Dear Lighthouse Families,
This week Nantucket Lighthouse School Board member Laura Cunningham and I traveled to Boston to attend a Governance Conference at Beaver Country Day School. It was an inspiring event with over a hundred heads of school and board members from various schools across New England. This year’s speaker was Wanda Holland Greene who heads the Hamlin School in San Francisco. Wanda also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Columbia University. Her experience in school leadership and governance is vast and varied, and her approach to both is grounded in a deep love for the work, and an equally strong commitment to the children she serves.
At one point during the conference, Wanda talked about the stamina needed to work in schools and how, despite her demanding career, she made it a priority on at least one day each week to get her sons from school. She gleamed, “There is nothing like the look on a child’s face when they see you picking them up.” This brought me back to Wednesday afternoon’s Spring Tea and seeing the absolute joy on the children’s faces as they met their families and made their way back to the classroom. From the beautiful bouquets to the handmade flower holders, the wonderful table settings, the delicious feast, and the thoughtful gifts, Alana’s classroom radiated warmth and love. While these events form the most enduring of memories, I am reminded, too, of the importance of the many small moments in between: the pick-up at the end of the day, the conversation before bed, or the final goodbye at drop-off. Take time to cherish each one.
Thank you to Alana, Maggie, and Jessica for creating such wonderful memories and such loving, joyful experiences for our Small Schoolers and their families. Your devotion to the children and the magic you create each and every day is so appreciated.
Please be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 28 at 5:00 p.m. for Project Night. We will kick-off the night in front of the school garden with some songs from our Small Schoolers. This will begin right at 5:00, and then all Lighthouse families are invited to visit in the Kinderclass through the fourth/fifth-grade classrooms to see the amazing display of work the children and their teachers have carefully curated. The family picnic will begin at 6:00 p.m. and we ask that families take time to visit all the classrooms first, as the children are so proud of their work. If you are a parent of younger students, you will enjoy the opportunity to see what’s ahead!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Warm regards,
Emily
Happy, Thoughtful Kids Grown Here
Navigating the complexities of digital devices in a healthy manner can feel overwhelming, especially as we face the pervasive influence of technology. This week, I had the pleasure of attending Nantucket Lighthouse School’s Educational Speaker Series event featuring Chris Vineis, founder and president of Unite for Safe Social Media. Her presentation focused on the profound impact of screens and social media on our children’s mental health and well-being – a growing concern for many parents and educators as anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying are on the rise among children.
One of the most impactful takeaways from the event was Ms. Vineis’ advice for developing a family plan of guidelines around device use that reflect your family’s values and priorities.
Inspired by this advice, I discussed developing a family plan with my own family. One immediate decision we made was to establish Screen-Free rooms in our household, including the dining room and bedrooms. This simple change has already made a positive impact on our daily interactions.
I encourage your families to consider your own family plans and to have ongoing conversations with your children about online experiences and habits. Together, we can support our children in navigating the digital world safely and responsibility.
Warmly,
Julia
This Week at Nantucket Lighthouse School
