We have the power to choose
As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves swept up in the excitement of the holiday season. The lights twinkle, the air fills with the scent of festive treats, and laughter echoes through gatherings with friends and family. Yet, amid the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Do we take the time to pause and reflect on the year that has passed? Do we savour the beauty of the present moment?
Year-end reflection is a valuable practice. It allows us to look back on our experiences, both the highs and the lows, and to understand how they have shaped us. When we reflect, we consider our achievements, the lessons we've learned, and the relationships we've built. This reflection can be as simple as jotting down thoughts in a journal or discussing memories with loved ones. It’s an opportunity to appreciate how far we've come and to set intentions for the year ahead.
Recovering from a setback
At Walden, we are dedicated to creating a space where everyone feels safe, respected, and heard. It’s a place where students can discover their voice and learn to advocate for those who may not have one. We encourage everyone to use their voice regularly to support others in our community, especially during tough times.
I’m taking the opportunity to address recent world events that have left many of us feeling shocked and genuinely concerned. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by devastating news, but we must remember that these challenges can be a catalyst for change. They can inspire us to be resilient, even when the going gets tough.
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” ― Aristotle, Metaphysics
Since I first put pen to paper for the last three posts my objective was to arrive at a destination with one clear thought.
As it turns out, and with an emphatic nod to Aristotle, the landing place is an invitation to our readers revolving around open minds and open doors.
This invitation has a dual purpose. The first purpose relates to open doors and enlisting your support in sharing the story of our school. On November 2, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we will host an Open House when we will offer tours and meet the teacher sessions. We have wonderful allies in our mission to make good people and you are foremost among them.
This time of year brings fresh opportunities and new beginnings, and we can’t wait to share some wonderful updates with you, especially about our growing team.
In our previous July and August posts, we discussed two important ideas: the need to teach our children how to seek the truth and the value of encouraging thoughtful conversations instead of quick judgments. These goals are essential, and they challenge us to create a supportive environment where learning thrives.
In last month’s post, I wrote about Walden’s commitment to instilling students with a commitment to self-honesty and intellectual integrity. I suggested, “What we can do…is help guide students in the relentless pursuit of truth. And that’s where this gets sticky in today’s often hyper-polarized environment.” That’s what I explore in this post.
During my time in Washington, D.C., I had an opportunity to discuss and consider the issue of ‘cancel culture’ in what may be the hotbed of the phenomenon. As with any controversy, it helps to start with a common understanding of what the term means. Cancel culture, defined as the practice of mass cancelling to express disapproval and exert social pressure, has become a contentious issue in recent years.
Helping students navigate the path to their truth
I have a confession to make. I’m late posting this. No, the dog didn’t eat my homework nor did I simply forget.
I wanted to await the conclusion of my learning experience at the International Baccalaureate Global Conference in Washington, D.C.
Being in D.C. for a few days during the last week of July was remarkable. The conference itself was inspiring and meeting colleagues from across the globe was energizing. Doing so in the Washington environment during tumultuous political times was also eye-opening.
Our school has a well-deserved reputation for providing a well-rounded approach to educating kids from Kindergarten to Grade 8. From our thorough approach to appropriately challenging academics to a deep commitment to each student's well-being, Walden is a community dedicated to making good people. As such, we’re constantly attuned to societal changes and educational initiatives.
For quite some time, we’ve had our ears pricked on the subject of Artificial Intelligence. Especially during the last several months, it’s been almost impossible not to come across a library full of points of view and opinions from profound enthusiasm to doomsday skepticism. As always, the truth lies between these two spectrum ends.
Boredom can be a superpower in disguise.
That may surprise you.
Imagine that you're sitting in your room, and there's nothing to do. You've scrolled through your phone a hundred times, and still, nothing catches your interest. At this point, boredom creeps in like an unwelcome guest. But what if you greeted boredom with a smile instead of sighing in frustration?
Andy Warhol once said, "You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you." Boredom can be the catalyst for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.
What do we really want for our children?
The love of a family, a safe environment in which to live and learn, living with little anxiety and a genuine sense of purpose, self-confidence and courage, and healthy self-esteem. This list could go on and on.
We have so many dreams and aspirations for our kids, and we share them with our students. Above all, we hope that they become good people—individuals who comprehend that they have a role to play in improving the lot of those less fortunate, that they can influence what happens with the environment, and that we collectively make a lasting, positive impact on our own lives and those of others.
Here’s one of my fundamental beliefs: we have a choice in how we grow up and how we help our children grow up.
Our new advertising campaign issues some strident challenges to Grow Up and Get Real! Those challenges, though bold, are supported by our knowledge that we enable our students to develop character.
“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.” Anne Frank
