Our Wildwood, Summer 2017, Volume 41

Dear Friends, l e t t e r f r o m l a n d i s

That’s certainly the case when it comes to our students, who are constantly asked to reflect in ways large and small, formal and informal. It’s there, in honest reflection, where students are led to seek and find the truth. Their truth. Have they worked as hard as they could have? Have they grown as much as they wanted? Were they the kinds of contributors and community members they wanted to be, in class . and out?

POLITICAL AND CULTURAL COMMENTATOR, DAVID BROOKS recently wrote of the miseducation of the young, noting that childhood is “more structured than it has ever been,” at a time when our students are entering a “young adulthood that is less structured than it has ever been.” Arguing that the models of the past—“take that test, apply to that college, aim for that degree”—aren’t preparing students for the unscripted decisions they’ll face the minute they leave school, he ends up making a case for Wildwood School. Later in this issue, you’ll be able to read my own reflection on my first decade at Wildwood, and the reflections of others—students, current and past colleagues, parents, and alumni—on topics ranging from procrastination and failure to positive body image to outreach. I’m especially pleased to draw your attention to an article by elementary alumna Zoe Foxley, a former Wildwood teacher and current parent, who’s written a beautiful testimony to Sherry Varon’s 43 years in the classroom, 37 of which have been in service to children and families at Wildwood. Zoe has known Sherry as her own teacher, her colleague, and most recently as her child’s teacher. Talk about a reason to reflect. Reading the articles in this issue of Our Wildwood, perhaps you, too, will find yourself reflecting on your experience with the people and programs of Wildwood. I’d love to hear yours, and invite you to share with me any reflections you have. Ultimately, everything we do is in service to students. . We reflect on our work, our service, and our support . of the school in the context of how it may have positively impacted the people and programs that surround . the children and young adults of Wildwood. Sometimes that reflection is affirming of what we do. Other . times reflection leads to change and growth. Both . are invaluable.

The questions we require students to consider, the reflections we invite, are

structured in ways that intentionally allow students . to make them their own. I’m reminded of moments . like Isabella G.’s recent 10th grade Gateway, when she . said, “I’m exploring who I am and want to be, and it’s . HARD work.” Hard work is right. Honest reflection is no easy task, yet it is exactly the type of skill that a young person today requires in order to meet the challenge and opportunities that will greet them as they leave the structure and comfort of their home and school lives. Brooks writes that those entering adulthood in the coming years will require an “entirely different set of navigational skills” than those who preceded them.

I think he’s right. That’s why I couldn’t be more proud to offer you this issue and our reflections on Wildwood.

Warm regards,

Landis Green Head of School

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