November 26, 2019
On GivingTuesday, help make generosity go viral
Holidays in the United States center around the values of giving and gratitude. But, these values can often be eclipsed by the lure of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, shifting our focus from the needs of our community to our own personal wants. Fortunately, seven years ago a group of do-gooders in New York […]
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November 14, 2019
Accreditation Explained
We rely on independent reviews to validate the quality of all kinds of goods and services. It's no different for schools, which undergo accreditation every five years. How does the school accreditation process work, and what does this credential mean for our learning community?
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November 7, 2019
Building many skills necessary for life
As the Director of Equity and Community Engagement, I have the privilege of working with students in a variety of capacities. Whether it’s supporting students who are doing a coat drive for local migrants, getting excited about what prototypes our students are creating for the Conrad Entrepreneurship Challenge, or working with students through dialogue, our […]
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October 31, 2019
We are because you are
Our community extends beyond our students, staff, administrators, faculty, and alumni to include all CA parents — each an automatic member of the PTAA — all bound together by a commitment to our kids and to CA’s vision of educational excellence. In ways big and small – as leaders, educators, caregivers, cheerleaders, chauffeurs, volunteers, and constituents — the PTAA is a core component of the magic behind CA’s tight-knit community. But, who is the CA PTAA?
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October 24, 2019
“Hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.”
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus stated, “The only thing that is constant is change.” Lately, I find myself thinking a lot about this concept, along with human behavior and resilience. My department and I are usually perceived as being easy-going when it comes to change. After all, it is the defining norm in the technology world. […]
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October 17, 2019
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day is November 1st!
Fearless leaders. Unwavering supporters. Enthusiastic cheerleaders. Wise advisors. Epic storytellers. Family historians. Grandparents wear many hats. At CA, we recognize and celebrate the many important roles that grandparents and other special friends play in the lives of our CA families. And, next month, we look forward to honoring these important members of our extended community […]
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October 10, 2019
Education in the Round
The junior was standing in front of U126. Twenty students had scattered themselves about the classroom, slouching in chairs, sprawling across the couch, or propping their elbows on tables. They were chatting and surreptitiously scanning their phones and trying to ignore my presence. I had walked in, a few moments late. “Ok,” the junior said, […]
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October 3, 2019
Great Tour Guides Don’t Walk Backward Anymore
I wasn’t destined to be a tour guide. For both my independent high school and undergrad college communities, I lacked the prerequisite skill of walking backward while talking. I always envied those who could, as meeting new people and talking about my school were both activities I enjoyed. Perhaps that is why I started my […]
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September 26, 2019
Starting-up Startups
I arrived in our nation’s capital after a sleepy five-hour bus ride with the junior class. As I stepped off the bus on to The George Washington University’s campus, I looked around at the many students, food trucks, and scooters. The energy palpable, I was struck by GW’s intimate campus environment despite its location in […]
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