Weekly Message from Steve Warner, Head of School (October 7, 2013)

Greetings, GreenMount Community,

                Here is something I wrote about this time two years ago:

            One of powerful thing about the GreenMount School community is that parents model the importance of being involved in school. In an article in Educational Leadership from 1992, an “involved” parent is defined as one that demonstrates two key elements. “First, parents are supportive. They encourage their children and are sympathetic, reassuring, and understanding. They show a high level of commitment to their children and their education. Second, parents are active. They are doing something that is observable. This combination of level of commitment and active participation is what makes an ‘involved‘ parent.”

The part that I think is most important in this definition is the “observable” part.  I have often said that the most important thing you can do as parents is to be seen in the school and participating in school-sponsored events or events that are organized for the school community.  Also, when your children see you participating in co-op activities they recognize that you place a high value on supporting the school and working to make it the best place possible for students to learn.

Actually, I think that most kids don’t give this much thought.  What?  As I think about it, it seems that it is probable that our students have just come to expect parents to be involved.  At GMS, it has become part of their culture – part of their value system.  Wait a minute, I’m going to interrupt some students to ask them about parent involvement…

Okay, I asked some students across the hall what they thought about parent involvement.  As I suspected, they don’t give it much thought.  However, when I asked them what they would think if parents were not in the school a lot, they said it would be “weird.”  One student commented that she would be disappointed if substitutes were not parents.  She said that she feels comfortable and safe when parents are in the classrooms.  As we work to create an ethic of excellence in our school, we can learn from the ethic of parent involvement.  It’s part of who we are and what is expected.  And that’s exactly where we want to be with excellent work.  It’s who we are and what is expected.

                This morning, I visited some classrooms and asked the students what they thought about parent involvement in the school.  The different responses I got from younger students and older ones were interesting.  See if you can guess if the comment came from a seventh/eighth grader or a second/third grader:

“Parents help the teachers by watching the class when they have something else to do.”

“Parents help the community and school grow.”

“It’s good that parents know what we are doing and who the teachers are.”

“Sometimes it’s weird when I see my mom in school when don’t expect it.”

“Sometimes my mom will come to my classroom when she is working in the school to ask me if I forgot my lunch.”

“Parents make it cheaper to go to GreenMount because of the work they do.”

“Parents make GMS a better place to learn with their work. They create a good environment to play and learn.”

“Parents run fun activities like Skate Night.”

“When my dad has to work in the school it usually means that I have to get to school early.  I need my sleep!”

Whatever you might read into these comments, my interactions with the students find that they view you as an important part of our school.  Indeed, you are – thankfully!

Cheers,

Steve

Weekly Message from Steve Warner, Head of School (September 3, 2013)

Greetings GreenMount Community,

            WELCOME BACK!  Finally, our students and their families have returned and once again fill this building with laughter and excitement about another successful GreenMount year.  We had a morning meeting in the gym where the students got to see for the first time some of the improvements that have been made.  We have improved the sound quality greatly with the addition of sound absorption panels and the new lighting makes the gym much more cheery and inviting.  Soon our new stage curtains will be in place and new seating will relieve you from the task of sitting on those old metal folding chairs.  All of these improvements are due to the hard work of Jill Goodman as she raised the money from donors, including many of you, to complete these major improvements. 

During the summer, the gym was a mess with dust flying everywhere and crews working on different projects.  Our own crews were busy, too.  Parents refinished the stage, built the new deck, painted, moved furniture, cleaned, and lent a hand with many of the “odd” jobs that we had for them around here.  I can’t voice enough in praise of all the parents who, this summer, made this day possible.  The intensity and quality of the work were amazing.  Just look at that deck as an illustration of how you all step up to help our school.  Without the cooperation and dedication that you contribute through the co-op program, and just because you want to make sure that all of our children have a safe and attractive place to learn, we would not be enjoying such a happy day and such a bright future.  I am looking forward to being with all of you as we work to make our program even more successful during 2013-2014.

Attached to this newsletter is a page from the Maryland Guide for Visitors that I thought would be helpful to you as you plan for those times when you are not in school and looking for some great family activities.  The page includes happenings from September 6 to September 21, after which I will publish another few weeks’ worth of suggestions.  (I think that if you decided to go to the Berlin Fiddler’s Convention, you might see Ms. Laurie there.)

Many parents and teachers, both new and returning (notice I didn’t say “old”), are very kind in their praise of our school and the approach to learning that we have.  We believe that approach is fashioned to create learners that will be equipped to meet the challenges of a future about which we can only speculate. It is an exciting and yet uncertain future that our children face, and who knows what will face our kindergarteners in 2063 when they are retiring?!

So, we know that we have a great responsibility to create a culture in our school where the “cool” thing to do is to work hard and achieve our very best.  We will continue with our plan for inculcating excellence in our school.  Our professional development plans for the year will extend our research and discussion in creating this culture, and I hope you will join us in using the language that inspires children to take risks, strive for excellence, and unleash their curiosity and innovative spirit.  Each year at GreenMount is better than the previous one and as our staff learns, so do the children.  It will be another banner year for all of us.  Aren’t you excited?

            The same quote as last year and the year before that.  We are still pursuing this goal:

E X C E L L E N C E

“Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe.  Dreaming more than others practical and expecting more than others think is possible.”

Cheers,

Steve

Weekly Message from Steve Warner, Head of School (October 10, 2011)

Each week Head of School, Steve Warner, addresses GreenMount parents in a weekly letter. This is his letter from October 10, 2011.

Greetings, GreenMount Community,

            One powerful aspect of the GreenMount School community is that our parents   model the importance of being involved in school.  In a 1992 article in Educational Leadership, an “involved” parent is defined as one that demonstrates two key elements.

“First, parents are supportive. They encourage their children and they are sympathetic, reassuring, and understanding. They show a high level of commitment to their children and their education.

Second, parents are active. They are doing something that is observable. This combination of parent   commitment and active participation is what makes an “involved” parent.”

            I think the most important part of this definition is the “observable” part.  I have often said that the most important thing you can do as parents is to be seen in the school and to participate in school-sponsored events or events that are organized for the school community.  I heard that the family camping trip was a huge success.  The children who were there this past weekend witnessed their parents modeling that community spirit.  This is a lesson in life!  Also, when your children see you participating in co-op activities, they recognize that you place a high value on supporting the school and on working to make it the best place possible for learning.

Actually, I think that most kids don’t give this much thought.  What?  As I think about it, it seems probable that our students have just come to expect parents to be involved.  At GMS it has become part of their culture — part of their value system.  Wait a minute, I’m going to interrupt some students to ask them about parent involvement…..

Okay, I asked some students across the hall what they thought about parent involvement.  As I suspected, they don’t give it much thought.  However, when I asked them what they would think if parents were not in the school a lot, they said it would be “weird.”  One student remarked that she would be disappointed if substitutes were not parents.  She said that she feels comfortable and safe when parents are in the classrooms.  As we work to create an ethic of excellence in our school, we can learn from the ethic of parent involvement.  It’s part of who we are, and it is expected.  And that’s exactly where we want to be with excellent work.  It’s who we are and it is expected.

            Now, a word from our sponsor this week: the Co-op Corner.  The first trimester ends in six weeks.  At that time, every parent should have completed at least 10 hours of co-op work.  Please contact Ms. Elaine to review your job preferences or to make a job assignment.  There’s always plenty to do in a schoolhouse where 98 students and 17 adults spend a large portion of their day.

Announcements: 

There will be a meeting of those parents wanting to contribute to our current theme on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.  If you have some Civil War knowledge or information to share, please feel free to join us.

Please don’t forget Adjunct Back to School Night tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. (agenda attached).  Our adjunct teachers are eager to explain their programs to you, and I hope you will come to show your support for them.

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege  to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.” - George Bernard Shaw

Cheers,

Steve