I know I have said this before, but I will say it again. I am very grateful I work in a school and particularly grateful I work at North Shore. The reasons are many, and one of the most important reasons was displayed earlier this week.
On Monday, I had a conversation and a classroom visit that reinforced to me the power of the student-teacher connection and the impact of this connection on our students’ growth.
It started when I touched base with Athletic Director and Track Coach Patrick McHugh to get an update on the Girls’ Track Sectional Meet that took place the previous Friday. Our conversation reinforced once again how much he cares about his athletes, how invested he is in their growth and progress, and how proud he is of their accomplishments. The Meet, like so many other athletic contests, had its ups and downs. Some on the team exceeded expectations; others came up short or didn’t perform at their best. Patrick’s knowledge and his commitment reminded me again what high-school sports are about, and illustrated the remarkable growth that comes to students when they invest themselves and are guided by a talented educator.
Next, I wandered into the Chorus Room and spent 20 minutes listening to the Upper School Chorus. Performing Arts Department Chair Michael Querio was at his post in front of the group with accompanist Ingmari Wahlgren at the piano. The energy in the room was light-hearted yet focused – the spirit positive and very respectful. It was clear that all in the room, students and teacher alike, were “in the moment;” all seemed delighted to be working and singing together. After 10 minutes, Michael instructed the group to pull out a piece of music the students had not sung since the fall. They performed it at a very high level as if they had been rehearsing it for weeks. Then Michael asked each group — sopranos, altos, tenors and basses — what was different from when they first sang the song in the fall. The responses were impressive. Each group acknowledged the high level of the performance and framed their remarks with insight and awareness. Michael acknowledged their comments will a smile – it seemed to get wider and wider with each comment. The students knew what his smile meant – they had grown and improved and, as a group, reached a new level. All seemed to understand and were proud they did it together — they had followed their teacher’s lead.
These are only two examples of what I am lucky to see played out regularly at North Shore. I am grateful to our students and teachers for all they invest of themselves on the fields, on stage, in the classrooms and in service. Thank you.
North Shore Country Day School is a private, college-prep school for high school, middle school and elementary school students in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
This is a performance time of year. Last weekend, there was the “Mail Art” opening in the Almquist Gallery featuring the work of Middle and Upper School students that was installed by Upper Schoolers. The same night, Upper School students performed their original works in the 10-minute Play Festival. Upcoming on the calendar are the JK/SK Musical Tea, Middle School play, Upper School Band and Chorus Concert, Middle and Lower School Band and Chorus Concert, final exams and much more.
As I watch the shows, plays, band and chorus performances I wish I could give the audience a special pair of glasses. After seeing the live presentations, they would put on the glasses and be able to view and, by viewing, understand the value of the process — students preparing, rehearsing, studying, collaborating with peers and teachers. In my conversations with teachers, they emphasize over and over again that school and learning is about the process and outcome, not just the outcome. In essence, the student outcomes depend on his or her commitment to the process.
Not all performances are strong. Some are clearly better than others. But the learning that takes place in preparation for a concert, art show, performance or exam can be equal, if not stronger, than the “live” performance. As you see students’ work in the coming weeks, I encourage you to celebrate not only their talent, but also their ongoing growth.
North Shore Country Day School is a private, college-prep school for high school, middle school and elementary school students in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
As hard as it is to understand tragedies like Monday’s explosions at the Boston Marathon, I found it comforting to be at school the next day surrounded by our students. This comfort came from seeing our students in action, being pulled along by their energy and their involvement with one another and their teachers.
For me, schools and North Shore are about hope. School is about students and their abilities and potential. Every day, I see in our students personal attributes we all aspire to – determination, resiliency, awareness, empathy, optimism and fun.
We often say, “what we do best, we do daily” at North Shore. In the wake of unexpected and unexplained events, we will continue to focus on the day at hand and on the good in people. Our goal is always to move forward as a community, surrounded and supported by each other, embracing the positives in life.
North Shore Country Day School is a private, college-prep school for high school, middle school and elementary school students in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
I’m a college basketball fan, especially at this time of year. I enjoy seeing the teamwork, pure talent, and how teams and players rally when they are down. The single elimination aspect of “March Madness” only adds to the drama. As teams work to reach the Final Four, every play counts, every player has a role. I am always struck each year that it isn’t the best teams that win, but the teams that play the best.
This translates to a lesson to guide our students. It’s not about the level of talent that students have, but what they do with their talent. Further, it is what they do with their talent daily, not just when things are going right for them.
My role in school administration allows me to observe students on a daily basis. Often, I am struck by our students who, at their best, often accomplish very meaningful and worthwhile things. Interestingly, like basketball teams, no student is at their best every day. Bad days aren’t a waste, but part of the process.
The students who will reach their own Final Four are those who when they are at their best deliver at a high level and, at their worst, keep trying and don’t give up.
Resiliency, tenacity and passion are characteristics we seek to develop in our students — qualities that enable students to maximize their talent.
North Shore Country Day School is a private, college-prep school for high school, middle school and elementary school students in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
We are very fortunate at North Shore to have an impressive list of distinguished guests visit our campus each year. Whether they be alumni, authors, performers or noted specialists in a particular field, their presence enriches the student experience, as well as that of faculty, staff and parents.
On Monday, we welcomed Eboo Patel, founder and executive director of Interfaith Youth Core. Following his presentation to Middle and Upper School students, he met with Assistant Head of School Chris Boyle and me. He asked what triggered us to invite him to North Shore. Our answer was that we have a genuine commitment to understanding ethnic and religious diversity, and the impact they have on human interactions. Expanding our students’ and community’s awareness and understanding is the right thing to do. Eboo is clearly a leader in knowing how to build bridges on the topic.
After school, at a meeting with faculty and staff, I found him to be incredibly articulate. All of us had read his book, Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America, which launched a thoughtful and engaging discussion. This forum provided the chance to ask Eboo questions about his experiences or how to lead productive discussions with students. He challenged us to have these difficult conversations, reassuring us that it is an essential and healthy part of our students’ education, helping prepare them for college and for life.
At the end of his visit, Eboo reflected that most of his visits are to college campuses. Visiting North Shore was a nice change of pace. Not only did he enjoy talking with students of all ages, from 2nd grade on up to high school, in fact, he really had fun.
He also complimented North Shore for examining religious diversity. As he walked the halls and visited classrooms, he found that diversity is clearly visible in the art on our walls, the mix of people in our school and the discussions going on in classes.
Thank you to all who participated — asking hard questions, learning how to initiate a discussion, and most of all for continuing to learn.
North Shore Country Day School is a private, college-prep school for high school, middle school and elementary school students in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
In the last week, I had the opportunity to meet with North Shore alumni, parents of alumni and current grandparents at three receptions around the country. It was a good chance to talk to those who have a very strong interest in the School, but no longer have day-to-day or even month-to-month contact. It’s clear that North Shore has made, and continues to make, a real impression on those people – that our mission, our sense of involvement and our community resonate. All who attend our functions have fond memories and all remain very committed to the School.
Questions about our annual Spring Musical are common at these Alumni Gatherings. “Is there still an annual Spring Musical?” “How often is the musical a Gilbert and Sullivan Opera?” “What is the musical this year?” It’s clear that for these people, Alumni and parents of alumni, the musical played a very important role in their North Shore experience. Whether they were a part of the cast, on stage crew or in the audience, the Spring Musical made an impression.
I find the musical one of the highlights of my year as well. I, unfortunately, never had the opportunity (or perhaps, better said, never took advantage of the opportunity) to perform on stage with my peers in front of an audience. I was never part of a cast or a chorus. I never had a lead or supporting role. Despite this, I have gotten a great deal out of attending North Shore musicals. I am always struck by the spirit and energy of the cast, the talent – some expected, some not expected – of our student actors. I enjoy seeing our students challenge themselves, take risks, and encourage and support one another. The choice of the musical typically highlights our students’ talents, stretching them to reach and grow within a framework that is reasonable. Finally, as an experienced North Shore musical watcher, I am always struck by the relationships that form and deepen among the cast, the crew and the directors. The collective energy of the group is always positive, the sense of team always genuine and meaningful. The teaching and learning that results from rehearsing, preparing and producing the musical is very powerful.
As I leave the auditorium after the musical, I often feel I have just seen North Shore and education at its best. From my conversations this past week, I am not alone. Alumni and parents of alumni feel it as well. I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s musical “Into the Woods” next week. I hope you are too.
North Shore Country Day School is a private, college-prep school for high school, middle school and elementary school students in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
Last week, I attended an Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) conference for Heads of Schools. Pat Bassett, retiring president of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) was one of the speakers. Among the things he talked about were the lessons of leadership he’s learned over his long career as a teacher, head of school and president of both NAIS and ISACS.
He told the story of the first leadership opportunity he remembered. He was in Boy Scouts and had been trained in orienteering. He really didn’t know why, but he was chosen to lead a group of eight scouts in an orienteering exercise.
He proceeded to open up his compass to see it spinning (not knowing he was standing under a power line). Not knowing what to do, he said, “Let’s go, guys,” headed off and the group followed.
First lesson learned: People respect decisiveness and confidence, and people want to be led.
On the hike, Pat and his group came through a woods where there was a creek bed and a carcass of a dead steer. It was clear they were lost, very scared and, again, he didn’t know what to do. He looked around and saw a hill. So he thought, “We’re going.” They made it to the top of the hill where the scout leader found them.
Second lesson learned: When in trouble, take a straight line to the highest ground.
Finally, Pat talked about challenging his dad when he was in college, writing a long, thoughtful, painstaking letter to his father stating that he understood the world better than his dad. His father never responded until 20 years later when Pat’s son was heading off to college and his father mailed the letter back to Pat.
Third lesson learned: As in the game of tennis, not every serve needs to be returned. Some serves are just out of bounds.
Pat connected these stories to his belief that this is the best time ever for opportunities for change in schools. The focus on education going forward needs to be on skills and values as opposed to an over emphasis on filling our students with information. Pat Bassett encouraged us to ask ourselves as educators and parents, are we creating an environment for our children where those lessons are modeled? Are we creating laboratories and opportunities for those skills and values to develop?
In conclusion he said, “The goal is not to have our students become smart people, but rather have them become people are who are smart and good.”
North Shore Country Day School is a private, college-prep school for high school, middle school and elementary school students in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
