12_10_10 WW BACK TO SCHOOL, a set on Flickr.
“When we sat down at the table and I saw the 2 bowls set up, I honestly thought that there is no way we will be able to complete both. That is why I suggested we all work on one, and then if there was time, we should move on to the next. I definitely did not want 2 half-finished bowls. I hate loose ends, and I viewed this as a tedious task just to be completed so I could check it off the list.
What I realized though, was that after taking some initial time to figure out our plan, I actually enjoyed the process of our “tedious task.” Things moved much more quickly than I had initially thought they would because we all were working together. We had communicated the plan effectively to each other and were working towards one goal. We finished the first bowl and had more than enough time to finish the second.
Lastly, I want to say I felt a real sense of pride at our group’s accomplishment…much more so than one would think, or at least more so than I thought. When I dropped my son off at school the next day, I couldn’t wait to show him the bowls. I can only imagine that is how our kids feel when they show us some art they made, or sing us a song they learned. And I think that is what back to school night is all about!” -anonymous WW parent.
Click on the colored set-link above to see pictures of West Wing Parents going back to school where they checked out — and tried first hand — some of the things their children have been doing. Sean O’Keefe (Danny’s dad) says “I understand now why our son spends so much time working with clay.” Always a fun, enlightening evening.
— Documentation Committee