Dear NCHS Family,

Charlie Todd, the creator of Improv Everywhere, and known for his positive pranks, once talked about The Shared Experience of Absurdity at a TED Talk. He believed when we have a shared experience of absurdity, it encourages more interpersonal connections. Often criticized for "having too much time on his hands" his mindset was really quite simple... As kids we are taught to play, we're never given a reason why we should play, it is just acceptable that play is a good thing. Through play, we learn essential skills such as problem-solving, working with others, sharing, and so much more. As we lean towards the end of the school year, I can't help but think about our own experience of absurdity during COVID and finding ways to “play.”

While a global pandemic is far from a well-intentioned, positive prank, it does bring a shared experience of absurdity to our lives that encourages us to be creative and bond in ways we never thought we would. COVID has changed how we live, where we work, even what we wear on our faces. COVID feels ubiquitous. It also at times feels totally absurd that all this has somehow become normal.

Yet somewhere amidst the absurdity, we have found ways to connect and grow. We've taught through zoom, plexiglass, and masks. We've had class inside and outside. We've used mediums and materials we never knew we could.

When we couldn't sit side by side in a stadium we quite literally took our graduates to the streets and found ways to celebrate them, all while creating amazing new traditions. We've tested limits, hit our limits, and started over again. Most importantly we have tried new things - a lot of new things - and we have worked through them together.

If the experience of absurdity can teach us anything, we hope that is this - yes, things can feel confusing and even a little bit scary for a period of time, but when we experience it together we are able to find moments of levity where we can laugh, play, encourage, and move ahead in solidarity.

We look forward to making the rest of the year very memorable, and we know that we can count on our learning community to help bring it to life. Most of all, we hope you are still inspired to play.

All the best,

Bill Egan

Principal