I  still  remember  my  first ever  Almanac email from Dean D’Ambrosio on August 10, 2023. I remember thinking it was funny that my new school had named its student handbook after an old farmer’s reference book. But the changes to the 2025–26 Almanac show  that  it  really  is  a  living, breathing document.

There’s a new section (Section 1.5) called “Principles and Habits of Open Discourse.” At first glance, everything  there  seems  obvious. It’s all implied in the “Mission and Values” section on the previous page.

So why is there a need to spell out how we should talk to each other? I think it’s to address the polarized world  we  are  living  in.  Today’s society is full of people who force their views on others and make assertions without justification or evidence,  leaving  little  room  for respectful and educated discussion. This new section of the Almanac shows that Hotchkiss doesn’t exist in a bubble. As wonderfully secluded as we are, we’re still part of the real world and must stay connected to it. Civil disagreement is a skill our society is losing. “Providing appropriate  support”  for  your positions and “extending grace to others when misunderstandings occur” used to be obvious, but that’s not the case anymore. I’m glad our Almanac has recognized and addressed this.

Another big change is the revamped technology section. If you look at last year’s Almanac, Artificial Intelligence (AI) appeared in one section: “Cheating.”

If you didn’t know anything about AI and read only that, you might think it was some kind of evil tool. But that’s not the reality; when used properly and responsibly, AI can improve our learning experience.

This year, AI has been given rightful attention in Appendix I: Responsible  Use  Policy.  Instead of banning it outright, the section explains  how  we  can  use  it constructively. To me, that’s another sign the Almanac is keeping up with the times instead of pretending the world isn’t changing.

There are other changes to the Almanac too.

I’m just as happy as anyone that the school moved the free time outside the dorm from Wednesdays to  Tuesdays  (and  no,  I’m  not bitter at all that it happened after I  became  an  Upper  Mid).  It’s the school’s willingness to make changes, no matter how daunting or profound, that makes me proud to be a student here.

So next year, when you get an email from Mr. D’Ambrosio titled “Almanac,”  don’t  automatically trash it or mark it as read. Spend a few minutes mulling over the new changes––I promise it will be worth your time.