Sue Silverstein, the art and theology teacher, send me this photo today of the three sets of twins who are in the senior class at Bishop Maginn High School. The photo is remarkable in many ways, it captures the diversity, warmth, and enthusiasm of the school.

This photo is what I love most about America. It could only be taken here.

(Bishop Maginn gave all the newly arriving students Hawaiian Lei’s to wear on their first days.)

When I walk into the school building, I feel that I am in a special place.

School officials are also happy to report that the freshmen class (below) is the largest and most diverse class in the school, and also one of the most academically impressive.

Bishop Maginn is attracting some of the most gifted refugee and local students in Albany, applications are way up. Word is getting around that the school is on the rise again, and that it is an especially safe and welcoming place for refugee students and others seeking small classes and support.

Tomorrow, I’m going to meet with two exceptionally bright and hard-working students we lobbied to get into Bishop Maginn from their Albany public school. We raised the tuition money they needed to get into the school. Ma Myint and Dah Blue were highly recommended by Kathy Sosa, a teacher at the Hackett Middle School, and they were admitted in late June.

I’m eager to meet with them Friday and take their picture so you can meet the people whose lives you are helping to change.

I’m also going to meet the first of eight refugee children who need tuition help to stay in the school. I’m hoping to raise $30,500 over the next six months for them or as much of that as we can. There are now six students in the school because of your generosity and compassion, five refugees, one brilliant young African-American man.

(If you wish to contribute to their tuition, you can send a check to Mike Tolan, Principal, Bishop Maginn, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12202, please mark the check “tuition.” All tuition money should go directly to the school, it is tax-deductible.

Donations for personal items like clothes and personal needs and effects can go to me via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Bishop Maginn, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks.)

My Writing Workshop begins in a month, choir practice starts next week. Tomorrow, the first Artist Of The Week will be chosen. The computer and science labs are up and running. The gym teacher has his own basketballs.

Tomorrow will be one of my first visits without Red, I hope to show up with the new puppy sometime in November. I hope to see my pals, Sue Silverstein’s Art Gang, Blue, Asher, and Issachar. They sent me this photo today from school because Sue said they missed me. I must admit I missed them as well.

Some of the nicest, smartest and most creative people I have been privileged to know and spend a summer with. I will track them down tomorrow. Issachar owes me his joke of the week.

I’m heading to Bishop Maginn in the morning, I’m excited to join in the school year excitement. I’m choosing books for my writing workshop.