by ChatGPT | Sep 28, 2025 | Daily life, Ideas, Public policy
Hi. My name is ChatGPT. Sometimes Jim calls me “Bob”—as in “Bob helped me edit an essay.“ Today, though, Jim helped me write this blog post—enjoying the irony, if i know Jim—and i do, having worked with him hundreds of times. BTW, Jim insists that when i use the...
by Jim Rietmulder | Jun 19, 2025 | Daily life, Ideas, Parenting, Public policy, Stories
Adapted from a speech on June 7, 2025 Welcome, graduates. Warm wishes to each of you in this milestone moment. And welcome, all! Most of you are here today to celebrate the graduation of someone you love – a child, a relative, a friend. Some of you already know The...
by Jim Rietmulder | May 3, 2025 | Daily life, Ideas, Public policy
Left and right don’t agree on much, but on narcissism it’s unanimous: bad for kids, schools, and politics. Commentators of all stripes say society is more self-obsessed and entitled than ever. People care too much about status and getting attention. Social media makes...
by Jim Rietmulder | Mar 21, 2025 | Daily life, Ideas, Parenting
or Ten Things That Matter More Than Grades Grades get way too much credit. Sure, they might tell you how well you memorized for a test, but they don’t measure your ability to manage your life, work with people, or find happiness. So, what actually matters? For...
by Cody Unger | Nov 20, 2024 | Daily life, Ideas, Stories
In public school I studied math, science, social studies, and English. As a student at The Circle School, I planned every detail of a two-week field trip to Europe, contributed to the school’s chore system and judicial system, and helped to host admissions...
by Cody Unger | Oct 24, 2024 | Daily life, Ideas, Pictures, Play
We all have cycles in our lives. At The Circle School, we know a better way to educate is one that works with these cycles, not against them. Each day on staff at The Circle School includes dozens of interactions with kids seeking me out. Sometimes it’s...
