Recess

I had a wonderful tour and visit at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Saratoga with Victoria last week. Thank you, Victoria! In my admissions role, I try to visit a few schools each year to tour and observe, ask questions, and learn about processes, successes and challenges. My time with Victoria was less about admissions and more about the total visit and the work we are doing together in our BATDC group.

After walking around, going in and out of classrooms, and talking about teaching and learning, we were able to chat a bit inside. No more than 10 minutes passed when Victoria, Lower School Director, was summoned to cover pre-kindergarten recess for an absent teacher! Without missing a beat, we walked outsde to the pre-k playground and spent the next 20 minutes watching the kids negotiate, socialize and play together on the wood chip covered playground. (They make the best sandy chocolate chip pizza, by the way!)

As literature such as Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind" and Stuart Brown's "Play" populate bookshelves in school classrooms and corporate America's high rise offices alike, I am reminded at the importance of taking "breaks" more often -- whether planned or interrupted. Although impromptu, it was refreshing to cover pre-k recess duty and continue our conversation on the playground. I also think it is so important that the kids see all adults (faculty, staff and administration) in a variety of places and capacities on campus. It was fun to engage with the four year olds, and eat their pizza too!