Packer Collegiate Institute
It was almost too good to be true: after an early 7:45am meeting to discuss the progress of a Corner Kid in Middle School, I nearly bumped into an easel announcing Packer’s Open House beginning in the library within minutes…
While I’ve taught a full semester of sophomore English in the Upper School and served as a substitute for over three years, it just made sense to jump on the bandwagon and observe what it’s like to see Packer “from the outside, in.” Before reading on, you must know that I am completely prejudiced when it comes to this particular topic—Packer is not only a beautiful, old school nestled on a tree-lined street in Brooklyn Heights, it’s also become a sort of “second home.” If I had found Packer while teaching in my 20′s, it’s fairly certain I would have settled in and never left…As it is, I was tremendously honored to serve both as sub and as interim teacher for my dear friend and late Prep-for-Prep colleague, Linda Gold.
Needless to say, there are poignant memories for me inside this ivy-covered landmark building, established in 1845 as the first private school in the city for young women. Becoming co-ed in 1972, Packer now celebrates both history and diversity in its eclectic student population—and I can attest that its hallmark achievement, beyond the lyrical and lovely aesthetic, is that this is a beehive of intellectual curiosity. Packer kids love to challenge ideas while at the same time supporting each other’s journey: the Mission states that the school wants students to “Think Deeply, Speak Confidently, To Act with Purpose and Heart.”
And that’s exactly what the administrators did when they presented introductory speeches to those visiting this past Tuesday morning. Jason Caldwell, Director of Admissions for the Middle/Upper School, demonstrated an uncanny sense of ‘emotional literacy’ by asking attendees about their level of discomfort and then sharing how he too was initially unsure about the school when he interviewed—but quickly found that Packer was both welcoming and warm. Susan Feibelman, Upper School Division Head, and Bruce Dennis, Head of School, also shared their past educational experiences and connected to Jason’s love of movies—which became a thematic thread demonstrating the school’s strength: cutting-edge creativity combined with intellectual connection.
Standing on the stage of the set for The Tempest, the Upper School’s fall play, these administrators acknowledged that the academic journey can be a little “intense” at times, but they highlighted the truth about Packer: in many ways, this community offers an “eye in the storm” that looks both out to the world in service and into the soul of learning. I warned you that I’m biased—yes, there are parts of Packer that could be improved, but that’s for another column. Today, what I can tell you is that I wore a name tag with pride and sat in the back row with a smile, both impressed and intrigued.
Leaving Packer, one of the Admissions reps stopped to ask me how things went, and I smiled with reassurance, giving her a “thumbs-up” and said, “A+!” Like many of their students, the faculty and staff had presented the school’s external appearance with polish and finesse—but at the same time offered an inner authenticity that is accessible and rare in this competitive city. Pushing the heavy oval door into the brisk autumn air, I wished that I could linger to hear the Student Panel or pop in for one of the many college visits scheduled that day or just read in the cozy library beside Richard Brownstone, a wonderful gem in the English department—and perhaps that is what is best about Packer: the experience, though mixed with the highs and lows of real learning—is still one that, no matter how old we grow, we don’t want to completely leave behind. Although it was time to re-emerge into the bustling streets of Brooklyn, I walked out of Packer Collegiate Institute both renewed and energized…
