Tag Archives: Julie Cavanagh

How Long Do Spiders Sleep? – A conversation with Richard Lewis and Kristin Eno

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In previous blog post, Julie Cavanagh, principal of P.S. 15 in Brooklyn, said that children have made their hopes for returning to school very clear. She said that they are craving “play, play, play.” They need to play so that they can socially and emotionally heal from the isolation and fears of the past 15 pandemic months.

In this conversation, Richard Lewis and Kristin Eno make a second visit with me to talk about how observing our students at play allows us to pose questions that will build on their natural curiosity and take children on a journey of exploration, conversation, questioning and magical thinking. Richard and Kristin’s ideas will be so helpful for teachers and parents in creating a return to school this fall that will be filled with gentle joy and healing for children and for teachers.

 

Working Against the Odds: Four New York City principals discuss the challenges of this past year and their dreams for the future

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On Thursday, June 3, I met, on zoom, with  four New York City elementary school principals so that they could reflect on their challenges these past 15 months and on their hopes for the year ahead.

Bob Groff is principal of  P.S. 244 in Flushing,Queens. Dana Rappaport is principal at  P.S. 234 in Tribeca, Manhattan. Gabriel Feldberg is principal of the progressive public school that was started by Deborah Meier in the 1970’s, Central Park East One, in Harlem, Manhattan and Julie Cavanagh became principal, during the pandemic, of  P.S  15 in  Red Hook, Brooklyn.

I initially presented to the four of them a list of challenges school leaders might have faced. It turns out that I only touched the tip of the iceberg!

Thank goodness we have these dedicated men and women to navigate the schools and care for the children, teachers and families who have, in all different manners, been traumatized living through this pandemic.