“After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
~Philip Pullman (an English writer)
Dear Caedmon Community,
In October, we released a new website. Actually, it is a "stand-in" website, as the actual one was chosen and designed right before the onset of the pandemic, and we are still waiting to complete the photography and design work. Well, I'm thrilled to report that the photographers arrive on Monday, and we are aiming for a release later this year.
Our current "branding" idea does exist on the current stand-in site, and I love how it captures exactly what we know happens at Caedmon: YOUR CHILD'S STORY BEGINS AT CAEDMON! As Maria Montessori is known to say, it's the Early Years when the lifelong learning foundation is set. All research points to ages TWO to TEN when so many of our formative abilities are cemented - problem solving skills, approach to challenges, tolerance for risk taking, ability to collaborate, recognizing humor, and most importantly belief in one's self. All crucial keys to a happy life. As we move forward in our lives, all of these essential skills will guide our decisions, and therefore create the circumstances that we face and how we will behave.
In other words, we are setting in place the "plot" of your children's stories; the stories that you will tell about them, and the stories that they will share with family members, their future spouses and their children, and their grandchildren! Knowing and telling great stories is an essential part of not only our reading and writing program, but every learning experience. As children learn "grace and courtesy" in the Montessori classroom, they are writing their own stories of friendship and relationships. As they grow in their ability to empathize and walk in each other's shoes, they are writing their stories of appreciating and understanding diversity, equity, and belonging.
We have always worked to collect the stories of our community here at Caedmon. It is why our mission calls upon us to Honor the Individual. As we move forward you will see more and more of us asking you and our teachers and your children to answer the question, "What is #MyCaedmonStory?"
I will start with a brief example. Born in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, I found myself captivated by performing and the theatre; school plays, musicals, and summer stock. I headed east to Syracuse University for college, and then moved to New York City, as that was the home of Broadway and all things theatre! (I cringe sometimes now, at the idea of just moving to this city, in the company of a couple of college chums, finding a place to live and waiting tables to get by. And yes, I realize that's a bit of a cliche!) Well, I was performing in a comedy improv group in nightclubs one year, and someone in the cast said, "Will you cover my drama classes at Brearley? I'm going away on a tour." Again, dumb luck and naivete prevailed, as I had no idea what I was doing...which then led to teaching drama at Hewitt and Spence, and directing summer stock and off-broadway shows. Wanting something that felt more substantial, I headed over to Teachers College at Columbia on a Fellowship for Educational Administration. That led to being a Middle School Director at National Cathedral School, Upper School Director at Town, and then a headhunter called and said, "I know the perfect school for you to be the Head of School." That was ten years ago, and my heart is still very much in love with the very special school she enticed me to interview for...Caedmon! Twists and turns; surprises and unexpected choices; so much of the journey I would have NEVER predicted when I moved to the "Big City" back in 1980!
That's my story...what is yours? Please take a minute this weekend to tell someone your unique journey, because as the writer Philip Pullman tells us, "stories are the things we need most in the world!"
Best,
Matthew
