Jane's Pocket Change: The Countdown
Today, the official countdown happens. Students will gather on the beach area in front of The Garthwaite Center for Science and Art, climb on the rocks and start to look at their phones (not their watches!) until they can count down to dismissal for summer at 2:30 p.m.
Today, the official countdown happens. Students will gather on the beach area in front of The Garthwaite Center for Science and Art, climb on the rocks and start to look at their phones (not their watches!) until they can count down to dismissal for summer at 2:30 p.m.
When the time hits, the juniors are welcomed as new seniors by the soon-to-be graduates. The crowd erupts into cheers, tears and long-lasting hugs.
When the time hits, the juniors are welcomed as new seniors by the soon-to-be graduates. The crowd erupts into cheers, tears and long-lasting hugs.
Unofficially this countdown has been happening in both simple and complex ways for the past week or so, perhaps beginning with the Boat Dance. It’s a realization on the part of our young students that they will not be together in this particular configuration again, and it hits our seniors the hardest. It is the complexity of this time that draws me in without fail every year. The combination of emotions, feelings, hugs, smiles and tears with the other measurements of “ending.” During both our “farewells” assembly on Monday and Senior Night last night I heard a lot of pride of accomplishment and growth.
“I learned to take advantage of everything around me and to make sure I tried new things.”
“I found out how to make the most of the mod system and watched how much more willing I was to speak up in classes.”
“I saw the way in which assembly became a place where we could share ideas and show the things we do well.”
This countdown is part of the cycle of my life (and that of my peers) as an educator. We welcomed new families to school last week; during the summer their orientation will begin culminating in the opening of school in late August/early September. It’s a countdown followed by a pause and then we hit reset.
Enjoy this time, seniors, these deep and powerful feelings of elation and loss. And don’t forget to keep CSW in your heart, just as we plan to keep you in ours.
__________________________________________________
Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
__________________________________________________
Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.