Teachers forge an environment that is supportive, our librarians create a space that reinforces the classroom, and our campus itself echoes a message of caring. So when a child sits down in the library, his or her mind is already resonating with a pattern that makes opening a book the next step, or the continuation, of a journey in learning and imagination. study the wonders of the brain, and one of the more instructive findings concerns the brain’s mirror neurons. They provide the ability to create a representation in our mind of the mind of another. For example, if you are a tennis player and you sit in the stands to watch a tennis match and the ball is lobbed up for a serve — the neurons that prepare your own body to strike the ball activate in your brain as though you and the server were both hitting the shot.
encourage that child to interpret what the picture is saying. There are few pleasures more profound than curling up with a good book; we want our children to read books because we know full well how much pleasure we derive from them. Without books, which contribute so much to understanding all that the world offers, our children will miss the meaning of flowers, the full moon, the expressions on people’s faces.
The concepts behind creating positive behavioral intentions are very much alive here at Foote. Thinking about the library and the concept of mirror neurons and how they work, we can see why our library and our culture of reading work so well. Teachers forge an environment that is supportive, our librarians create a space that reinforces the classroom, and our campus itself echoes a message of caring. When a child sits down in the library, his or her mind is already resonating with a pattern that makes opening a book the next step, or the continuation, of a journey in learning and imagination.
Our library is filled with 47,000 volumes. But yes, we also have computers in our library, strategically placed between the main library desk and the desk where one of our librarians works, to keep an eye on how those computers are being used. Computers are marvelous tools for research, schoolwork organization, quick reference, and soon enough, reading textbooks. We certainly won’t be downsizing our library in lieu of the computer, but textbooks on computer: you bet! We’re finally going in that direction, and I believe it is a good one. We embrace the print book and computers too, because it makes sense to have both.
Here at Foote, we talk often about balance. We have always believed in the fact that individual children learn differently. If reading from a Kindle works for a student, fine. I do believe there’s something very satisfying — from a tactile point of view — about reading from a print book, particularly when reading to a child. Pictures allow the imagination to move in different directions, to
We have a book swap every winter, and the Parent Teacher Council runs two annual book fairs; you can see the pleasure and excitement with which the students discuss the books and the care with which they hold the brand-new books in their hands. For Foote students, the incredible array of wonder-filled books in print is truly a wonderful gift. Our classrooms are filled with books related to students’
Spring 2012
studies, and promote reading in dozens of intelligent ways. Foote is well known for its energetic encouragement of reading of all genres, in all kinds of publications… read where and when you may, we say. Connecticut’s own Mark Twain said, “The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” As part of this year’s reaccreditation process, teachers reviewed and discussed our mission statement and educational philosophy. The newest version of each articulates the belief that our approach to education defines who we are as a school. “The Foote School nurtures a lifelong love of learning and teaching and fosters a commitment to excellence in its students and faculty,” the mission statement reads. “Teachers lead children to ask questions and discover connections; to think and work independently, collaboratively, and creatively; and to learn by doing. Our community values each child, appreciates differences, and challenges prejudice while giving our students the skills to explore the world with joy and purpose.” Books profoundly help us toward these goals. As time passes, new buildings are added, such as the Jonathan Milikowsky Science and Technology Building, set to open this summer. New languages are too: Chinese is becoming a part of our curriculum for the 2012–13 academic year. But some parts of Foote will never change. Our whole-hearted embrace of reading — and books — is one of them.
Carol Maoz Head of School 3