Lise's Lens is CSW Head of School Lise Charlier's weekly blog. Check back each week to find out what Lise has been reading, watching, and thinking about.
Happy End of Mod! I won’t lie. The cold and lingering winter weather — especially this year — can make Mod 4 feel long and demanding. And yet, looking back, I see that these six weeks have been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with celebration, achievement, discovery, and genuine joy. As we enter into the break, I hope that you can also take a moment to look back and appreciate some of the incredible moments we’ve experienced together.
This week I am reading the latest edition of The Georgian Road Review, thinking about the joy of olympic figure skater Alysa Liu, and watching the Oscar-nominated film Train Dreams.
This week, I’ve been reading a piece on “the joy of slow writing,” thinking about the remarkable courses CSW will offer next year, and watching some unforgettable moments at the Olympics.
This week I am reading stories of mothers, daughters, and granddaughters; thinking about the meaning of work; and watching a webinar showcasing CSW’s Visual Arts Department.
This week I am reading David Brooks’s goodbye note in the NYT, thinking about our incredible 2026 Parkhill grantees, and watching our students engage in peaceful protest.
This week I am reading Arundhati Roy’s memoir, thinking about what’s been happening in Minnesota, and watching our facilities and dining teams hard at work.
This week I am checking out the works of Jennifer De Leon (our MLK Day Speaker), thinking about the magic of Rock/Pop at CSW, and making plans to see the Amy Sherald exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
I was traveling this week, during which time I met with an alum and toured the Miami Dade Freedom Tower, a monument that feels especially resonant at a time when the safety and dignity of immigrants are increasingly at risk.
Welcome back, CSW! This week I am thinking about intentions for the new year, the term “theatre kid,” and the art of a sustainable meditation practice.
This week has been a tumultuous one, with senseless tragedies seemingly appearing all around us. As we approach winter break, I find myself navigating the tension between anger at these acts of violence and a persistent hope for a better, more compassionate world. While we at CSW are not immune to the pain that tragedy brings, we also have much to be grateful for. I am deeply grateful for each of you and hope you enjoy a joyful and restorative few weeks with your loved ones or those who are special to you.
This week, on the heels of a highly successful CSW Library Read-a-Thon, I have found myself consumed with all things having to do with books, reading, and libraries.
This week, I’ve been focused on several education-related matters (shocking, I know!). I read an interesting article and response on the role of schools in keeping our students well; felt inspired by a faculty presentation; and watched a video featuring a recently deceased alum who worked in education.
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.