From Mr. David's Desk
Dear Torit Families,
Teachers have done a great job establishing routines and settling our youngest students as they learn that parents and caregivers will return at the end of the day. This is an important first step in giving children confidence and independence.
Our toddler and preprimary students know the ropes in many ways, but they have to be reminded that they are capable and can respectfully care for themselves and others. That might mean a gentle directive to clean up after a meal or wash. But they get it. They understand what is being asked of them even if they can’t respond with complexity.
By the time Torit students reach elementary, they are the most independent and the most self-aware. They’re learning to read (in English, Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish) and reading to learn. They’re developing into ethical beings, and their interpersonal skills are flourishing.
That developmental transformation is amazing to witness over and over. As parents, we might see it once or twice. As educators, we see it with an “n” of 6 to 18 every year, multiplied. Torit teachers average about 7 years of experience here, so their Torit “n” equals 40 to 125. For those of us who are lifelong educators, it’s closer to n=1000.
Why does that number matter to you? With n=40+, Torit teachers can make some observations and generalize in ways that you might find helpful. Please use your children’s teachers as resources; they are here for you, as am I.
I also want to share a video on parental mental health from Harvard’s Chan School. It’s 45 minutes and worth the time. Here’s the summary: Parents are facing unprecedented stress, but "good enough" parenting is actually healthier for child development than striving for perfection. If you have a chance to watch this, I’m eager to hear your response.
Switching gears, I want to take a moment to remember the events of 9/11 twenty-five years ago. In 2000, before we moved from NYC to Pittsburgh, my wife and I would often meet for lunch in the area between the north and south towers. We watched in horror the events of that morning along with my 9th grade English students, all squished into my boarding school apartment. To those who lost loved ones, my thoughts are with you. To all of us who were in the US then, may we remember the sense of unity we felt in the days immediately after.
And finally, Shana Tova, or Happy New Year, to those celebrating Rosh Hashanah. It’s 5787 on the Jewish calendar. May the new year be a sweet one.
Kind regards,
David Liebmann
Head of School