I want to share three moments, snapshots really, from my wanderings around the school over the past week. Think of them as what Apple calls “Live Photos,” really short videos that move when you tap them. Maybe if you squeeze your eyes shut tightly enough you will see these moments come to life.
#1—This one is less snapshot, more podcast. I was standing outside of the Advancement Office in the basement of the Sixth Avenue building this morning. A long line of third graders marched by on their way to woodshop. Within minutes, the sounds of their labors filled the hall. What sounds, you ask? Hammering, sawing, vices making whatever sound they make, something squeaking, and rasps rasping, and many more dangerously exciting sounding sounds. I love the shop. The power and sense of accomplishment that it gives to the students is remarkable. They take everyday, ordinary pieces of wood and, using tools that most would reserve for adults, the children create tools, instruments, artifacts, confidence, memories, skills, and competence. Amazing!
#2—From the middle school robotics tournament, our first home meet ever. LREI has three middle school robotics squads, one for the sixth graders and one for the seventh/eighth graders, and, of course, our fifth grade robotics club. The sixth grade team is up. The competition is stiff. Tension is running high. A rough go for our heroines and the first snapshot shows their crestfallen faces. Just totally bummed out. But wait, through some miracle of the rules (the organizers recognizing that the difficulties were beyond the control of the contestants), they are allowed another turn. Now a series of snapshots—Nervous as they walk up to the table a second time—CLICK. Faces, tear stained, now determined—CLICK.Two and a half minutes later, the round over, not really smiles, but a look of satisfaction, of growing confidence, and, well, maybe a little smile—CLICK. Immediate growth and achievement.
#3—She is standing at the top of the stairs, giant grin on her face, she sees who she is looking for near the high school reception desk and gives a triumphant thumbs-up—CLICK. This senior had just been admitted to her first choice university and she was telling the adults who had accompanied her on this journey. Then, on the way back to class, one more quick thumbs-up to another teacher through a classroom door. As the teacher moves to the hallway to congratulate her newly admitted student, the whole class bursts into applause. I am so grateful for our supportive and generous seniors. While some have already been accepted, many are still waiting and deciding. They are so supportive of each other, so happy for each other’s successes. This is true for many moments, throughout high school, actually throughout their time at LREI, as our students generally understand that in most, if not all, cases in school there is plenty of success and achievement to go around and the children are not actually in competition with one another.
Three simple moments from the past week. Three deeply important moments that make up an LREI career.