One of my favorite authors, Mark Twain, once professed, “Make your vocation your vacation.” While my first fall at Bank Street has been anything but a honeymoon, I can honestly say that I feel blessed to pursue my work and to hone my craft in an environment filled with such profound learning, laughter, and love. […]
On the eve of my first Thanksgiving in New York and as Dean of Children’s Programs, I find myself full—both of gratitude and of the gravity of our work. What I sensed as a candidate last year has been borne out in my real experiences and observations of our school; Bank Street is a special […]
David Suter, a multi-media artist renowned for his op-ed illustrations known as “Suterisms,” visited the 12/13s in November to introduce them to the power of editorial illustration. He shared examples from his prolific body of work, which has been published in major newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, […]
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the onset of fall. I, for one, am grateful for the crisper air and the less pungent odors of the street that this season brings. I also hope that you and your children have settled into the rhythm of the new school year with ease and fulfillment. […]
I hope that you found summer’s final unofficial weekend to be peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling. Faculty and staff had an energizing return to school last week, and we are all excited for the arrival of the children over the next several days. The reason for this letter is to remind you if you haven’t noticed […]
In other years and other under different circumstances, I can imagine my Back-to-School letter beginning with sentiments along the lines of “As I prepare to transition from the serenity of summer to the hustle and bustle of the new school year” or “Greetings from the relatively tranquil environs of 610 West 112th Street,” but alas […]
Dear Bank Street Faculty and Families, As you may know, this week the New York Post published another disturbing article about our school and Anshu Wahi’s leadership. The Bank Street College of Education and its School for Children stand firmly behind the courageous leadership that Anshu demonstrated throughout her four years as Director of Diversity […]
Now that the calendar pages have turned to July, I am thrilled to be on board officially as the new Dean of Children’s Programs at Bank Street College of Education. Given the events of recent days, my entry has been a bit frenetic, but I am impressed and inspired by the resolve of this extraordinary […]
On June 17, close to 100 alumni, students, and faculty gathered at Bank Street for the 2016 School for Children Alumni Reunion. The event provided guests with an opportunity to reconnect with each other and mingle while celebrating the College’s 100th birthday and bidding farewell to Dean Alexis Wright. In his remarks, President Shael Polakow-Suransky, GSE ’00, […]
From April 6 – 14, Adam Gidwitz, Bank Street alumnus and bestselling author of A Tale Dark and Grimm and other children’s novels, worked intensively with 9s/10s students in the School for Children on their novel writing as part of Bank Street’s Dorothy Carter Writer-in-Residence program. Throughout the two-week period, Adam guided students in writing, sketching, and […]
Two stories of two teenagers located 400 miles apart in two metropolis US cities 20 years ago inspired one novel that is relevant, important and most of all needed. Jason Reynolds, from Washington, DC, and Brendan Kiely, from Boston, MA, both now living in New York City, visited Bank Street School for Children in early […]
After an extensive search spanning several months, Bank Street recently selected Jed Lippard as its new Dean of Children’s Programs. Lippard’s impressive portfolio as an innovative educational leader was outlined in a letter to the Bank Street community this winter. Recently, I had the opportunity to learn more about him as we prepare for his […]
On Saturday, March 12, 250 or so boys of color, grades 6-12, and their chaperones convened at Ethical Culture Fieldston School’s Riverdale campus for the 3rd annual Young Men of Color Symposium. This year’s theme was “I Am Present: Using My Voice for Action,” a tie in with the novel All American Boys, whose co-authors Jason […]
The Dean of Children’s Programs Search Committee is delighted to announce that Jed Lippard will be our next Dean of Children’s Programs, starting July 2016. Jed is an accomplished and innovative educational leader with deep experience in progressive education. He has worked at two highly respected progressive schools over the last 21 years and maintained a consistent […]
In November, School for Children teachers Gregory David and Maria Richa presented an integrated social studies and art curriculum on biomes at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) in New Orleans. The presentation, titled “Making Experiences Concrete: Learning about Biomes while Making Dioramas,” focused on how teachers can use a blended curriculum to help students understand how […]