I recently read David Brooks’s letter marking his departure from The New York TImes, reflecting on his 22 years as a columnist. Over the years, through writing and conversations on NPR, Brooks — who identifies as a moderate conservative political thinker — provided a model of what thoughtful, respectful dialogue could be. Regardless of what you think of him and his interviews, I found this piece to be an insightful meditation on politics, governance, hope, and the balance between individualism and community, an interplay that shapes our experiences at CSW and beyond.

Did you know we have a grant here at CSW that annually awards two faculty members with up to $25,000 (each) to travel in pursuit of an educational interest? It’s called the Alorie Parkhill Learning and Travel Fund for Teachers and it allows for our amazing faculty to engage in incredible experiences that enrich not only the individuals involved, but all of us who get to hear about their journeys upon their return. Every year, when we announce the new grantees, I can’t help but think about how creative, curious, driven, and thoughtful our teachers are, and how lucky we are as a school to have such a program. This year’s grant recipients are Spanish teacher Doralis Perez-Soto and science teacher Rose Rosenthal. Doralis will visit Spain and Spanish-speaking Caribbean nations to pursue an experiential exploration of Caribbean diaspora, colonial histories, and cultural exchange between Spain and the wider Caribbean. Rose will further her study of astrophotography of deep‐space objects and apply her skills to photographing the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, in Gijón, Spain. They will travel in Summer 2026 and I am so excited on their behalf. Read more about their projects here.