August 31, 2015

 

Dear Shipley Families:

 

The summer is rapidly ending, and the school year will begin in earnest over the next two weeks. That said, I could not help but smile as I saw many of our students return for pre-season sports this week. The mere presence of students on our campus changes the tone and atmosphere; people become more energetic, involved, and animated, and they seem to be happier. One of my colleagues said it well: “It is so great when the students arrive and we’re reminded of why we do what we do.”

 

As I have spoken with some of our returning students, there has been a common theme: Virtually all of them have loved their summers, the opportunity to do different things, and the time with family and especially friends (and they are ready to be back at school). I feel exactly the same way. The most rewarding time I had over the summer was with my wife and our three children. Since it is much more difficult to get us all together now, I especially value that time. And, although I thoroughly enjoyed spending a few days in Boston (which is where they all are based) to celebrate our youngest child’s 21st birthday, it was the time that we spent together on the beach in Lewes, Delaware that was the highlight.

 

Being together anywhere has always been important to me, and the time in Lewes has always been special. We have gone there as a family since our children were very young, and our visits there elicit the greatest calm and best and most enduring memories. I have long wondered why it matters so much to all of us to be able to be there. Wallace Nichols’ Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do convinced me that in addition to whatever else may be influencing my (our) perspective, the water does impact both our physiological and psychological well-being. It puts us in somewhat of an altered state. Although the book is well worth reading, the basis of it is captured in an interview of Nichols by Eric Niiler of The Washington Post and a review of the book by Nicola Joyce.

In her review, Joyce writes that:

 

Blue Mind is a fascinating study of the emotional, behavioral, psychological and physical connections that keep humans so enchanted with water. Nichols examines seas and oceans, lakes and rivers, even swimming pools and the contents of our bathtubs in a study that is both highly readable and rooted in research. He is a marine biologist whose passion for our planet’s water goes far beyond the classroom. The blue mind of the book’s title refers to the neurological, psychological and emotional changes our brains experience when we are close to water. Nichols draws on science and art, hard data and anecdote, and plenty of experience, to explain our blue mind in detail. Not just what it is, but how we can enter into this state and — perhaps most important — why we should do so.

 

The benefits of nurturing our blue mind go beyond just feeling good. Our blue mind is up against two other common states, as Nichols explains: red mind (stressed, anxious, overactive yet underproductive) and gray mind (numb, lethargic, demotivated and unsatisfied). Red and gray mind states are products of our modern lifestyles, habits and choices. Blue mind is a natural state that we all instinctively know but that many of us have forgotten…”

 

 

It seems as though we should do whatever we can to maximize our time in a blue mind state and minimize the time in our gray and red mind states.

 

Maximizing time in the blue state and dealing with the challenges created by time in the red and gray states of mind is a real challenge for our kids (and all of us). In conjunction with the personal and trusting relationships, our emphasis on character development and emotional literacy and other things that are helpful, our SEED (Social, Emotional, and Ethical Development) curriculum is designed to combat this challenge and to help students develop the skills to understand and navigate these struggles. We know that the more time they spend in the blue state of mind, the greater the chance that they will access and develop their creativity, the more confident they will be, and the more willing to take productive risks – all fundamental to The Shipley Method, deeply rooted learning, and real success.

 

This reality got me thinking about what our goals are for our students (and ourselves) and reinforced our School’s commitment to preparing our children for the 21st century. Although it would be great if our kids could thrive without ever experiencing either the red or gray states of mind, we know that is not realistic given the pace of their lives and challenges they will face. This dynamic is the reason that all of us, parents/guardians and teachers and administrators, need to work together on their behalf to support them and help them find the right path for them to find their own success. With passion and compassion, drive and resilience, understanding and conviction, they will find ways to meet their challenges, develop deep and important learning, and find success.

 

I look forward to pursuing this journey with you, my colleagues at Shipley, and all of our children/students. There may be challenges along the way, but if we believe in ourselves, each other, and, most importantly, our children/students, success will happen.

 

Here’s hoping that the 2015-16 school year is productive, fulfilling, and enjoyable for you and yours. I look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Warmest regards,

 

Steve Piltch
Head of School

 

P.S. I hope you will be able to make it to the events we have scheduled on Saturday, September 19. We will host Super Saturday (from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm), the ribbon cutting for the new Shipley Commons (11:30 am), community barbecue (12:00 pm), and a variety of athletic games (including boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ tennis and field hockey). It promises to be a great day for the Shipley community!