Dear Middle School Families (@home),

 

This week during morning meeting, one homeroom compiled a list life likes and dislikes about being at home. (Likes: "More time with my parents," dislikes: "Too much time with my parents." Ha.) Their list helped me remember that while this season is full of small losses - from simply wandering around our neighborhood with friends to big events now cancelled - there are also some bright spots. Students have reported liking taking up new hobbies, having fewer distractions, and experiencing gratitude for what they have, to name a few. 

 

I have been thinking about the benefits of solitude and how it's distinct from loneliness. Much was written about this several years ago. The book Quiet, about introverts, made headlines, and people inside and outside of education were talking about the often overlooked benefits of unstructured time. Solitude allows you to act according to your own priorities rather than any group's. Daydreaming is essential to the creative process. Studies show that idle time allows us to consolidate knowledge and develop self-regulation. Teens who spend time alone are happier in the long run. The paradox is that solitude doesn't always as appealing as company. But it's comforting to know it has so much benefit. 

 

Below are some snapshots from middle schoolers' experiences in LREI@home this week. These are provocations that began in community on zoom and whose reach may extend into their lives off-line. They include:

 I hope you are remain safe and healthy. Please be sure to read all the way to the end for a few notes and reminders.

 

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Warmest,
Ana