Category Archives: academic excellence in elementary schools

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 →

Posted in academic excellence in elementary schools, global skills, leadership, mental health, mindfulness, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Lessons from the River…#1 Let go and flow with the river.

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 →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, children and sleep, Common Sense Media, education, global skills, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning, technology, the science of emotion | Comments Off on Common Sense Media: New Year, New Rules Around Tech for Students/Children

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 →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, literacy, mental health | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reading with a child can lead to new understanding… for both of you.

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 →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, global education, global skills, mental health, mindfulness, new york times, NY Times, parenting | Tagged , | Comments Off on Safely reopening for the sake of the students (and their families!)

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.

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, global skills | Tagged , | Comments Off on Preparing for reopening began in April!

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 →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, education, global education, global skills | Tagged | Comments Off on Europe 2020 Day 7: BIG Travel Day

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 →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, education, global skills | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Europe 2020, Normandy and D-Day All Day!

Europe 2020, Day #5 Portsmouth to Normandy!

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

So today was a rough one, literally and metaphorically. After a very early (5:45am) wake up call, we left our hotel for the Port to clear customs and board our Ferry to France. We loved our private lounge that the … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, education, global education, global skills, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Europe 2020, Day #5 Portsmouth to Normandy!

Europe 2020, Day 4, London, mostly, then to Portsmouth…

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Today we transitioned from the Underground to a coach for a sightseeing tour of London and then lunch! We saw all the sights around town and then watched the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. After the guard we … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, education, global skills | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Europe 2020, Day 4, London, mostly, then to Portsmouth…