Lise's Lens: May 29, 2025

This week I am reading about fast fashion, celebrating the work our faculty and staff members have put into our AISNE accreditation self study report, and listening to a fascinating podcast episode on the state of education.

WHAT I’M READING
 
  • I’ve been making my way through this Boston Globe special feature on fast fashion, with insights and advice on how to be fashionable while also being sustainable. I am really proud that we have actual classes at CSW that explore this issue in depth — most notably Alison’s “Fashion and Textiles: Design Solutions in a Circular World.” We’ve also had PACE sections focused around sustainable fashion, and for a few year’s running, we’ve had students participating in the Junk Kouture sustainable fashion competition. I read in one of the articles that roughly 10 percent of the world’s global greenhouse emissions are attributed to the fashion industry. And there are currently enough existing garment textiles on earth to clothe every human on earth for generations.

WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
 
  • As most of you know by now, CSW is currently in the process of getting re-accredited by AISNE, the Association of Independent Schools in New England. For the past year or so, we have been deep in the self-study phase, during which we are challenged to reflect on, assess, and affirm our practices in relation to our mission. It has been a demanding, but fascinating process, with every single faculty and staff member pitching in to contribute to the research, discussion, and reporting. In November, a visiting team from AISNE will visit campus and use our self study to learn more about who we are and what we do, with the goal of creating their own report with commendations and recommendations. It has been a lot of work, but I am confident that we are ready for the November visit! In fact, I am excited to be able to share our school values and structures in this way, and I am so grateful to our faculty and staff for all the time and energy they have put into this. It has been a true team effort!
 
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
 
  • In case you missed it, this episode of the Ezra Klein Show is a must-watch piece for educators and parents/guardians, of children of any age! In it, Klein interviews Rebecca Winthrop, co-author of “The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better.” Together, they discuss the purpose and role of education, asking questions like, what skills still matter in the age of AI? And, what should students be educated towards? While a lot of what is discussed can feel scary and alarming, I came away feeling really good about CSW and what we are doing here. For example, we know that for students to be engaged and motivated — two sentiments that Winthrop says are essential to student well being and success — they need learning experiences that excite them and interest them, which is precisely what the Mod System allows for. I could write a whole essay just responding to this piece, but I will spare you. If you have the time, please give it a listen.
     
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
 
Faculty and staff enjoyed cake and ice cream yesterday in celebration of completing our AISNE self study report — and ahead of schedule! 
 
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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.