Category Archives: social emotional learning

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 →

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

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 →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, education, empathy, kindness, mental health, mindfulness, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The difference between nice and kind…

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!

HuffPost: Why I dropped out of the Ivy League

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I read this with great interest as I think about so many students working themselves sick for the “college admissions prize” and then wondering, “no what?” A very compelling read. HuffPost: One student’s perspective on the college arms race, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Admissions, College Admissions, education, Huffington Post, Making Caring Common at Harvard, mental health, Rick Weissbourd, social emotional learning, the science of emotion | Tagged , | Comments Off on HuffPost: Why I dropped out of the Ivy League

NY Times Parenting tips at home for schoolwork…

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Some easily implementable ideas here. And similar to what I am hearing teachers discuss in faculty meetings about what works best in school, it’s also true at home: Remember that consistency is key.   Happy Opening!

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adolescent development, childhood development, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, global skills, new york times, NY Times, parenting, parenting middle school aged children, resilience, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , | Comments Off on NY Times Parenting tips at home for schoolwork…

Common Sense Media New Report on Screens

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Check out the latest from Common Sense Media about screens and sleep for children and parents. There is something for everyone as we think about how much we let  screens rule our lives! Adults, Teens, Sleep and Devices around the … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, Common Sense Media, education, global skills, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Common Sense Media New Report on Screens

Washington Post Opinion on “Just Right” parenting

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This opinion piece in the Washington Post speaks to cultivating trusting, dependable relationships with children as the best possible foundation. It’s seems simple, and yet, I have seen so many examples of this strategy resulting in confident, competent young adults. … Continue reading →

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The Connection between Innovation and Diversity… Frans Johansson

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

My favorite FRANS JOHANSSON quotes: Schools have to prepare students for a world that is constantly innovating and challenging We tend to think that deep expertise is the key to success. All new ideas are combinations of current ideas. What … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, diversity, education, global skills, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged | Comments Off on The Connection between Innovation and Diversity… Frans Johansson

Heading to NAIS in Long Beach this week!

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

  The Annual conference for NAIS is slated to begin this week. It’s usually a combination of “old home week” seeing colleagues and friends from schools across the country and sensory overload, with exhibitions and many sessions to attend, more … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, education, global skills, NAIS, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning, Viola Davis | Tagged , | Comments Off on Heading to NAIS in Long Beach this week!