News & Updates 4/21/23

From Todd:

 
One of the most special parts of the New School is that it is a great place for a student to make a mistake. I am not talking about the physically dangerous mistakes because there is not a really good place to do that. I am talking about a mistake based on a decision. I am talking about when students know right from wrong and choose the option they shouldn’t. And I know it is shocking, but that happens around here with some regularity, and for that matter, at every school I have ever worked at. We are always hopeful to avoid mistakes, but in a PK-8 school that is rather unlikely.

There is an absolute belief on this campus that great kids can make mistakes, and how they recover from those mistakes is what matters.  We are here to help that process of growth find a meaningful and successful conclusion. This is some of our most important work, and work that I enjoy being a part of.

I will admit that I had a tearful student in my office recently. The student had made a mistake, and although the motivation was understandable, it was still a mistake. The student is a hard worker and takes results seriously, but the pressure of getting strong results caused a lapse in judgment. The student cried and then I cried. I trust that the student knows better and will not make a choice like this again, but the student could not settle down even when I spoke about forgiveness, potential, and strong grit. Then it dawned on me, my daughter had dropped off a piece of banana bread from Pip and Anchor.

“Do you like banana bread?” I asked the student.

A confused look came across the student’s face.

“Yes, I love it,” the student quietly.

“You need to try this,” I responded and handed the student the brown wax paper bag.

As the student picked at the banana bread, I continued to lecture about learning from mistakes, growth mindset, and failing forward. Finally, the student interrupted me.

“Wait, this is really good. Like the best I have ever had.”

I knew it!! The student’s tears had dried, and even with the banana bread treat, I believe that a lesson had already been learned. There is still more work to be done with this student, but a sense of safety had been established. 

Of course, we want students to do what’s right all the time, but we will be understanding when that first mistake happens, and when the next mistake happens we will try something else. And no matter what happens, this process of mistake and recovery will always be filled with hope.
 
Ever Grateful,
 
Todd Eveleth
Head of School
 
 
 

Raising money for financial aid and programming has never been so quackin’ important!

Here's how it works: Students, families, and friends adopt rubber ducky racers. We race them and you join us at The Creeks to root for your ducks. The three most nimble ducks win awesome prizes for their adopted families! The students who sell the most duckies win awesome prizes too! The school wins your crucial support! EVERYONE WINS!
 
 
We are certain we can top last year’s success by counting on all of you to sell ducks and help promote rubber ducky adoptions with friends and family off-island. Our goal is to get 100% participation from our students. 
 
Join us at The Creeks on May 13th to see if your rubber ducky makes it across the finish line first! Thank you in advance for your support! If you have any questions, please contact Kate Olson at: kolson@nantucketnewschool.org or 508-228-8569 ext. 302.
 
 
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