Category Archives: 21st Century Skills

Lessons from the River #3… Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

On the raft with Polly Fredlund, Head of Westover School, CT. One of the best benefits of the Salmon River experience this summer was the ability (and the need) to adopt the pace of nature. We knew when we paddled … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the River…#1 Let go and flow with the river.

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This summer, I had the tremendous joy and privilege of joining 22 head colleagues on the Main Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. Over five days, we traversed 88 miles through Class 2, 3, and 4 rapids. We either … Continue reading →

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Common Sense Media: New Year, New Rules Around Tech for Students/Children

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This is a big topic of conversation at our school, and so many others. The right age to give a child their first cellphone is really up to you. Age isn’t as important as your kid’s maturity level, their ability to … Continue reading →

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The difference between nice and kind…

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

At Seven Hills, we often say to students “when you have a choice, be kind…” This is a great distillation of the “why.” There’s a difference between nice and being kind—even our bodies recognize the distinction. Kindness not only pours … Continue reading →

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On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I am here in Africa for only the second time in my life, the second time in 12 months, as it turns out, preparing for a personal challenge to climb Africa’s tallest mountain. It is sunrise. I am listening to … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, David Brooks, NY Times, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, empathy, global skills, mental health, mindfulness, new york times, NY Times, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, the science of emotion | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

Reading with a child can lead to new understanding… for both of you.

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This is a great reminder of how parents can change the conversation and endorse reading… Reading it aloud has done something to us. Teddy and I take turns, alternating pages. I listen to his voice and he listens to mine. … Continue reading →

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Safely reopening for the sake of the students (and their families!)

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The editorial below, like so many articles and items popping up in all of our newsfeeds, makes the case for the fact that children need to be in schools. At Seven Hills, we are preparing for a safe reopening for … Continue reading →

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Preparing for reopening began in April!

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

As we prepare to resume in person instruction on August 31, this is a good reminder of our priorities and the students’ benefits from being back in school.

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Europe 2020 Day 7: BIG Travel Day

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

We move from France to Belgium today. It’s a six hour journey, broken up by lunch and a short visit to Amiens, France. Right now we are settled on the bus after breakfast and checking out of our hotel. But … Continue reading →

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Europe 2020, Normandy and D-Day All Day!

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Today was devoted to history and solemnity as we visited Arromanches, studied the landing, and took on the roles of different soldiers and paratroopers in groups. Our trusty driver got us through some pretty narrow streets in some tiny villages! … Continue reading →

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