We enjoyed a series of meaningful Thanksgiving activities prior to the holiday, not the least of which was recess in the snow! See a reminder about snow later in these HEADlines. I hope you all enjoyed time with family and wish that you could have heard our kindergartners tell us what they were thankful for: Mom, Dad, my parents, my friends, my shadow, Thanksgiving.

An alumnus named Jeff Clayman, ’84, stopped by school the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Now a cardiologist working at the Lahey Clinic, he told me that his best teachers had been those at Applewild, perhaps rivaled only by those at Harvard Medical School. I used his story at our Thanksgiving assembly to give thanks for the excellence of the teachers who continue today to make such a difference in the lives of our Applewild students. We have much for which to be thankful on this hill.

NAIS National Opinion Poll

Jeff’s remarks remind me of the recent results from a national opinion poll commissioned by our national independent school organization NAIS. When asked to rank 20 characteristics in terms of importance for schools, a random sample of 1,000 adults, including at least 500 who are parents, agreed that “providing a safe environment” and “employing high quality teachers” were paramount (97% of respondents listed these among their top three responses). Including these two, the top ten Most Important Characteristics of a Quality Education were identified as follows:

• Providing a safe environment
• Employing high quality teachers
• Maintaining discipline
• Keeping students motivated and enthusiastic about learning
• Supporting a climate that affirms studying and excelling
• Preparing students academically for college [secondary school]
• Encouraging parents to participate in their child’s education
• Preventing drug and alcohol abuse
• Preparing students for a life and career in a global economy
• Using computers and other technology to enhance learning

As I look at Applewild through this lens, these certainly appear to me to be strengths at Applewild. I wonder, in fact, if we take many of these items for granted. Perhaps we can test our stature with a questionnaire of our own. Certainly Jeff Clayman’s testimony about the strength and commitment of our faculty is frequently echoed by our parents. Our emphasis on Core Values, on encouraging students to discover their passion, and on academic preparation and success, understood broadly to include arts and athletics (and technology!), certainly provides a positive, productive, wholesome climate. And we emphasize partnership with our parents.

At the same time, a finding from the NAIS survey reinforces what we know about marketing independent schools. When asked if they knew about independent schools, 61% had no knowledge. “Among the 39% who did know about independent schools,” the report states, “fewer than half knew enough to rate them. And, fully 42% responded that there were no independent schools in their area.” Independent schools are often, in other words, “best kept secrets.” This is why I have emphasized that it is so important for our families to spread the word about Applewild’s strengths.

School Cancellations and Delayed Openings

Please review the Family Handbook information about school cancellations. WEIM no longer simulcasts with WGAW, and WLVI (Channel 56) has been added. We are heading into the time when such knowledge may be important to refresh. Also, as a general reminder, please understand that I cannot anticipate your local driving conditions. If we are open but you are insecure about the drive, exercise your own good judgment.

Holiday Preparations

We began our celebrations of the holidays with the opening play of our season this Thursday and Friday – the Fourth Grade play There’s Nothing On, directed this year by Erin Schlesinger. She and Frank Bonanno will be busy with final Holiday