Peck School Blog

This is a historic time we’re living through. Families, schools, and businesses all over the world are faced with many challenges right now. Despite the disruptions to our normal routines, my family and I are looking for and sharing the silver linings to help us stay positive and healthy. 

As an adult and a lifelong learner, I have a well-established professional learning community online, and I am excited for our students to get a taste of that. Here are some things I think we can enjoy about learning from a proper social distance.

Chef Joe shares a family favorite comfort meal in this "homemade" video. Meatloaf with thinly sliced roast potatoes is a versatile main course requiring minimal ingredients. The family can pitch in to help prepare and leftovers are great in sandwiches or even with eggs for breakfast! (This recipe serves six to eight people.)

Books, along with other forms of artistic expression, can provide an immense sense of comfort in turbulent times. Librarian Mary Kate MacVicar has compiled a list of books for readers (and listeners) of all ages, including adults. You'll be inspired by these stories of hope, determination, and resilience.

As a mom of two young children, I am blessed to work in a school where I have access to top-notch faculty at one of the nation's premiere independent schools for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. I often ask them for recommendations for my kids: what's the best way to nurture my 5-year-olds budding interest in art? How do I raise my daughter to be confident and independent? How do I talk to my kids in an age-appropriate way about Martin Luther King Jr. and why we celebrate MLK Day? Since many of you may also be asking yourself this last question, we've compiled a list of book recommendations from our expert Peck faculty. Enjoy!

As a mom and a school psychologist, I often reflect on what separates a good school from a great one. The answer is often the focus that the whole community invests in fostering the well-being of all its members. This focus often comes into practice under the label of social-emotional learning in schools.

Recently, I had a conversation with a parent about diversity in children’s literature, and they commented, “I would love some suggestions. Sometimes I look at a book and wonder if is meant for my child.”  

Chef Joe likes to rev up these classic Italian comfort dishes with hidden nutrients. The results are juicy and delicious meatballs and a tasty marinara that will please your children without drawing too much attention to the healthy vegetables inside.

Holidays are times of tradition that can change very little from year to year. Yet, because technology has grown exponentially, and is so embedded in our daily functioning, how do preserve our traditions for family time together over the holidays? The following suggestions offer a mindful technology framework for this holiday season intended to balance the traditions of your family’s time together with the reality of technology.