July HEADlines
by Chris Williamson
Head of School
Dear Parents:
As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, I am r.gif)
eminded of how powerful the concept of “independence” is, of how demanding it can be to create and sustain – and of how the word resonates for independent schools such as Applewild. As a school, Applewild takes pride in being independent. We choose our mission and core values. We define what age children we are best suited to teach, and we provide facilities and programs specifically for that age. We develop our curriculum to best meet the goals of the school, and we attract families who value those goals and children who can thrive in this environment. We are not governed by a bureaucracy that can have the consequence (unintended or not) of stifling innovation, settling for mediocrity, counting minutes, “one size fits all,” narrowing students’ horizons, or putting metronomes in classrooms to literally count down the time spent to prepare for such tests as MCAS assessments.
Yet even as we are proudly independent, we rely completely on the support of our community. Our families tell us whether our “independence” is on target or missing the mark. That is why the success of this past year’s annual fund, exceeding $300,000 and closing in on 80% parent participation, is so meaningful. Congratulations and thanks to Kelly Jennison, Anne Davenport, Chair Katie McManus, and her committee! Another indication that we are on target is the wonderful support from the Parents Association all year, culminating in a gift of $42, 518.68 to our faculty Wish List, not to mention the support for our library and the many other ways the Association enhances the experience our children enjoy at Applewild. I am so grateful for this support and the way that it helps us sustain our independence and the excellence of our programs.
Independence is also a key goal that we work in partnership with our parents to develop in our children. That begins with the independence to let go the parent’s hand and walk into kindergarten or first grade and evolves into playing at recess, working on assignments, moving about the campus, being accountable for one’s actions, making decisions about priorities, having the ability to chart one’s own path. This independence, so vital to healthy growth, can also create challenges both at home and in the classroom. That is a natural development process, and it is why our partnership is so important – and why the quality of the adults who interact with your children makes such a difference.
These adults are taking some time to recharge this summer. At the same time, they are involved in many professional development activities. Among the Wish List items are three more technology Activ Boards that will add to the four we already have, and we will be training several faculty in their use over the summer (The fall Cider Press will provide full Wish List details.). Several faculty spent two days in June with John Collins doing follow up work on the writing approach that was adopted as part of our English review a year ago. This approach has been adopted across the curriculum and enables us to increasingly strengthen the writing that our students do. All together, our teachers will be spending at least 125 days in formal training, often working in small groups to refine or develop curricular initiatives, during this summer.
We thanked Lisa Bakstran for her leadership of the Parents Association at the June breakfast, but I want to express my thanks to her again for her energy, organization and enthusiasm as president and also recognize Beth Lindstrom for her leadership over the past two years as President and Vice President. Thanks to outgoing Executive Team members Elizabeth Trexler, Kim DeFreitas and Michelle Janoschek for their support, as well. Returning to the team to assist new President Ann Chernoch will be Lisa, Debbie MacDonald and Jane Rish, joined by new team members Christine Cline, Jennifer Nash, and Marcia Lassila. Welcome to these new members of the leadership team, and thanks on behalf of all in our community to all of you for giving your time to strengthen Applewild. Thanks also to the Garside, Bertone, and Mueller families and the Parent Association for a wonderful year-end Faculty Appreciation luncheon.
As we celebrated Applewild’s 50 year history all year, it affirmed the value of our independence. We also heard some interesting stories of some pretty independent people who have been part of creating Applewild’s culture and values! It was a pleasure to enjoy the culminating events at Recognition Day with a ceremony to enter items from every student and adult at school into a time capsule. Naturally, the capsule was built by Applewild students, and it really does tell time! Honoring retiring Senior Master Clarence Rabideau’s 37 years of service to the school also provided a way to connect to our roots, and it was wonderful that Clarence and Kyle Gillis shared the responsibility of addressing the ninth graders at graduation.
As with the time capsule, graduation enabled us to both reflect on the past and consider what the future will bring. I asked the graduates to consider what they will look back on when they open the time capsule (on September 18, 2057!):
- Was 2007 – 2008 an extraordinary year for Boston sports – or did it become the norm?
- Was oil at $135 a barrel and gas at $4.00– or less or more (how much) or unnecessary?
- How does our carbon footprint compare – are the seas higher, coastlines shrinking, and temperatures hotter, or did they help us reverse this trend?
- Did Clinton and Obama’s primary contest signal the beginning of a truly gender and color blind country?
- How is the configuration of the world different politically and economically: Russia, China, India, the US?
- Will the boundaries and interests that exist today be as nationalistic and separate or more global and international in outlook?
- And what will this beautiful campus on a hill look like in 50 years?
As you know, we are in the preliminary stages of considering some improvements to our campus to strengthen our program. A committee is looking at concepts for a new dining room/kitchen, which would include a new shop classroom, and how to improve our teaching space for our award winning music program. As part of this planning, we are investigating options for how best to provide new classrooms for fourth and fifth grades linked to Marshall. I look forward to sharing these plans with you as they evolve. Already, we have renovated our faculty housing at Flat Rock and have four teachers moving in this summer, and we are benefiting from a major gift to support financial aid for children of faculty and staff.
It was enjoyable and affirming to celebrate our heritage and history, and our Anthem for Applewild and Jubilee Mural will be lasting symbols of the growth each student enjoyed during the year. For a school that confidently espouses “A Belief in the Future,” it is fitting that, even as we looked to our past, we were also preparing to secure our independence for the future. As that exercise takes on momentum, it will be energizing for all of us.
Regards,
Christopher B. Williamson