Friday, November 18, 2011

Musical Presence

            Music soothes the savage beast. It calms us when we are anxious and excites us when we are low. It gives voice to our feelings while transporting our minds to places, both real and imaginary, where our bodies could never go. It helps us understand other cultures and provides a voice to those who are less eloquent in words, while enhancing the eloquence of even the most profound words. Especially in Steamboat, you can’t avoid noticing how music brings us together as it builds in each individual musician an understanding of community and teamwork. The discipline involved in learning music, beginning with the challenges and failures that can be associated with every new piece, teaches a resolve that proves over and over again that practice and dedication will bring success. Learning music is a perfect metaphor for learning anything. Think about how the structures in music can help us apply and understand the beauty of mathematics. For all these reasons and more, music is an integral part of the Whiteman Primary program, and walking into the school today you will be unable to avoid its presence.

            Each day, as we enter the school, we are serenaded by students taking strings lessons in the library. The bookended day, with more lessons happening after school hours, is filled with music classes, practice in the halls, students gathering their instruments and music stands, and perhaps most impressively, students singing and humming the songs they have played in music class. Our mascot Chester has even gotten into the act (stop by, he will be only too happy to demonstrate his unique talent).        

              Music extends outside of the school walls, too, as students share their talents and their love of good music with other members of the Steamboat community. Yesterday, our eighth grade strings group, Five Below, played holiday music at the Tread of the Pioneers museum in a concert for Steamboat’s senior citizens. The magical setting of the museum full of glorious Christmas trees was a perfect backdrop for the eighth graders to bring beautiful music to the community. Another opportunity to enjoy the fruits of LWPS students’ musical accomplishments occurs when a student completes one of the Suzuki books. The tradition of the family hosting a recital is one that brings the community of students, parents, guests, and faculty together to celebrate the musical accomplishments of the child. I’ve had the pleasure of attending two of these recitals so far this year, one just this week. These are very special moments when the warmth of our community is enhanced by the beauty of the students’ performance.

            The entire school is preparing for the Winter Showcase, which will be an opportunity for all Whiteman Primary students to celebrate the holidays through the creation of music, and for the entire LWPS community to be transported into the holiday season. This year, we will hold the Showcase in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church so that members of the wider Steamboat community can join us. LWPS students are fortunate to be a part of a wonderful musical tradition, and it is in the spirit of the holidays that they share the fruits of that good fortune with the community. Please join us on December 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thinking Strategically

            When things are going well, and they most definitely are going well at Whiteman Primary, why does a school need to engage in strategic planning?  From the moment I met the first set of parents, board members, and faculty on the search committee, it was clear to me that the school was well run and staffed by people of integrity who had their heads on their shoulders and who kept the interests of the students at the center of their decisions. The financial state of the school, the strong curriculum, the dedication of the faculty, the gifts of both time and money by parents, board members, and friends of the school…all of these contribute to a very strong school indeed.

            But just as we ask our students to stretch and not rest on the glory of their latest successes, we must do the same as a school if we want to continue to be the wonderful place for children that LWPS has always been. The world is a different place than it was a decade ago, and it is a different place now from what it will be in 10 more years. Our school needs to examine its context and decide how to meet the spirit of our mission in a new and ever-changing environment. The strategic planning committee has given us a framework to build on the strengths of the school while addressing weaknesses and looking for opportunities as we prepare to meet challenges.

            In the spirit of inclusiveness that resonates through the halls of the school, parents, faculty, board members, and members of the wider Steamboat community have all provided input to the process and will continue to be involved as the school sets priorities for the future. I have been so impressed with the way that our community has thought deeply and broadly, and how self-interest has given way to the underlying interests of the school’s children…both those presently in the school and those who will join us in the future.

            If you have not yet had a chance to share your thoughts about Whiteman Primary’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, please be sure to drop me an email or stop by to talk with me. We are a terrific place for children now but, just as our children do, we can strive for more. Please join us in this journey.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Why K-8?

            As I watch our oldest students, our Chinooks, I see some very adult characteristics shining through, such as confidence, an ease in interpersonal interactions, a comfort with working hard in academic pursuits, a willingness both to share their own skills and to celebrate the achievements of others – all mixed with an infectious social interest that is just exactly right for their ages. This is so different from the way that my peers and I grew up that I find myself wondering what exists in their environment that has allowed these seventh and eighth graders to build that confidence and strong sense of self.

I’m sure there are many of you who remember the middle school or junior high years in much the same way: going to school with hundreds of other seventh and eighth graders. The social traumas and need to be just like everyone else (and especially just like the “popular” kids), meant that all the things that made us special had to be hidden. It was quite a long time after junior high that I began to come into my own and understand that only by being truly myself could I build the kind of life I wanted. It amazes and charms me to see our Chinooks expressing themselves and finding strength in their own characters at what seems such a young age. It also stands out that because they are comfortable with themselves (at least much more so than most middle schoolers), they are willing to take academic risks. Our Upper Primary students are working on math that many don’t even begin to consider until high school.  They are thinking deeply about literature and social justice, and are talking and writing eloquently about these ideas.

So how did this happen? A big part of it is the strong bond that the Whiteman Primary families have with the school. Faculty, parents, administration…we all work closely together, sharing common values as we strive to support the growth of the children in our care. But another piece of the puzzle is actually the structure of the school. When a group of adults has a vision for the kind of children they want to raise, it’s essential that they develop a structure where that vision can be realized. While the fact that they are still early adolescents might inspire our children to hope for a school filled with other children their age, it is the wisdom of the adults in creating an environment that simulates a family that allows our Chinooks to continue to grow toward adulthood. At Whiteman Primary, with the youngest kindergartners and oldest eighth graders sharing the halls, the lunchroom, recess time, clean-up responsibilities, etc., the youngest students look up to the oldest students who look after them. The way that both our oldest and youngest students celebrate each other with awards on Friday is just one example of the close bonds that all students feel to the community/family of the school.

It’s in a family, with its unconditional love and high expectations, that we all thrive best. The K-8 structure of Whiteman Primary is purposeful, for that reason. We are very proud of our Chinooks as they take on new challenges at the same time that they care for the younger members of our community. And we are equally proud of them as they share recess time and games, reminding us that they are actually younger than their accomplishments might suggest. Being a part of our K-8 environment allows them to stretch toward adulthood at the same time that they can still enjoy their unique childhood.