Paragon Prep

Dear Paragon Families, Last week, I had the opportunity to visit one of our sister schools in Houston, The Honor Roll School, along with several of our teachers. We made the trip with a clear purpose: to observe another strong program in action, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships with teachers who share the same subject areas and passions for their craft. Stepping outside our own environment allows us to see familiar work through a new lens and learn from the approaches of other dedicated educators. One of the most rewarding parts of the visit was watching our teachers engage with what they saw. They didn’t simply observe—they reflected, discussed, and thoughtfully considered how the ideas they encountered could strengthen their own teaching. I was incredibly impressed by how quickly they were able to synthesize their observations into practical, actionable ideas to bring back to Paragon. Experiences like this remind us that great schools are always learning communities, not just for students but for teachers as well. Our team returned energized and inspired, ready to apply new insights and continue refining the excellent work already happening in our classrooms. As we move into the final stretch of the school year, that renewed sense of purpose and momentum is exactly what we hoped for. I also greatly enjoyed our Parent Coffee this week, where we discussed the topic “Holding On, Letting Go: How to Support Your Student in School.” This conversation is particularly meaningful to me because it comes from personal experience. I have lived through being an over-involved parent myself—I often joke that I’m “in recovery”—and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find the right balance between supporting our children and allowing them the space to grow. My hope with conversations like these is to help parents gain clarity, confidence, and peace in the school process. When families and schools share the same understanding of how children develop independence and resilience, it benefits everyone-- especially our students. Be on the lookout next week for the minutes and presentation from the coffee; it was a thoughtful discussion and one worth sharing more broadly with our community. Warmly, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

Dear Paragon Families, What a fantastic night we had at our Science Expo! It is always one of my favorite evenings of the year, and once again, our students absolutely impressed. It was such a joy to walk through and see their projects on display-- every single one a reflection of curiosity, effort, and real perseverance. Watching the pride on their faces as they explained their experiments and discoveries to their parents was incredibly special. Our students rose to the occasion. From thoughtful hypotheses to creative presentations, it was clear how much effort they invested. Events like this showcase not only academic learning, but also confidence, communication skills, and the ability to think critically-- skills that will serve them far beyond elementary school. One of the highlights for me was welcoming several of our parents who generously shared their science-related professions with our students. We had specialist doctors, a linguistics professional, and even a veterinarian cardiologist taking time to explain their work and answer questions. I feel so proud watching our students listen so intently and ask such thoughtful questions. Offering children the chance to interact directly with real-world professionals is powerful at this age. It helps them connect classroom learning to tangible careers. It expands their sense of what is possible. It plants seeds. When students can see and speak to adults who use science every day in meaningful ways, learning becomes more relevant and more inspiring. Thank you to every family who participated, supported, and encouraged your children through their projects. Nights like the Science Expo remind me how fortunate we are to be part of a community that values curiosity, hard work, and dreaming about the future. I would like to extend a special thanks to Rama Sreekantham (Mrs. S.) for her vision and execution of yet another amazing science night. And another huge thank you to all of our staff who contributed their time and talent to the event. We truly have the best team. Wishing you the best this week-- Spring Break is almost here! Warmly, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

Dear Paragon Families, We are officially in the stretch of the school year we gently warned you about: the late-winter doldrums. This is the time when student emotions can feel a little more charged, patience runs thinner, and parents are simply tired. The excitement of the new year has worn off, spring break still feels just out of reach, and everyone seems to be digging a little deeper into their reserves. And I’ll be honest-- I am in it too. My husband was out of town this week, and for the first time in my 23 years of being a parent, I allowed myself to be “just enough.” Normally when he travels, I try to operate at full capacity for two people. I cook the meals, keep the house spotless, prep everything in advance, walk the dogs, make the green smoothies, and attempt to maintain our usual rhythm without missing a beat. It is exhausting. This week, I didn’t do that. I embraced the deficit. The dishes sat in the sink. I did the bare minimum. There were no elaborate meals, no morning smoothies, and the dogs did not get daily walks. And you know what? I felt better. My cortisol levels stayed steady. There were no tears, no emotional spirals-- just a calmer, more centered version of myself. What surprised me most was how much that shift affected my girls. Their emotions were steadier. The house felt more peaceful. It reminded me how powerfully our energy sets the tone for those around us. I noticed the same thing at school, when I consciously kept my own stress from escalating, I felt clearer, more grounded, and better able to lead. So as we head into another week before spring break, I encourage you to give yourself permission to be just enough. Lower the bar where you can. Let something go. Embrace the moment instead of trying to master it. It may be exactly what we all need to get across the finish line feeling whole. I also hope to see everyone at our Science Expo on Thursday night from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Our students are working incredibly hard on their projects, and it is always one of my favorite evenings of the year-- a chance to see their curiosity, effort, and pride on full display. It’s such a special night to celebrate their hard work together as a community. Wishing you the best, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

Dear Paragon Families, I had the opportunity to travel to California to visit several schools within the Spring Education Group network two weeks ago. It was a full and energizing week spent inside classrooms, meeting with fellow Heads of School, and learning from leaders who are doing incredible work across the country. Stepping into other campuses always brings fresh perspective, and I returned home both inspired and grateful. One of the greatest gifts of being part of Spring Education Group is the investment they make in their leaders. I am deeply thankful to work for a company that prioritizes collaboration and professional growth, and that intentionally creates opportunities for us to learn from one another. Networking with other schools allows us to share best practices, explore innovative programming, and think strategically about what will best serve our students here at Paragon. I came home with new ideas, strengthened relationships, and practical strategies that we can thoughtfully adapt to continue elevating the Paragon experience. Every time I visit other schools, I am reminded of something important: what we have at Paragon is special. Our culture, our students, our teachers, and our strong family partnership set us apart. Visiting schools allows me to refine our vision and bring back meaningful programs and structures that support our continued growth. And after a week of tours, travel, and meetings, there was no better way to return home than at our joyful Valentine's parties, Mardi Gras Parade, and PreK–5th Grade VIP Dance on Thursday night. It was pure Paragon magic-- music, laughter, and our youngest Knights twirling the night away. We danced away the to-do lists and simply celebrated community. It was the perfect reminder that while we work hard to grow and improve, joy will always be at the heart of who we are. I wish you the best and look forward to seeing you at our Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences on Tuesday! Warmly, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

In the February 9, 2026 weekly update, Paragon Prep Great Northern shares highlights from a culturally enriching 6th-grade field trip to a Buddhist temple, Hindu temple, and Sikh gurdwara, emphasizing compassion, curiosity, and meaningful learning.