As a student, I spent one year living abroad in Tokyo and one year in London, life-altering experiences that made me reconsider many assumptions I had about myself and about the world.
The symbolism of a new year is powerful. We slough off the old year like a snake sheds its skin, and we revel in the possibilities of a fresh start. Even the changes we cannot see can contribute to the betterment of our community.
As we approach the Winter Solstice, darkness is conspicuous. It is no surprise, then, that many winter holidays celebrate and honor the light that illuminates the darkness and reassures us of the return of spring.
At Turning Point, we trust in the untimed timelines of children's development. We know that by cultivating each child, the best of them will unfold. We wait patiently for them to navigate early adolescence and emerge as capable young people, ready to thrive in high school.
At Turning Point, we use a variety of ways to truly understand and assess student mastery. Knowledge is complex, and exhibiting mastery is best revealed in ways that honor its complexity.
In an ever-changing world, it becomes more vital than ever for our children to develop and internalize qualities of empathy, cooperation, respect, and collaboration, so we purposely and thoughtfully build into our program opportunities for students to build and practice these skills.
As Turning Point educators, we have experienced many opportunities for "teachable moments" to help students process what they are hearing from the media, parents, and friends during this election season.
If you are the parent of a preteen or early adolescent, you may find yourself wondering what is going on with your child, or more specifically, what is going on in your child's brain.
It is hard to believe that I have only "officially" been part of the Turning Point community for a little over three months. The warmth and generosity I have experienced, both as a parent and as a Head of School, has made me feel so welcomed, appreciated, and included.
Please join me for the first event in our Parent Speaker Series, "Positive Communication with Children," next Wednesday, October 19, from 8:30-10:00 am, with Sheri Glucoft Wong, LCSW.