Although Summit families would like to be together looking at books in the Aerobics Room, we are fortunate that Bookmarks has been able to create their First-Ever Virtual Book Fair, designed especially for Summit! It has been a challenge but the great titles and usual fun events that the Summit and Bookmarks teams provide are offered again this year. Thank you for your patience and understanding of this new format, and hopefully, we will be "in-person" next year.
In an environment of political divisiveness, strong opinions, and sometimes aggressive dialogue (especially on the Internet), explaining the root of different values and beliefs to your children can be difficult. We invite you to watch research professor and lecturer Brené Brown as she explores this topic and gives great suggestions on how to speak with your children about this issue.
During the school year, I have the pleasure of regularly discussing controversial historical and current events with Summit's upper school students. In social studies class, we engage in conversations about race, class, politics and religion - topics that students have often been advised to avoid - with respect, kindness and civility. Even during contentious election years, as some students feel joy and delight while others feel anger or pain, we manage to engage in meaningful dialogue without taking sides. It's not easy - but it's pretty incredible.