Friday Letter: May 1, 2020

Dear WDS Friends and Families,

Before Covid, WDS was a wonderful school performing a vital service to its community, enriching the lives of many children and youth. Then a new reality set in. Face-to-face classes were canceled. Facilities were closed. Athletics and fine arts performances canceled. Everything seemed to be on hold. But learning was not, and our vigorous upper and middle school virtual classrooms and the energetic engagement of our lower school and early childhood program have proven our resilience. We can provide a progressive and balanced overlay to virtual learning. In fact, the present circumstances provide us with an unparalleled opportunity to become an even better school.

So what experiences can we create with our students? What will WDS look like moving forward? What beliefs will chart our path? What opportunities have emerged that did not exist prior to Covid? Our work starts with imagining what’s possible. Sustaining the school that existed, and growing what is emergent.

My picks for this week: Pandemic article by Lucas Siegel (Alum 2017), published in Connecticut College’s Voices and finally some fiddle, guitar, mandolin and piano music for the heart and soul. The Ashokan Center has launched a weekly concert series called “The Quiet Room” which involves wonderful music by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. It takes place live every Wednesday evening  at 8:00 p.m.

Stay well and make happiness a habit.

David Penberg
Head of School