Head's Up, Kathleen McNamara

Chores at home… everyone can contribute

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Some great suggestions for helping children develop a sense of responsibility, incrementally, for their world.

summer chores for children: teaching responsibility at home

Posted in childhood development, education, parenting in 2017 | Tagged parenting blogs, Seven Hills Walnut Creek, washington post | Comments Off

Reading? Go for it!

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Some great opportunities here to think about the power of reading… And what better time to look at reading? Summer!

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/reading

Posted in Admissions, childhood development, Common Sense Media, education, new york times, parenting | Tagged education, Seven Hills Parent Education, Seven Hills Walnut Creek, summer reading | Comments Off

Admissions Strategy! Attending AISAP…

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I feel fortunate to be attending the AISAP Annual Institute with our Admissions Team, Susanne Goldman and Rebecca Cushing. We are hearing many important messages Including:

the role of “love” coaching and building programs
the value of intrinsic rewards over extrinsic rewards
the need to share the “value added” of our schools
the ways the college admissions process is following the admissions process of many independent schools: focusing on character, fit and core values of our schools

I look forward to putting our Strategic Thinking together and bringing information back to campus!

Happy Summer!

Posted in 21st Century Skills, Admissions, adolescent development, childhood development, education, global skills, Independent School Admissions | Tagged AISAP 2017, AISAP Annual Institue, character education, Seven Hills School Admissions, technology | Comments Off

That’s a wrap!

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

On our final day in Japan, we visited the Meiji Shrine.

Then we headed off to Tokyo Dome City for some fun: ice cream, lunch and some rides!

It was a fun-filled final day and all are back home and settled!

Thanks, Class of 2017, for a great trip!

Posted in 21st Century Skills, education, global skills | Tagged Seven Hills Trip to Japan 2017 | Comments Off

All onboard, we are on our way to SFO!

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Locked and loaded onto plane!

How we pass the time in the airport!

See you all soon!

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Farewell Party and Morning Goodbyes!

Posted on June 25, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

We have said farewell twice! Once Sunday evening and once Monday morning as we waved goodbye to weeping host families!

It was great to have our board chair, Sameer Hilal, present to meet the Kita City officials as the trip moves into February for 2018 and becomes part of the school year program!

And James gave a great closing speech!

It’s a bit rainy as we head off to the Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Dome City, but the rain promises to stop soon! Then we are off to Narita Airport for the flight home.

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Iwai Overnight with great (hot) weather!

Posted on June 24, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

There was a group cooking activity, yummy curry dinner, sleeping in a traditional Japanese hotel, morning exercises on the beach and a stop for lunch on the way back to Tokyo. We also celebrated Charlie’s birthday!

Posted in 21st Century Skills, education, global skills | Tagged Seven Hills Trip to Japan 2017 | Comments Off

Last Day of School Visits and off to Iwai!

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Each group had a different school visit and adventure on Friday. This crew visited a junior high school and learned a traditional dance.

Then we were off to Iwai.

There are lots more photos on Vidigami… to be continued…

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Thursday, June 22, 2017 School Visits!

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

Today we did our small group school visits. There was kindergarten cuteness. Elementary school calligraphy and origami and 6th grade Marching Band and Dodge Ball! Another great day!

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Highlights from Wednesday: Tokyo Tour Day in the pouring rain!!

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

We visited the Tokyo Sky Tree, did a driving tour around the Imperial Palace, visited Asakusa and the oldest temple in Tokyo, and then had lunch and wandered around Harajuku and Takeshita Street for lunch and shopping. All this in sometimes torrential rain! We survived and despite being wet, had a great day!

During lunch, the teachers found a delicious ramen shop