Dear Watershed Community,
As returning students and families know, I often send notes to the community on Thursdays to reflect on something happening at school or beyond, to share ideas about learning and teaching in the world today, and sometimes just to share some updates. Today I write to honor a real milestone in the history of Watershed – our new campus! Watershed, of course, has never been a school that is about the buildings. We are about the people and the program. We are, and have been, a school that is about learning out in the world. But what a blessing to have a campus that truly fits our program, that gives us roots in the community, and that serves as the base camp from which we adventure, learn, and contribute to the common good.
As I made the turn into campus from Lookout Road onto Spine Road the other day, I reflected on our actual location: Watershed is at the intersection of Lookout and Spine. How fitting! Indulge me here.
As a school, we are always looking out toward the future, thinking about how best to prepare students for lives of contribution, purpose, and joy. We are on the lookout for new ideas and approaches for better learning. We are on the lookout for changes in our world so we can think about how to build our program to prepare students for their future. However, while we are open to (even excited by) new ideas and approaches, we have, as they say, a spine – a backbone. We know who we are, and will stand up for what we believe. We stand up for the idea that young people deserve an education that is relevant and purposeful. We believe they should have the opportunity to explore questions and challenges that are real in the world, and alive in their hearts. We believe in the power of young people – to use their learning to make a difference in their communities. We believe in the importance of community and relationships. These commitments – our spine – can be traced back to the very founding of Watershed School.
There's no better place to do this work, the work of Watershed, than at the intersection of Lookout and Spine.
Welcome to the new school year!
Warmly,
Tim
