Study Hall

September 29th 2011

Dear Friends,

From 4-6p this week I have been the study hall proctor in our library. I've had the pleasure of sitting behind the circulation desk in a swivel chair and surveying the landscape. I have been watching and listening as students use the time in a variety of ways before being picked-up by the their parents, or taking the 5:30p bus home at the end of a long day. This was new territory for me, and I have enjoyed spending time with the kids and observing the after-school atmospherics inside.

After a tutorial by my colleagues on Monday afternoon, I was prepared for the challenge. But as fascinating as anything was watching the three distinct ways the library was being used, and how both the space and the time served each group in different and important ways.

Group One - earnest, determined studiers who were focused on meeting a deadline or getting as much done as possible so their evening would be a bit more leisurely once they got home. They were researching on the Internet, writing on laptops or our desktop computers, or reading. This group appreciated the quiet, and kept to themselves. They seemed content. I've seen college libraries emanating less intellectual octane than this group.

Group Two - small groups of three or four pursuing projects together, but moving back to solitude as the work required. This was a more mature, more purposeful version of "parallel play" seen in lower schoolers, but the students were noticeably more sophisticated in their use of different resources, and their ability to have sustained conversations about the task at hand.

Group Three - needing to release steam, this group pursued fun and games. They gathered in groups of five or six and talked and laughed . . . loudly. They had a dozen uses for the library chairs, none of which included sitting on them. I had to quiet them several times, but they rarely needed much more than the classic finger-to-your-lips gesture. It was clear they were comfortable, respectful and really enjoying each other.

I enjoyed seeing how the library serves different needs.

And then my first question came, delivered by an earnest middle-schooler seeking to make progress on her homework. She was an emissary from Group Two, and she offered me the chance to help a budding scholar - perhaps a whole group of them - in a direct and practical way.

"Mr. Sellers, may I cut an article out of today's newspaper?"

"Hmm - I'm not sure about that. Can you wait to find out from Mrs. Jipson tomorrow morning?"

I was thrilled to think of our students as reading newspapers - wasn't newsprint doomed just a few years ago?- but thought it best to get an official answer.

While my study hall proctoring debut certainly deserves mixed reviews, it was a pleasure to sit in the swivel chair and watch the life of our school from a new perspective.

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School

Gateway Building Opening Ceremony

We had the official ribbon cutting and "opening" of the Gateway Building last night. It was a perfect event - terrific atmosphere, lots of cheerful and grateful people, and good food. Bravo!

This is what I said:

September 14^th 2011

It is my honor to close our ceremony today, and knowing that I am the last person standing between you and a tour of this lovely building with a drink or an hor deurve in-hand provides adequate incentive for me to keep my remarks brief.

As our Board Chair David Lockwood observed, Just a few times in the life of our school have we had the honor to actually touch the bricks-and-mortar results (or perhaps I should say the Douglas Fir & Birch result) of the good will generated by excellent teaching for almost 50 years.

Everyone here agrees that the good will and gratitude that results from Derryfield's unending commitment to excellent education was essential to create such a building, and for that I want to give thanks to our faculty and staff who tirelessly put our mission in motion day after day - bravo! Many, many thanks.

And, let's be clear about what it takes to build an 8,000 square foot building, conceived and constructed during one of the most devastating recessions our country has ever faced.

First, It takes a rare combination of courage, determination and leadership. I could not agree more with our present Board Chair that those words describe our past Board Chair Steve Burke, as well as Pam & Lou Fink. But I am equally certain that courage and determination describe the kind of leadership that David Lockwood has brought to Derryfield. And that we could be twice blessed with his service on the Board is really sensational. David, a special thanks to you for everything you have done for our school in both generation one and generation two.

Second, the success we celebrate today takes philanthropy, pure and simple. I want to second Mr. Lockwood's expressed gratitude to all those who have given to our Gateway Project. And I want to add that the pursuit of philanthropy is, in many ways, as noble as philanthropy itself. For that pursuit in particular we have our Associate Head Jennifer Melkonian to thank. She drove this effort forward from the beginning and she kept us uplifted and on-task month after month.

You will note, as you tour, that her cleverness even includes not having furniture in the common spaces today to serve as a reminder that we are about $60,000 shy of our million dollar goal. So if you want to join this winning team, and maybe even be the person to put us over the goal, talk with Jennifer tonight. Maybe we can even have your name on a couch before too long.

Finally, a note about the intersection of scholarship and compassion – a place The Derryfield School has occupied since our earliest days.

On your tour you will see the first installed classroom project in this new building. I am fond of saying that since it's founding The Derryfield School has skillfully balanced the world that is and the world that ought to be.

In the world that ought to be, parents and other passionate supporters step forward to create an excellent school both for their children, and for future generations of children.

In the world that is, students need a safe place to explore and learn about the events of September 11, 2001. So on many of the interior walls you will see learning projects related to students trying to understand this event that occurred almost ten years ago to the day of our Opening Ceremony.

So let me close by saying, once again, on behalf of the entire Derryfield community, Thank you for being here today.

Thank you for contributing your time, talent and treasure.

And thank you for supporting both a school and this singular moment that makes the world a little more like it ought to be.

CNS

Thinking About Silent Reflection

We had a fine All-School Meeting on Monday, September 12th. The students were thoughtful, engaged and seemed particularly "present."

I had the honor of speaking last, and I used the time to describe my view of the Silent Reflection the 400+ people in the auditorium were about the participate in. This is what I said:

We are going to move into a minute of silent reflection now, and Mrs. Devino will then break the silence to lead us in singing America the Beautiful. You may know that the practice of silent reflection means a great deal to me, and I just wanted to say why, and hope this insight makes sense to you.

Whether you are coming at the silence from the stand point of an actor, who knows the power of a pause . . . a musician, who knows that the space in between the notes can be as important as the note itself . . . an athlete who knows that stillness and rest is essential for healing and peak performance . . . In equal measure, silence invites everyone to participate and offers everyone comfort.

Silent reflection does not promote unnecessary divisions – rather, silence creates the potential to come together, to recognize our connections, and to be grateful for our common good fortune.

So before we close this morning's gathering with song, let’s have a moment of silent reflection together.

In Preparation for the September 11th Anniversary

September 9^th 2011

Dear Derryfield Parents,

The Derryfield faculty has thoughtfully considered ways to discuss the upcoming 10^th anniversary of 9/11, and you have an important part in the learning process.

Today during Activities period faculty met with small groups to contemplate questions, knowing I would share these questions with you via e-mail.

By way of background, the Derryfield faculty were instructed as follows:  
“we do not expect faculty to be experts on events of this day and its political
implications.  Further, in exploring 9/11 you should feel free to stay within
your emotional comfort zone…. Feel free to bring materials that you feel
most comfortable with. In essence we hope to memorialize this day, honor
those who lost their lives and honor those who in trying to save others also
lost their lives.”

During our All School Meeting on Monday, September 12th at 10:45a.m. our
hope is that students will be willing to share (in a kind of “open-mic” format)
a 30 to 45 second memory or reaction that they either learned from discussions
with their parents over the weekend, or had themselves, in response to the
following questions -  

· How did you feel the day and/or week of 9/11?

· What were your most distinct memories of 9/11?

· How do you think 9/11 should be remembered?

· What does 9/11 symbolize for America and/or Americans?

We expect All School Meeting to last about 30 minutes. We will close with a moment of silent reflection, followed by an invitation to join Concert Choir in singing America the Beautiful.

Great teaching includes the ability to ask simple questions that speak directly to the heart of a matter. Powerful learning presumes the ability to listen with empathy. I hope you agree that your role is essential, and that discussing these questions with your child is worthy of your time and attention.

A final point: consider attending our All-School Meeting on Monday. Your presence is always welcome, and you will add measurably to the way we honor the day.

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School

PS – Our Families core value reads “We embrace the family's role in the life of our day school, celebrating collaboration between home and school.”

Opening Assembly - Our Summer Selves

My Notes from Opening Assembly Today:

We go away for summer and we learn things about our selves - we tried something new; we had an adventure; we learned something important about our self or someone else.

In short, for the last few months we developed our summer-self.

For me, that person is a little lighter (in many dimensions), a little quicker to laugh, a bit more eager to volunteer or to try something new . . . I like that summer-self; we like our summer selves – that person may feel like the best part of us.

So here’s a challenge to student and adult alike – let’s be fully here, fully present and engaged in our wonderful school, but let’s try to bring your summer selves to school for as long as we can.

I know we can do this because, in many ways, the school-year, is already well upon us and many of us have already come together in the last few weeks – both in celebration and in sadness.

But I love this moment – this all-school assembly - because it is the first time we come together in what I think of as our classroom for community.

Here, we meet weekly – 6^th grade thru 12^th grade and we live our mission and our values . . . the parts of our school that don’t change no matter the season.

But let me start with a few aspects of our school that have changed since we were together last:

I. What has Changed:

A. Who is new in the room - what has changed?

· Regina Assetta – 9^th & 10^th grade English

· John Bouton, Interim US Head -

· Darjee Gamtso, B&G, Custodial

· Richard Gaudreault, B&G, bus driver on Merrimack/Hollis route

· Jesse Kimball – 9^th & 10^th history

· Andrea Stevenson, MS Receptionist

· Alex Vazquez, our new Buildings & Grounds employee

· Rick White, New CFO

II. What has Not Changed

· Our mission

· Our core values: the way we put the mission in motion.

Families: We embrace the family’s role in the life of our day school, celebrating collaboration between home and school.

An example: 10 days from now will be September 11^th. We have a three-part plan:

· Meet on Friday, September 9^th in small groups, and discuss a few questions (to be provided) and respond to a few prompts.

· Consider these questions with your family over the weekend.

· Monday’s ASA – September 12^th – we will gather and listen to each other to see what we have learned.

Individuality: We encourage young people to grow as unique individuals through the discovery of new passions and a love for learning, self-knowledge, critical inquiry and reflection.

iPads: the faculty and staff are beta testing, and you are a part of the process. My hope is that this tool helps us discover new passions and stokes our love for learning.We will approach the process in different ways, as individuals, but we can be united in our desire to help each other discover ways the tool can transform our school.

The adults are learning about how these devices can make us better teachers, better communicators, and perhaps even save some money along the way, whether in e-books or less copying.

So talk to your teacher – offer your expertise and opinion, and let’s have this discussion beginning with our summer selves – the part of us that is open for a challenge, open to new ideas, open for an adventure.

Here’s a final thought from our value of Individuality:

It is the last word – reflection. We practice sitting together, giving ourselves time to think – time for gratitude, time to be aware of our friends and family, time to think of the possibilities of a new year in our remarkable school.

Please join me in a minute of quiet reflection before we move on . . .