Opal School Blog
What is the relationship between playful inquiry and open systems?
At last week’s back-to-school night, I was asked to speak briefly about Playful Inquiry and open systems. I’m sharing what I said — for families…
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Engaging Families as Partners
This past week, we welcomed families to Opal School for its 17th year. And, as is true so often, we also welcomed change. For new…
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The Writing Kind of Life
“A writer’s notebook is like a ditch – an empty space you dig in your busy life, a space that will fill up with all…
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Focusing Our Intentions for a New Year
It’s a time of reconnection at Opal School. A little more than two weeks ago, Opal School staff reconvened. Last week, students returned. Tonight, we…
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Intentions: The we that I am
“A child’s most sought after goal is to recognize himself in others, and to find in others parts of himself.” -Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the pre-primary…
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Intentions: Interdependence and perspective taking
Dear Intermediate Community families, At Opal School, we see all children as competent citizens with rights. We see them driven to connect, eager to empathize…
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Intentions: Transformation
Dear Families, In this complicated and uncertain world, we believe school is where we learn to be human. And right now, more than ever, we…
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Setting Expectations
As I stepped into the first Day of school in our Cottonwood classroom (children ages 5-7 years), Lauren was just introducing a surprising material to…
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Coming together anew
To be open to others means to have the courage to come into the room and say, “I hope to be different when I leave.”…
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On the edge of Symposium, thinking without bannisters
Opal School’s Summer Symposium begins Wednesday. It’s a frenetic time around the building: having said goodbye to students last week, teachers are setting up their…
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