The Board Blog: CSB's Boys Study Committee

In this week’s Board Blog, Boys Study Committee Co-chairs, and CSB Trustees, Linda Mathews and Jennifer Hocking, discuss how the committee tackles issues relevant to the education of boys, in general, and boys at CSB, in particular.
 
 
The committee has had a substantial impact on CSB’s education policies and practices over the years. Developed from the CSB Board of Trustees’ Education Policy Committee, Boys Study Committee was formed in 1996 when some trustees were asked to study “why are we a single sex school." Since then, the Boys Study Committee has committed itself to ensure the fulfillment of our Mission, specifically providing an excellent education for boys at the elementary school level, and creating a community bonded by openheartedness, hope, compassion, and concern. This exploration and recommendation process is continuous and evolutionary, and is frequently exciting, as it requires that we explore areas not completely mapped or fully understood. This pioneering work is one of the many things that strengthens our school and sets CSB apart from other elementary schools.
 
Each year, the Boys Study Committee takes on a research project on a particular topic that concerns boys, education, and their social/emotional/cognitive development. Select faculty, administrators, board members, parents, and community experts come together to discuss the background needed for inquiry. After conducting a review of relevant research literature, a yearlong study is mapped out which includes monthly meetings. At these meetings, co-chairs distribute readings with special emphasis on integration of theory and practice, consistent with our mission, as well as prepare thoughtful discussion questions. A report of the findings is presented at the year-end board retreat. All discussion notes and research in connection with the Boys Study meetings are kept on file.
 
Currently, the committee is exploring the question, “Why Project-based learning for CSB boys?” We have acquired information surrounding best practices and gold standards through The Buck Institute, feedback from our teachers and administrators, various readings, and a presentation from another school that has rich experience in employing project-based learning in all areas of learning and teaching.
 
Timeline of Boys Study Topics from 1997-Present:
1997-1999, Gender Issues
1999-2000, Boys Emotional, Moral, and Spiritual Development
2000-2001, Athletics and Discipline (resulted in new discipline guidelines, and “caring justice”)
2001-2002, Rituals and Traditions around Transitions
2002-2003, Mentoring (resulted in restructuring of Big/Little Brother program)
2003-2004, Unstructured Time, Friendship and Technology
2004-2005, Diversity and Sense of Self-Worth
2005-2007, Human Development and Boys Sexuality
2007-2008, ADHD
2008-2009, Creativity
2009-2010, Boys’ Social Emotional Development, Discipline, and Anti-Bullying
2010-2011, How Boys Succeed and How Can CSB Prepare Boys for Success in Life?
2011-2012, Technology
2012-2013, Creativity, Innovation, Collaboration and the Six-Day Schedule at CSB
2013-2015, What Motivates Boys? (Surveyed of Upper School boys via focus groups)
2015-2016, Why Project-Based Learning for CSB Boys?
 
2015-2016 Committee Members:
Linda Mathews / Jennifer Hocking, Co-chairs, and Current Trustees
Chris Nooney, Board Chair
Burns Jones, Headmaster
Sarah Roggero, Head of Upper School
Paul Bertrand, Head of Lower School
Cathy Madison, Director of Admission
Tracy Murray, First Grade Teacher
David Forbes, Former CSB Headmaster, and Lifetime Trustee
Julie Terraciano, Former CSB French Teacher, and Current Trustee 
Tara Boland, High School Counselor
Joanne Cohen, Counselor
Betty Peskin, Former CSB Drama, and Reading Teacher
Laura Morris, Current Trustee
Sejal Desai, Former Parent, and Trustee
Martha Stabler, Former Parent, and Trustee
Stephanie Lehman, Current Parent

If you have any questions regarding this piece or the Boys Study Committee, please contact Jennifer Hocking or Linda Mathews.
 
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Cathedral School for Boys

Located in San Francisco, California, Cathedral School for Boys is an independent elementary school for boys in Kindergarten – Grade 8. Our mission is to provide an excellent education through intellectual inquiry and rigor that is centered in the Episcopal tradition and is respectful of and welcoming to people of all religious traditions and beliefs.