Jane's Pocket Change: Gifts for This Time
As we head into a couple of weeks of school vacation, I wish you all many good things including some quiet time with friends and family, and perhaps a chance to catch up on your reading or movie viewing.
Last week in assembly we were treated to an inspiring talk from Jordan Clark '05 (Director of Student Programs for Equity & Inclusion) in honor of Native American history month. Jordan posed a series of questions about reclaiming—reclaiming the history and language of the Wampanoag in particular. It was a moving and highly informative session.
As we head into a couple of weeks of school vacation, I wish you all many good things including some quiet time with friends and family, and perhaps a chance to catch up on your reading or movie viewing.
Last week in assembly we were treated to an inspiring talk from Jordan Clark '05 (Director of Student Programs for Equity & Inclusion) in honor of Native American history month. Jordan posed a series of questions about reclaiming—reclaiming the history and language of the Wampanoag in particular. It was a moving and highly informative session.
Jordan drew on the work of Dr. Anita L. Sanchez, “a powerful visionary of Mexican-American and Aztec heritage… who [among other things] guides journeys into the Amazon rainforest with the Pachamama Alliance to help business people and their families learn about their connection to spirit, earth and indigenous people.” (Book cover: “The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times”).
Jordan asked us to consider the four gifts Sanchez describes in her book, and encouraged us to determine which one spoke to us most powerfully. I am passing them along to you so that you may choose one for yourself, as our students did in the assembly.
These gifts all struck me as offering us the potential for movement and change, for keeping conversations open, for talking "across the aisle" and, perhaps, for avoiding conflict of all kinds. I believe they are gifts that might come with a small operating manual, or at least some kind of instructions, and they are also gifts that will never be "cheap" or "on sale." They will, however, be transformative gifts that will sustain and nurture us. Gifts that last, quite simply, for ever.
The Four Sacred Gifts:
The Power to Forgive the Unforgivable
The Power of Unity
The Power of Healing
The Power of Hope
With all good wishes for the holidays ahead and hoping for peace and joy in the year to come.
Campus News
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CSW's DEIB Office Hosts Heritage Fest
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Empty Bowls Event Raises Over $2,500
Read MoreThank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Empty Bowls event a success! Over the past few months, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families came together at various events to paint more than 100 beautiful ceramic bowls.The evening was filled with warmth and community spirit, featuring exciting raffles, delicious food, and performances by talented student musicians. The vibrant gathering not only brought people together but also raised funds for an important cause.Thanks to the incredible generosity and participation of our community, the event raised over $2,500 in support of Rosies's Place, a multi-service community center that provides emergency shelter, nutritious meals, and a wide array of essential services for women in need. Together, we made a meaningful impact—and we’re already looking forward to next year! -
Former Art Teacher Orlando Leyba Returns to CSW
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On the final morning, the group woke up at 4 a.m. to catch a breathtaking sunrise through thick coastal fog. After packing up camp, they paddled back to Brunswick, where a well-earned diner breakfast awaited. The trip was a great success — filled with adventure, teamwork, and unforgettable moments. We hope to see even more students join us for the next wilderness experience! -
Dance Chair Nailah Randall-Bellinger to Lead Dance Showcase at Boston Center for the Arts
Dance Department Chair Nailah Randall Bellinger, who is wrapping up her Boston Dancemakers residency at the Boston Center for the Arts, will be leading a showcase examining the life of performing artist Donny Edward Hathaway. The multimodal dance narrative, (just) 33, “utilizes the body of Donny Hathaway’s work and archival documentation… to celebrate the breadth and genius of this inspiring intergenerational artist.”Read More
Meet CSW Students
CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.