BACK TO SCHOOL: ‘Wonder’-ful ceremony on Day 1 at Westside School

high5teachers

Another first-of-its-kind start-of-school ceremony happened today, this time at Westside School (WSB sponsor) in Arbor Heights.

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While loud cheers greeted staffers dancing in the aisles of the school’s big theater space – each group introduced with inspirational “theme songs,” from Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us” to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” – the real call to action came in the form of a fish story.

tedtalk

Westside’s new head of school Ted Kalmus told the assembled students and parents that he had acquired a pet fish that came with the name Wonder. The story of the fish became a tale of how he hopes that everyone will go throughout the year with a sense of wonder – and curiosity, “become the best question-asker you can be.” He invited the students to each take a blue or green “jewel” (the glass pebbles often found in aquariums or terrariums) from bowls at the bottom of the stairs down from the theater, and to hold it and think of something they wonder about.

wssbeads

With that, Kalmus said, the school would be certain to have a “Wonder”-ful year.

1 Reply to "BACK TO SCHOOL: 'Wonder'-ful ceremony on Day 1 at Westside School"

  • Paul September 7, 2016 (8:28 pm)

    Kudos to the Westside staff for their positive and energetic start to the school year!  Best wishes to all the Westside students as well.

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