November 2017
Dear Curtis Families,
As I head into the final days of my pregnancy and look forward to the start of an amazing journey of parenthood, I can’t help but reflect on my own childhood and the childhoods of the hundreds of students I have taught and mentored as an educator...
I am overcome with gratitude for my own parents for the hard work they have poured into raising me and my siblings, and now, for the love they bestow on their grandchildren with such wisdom and compassion. And I continue to be in awe of all of you, our Curtis parents, who are raising your children in a world that is far more complex and unpredictable than the world you grew up in. Please know how deeply I respect the work that you do and the love you provide as parents and as members of our Curtis community. 
This past Monday, at flag, the students presented me with books of their advice on how to be a good mother. I wish I could send each of you what your child wrote, because I know you would be so proud of what they have observed about parenting, which is no doubt a reflection on all of you. The children’s advice also has affirmed for me that all of us, parents and educators, are doing something right when we say we nurture sound minds, sound bodies and compassionate hearts. Here is a list of just a few of the things the kids wrote to me in their parenting advice that model our mission so clearly:
- Wash your hands before touching the baby.
- Don’t forget to feed the baby.
- Give the baby lots of love!
- Make sure to read to your baby every night so that they will build up a love for reading.
- Do not be super overprotective to where it can’t meet new friends
- Trust the baby with responsibilities to help them learn and grow.
- Help your child face challenges, encourage your child to try new things.
- Taking care of the baby is big but loving your baby is more.
- To be a good mom, you should push your child to learn as much as possible because the human brain develops mostly in the toddler age around 1-3 years.
- Your choice to give him/her a phone!
- Make sure your baby gets to be outside a lot!
- My advice is to be kind, soft and gentle but please just listen.
- You should be fair and don’t get them stuff that they don’t need every time.
- You should always stay calm if your kid is driving you crazy (which it will)
- Family over work, your son/daughter must always come first. No matter what the cost. Your child is number 1 always.
- Feed him/her many nuts so that she/he has a slighter less chance of becoming allergic.
- You have to be flexible with your kid’s suggestions, while not letting them burn the house down.
- Limit TV and video games but make sure she or he likes football and milkshakes.
- Have family memories to cherish.
- Savor every moment that they are young. Don’t let their childhood slip away.
- Make sure she/he goes to Curtis so that they get the best education! Tell him/her how lucky they are because they have about 400 Curtis brothers and sisters.
We have incredibly kind, compassionate and thoughtful students thanks to the love and effort you put into being parents and the steadfast dedication and care of all of our faculty and staff. It truly is an honor to be a leader in this school and to know that we are nurturing amazing human beings. Our mission is alive and well.
Although the baby has not arrived yet, today will be my last official day at school. The doctors will begin monitoring me and the baby in the coming days as we reach our due date and potentially beyond. Beginning Monday, October 30, Mimi Petrie will assume her role as Acting Head of School, and I will be on my maternity leave through the winter break. I will return in January on a part-time basis only to work with Ashley Ma on 6th grade outplacement, Curtis admissions, and board-related matters. In March, I will return full time. Please know that we have an incredible team in Mimi, Sarina Fierro, Hedwig Aerts, Kavita Ajmere and Ashley Ma, who are all ready and willing to continue to support you and your children. And, as always, please feel free to reach out to Jennifer Champion, who can help direct you to the appropriate administrator.
John and I are so thankful for the love, support and excitement you have showered on us these past nine months. We look forward to introducing you to our little one and joining you on this incredibly journey of parenthood.
Best,
Meera Ratnesar
Head of School
