Photo by Jacob Cader.
A major car accident involving a student, an allergic reaction to peanuts in the cafeteria, and a disciplinary meeting with a student who was caught plagiarizing: for some, that is a month’s worth of stress. For Laura Danforth, it’s a Tuesday morning.
If a school like Fieldston is to operate smoothly, it must have a leader who makes tough decisions on a regular basis while somehow finding a way to keep everyone safe, engaged, and inspired. Maintaining an appropriate environmental balance has been more difficult than usual lately due to the controversy surrounding the use of projectiles on the quad. Many students have been upset by restrictions placed on the use of Frisbees and footballs. Some faculty members have voiced complaints that their classes have been disrupted by noise, and that the balls present a physical threat to passersby. Members of our community have felt Ms. Danforth should be doing more in regards to this issue. Most who are of that opinion do not fully understand how policy on matters like these is made.
Influence at Fieldston comes from five main sources: head of school, board of trustees, faculty and staff, student body, and parents. When Ms. Danforth makes a decision, she must balance the concerns of all five stakeholders. Thankfully for everyone, she has gotten pretty good at it. She meets with student body presidents Sammy and Chris regularly, and is always willing to negotiate some more.
I am writing directly now to all my fellow seniors. There are many people who think we should not be allowed to throw Frisbees or footballs on the quad. Ms. Danforth is just not one of them. She gets where we are coming from and she’s with the program. So please, keep an open mind, listen to what she says, respect her rules, and don’t take advantage. The senior grass, with or without Frisbees, is a privilege, not a right. It is a privilege, however, that Ms. Danforth is committed to extending to us. So stay grateful, show humility, keep the balls parallel, and consider inviting Ms. Danforth to play some Kan Jam. She’s got our backs.
