Last Friday I saw three Robins in the tree outside of my daughter’s bedroom window.  Today I heard an orchestra of birds chirping around my house as the birds seem to be returning for Spring.  With the 10-Day forecast in Baltimore in the 50’s most days, it’s going to feel so great!  We DO still have another month until the official Spring Equinox on March 20th, but let’s allow ourselves to savor these next days of warmer weather and sunshine. In the last 75 days of the school year, we have a lot to accomplish -- stay on track with our [...]

  Between the 100th day of school on Thursday and Rollin’ With Your Sweetheart on Friday, last week was amazing!! Thank you to all of the families who came by the school on Friday to pick-up a goodie bag, make a yard sign that highlights something about the school, and spend some time outdoors and socially-distanced, enjoying the DJ and each other.  What a special afternoon. Rollin’ With Your Sweetheart is the manifestation of an idea that came from the Culture of Care Committee that consists of parents, caregivers, Mr. Jerred, and Ms. Lauren.  It was so amazing to see the [...]

On Friday, I announced that the CNH Board of Directors voted to provide targeted in-person instruction beginning on April 12. Leading up to April 12, staff, board members, and family volunteers are going to work collaboratively to identify to what capacity and frequency we can safely reopen,  ensure that the school building meets all criteria in the BCPSS Standard Operating Procedures for reopening school buildings, and plan how we will best meet the needs of our students both in the school as well as online. Each week, I will post ways in which you can participate in this process. At this [...]

I used to teach a graduate course focused on the History of Art Education. The course had historically used THE pivotal text in the field so I used the same text when I started teaching the course.  According to THE pivotal text, only DWMs, as I called them, (Dead white men) impacted the field of Art Education. Well, except for Maria Montessori who got basically a paragraph nod in the book.  Upon further analysis, the book did not acknowledge the different goals and expectations for Black, Brown, and Native Americans versus White Americans when public school was developed in the U.S..  [...]

If you could tell the world what our school is about, and what we stand for, what would you say?  You have the opportunity to amplify an aspect of our school for the community by making a yard sign (or two)! Come by the school any day between 10:00-2:00 to pick up a yard sign and Sharpie marker -- as you see the materials are in the front lobby and are easy to grab and go.  Exclaim what makes our school special and impactful on a sign and bring it back to the school to put it in our front yard. [...]

I am participating in a Meditation Challenge on the 10% Happier app. Today’s lesson was focused on overcoming life’s challenges, especially in this difficult time. They reminded us that we have survived 100% of our life’s challenges. This statement made me think about the quote from James Baldwin above. Part of overcoming obstacles is to face them, consider what can be changed, and focus on what we can do. When the obstacle extends beyond us as individuals to the larger community, I like to focus on how we can link arms to hold each other up and face adversity as a [...]

In light of the events of this past week, the past four years, and honestly our lifetimes, it is important that we articulate our commitments as a community for creating a loving, equitable, fair, and discerning community. It is also important that we are able to articulate that we stand against racism, bigotry, hatred, and intolerance. Here is one small action I have made for our community -- I ordered 120 orange yard signs and chisel-tipped Sharpie markers for students and staff to pick-up and make a sign that states each family’s commitment for the CNH Community. Each yard sign will [...]

Happy New Year from my family to yours!  This year, we celebrated in true pandemic style -- dressed from the waist up, pajamas from the waist down.  Gotta have a little fun, you know? Usually during breaks from school, I like to get out of my head and into my hands.  I work on projects around the house, dive back into my own artmaking practice, cook elaborate meals, and simply spend time with loved ones.  This year pretty much followed suit -- I renovated a bathroom, finished making a coffee table, reorganized my studio, played with Aruna, and relaxed with my [...]

We start our short week with the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice. What a poetic way to lead into vacation -- each day after Monday will progressively be longer and with more light after the Winter Solstice. Let’s mark this day as a turning point where we are looking toward the light with great anticipation.  I am so grateful for your partnership throughout this year.  Maybe after Winter Break I will be able to find the words to describe what this year has been for me, but for now I cannot and am simply grateful to you.  Our [...]

  What does Family Arts Night look like in a Virtual setting?  It looks like a celebration.  It looks like education. It looks like community.  It definitely looks different than Family Arts Night in-person.  And, it’s just as special. Big thank you to Ms. Breai, Mr. Bush, and Ms. Cohen for the many, many hours it took to put this event together in such a seamless way.  As the year continues, we plan to continue to translate in-person school, events, and celebrations to an online format so that we can continue to connect as a community and celebrate the rich and [...]