News and Notes December 12, 2020
News and Notes December 12, 2020
January 8, 2021
News & Notes 12:18
Unplugged
December 18, 2020
Late in the first summer after my first year as a head of school, I traveled with my family and my in-laws to a camp remote enough that we had no cell phone reception, no wifi or internet, no cable or antenna television, no radio reception. It was one of those rare spots left these […]
Lots of Looking Ahead: Second Semester Plans and Important Updates on the Outdoor Education Center
December 11, 2020
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the scenario planning and helped us complete the rollout of the plans for the second semester at Vermont Commons. If you haven’t had a chance to hear, see, and review what’s in store (our plan for opening the spigot and thoughtfully easing our way back into the building), please […]
A Break, a Rush, and Then a Longer Break
December 4, 2020
I started noticing the first couple of years in this role how there would be a mad rush from many folks to try to get a ton of things started or on the radar right before vacations began. Maybe this was due to concern that they’d be forgotten over the course of a break (by themselves or […]
Looking Thanksgiving 2020 right in the eyes
November 20, 2020
When I was an undergraduate, a band called Poi Dog Pondering gave a fantastic spring concert. In the middle of it Adam Sultan, one of the guitarists, took over the vocals for a single song, one he had penned himself. I’ve used it around this time in classes for years because of the way Sultan reframes the […]
Historical, Not Political
November 16, 2020
As a non-profit, the law tells us we must avoid taking political stances, specifically avoiding endorsing candidates for office. And ethically, we know the importance of apparent impartiality, given the multiple levels of power dynamics intrinsic in educational institutions. As my faculty must necessarily be protected from me telling, encouraging, or insinuating to them whom they […]
On Community
November 8, 2020
On Community. This coming Friday is Grandparents and Grand Friends Day, a yearly tradition we keep, recognizing and celebrating the irreplaceable and essential influence of our community’s Elders on our lives. While every child’s learning is a path of discovery based on moments of clear and uninterrupted observation and connection with the world, always a […]
Fall into Winter
November 3, 2020
The childing autumn, angry winter, change Their wonted liveries, and the mazed world, By their increase, now knows not which is which… -Titania, Midsummer Night’s Dream You know the seasonal change is upon us when you have to start checking the weather for snow predictions when planning school activities! That’s good news […]