What's a parent to do?

A recent New York Times article, Tips for the Admission Test...to Kindergarten, is thought provoking, if a little disturbing. The article details a new phenomenon in the ever more competitive world of independent and public test school admissions. It seems that it is now possible to pay to have your three or four-year-old child tutored in preparation for the aptitude tests schools use to help evaluate student readiness for school. Is this going too far? One independent school admission director calls it "unethical". Really? Don't we all try to give our children a leg-up in various ways? Isn't that precisely why we choose to invest in an independent school education in the first place? So why is this so wrong? As the article points out, how is this different from SAT prep classes? Schools in New York and a few other big cities have the "luxury" of many times more applicants than spaces available, so who can blame parents from trying to help their child put her or his best foot forward? On the other hand, does it negate the validity of the test as a part of the admission process? Thankfully, independent schools don't use testing as the only criteria for admission, but without a somewhat objective criteria as a part of the process, schools are left with purely subjective measures by which to make admission decisions. What will this mean for the make-up of a school's student body? No doubt, independent schools in New York and other cities where this test-prep phenomenon has taken hold will find new ways to get accurate information on their applicants. Otherwise, my guess is that the only people who will be concerned about this trend is those whose children are not accepted. And then they'll have the choice to complain or join the crowd.

The Season of Giving

Buffalo spent last week gripped in what can only be called Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fever. The popular ABC television show spent its time in Buffalo making-over the home and the lives of the Powell family on the city's West Side. As I learned during the October storm, in my first year at EFS, Buffalo takes it's moniker of "City of Good Neighbors" seriously. And the occasion presented by Extreme Makeover provided the people of Buffalo and Western New York another opportunity to live up to that ideal. While the show typically gets hundreds of volunteers, Buffalo had thousands (upwards of 5000 in some reports). Where other projects fix up one family's home, the effort of all the volunteers in Buffalo improved 50 houses in a neighborhood that needs the help.

At Elmwood Franklin, we try to do our little part to help our neighbors as well. Giving is our theme for the month of December, and our students are proving already that they're well acquainted with the concept. Our annual food drive to support the Food Bank of Western New York and the Ronald McDonald House has generated a mountain of canned goods and other foods that seems to grow by the minute. The third grade has even started a friendly competition between Mrs. Karassik's class and Ms. Constanzo's class to see which one can collect the most food to be donated. The 8th grade has donated money raised at their annual skate-athon to support Buffalo's Ronald McDonald House. Usually earmarked for a class gift and a day of fun at an amusement park at the end of the year, this year's class opted to make the gift in honor of a classmate who recently had a serious operation and whose family used the services of the Ronald McDonald House in another city. The Prep II class is corresponding with Master Sargent Coleman in Iraq. A local firefighter and member of the National Guard, Master Sargent Coleman has shared the messages and pictures from our students with the men in his unit.

As I see our students coming in to school each morning weighed down with canned goods but excited to be making a contribution to those in need, I'm reminded of the traditions of Thanksgiving, the spirit of this season of giving, and the reach and power of young people to make us all smile.

Buffalo's Young Philanthropist of the Year

We're always proud of our graduates, but it is especially gratifying when their accomplishments are recognized by others. One of our recent graduates, Kilby Bronstein '06, has been chosen Outstanding Youth Philanthropist of the Year by the Buffalo chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She was nominated by both EFS and Roswell Park Cancer Institute and is featured in today's Buffalo News. Kilby will be honored at a luncheon at the Adam's Mark Hotel on November 18th. Her involvement at EFS includes being a committed caller on behalf of the Annual Fund and a speaker at our annual Upper School Information Night, where she shares her perspective on the preparation she received in our 5th through 8th grade program that led to her success at Buffalo Seminary - this year's Information Night will be on Thursday, November 19th at 5:45pm. Kilby's passion for giving back to EFS follows in the footsteps of her mother, Jennifer Prince Bronstein '74, also one of our most devoted and tireless volunteers.

In addition to all the good she does in the community, Kilby serves as a perfect roll model for Elmwood Franklin's growing service learning program. Committed to teaching our students the value of service to the community and the power that even our youngest students can have in Buffalo, Western New York, and beyond, we are developing meaningful service projects connected to the curriculum at each grade level. My October 22 post (Real World Lesson) is an example of how kindergarten students can learn new skills and help others at the same time.

Congratulations, Kilby. Your Elmwood Franklin family is exceedingly proud of your accomplishments.

Addicted?

Ever feel like a slave to technology? Worried that your teenager spends too much time on-line? Drawing parallels to alcohol or drug addiction, today's Boston Globe has an interesting article about the signs and costs of Internet and computer addiction. Interestingly, yesterday's edition featured a story titled, Why an iPhone could actually be good for your 3-year-old.

Confused by the seemingly mixed messages? Me too. Welcome to parenting in the technological age. Perhaps the real lesson for parents is to beware and be aware. 

Tribute to a Mentor

The field of education, and education reform in particular, has lost one of its giants. Theodore R. Sizer, Ted to those who knew him, passed away last week at the age of 77. His obituary chronicles an extraordinary life spent in some of the nation's finest secondary and post-secondary schools as well as his efforts to remake American education around small schools, committed teachers, and authentic demonstrations of mastery.

Although I entered our first meeting in 1989 with a not-so-healthy balance of curiosity and cynicism, I quickly become one of many who consider Ted Sizer to be a friend and mentor. He had recently stepped down as chair of the education department at Brown University, but Ted was still very involved, respected, and even worshiped. In fact, the whole teacher education program had been formed around his ideology. Of course, I didn't know any of this when I started there that summer. In truth, I'd never heard of the guy. When the opportunity arose to meet him to discuss the possibility of being one of a dozen or so graduate assistants for his very popular undergraduate class on school reform, I tagged along with a few friends, as interested in the free food that was promised and meeting the person of whom everyone at Brown spoke in such reverential terms as I was in being a TA.

Having been around the block once or twice, Ted had experience with smart alecks of my ilk and won me over almost immediately. Without a doubt one of the smartest people I've ever known, he was also among the most unpretentious. Perhaps what made him such a wonderful teacher was that Ted was a great listener. Our weekly evening meetings at his home to discuss his class and our discussion sections were characterized by his giving us a little direction, our doing lots of brainstorming and a fair amount of arguing, him providing more gentle direction, and us reaching the exact point he knew we would at the beginning. Of course, at the time, we thought it was our brilliance that brought us to great clarity, when it was really him all along.

On my best days, I'd like to think that I live up to the model that Ted provided and to the belief he had in me. On my worst days, I take comfort in knowing that he would know just what to say to inspire me to be my best. Although it's been a few years since I last saw Ted and his wife Nancy, a great teacher and scholar in her own right, his ideas, his model, and his manner continue to inspire me as an educator and as a leader.

Hopefully, it's not too late to say what I should have said years ago. Thanks, Ted.

Real World Lesson

I think we often think of school, particularly the early years of school, as preparation for doing bigger and better things: learning letters and sounds to become a fluent reader later; learning math facts early enables higher level mathematics down the road; learning to write an effective topic sentence in elementary school leads to effective paragraph and essay writing in middle and high school. And on and on.

Molly Clauss and her Prep II class signing their greetings via Skype to their 

new friends at St. Mary's School for the Deaf. 

But even our youngest students can learn valuable skills that they are able to put to use right away. For many years Prep II students have learned American Sign Language, which they practiced in school, showed off to parents, and used at performances in the theatre. This year, long-time Friendship Club and music teacher, Molly Clauss, has taken signing another step. As we’ve looked for opportunities for EFS students to have an impact in the community through service learning – community service tied directly to curricular goals – Molly has partnered with St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. In September, Molly used the new interactive SMART Board in her classroom and Skype to conduct a joint lesson with a kindergarten class at St. Mary’s, giving both classes the opportunity to practice their signing skills in a real-world, real-time setting without ever leaving their classrooms. This week EFS welcomed the class from St. Mary’s here to perform a joint telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The cast, made up of students from both schools, signed and spoke the story to the delight of classmates and teachers. Cute doesn’t begin to describe it! The children, both those performing and watching, were totally focused and very proud. Molly said later, “Afterward, all the children went out on the playground, where the real magic began. The children were signing to each other, asking each other to play, asking what their sign name is, and using their knowledge to effectively communicate through the universal childhood language of play. The Prep teachers stood in awe as we watched.” 

EFS and St. Mary's students performing Goldilocks and the Three Bears in spoken 

word and American Sign Language.

Five and six year-olds practicing new skills, using technology, and having a positive impact outside the school. In other words, they were living out the mission of EFS. Next month, the EFS students have been invited to St. Mary’s for a Thanksgiving feast.

Living the Dream

Although The Buffalo News neglected to mention it in its October 2, 2009 story, Worth a look: Adam Lippes makes a name in design, Adam Lippes, founder and creative director of the fashion line ADAM, is a 1987 graduate of Elmwood Franklin School. He remains closely connected to and supportive of the school, even hosting an alumni event last year at his flagship store in New York City. 

Adam signing autographs for some of his fans in Upper School.

An early highlight of the year was to have Adam visit on Friday and speak to the Upper School about his path to success and the importance of the foundation he received at EFS. Adam showed a short clip of his recent runway show at Fashion Week in New York and answered lots of great questions from our students and teachers. While many of the students were very interested in the celebrities he’s dressed (Oprah, Brad Pitt, Halle Barry, the cast of Gossip Girl, to name just a few), they also asked about his fashion inspirations, educational path, travels, the challenges of running a business, and social and environmental responsibility. Adam told them how important a second language, especially French or Italian, is in his business. He warned them that while modeling looks glamorous, it is anything but. Adam mentioned the important role that mentors have played in his success and that he now tries to do the same for young, aspiring designers. He spoke of learning to write a business plan. And he talked about the importance of having a family who believed in him and supported his dream. Perhaps the best messages of the day, delivered explicitly by his words and implicitly by his very example, were ones we’ve been stressing with our students this year: set goals, work hard, and surround yourself with allies who can help you realize your dreams. It's safe to say our students will not soon forget Adam's visit.

Adam spoke of the importance of mentors. In his case, they 

include his mom and Oscar de la Renta. Here Adam is pictured with

a couple of his non-fashion mentors, Tom Ryan and Mr. Ziggy.

Of Leadership and Memories

What's better than a 5 hour bus ride and a week in the cold with no showers or flush toilets? Not much, according to EFS 8th graders. For the last 16 years, Elmwood Franklin's "seniors" have traveled to Algonquin Provincial Park north of Toronto for a week of leadership development at Camp Pathfinder. For some, this sort of experience is old hat, having spent weeks at camp each summer - many of the boys at Pathfinder itself. For others, it's way outside their personal comfort zone. But to hear each of them talk about their time on the island, the week spent at Pathfinder is a highlight of Upper School.

And who's to argue? Pathfinder is a special place, away from most of the modern conveniences that make life better - indoor plumbing, to name one - as well as those that complicate our lives - cell phones, email, and the like. Instead, the 8th graders are challenged by sleeping in platform tents or unheated cabins and the formal program which includes hiking, canoeing, and a high ropes course. But perhaps more importantly, they are required to find pleasure in simply spending time with each other, in strengthening friendships, and in supporting one another through the experience.

The 8th grade Pathfinder trip holds special memories for all who have gone. From the long bus ride with friends and enough junk food to horrify a nutritionist to the the daily Polar Bear Club swims with Ms. Clark - picture 50F degree water and 35F degree air at 7:00am; no showers, remember - Pathfinder represents a rite of passage at EFS. We count on our 8th grade to set a positive tone for the rest of the school, and no matter  the class, this special place seems to bring out the best in our students, setting them on a course to a great final year at Elmwood Franklin School.

The Death of Books?

Much has been written about the importance of technology in today's world and in education in particular. There is little doubt that almost everything we do has been transformed by computers, the internet, and myriad other technologies. And this is certainly the case in schools. Just this year, EFS has added 9 new interactive SMART Boards – bringing us up to 14 total – that enable our teachers to capitalize on our students’ energy and creativity. The children love it! In fact, they look forward to any opportunity to use technology in the classroom, and our teachers are constantly on the lookout for ways to leverage technology to enhance our curriculum. By any measure, ours is truly a “wired” environment.

While there are many benefits to engaging young people through the use of technology, there are inevitable trade-offs. Learning proper keyboarding comes at the expense of practicing handwriting; gross motor skills suffer as children play more video/computer games and spend less time playing outside; Google searches and Wikipedia become preferred sources for any inquiry over encyclopedias, books, or other “off-line” reference materials; ability to multitask – watch a teenager manage Facebook, TV, iPod, instant messaging, texting, AND homework all at once – may negatively affect the ability to focus on a single task for an extended period of time; leisure reading – a reliable predictor of academic success – has decreased as online time has increased.

Most of us have fully embraced the benefits of technology at work and at home – I know I can’t go to the store for a gallon of milk without my iPhone. When we take the time to think about it, however, we might also agree that we’ve lost something in terms of human interaction and civility, not to mention reading and writing, with the rise of email, texting, and surfing the internet. So with technology being so important to the young, can you imagine EFS doing away entirely with the library and its 16,000 volumes? One prominent independent school in Massachusetts is doing just that. In a recent Boston Globe article, Cushing Academy is highlighted for closing its library in favor of a “learning center” and fully embracing the power of technology to meet its students’ needs. Is this the future for schools? Are those who cling to traditional books just like those who believed the automobile would never replace the horse? You be the judge.

Here We Go!

There’s nothing quite like the energy of the first day of school. After a summer marked by what seemed like constant rain, the weather certainly cooperated today. It was a spectacular morning to stand out front shaking hands, welcoming new and returning students alike for the start of Elmwood Franklin’s 114^th year. With enthusiasm outweighing the nervous energy of teachers, students, and parents, we’ve gotten off to a great start.

As predicted, everyone is wowed by the new Lower School hallway. Although many who saw how it looked as late as Tuesday doubted that it would be ready, I never lost faith…OK, maybe I had a few doubts. With new lockers, a bright and cheery paint scheme, and a ceiling that vaults to over 15 feet, the transformation is quite remarkable. Other changes around school include new computers in the library and in Lower School classes; interactive SMART Boards in Prep I, in Molly Clauss’s room, and in Upper School math (more will follow in the next week in 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade); two new teachers—Tammy Manikowski, who will teach 1^st through 6^th grade Spanish, and in Upper School chorus, Ryan Kaminski—and 50 new students from Prep I through 8^th grade. While the children are excited to note all the changes around school, they are at least as interested in reconnecting with their old friends and their old teachers. The first day of school at EFS has a homecoming feel to it that is energizing and comforting to students, teachers, and parents, alike.

A school is not a school without students and teachers. So, while the end of summer means a loss of free time as well as a return to earlier bed times, homework, and other routines of school, I, for one, am happy to be “back in business” and looking forward to another great year.

Almost Ready...

As I write, there are about 40 hours before we welcome back the students for Elmwood Franklin School's 114th year. As you'll see from the picture, we're not quite ready, although we're readier today than we were yesterday and we'll be readier still tomorrow. The week before school starts is typically one of controlled panic as teachers – Upper School, Lower School, and Prep – work to ready classrooms and Mr. Ziggy and Mr. Pat prepare the building and grounds for 350 or so eager students and their parents. But this year’s building project in the Lower School hallway has pushed us right to the limit. Lower School teachers couldn’t get into their rooms as early as usual and they’ve had to work overtime to get everything set-up. But when we open on Thursday, all anyone will see is a great new Lower School hallway, with new lockers, a new paint scheme, and a vaulted ceiling. And in the classrooms they’ll find their teachers ready for another great year.

As a blogging novice, I've been researching what makes a good blog - once a history teacher, always a history teacher, I guess. Predictably, the internet provides hundreds, maybe thousands, of articles about how to write a good, great, excellent, compelling, interesting, engaging, or even a famous blog. And while their advice is quite varied, they do agree on one thing: keep it short. If you're reading this, then you know that's going to be my challenge. Some recommend keeping each posting to fewer than 250 words, while others say absolutely no more than 1000 (in case you’re wondering, I’m at 271 right now). Perhaps the most distressing information I found claims that the average reader spends 96 seconds on a blog. To those of us who love to luxuriate in books, this seems shocking. However, when I really think about how I flick from website to website, 96 seconds sounds about right, maybe even a little generous.

My goal here is to be informative about the goings on at EFS, to ponder issues of parenting and education, and to foster conversation. I hope you’ll make a habit of visiting this blog regularly.

364 words; not bad.