3 minute read
From the Head of School
–Head of School Danielle Heard
The pursuit of personal excellence
Look around the hallways at Nashoba Brooks School and admire the “works in progress” you encounter at every turn—projects underway and unfinished, yet beautiful in their potential. This Fall/Winter issue of the Bulletin highlights our commitment to the concept of “personal excellence” that is central to our mission— the belief that there is no single path to excellence and that each student is empowered to find their own path to mastering foundational skills, engaging their own curiosity, taking risks, and pursuing goals that challenge and inspire them to achieve ambitious dreams, knowing that the joyful pursuit of continuous learning–not perfection–is the goal.
At Nashoba Brooks we believe that excellence is a product of perseverance and resilience. The most valuable learning comes from the exploration and effort that happens on the way to the final outcome. By making the process–not just the product–of learning visible, all members of the community are able to celebrate the growth that happens along the way. From Grade 6 students rehearsing for an upcoming performance of Shakespeare in Tucker Auditorium to the first outlines of a student’s self-portrait displayed for all to see, our students embrace the creative process and discover that it is okay to struggle, rebound, and continue in their pursuit.
In the newly opened Shilling STEAM Lab, which has become one of the busiests spots on campus since the start of school this fall, students learn the art of resilience in projects large and small. Whether using the CNC router for a Latin project, recording in front of the green screen, or programming a uniquely designed robot for competition, students engage in the iterative design process, knowing that they will rarely achieve their desired outcome on their first attempt. In this issue we look back on the unveiling and dedication of this incredible new space as a key milestone in The Campaign for Our Future. It has been exciting to see students at every grade level engage with integrated curriculum through the STEAM lab, and we look forward to more great work in this space in the months and years ahead. Of course, learning at Nashoba Brooks School has always extended beyond the traditional classroom. This was certainly the case during our annual Winter Weekend celebration in January. In addition to a full weekend of activities, participants had the opportunity to learn through play as our students do every day. At S’mores & More, current families and friends participated in interdisciplinary learning challenges between trips to the s’mores station and hot chocolate bar. Three days of activities including the 80s Dance Party, S’mores & More, and the family skating party added warmth to the season and brought many generations of our community together. Students, parents, grandparents, and alumni joined in the fun.
This fall we welcomed many of our graduates back to campus. It is always a joy to see our alumni and hear stories of how they stay connected with each other well beyond their time here. We are delighted to share highlights from their work, their accomplishments, and their positive impact on their communities in our class notes and alumni spotlights. Be sure to contact us to share your news! We are so proud of our graduates and the many ways they are contributing to our world.
Also in this issue, we recap highlights from the State of the School meeting, which honored the service of Board of Trustees President Jason Robart. Jason shares reflections on his years as a Trustee and his family’s experience at Nashoba Brooks. We thank him for his service, vision, leadership, and legacy which will have a lasting impact on our School for many years to come.
We are fortunate to have so much to celebrate at Nashoba Brooks School. I am grateful each day for everyone who creates this community—our parents, employees, alumni, and especially our students. The spirit, joy, and care you bring to this community are unique, powerful, and inspiring.
Warmly,
Danielle Heard Head of School
