On November 26th, ASB held a Remembrance Assembly in honor of an incident and to call for a preferred future. As President Lincoln once so powerfully reminded us, “we cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor. That, perhaps, is the greatest lesson of Thanksgiving. To those to whom much is given, much is required.” So, as we set our sights on a future, let us all pledge as a family and community to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive all year long. For, more than any other holiday, it reminds us of the importance of family and community and the duty we owe to each other from over 51 nations. A year ago today, tragedy hit this city. Yet the spirit of compassion and thanksgiving brought us together as neighbors, friends, and a community. The entire ASB community shares in the reflection of last year and with a hope for a different future. A special thanks to our musicians, speakers, and the team for preparing our special morning assembly.

We endorsed the Charter for Compassion that was launched globally on November 12th. This video explains the Charter.

Affirm the Charter by becoming a fan on Charter’s Facebook page.

We’re excitedly preparing for our first TEDxASB event! The theme of our event is “Dreams for the Lives of Others”.

Enter to Learn and Serve is our school’s motto and the motivation for us to host TEDx events for our community. Our school’s mission is to “inspire all of our students to continuous inquiry, empowering them with the skills, courage, optimism, and integrity to pursue their dreams and enhance the lives of others”. On December 1st, we will focus on service in the fields of education and health, and engage in discussions about ways to empower our community to become more involved with local issues. Speakers will move us to dream about what is possible and motivate us to strengthen our commitment to serve others. The two speakers for our first TEDx event are Ms. Shaheen Mistry and Dr. Bill Magee.

Shaheen Mistry is the CEO of Teach for India and the Founder of Akanksha Foundation. The World Economic Forum has named her among the “Global Leaders of Tomorrow”. She is also an Ashoka fellow. An alumnus of Tufts University and Manchester University, Shaheen founded Akanksha Foundation in 1989 with the vision to provide children from all strata of society with the education, the skills, and most importantly, the character that they would need to lead empowered lives. Akanksha means ‘inspiration’ in Hindi, and Akanksha Centers provide supplemental education for poor children living in slums. The opportunities she provides are designed to supplement what they receive in government-run schools. Akanksha Centers operate before and after regular hours in donated spaces such as private schools, colleges, corporate offices, and science centers. Akanksha Foundation also provides formal education through Akanksha Schools.

Dr. Bill Magee is a leading plastic and craniofacial surgeon who founded Operation Smile in 1982 when a group of medical volunteers traveled to the Philippines and saw the hundreds of children who were scarred by deformities. Operation Smile’s mission is to “mobilize a world of generous hearts to heal children’s smiles and transform lives across the globe.” Every year, this non-profit organization provides free reconstructive surgery for hundreds of children and young adults in underdeveloped countries who have cleft lip or cleft palate deformities. Since 1982, thousands of volunteer healthcare professionals from Operation Smile have treated more than 130,000 children worldwide for facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. The organization currently has a presence in 51 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency. Follow the work of Operation Smile – World Journey of Smiles.

Both Shaheen Mistry and Bill Magee are living their passions and dreams. I believe that the work and personal stories of these two leaders will energize all of us. This TEDx event will support many initiatives that inspire us to grow as a learning community, foster a culture of ideas and innovation, and engage us in meaningful ways to move towards action in local neighborhoods and around the world.

Nick spoke to the elementary school about encouragement, love, doing one’s best, never giving up, making a difference, and being thankful. Nick also poignantly shared a powerful message of dealing with failure and disappointment. “You get up and try again…. it’s how you are going to finish the race”. Nick spoke to our middle and high school about the courage to encourage, making a difference, and the fact that you first must care for your neighbor before caring for the world.

A very special thanks to the Young Presidents Association, Laura Entwistle, Ashok and Reena Wadhwa, for bringing Nick to ASB. Nick’s time with ASB was exceedingly meaningful. A full video of Nick’s MS/ HS presentation can be viewed here:

Nick Vujicic from ASB India on Vimeo.

 This is a link to Nick’s short film, “Butterfly Circus” that was just released at the Toronto Film Festival.  Do take the time to watch it. It is a beautiful story of hope (with an uncomfortable beginning), but a really incredible short film!

www.thedoorpost.com/hope/film/?film=4dd298f102c77b625cf37a9e7744ac68

Nick dreams and makes a difference.

Our Distance Learning program was an incredible experience on all fronts! It was a delight to witness the positive vibe, the enthusiasm, and the engagement of our faculty and staff as they wrestled with the challenge of delivering high-quality and meaningful learning engagements from afar. The conversations and discussions were energizing. They provoked all of us to think deeply and differently about pedagogy and learning. We all learned what it means to teach and learn at a distance while we were doing it. It felt like building a plane while flying it. The entire exercise generated a tremendous amount of positive energy to learn new technology tools and processes in a very short time span – TWO DAYS! The experience has dramatically elevated each teacher’s confidence in their own level of tech proficiency and their understanding of tech integration.

We can’t believe that this whole distance learning thing was so easy!! Surely did not expect it to be!! Finally something we don’t have to run for help to the tech guys for coz now even we know what to do!!”

Having survived two days of distance learning, I just want to say that if anyone wants to do a workshop on this experience – I’m on!! It’s been so difficult, but so rewarding!”

All teachers became software evaluators, technology teachers, and tech integration coaches and facilitators . . . all at the same time. Our community had undergone three emotionally exhausting experiences in the past year. This Distance Learning experience has re-energized our entire community and made it even stronger. The unplanned situation tested our systems and people in unique ways. It made our teachers scrutinize their practices and rethink and transform pedagogy and learning. The experience gave an opportunity to those who are natural risk-takers to explore new tools and new ways of enhancing student learning. We witnessed the most unlikely teachers becoming experts in tools and offering to share their learning with their colleagues. We saw teachers demonstrate a dramatic appetite for new ideas and tools to present instruction in an interesting way. Teachers have begun finding new tools on their own; they play with it, and within a couple of days ask us to consider acquiring licenses so others can use it. Our distance learning program, though still in its infancy, is pushing us to evolve a program that we can continue to develop and leverage in numerous ways.

Stay tuned for Distance Learning 2.0 @ASB!

The thoughts and prayers of the entire ASB community are with the Mendon family.  A heartfelt tribute from the family remembers Asher.

With sadness,
Dr. Paul Fochtman

Remembering Asher

On July 6^th 2009,
Asher, our beloved son’s life was cut short at the mere age of 18. He was a
wonderful blessing, a treasure from above. His laughter, warmth and special
charm, his thoughtfulness and love brought us a special joy that comes from
deep inside. As he grew to manhood, he filled our hearts with pride. With every
year that passed he was more special than before. Through every stage, through
every age, we loved him even more. We loved his laugh, his smile, his
everything, we loved our son. No words can describe the warm memories, the
pride and gratitude that came from having a son we loved and cherished.

While we indulge in nostalgia of our beloved son, his essence surely lives on
within our hearts. No words we write could ever say how sad and empty we feel
today. We will brave the bitter grief that comes and we will try our best to
understand our young son so dear, for all our love and memories we hold forever
near.

We remember…..

• As a baby when he was weaned of breast feeding he
  drank straight from the cup and never from a baby bottle.
• We longed to see him crawl but he just held on to
  objects and walked.
• At a tender age he loved to build with LEGO but
  not once did he, ever refer to the instructions, he could just build seeing
  the picture. He combined different models to create his own version.
• If there was anything he hated the most it was
  going to the dentist and once even before the dentist could start on his
  teeth he began to yell as if he was in pain.
• One of his obsessions as a child was dinosaurs
  whose names he could pronounce no matter how difficult.
• His talents as a musician started at an early age
  when he could play the guitar perfectly while it was held behind his back.
• On our trip to an amusement park in the Netherlands
  he was amused with the comically designed bins that laughed when fed trash
  so he spent the day throwing trash in those bins.
• When visiting the National History
  Museum in London we could not
  tear him away from the dinosaurs section as he wanted to start his own
  research and excavation at that very moment.
• Swimming was only fun for him at the hot water
  springs on the outskirts of Rome.
• When it came to bicycling it took him only an hour
  to master it without help.
• He won the very first chess game that his father
  was teaching him to play and never lost ever since.
• He had a fascination towards reptiles and once in
  our New York home when a snake was found inside and we were terrified, he
  demonstrated his care for the reptile by not hurting it but scooping it up
  and letting it free into the garden.
• He never hesitated to help with the laundry or
  setting the dinner table which he did meticulously.
• His culinary and baking skills of desserts were an
  extension of his love for food.
• Brand names meant little to Asher as he set his
  own trends, his white t-shirts and blue jeans were legendary.
• His notorious witty sense of humor left every one
  amused and puzzled at the same time.
• In spite of being asthmatic he excelled in sports
  such as soccer and basketball.
• Music was his constant,
  no matter the genre from classic rock to house.
• His artistic mind flowed out in the form of
  intricate sketches.
• He was a very nimble dancer whether it was break
  dancing or ball room dancing.
• He physics and engineering skills led him to build
  his prize winning catapult from scratch.
• His grasp for knowledge was so sharp that without
  attending class or opening his text book he could secure a good grade.

There are many
memories in our mind, some we laugh and some we cry. The times we shared, the
laughs we had, things we miss when we think of Asher, realizing that’s all we
have to hold on to, only memories, of what he once was. When the mist finally
fades, reality will sink in and the truth will be here to stay.

Although we are
lost in solitude now, we look forward to spring. Spring is about deluges of
raindrops, sunny days pushing past huge, grey clouds, impatiently waiting for
the weather to get better. So, too is grief. Out of great pain and sorrow come
learning, possibilities and growth. Maybe even a deeper knowledge of eternal
spring. Tears are small miracles of life, for tears of joy and tears of pain
both heal.

Asher will forever
be in our hearts

The Mendon Family

Roopa’s message of Straying From Your Path and the benefits resonated with many in the room.

A few highlighted comments: “Paul Coelho’s book The Alchemist that says ‘When you want something, really want something, all the world conspires in helping you to achieve it.” And, I believe, if you stay true to your question, the world can help you figure it out much better than you could
ever do on your own. It’s a delicate balance, but you have to lead with your intent. I wanted to share with you a story that a friend of mine told me about a month ago. This friend of works at Oprah’s Leadership Academy for girls in South Africa. And recently she organized an assembly with a speaker from Mali. The speaker is known as “Madame Urbain”, who has created a movement for educating girls in Mali. Madame Urbain spoke French, no English, so my friend had difficulty describing the Oprah school to her on the way in from the airport.

As soon as Madame Urbain, this tough woman from Mali entered the school grounds she locked eyes with one of the students. The student started crying first. Surprisingly tough Madame Urbain started crying uncontrollably as well. But for different reasons. The student was overwhelmed with seeing a woman whose work she had read and seen so much about. When my friend asked the translator why Madame Urbain was breaking down, the translator managed to tell her that she had never conceived that such grounds, such a facility could be devoted to girls education. That someone would think it that important a purpose. She had never known her work could be done on such a scale.

The ability to connect is so powerful yet underplayed in our daily lives. And while you accomplish all the great things you will accomplish once you leave here, I hope you will remember to connect your work, your experience, yourselves to others to enable them to achieve their dreams. Sometimes its as simple as showing up and being present. We tend to forget.

And my hope for our generation is that we do well and prosper, not to accumulate more for ourselves, but to expand opportunities for others. In all the dramatic surprises and tragedies we have been through this year, I’ve never felt more strongly that we build that kind of collective future.

So those were the two simple messages I wanted to share with you today: that the unconventional or unexpected path can be full of benefits, and that I hope you will connect others with new opportunities while remaining connected to your communities.”

ASB Graduating Class of 2009 – Speaker Roopa Purushothamana from ASB India on Vimeo.

Jason was incredible as he urged the students and all of us to Seek Out The Hard Questions.

Highlights included: “Perhaps immediately, or after a few more years of schooling you are going to spend the rest of your lives working. But believe me this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Except for the PD days involving Atlas Rubicon, working here is kinda like Diwali every day, except the celebration doesn’t last a week, it lasts forever. Sure I’m looking forward to hitting some amusement parks this summer but given the choice of 180 days of roller-coasters or 180 days of math class its ASB, no question. And if I should stop feeling this way then I am gonna get the hell out of Dodge and find something else to do.

Spolsky, Hall, and Moore are inherently familiar with what Malcolm Gladwell laid out so clearly this year in his book Outliers. In Outliers my favorite thing Gladwell explains is the 10,000 hour rule, the rule is that if you really want to be great at something you need to devote yourself to it with deliberate practice and about 10,000 hours or 10 years of solid work. He backs up the rule with concrete examples from the Bill Gates to The Beatles. Overnight successes are fairy tales; the idea of natural talent and simple IQ tests are vastly overrated. Real success involves years of hard work and a relentless pursuit of excellence.[1]

At some point in your life you’re going to realize that there is another essential element of doing good work. An unselfish element. We know about Joel not because he is a successful programmer, but because he gives back. He writes on his blog frequently and shares his ideas freely so that other programming houses will be as successful as Fog Creek. He has integrated service with his work.

“In my second year of teaching my colleague and mentor Bill Babine, an English teacher (of course) gave me a copy of Donald Hall’s Life Work and its become one of my favorite books. If you don’t know him Hall is a writer from New Hampshire, he packs his words with both meaning and perfect phrasing. I ache to be a writer when I read Hall. In Life Work, Hall talks about how life and work should naturally coexist. One great part is when Hall talks about how when you see work depicted in a TV advertisement “it is something done quickly and the reward is drinking beer.” Reality is much different. Hall wrote more than 500 drafts of one of his poems. This speech could probably use a few hundred more drafts and some edits, but unfortunately for you Hall is the poet and I am a teacher.[2]

Another writer, the great, David Foster Wallace said it best “… there are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talked about in the great outside world of winning and achieving and displaying. The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad of petty little unsexy ways, every day. That is real freedom.”[3]

So as you leave us today I hope that you find a boss like Joel Spolsky who will ask the hard questions and ask you to challenge yourself and those around you; I hope that you find the kind of Life Work that Donald Hall writes about —work that makes you excited enough to almost jump up out of bed most days; and I hope you find David Foster Wallace’s really important kind of freedom.

These four years with you at ASB have been incredible. It has been a privilege and an honor to speak for you today. And one not taken lightly, these ideas are really close to my heart, cupcakes and candy-canes idealistic you might think but they have worked out pretty well for me, and I hope a couple of them have resonated with you. Thank you and congratulations again on your graduation.”

ASB Graduating Class of 2009 – Speaker Jason Roy from ASB India on Vimeo.

ASB’s mission inspires all of our students to continuous inquiry, empowering them with the skills, courage, optimism and integrity to pursue their dreams and enhance the lives of others. Jason and Roopa are both models….”Models” of our mission and the mission of a preferred future. Thank you both!

What I don’t accept is any Facebook invitation from students until they have graduated from college, and by that point in their lives, most are not seeking to connect with me anyway. This is not a new debate, but I would argue that as educators we ought not to be friends on Facebook with our students. If we need to set up an account or a Tribe with a specific focus, that’s one thing, but a Ning or many other sites would serve that function just fine.

I look forward to a robust dialogue leading to a decision about agreed upon boundaries of educators and social networking sites. I expect the continuum of perspective to be broad at first, but with some creative tension and dialogue, I think we’ll find a healthy equilibrium.

Until then . . .let’s keep the adult and student “Tribes” on Facebook separate entities.

Wendy and I thank her kindergarten teacher, Mr. Dennis Brown (Former Texas State Trooper) who taught all his students to “get down” and crawl when faced with fire and smoke like Paige experienced. Dennis and the school drills saved our daughters life for sure. When the “unthinkable” happens we all go through phases of denial, deliberation, then a decisive moment. Those who survive have one thing in common, “they act.” In this case, Paige acted as she had been taught and practiced. Thanks Dennis.

As schools we must create groups and redundancy, so children and adults know what and how to act. We practice fire, earthquake, and yes we even have terrorism drills. The impact of the tragic November 26th attacks in Mumbai was significant. As a school, the unthinkable hit with the loss of parents, faculty siblings, and many lost friends. Yet, there is no option to resiliency…is moving or running away an option to seriously be considered, like one is any safer in some other city?

“Just as individuals can be more or less resilient, so can groups. Groups perform as well during a disaster as they performed before it. The healthier a culture or family, the better it absorbs stress and will recover. High functioning groups know how to communicate and help one another, and have the resources to do it. Even at the cellular level, camaraderie promotes survival,” Amanda Ripley states. As the adage goes, “chance favors the prepared” or the “eight P’s”: Proper Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. The prompt for this entry was Unthinkable, by Amanda Ripley. The website www.Unthinakable.com has some advice on relative risk – a thinking person’s guide to survival.

What a shame that a three-year-old child has to prepare for a terrorist, schools spend millions to move from being a soft target to hard secure zone and perimeter, or that a school would ever be hit by any country.

Is there a way to reduce this risk? Could the UN or some “body” create an agreement based on certification or verification that schools are untouchable to terrorism or war? Would we all agree that children have done nothing and have no place as targets in any cause? Should I act and take steps to find out if there is a collective olive branch where children are concerned?

As school leaders, predicting the future seems to be an expectation. That expectation comes with one caveat — protect the traditional yet predicting and preparing children for an unclear future. Futures committees, strategic plans, think tanks, and forums all seek to illuminate what the future may hold and how we can “backwards plan” to get there. I just finished a George Friedman’s fascinating book, The Next 100 Years – A Forecast for the 21^st Century. 

When we put technology in the hands of children and educators, what was the original intention? What is the intention now?