Jane's Pocket Change: Letters to the Head
As you might imagine we receive all kinds of letters in the Head’s Office: some I pass on to the relevant party, some I read with trepidation, most of them, by far, I read and re-read because they are complimentary of the school — or more particularly a teacher or advisor — for something well done.
As you might imagine we receive all kinds of letters in the Head’s Office: some I pass on to the relevant party, some I read with trepidation, most of them, by far, I read and re-read because they are complimentary of the school — or more particularly a teacher or advisor — for something well done.
Last week we received what Sherrill Bounnell and I call a “first.” We received a letter from Grace Gossett in San Jose, California; she is a second grader in Mrs. Clause’s class. Grace wants to know all about our school, and mostly wants to know about one of our more famous pupils, Grace’s “hero model,” Helen Keller.
So, as we approach our 129th graduation, I have been thinking not just about the future and our amazing Class of 2015, but of the past, our school and Helen Keller.
[Most of my quotations are from Individuals and Community: The Cambridge School, the First Hundred Years.]
“In 1879, Arthur Gilman, a Cambridge [MA] business man and intellectual leader and his wife Stella Scott Gilman, were the moving spirits in founding the Society for the Collegiate Instruction of Women, which soon became known [as]…the Harvard Annex, and later became Radcliffe College.” The Gilmans soon founded a school, to prepare young women to attend Radcliffe, and that school is our Cambridge School of Weston (founded in Cambridge and moving out to Weston in the 1930s).
“In June 1896 Arthur Gilman considered a unique request for admission…Miss Annie Sullivan asked him to enroll a sixteen-year-old girl from Tuscumbia, Alabama, who was blind, completely deaf and largely mute.” Indeed Helen Keller began her tenure at The Cambridge School for Girls in 1896. She was known as a happy and lively girl. Subsequently there were major disagreements about Ms. Keller’s education between Gilman and Sullivan; it appears that Gilman had her health in mind and wanted her to take the time she needed to prepare for Radcliffe, whereas Sullivan had her deep belief in Helen’s abilities in mind as she pushed for her to be ready for Radcliffe in two years. A bit of a compromise ensued and Keller was able to study with a tutor recommended by the president of Harvard. Helen entered Radcliffe in the fall of 1900.
Grace Gossett is inspired by Helen Keller’s fortitude; against the odds, Helen succeeded.
At this time of year we all begin to get ready to look at our group of seniors and, teachers and families alike, we frequently think back to each of them when they were younger. We are reminded of difficulties they may have overcome and we feel that “qwelling” of pride as they accept their diplomas.
My thanks to Grace from San Jose for reminding me to slow down and go even further back in history, to a story that represents CSW’s values of perseverance and caring. May the coming days – as we reflect and celebrate – be good ones for us all!
____________________________________________________
Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
Last week we received what Sherrill Bounnell and I call a “first.” We received a letter from Grace Gossett in San Jose, California; she is a second grader in Mrs. Clause’s class. Grace wants to know all about our school, and mostly wants to know about one of our more famous pupils, Grace’s “hero model,” Helen Keller.
So, as we approach our 129th graduation, I have been thinking not just about the future and our amazing Class of 2015, but of the past, our school and Helen Keller.
[Most of my quotations are from Individuals and Community: The Cambridge School, the First Hundred Years.]
“In 1879, Arthur Gilman, a Cambridge [MA] business man and intellectual leader and his wife Stella Scott Gilman, were the moving spirits in founding the Society for the Collegiate Instruction of Women, which soon became known [as]…the Harvard Annex, and later became Radcliffe College.” The Gilmans soon founded a school, to prepare young women to attend Radcliffe, and that school is our Cambridge School of Weston (founded in Cambridge and moving out to Weston in the 1930s).
“In June 1896 Arthur Gilman considered a unique request for admission…Miss Annie Sullivan asked him to enroll a sixteen-year-old girl from Tuscumbia, Alabama, who was blind, completely deaf and largely mute.” Indeed Helen Keller began her tenure at The Cambridge School for Girls in 1896. She was known as a happy and lively girl. Subsequently there were major disagreements about Ms. Keller’s education between Gilman and Sullivan; it appears that Gilman had her health in mind and wanted her to take the time she needed to prepare for Radcliffe, whereas Sullivan had her deep belief in Helen’s abilities in mind as she pushed for her to be ready for Radcliffe in two years. A bit of a compromise ensued and Keller was able to study with a tutor recommended by the president of Harvard. Helen entered Radcliffe in the fall of 1900.
Grace Gossett is inspired by Helen Keller’s fortitude; against the odds, Helen succeeded.
At this time of year we all begin to get ready to look at our group of seniors and, teachers and families alike, we frequently think back to each of them when they were younger. We are reminded of difficulties they may have overcome and we feel that “qwelling” of pride as they accept their diplomas.
My thanks to Grace from San Jose for reminding me to slow down and go even further back in history, to a story that represents CSW’s values of perseverance and caring. May the coming days – as we reflect and celebrate – be good ones for us all!
____________________________________________________
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.