April 2018

Welcome back and happy spring! I hope that you and your family had a restful and rejuvenating spring break!

 

The weeks leading up to spring break were filled with many wonderful occasions that truly celebrated our community and our school mission. These included a number of performances that were masterfully designed and directed by our grade-level teachers and our arts and music teachers. We also devoted a flag assembly to a “Walkout for Kindness,” during which 17 “activists for kindness” (students, faculty, staff and parents) shared stories or quotes to inspire all of us to walk with empathy and compassion every day. At the end of the assembly, I encouraged all of our students to be activists for kindness as we walked out of the gym together, hand in hand, to begin our day.

 

Finally, our run-up to spring break culminated in a festive and colorful Go Global Week. The rains cleared in time for a delicious and gorgeous International Lunch Day. This annual tradition is a rich opportunity for us to share and celebrate a part of our identities and cultures with each other. Thank you to all of the parent volunteers who worked so hard to coordinate this week for our students.

 

As we look to the spring calendar, there continue to be a number of opportunities to engage in the life of the school. This Thursday, the Adult Enrichment Committee is hosting Dr. Jennifer Bryan, who will be speaking on gender diversity and, specifically, helping parents to understand what elementary school students comprehend and recognize. In February, the Adult Enrichment Committee hosted Michele Borba, who spoke about developing empathy in our students. Our school mission charges us “to develop sound minds in sound bodies governed by compassionate hearts.” One of the key ways in which we can help nurture empathy and compassion in our students is by educating ourselves in all the ways in which individuals identify, whether through race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, or gender.

 

Next Wednesday evening, April 18th, Board Chair Allan Schweitzer and I will deliver a State of the School address that will provide an update on programming, finances, operations, and the status of our application to the city for approval of the Master Plan. We will also announce initiatives that we will be launching in the upcoming school year, including the redesign of our math curriculum, expansion of our Spanish language program, and more. Please mark your calendars for this important presentation and community time. You may RSVP here if you plan to attend.

 

In the school calendar, spring is one of my favorite times of year. I often stand back and marvel at the growth, both physical and intellectual, of our students. It is also a time when I start to plan for and envision the upcoming school year—and there is so much to look forward to! I continually feel inspired by all of you for your commitment to your children and to our school. Thank you for being such an integral part of Curtis. I look forward to seeing you at the many community events coming up this spring.

 

Best,

Meera Ratnesar

Head of School