Dear Students, 23 March, 2020
What stories you all will have to tell from living in these times! I hope this message finds you well. We are entering new territory. Never have we been more connected, yet need to maintain distance. Is that irony? You probably have a million questions. So do I. And since nothing like this has ever happened in history quite like this, we have no models. I will share what I know. For the next two weeks, you will do whatever school you do at home. School breakfast and lunch will be available from 11:30-1 in the south parking lot of Windsor High School for a drive through or walk up window. If there is anything you or your family need we will do our best to help. Please reach out if there is anything I can do. The work during this period is theoretically optional, meaning whether or not you do it cannot be counted against you. For North Bay Met Academy Students, we will continue to work on your individual Learning Plan. Because we are an independent study school, it is our hope that we will be able to award credit for your work while this crisis is taking place. However, we cannot require you do work, nor promise you anything. The determination about credits and graduation will rest with the California Department of Education. This will also apply to Windsor High School Students. For Windsor High School Students these are the current words from Administration about specific school events and activities:
Please wash your hands! My sister in law is a nurse and is SO excited that the rest of the world is finally listening to her! Stay home as much as you can and make sure you get outside and exercise while maintaining your social distance. Time in nature is really important, especially now. Hike, bike, walk, run in your neighborhood, in the parks, maintaining space around you. Be kind to others. They are as upset as you are. Be patient. When given a choice, do the loving thing. Reach out to your friends and say hello virtually. And if you need anything, please let me know. Together we can do anything. I am so proud of all of you. There has never been a year like this one. Let’s make the most of it. Dear Students, October 29, 2019
First of all I wanted to say how incredibly proud of you I am. Just being a youth is in any era is hard. And it's harder now. You all are amazing. And now you've all been evacuated from your homes or probably have someone else living in your home who was evacuated. People have lost a lot. Your friends are all over, too, and everyone is stressed. And you are breathing still! Take a minute to appreciate that. And no school for a week! For those of you who asked, no, you have no assignments this week. What I'd like to ask of you is that you take this week to just learn whatever it is you want to learn. Explore your new surroundings. Find some cool videos. Read something that intrigues you. Write or draw about your thoughts and feelings. Put on some music and dance. Breathe, deeply, in and out five times. Text a friend. Tell your people you love them. Ask for help if you need it. All of us need each other. Ask some questions. What do you really want to know about. I know I've been thinking a lot about what is important to me. Each and every one of you is amazing in a beautiful and unique way. You all make the stars brighter for me and the sunsets and sunrises more colorful. I encourage you to make art out of this trying time. Appreciate your friends and family and the beautiful planet we live on. Promise to work to protect her. Text me if you need anything. I'm sure you'll get notified when school will start back up, and I will really look forward to seeing you all again! But don't stop learning. As Mark Twain said, "Never let schooling get in the way of your education." And please stay safe. Every one of you is precious. |
May 2019
The year is almost finished. I recently finished reading The Individualist by Todd Rundgren, an unconventional autobiography. I remember being incredibly inspired by his song lyrics when I was in high school, and his reflections on his life now that he's an elder are even more powerful to me. He states, "Your first purpose in life is to become yourself, to decide what you want to be and commit all your efforts into becoming that. But at some point you will have to move on to another phase in which you take what you have made of yourself and commit it to the service of others. That is when you realize how many connections you've made, the vast network you've become a part of. You are no less yourself. You are much more than yourself." It's my wish for all of you to become yourselves, and to enjoy being so much more than yourself in your years to come. |
After the first month of school, I wanted to reflect on how I am participating in our school and relationships. I decided that I want to be more mindful. This led me to these Mindfulness Norms, or set of values and agreements I would like to make with myself and everyone at North Bay Met.
According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." To be as successful as a school as possible, the following elements of mindfulness provide a positive framework for behavior for staff and students alike.
1. Mindfulness of self. Students and staff will pay attention to their emotions, feelings, and actions.
2. Mindfulness of others. Students and staff will pay attention to how their interactions affect others and their learning.
3. Mindfulness of the environment. Students and staff will pay attention to how they influence the environment in the classroom,
school, and the larger environment, not limited to the air, water, and the natural world. This includes a focus on protecting
resources for future generations as well as paying attention to how the school environment is working for all the people in it.
I appreciate all of the hard work you all have been doing to get started into the new school year and to make Learning Plans and goals to work toward this year. Planning takes time and effort. Thank you!
According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." To be as successful as a school as possible, the following elements of mindfulness provide a positive framework for behavior for staff and students alike.
1. Mindfulness of self. Students and staff will pay attention to their emotions, feelings, and actions.
2. Mindfulness of others. Students and staff will pay attention to how their interactions affect others and their learning.
3. Mindfulness of the environment. Students and staff will pay attention to how they influence the environment in the classroom,
school, and the larger environment, not limited to the air, water, and the natural world. This includes a focus on protecting
resources for future generations as well as paying attention to how the school environment is working for all the people in it.
I appreciate all of the hard work you all have been doing to get started into the new school year and to make Learning Plans and goals to work toward this year. Planning takes time and effort. Thank you!