Fall is here! I see it as a paradoxical time of year, which is, in many ways, a metaphor for life. Although I struggle with the changing weather and dislike waking up in the dark (figuratively or literally), I love the change of season and the energy that comes with it here in school. It reminds me of the mood changes we often experience when we undergo change in our own lives. In order to make the change work, we have to balance the excitement we have about it with the angst, ambivalence, and fear that we may also feel.

As I have written before, my personal transition to the fall takes place just after my daughter and I spend a weekend together at the beach. This has become a wonderful tradition. One of the special parts of the weekend is our final walk on the beach. This year the walk we took represented the paradox of the season—while it was illuminating and enjoyable, it was also distressing. There had been a Northeaster a few days before and significant erosion had taken place. As the tide was high, it was easy to see the effects of the storm. With no sand to walk on in some places, we pulled our sweat pants up and got calf deep in water while we discussed the impact of the weather and the process of the change of seasons. “Daddy, it is amazing how quickly things can change—the damage is unbelievable. Is there any way to reverse it?” my daughter asked.

As she and I pondered the effects of the storm and discussed the longer-term impact of erosion and the ways to deal with it, I developed a greater appreciation for her own growth process. The nature of our conversation was markedly different from those during similar walks last year and the year before. My daughter’s questions and comments made me think in a whole different way. They reminded me of just how important the seasonal changes are to each of us. We grow and change in much the same way that the seasons change—in an ongoing and organic process that never stops. It’s important, therefore, for us to slow down and take some time, be it a few hours, a day, a weekend, or even longer, with each of our kids so that we can note, appreciate, and celebrate the changes and growth in them and ourselves.

Here at school our life revolves around the education of the whole child. On more than one occasion I’ve been asked, “What does that mean?” As I said at the recent Shipley Today program: when we speak of the whole child, we speak of his or her development intellectually, academically, and personally. From an academic perspective, our curriculum emphasizes the development of critical thought and the ability to express that thought in both the spoken and written word. In the same context we want our kids to develop the ability to listen to and respond to different points of view.

Complementing these intellectual and creative skills, we also look for each of our students to develop passion, compassion, and resilience. Whether that passion is for the class room, the art room, the athletic field, the music room, or somewhere else, we believe it becomes transferable later on in life. Similarly, developing an understanding of and caring about and reaching out to others speaks to the ability to appreciate and communicate with a wide range of people in many different circumstances. Of course, resilience and perseverance provide us with the ability to face the challenges and disappointments of life and learn from them. They allow us to take risks, knowing that we can move forward and deal with the disappointments as well as the successes that we will face.

As many of you know, Fox 29 did a special here a couple of weeks ago, looking for “best practices” in schools. They acknowledged the fine academics but honed in on our emphasis on character development and the commitment to the whole child. You can view this piece on our website by following the link from the front page at www.shipleyschool.org. We were appreciative that they focused on the core values of the School and were most touched by it.

In thinking of Fox and the media, I would recommend a few movies to you that deal with process and involvement. Each of them asks us to confront the assumptions that we make, and all of them are about the growth and development, the successes and failures, of the characters involved. They found a place in my heart and are, at the very least, worth seeing on DVD. Invincible is about Vince Papale, a local man who makes it to the NFL as a member of the Eagles, in spite of his lack of experience and opportunity. It is a feel-good movie, and although some people may not like the way Philadelphia is depicted, it is worth seeing. The movie I enjoyed the most this summer is The Illusionist, about a very successful and gifted magician and his relationship with a childhood friend. It gives great insight into the assumptions that we make. It keeps you thinking and is a great deal of fun. Take the Lead is a wonderful piece capturing the impact of ballroom dancing on the lives of underachieving high school students, and Grid Iron Gang, which has some violence, depicts the potential impact of worthwhile programming on kids who have fallen victim to the challenges of life. Take the Lead and Grid Iron Gang both deal very directly with ways to counteract the erosion of kids’ lives in our society.

Finally, as we think about ways to deal with our own personal erosion and look to develop better processes for caring for ourselves and working out, Framework: Your 7-Step Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones, and Joints speaks to our needs. It was written by Nicholas DiNubile, a Shipley parent and the team doctor for the 76ers, and William Patrick. The book helps us to understand the strengths and weaknesses in all of our bodies and to develop the appropriate program for wherever we are in our lives. It reinforces the importance of caring for ourselves effectively over time. It has forced me and many others to reevaluate our fitness programs. As we pursue the education of the whole person, this approach speaks to the development of the whole body.

Here’s hoping the coming weeks of fall lead to crisp thought, heartfelt connections, and fulfilling accomplishments. My thoughts and wishes are with you through this Halloween season as we head to Thanksgiving.

Warmest regards,

Steven S. Piltch
Head of School