Dear Upper School Parents & Students,

Happy September! The “-ber” months are a cherished time of year, and I’m looking forward to a delightful fall season in the Upper School!

This week I decided to delve into one of the Day School’s core values: curiosity. I’m an avid reader, and I reread the first chapter of a favorite book: When You Wonder, You’re Learning -  Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski. A particular excerpt stood out to me (as a parent and an educator), and I wanted to share it with you. 

While almost all of us are born curious, far fewer actually stay that way. Curiosity can fade shockingly fast; disparities emerge even among babies, growing wider over time. It doesn’t take a tyrant to cancel curiosity–even the most well-meaning adult can dim a child’s desire to know. If curiosity isn’t nurtured, it tends to be “transitory, to die out, or to wane in intensity,” wrote the philosopher John Dewey in 1910. “In few people, intellectual curiosity is so insatiable that nothing will discourage it, but in most, its edge is easily dulled and blunted.” That’s a problem, especially today. It’s been estimated that today’s young people could change jobs as many as fifteen times over the course of their lifetimes and that many of their jobs will require work that hasn’t been invented. The future will require today’s young people to forge careers that cross sectors and industries, requiring constant learning. Those without the ability or desire to keep up could find themselves automated out of a job or otherwise left behind. Meanwhile, the curious will be rewarded. … Above all, curious people are learners: people who can look closely at an orange blossom or a mural or a fellow human being and wonder. 

The intentional inclusion of curiosity in our values is demonstrative of the School’s recognition of the need to nurture curiosity, as it is directly connected to a superior educational experience and a life well lived. Whether it is through an academic venture, an artistic exploration, an athletic competition, or an authentic leadership opportunity, deliberate encouragement of curiosity is fundamental to the Day School experience. I truly can’t wait to see all the ways that Upper Schoolers will nurture their curiosities this year! 

Thank you to all of the parents who joined us on Wednesday evening for the annual Parents’ Night! This program is one of my favorites–walking a student’s schedule, connecting with each teacher, and learning about the amazing experiences that occur throughout each day is inspiring. Parents–if you were unable to join us and have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher(s) and/or advisor. They are eager to partner with you this year and look forward to connecting with you.

Looking forward, here’s what’s on the horizon for the Upper School:

• Sunday, September 7
  • SAT Prep from 1:00-3:00 PM in the Seminar Room
• Tuesday, September 9
  • We will welcome 20 German students to the Day School campus. These guest students will join Upper School classes off-and-on through September 24. 
• Wednesday, September 10
  • Junior Parent Coffee @ 8:00 AM in the Barnet Theatre
  • Senior College Application Night @ 5:00 PM in the Seminar Room
• Thursday, September 11
  • “I’m a Griffin!” Day
  • Parents’ Community Tailgate @ 5:30 PM
• Friday, September 12
  • Last day for the Interact School Supply & Food Pantry Drives

Fall sports have another eventful week planned–as always, keep an eye on the team calendars for the most up-to-date information. I also want to be sure to note that college representatives will continue to visit campus this next week. As I’ve mentioned, demonstrated interest is an important metric in the collegiate admissions process, so students should be sure to connect with representatives of interest when possible. 

I hope that everyone has a lovely weekend, and I look forward to another wonderful week next week. Go Griffins!

Warmly, 

Jenny Glenn
Head of Upper School