“No surprises,” I said. “Of course,” they said. “I mean it, no surprises,” I repeated. “Not in front of anyone,” they promised. Promise broken most beautifully. The children and the faculty found incomparable ways to say a heartfelt goodbye. I may have had the responsibility of guiding adults through the emotions of change, but it...Read More
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
The WCDS Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the unanimous decision of the Board to appoint Jessica Broski-Birch as Wheeling Country Day School’s next Head of School, effective, July 1, 2024. For more information and to hear from Board Chair Lisa Allen, current Head of School Liz Hofreuter, and Jessica herself, please read the...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
Mr. Hladek sure found himself excited for another first day of school, which inevitably made him think of all the fun times that lie ahead. Then he said, (probably aloud to himself) ‘I wonder what days we get most excited for at Wheeling Country Day School? What are our Best Days?’ Well folks, even though I...Read More
Oh boy…I hate goodbyes! As a teacher, I’m used to beginnings and endings, necessary breaks and returns, first days and lasts, graduations…you know, all the stuff that goes into a year of school. And as a camp director at WCDS, you get all that stuff crammed into a single week, over and over again. You’d...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