Kombucha. Some people love, some people hate it. In the past several years, it has grown to a multi billion dollar industry. Everyone seems to have jumped on the kombucha bandwagon and as someone who has enjoyed the tasty beverage, I can tell you that buying it from your favorite neighborhood store isn’t inexpensive. Which is why, back in December, when my mother in law was kind enough to gift me a scoby from her brewing adventures, I decided it was time to start brewing on my own.

As Head of School, I want to provide the overarching philosophy and guiding context for our entry into remote learning. Please be aware that the state of Massachusetts has closed all schools, public and independent, through May 4. We will be evaluating whether or not our campus will reopen for the remainder of the year, and we will make that decision by April 24. Starting this Monday, we launch our remote learning program online.

I did something this morning I haven’t done in all the years I have been on Facebook. I made a comment on the New York Times page to an opinion piece written by Jennie Weiner. The title was “I Refuse to Run a Coronavirus Homeschool” and much of the article resonated with me. As a parent of two children, one in middle school and one in high school, I can fully appreciate the challenges of having to move into a new work paradigm. As a lifelong educator, in both public and private schools as well as a former researcher for the United States Department of Education I see this moment as one we have all been waiting for. The time has come where teaching and learning can change, not because we feel like chasing the latest educational trend, but because the world has been thrust into a new paradigm and we simply have no choice.

When I arrived at Walnut Hill in July of 2010, it was clear to me that the School had very much benefited from the strong, visionary, and trailblazing spirit of those who had led the institution before me. However, I had arrived after a small span of turmoil as the fourth Head of School in four years. The students who would become Walnut Hill’s graduating class of 2011 had managed to succeed against the backdrop of the 2008 economic collapse and significant leadership transitions for the School. What I quickly realized was that much of our work as a School would require a steady and long-term approach.

Class of 2019, please move your tassel to the other side. You are now officially graduates of Walnut Hill School for the Arts. This moment marks an important milestone, for both you and your families as well as for Walnut Hill. You are the 125th graduating class and with that marker comes an opportunity for us to celebrate our rich history but more importantly look to all of you to help us build a bold and ambitious future.

As is our custom, I have the privilege of sharing a few final thoughts with you in the form of a charge to the graduating class.

Just last week, I was speaking with two leadership students about how challenging the month of February can be. The days are still short, the weather is often cold, and the start of a second semester is now squarely behind us. And lately, I find myself trying to digest the news that comes streaming on my iPod, phone, and laptop, and wondering: how do we stay positive, and forward-thinking, in light of recent events? My remarks at assembly focused on being the antidote by focusing on putting good energy into the universe, and remembering that we are so fortunate to be in a community that values and appreciates difference, and works to understand one another at a deeper level.

It’s time for the Olympics and if you find yourself in South Korea taking in the games, I thought I would share a list list of experiences I think you would enjoy, even if you only have  a few hours in Seoul. 

Every January I travel south, usually before, but sometimes after the Super Bowl to visit with Walnut Hill alums in Florida. Some years, we travel both coasts, some years we do only one. This was one of those years where the east coast of Florida would outline our travel. Walnut Hill alums who call the Sunshine state home span recent graduates in the class of 2017, to alums playing as artistic fellows with New World Symphony between 2008 and 2010

Happy New Year! 2018 howled in with the gift of two extra days of winter break, due to the major New England storm we experienced throughout the area. I am convinced that every member of our community enjoyed the slow entry back into our winter session and, as such, the pace has picked up once again.

People who know me well can tell you that I have a thing for bags. I have owned and swapped out a variety of bags over the last 20+ years of working in and around schools. First let me say that some bags are great for certain uses, while others have the ability to perform multiple duties. For me, the search for the perfect, elusive everyday bag has been an ongoing process.

This past June I was fortunate to visit Charlottesville, Virginia, a place of natural beauty, deep historical significance, and most recently the epicenter of violence. If you have never driven through Virginia, you are missing a big part of what makes this place so powerful and meaningful to visit. As a part of my short trip, a good friend and board member invited us to visit historic Montpelier, the home of James and Dolley Madison. James Madison, figures prominently in US history as a former president and the father of the American Constitution. 

I am always struck by the creativity displayed by members of our visual art department. The focus and philosophy on process and technique give way to a student-centered experience. Yesterday afternoon, awash with warm October sunlight, one of our drawing classes gathered al fresco on our common. They explored a drawing exercise that married one of our apple trees with a pre-Halloween still life created by chair of our visual art department, Jim Woodside.

Last weekend I had the unique opportunity to spend the day at the brand new Leica Store and Gallery on Arlington Street in downtown Boston. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the new store it is a must stop for any photog or Leica fan. In my various travels, I have visited several Leica stores including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Frankfurt and Washington D.C. Each store shares the modern, classic design of Leica where camera, lenses and accessories are expertly displayed against red backdrop cases. Collection of photography books and other camera related merchandise are often found with brands like Ona, Cooph and Oberwerth to name a few. 

With a few precious hours available this morning, I took to the streets of Beijing and walked over to the Reignwood Centre, a respected art museum and gallery about 10 minutes from my hotel, to explore the opening exhibit of photographer Michael Yamashita's Silk Road Journey. I happened to learn about the exhibit the night before and decided it was too close to miss, and given that Beijing was the first stop on its world tour, I felt increasingly fortunate to be one of the first few Westerners to experience the show.