Head of School's Message: November 18

"We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness. Our deepest sense of community comes in mystical moments when we feel at one with everyone. The setting may be quite ordinary;
the experience, extraordinary." Thich Nhat Hanh

 

The Heritage Day picnic is one of those extraordinary experiences that draw the Chandler community together. During a week in which we celebrated our different heritages and students' "I am" poems were posted throughout the campus, we were reminded of our 'unum' as well as our 'pluribus.' To see the fourth-grade in their international costumed splendor dancing at the end of the picnic captured what the week means to the students.

 

Earlier in the day, I stopped by the kindergarten courtyard during morning recess and asked two girls dressed in traditional German costumes where their dresses were from, "Amazon, I think," was the response.

 

Indian saris, Korean hanboks, Japanese kimonos, Chinese gofuku, German lederhosen and African dashikis were well represented. It must have taken much longer than usual to get the students ready for school on Friday morning in their traditional dress. They were magnificent. The extra time was well spent.

 

Thanks to everyone who prepared food for the picnic. The legacies, traditions and customs that the dishes represented could be a curriculum unto themselves. There is much to learn by preparing food and eating together. The Heritage Day Picnic is Chandler's Thanksgiving. Afterschool Director Alycia Brown is the force behind Heritage Week and Heritage Day. The community is grateful for her energetic leadership.

 

On Sunday morning, more than sixty Chandler parents and students gathered in Brookside Park for a community cleanup activity organized by CFA Community Service Chair Jason Wolenik. With trash bags in hand, volunteers spread out to clear trash from the park. The students were keen participants. Serving the community in recognition that much is given to us, and much is expected from us is one of Chandler's core value propositions. Thanks to Jason for organizing and thanks to everyone who participated. Much like the picnic, it was an ordinary setting and an extraordinary experience.