Beginners

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning."

~Meister Eckhart

 

As we start a new calendar year, we often think of things we would like to start doing or do better.  There always seems to be a lot of pressure on making resolutions for the new year.  I have refused to make resolutions the past few years.  I have chosen this path because I always want to be open to change and new learning, not just at the beginning of a new year.   

Each day I look at students and see the genuine curiosity and the excitement when they are learning or experiencing something new.  Every day when they come to school they are beginners in some way.  As adults, we need to remember they are beginners in most everything they do.  They haven’t developed the automaticity for tasks, although we do want that to occur over time in areas that are no longer new.  What we don’t want them (or us) to lose is the willingness to put themselves in a place of vulnerability and try something new.  We all have to start at the beginning when learning or doing something new.  That is an exciting place to be at any time of year!  

Make sure you foster that openness and willingness in your children and in yourself.  Put yourself out there and be a beginner at something with your children.  You are their best role models.  I still remember my mother learning to paint with oil paints when I was nine years old.  I can vividly see her first picture and how excited she was to complete it.  That enthusiasm has stayed with me all these years and I channel that when I am trying something new or something outside my comfort zone (like ice skating)!  Maybe you will set a resolution to be a beginner at something this year or just seize the opportunity if it comes up.  Let’s make 2015 the “Year of the Beginner.”

Last week was the 2^nd Annual Eagle Ridge Academy Scripps Spelling Bee.  Students from 4^th-8^th grade participated.  They started with written tests in their homeroom classrooms.  The top four from each grade based on those tests moved on to the school spelling bee.  Lower School representative from grades four and five our listed below.  Our own Ansh Sharma in 5^th grade was the grand champion from the school spelling bee.  Ansh will be moving on to the next level in the Scripps Spelling Bee process.  Congratulations to Ansh and all participants.  A BIG thank you to Mrs. Kirsten Walker for coordinating the spelling bee this year and to Mrs. Grabanski and Ms. LeVahn for serving as judges. 

4^th- Aniketh H., Lahari H., Ananya S., Sabinav S.

5^th- Simran D., Surya A., Eimaan H., Ansh S.

 

Mr. Anderson was busy over winter break replacing the art work in the Lower School.  He put of some fourth grade projects that connected to their study of Ancient China this year.  Their Cherry Blossom Branches are “true works of art.”  Please read the techniques they used to create these amazing pieces below.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier