Thinking Ahead

Study Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:38:00 +0000

September 29th 2011

Dear Friends,

From 4-6p this week I have been the study hall proctor in our library. I've had the pleasure of sitting behind the circulation desk in a swivel chair and surveying the landscape. I have been watching and listening as students use the time in a variety of ways before being picked-up by the their parents, or taking the 5:30p bus home at the end of a long day. This was new territory for me, and I have enjoyed spending time with the kids and observing the after-school atmospherics inside.

After a tutorial by my colleagues on Monday afternoon, I was prepared for the challenge. But as fascinating as anything was watching the three distinct ways the library was being used, and how both the space and the time served each group in different and important ways.

Group One - earnest, determined studiers who were focused on meeting a deadline or getting as much done as possible so their evening would be a bit more leisurely once they got home. They were researching on the Internet, writing on laptops or our desktop computers, or reading. This group appreciated the quiet, and kept to themselves. They seemed content. I've seen college libraries emanating less intellectual octane than this group.

Group Two - small groups of three or four pursuing projects together, but moving back to solitude as the work required. This was a more mature, more purposeful version of "parallel play" seen in lower schoolers, but the students were noticeably more sophisticated in their use of different resources, and their ability to have sustained conversations about the task at hand.

Group Three - needing to release steam, this group pursued fun and games. They gathered in groups of five or six and talked and laughed . . . loudly. They had a dozen uses for the library chairs, none of which included sitting on them. I had to quiet them several times, but they rarely needed much more than the classic finger-to-your-lips gesture. It was clear they were comfortable, respectful and really enjoying each other.

I enjoyed seeing how the library serves different needs.

And then my first question came, delivered by an earnest middle-schooler seeking to make progress on her homework. She was an emissary from Group Two, and she offered me the chance to help a budding scholar - perhaps a whole group of them - in a direct and practical way.

"Mr. Sellers, may I cut an article out of today's newspaper?"

"Hmm - I'm not sure about that. Can you wait to find out from Mrs. Jipson tomorrow morning?"

I was thrilled to think of our students as reading newspapers - wasn't newsprint doomed just a few years ago?- but thought it best to get an official answer.

While my study hall proctoring debut certainly deserves mixed reviews, it was a pleasure to sit in the swivel chair and watch the life of our school from a new perspective.

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School

Gateway Building Opening Ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:25:00 +0000

We had the official ribbon cutting and "opening" of the Gateway Building last night. It was a perfect event - terrific atmosphere, lots of cheerful and grateful people, and good food. Bravo!

This is what I said:

September 14^th 2011

It is my honor to close our ceremony today, and knowing that I am the last person standing between you and a tour of this lovely building with a drink or an hor deurve in-hand provides adequate incentive for me to keep my remarks brief.

As our Board Chair David Lockwood observed, Just a few times in the life of our school have we had the honor to actually touch the bricks-and-mortar results (or perhaps I should say the Douglas Fir & Birch result) of the good will generated by excellent teaching for almost 50 years.

Everyone here agrees that the good will and gratitude that results from Derryfield's unending commitment to excellent education was essential to create such a building, and for that I want to give thanks to our faculty and staff who tirelessly put our mission in motion day after day - bravo! Many, many thanks.

And, let's be clear about what it takes to build an 8,000 square foot building, conceived and constructed during one of the most devastating recessions our country has ever faced.

First, It takes a rare combination of courage, determination and leadership. I could not agree more with our present Board Chair that those words describe our past Board Chair Steve Burke, as well as Pam & Lou Fink. But I am equally certain that courage and determination describe the kind of leadership that David Lockwood has brought to Derryfield. And that we could be twice blessed with his service on the Board is really sensational. David, a special thanks to you for everything you have done for our school in both generation one and generation two.

Second, the success we celebrate today takes philanthropy, pure and simple. I want to second Mr. Lockwood's expressed gratitude to all those who have given to our Gateway Project. And I want to add that the pursuit of philanthropy is, in many ways, as noble as philanthropy itself. For that pursuit in particular we have our Associate Head Jennifer Melkonian to thank. She drove this effort forward from the beginning and she kept us uplifted and on-task month after month.

You will note, as you tour, that her cleverness even includes not having furniture in the common spaces today to serve as a reminder that we are about $60,000 shy of our million dollar goal. So if you want to join this winning team, and maybe even be the person to put us over the goal, talk with Jennifer tonight. Maybe we can even have your name on a couch before too long.

Finally, a note about the intersection of scholarship and compassion – a place The Derryfield School has occupied since our earliest days.

On your tour you will see the first installed classroom project in this new building. I am fond of saying that since it's founding The Derryfield School has skillfully balanced the world that is and the world that ought to be.

In the world that ought to be, parents and other passionate supporters step forward to create an excellent school both for their children, and for future generations of children.

In the world that is, students need a safe place to explore and learn about the events of September 11, 2001. So on many of the interior walls you will see learning projects related to students trying to understand this event that occurred almost ten years ago to the day of our Opening Ceremony.

So let me close by saying, once again, on behalf of the entire Derryfield community, Thank you for being here today.

Thank you for contributing your time, talent and treasure.

And thank you for supporting both a school and this singular moment that makes the world a little more like it ought to be.

CNS

Thinking About Silent Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:23:00 +0000

We had a fine All-School Meeting on Monday, September 12th. The students were thoughtful, engaged and seemed particularly "present."

I had the honor of speaking last, and I used the time to describe my view of the Silent Reflection the 400+ people in the auditorium were about the participate in. This is what I said:

We are going to move into a minute of silent reflection now, and Mrs. Devino will then break the silence to lead us in singing America the Beautiful. You may know that the practice of silent reflection means a great deal to me, and I just wanted to say why, and hope this insight makes sense to you.

Whether you are coming at the silence from the stand point of an actor, who knows the power of a pause . . . a musician, who knows that the space in between the notes can be as important as the note itself . . . an athlete who knows that stillness and rest is essential for healing and peak performance . . . In equal measure, silence invites everyone to participate and offers everyone comfort.

Silent reflection does not promote unnecessary divisions – rather, silence creates the potential to come together, to recognize our connections, and to be grateful for our common good fortune.

So before we close this morning's gathering with song, let’s have a moment of silent reflection together.

In Preparation for the September 11th Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:09:00 +0000

September 9^th 2011

Dear Derryfield Parents,

The Derryfield faculty has thoughtfully considered ways to discuss the upcoming 10^th anniversary of 9/11, and you have an important part in the learning process.

Today during Activities period faculty met with small groups to contemplate questions, knowing I would share these questions with you via e-mail.

By way of background, the Derryfield faculty were instructed as follows:  
“we do not expect faculty to be experts on events of this day and its political
implications.  Further, in exploring 9/11 you should feel free to stay within
your emotional comfort zone…. Feel free to bring materials that you feel
most comfortable with. In essence we hope to memorialize this day, honor
those who lost their lives and honor those who in trying to save others also
lost their lives.”

During our All School Meeting on Monday, September 12^th at 10:45a.m. our
hope is that students will be willing to share (in a kind of “open-mic” format)
a 30 to 45 second memory or reaction that they either learned from discussions
with their parents over the weekend, or had themselves, in response to the
following questions -

· How did you feel the day and/or week of 9/11?

· What were your most distinct memories of 9/11?

· How do you think 9/11 should be remembered?

· What does 9/11 symbolize for America and/or Americans?

We expect All School Meeting to last about 30 minutes. We will close with a moment of silent reflection, followed by an invitation to join Concert Choir in singing America the Beautiful.

Great teaching includes the ability to ask simple questions that speak directly to the heart of a matter. Powerful learning presumes the ability to listen with empathy. I hope you agree that your role is essential, and that discussing these questions with your child is worthy of your time and attention.

A final point: consider attending our All-School Meeting on Monday. Your presence is always welcome, and you will add measurably to the way we honor the day.

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School

PS – Our Families core value reads “We embrace the family's role in the life of our day school, celebrating collaboration between home and school.”

Opening Assembly - Our Summer Selves

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:01:00 +0000

My Notes from Opening Assembly Today:

We go away for summer and we learn things about our selves - we tried something new; we had an adventure; we learned something important about our self or someone else.

In short, for the last few months we developed our summer-self.

For me, that person is a little lighter (in many dimensions), a little quicker to laugh, a bit more eager to volunteer or to try something new . . . I like that summer-self; we like our summer selves – that person may feel like the best part of us.

So here’s a challenge to student and adult alike – let’s be fully here, fully present and engaged in our wonderful school, but let’s try to bring your summer selves to school for as long as we can.

I know we can do this because, in many ways, the school-year, is already well upon us and many of us have already come together in the last few weeks – both in celebration and in sadness.

But I love this moment – this all-school assembly - because it is the first time we come together in what I think of as our classroom for community.

Here, we meet weekly – 6^th grade thru 12^th grade and we live our mission and our values . . . the parts of our school that don’t change no matter the season.

But let me start with a few aspects of our school that have changed since we were together last:

I. What has Changed:

A. Who is new in the room - what has changed?

· Regina Assetta – 9^th & 10^th grade English

· John Bouton, Interim US Head -

· Darjee Gamtso, B&G, Custodial

· Richard Gaudreault, B&G, bus driver on Merrimack/Hollis route

· Jesse Kimball – 9^th & 10^th history

· Andrea Stevenson, MS Receptionist

· Alex Vazquez, our new Buildings & Grounds employee

· Rick White, New CFO

II. What has Not Changed

· Our mission

· Our core values: the way we put the mission in motion.

Families: We embrace the family’s role in the life of our day school, celebrating collaboration between home and school.

An example: 10 days from now will be September 11^th. We have a three-part plan:

· Meet on Friday, September 9^th in small groups, and discuss a few questions (to be provided) and respond to a few prompts.

· Consider these questions with your family over the weekend.

· Monday’s ASA – September 12^th – we will gather and listen to each other to see what we have learned.

Individuality: We encourage young people to grow as unique individuals through the discovery of new passions and a love for learning, self-knowledge, critical inquiry and reflection.

iPads: the faculty and staff are beta testing, and you are a part of the process. My hope is that this tool helps us discover new passions and stokes our love for learning.We will approach the process in different ways, as individuals, but we can be united in our desire to help each other discover ways the tool can transform our school.

The adults are learning about how these devices can make us better teachers, better communicators, and perhaps even save some money along the way, whether in e-books or less copying.

So talk to your teacher – offer your expertise and opinion, and let’s have this discussion beginning with our summer selves – the part of us that is open for a challenge, open to new ideas, open for an adventure.

Here’s a final thought from our value of Individuality:

It is the last word – reflection. We practice sitting together, giving ourselves time to think – time for gratitude, time to be aware of our friends and family, time to think of the possibilities of a new year in our remarkable school.

Please join me in a minute of quiet reflection before we move on . . .

Thriving in the New Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:04:00 +0000

Many of you know that in the summer I get-away to a small cottage on a lake in Pennsylvania that has been in my wife’s family for decades. There, amidst the still water and unplugged silence, each day seems the revitalizing equivalent of three most anywhere else. Over the summer I wanted to do some thinking on the continuing economic stressors that are affecting independent schools, and just about everyone else.

I’ve been fortunate enough at Derryfield to be surrounded by many people who seem to be surfing – actually enjoying themselves - in these treacherous times, while so many others get disoriented from waves crashing over them. I wanted to spend some time describing the characteristics of people who are thriving in this environment. I talked about five characteristics at an opening administrative retreat, and the team helped me sharpen them further. Yesterday I talked about these characteristics at the opening faculty and staff meeting, and people seemed to appreciate the attempt – here are my notes:

1) Have a Joy strategy.

It is no longer enough to say “I get recharged with family time” or “working in education brings me satisfaction.” You should be able to answer the question “What am I doing, in my work life and my personal life, that specifically and consciously connects me to joy? Am I staying connected to the energy that brought me into this field in the first place?” Derryfield employees have heard me say that the best thing I learned when I ran the New York Marathon (besides that I am not a runner) is “If you wait until you are thirsty to drink it is too late.”

The recession has made working in education measurably more challenging. The world needs educators. You need a plan to keep at it over the long-term.

2) Find Energy in the Mission.

Can you say what it is about the mission of the school that is energizing? No doubt you can list things that have changed the last few years, but can you still identify what is eternal in the purpose, and what will never change as long as the place exists?

If you can’t answer this question, you are in danger of getting disoriented in the storm.

3) See Change as Revitalizing.

Folks have heard me say I find it exhilarating that the Supreme Court writes 5-4 decisions. Reasonable people can and do disagree. Unity is terrific, yet it is maddening to expect it. But do you accept the change and continue forward, bringing your best effort at all times?

Otherwise, you run the risk of marginalizing yourself and your talent as the institution moves on.

4) Work at Teamwork.

Do you enjoy, and are you sustained by, teamwork? If not, the new economy is likely to leave you behind as information flourishes, expectations of connectivity mushroom, and no one person can have all the answers. Teamwork acknowledges that we cannot survive alone and has the added benefit, in the field of education, of keeping us connected to our students.

5) Find Time to Reflect.

Thinking time – unplugged and “real” (not virtual) – is getting scarcer. If you don’t prioritize it, no one will.

How else to know if you are succeeding at the other four?

CNS

Graduation @ 2011 - My Welcoming Talk

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:33:00 +0000

Chairman Lockwood, Mr. Sanborn, Dr. Pook, Members of The Derryfield Board of Trustees, Esteemed Faculty & Staff, Derryfield Alumni . . . Parents, Grandparents and Family members of the class of 2011, and most importantly, our guests of honor, The Members of the Class of 2011, it is my pleasure to Greet all of you on this wonderful occasion of our 44^th commencement ceremony.

Thank you all for being here – and to those to my left (the graduating class of 2011), we are particularly pleased you are all here safe and sound, having successfully navigated ourconstruction project called the Gateway Building outside.

I have the privilege to offer my greetings this morning and set the stage for what promises to be a profoundly memorable and meaningful time together.

Many of you are steeped in our school traditions and have known us for a long, long time. In fact, at our Senior celebration just a few weeks ago we celebrated families who had spent dozens of years with us.

Some of you are new to our school – you may be here for the first time, although you have no doubt heard about the excellence that made our DNA so distinctive from our founding in 1964. But no matter the time of your connection with us you should know what is timeless about our school, and that is what we do - our mission.

Our school’s mission is to inspire bright, motivated young people to be their best, and we provide them with the skills and experiences needed to be valued, dynamic, confident, and purposeful members of any community.

If you know our school, you know that this is what the faculty and staff do here everyday . . but let me now tell you, the class of 2011 in particular (and certainly everyone else can listen) what makes today so special – absolutely unique in our school calendar and our school culture.

Today I get to say to this group to my left, on behalf of everyone in this room, that you – in fact - have inspired us . . . And you have done more than that – you have made us proud. Your accomplishments are numerous, your poise and good humor remarkable, and your kindness amongst yourselves and with others . . . well, I simply find it moving.

Let me give just one telling example. Just a few short days ago we had a closing assembly – on the brink of summer, our entire school community came together for the last time in 2011. I can tell you that, as a Head of School, it is the kind of assembly that can and does go off the rails at other schools. It is just awfully tempting to move into goofy summer mode a few hours too early.

And in that Assembly You cheered, as I thought you might, the wonderful anniversaries of your teachers here today – those who have been with us 15, 25, 30 and even 35 years.

But you did more than that – you gave a standing ovation to one of our custodians celebrating his 10^th anniversary. If that happened any other time of year I would have asked Mr. Powell for a few minutes with you, but instead I threw out what I was going to talk about today to say just a few more words –

Thank you. Thank you for noticing those who work hard, who bring their A game every day. Thank you for respecting all of the different kinds of work that goes into making a school as great as ours actually open and thrive every day. Thank you for caring about those who serve in a variety of ways. Thank you, in short, for your big hearts and minds that have inspired us. Thank you for being so worthy of our admiration – you truly have inspired us.

I am certain that Derryfield’s school culture has supported your compassion, your big-heartedness, but your teachers are humble enough to know it takes more. It takes great parenting. And so I’ll close with a thank-you to those in front of me now – thank you for all the caring, the time and the love that brought us to this moment. Today, and this moment, belongs to the class of 2011 – but they are already wise enough to know they would not be so worthy of celebration without you – those who have come today to support them.

So let’s proceed together in celebration of this class of inspiring young people, and to do that I’d like to introduce Mr. E. Charles Sanborn for our invovation.

A Green Derryfield Today - My Intro Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

There’s a delicious parallel between designing a magazine with sustainable, “green” features and designing a building with this same vision and positive environmental impact. In this, our first-ever electronic-only edition of Derryfield Today, both the content and the way it gets delivered have a unified vision – let’s look into the future of our school and begin to practice habits consciously designed to create a better future for our children.

The foundation of our Gateway Building has been poured, and the wood framing is about to begin – thus, the visible daily progress will move ahead dramatically. The timing of this issue of Derryfield Today could not be better for reflecting on all of the integrated features throughout the design and construction process. Here are some examples that show our commitment to thinking about a sustainable future:

· * All the demolition and construction materials have been recycled off-site, and diverted from landfills. To date, we calculate that 83% of all materials created through the demolition process (that is, the remains of the Art House) have been recycled. This totals more than 39 tons of recycled material. This does not even count all of the rescued bits and pieces from the building – our community literally crawled around the Art House looking for items they could use elsewhere.

· * An estimated 20 tons of site materials, including stone and retaining wall systems, have been stored in order to be repurposed or reused on the site.

· * The building has been sighted to reduce lighting needs. The south-facing pitched roofs have been designed to accept solar panels, and we are working diligently to try to make solar energy a reality on the project.

· * The roof assembly exceeds the energy code requirements by 37%, achieving an R 40.1 value.

· * The exterior walls exceed energy code requirements by 45%, achieving and R 28.3 value.

* Low E glass will be used in all exterior glazing, exceeding Energy Star requirements. Low E glazing controls heat transfer through glass and reduces solar heat gain. The use of Low E glass typically reduces energy loss by 30-50%.

* 51% percent of the carpeting in the building comes from recycled content, and 100% of the carpeting is formaldehyde-free.

· * 20% of the countertop material is post-consumer recycled content.

Whether you are reading this issue on-line, on your laptop, or are fortunate enough to have procured an iPad, I hope you enjoy the experience of learning how Derryfield will lead in area that is so essential for our students, our community and our planet.

Now . . . Onward to a green spring!

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School

The Derryfield School

Derryfield & Google

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

When I first considered the Derryfield School four years ago a friend told me “If you are looking for a co-ed, non-denominational, independent day school in that part of the world, Derryfield is the best.”

You might know that Derryfield is the only co-ed, non-denominational, independent day school in this part of the world (allow me the author’s license to define “world” as a reasonable driving radius). I see this fact as relevant in a few different ways:

First, I am reminded of the mantra at Google – “never settle for the best.” I have no doubt that Derryfield is the best school of its kind in the area, and I am equally convinced that our faculty and staff refuse, time and time again, to simply settle for the best. We push ourselves. We challenge ourselves. And we keep our students at the center of our deliberations as we seek to improve.

This attitude is essential to my second thought:

One of the central virtues of being an independent school is cultivating the habit of routine innovation. If we have a good idea for our students on Thursday, we can implement it on Friday. We are free, to a very high degree, of the constraints that come with working in a school that is not independent. And unless we actively leverage that freedom for the good of our students, we leave the inherent benefits of being an independent school at the front door. Several years ago Pat Bassett, the Executive Director of NAIS (The National Association of Independent Schools (the leading independent school organization representing more than 1400 independent schools) said “The No Child Left Behind law was one of the best things that ever happened to independent schools.” As I tested this assertion with friends in other schools I came to see the wisdom in Pat’s statement – Derryfield is blessedly free of restrictions and regulations, and we use this freedom to our student’s advantage every day.

A final thought on the notion of being an independent day school. Over the past few years several of Derryfield’s Founders have said to me “we wanted a great education for our children, and we wanted them home for dinner.” Their motivation captures the essence of the day school’s advantage. However, (not unlike the idea of being “independent”) to realize the full value of a day school parents need actually to take the time to have a meal, attend a game, or get to know their child’s teachers. Once again, I see the Derryfield community as being exceptional in this realm. Our parents our thoughtfully engaged in their child’s education, and this works to Derryfield’s advantage time and time again.

I hope this issue helps you reflect on what it means to be an independent day school, as well as how Derryfield combines these advantages in unique and remarkable ways.

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School

HMUN @ 7:30a, 1/28/11

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:05:00 +0000

I’m in the lobby of 39 Dalton Street in Boston, the cavernous Sheraton Hotel, and while TV screens around me crawl with reminders of the space shuttle Challenger disaster (25 years ago today) and anti-government protesters clashing in Egypt (25 minutes ago today), the vast but sedate space is beginning to wake up with 3000 high school students from the 58^th Session of the Harvard Model United Nations.

For the last few months 15 Derryfield students have prepared for this moment. Specifically, beginning at noon on Thursday and going to Sunday afternoon, our students will represent Bosnia-Herzegovina.

At the opening session last night, keynote speaker Gillian Sorensen (senior advisor at the Model United Nations Foundation) said that since its inception, the United Nations has been a place where realism and idealism meet. Her insight reminded me of my favorite description of the best schools – a place that balances the world that is, and the world that ought to be.

Mrs Sorensen urged the students to embrace an increasingly intertwined world. “Globalization is a reality,” she said. We can’t turn back, and therefore we should lead.”

How relevant is the United Nations? At the moment, she said, it is sheltering over 35 million refugees. At the same time, the UN feeds on average 19 million hungry children every day. The numbers are truly staggering.

* * *

It is now 10am in the Sheraton lobby and well-dressed, focused teenagers using phrases like “unmoderated caucus” or “delegate decorum” walk by. Yesterday’s program ended at 11:45p, and the student’s curfew was 12:30a. Tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) the curfew will also be 12:30a. Our students will get on the bus Sunday with equal parts exhaustion and elation. Through their hard work, preparation and smart presence, they will have represented Derryfield very well.

My gratitude for the Derryfield adult advisors accompanying our students goes beyond words.

Onward to peaceful conflict resolution!

DADT on January 3rd 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:32:00 +0000

You’ve heard me describe our All School Assemblies as Derryfield’s classroom for community. We’ve got fields for athletics, we’ve got lovely rooms for arts and academics. One of the essential activities we do in our Auditorium is to come together and consider what makes us a community.

This is our time to talk about a variety of big ideas that impact our school, our community or our planet. Today I want to talk about a big idea that affects our nation, and everyone in it.

I don’t expect that we always agree on how we come down about these big ideas, but I know that we need to discuss them to practice peaceful, respectful, disagreement. Earlier in the year Mrs. Jipson said that we needed provocative ideas to keep our school vital, exciting, alive, and I fully agree.

So here’s the thing, here’s my thoughts, through the lens of someone who studies, even reveres, the constitution of the United States: over break the Senate passed legislation to allow gay people to serve openly in the military, and I think this is a huge moment of progress – particularly for the younger people in the room.

And my hunch is that for many of you this is an old, tired issue that simply feels like a holdover from my generation, not yours – and I hope that you are right, but I still want to think about it with you for a moment.

I wasn’t around in 1954 when Brown V Board was decided – that Supreme Court case declared the separate but equal doctrine dead, and America moved forward in race relations.

I was five years old in 1967 when the Supreme Court ended race-based restrictions on marriage. Before Loving v. Virginia, states could prevent people from different races marrying – after it, they could not.

And over break – on December 22^nd - President Obama repealed Don’t Ask Don’t tell. Here’s a telling quote from the day: “Our people sacrifice a lot for their country -- including their lives. None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well."

Following this issue for the last several years I was struck by the idea that what seemed to be the most prevalent arguments against gay people serving were the same arguments again people of color serving . . . Vague concerns about morale and privacy that, to my mind, simply did a poor job of hiding the sense that people of color then, and gay people now, had been thought of as second class citizens.

In fact, every war America has had – whether on our soil or over seas – people of color served honorably. But it was not until 1948 that President Truman signed an executive order integrating the military and mandating equality.

Here’s another quote from December 22^nd 2010 – President Obama speaking:

"Your country needs you, your country wants you, and we will be honored to welcome you into the ranks of the finest military the world has ever known. We are not a nation that says 'Don't ask, don't tell.' We are one that says 'Out of many, one.' "

I think this works for our school, too – in particular as we lift up the values of Character and Community this year.

I’ll try that Obama quote again and just change a few words, as we think about Derryfield’s approach to equality – as we think about issues of race, sexual orientation, disability:

“Your school needs you, your school wants you, and we will be honored to welcome you into one of the finest schools the world knows. We are not a school that says 'Don't ask, don't tell.' We are a school that says 'Out of many, one.' "

Now when we think about these big ideas like equality or discrimination it is pretty easy to feel overwhelmed. What do I think? How do I feel about these issues? Where do I begin?

So I’ll just remind you as we start the new year about a few tools we have –

First – you’ve got family and friends. People who love and care for you.

Second – you’ve got great teachers and coaches. People who want to challenge you, to help you learn and to help you grow.

These big ideas come together to form a third big idea –

You’ve got this amazing experience called a Derryfield education. Everyone in this room has an extraordinary mind, and part of using it well is simply allowing yourself time to think. Think about what matters to you, and how you feel about a variety of big ideas.

So I have put a few big, even historic ideas out there for us this morning.

Before we move on to our Creative Arts Assembly and all the wonder that our alums and our Creative Arts Faculty have prepared for us, lets just take a minute to come together and use one of those tools – that is, the time to think. So let’s start this morning with a minute of silent reflection.

Thanks, and welcome back.

Faculty & Staff Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:06:00 +0000

I try to write to the faculty & staff at Derryfield fairly often about a variety of issues. No one needs more e-mail to sort through, so I don't overdo it, but pick my spots around issues, things we are doing well, things we have to keep working on.

Here's an example of a very positive update to the faculty & staff that reflects the last few weeks:

Friends,

I’ve been in the amazing position the last few weeks of getting more accolades for our faculty staff than I can pass on in a timely manner. It started with Grandparents and Special Friends Day – we simply inspired and uplifted so many people. My In Box was full, and I shared the commendations with many of you individually.

The following, with slight editing, are two of the many pieces I have received since then:

"Mr. Sellers - I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to you and all the staff at Derryfield. Way too often, we only hear things which are negative in nature. I felt like maybe it would be nice to end the week with a positive note!

Our son in high school is new to Derryfield, and he comes home daily and speaks about his experiences for an hour or more. We often have to push him to finish up his conversations about the day so that he can eat dinner and tackle homework, etc. Comparing this to his previous academic experiences where we had to drag information out of him, this is an amazing transformation. Recently, when his grade on a writing assignment was not where he wanted it to be, there was a note from the teacher on the assignment requesting a meeting to work on his skills.

Wow! So amazing to know that our child is being taught and educated. He now understands how to improve his writing skills, not an easy process but a skill which is essential for future success.

Thanks again for all you are doing and thanks for making the first month an incredible experience for our son. He actually looks forward to school - can you imagine??"

* * * *

"Mr. Sellers,

Our daughter came home today with a story about her day at school that shows an aspect of how Derryfield is different.

She was eating lunch in the cafeteria. After she was done, she emptied her tray into the trash. After lunch she realized that her new glasses had been on her lunch tray and were now buried at the bottom of the trash barrel under the leftovers of dozens of middle school lunches.

She explained the situation to a MS teacher, and she got our daughter some gloves to wear while picking through the trash. Initially she was assisted just by her friend. Then the friend brought over the other trash can and together they started transferring the trash from one can to the other in search of the glasses.

At my middle school retrieving one's glasses from the bottom of a lunchroom trash barrel would have been an unpleasant and lonely task. The best one could expect would be to be aided by perhaps one close friend while enduring the taunts of classmates who would be greatly entertained by observing and commenting on your misfortune.

But that's not what happened.

One by one, other students saw what was going on and came over to help. In the end, over a half dozen students volunteered their help and spent their recess period sifting through the contents of the trash barrel. Some didn't wait for gloves to arrive and used paper towels to protect their hands; improvising an alternate safe method to help. The glasses were found. Then everyone cleaned up and headed off to class.

The students who volunteered took the opportunity to support the standards of the school. They treated a fellow classmate in need with care and respect. They volunteered for a fairly distasteful chore to help a classmate and through their actions helped build a sense of community and maintained the good nature of the school.

Thank you (and your students) for making Derryfield a special place. Parents"

* * *

I’ve had a terrific trip to Dallas, and spent an exuberant evening with alumni on Friday. More on that later – for now, I hope you are enjoying your weekend knowing we are part of a remarkable school.

CNS

Thinking About Headship

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:39:00 +0000

The National Association of Independent School ("NAIS") has done a lot of thinking about Headship, and how to categorize and measure the different skills that comprise the job.

They put it this way: “Our competency modeling identifies 14 domains that are highly relevant for headship:

Adaptability
Mentoring and coaching
Financial acumen
Decision making
Diversity
School mission and values
Leadership
Social awareness
Managerial effectiveness
Personal effectiveness
Teamwork
Communication
Vision
Emotional intelligence

I think the list represents a good start.

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:25:00 +0000

Good morning and welcome to October, welcome to The Derryfield School, and welcome to our Grandparents & Special Friends Day. My name is Craig Sellers and I have the honor of starting our Assembly today.

I would first like to thank our faculty & staff for working to make this day so uplifting and so inviting to you, our guests.

Thank you, faculty, for inspiring not just one generation but several generations of students this morning.

Next, thanks to the wonderful volunteers of our PFA led by Patricia Barstow. They were here last night until late working hard, and they were here this morning putting the finishing touches on the gathering in our gym. From the invitations to the signs to the schedule, thank you for all the attention to detail that helped to make the day so successful.

And of course, a special thank you to Dianne Allen, our Alumni Coordinator and PFA Liason – Di, I can’t imagine doing this without you and your cheerful leadership – thank you.

I am in my fourth year at Derryfield, and each year I look forward to the unique feeling we get from this day. I look forward to it because I am enormously proud of our faculty, and of the care and professionalism they bring to their roles and to your grandchildren and special friends. I simply like being there to hear your reactions, and to watch as you get excited about learning in the same way our students do every day.

I look forward to this day because I am very proud of our students, the way they handle themselves, and the way they extend themselves to visitors. I enjoy seeing that they are proud of our school, and they want to share their enthusiasm with family and friends. The comfort and ease of our students is evident, and their presence is the bright center of a learning environment designed to stimulate creativity, community and character.

Lastly, I look forward to today because I miss my grandparents, and your presence reminds me of all the good they brought into my life. I am quite sure I would not be standing here today – would not have found myself at home working in a school – had it not been for my grandparents. And I want to take just a few moments this morning to tell you a story of how this 48 year old grandchild was supported, influenced and encouraged by a grandparents.

I’ll tell you this story not because I think it is particularly unique, but because I am in a room full of special people who are doing the exact same thing right now for their grandchildren and special friends, as my grandparents did for me.

I never met two of my grandparents, and I told the story last school year of my grandfather on my dad’s side who was spotted playing baseball by a prominent business man who offered a college scholarship to my grandfather if he would play for the business man’s alma mater. My grandfather went home that day to his parents who were coal miners, asked them what they thought of this place called Swarthmore the man had told him about – they had never heard of it, but they said to give it a try because the coal mines would always be there.

No one on my dad’s side of the family attended college before that moment. No one has not gone to college since.

Recently I got to thinking about my grandmother on my mom’s side of the family because of an article in the Sunday New York Times about the latest new, amazing, high-tech gadget pen.

The article describes a seventh grade math class in California that has been “outfitted with ‘smart pens,’ and the pens perform an interesting trick: when students write in their notebooks, the pen records audio of whatever is going on around it and links the audio to the handwritten words. If the written notes are inadequate, the students can tap the pen on a sentence or word, and the pen plays what the teacher was saying at that precise point.

A student showed the author how it worked, flipping to her page of notes on exponents and tapping a set of numbers in the middle of the page. Out of a tiny speaker in the thick, cigar-shaped pen, the author could hear the teacher explaining that precise problem. “It’s like having your own little personal teacher there, with you at all times,” the student said.

Now this is where I have to go sideways for just a moment and tell you that when I lived in New York City in a small apartment I collected fountain pens, and really immersed myself in the history, the design, the technology and the beauty of these creations. It was a great city hobby, in part because pens don’t take-up take much space, and because the city had fountain pen stores scattered all around it.

My mom learned about this and during one of her visits she gave me her mom’s – my grandmother’s – fountain pen. It is a Parker 51 – in good shape, perfectly fine with an original nib, somewhat valuable, and these pen-geek descriptors are utterly beside the point. Because I learned from my mom that this pen was the only pen my grandmother would write with – she got it as a present from her husband who had died suddenly – my grandfather I never knew. And somewhat unexpectedly the memories began to pour forth.

This is the pen my grandmother used to sign the checks that helped pay for my independent school –

I have no doubt many of you in this room help in that way - I find that extraordinary, and I want to thank you.

This is the pen she was holding when she explained to me why she gave to her college’s annual fund, and why she thought it important that she do the same for my high school. You see, her principal had told her she could be anything she wanted as long as it was a nurse. But she wanted to be a writer, and she was forever grateful to Mount Holyoke, who she felt took a chance on her. So she gave to Mount Holyoke, and she gave to my schools.

Again, I know many of you contribute in this way - and I find extraordinary, and I want to thank you.

And this is the pen she used to write me all those letters when she knew I needed encouragement. She wrote chatty updates, and was endlessly fascinated about the details of the weather on cape cod. I didn’t save a single one of her letters - and I know there were dozens and dozens and dozens – but I have the pen she used to write each one.

But what I really have, is the feeling of someone who cared for me, who believed in me, who took the time to tell me stories about family, and about what it means to be a good person. I have those just as much as I have her pen right now.

I’ll leave you with these closing thoughts –

Before fountain pens there were quill pens.

And after fountain pens came ball point pens.

And after ball point pens there are – what did the New York Times call them? – “smart pens” - that talk back to you.

And I want to remind that the technology will continue to change, but what you did today is timeless. What you did today matters.

Because whether you are a volunteer, or faculty and staff, today you inspired bright motivated people of many ages.

Because you adults - You spent time with your grandchild, family member or special friends.

Because you students - You spent time with your grandparent, your family member or special friend.

The technology will come and go - but today for a few hours we did something that lasts. We spent time together learning, laughing and enjoying each other.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for your support, for sharing your time and your hearts with each other in this remarkable school.

And finally I would ask that you consider picking up a pen – whether it talks back to you or not – and writing a note of gratitude to someone you spent time with today.

The person you write to might not save the note, but they’ll remember how you made them feel for a long, long time.

Now it is my pleasure to introduce our concert choir.

Ready, Set, Return

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:02:00 +0000

August 21^st 2010

Dear Derryfield School Parents,

I write this letter on a cool morning after a hot summer, and that change alone helps make the transition to the welcome routine of our school.

Last week many of our upper school student athletes began to practice fall sports on campus. This upcoming week the faculty and staff reassemble, furthering a climate of New Years celebration. We all look forward to you and your children returning the following week. With an enrollment of 381 students, our school remains full, vibrant and very strong.

We have had a very productive summer, leaving me with the joyful challenge of describing some of the highlights. Before brief introductions of our new people, your awareness of and participation in the themes of the year will enhance our school-parent partnership, and help us to be our best. The themes are three-fold, as follows –

1. Our Core Value Exploration: Derryfield uses six core values to further our mission, and we “deep dive” into two of them each year as a way to deepen our learning, and keep our mission vital. This year we will lift up Character and Community, which we define as follows –

Character: We actively cultivate respect, integrity, compassion, and perseverance in our community members.

Community: We seek a diverse community defined and sustained by close relationships, social interdependence, and service.

This will play-out in the lives of your children, for example, at a Parent-Teacher conference where your child will be asked to reflect on what they have learned about these values. Beginning these discussions at home, and encouraging them along the way, helps our partnership.

2. NEASC: As an independent school, Derryfield gets re-accredited every 10 years by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges). The ambitious re-accrediting process begins with a year of school-initiated self-study further to 13 Standards that NEASC prescribes (Ex. “Mission: There is a congruence between the school’s stated mission and core values and its actual program, policies, planning and decision-making at both the operational and governance levels” or “Communication: The school maintains effective systems of external and internal communications and record keeping that inform all constituents and facilitate participation where appropriate.”). The purpose of the exercise is to encourage reflection in the continual pursuit of independent school improvement. Our faculty and staff have already begun this process and, again, the reflection, learning and planning will be a theme of the year.

When the NEASC Visiting Team arrives in October 2011 I every reason to believe they will embrace an inspiring school, always seeking to improve on behalf of its students.

While the entire community will be engaged in the process it will be led by Mary Carter, our Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs, Dennis Holland, our senior faculty member, and me. At various times we will seek the opinions of you and your child - my hope is that you will take the time to offer your thoughts, knowing that they will help chart our course.

3. The Gateway Building: We are moving ahead with our plans to replace The Art House (the present Admission house that fronts River Road) with a lovely, functional, energy-efficient building that provides an inspiring first impression to those visiting our campus. The new building, placed on the same site, will reflect our values by enhancing the space for our Breakthrough program, provide enhanced teaching and learning space, and allow for more efficient space for administrators – in particular, our Admission and Advancement offices.

Constructing The Gateway Building will be a theme for the year. The related, transient inconveniences (you will be astonished at the way we have absorbed all the people and office space from that building into our campus) allow our community an opportunity to model cheerful problem-solving, made easier by the knowledge that the short-term challenges are more than worth the improvement to our school.

While every major project has some unanticipated speed-bumps, we have assembled an exceptional team of professionals including Lavallee Brensinger (architects) and ProCon Construction (construction managers) to deliver the project. We expect demolition to be in late October, and construction to begin shortly thereafter. I expect we will begin using The Gateway Building next (2011-2012) school year – therefore, we will also spend a portion of this year considering the detail of how students, faculty and others will use the new 8,000 s/f space.

The enclosed rendering gives you a sense of the front (River Road side) of the building – respectful of the neighborhood, appropriate in scale, and simple in design. From visiting 5^th graders and their parents to returning alumni, the impression will be warm and inviting. From the ravine side, the building will be bold, engaging and dynamic. You can imagine the excitement in designing a building that furthers our excellence, and I look forward to keeping you advised during the year.

Our fundraising efforts gathered momentum over the summer when we received notice from The Community Development Financing Authority (“CDFA”) that our application for $450,000 in support of The Gateway Building had been approved. On the heels of a successful annual fund, fundraising success is breeding fundraising success.

Finally, you should know that I recently wrote 57 of our neighbors and “abutters” inviting them to campus next week to hear about our construction plans. Using the same respectful process of communication from constructing the Turf Field and installing the lights on it, we remain determined to be good neighbors and community members throughout the process.

Moving from our three themes for the year, I’ll introduce our new people –

David Barragan comes to us from Westminster School and he has extensive experience teaching Spanish in boarding schools. He and his wife Kristen (also a Spanish teacher) lived in Ecuador for five years and have two sons, including Zach who will join us in 9^th grade this year.

Steve Batchelder will work part-time in our technology department primarily serving faculty with their classroom technology equipment, thereby enhancing our ability to serve students.

·      Allison Keough is a Vista Volunteer (an AmeriCorp program that places college graduates in

non-profit organizations for a year of service).  She will spend half her time on service learning, and

half her time with Breakthrough.  Allison is a 2010 graduate from Marquette University with a

degree in English writing.

David Lewine will be teaching chemistry and technology, and coaching robotics teams for the MS & US. He will also be leading our Tech Lead teachers. David, his wife and two daughters moved to Hopkinton from the New York area.

Chris McNeil returns to Derryfield after three years. He has been traveling the country performing freestyle motorcycle shows for BMW. His responsibilities will include teaching Latin in the upper and middle schools, and coaching assistant varsity basketball.

·      Annette Peters is our new Human Resources Manager.  Her HR duties include administering benefits,

 payroll, recruitment, and a variety of related responsibilities.   She lives in Francestown, NH.

Ying Xia Peterson will teach every level of Chinese, and lead a MS & US activity group. She has two children, and her youngest is off to college this year.

A few other changes, also in the realm of personnel:

Derryfield has two key administrators pursuing their Ph.D’s, and both of them will be at school four days a week. Mary Carter (whom I referenced above), will be present Tues-Friday, and Brent Powell (our Upper School Division Head) will be on campus Mon-Thursday. I am so pleased we will get the benefit of their commitment, intelligence and leadership as they pursue their education.

You should also know that over the summer we had a planned-for change in the leadership of our Board of Trustees. David Lockwood, our new Chair of the Board of Trustees, has succeeded Steve Burke, who so skillfully served our Board for more than ten years. Not unlike our ability to attract great teachers and administrators, Derryfield continues to have extraordinary volunteer leadership – from the Parent-Faculty Association through class parents to our Board, we have an exceptional group of people helping us to deliver our mission. David is both a past and current parent, and he brings substantial experience on school boards to his role.

A final thought: while the last days of summer call you may battle an occasional sense of being overwhelmed with the communication that begins to pour forth from our school. My exhortation: stick with it. Give it the time. From our re-designed website to the professionals in place to serve you, you will find that we have a lot to communicate about our passion for educating your children. At the same time, our message is clear and coordinated – The Derryfield School inspires bright, motivated young people.

We look forward to your return.

Sincerely,

Craig N. Sellers

Head of School

PS – A brief reminder about the Clough State Park Triathlon on September 11^th. The relatively modest distances of 250 yard swim, followed by a 4 mile bike and 1 mile run could be a great introduction for your child. Registration for the event closes September 3^rd. Check out http://www.concordymca.org/index.php?page=13th-annual-triathlon.

Commencement 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:22:00 +0000

Chairman Burke, Reverend Bagley, Tom Curley, Members of The Derryfield Board of Trustees, Esteemed Faculty & Staff, Derryfield Alumni . . . Parents, Grandparents and Family members of the class of 2010, and most importantly, our guests of honor, The Members of the Class of 2010, it is my pleasure to Greet all of you on this wonderful occasion of our 43^rd commencement ceremony. Thank you all for being here – and to those to my left, we are particularly glad you are here.

Last year I asked the graduating class “What makes a good graduation speech?” Their resounding, instant answer - “Short, Mr. Sellers. Short.” I did not even ask the Class of 2010, because, well, that is the kind of question most Heads of School only have to ask once.

Still, I have the privilege of sharing my thoughts with you on this glorious day, and I thought I would take a moment to do just that.

Whenever I travel I make it a point to spend time with at least one school in the area. I love to eat the local food, listen to the local music . . . but I particularly like to see how the young people in that area are educated. Over the years I have developed a kind of short-hand – boiling my inquiry down to just a few questions. But listening to the response gave me a window – and often a door - in to the culture of the school.

I have come to think that If there is a single question that provides a path to understanding what a school is really about, I think it is “What does your school celebrate?”

What do we celebrate at Derryfield?

I want to offer this question this morning like the ringing of an opening bell that I hope will echo throughout this extraordinary day – What does Derryfield celebrate?

Here’s my simple answer: the people in this room at Graduation.

First, the Faculty – since our founding the Derryfield school has had an uncommon understanding that what breathes life into our mission are consummate professionals who are passionate about learning and achieving, and who want to share that passion with young people. The faculty make our school sing, make our school inspiring, make our school a place where young people want to come and be their best. We celebrate our faculty at a time like this because the proof of your work is right here.

Next: our friends and families. I came to Derryfield in part because the culture welcomed families, and made me think “that school gets it.” Families have their children 16 hours a day. We have them 8 – of course we have to work together to on behalf of your children – our students.” Of course we should build a culture where friends & family ties are celebrated. It only makes sense” – well, you might be surprised how many schools don’t see it that way.

Additionally, the level of volunteerism and support that pours forth from the friends and families in this room is truly astonishing. Many families have made all kinds of sacrifices to have your children be at our school, and in particular, be on this stage right now. That is truly worth celebrating.

Most importantly – the young people to my left. You may hear it many times today, so let me be the first: You are the reason for the day. You are the reason for this moment. You give us cause to celebrate. If someone said to me “Tell me about Derryfield – tell me what you celebrate” – I would respond “Come to graduation. You will see - We celebrate students.”

I would expect that a visitor from any town, from any culture, who was here today to understand that We are deeply proud of you, both what you have accomplished, and how you have accomplished it. Your achievements in academics, in the arts and athletics, have been nothing short of extraordinary. The friendships you have developed here are genuine and, no doubt, long lasting. The service you have performed has helped countless people, and the goodwill you have generated will continue to echo in our local and global communities. You have inspired each other, your teachers and your friends and families, and you have done it with style and grace.

It really is an honor to say, Class of 2010, you are the reason for the celebration at The Derryfield School. You are the reason we are here today. And so I will end my opening remarks by saying – this time, just to our graduates – thank you for being here.

Awards Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:17:00 +0000

May 28^th 2010

We are here today to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of many, many of our students. And when we gather in these ceremonial occasions we take a moment to honor the mission, the values, and the philosophies that got us here to this lovely auditorium filled with bright, motivated teachers, faculty, students and parents.

Specifically, our Statement of Philosophy on Awards provides the framework for our time together in the same way it guided the faculty in selecting the recipients. Quoting from the Statement now: “The granting of awards at Derryfield should inspire our students to be their best, reinforce the school’s core values, and provide learning opportunities for both award winners and those who did not win.”

It goes on, but I’ll summarize – we seek to reward individual students for living the school’s values while acknowledging that everyone whose name is called today has a village of supportive family, teachers and friends who helped to get them to this place and time.

Because I think this philosophy does such a good job of capturing an essential truth about our school, I want to begin with gratitude - reflecting on our own village - and saying simply “thank you – we could not be here without you.”

Thank you, Mrs. Flagg and Mrs. Keefe-Hancock for the way you have shaped this gathering with attention to detail and caring for everyone involved. Thank you.

To the parents who are here today – thank you. Many of you, as I understand it, are here with a certain mystery in the air. Welcome - You honor us with your presence, and you illustrate our belief that our school is at its best when we collaborate on this exploration called education. And besides, the world needs a little more fun-filled mysteries with happy endings.

To the faculty and staff – you have created an environment where students seek to excel, where it is cool to be smart, and then proceed to the field, the stage or out into the community and continue that level of excellence. I have observed in the past that we don’t really have a similar awards day for faculty & staff, but I believe that for every award presented today a Derryfield faculty or staff member – more likely, several – took a chance on a shy student, stood by a struggling student, or supported a student in a time of need. The students we will hear about today are award worthy in part because of the extraordinary effort, intelligence and compassion of the adults in the Derryfield community.

I want to make sure to give everyone here today an opportunity to say thank you to the faculty and staff at Derryfield who inspired you, and to ask our students to join me in leading that thank you. Thank you, Derryfield faculty & staff.

Finally, to our students – I may risk losing a few of you with this description, which is certainly not my intention - but this is the kind of fun you can have when you are Head of School . . .

Did you see Rajon Rondo dive for that ball in game 3 (I am not talking about game 4 or 5)? In many ways I think that is the kind of performance we are here to honor today. In a group of 10 gifted people on the floor, Rondo’s extra effort made the difference between really good, and something truly outstanding.

And then, did you see what that effort did for his team? The whole team – I think the whole Garden, really - rose-up to a new level and played with a kind of heart and intensity that was nothing short of exceptional.

I think that feeling – that reminder of what exceptional looks like – is what Awards Day does for our community. So I want to thank you for diving for that ball, singing beautifully when it did not come easy, serving others when you may have had other things on your mind, studying for that test when you got back late from practice. I know you have learned a lot along the way. What I want you, our students, to be certain of is that you inspired us – your teachers, parents, and friends – and that your extra effort has lifted up our entire school to a new level of what it means to be a joyful community celebrating accomplishments with each other.

Thank you.

Founders Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:14:00 +0000

The following are my opening remarks to this year's Founders Day. I will never forget
extraordinary singing from our concert choir at the end of the program. Andrew Cox '10
rearranged "Sing Out for Derryfield" and the entire auditorium discovered the song all
again - it was exceptional.

I have the honor of Welcoming everyone to Founders Day. My name is Craig Sellers,
I am the Head of School of The Derryfield School, and we all have the honor of being
in the same room with some very, very important people today. Welcome to faculty,
staff, students, parents and alumni – I think we will have an inspiring morning together.

On behalf of the entire Derryfield School, I want to extend a warm, grateful and
genuine welcome to those who are the Founders of our School. We look forward to
thanking you, to applauding your presence, but before we do that the History teacher
in me says that first I should briefly create some context:

In the early 1960's some local parents started meeting in Manchester and Bedford homes, talking about the dream of starting an independent college preparatory, day school. They had a vision, and that was a desire to have an extraordinary education for their children, and still have their children come home at night to have dinner, talk about the day, and go to sleep under one roof. This timeless idea led to convincing 39 families to contribute $1000 each (a lot of money then) so that the Head of the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul's School, Philip Hugny, could be hired and set up in a tiny office to plan a school. During that time, 1963 & 1964, the Founders recruited students, rented buildings, talked with parents, and a myriad of other details that became the future of our school.

The school opened in 1965 with 108 students and 11 faculty. The basic building on River Road was built and opened in 1967.

Our Founders – our Jeffersons, our Franklins, our amongst us today. Each had an integral role – take one away in those early days, and we might not be here. Change one significant decision, and we may have gone off in a different direction. Each had a determination to work against the odds for something timeless, something inspiring, something that ultimately became the Derryfield School.

I look forward to this day in part because the Founders remind us about the power of a
great idea. The vision of combining profoundly talented faculty, eager students and a
culture of respect – all while having our children home for dinner at night – well, that
is simply a timeless and powerful. As much as the world has changed since the
early 1960s, as much as the pace of change is likely to do nothing but accelerate, our
school was conceived with timeless ideals in mind.

One of the many habits that I admire about our school is that we set this day aside each year
to remind us of that eternal vision, and to let us express our gratitude to you.

I would like the following Founders to stand at this time so that we can applaud you and thank you

· Ann Feins
· Hilda Fleisher
· Ellie Freedman
· David Stahl
· Dick and Fran Winneg

Senior Dinner & Winding Down

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:18:00 +0000

Our traditional “Senior Dinner” (held on April 28th) begins the official time, to my mind, of the school year starting to wind down. We start in the gymnasium for dinner and conversation, and we move to the auditorium for advisor testimonials limited to 100 words each, and conclude the program with a “Then & Now” slideshow. The evening sent parents, faculty and students alike off into a warm spring evening with heightened awareness of growth and gratitude. I had the pleasure of convening the gathering with a few words, as follows –

At the end of March I had the pleasure of spending some discussion time with your children – our seniors. I wanted to ask them a few questions about their life and times, so to speak. I told them they are experts on a topic I care deeply about, and that is – what it means to be a senior at our school.

My belief is that our seniors know things we need to know to continue to improve as we live our mission, and I asked for their help in responding to a few questions that would help me think further about our school, and what it means to be a senior at Derryfield. And finally I believe, that if Derryfield has taught us anything, it is that you have to keep asking in order to keep learning.

I don’t have to tell you about the transitions you – and now I am talking to both parents and students - are on the brink of . . . Meaningful change in the realms of

· Roles

· Relationships

· Routine

· Your Sense of Self

So I asked our seniors three questions –

· What have you learned about yourself at DS?

· What do you need to do or learn in the next few months before you go to college?

· What do you hope for in your relationship with your parents in the next few months?

The ground rules included anonymity – it was more about listening for themes from the group than any one perspective – and that I would share what I learned with you tonight.

And this is what we discussed.

What Have You Learned About Yourself @ DS?

· Small class size matters, and the student-teacher relationship matters, providing the teachers are great.

· We are looking for fun, interesting and engaging teachers because that is what we have at Derryfield, and now we will always want that.

· We learned how to shine, how to make ourselves known in a community.

· We have learned how to be outspoken on matters that are important to us.

· We have learned that learning from others is just as important as learning from teachers . . . except we think we learned that from our teachers.

· We have learned about how we learn.

What Do You Need to Do or Learn Before You Go to College?

· We need to work on keeping an open mind.

· We would like to continue understanding the financial implications of going to college on me and on my family.

· We need to learn how to Balance a bank account, eat right, and find work/life balance – this last part sounded to me something like The Serenity Prayer.

Finally, and this gave me clear sense the conversation was authentic . . .

· We need to learn how to know when you can not go to class.

What Do You Hope for in Your Relationship

with Your Parents in the Next Few Months?

· We want our parents to continue trusting and supporting our decisions

· We want to acknowledge that we are entering into a new phase of our relationship that will feel like a testing period for a while.

· We want our relationship to stay as healthy as it presently is . . .

· We want to have empathy for our parent’s situation – we know this change could be hard for them.

Lastly . . .

· Freedom

There are some big ideas here. Some difficult, complex ideas here. Challenging ideas because they presume further conversation – conversation beyond tonight, but perhaps conversations that can echo for the next few months as you move further into all of the transitions still to come.

So I told you what I heard, and now I’ll tell you what I believe –

This senior class has some of the most thoughtful, confident, smart and compassionate young people you could ever hope to meet. They have inspired our entire school during their time here.

They come from homes filled with parents absolutely committed to their well-being, their growth, and to their success in every dimension of life.

In light of all of this I simply want to say Thank you – thank you parents for sharing your extraordinary children. Thank you seniors for being who you are, and for sharing some of your wisdom about your time at our school

Now I would like to ask Mr. Powell, our marvelous Upper School Head, to come and take us further into the evening. Mr. Powell . . . .

I cut the following out because of time (after all, the advisors only had 100 words, and we were assembled to hear their views).

What I have come to believe most about seniors, however, is really two-fold.

First, seniors cannot not be leaders. Put positively, you must be leaders in our community. Its structural – its built-in. Every 6^th grader, every new student, every student who is younger than our seniors – so of course I mean everyone – looks to you and says “that is what it means to be a senior at this remarkable school we call Derryfield.” You’ve got a crucial role whether you want it or not – it comes with the territory, and I think it makes sense to simply embrace it and not resist it.

The second part of what I have come to believe about seniors is that it is very hard, maybe impossible, for a school to be stronger, more compassionate, more accomplished, than its oldest students. You simply carry the torch for us. You are at the front of the line, and it should be that way.

Spring Break Send-Off

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:12:00 +0000

Derryfield has a tradition of an all-school meeting immediately before departing for spring break. The request goes out days beforehand asking the faculty and staff to consider performing or saying a few words or generally taking the stage the way our students do every Monday. In this way the adults return some of the favor that our students routinely model during our weekly all-school meetings.

I decided on an illustrated talk combining a few of my photos, as well as ideas that speak to some of what I have learned since being at our extraordinary school. The title of the piece, and the refrain that introduced each picture, is called “I Want to Find a School.” Enjoy.

* * * * * *

I want to find a school filled with fantastic people and an inspiring sense of education. All kinds of people and all kinds of life will recognize that something extraordinary is happening at that school, and they will all want to be there.

I want to find a school where I don’t understand everything that is happening at every moment. People will understand, though, that they are surrounded by a mysterious degree of excellence that ignites their curiosity and makes the atmosphere exciting. The community will be filled with smart people who think differently, respect each other, and learn from each other.

I want to find a school where people are having fun, being playful, not taking themselves too seriously. The school will have an innate sense of joy, both for its own sake, and because it actually makes the learning better. Sometimes the fun will happen when we are alone.

And sometimes the fun will happen when we are together. But either way, people will be putting their energy, their effort, their best out there – they will be trying to be their best all the time.

I want to find a school that has “change the world” on its To Do list. This school will be a place that always thinks about, and acts on, serving others. At the same time, that school will be aware of its own abundance, its own good fortune, and will have a pervasive attitude of gratitude in the hallways, in the classrooms, and on the playing fields.

I want to find a school filled with courage, where bold people embrace big ideas, big goals, and overcome big obstacles - always with respect and always with humility. But nonetheless, that school will always seek to go for it, to try.

I want to find a school filled with exceptional individuals, and exceptional individual effort. That effort will not always look squeaky clean - hard work and determination often leads to some messiness. But those individuals will always keep trying. The people in that school will bring their “A” game every day.

I want to find a school where exceptional individual effort is balanced, valued and complemented by caring, kind, supportive teammates. Everyone in that school will bring out the best in each other – teams will challenge individuals, and individuals will inspire their teams. The entire community will understand that the most important aspect of what they do each day is not for sale, is essentially priceless – I mean, of course, the act of caring. The people at that school will understand they cannot go it alone. They will understand they need help from caring friends and teammates.

I want to find a school filled with enthusiasm for its mission, and for each other. That school will be defined by cool, fun, passionate and committed teachers, and will be filled with great, inspiring young people.

When we find that school, it will be great in ways we won’t even understand in the moment. It will be filled with joy, spirit and a sense that we are all a part of something simply exceptional. It will combine inspiring individuals, pointing to the sky with conviction, and committed friends and teammates - people you can rely on, people with whom you want to share spring break.

When we find that school . . . great, wonderful, surprising things will happen.

Enjoy your spring break. Be safe, and we will see you in two weeks.

Athletics Assembly

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:54:00 +0000

Derryfield has a splendid tradition of having an Athletics Assembly at the end of each trimester to honor the high school student athletes who just completed a sports season. While the athletes and coaches are the stars of the gathering, I have the honor of introducing the event. The following are notes from my introduction of the Athletics Assembly on Monday, March 8^th, 2010.

"Every Sunday I get the New Your Times delivered, and reading it is one of the joys of my Sunday evening. I do my best to read it in order, but I save the magazine section for last. I know this all sounds very old-school to you – guilty! And every once in a while a cover story comes along that I particularly enjoy. Yesterday’s was called 'Building a Better Teacher' – here is a brief excerpt:

The testing mandates in governmental policies over the last several years have generated a sea of data, and researchers have been parsing student achievement in ways they never had before.

A new generation of economists devised statistical methods to measure the “value added” by a teacher to a student’s performance by almost every factor imaginable: class size versus per-pupil funding versus curriculum versus on and on and on.

When researchers ran the numbers in dozens of different studies, every factor under a school’s control produced just a tiny impact, except for one: which teacher the student had.

Some teachers could regularly lift their students’ test scores above the average for children of the same race, class and ability level. Others’ students left with below-average results year after year.

Statistician now agree that a student with a weak teacher for three straight years would score, on average, 50 percentile points behind a similar student with a strong teacher for those years. Teachers working in the same building, teaching the same grade, produced very different outcomes. And the gaps were huge.

Similarly, a Stanford economist, found that while the top 5 percent of teachers were able to impart a year and a half’s worth of learning to students in one school year, as judged by standardized tests, the weakest 5 percent advanced their students only half a year of material each year.

I can hear you thinking 'Mr. Sellers has forgotten this is an athletics assembly.'

No – hear me out. This is the point: Great teaching is the same as great coaching, and Derryfield is blessed with adult coaches at the top of their game, helping great student athletes at the top of their game.

Coaches who can help you improve two seasons worth in one season. People who are absolutely committed to helping you Aim High while improving your ability to have lead a balanced life.

So we are here to celebrate great coaching and great athletes, and from here our Athletics Director will take over. Mr. McCaigue, thank you once again for leading us in a fine season. I look forward to your words.

CNS

Thinking Like Google

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:16:00 +0000

In February I attended the National Association of Independent School (“NAIS”) conference. The theme this year was “Adapt, Survive, Thrive” and many of the presentations were organized around strategies independent schools must adopt to move through the recession. Doesn’t sound very uplifting? Well, the title of one presentation caught my eye – “How Can Your School Think Like Google?” I came away with the following seven points, as well as renewed appreciation for all that Derryfield does incredibly well.

1. Ideas come from everywhere - Google encourages people to attend meetings outside their field, even meetings outside their comfort zone.

2. Share everything you can - The institution should constantly be creating opportunities for convergence.

Most parents are not likely to have experienced some of my most favorite events at Derryfield. That is, our full faculty meeting on Friday morning that we call “Stand-up” (a remnant from when we did not have a room large enough for everyone to sit), or our All-School Meeting on Monday mornings (which you are invited to, but most parents find inconvenient to attend). Both “Stand-Up” and All School Meeting have a tone of respect for one another, and a sense that we are at our best when sharing the talents in or community. Both of these gatherings have a grand feeling of “convergence” about them, and in different ways they represent our school culture at its best.

3. You’re inspiring? We’re Hiring! Leadership that actively seeks diverse viewpoints, supported by a genuinely welcoming community.

Each year at this time I am inspired by the quality of people who want to teach at Derryfield, and the way the school’s reputation seems to excite them and bring out the best in them. Google’s phrase captures the essence of our mission statement (“The Derryfield School inspires bright, motivated young people . . .”) and helps to explain why both Derryfield and Google made it from young start-ups to mature organizations.

4. Give a License to Pursue Dreams – Explanation: Google has their famous “20% time” (that is, one of every five days employees get to work on whatever interests them – pet projects, passions, etc. G-mail, Google maps, and many others were developed because of the 20% time). But they are also developing a new idea at their phenomenal campus – they are pursuing a work-life that is “blended,” not “balanced.” The cynical view –now employees never have a reason to go home. Google’s view – This is what it takes to be a great company.

We have spent time this year in a variety of ways exploring our core value of “Balance,” defined as “inspiring academic, artistic, and athletic opportunities, promoting the development of healthy habits of mind, body, and spirit, and the skill to balance creative tension.” Best I can tell, Google has simply walked by any pretense of balance, opting instead to offer their employees a “blended” life – one in which their employees never have to leave their extraordinary corporate headquarters. Does this approach hint at what is to come if our children are to work at leading companies five or ten years from now? Is the value of “balance” already an outdated idea for our children and their future?

I cast my lot with Derryfield’s view of balance. Doubtless the world will give more opportunities for our children to blend interests, but schools – and the adults in them – must continue to promote the skills needed to navigate creative tension. I call that balance. Google disagrees.

5. Creativity Loves Constraint - The economy is the new constraint, and you have to surf it, not resent it.

No argument here. In fact, if creativity loves constraint, we may be entering a whole new era of creativity on a global scale.

6. Innovation, not Instant Perfection. In other words - Start, innovate and iterate.

I think this is an exceptionally important value to build into a start-up. It explains so much of Google’s success. So many young organizations have analysis paralysis. The best teachers, like the best organizations, find a way to create an environment of thoughtful risk taking. I was fortunate to inherit Derryfield’s healthy atmosphere in this regard, and yet I continue to see opportunities to move this value forward. We have some of the most innovative faculty, staff, students, parents and Board members anyone could ask for – but the phrase implies constant work, constant review, and a determined humility that always seeks improvement on behalf of students.

7. Data is apolitical - Data has no agenda

This was a raucous way to end a presentation, in part because the day’s newspaper headlines included a story about Google having good reason to believe that China may be tampering with their servers – in essence, with their data. In light of this, the mantra seemed naïve. And, one could argue, exposed a humanizing sense of fallibility in a company that has a Midas touch.

I hope you enjoy your spring break. Take some time to think, perhaps even some time to think like Google. And let me know your reaction to these seven points. Meanwhile, I am developing a presentation called “How Can Google Think Like Derryfield.” I bet it will be standing room only.

CNS

Saturday @ HMUN

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:15:00 +0000

It is Saturday morning at 9:15a and the Sheraton lobby is buzzing with tourists dodging the 5 degree winter weather outside, but the HMUN “delegate’s” (the term used for the participants) are moving a bit slower after two nights of not sleeping in their own beds, and probably not sleeping that much in general.

Derryfield students, representing Austria, are now assigned to certain committees (“Security Council” or “World Health Organization,” for example) that meet in given rooms, so I have the freedom to walk around and listen to bits of conversation, both in the hallways and in the meeting rooms themselves.

Examples:

“It has come to Sri Lanka’s attention that the working papers submitted by the Democratic Republic of Congo contain elements that are not in keeping with the tone of compromise needed to make progress in the area of creating sustainable refugee resettlement areas . . .”
“Isn’t it true that NGO’s must have freedom to move about in country if we are to leverage all the improvements they are capable of bringing to Azerbaijian?”
“Luxembourg, you are recognized for one minute.”
“If we join together we have a better chance of hammering through a resolution, especially if we wait to the end of the caucus period, providing the US has already spoken.”
“In exchange for North Korea introducing a motion to responsibly dispose of its nuclear waste the Security Council would entertain a motion from China that would include many of the elements of the working papers already introduced by Germany.”
“Can we just slow down and read this new clause on indigenous rights together before introducing it in front of the entire committee?”
“We are going to amend clause 12-D now and we are not going back in that room until everyone here agrees to how we construct boundaries in safe zones! If we can’t agree to a simple sub-clause amongst ourselves, how can we expect the entire committee to support our solution?”
“Delegates, decorum!”

These last two words, which I heard from the podium in a few different committee rooms, seems to be the standard way that committee chairs reprimand the roomful of delegates when they get too loud. Each time I heard the phrase, the crowd instantly quieted down. Again, I depart with an appreciation for the sense of manners that these students have toward each other, and the respect they show for the institution of the HMUN.

The HMUN

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:11:00 +0000

Those who need hope should work in education. Educators who need hope should come to the Harvard Model UN (“HMUN”).

I am blogging from the Sheraton in Downtown Boston – really the first time I have written the way blogs were meant to be (note: the first time I witnessed such behavior was during John McCane’s visit to The Derryfield School Auditorium, and the entire back row was occupied by bloggers with laptops reporting live) – and the scene needs to be described to be believed.

Imagine 2500 high school students dressed in the 2010 version of what Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers wore, and that is a start. Don’t let that opening image take away from the seriousness of purpose – it actually adds considerably to creating an atmosphere of formal, proper, interaction. The boys are in dark suits and ties, the girls in a variety of elegant quasi-evening wear that would not be out of place in a board room. In an age of diminishing decorum captured by “You lie!” this fact alone is uplifting.

Last night’s Opening Ceremonies were in The Hynes Convention Center Auditorium at 5p, and the keynote address was delivered by The Honorable Joseph H. Melrose, United States Mission to the United Nations on the General Assembly. He set the right tone – global thinking, serious purpose, but enjoy yourself. One sour note for me (see my previous column) – about one in five students around me were staring onto their cell phones while he was talking. Perhaps I should be pleased with that ratio!

Today, Friday, is the first full day of a gathering that started Thursday afternoon and will end Sunday afternoon, with the majority of the participants staying in the cavernous Sheraton and simply coming downstairs to gather in committees in their dozen large seminar rooms. The organization of the entire event thoroughly seems safe, well run, and completely engaging for the students. As well it should be, since the front of the program announces “Welcome to the Fifty-Seventh Session.”

The HMUN is a well oiled machine, and it is really impressive.

Snapshot: A student just hurried by and handed me a xeroxed invitation to come to a seminar at 2p today titled “Global Issues in Medicine and Medical Training, a Presentation by Dr. Colleen Kigin, Chief of Staff at the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology.” High school students are not only interested in these topics, but will show up, ask great questions, and leave you with a sense of optimism. They see the concerns, recognize the obstacles, and still – no cynicism.

Stay tuned.

On the Eve of the iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Craig Sellers) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:09:00 +0000

Tomorrow Apple announces a new product, widely expected to be a tablet of some kind, and I’ll confess that I want it already – clearly for all the wrong reasons, because I don’t even know what it does. Since purchasing a 128K Macintosh, the first Apple digital camera, the first laser printer, and a variety of other Steve Jobs inspired gems (yes, including the iPhone), the latent consumer in me tends to fall in love with the shovel while I am supposed to concentrate on digging a ditch. I obtain the newest offering, and within days I cannot imagine life without it. The point is how can the tool make one’s life better, make you a better teacher or a more compassionate person. Agreed. But I seem to keep falling for that new shovel.

When I think about thinking about technology in our school, I am aware of three distinct stages I have moved through. Summary: Etiquette, Engage, Empower.

Of late, I find Clayton Christensen’s work (including Disrupting Class) amongst the most visionary and practical in this field.

I describe my first stage as an awareness of the etiquette, or lack thereof, around how we use technology. The most dramatic example happened three years ago after helping a school principal in Thailand prepare for days for an important meeting of a dozen of his colleagues. Throughout the 90 minute gathering, at least three people were talking loudly on their cell phones, while three others were checking e-mail or listening to voicemail. My friend said nothing, but felt completely rejected by his colleagues – a message I was certain no one wanted to send. Cell phones had swept so quickly into the culture, that a common understanding of what was appropriate did not have time to emerge. Time and time again, I saw cell phones keeping people apart and disrupting communication.

My next stage is an ongoing inquiry around how students and faculty engage with technology. In a world where digital immigrants teach digital natives, adults-in-charge routinely need help simply operating devices from those who grew up in a world of iPods and internet. Teachers and parents can easily feel we are competing, and losing, for attention with any number of digital devices. At the same time, the adults can’t fully understand the social implications to a teenager of being connected 24/7/365. And the following story illustrates the way adults are still understanding the academic implications: recently a teacher began to reprimand a student he found using a cellphone in class, but first asked “what are you doing?” The student explained s/he was researching a question that the teacher had mentioned a moment earlier, and the teacher moved instantly from the possibility of anger to admiration for the student’s ingenuity and motivation. The teacher felt the student had become unengaged, but the truth was exactly the opposite.

For the last few years we have spent considerable time thinking about how to use technology to empower our community. This question is bold, clear, and ultimately packed with exciting questions and answers – exactly like the best teaching and learning. How can we empower our students to ask great questions and follow-up with even better answers using distance learning techniques or Google docs? How can we use social media to empower our alumni and keep them connected to our school? What are the most effective ways to empower parents and faculty to work together on behalf our children?

We have to continually clarify our community’s etiquette around the use of technology. We have to continually engage our students in best practices around the use of technology. And we must continually seek to the distribute the “power” of electronic technology to our community.

I see very exciting developments in our school in these areas, and I look forward to sharing them with you as they evolve. Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing the first iPad in our school.