Focus on Freshmen--from Meg Hill, Dean of 9th Grade
As we approach the end of our first trimester, I’m reminded of just how significant beginnings and endings can be and how we, in a school community, approach this cyclical nature with both excitement and trepidation. New experiences and expectations have us looking straight ahead, anticipating things to come. As the “newness” of the school year begins to wear off, as we settle into a routine of sorts, it’s tempting to spend most of our time looking ahead, to see the finish line, forgetting to take a moment and reflect upon the path we’ve created. Much has happened in “freshman world” since the August 25 Orientation Day, and as the second trimester is poised to begin, I’d like to journey back in time with a few memories and observations……
This 9th grade class has pioneered the P/F option in two more core courses: Biology and Coming of Age in the World. The design-thinking process has provided students with a framework by which to dive into a topic with curiosity, empathy and creativity. They feel comfortable “wondering aloud” about a wide array of topics and equally confident working in groups to ideate and create real-world solutions. As I was touring prospective parents through the upper school during the annual Parent Preview, my group was captivated by the small groups of freshmen working in the hallway with giant sticky notes. The adults asked the students what they were doing: “We’re going through the design-thinking process to figure out a way to solve segregation.” I heard a few “wows” from my group and then we kept walking. One of the parents asked, “Was that staged just for us?” At that moment, I realized that the CA freshman experience does, indeed, look and feel different than many other schools. No, this activity hadn’t been staged; sometimes authentic learning just needs a lot of elbow room. There’s something about the annual Parent Preview that accentuates what we do and why we do it. As this was my first time as a tour guide (yes, I did miss being on “the other side” and inviting groups into my classroom), I was excited to engage our visitors and assess their reactions to what they were seeing and hearing. Most of the classes we visited were largely freshman classes and, each time, I was reminded of how often we expect our 9th graders to say things like, “but what if….?” and “I think I have another way of doing it.” I realize that what I take for granted is not the norm in many places.
As I reflect upon some of my other classroom observations this trimester, I’ve seen the freshmen taking academic risks, using technology in very impressive ways, while being challenged beyond their comfort zones. In addition to their academic endeavors, the freshman advisory program and class meeting times provide students with an important sense of collective responsibility. While we know that character development happens everywhere all the time, intentional small-group discussions foster solid relationships with peers and advisors in profound ways. Each advisory has its unique approach to building community and creating these bonds. The Community Leadership Team (CLT) seniors began their peer-mentoring work with the freshman advisories back on Orientation Day. About every two weeks, each advisory meets with their CLTers to address relevant issues such as study habits, how to balance many different commitments, social interactions, and self-advocacy. Speaking from experience, these seniors bring insights, empathy, and a healthy dose of humor to their interactions with the freshmen. Indeed, the freshman experience wouldn’t be complete without these seniors to help them along the path.
Others in our community who are completely invested in helping the freshmen grow and learn are the extraordinary adults who work in operations and food service. As of now, three advisories have had the opportunity to spend the day working “behind the scenes” on campus. These freshmen have gained a strong appreciation for the incredible amount of work it takes to keep a place like CA thriving. These adult mentors are proud to share their expertise with others, and this service-learning program is yet another way the freshmen know they have plenty of folks who care about their intellectual and emotional growth.
The first trimester has certainly set the stage for future intellectual and social expeditions, and the to-be-expected stumbles and detours along the way. As we are culturally conditioned to think about the future, I believe it’s necessary to pause, breathe, and look where we’ve been, and what we’ve done, in order to create the path that best reflects our individual and collective pursuits.
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