Lise's Lens: September 12, 2024
It’s hard to believe that we’re only in week two…everyone has settled in so quickly to our collective work. In this second week of school, I’m thinking about the many ways we keep students at the center of everything we do. I have been inspired by the diversity and energy of our Affinity, Alliance, and Interest Group Fair; and by the thoughtful commitment of our student-led Advisory Board (A-Board), a group that makes formal recommendations about school policy. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be sharing some more specific examples of how our students impact policy and culture schoolwide.
WHAT I’M READING
- During the summer I had the good fortune of traveling to Colombia. The country has been on my bucket list since I was sixteen, and I spent the week doing personal work with a small cohort focused on our levels of energy and their impact on ourselves and others. It was a great opportunity to think about “how do I show up every day? “ and “ how do I show up when I’m in a stressful situation?”. So what does this have to do with what I’m reading? Well, when I’m traveling in another country, I try to read something from a citizen of that country (and in the country’s mother tongue whenever possible) . This led me, of course, to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I just love his style of writing and the themes he embraces. I had never read Crónica de una muerte anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold), so I picked it up at the airport in Bogotá. In this short novel (loosely built on a murder that took place in the 50s in Sucre, Colombia) Garcia Marquez brilliantly brings the various characters from this small town to this moment, highlighting missed opportunities that could have prevented the murder. In doing so, he brings to life both the banal and “extra” ordinary moments of the situation.
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
- I told you I’d be talking about cell phone policy this week…but I’m going to push that off another week. I promise I’m not avoiding the subject! The student/faculty team working on the policy isn’t meeting until after this week’s newsletter goes out, and I want to be sure to accurately represent their work and perspective. Stay tuned!
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
- I wish you could have been here in person to experience firsthand the energy of our Affinity, Alliance, and Interest Group Fair! I loved listening to the voices of our 300+ students as they staffed and visited tables. It was inspiring to see all that curiosity and passion… for everything from the Black Student Student Union to the Roblox Club.
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
I hope you’re following CSW on social media… there are some great photos and videos from this week’s Affinity, Alliance, and Interest Group Fair!
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.