Over the last week or so I have said to myself multiple times how lucky Wakefield students are to attend such a fabulous school. I have also thought about the many ways I would have benefitted as a teenager from the opportunity to spend my formative years at a school such as Wakefield. Finally, I have been considering the multitude of ways these benefits will pay dividends to our students for the rest of their lives. In this week’s Window Into Wakefield I will share some of the observations I have made over the last week that have contributed to my musings on Wakefield and our students.
On the first Monday of each month grades 1-12 gather together in the Upper Gym for all-school assembly. The all-school assembly is a forum for an address from the Headmaster or other guest speaker, presentation of student awards (this past week winners of the History Day competition were announced), and announcements are made. As I watched students arrive for assembly I was struck by the degree to which the students are comfortable expressing their individuality. The uniform limits the degree to which fashion is a form of expression but student personalities do come through in the form of accessories, shoes, and “fit” of uniform. There is a senior girl who wears cowboy boots and a western belt, another who proudly wears her letterman jacket, boys with military style haircuts and boys with shaggier looks. These variations are not what is striking; what is striking is that their style is not governed by social group or allegiance, rather it is an individual display of personality. Further, students show pride in their accomplishments and those of their peers. When a sixth grade student was recognized for winning a History Day prize her older brother, in eleventh grade, stood and applauded her personally. When students are walking, or in some cases running, up to receive their awards they do so proudly, there is no sense of embarrassment about their achievement. This same pride of ownership exists for activities, theater, and athletics. Students move freely and often between participating in the play one season and a sport the next. They write for the paper and play lacrosse. They enter photographs in an art contest and run cross country. Barriers based on social agendas are largely non-existent. Instead students freely explore and celebrate their interests and personality. The confidence and sense of self awareness that results from going to school in such an environment are difficult to quantify but I cannot help but think that if these students have the confidence to stand proud at six and at fifteen they will be able to do that at twenty-two and forty-two. They will make decisions about college and career with a sense of themselves that is much less clouded than that of students who do not feel the social freedom and safety to be themselves during these most formative years.
My second encounter last week that caused me to think, “wow, we are doing something right at Wakefield” was when I was leaving a meeting in the early evening. I was laden with my briefcase, gym bag, purse, and several other items. A ninth grade student who was leaving the building at the same time as me jogged up behind me and said, “Mrs. McDonough, can I carry something for you?”. I declined noting that I had everything tenuously balanced. The student continued to walk with me down the stairs and out to my car making very pleasant and mature small talk and opening doors for me the entire way. As I pulled out of the parking lot several thoughts crossed my mind. The first was that while this student was always perfectly pleasant and kind when I had her in class last year I am not sure I would have guessed that she would be the student to make such generous and spontaneous overtures for an adult so I was struck by the personal growth she had experienced in the last year. I am sure that some of that growth is a result of her home life but I also feel sure that some of it is a result of being in an environment where her recent actions are the norm rather than the exception. The second thought was how pleasant an exchange we had. There are days when my interactions with adults can leave me wondering if manners and kindness are still valued qualities in our society. My interaction with this student was the highlight of my day. She thoughtfully asked about my son, how my class was going this year and shared the highlights of her year so far in an equally delightful way. Our conversation renewed my faith that kindness will prevail and made me appreciate the ways in which Wakefield teachers encourage and foster an environment of kindness and genuine mutual respect.
Finally, yesterday my students were filing out of their eighth grade public speaking class on their way to their daily advisory meetings. The last two students to leave the room were two students who had required a significant amount of redirecting during the class – put plainly, they had been a disruption through much of class. However, as they left the room they each looked me in the eye and said “thank you for class today”. Their thanks were genuine, absent of any note of cynicism. Again, this encounter made me smile and feel reassured that even those students who do not constantly win positive attention from their teachers are getting some of the most important lessons of genuine respect and kindness – even if there is room for improvement.
Students graduating from Wakefield will know many mathematical facts, be able to conjugate verbs in a foreign language, and write clearly and artfully. However, the real value of their education, I think, goes beyond those skills. Students at Wakefield also feel safe taking intellectual risks, they feel comfortable and supported by their peers to explore new extra-curricular experiences, and they take pride in being themselves. Wakefield students will stand proud of who they are, what they have accomplished, and what they dream to do in the future – that is the gift Wakefield parents give their children.
Have a great week!
Sarah
P.S. Current parent Laura has started a MomBlog which you can read by clicking here. Each week she will share her experiences and insights as the mother of a ninth grade daughter at Wakefield.
Upcoming Admission Events and Deadlines
Deadline for Admission and Financial Aid Applications: Friday, January 29. All applications materials must be submitted by this date in order to be considered for the initial review of applications. Applications completed after this date will be considered on a rolling basis as space and/or funds allow. Click here to be directed to the admission section of the Wakefield website for information on the application process.
Open House: Friday, February 12 at 9 am. RSVP here or call 540.253.7600
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