That Head of School Guy

From baby chicks to international travelers...

 

It is remarkable that our 8th grade graduation is only 15 school days away! As these last days of the school year fast-approach, I have been thinking about our 8th grade students and parents- some who have been here since they were 3 years old, and others who joined along the way. To the parents, I imagine that it seems like yesterday that these 8th graders were taking naps, reciting the lunch menu, and making hurry-up cake.

I visited the newly hatched chicks (all 17 of them) in the preschool north class yesterday morning and watched the precious interactions between our youngest students and the baby birds. I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that in a blink of an eye, these young students would someday be boarding a flight to Leon, Nicaragua (as our current 8th graders did on Sunday evening) for their culminating trip as SFS students. The wealth of experiences that our children will have along their journeys at SFS will lay the foundation and define who they are. Some of these experiences include stacking milk crates in the preschool yards in order to create a ship that will sail to far off lands, learning tall tales in 3rd grade, using physics lessons in 8th grade to build roller coasters, and ultimately going to Nicaragua...these students are making memories that will last a lifetime.

As I sometimes do on this blog, as a fellow parent, I encourage you to soak up every moment with your child and their experience at SFS. Before you know it, it will be 15 days before your child walks across that stage to shake my hand, pose for a picture, and receive his or her SFS diploma! 

 

Speaking Out Against Gun Violence

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary shook the world, our nation and the educational community at large.  As a result, many schools, including ours, reviewed and updated campus safety policies.  Already, our school has had several staff and team meetings dedicated to reviewing our procedures.  Later this month, we have a mandatory all staff meeting (including extended care staff) with an officer from the San Francisco Police Department who is coming to speak with us about campus safety. 

There is much we can do at the individual school level, but  conversations and a national dialogue must occur to deal with the root issues of gun violence.  In an effort to participate in such a dialogue, I have signed, along with more than 200 other Heads of School, this open letter to the President and our policy leaders.  For me, it is not about politics.  Instead, it is a conversation that crosses party lines and focuses on the safety of our children – which is our duty.  I encourage you read the letter at www.HOSAGV.org.

 

An Original Cell-A-Bration!

As we head into the holiday break, I thought I would send along a different kind of 'cell-a-batory' message.

I recently had the opportunity to visit our 7th grade science class 1st annual "cell-a-bration".  The purpose of this unit was to introduce students to the "magnificent" cell and its many parts.  I learned that these parts work together to achieve the common goal of storing nutrients, getting rid of waste, generating energy, cell reproduction, synthesis and transport of proteins and achieving all of the life functions we do on a daily basis. 

While observing and participaing in part of the class, I could not help but reflect on how many essential 21st century learning skills were at play.  To name some of those skills:  

• Hands on and project based learning
• Use of multiple intelligence's to understand a topic
• Allowing different learning styles to access complicated curriculum
• Assessment of one's knowledge in ways other than a test/quiz
• The use of multi-media

Ultimately, our 7/8 science teacher helped to make learning fun.  These are lessons that the students will never forget and as you can see from the student-produced film (created on an iPad) even 7th graders can act silly in front of one another.

May your holidays be filled with this kind of unbridled joy and much celebration with family and friends.

See you in 2013!!

Cell-A-Bration from sfschool on Vimeo.

 

Kindergartner Seeks Oval Office!

Growing up with a white mother and a black father afforded me both privilege and powerlessness.  My skin was fair enough for me to go swimming with my classmates at the local "white members only" country club but at the same time my father could never come in and watch me and my classmates frolic in the pool.  As a mixed-race kid growing up in the 80's, times were complex.  

One particular challenge of growing up biracial was that I felt there was nobody who understood what it meant to be me- not even my dad or mom.  My mom gave me hope by telling me, “You have the best of both worlds…” but there simply were not many role models with my light skin and kinky hair.

As the years have passed, our country is slowly progressing toward a more tolerant union.  I saw this so well represented last week during our school's annual Halloween celebration.  

One of our young kindergartners, a mixed race boy, came proudly dressed as a President.  The symbolism of this child’s "costume" struck me so deeply.  This young boy (and many others like him) now believes that he can someday be President of the United States! 

There is still so much work to be done until all of our students can see themselves represented in the Oval Office.  No matter where you fall on the party lines, I encourage you to get out and vote this Tuesday.  Join the San Francisco School in teaching our students the importance of Democracy and help instill in them the belief that no matter their appearance, gender, socioeconomic reality, or sexual orientation, they too can someday become President!  

Orange & Black Friday

As I drove home from work yesterday and turned on sports radio, I was greeted by the crack of the bat as Pablo Sandoval smashed a home run- which would ultimately put the Giants ahead for good.

At that moment I looked out my car window and I saw an elderly woman in the car next to me cheering audibly.  Driving up the street, I saw two kids jumping up and down while listening to the game on their boom box.  As I continued my commute home, I saw Orange and Black everywhere and huge smiles on many faces.  The success of the San Francisco Giants is clearly bringing our community together and I want SFS to demonstrate our pride in the city and the Giants!  So with that,

I am officially announcing that tomorrow, Friday, October 26th, 2012 will be BLACK & ORANGE day at The San Francisco School. Even if you do not have official Giants apparel – look for anything black or orange and wear it with pride tomorrow

Parents, students and teachers alike – lets relish this moment of civic pride and sports history!  GO GIANTS!

 

Little Children, Headache; Big Children, Heartache

Following a lively dinner with Wendy Mogel and several other Head's of School, I knew her speaking engagement later that night was something not to be missed.  I texted Beth, my wife, to make sure she was on her way to the evening event as Wendy speaks to a topic that is important to all of us and she does so in a practical and no nonsense manner.  Ms. Mogel did not disappoint, and my wife and others raved about her talk.  A teacher who attended the event described it as "Parenting advice delivered like a stand up comic would…".  I believe that Wendy Mogel offers wonderful and ESSENTIAL advice to parents – Beth and I included.  Please take a moment to check out this New York Times article and purchase one or both of her books if you get the chance.

Big Shifts

Earlier this month, at the All School Meeting, I delivered my annual State of the School.  It is my opportunity to share SFS highlights from the past year, to introduce and discuss the school’s future and it represents a chance to share thoughts about the world of education.  With countless advances that have come about in the 21^st century, this is an exciting time to be talking about the world our children are growing up in. 

As part of my address, I shared pieces of a TED Talk by Pat Bassett, President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).  Pat effectively articulates many of the “big shifts” schools across the country are seeing and will continue to experience in the years to come. 

Many of the topics he presented have long been embedded in our program and school culture; learning by doing, project based curricula and integrating the outdoors as part of a larger classroom.  He also encourages schools to search for the intersection of technology and the classroom as this generation of students has such easy access to a world of knowledge.   

I encourage you to take some time to watch Mr. Bassett’s talk - it speaks to the work we are and/or plan to do in the future.  As always, feel free to let me know your thoughts.

Below is the full video: 

  

Students Reflect on September 11th

During the school year ahead, I want to take key opportunities to define and share what a 21^st Century education looks like at The San Francisco School.  Today marks one of those moments. 

On this day, September 11, 2012, a day etched in all of our minds (as adults) I want to focus on a key strand of 21^st Century learning - Students and their opinions matter.  As the adults in this SFS community, we need to see our kids as key stakeholders in their education.  Furthermore, as educators, we can serve them best if we act as facilitators and guides (a key component of Montessori and Progressive learning).  In many ways, we are not here to teach but instead to help students learn---there is a profound difference. 

So what opinions do our 5^th grade students (children who were born the year the Towers came crashing to the ground) hold about September 11?  I asked the kids:

“Why do you think the steelworkers who are constructing the new Community Center have an American flag flying above the building (see above photo)? “What does today’s date, September 11, mean to you and why is it important?”  Below are some of their random and spur of the moment opinions/thoughts, and I encourage you to reflect on their opinions.  What can we as adults learn from them?

• September 11 is important because it is my mom’s birthday.
• The flag on the building makes it [the building] look nice.
• Seeing that flag makes me proud of our military.  I want to be in the military someday—they are awesome!
• I wonder how those terrorists got the knives on the plane—we have so much security at airports?
• I know that flag is important because I know that there are people who are dying to keep it raised.

With respect and continued support for those who were and continue to be impacted on this day 11 years ago.

Talking with our kids about the tragedy in Colorado

With the country reeling from the shock of the shootings that took place in Aurora, Colorado, below are two resources that focus on talking to our kids about  violence and tragedy. 

Education Week:

Advice on How to Talk to Kids After Mass Shooting

Time Magazine:

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Colorado Theater Shooting

I hope that this helps, and I encourage you to truly make the most of the remaining summer weeks with your family. Life is precious.

Together,

Steve

 

Working on a Building

The sun was shining brightly, the energy in the courtyard was palpable and the school band was kicking out some tunes.  It was a magical moment standing on the stage with over 250 students and adults filling the courtyard to officially launch the largest building project in the school’s nearly 50 year history.

It is clear that the community our Founders established in 1966 is stronger than ever and finally we will have a place for our community to gather. 

The San Francisco School is a community that:

• Is full of intelligent students, inspired teachers and caring adults
• Relishes its history, traditions and celebrations
• Partners with its neighbors
• Is aware of and thankful for the privileges is has
• Has made a difference in the lives of students for 46 years plus
• Finally, finally… has a place where is can run, sing, dance, play, yell out loud, and celebrate!

We still have much work ahead including: raising the final 25% of the campaign funds, managing the construction, ensuring a fulfilling and academically rich school year while under construction and continuing to find moments to celebrate this new space.  Together, we can do it!

I wish you each a happy and healthy summer.  If you find yourself wondering how the Community Center project is coming along, feel free to follow our live “Construction Cam” at http://inside.sfschool.org:8080/1/stream.html

photo details (l to r):  Maria Hekker, President, Board of Trustees, Gretchen Sandler, Chair, Community at the Center Campaign, David Campos, San Francisco Supervisor, Maya, 7th Grade, Nathan Dunn, Project Manager, Plant Construction, Joe, 3rd Grade, Lulu, 5th Grade, Sophie, 4th Grade, Steve Morris, Head of School, Ronin, 2nd Grade, Josh, 8th Grade, Liza Pannozzo, Chair, Project Committee, David, 6th Grade