Mark's Corner

Dear CEE Community,

One fall afternoon this year, I found myself reading carefully written advocacy letters from our second graders, on a topic of utmost importance: a request for a pet bunny for their classroom. The letters presented well-reasoned, persuasive arguments, including assurances of the students’ accountability for the potential pet. Children explained how they planned to “give it fresh water and feed it” daily. Some students made a connection to their Classroom Charter, stating how they “would make [the bunny] feel safe, grateful, happy, and loved,” just as they do with their human classmates each day. Reading thoughtful letters like these from our second graders helped me appreciate not only how articulate these students are, but also how much having the responsibility of a pet means to an excited group of 7- and 8-year-olds.

I wrote back to the students with more questions, asking who would care for the bunny during the weekends, breaks, and summers? How would the students raise the funds required for the bunny’s care? And lastly, who would clean the bunny’s cage? I understand the second graders are preparing their responses at the time of this writing and I look forward to continuing the conversation with them.

At CEE, students are encouraged to speak up—for themselves, for others, and for causes they believe in. Children’s active participation in the daily life of the school is an essential component of our mission to graduate joyful, resilient children prepared for the complexities of 21st century life. Instilling self-sufficiency and confidence is of utmost importance to our faculty. I admire how these students felt comfortable enough to come to their teachers, and me, with a proposal that they knew would be taken seriously.

I was pleased, then, when in the same month I fielded several more student inquiries, including two third graders who spearheaded a donation drive to help students impacted by Hurricane Michael. Their efforts brought in over 76 pounds of school supplies for the Jackson County School Board in Florida. Not long afterwards, a Kindergartener came to me hoping to create a “Bike and Scooter Day” when children could bring their own vehicles to school to share with others during recess. I was touched by her thoughtfulness for those around her.

Big or small, from creating a student-driven school newspaper, to founding a service-oriented club on campus, each of these programs began because CEE students had an idea to make their world a better place and took action to make it happen.

It is a simple concept —see something you would like to change and do something about it—and one we can all take something from, too. I am heartened to know that these children will be our future leaders, and that CEE is a place where children are encouraged to prepare ideas that will be listened to, and most importantly, heard.

In gratitude,

Mark A. Brooks Head of School