Primary Thoughts
Head of School Blog
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A.I. & Parenting
At Back to School Night I made the case that, as parents and educators of Primary Day-aged children, we have the opportunity to avert our children’s paths from the deleterious impacts of phones and social media. As I stated, we need to start implementing the key recommendations of social psychologists who have researched how a
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In Praise of Boredom
In Praise of Boredom Neil Mufson, Head of School I can’t remember the last time I was bored. It is one of the things I love about being a Head of School, a career which gives me enormous variety in the content and shape of my days, as well as in the ages and roles
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“Keeping Imagination Alive”
“Keeping Imagination Alive” Neil Mufson, Head of School One of the hidden advantages of a school that serves only 4 to 8 year-olds is that within our walls, children’s imaginations are completely free and can be fully engaged. Even our oldest students can get engrossed in imaginative play. Beako and magic powder are natural extensions
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The Impact of Kindness
The Impact of Kindness Neil Mufson, Head of School As I was riding to school this week, I heard a report on NPR commenting on this week’s designation as National Random Acts of Kindness Week. The brief piece highlighted a national initiative championed by a non-profit organization called Random Acts of Kindness. Believing that “kindness is
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The Advantages of Learning To Be On Time
The Advantages of Learning To Be On Time Neil Mufson, Head of School As winter churns onward, I have noticed more and more students arriving late to school. Children are supposed to be in their classrooms no later than 8:25 each day. However, you can give your child a significant advantage if you arrive
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Report Cards and Comments
Report Cards & Comments Neil Mufson, Head of School At the end of this week we will post report cards and comments for the first half of the school year. These reports include a summary of the skills and topics your child’s class has covered to date, a personal narrative, and a curriculum-based “checklist”
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The Igloo and the Walking Stick
The Igloo and The Walking Stick Neil Mufson, Head of School This week’s snow reminded of the year I was in fifth grade and we had a huge amount of snow outside of Boston, where I grew up. Mr. Mirasola, the boyish beginning teacher whose class I was in, was probably the only 20-something on
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A Holiday Remembrance
A Holiday Remembrance Neil Mufson, Head of School I believe that one of the reasons I became Head of a school that serves elementary school-aged children is the vividness of memories I hold from those years. Brad Bell is one kid I still remember and think about, particularly at this time of year.
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Modeling Gratitude Beyond the Thanksgiving Table
Modeling Gratitude Beyond the Thanksgiving Table Neil Mufson, Head of School As a kid, it was in the back seat of our family’s mint green Buick station wagon where I learned my most memorable lessons having to do with gratitude, not at the Thanksgiving table. My grandparents, whom we visited often, lived in a
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Being Little Matters
Being Little Matters Neil Mufson, Head of School In my last piece, I wrote about the child perspective Taylor Swift takes on in her song “The Best Day” and how her lyrical memories suggest that what matters most to young children are simple activities, togetherness, and parental presence. Just after publishing that piece, I