A letter from Valley Catholic Middle School Principal Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer

Jen Gfroerer V C M S Principal

Dear VCMS Families,

VCMS Community Book Study Explores the Science of Attention and Learning

This spring, Valley Catholic Middle School is continuing a growing tradition of parent and staff book studies. This time, we center on Nature and the Mind by Marc G. Berman, a leading researcher in environmental neuroscience.

During the past several years, VCMS families and faculty members have gathered to explore research shaping adolescent development and learning. Previous studies included:

  • The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
  • Finding the Magic in Middle School by Chris Balme
  • Brain Rules for the Teenage Brain by John Medina
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond

Each study has focused on one central question: What do middle school students truly need in order to thrive?

Why This Conversation Matters

Our current book study explores the science of attention, specifically, how modern environments deplete the brain’s limited cognitive resources and how intentional exposure to nature can restore focus, working memory, and emotional balance.

This is not a conversation about simply “liking nature” or adding more recess. Rather, it examines:

  • The reality that attention is finite and fragile
  • How screen-saturated environments contribute to mental fatigue
  • Research demonstrating measurable cognitive gains following even brief exposure to natural settings
  • What schools must thoughtfully protect, redesign, or rethink in response

In short, we are examining how the environment shapes learning.

A Community Invitation

The book study meets bi-weekly from late February through mid-April in a brief, 30-minute morning format. While originally designed for current parents and staff, we warmly welcome alumni families, grandparents, donors, and friends of VCMS who are interested in the intersection of neuroscience, education, and adolescent well-being.

Participants are welcome to attend one session or several. Reading is encouraged but not required. Discussion highlights are shared with the broader community following each meeting.

These gatherings reflect a hallmark of Valley Catholic Middle School: a community committed not only to academic excellence, but to thoughtful, research-informed reflection on how we form young minds.

Book Study Details

  • Start: Thursday, Feb. 26, 8:10 – 8:40 a.m.
  • Schedule: Bi-weekly through mid-April (2/26, 3/12, 4/2, 4/16, more sessions TBD)
  • Format: In-person only
  • Length: Approximately 30 minutes per session

Because in-person discussion allows for richer dialogue, this book study will be held in person. For parents who are unable to attend, discussion highlights and reflections will be shared in the Friday newsletter during weeks when the group meets.

If you are interested in joining a session or learning more, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer