Jane's Pocket Change: An Oak for Bob; a Dogwood for Gary
As the faculty and staff head officially into summer mode today, after the conclusion of end-of-year meetings, I want to mark this moment by reflecting on milestones and farewells.
As the faculty and staff head officially into summer mode today, after the conclusion of end-of-year meetings, I want to mark this moment by reflecting on milestones and farewells.
Our two days of meetings this week covered many topics, including looking at the recommendations for the recent Diversity Climate Assessment Report, discussing next steps for our Scheduling Task Force, reflecting on the highpoints of the year and considering what we have learned as a result of challenges we have faced. Each year, at the end of our time together, our wonderful dining services staff provides us with a very special luncheon during which we honor milestones and say our good-byes to colleagues.
For the milestones, we honor teachers and staff members for each five-year unit of service. For this note, let me single out four of our colleagues who reached 20 years or above: Marci Cohen and Karen Chiaisson (20 years); John Cohan and Lisa Hirsch (25 years)—congratulations! The milestones are always easier than the farewells. This year we said good-bye to Sidra Smith, who will take up the position of assistant head at the Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, CA; Sonia Sitja, who is moving to Boulder, CO; Doug Healy, who is pursuing curriculum development in other settings; Alan Kusch who, with his wife, Jenn, is moving off campus (Jenn stays as athletic trainer); and Brian Walker, who is moving with his family to Tortola. We also congratulated Bob Blinn, from our facilities department, and Gary Hawley, science department, on their retirement from CSW.
All of these dedicated and devoted professionals planted deep, eternal seeds here at our school, befriending and challenging students, creating interesting programs and giving of themselves beyond the classroom in countless ways.
Instead of receiving a CSW chair, Gary and Bob chose for trees to be planted here at school -- a dogwood and an oak. The dogwood, comus florida, symbolizes, among other things, joy or something unexpected on the way. The oak, quercus, means true, noble and worthy of praise. Two good trees to have on our campus to remind us of Bob and Gary and to remind us of the importance of our school, new growth and the rhythm of change each year.
With all good wishes for the summer months.
____________________________________________________
Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
Our two days of meetings this week covered many topics, including looking at the recommendations for the recent Diversity Climate Assessment Report, discussing next steps for our Scheduling Task Force, reflecting on the highpoints of the year and considering what we have learned as a result of challenges we have faced. Each year, at the end of our time together, our wonderful dining services staff provides us with a very special luncheon during which we honor milestones and say our good-byes to colleagues.
For the milestones, we honor teachers and staff members for each five-year unit of service. For this note, let me single out four of our colleagues who reached 20 years or above: Marci Cohen and Karen Chiaisson (20 years); John Cohan and Lisa Hirsch (25 years)—congratulations! The milestones are always easier than the farewells. This year we said good-bye to Sidra Smith, who will take up the position of assistant head at the Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, CA; Sonia Sitja, who is moving to Boulder, CO; Doug Healy, who is pursuing curriculum development in other settings; Alan Kusch who, with his wife, Jenn, is moving off campus (Jenn stays as athletic trainer); and Brian Walker, who is moving with his family to Tortola. We also congratulated Bob Blinn, from our facilities department, and Gary Hawley, science department, on their retirement from CSW.
All of these dedicated and devoted professionals planted deep, eternal seeds here at our school, befriending and challenging students, creating interesting programs and giving of themselves beyond the classroom in countless ways.
Instead of receiving a CSW chair, Gary and Bob chose for trees to be planted here at school -- a dogwood and an oak. The dogwood, comus florida, symbolizes, among other things, joy or something unexpected on the way. The oak, quercus, means true, noble and worthy of praise. Two good trees to have on our campus to remind us of Bob and Gary and to remind us of the importance of our school, new growth and the rhythm of change each year.
With all good wishes for the summer months.
____________________________________________________
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.