Out of Darkness, Balance and Community

September 11 is not an easy day for many of us. And for those of us from New York City, like myself, it is an even harder and stranger day. 

On my college campus, I remember watching falling towers on the TV screen, wondering about the whereabouts of my parents who worked in Chinatown, just a mile away from the World Trade Center.

Out of Darkness

For me, September 11 reminds me of the complexity of the world. It hints at the rage and terror that lives inside hearts, and the war, poverty, insecurity, and desire that fuels this terror.

It reminds me that this potential for darkness is in each of us. Whether we are mad at someone in our household, or mad at the world, this ability to implode and explode is within each of us. It reminds me that in order for balance to be restored around the world, we must educate a new generation of students who can hold space for complexity, who have the power to transmute hard emotions, and provide the leadership necessary to solve deep-rooted, difficult problems. 

21st Century Skills: Balance, Integration, Leadership

At Springwell, we hone our skills of inquiry, empathy, listening, observation, visioning, expressing, reflecting, innovation, and so much more. We aim to provide these skills to Springwell students so that students may emerge as leaders with a sense of balance and integration, unafraid to act despite their fear.

Yes, out of darkness does come light.

Out of darkness also comes the ability to transcend fear of darkness. What's at stake is a future of restored balance, wholeness, and integration for ourselves, our families, our society, our world. This is the transformative power of innovative education.

Some Light for You Today

To provide some light for you today, our Springwell Parents have given permission for us to share video of our class Welcome Song: "Fanga Alafia."  The children are learning this African American welcome song that has roots from the Yoruba and Vai languages, along with an African American folk melody. During these first weeks of school, the children are studying and determining for themselves what it means to be in Community. 

If you are interested in Springwell, there are still a few spots left in our Kindergarten to Grade 4 mixed-age classroom.