Jessica, As I finally have a minute to sit down to write this letter, I want to share my heartfelt congratulations to you, Jessica. I have full confidence that you will lead our school with grace and skill. As you begin your own WCDS journey, know that you will find great wisdom in the hearts and minds of...Read More
If you participated in any of our parent coffees last week, you heard me talk about our upcoming accreditation. I was a member of the Accreditation Review Committee for the Independent Schools of the Central States (ISACS) for seven years. I have been immersed in accreditation for almost as long as I have been a Head...Read More
Math. What an odd love affair we have had in this lifetime. As a young child, your numbers were everything. How old was I? How tall was I? What was my address? My phone number? In school your problems made me feel like I’d arrived. If a train leaves a station in Columbia, MD at...Read More
How could I? West Virginia – this valley in particular – is responsible for the very best of me – my humility, my empathy and certainly my strength. In return, I have belittled her at times and worse used her to shoulder my own shame. For too long I undervalued us both. It was...Read More
I began looking for them in earnest almost four years ago. You have to be mindful or you will discount their value. When you chance on your unexpected surprise, you have to drink it in and allow it to wash you in gratitude. It can change the trajectory of your day. When you make it...Read More
…typically, it is a complimentary closing to a phone call, letter, or email. Lately, it has had so much more meaning for me. In saying as much, I am asking others to take care of themselves. I am offering empathy for whatever they might be going through for all of us are fighting battles others...Read More
Gather the sparkling moments - simple but profound advice from Wendy Mogel as we move into this third wave of the pandemic. She offered hope to parents in these days of uncertainty. Not hope for a vaccine or a cure, but hope that we might very well be much better parents than we give ourselves...Read More
You have heard the term “helicopter mom” I am sure. It certainly has worked its way into our vernacular. Sneaking in right behind it is another term, “the snowplow mom.” The former hovers nearby to make sure all is well. The latter clears the road ahead of obstacles that lurk. Personally, I am not...Read More
It’s 8:40 in the morning and there have already been two countdowns at WCDS. The first was for the launch. This morning I started my day in the field in front of the school. I was there to witness the launch team of fifth grade students prepare to send the weather balloon, the JoJo IV, 100,000 feet...Read More
Dear Mom and Dad I want to invite you to the school’s open house that we call Parent’s Night. This tradition gives parents a chance to walk in the footsteps of their child or better yet to sit in the undersized desk. I know you are dreading it. You have been here and done this...Read More
