,
I’ve missed you this week. Tuesday and Thursday just won’t be the same without our training sessions!
While I’ve been a coach for much longer than you’ve been alive, this was my first time coaching an all-6th-grade team. This season taught me many meaningful lessons, and for that, I am very grateful. We had moments that were difficult and frustrating, and moments that were beautiful beyond explanation. I want to share some of those lessons with you.
Sports teach us to commit to the team’s success over our own comfort.
At the start of the season, many of you told me your favorite positions. But as we grew, we saw where the team needed different strengths. That sometimes meant playing in unfamiliar spots or cheering from the sidelines so a teammate with a specific skill could help us in that moment.
I was committed to getting everyone playing time, and I was proud of the democratic process we built. Our weekly captains always helped [student] Coach Simon and me finalize the lineup. More than once, when I asked a player if he was ready to go in, he said, “No, he’s doing good right now—let him stay.” That selflessness is the heart of a true team player.
Sports accelerate our understanding of our challenges and areas for growth.
There’s nowhere to hide on a sports team. Everybody matters, and everybody is seen. This is a vulnerable feeling, but it’s also a huge opportunity for growth. We had players with tons of skill and others with less experience, but every one of you gave your best every day.
This was never clearer than in the final tournament. With two teams and almost no substitutes, you were all out there, giving your all and supporting each other until the very last whistle. While not every game went our way, you did amazingly well. I was so proud.
If you believe you will lose, you are probably right.
Our losses were our best teachers. Before one particular game in the tournament, I was worried because several of you said, “We are going to lose to them.” When you say that in the face of a challenge, you are usually right—you live up to your expectations.
Next time you face a big challenge, try a different approach. Instead of assuming defeat, frame it like this: “This is a huge challenge, but we are going to try our very best until the final whistle. All we have to do is keep them from scoring and score more goals than they do!”
This small shift in mindset is something you will use your whole life—in school, in sports, and in your future careers. It doesn’t mean being unrealistic; it means respecting the challenge and yourselves enough to believe in your chance to succeed. Losing means you had the honor of playing a great team and the opportunity to grow. Fear means there is something to learn. Learn to love that challenge.
Sports teach us about love and connection.
One of my favorite days was when a game was canceled, and we had an indoor practice (but ended up playing full field 8v8 on the soaked outdoor field for an hour because you CAN.NOT.BE contained!). Before we played, we sat and talked about what makes a good team, and we did a dance activity that most of you seemed to dislike (but that I found hilarious!).
We also talked about how you could support me, since so much of the field chatter was in Chinese, which I can’t always follow. I asked for your help, and from that point on, there was always a teammate quietly translating the banter for me. Thank you for that. You made me feel truly part of the group in a way that was deeply moving.
I hope you carry that understanding beyond the football field. In our school, and in life, you will meet people with different language abilities and from different cultures. Look around. See who is on the margins, and invite them in. Invite them to play, to talk, to sit at the table. If you are in the center, you have a responsibility to use that position to bring others into the circle. Thank you for doing that for me and for each other.
That’s love. That’s your big hearts.
Keep being big-hearted, boys. Keep playing hard. Keep looking out for others. And keep having fun.
You are the best.
With love and gratitude,
Coach Emily
