Category Archives: mindfulness

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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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

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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What we know about children and the outdoors…

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The beauty of school in Northern California is our ability to be outside every day, all year round… The Benefits of Learning OUTSIDE

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Why we ned to value kindness over achievement… The Atlantic Monthly

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This article by Adam Grant and Allison Sweet Grant reinforces so much of what we mean when we say “Whole Child” at Seven Hills School. Enjoy! Stop Trying to Raise Successful Kids  

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adam grant, childhood development, education, global skills, kindness, Making Caring Common at Harvard, mental health, mindfulness, parenting, parenting middle school aged children | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Why we ned to value kindness over achievement… The Atlantic Monthly

Shiza Shahid: finding the path of your own greatest impact…

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Shiza Shahid is a force! She, too, has a compelling personal story that had an unplanned and amazing intersection with Malala. What an inspiring speaker and thinker who is focused on making an impact in the world, and making sure … Continue reading →

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Busy People NEED quiet time… Harvard Business Review

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The case for slowing down and cultivating a mindfulness practice has never been stronger. In our busy modern lives, we need to find quiet time, for thinking and reflecting and expressing gratitude. I am confident that our students, who are … Continue reading →

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Empathy and Kindness, now more than ever…

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

  How to foster empathy and kindness in children This article in the Washington Post is timely as we help children navigate not only their own relationships, but watch the tenor of the presidential election this fall, and sometimes even … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adolescent development, adult development, childhood development, Making Caring Common at Harvard, mindfulness, parenting, resilience, Rick Weissbourd, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Mindfulness as a tool to pay attention, listen and express gratitude

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I shared this in our faculty meeting last week. Interesting, for sure… TEDx Talk: Dr. Kristen Race on Mindfulness  

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, education, gratitude, mindfulness, parenting, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment