Multi-faceted Refractions

One of aspect of our school that we cherish is our sense of community. On Friday, May 16th, we had a wonderful example of how this manifests itself with the honoring of our physics teacher, Eric Skalinder, who will be retiring at the end of the year. Today was the last day that our seniors would be on campus before scattering off to complete their senior service projects and it was a fitting tribute.

Our dean of students and Biology teacher, Jeff Terwin, sent out an email last week asking all faculty to dress in the “Skalinder uniform”. This consists of athletic shoes, blue jeans, a white t-shirt (with printing that shows through), and a white dress shirt. It also includes three felt pens, red, blue, and green, placed in the pocket in the order of the spectrum from inside to outside. One student created a Facebook group and the network began to spread the word. Hundreds of us, me included, participated in the day. There were freshman who hadn’t even taken a class with him, faculty, staff, and even the head of school, who I have never seen in blue jeans, dressed for the day.

Eric then best sums it up best in an email he sent later in the day:

Thanks to all of you for your surprise this morning.

I was surprised when, after about five minutes, I realized that students in my first class were almost entirely dressed in white shirts and jeans. I thought, “How clever of B Block students to give me such an amusing tribute.” It gave me a real case of the goose bumps.

I should have realized that something more was up when the Director of Communications came into the room to take a few photos. When I had a brief break right after 9AM I was absolutely floored to discover that a stunning number of folks were running around the halls of the Upper School wearing white shirts and jeans.

It is truly an honor to receive the warm wishes inherent in this gesture and I love the amusing way in which it has been expressed! Thanks a million for the wonderful feelings this has brought to me on this beautiful spring day!

Below is a picture of the large number of participants.

One of the sidebar tools that I have enjoyed watching is my ClustrMap. It was awe inspiring to watch the dots, each representing a user somewhere in the world, populate the map over the year. I watched in disbelief that anyone would be interested in what I would have to say.

Last week, I received a notice that from ClustrMaps stating that they were going to archive my current map and start with a new blank slate. So this morning, while checking out my site, I saw the nearly blank map.

Instead of being sad, I take this as a challenge to reflect and come up with new ideas that inspire others to want to return to this blog. This way, I do not become complacent. This will be an interesting challenge.

Each year, Rives Collins, an associate professor at Northwestern and Master storyteller, and Julie Shannon, a composer, lyricist, and creator of the Christmas Schooner, arrive on campus to share their stories and songs with our Lower School students. As a school, we are steeped with a great tradition of motivating students to create stories. It is in May that we take the time to share the stories that we have created with others. Each of these events and projects t is deserving of reflection. Just this week, we had:

• Senior Government presentations about emergency procedures
• Senior Psychology class reflections on the journey through high school
• AP US History students who have determined the 13 Days that Have Changed American History and creating documentaries to support the selections
• French 4 students who are creating movies about Le Petit Prince
• Fifth Grade students who are creating documentaries about the Indian and Chinese neighborhoods of Chicago
• Third Grade students who have used VoiceThread to document their colonial studies
• A celebration on how Greg Mortenson has inspired individuals to take action, consistent with our school’s motto of Live and Serve
• Had Greg Mortenson himself inspire us with his stories and experiences.

Over the next week, it is my hope that I will have the stamina and energy to share reflections on several of these events. They are powerful examples of what students, when given an opportunity and a forum can create. And it is good

• working with math teacher teaching her how to create our US Mastertime table. Soon won’t be my job anymore Woot! #
• @jeffwhipple I am hoping to start 1:1 in 2009-10. Would you be willing to share your PD plan? #

• been helping students with final projects this morning. #
• @kjarrett Greetings from Northbrook IL. I have been able to connect to great people, including Greg Mortenson who arrives on campus in 1 hr #