Nancy Lang | March 1 | Cougar Chronicle

Dear New School Community,

This week’s Cougar Chronicle highlights what I would call the “true fabric of TNS.” Each blog post is relevant to parents of students of all ages. Mary Sweeney writes about “Conscious Discipline,” our approach to discipline as learning in ECE. When discipline is more about learning than about punishment, it is more effective and enduring. Both Jade House and J.R. Neiswender write about the evolution and importance of reading as critical to lifelong learning. They point to ways parents can partner with our school in reinforcing the joys and benefits of reading, from reading to children when they are younger, to discussing books with older children, to modeling reading for all children. Jonny Schremmer gives voice to our visual arts teachers from ECE through 12th grade, sharing the many ways our teachers have adapted to the constraints of this year, while continuing to make space for the creativity that is core to who TNS is. Jack Sweeney reminds us that despite the fact that one year ago we were beginning to plan for the possibility of a global pandemic, we have weathered this year with strength and community, and we have an exciting spring ahead as we celebrate 50 Years of The New School!

One year ago yesterday (February 28, 2020), I wrote to this community for the first time about COVID-19. On Friday (February 26, 2021), I got my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. So much has changed, but what has remained constant is more important to me. My passion for innovative education drives me on a daily basis. Discipline, reading, and creativity - the themes highlighted in this week’s Chronicle - have provided stability in this past year. We have had the discipline to learn from our mistakes and stay true to our commitment to our students. We have embraced creative problem solving in finding innovative approaches to opening our school in a pandemic. Reading has sustained so many of us this year. If you are looking for your next read, ask a teacher what they are reading! Some upper school teachers inspired me to read “Grading for Equity” this year. Colleagues recommended plenty of wonderful fiction reads that have colored the space created in quarantine days. I’ll be sharing a video clip inspired by “The End of Average” with teachers this week. My current stack of books started includes “The Price You Pay for College” and “Caste.” I have a modest start to a “Head of School Bookshelf” and am always happy to loan books to teachers and parents. Our pandemic operations have slowed the flow of people in and out of my office, but as we move forward, I hope this can provide a great way for all of us to share the books that impact us!

All the best,

Nancy

Head of School