Every school day morning Patti and Ron Reagan did this: [View all]

[cali]

The Salutation of the Dawn

Every morning, before classes start, the entire student body and faculty gather on the lawn. While facing the American Flag and overlooking the city of Los Angeles and Catalina Island, the School community literally raises its arms toward the sun and recites "The Salutation of the Dawn," which is taken from the Sanskrit. While reciting this ancient poem, all members of the community think of ways to make the day as fulfilling as it can be. The following words are spoken:

Look to this Day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course lie all the verities
And realities of your existence:

The glory of action,
The bliss of growth,
The splendor of beauty.

For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.

But today, well lived, makes
Every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this Day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn

I have no idea why the Reagans chose to send them to one of the most liberal schools you can imagine existing in the early and mid sixties. I'm glad they still have that tradition. (looks like they cut out the maypole dancing on may day, though)

Now JTD only goes through the 6th grade but at that time it was K-8.

People’s most vivid memories of Aunty Cathryn and Uncle John, the founders of The John Thomas Dye School, are their great personal warmth and their absolute determination to bring to life a first-rate, yet homey school, first in Brentwood and later in the hills of Bel Air. Theirs was a mix of intellectual engagement, family values and personal commitment that continue to define the school today, years after it first opened its doors. They persevered and succeeded despite great personal loss: the death of their only child, John Thomas Dye III (after whom the school was named) in World War II and the 1961 Bel Air fire that destroyed the school. The John Thomas Dye School has transcended the tragedies and challenges because of the support of generations of families who have acted with fortitude, determination and dignity in the spirit of its founders.

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http://www.jtdschool.com/page/About-JTD/History--Traditions

It was a wonderful place to go to school- (the fire was exciting, we were evacuated in the middle of the day, just in time). I went through 5th grade there, and then my family moved east. I still have most of my old report cards from JTD. I can remember Aunty Cathryn and Uncle John visiting us after we moved. They were just special people and educators who truly loved children.

I suspect that attending JTD has quite a bit to do with why both Patti and Ron Jr, grew up to be liberals.