Bueller....Bueller....

Last year, I essentially worked two jobs – three, if one counts being a parent.  But at The Beech Hill School, in addition to my responsibilities as Head of School, I taught social studies.  It was an amazing experience, but my day was very full, and I had little time to do anything that was not “critical.”  This year, however, The Beech Hill School is extremely fortunate to have a faculty full of incredible educators, so I can return to focus on my role as Head.  In the opening weeks of school, I have found the reclaimed time to be a great gift, and it has helped me to see how many parts of running a school may not be “critical,” but are really important.

One thing that I have had the time to do again this year is to travel about the campus throughout the class day.  In my wanderings, I have witnessed so many great things, and have gained an even deeper appreciation of just how remarkable the opportunities are for the students at BHS. In just one week, I have witnessed: students gather pond water and discover the microscopic life in it; Dr. Dienes, dressed in full Victorian garb, create timelines with her students about the Victorian Era; 5th Grade students interact and care for their new class pet, a lion’s mane rabbit they named “Fuzzball;” students gather for Mr. Arruda’s movie night,  the student body successfully climb Mt. Major, students in Ms. Fries math class successfully solve the problem of the day before I could; and so much more.  I could write for hours about what I have witnessed in just one week at BHS. 

When I was in 7th Grade, I vividly recall going to the movies with friends to see Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  In that movie, Ferris breaks the 4th wall to tell the audience, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  I am so fortunate to have the chance to look around at BHS this year, because there is just so much great happening and it should not be missed!

Mountain Day 2023

Mountain Day is one of, if not, the oldest tradition at The Beech Hill School. While there are many lessons that are learned on the mountain each year, nothing provides the opportunity to experience perseverance like climbing a mountain.  In Beech Hill School’s founding year, the small group of students and faculty that started the school summitted Cardigan Mountain in a freezing rain that was coming down sideways because of the harsh wind.  Despite the conditions, everyone made it to the top and back down safely.  After that year, we learned to schedule Mountain Day earlier in the calendar, as that experience was quite extreme.

In the following years, we faced a variety of challenges, like the year that we had to postpone Mountain Day because of a hurricane.  Even COVID did not get in the way of Mountain Day, as that year, we hiked Pat’s Peak, in masks.  Whatever the challenge, we have found a way to make sure our students can get out in nature and can challenge themselves.

This year, we had a tremendous hike up Mount Major.  For many of our students, this was a serious challenge, and they all made it.  As the year continues, the ability to stick with it, putting one foot in front of the other, will serve as a great reminder to our students that they can do hard things. 

The Bedrock Beneath the Foundation

On Fridays, the students humor me by letting me expound on topics of my choice during Community.  Faculty have jokingly referred to this as “Rick’s Soapbox.”  This week, I shared some thoughts about the importance of embracing the growth mindset.  Most credit Carol Dweck with the popularization of this concept, which ultimately is predicated on the idea that one’s traits are not fixed.  In other words, despite having different innate strengths and weaknesses, all individuals are capable of improving themselves.

As we finish up the opening weeks of the school year, it is important to remind ourselves of this notion, as students will start to experience struggles for the first time.  Perhaps a test won’t go as anticipated, or a new acquaintance may do something that frustrates, it is important not to ascribe labels.  The individual that struggled on the test is not “dumb”, nor is the frustrating individual a “jerk.”  Each is capable of change.  By keeping our minds open to the possibility of change and growth, we can see the best in ourselves and others. 

At BHS, we can see the direct connection of the growth mindset to principles set forth in the Foundations of Community.  One of our core ideas in the Foundations is Aspiration, and in that principle, it is agreed that “we understand that it is always possible to improve our communities and ourselves.”  Thus, a growth mindset is actually the bedrock upon which our Foundation is built.

In the most practical of ways, a community that embraces a growth mindset is one that is generally positive and hopeful.  This optimism is just one more reason why students at The Beech Hill School thrive.

An Enduring Response

This past Monday marked twenty-two years since the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001.  For most of our faculty, the events of that day are seared in our memories, but for our students, it is simply a part of history.  During Community on Monday, I let our students know of the school’s unique connection to 9/11 and the enduring message of good over evil that The Beech Hill School represents.

On that fateful day, BHS Founder, Emily Ricard was working in finance in the World Trade Center Complex in New York City.  Fortunately, Emily was not physically harmed, but following that day, Emily was so impacted that she made a major life-change, leaving finance to become a teacher.  This decision led to a chain of events that eventually culminated in the founding of The Beech Hill School.

When I shared the story of 9/11 with our students on Monday, I also shared Emily’s story.  On 9/11 so much harm was inflicted on so many, but when one connects the dots, it is easy to see that the very existence of The Beech Hill School is an enduring response to the hate that fueled the perpetrators of 9/11.  Every day, our students are taught to respect one another, to think critically, and to value their freedoms – so that eventually they will become “intellectually curious and capable young adults who will become contributing citizens and informed decision-makers.”

Twenty-two years later, The Beech Hill School is just weeks into its twelfth year.  There is no way that Emily could have realized the enduring, and growing impact she made when the events of 9/11 inspired her to leave finance for education.  As I told the students on Monday – we will never forget 9/11, nor will we ever forget The Beech Hill School’s special connection to it.  Most of all, we continue to celebrate The Beech Hill School as an example of the power of good to prevail over evil.

Setting the Foundation

Unlike many, I got a very late start on the homeownership thing.  For many years, I either worked in boarding schools, where housing was provided as part of the compensation package or in apartments.  As such, when things would inevitably break or wear down, I was trained to contact the maintenance staff.  Meanwhile, many of my friends had ventured into homeownership, and they learned how to care for and maintain their homes.  Eventually, I became a homeowner, and while I do my best, I am not very skilled when it comes to home maintenance and construction in general.  I do, however, understand a basic concept of structural integrity and strength.  The foundation is critical in creating a sturdy structure, or as outlaw country musician David Allen Coe put it, “it’s not the beauty of the building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.” 

As we started this school year, we have spent significant time as a community discussing The Beech Hill School’s Foundations of Community.  The Foundations were created not long after the school was founded and serve as both the footing upon which our community functions and the blueprint which guides it forward.  Aspiration, Engagement, Perseverance, and Respect are the four principle ideas of The Foundations of Community , and throughout the week, new and old students, alike, examined the philosophical and practical ways that these ideas are the bedrock of our school.

As it was the first week of school, we intentionally spent extra time as a community discussing The Foundations.  Throughout the year, we will continue to help the students see the many ways in which The Foundations of Community impact our lives at BHS.  After a week of intentional work with The Foundations, I think it is safe to say that our community is very well grounded and ready to build!