By ANTHONY VARNI

Principal, Dent Elementary School

In a world that often feels rushed and focused on the latest and greatest, some of the smallest moments of connection carry the most weight with our children.

Each morning, (assistant principal) Mr. Fyke and I greet students as they arrive on campus. Whether it’s in the front office, on the playground, in the hallways, or in the cafeteria, we say hello and offer a smile, a high-five, or a fist bump. Remembering students’ names and interests goes a long way in building relationships. While we are still working on all 677 names, by about the fifth grade, we have most of them down.

These interactions may seem small, but to a child, they can make all the difference. They send a simple but powerful message: “I see you. You matter here.”

Children come to school carrying more than backpacks and lunches. They bring with them their mornings, their weekends, their worries, and their joys. As educators, our top priority is to create a safe space for learning and connection beyond academics. One of the greatest privileges of being in this district for many years is building lasting relationships and watching students grow throughout their educational journey.

Those connections extend beyond our classrooms and into the community. I’m often reminded of this when I see former Dent Dragons in middle school and high school. Just last month, I visited El Portal to collaborate with their team about our incoming fifth graders. After the meeting, students were out at nutrition break, and many former students came up to say hello—completely unprompted. They seemed so excited to run over and say hi; I was truly surprised!

The sixth graders looked much as I remembered them, just a bit taller. The seventh graders were a little more reserved, standoffish—understandable for what is often an “awkward” middle school year. But it was the eighth graders who stood out the most. Three years removed from elementary school, they were not as I remembered them. They were eager to ask, “Do you remember me?” “What’s my name?” They also asked about Dent—if we still play at recess, do we still give out VIPs and Principal Awards, and whether certain teachers were still there.

Seeing high school students return as Peer Interaction Team buddies (PIT) or teacher assistants is equally meaningful and surprising! We remember them as 10- and 11-year-olds, and suddenly they are 17 or 18, more mature and confident young adults. Reconnecting with them—asking about their families, their interests—is something we truly value. Some even laugh and apologize for things they did as younger students! They can’t believe we remember what they were like “so long ago.”

These moments reinforce an important truth: when we take the time to build strong relationships early, those connections last. Without that foundation, it’s much harder to reconnect later in life.

In education, we often focus on big goals—test scores, achievement levels, and long-term outcomes. While those matter, it’s the daily human interactions that build trust and set students up for success. A smile, a remembered name, and a moment to listen may seem small, but they create a powerful sense of belonging.

This same idea applies at home. Instead of asking, “How was your day?”—which often leads to a one-word answer—try asking more specific questions:

What was your favorite part of your day?

Did anything make you laugh?

What games did you play at recess?

Did you learn anything surprising?

What was something challenging that you worked through?

These questions open the door to meaningful conversations. For elementary-aged children, connection doesn’t come from grand gestures—it comes from small, consistent moments of attention and presence.

Children learn from the people who show they care—parents, siblings, teachers, and yes, even principals. Building these relationships takes time and effort, but the payoff is lasting. That’s why the partnership between home and school is so important. We are in this together, supporting our students not just academically, but as growing individuals—both now and in the years to come.

Principally Speaking is a monthly article, contributed by principals from Escalon Unified School District sites, throughout the school year. It is designed to update the community on school events and activities.