Weekly Message from Steve Warner, Head of School (May 27, 2014)

Greetings, GreenMount Community,

            Where can I begin to describe how incredible our students are?  On Thursday, we saw a perfect example of what sets GreenMount students and staff apart from all others.  As I said at the end of the theme, I was blown away by the knowledge of art and the way it was presented by our students.

Many schools can boast beautiful art projects and equally wonderful artwork created by talented children.  However, in addition to that, our kids understand art.  They know the complicated history of so many artists and how they struggled to be recognized for their abilities.  When we listened to students describe the artists and periods they represented, it was clear that they had learned so much more than their names.  Our students understand the artists and understand what their work represents.  And then there was the amazing work by the children that was inspired by the masters.  This was the part that confirmed the value of our program, whether it be about artists, inventors, or those who have shaped our history.

We always tout the fact that our objective at GreenMount is to prepare our students, beginning with kindergarten, to approach life with an open, yet critical mind; to approach a changing society through collective problem-solving techniques and to shape their future rather than react to it.  Seeing the confidence with which our students present their learning and the pride they take in it continues to reaffirm that a GreenMount education is one that is very hard to replicate anywhere else. Thanks to all who attended the theme event and the support you have given to our program.  Your appreciation for what we do here is priceless and it means a great deal to all of our students.

            With only nine days left in the school year, we are winding down quickly.  Remember that our last day is Friday, June 6, and we would like you to help us arrive at that day in good shape for the summer.  Please check the lost and found (in a bin under the book return) and make sure all those lunch boxes go home.  We will display all left items on the picnic tables for the last five days, beginning on Monday.

Also, there is a lot to do over the summer and, selfishly, I would like to see most of it completed before I leave on June 30.  Would you like to have some fun with the power washer or get to see your art work displayed as a newly painted wall in the library?  Opportunities abound for lots of summer fun between June 10 and June 30!  A comprehensive list of summer “activities” will be published soon, so be the first to get those cushy jobs like cleaning out the trash shed before they are scarfed up by another ambitious parent.  Remember, our minimum wage is $20 an hour as calculated by the 40-hour requirement.  Where else can you “earn” that amount and help your children’s school at the same time?  Contact Heather TODAY to be the first on your block to pledge your services.  But wait, there’s more!  For the first ten parents to call or email Heather, something special will happen (not sure what yet, but we will think of something).

Cheers,

Steve

Weekly Message from Steve Warner, Head of School (May 19, 2014)

Greetings, GreenMount Community,

            Can you believe that there are only 14 days of school remaining?  This year has just (what’s a better word than “flown”?) soared? Sailed? Winged? Raced?  I guess it’s all of the above.  We certainly spread our wings this year as we soared high above expectations.  We negotiated the changing currents of student interest as we sailed our way through three exceptional themes.  And while we were not racing anyone or anything, we find ourselves crossing the finish line in fine style.  It’s been a great year, and for some of us it is ending all too soon.

            At today’s Monday Morning Meeting, we again discussed the need for everyone to exercise patience with one another as we are left with these last few days.  The students are very excited about the theme event on Thursday, the beginning of summer vacation, summer camps, trips, sleeping late, eating whenever, couch potatoing, and running with scissors.  This excitement often ends up with short tempers among the students and/or separation anxiety.  Teachers too, in their final push to get everything done, don’t want anyone to keep them from their mission.  As the old military proverb says, “Lead, follow or get out of the way!”  Also appropriate is the Chinese proverb which states, “The person who says it cannot be done (in the time left) should get out of the way of the person doing it.”  These are good thoughts, but we all need to take a breath now and then to stop and appreciate where we are and what we have been able to do in just 170 days.

            I want to remind you that the theme event is on THURSDAY and begins at 12:30 p.m.  The plan is for the event to be finished by 3:00.  Basically, you will move from the gym after the introduction to several rooms around the building where you will be greeted by “docents” who will describe the period in art history you are visiting and the paintings you will see there.  It will be important that you follow the suggestions of the staff members who will be placed strategically around the building.  They will be advising you if a wing of our museum is overcrowded and direct you to another area.

You will be visiting the GreenMount Museum of Art or GMA and must conduct yourself as you would in any other museum.  I tell you this because the “guards” (kindergarten) will be on duty and making sure that you do not touch the art or get too close to it.  Ms. Laura has trained these guards well and they are very protective of their museum, so you have been warned!  They are short and can sneak up on you without you knowing it to enforce the rules of the GMA.  Do you think they are loving this role?

See you there!

Cheers,

Steve