SO MUCH happening! Up until this week, I had a handle on the general goings on at the school. Not anymore. This week, the school grew wings and started flying. It all started with the Fall Fair last Sunday, an event organized by our wonderful 1st-grade teacher and Parent Advisory Committee Chair, Danielle Wallace. Many thanks to Danielle for the countless hours she spent preparing, organizing, and cleaning up. And special thanks to all the parents who contributed with their time (and baked goods!). I think my family alone spent about $50 trying to win the cake walk. And almost all of our Upper School students contributed as volunteers to keep the booths running and pizza flowing.
We’ve also had some incredible outdoor and experiential learning recently. Mr. Griffin took the entire Middle School on a canoeing trip to Geode State Park, along with our brave parent and teacher volunteers. Students came back with anywhere from 3 to 33 geodes, ready to crack and open. I’m not sure about others, but our yard briefly turned into a crystal-filled quarry. And our 2nd through 5th-grade teachers are at Harvestville Farms as I write.
And earlier today, we were honored to be joined by David Fulcher, a Maharishi School alum and CFO of Ascent. He spoke with our seniors navigating the college selection process, our juniors in their financial literacy class, and our entire school about leadership during Assembly. It was an inspiring visit by a person deeply shaped by his Maharishi School experience.
Parent Series
We’re excited to announce the next live webinar in the Parent Series, by renowned author and researcher Jonathan Haidt. On Tuesday, Oct. 28, we invite anyone in the area to watch Haidt discuss “How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Impacted Everything, And What We Can Do About It.” We’ll show the webinar live at 6:30 in our Auditorium, after which I’ll stay for a Q&A. Child care will be available.
Haidt wrote The Anxious Generation with a firm belief that the challenges confronting our children and our families are solvable. However, addressing these challenges requires understanding the traps we have fallen into, so we can see the escape routes. The main escape routes are four new norms: delay smartphones until high school, delay social media until 16, phone-free schools, and more independence and play in the real world. Haidt will share the research that underpins the book and leave parents with inspiration and concrete plans to facilitate change in their families and communities.
Also, in case you missed it, Lisa Damour’s September webinar is now available to watch online. Her talk on how to help kids and teenagers deal with difficult emotions had us buzzing for days afterward.
Drop Off and Transcend! Group Meditation for Parents
A belated “Welcome Back!” to Percilla Herrera, who is now serving as our Development of Consciousness Coordinator, helping to guide our Middle School students in their practice of TM. We’re thrilled to have her tremendously
positive presence guiding our TM learners. But she’s not stopping there, and is inviting all parents to join her for a weekly meditation practice on Friday mornings:
“Even as a TM Teacher, it’s sometimes a challenge to make time for Meditation; and as a new parent, I find I’m craving deeper connection and community. That’s why I’m so excited that we’re offering Friday group meditations to our Maharishi School parents after morning drop off.