Tag Archives: Seven Hills School

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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NYTimes: Teens and Phones on the return to school…

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

Yes, we need to reclaim being together, in person, when school starts…

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50 Books to Read before Age 12

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

So many of these staple read alouds at Seven HIlls… https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/50-books-all-kids-should-read-before-theyre-12

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Osaka, here we come!

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

We are on the plane and on our way to Osaka. More to follow here with a daily update! Happy Trails with 28 members of the Class of 2017!    

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The Secret to a Meaningful Life…Study of Introverts vs. Extraverts

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I am intrigued by Little’s notion that a personality trait does not have to dictate what personal projects one takes on. I even think the notion of a personal project is foreign to many of us. This concept of what … Continue reading →

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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  

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Teenagers fighting with their parents

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

This link has some terrific reminders about picking your battles, picking your times and not going after everything. For parents, it can be hard on us, but helping them form their identity by NOT interpreting everything is important. Read away! … Continue reading →

Posted in education, NY Times, parenting, resilience, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning, the science of emotion | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Science of Emotion: Dacher Keltner

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The first of our Seven Hills School Parent Lecture Series events was a tremendous success! As parents, neighbors and friends of the school exited Hunt Hall, the refrains were resoundingly positive: “I could listen to him all day.” “I’d love him … Continue reading →

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How girls sometimes choose to hurt each other…

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Having attended and worked at all girls schools, I have enjoyed the research out that uncovers how women need to support each other and that we need to model what we do in front of girls. We can be each … Continue reading →

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Are we sending the right messages about what’s important?

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

After all, college admissions is a beginning, not an ending. This is a serious and honest piece about the damage we unwittingly inflict on children when we focus on the immediate outcome, rather than the long term journey… I think … Continue reading →

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