Lise's Lens: May 1, 2025

Happy End-of-Mod 5! I am still glowing from all of our student performances, presentations, and exhibitions this week — and everything that happened in Mod 5. As we head into Mod 6, the final stretch of the academic year, I encourage all of us to stay present and savor each class, interaction, and gathering, because it is going to go fast!

WHAT I’M READING
 
  • I thought this interactive New York Times piece showcasing some of the best advice author Jancee Dunn has received on how to achieve happiness was really fun. The advice is quirky and unlike a lot of the usual advice you hear. Examples include spreading positive gossip, starting a weird ritual, and setting up an emotional first aid kit. Of course, my favorite advice from the piece was: hang out with younger people. I (and I imagine our faculty, too) can attest that this is indeed a great way to add more happiness to your life!

WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
 
  • I am thinking about our students who recently returned from their Mod Abroad in Taiwan! Yesterday at assembly they shared a presentation with highlights and takeaways from their trip, and it’s clear that their time away was transformative. Traveling across the world and immersing yourself into a very different culture for nearly a month is a huge deal and I am really proud of them for embracing the opportunity. I also recognize how intimidating it can be to take part in a homestay experience, and so I was very heartened to hear that many of our students are still in close contact with their host “siblings” and families.
 
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
 
  • At yesterday’s End-of-Mod Parent/Guardian Coffee, four students shared presentations on their experiences with our capstone and student ambassador programs. Adam Olivier ’26 spoke about his experience serving as ambassador with the CSW Development Office, and Andon van Colen ’25 spoke about their two-year ambassadorship in CSW’s library. On the capstone side, Damir Orlov ’25 shared some of the videos he produced for his study of documentary film, and Max Lawton ’25 talked about his quest to design and construct an electrostatic thermonucular fusor (yes, you read that right!). While all of the content was equally as fascinating as it was impressive, the best part for me was seeing them present their work with such poise, confidence, and insight. The ability to present in a clear, concise, and compelling manner is a skill they will be able to tap into their entire lives.
     
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
 
If you haven’t had the chance to cheer on our ultimate teams yet this year, I highly recommend it!

Photo by Avalon Jellinek '28
 
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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.