Lise's Lens: May 30, 2024
I can’t believe it, but this is my last Lise’s Lense of the year! There will be one more post after graduation (which takes place on June 7th). Until then, I’m thinking about summer reading, reflecting on conversations with our seniors, and enjoying some guitar music from West Africa.
WHAT I’M READING
- No matter how much I want to start a new book right now, I can’t do so before Graduation next week. However, it doesn’t mean I can’t think about my next book(s)! So I want to ask folks out there, what kind of a summer reader are you? Do you catch up on the “big books” like Pride and Prejudice or War and Peace? Or do you simply go for a summer filled with the newest beach reads? Or attack the pile you’ve accumulated all year? I’m probably not a purist either way. But go ahead and join the debate! See the article linked here.
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
- The breadth and vibrancy of the senior class. This is the time of year when the seniors are invited to my house in groups of 8-12 to have “Tea with Lise”. It’s my special time to soak up who they have become during their time here, and to hear some of their fondest memories. It’s also a valuable opportunity to gain insight into their experiences in and out of the classroom — after all, they have just experienced CSW first hand! I’m always intrigued by their answer to the query “what do you think should stay the same as part of our values, culture, or the way we do things? What do you suggest we rethink or work on?”. I also get to confirm that our progressive model, our mission and values, and our amazing faculty and staff served them well. No two groups are ever the same of course, but there are many common threads to what they share.
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
- So many people around me have picked up the guitar at some point in their lives and can play at least a few songs, however simple. Sadly, I cannot relate to that experience as I’ve never played the guitar (and unfortunately, no other instrument, either). However, that hasn’t stopped me from appreciating music! A turning point for my appreciation of the guitar was the year I lived in Sevilla, Spain. Sevilla is in the south of that country with a rich tradition of flamenco and guitar. Guitar playing was everywhere, in the streets, at the Feria (a huge spring fair)... all over. Fast forward to this past week when I heard a segment on NPR Culture Desk called “Meet the Jimi Hendrix of the Sahara”. It’s a musical journey through West Africa’s guitar music scene. Take a listen! My favorites were the first and last pieces, “Imouhar” and “Coumba”.
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
In this year's musical, when Emma Nolan wants to bring her girlfriend to the high school prom, the PTA cancels the dance to avoid any legal repercussions for preventing Emma from attending. Join us tonight for the premiere of "The Prom" at 7 p.m. Unable to make it tonight? Join us Friday at 7 p.m. or Saturday for a matinée performance at 1 p.m. You don't want to miss this humorous and fun musical! 
Campus News
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Photography Teacher Anne Rearick Releases New Book
Photography Teacher Anne Rearick has release a new book of photograpy, Gure Bazterrrak (Our Land). Published by the Deadbeat Club Press, the book will begin shipping this winter and will be available during Paris Photo at Polycopies, Porte de Solférino.Read More -
Anny '28 Wins International Film Awards
Read MoreThis past summer, Anny ’28, worked as executive director and cinematographer for two documentary films titled Shaolin Youth and Confined, earning multiple international awards for her efforts.Anny, a boarding student from China, spent her summer filming Shaolin Youth in the Shaolin Temple, a thousand-year-old temple, where she focused on different groups of Chinese teenagers, showcasing China's special martial arts program and the impact it can have on the growth of teenagers from low-income families. The film focuses on the stories of underserved families and troubled teenagers in rural China who are hoping to change their fate by learning martial arts, showing the dedication and love these teenagers have toward martial arts, and the influence martial arts can have on a person's growth. -
CSW Welcomes Students from Panama
Read MoreLast week CSW welcomed 12 students from C.A.D.I. Bilingual Academy in Panama, where our students spent some time during the mod abroad trip to Panama in mod 5 last school year! They were joined by C.A.D.I.'s Director and administrators. During their visit from October 17-21, 2024, they stayed with CSW host families and attended classes with student ambassadors. -
Mod Break Wilderness Trips are Back!
Read MoreMod break Wilderness Trips are back in action with the first one taking students to the White Mountains! During the 3-day trip, students were split up into two groups based on student preference. The introductory group made its foray into the Kinsman Mountains with History and English teacher/Wilderness Trip Guide Aidan Wang, while the advanced group tackled Mt. Garfield with Science teacher and longtime Wilderness Trip Guide Kevin Smith.
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.