Friends Council on Education

Friends School Network -- please join us offering support to people and communities affected by Hurricane Helene. We are particularly mindful of our four schools in North Carolina: Arthur Morgan School (Burnsville), Carolina Friends School (Durham-Chapel Hill), Friends School of Wilmington (Wilmington), New Garden Friends School (Greensboro), High Point Friends School (High Point), and The Friends School of Atlanta (Georgia).

Join us in holding our schools in the Light. As we learn more, there might be specific ways to support them in the aftermath of this significant weather event.

Stay tuned.

Drew Smith recognizes the new heads of school joining our Quaker school community this fall. “Welcome one and all! We are confident that your leadership and vision will help guide our schools in nurturing the intellectual and moral development of their students. We look forward to the creativity, compassion, and wisdom that you bring to your new roles, and we are excited to witness the impact you will make in shaping the future of our schools.” These new heads are leading schools located on both the East and West coasts, in the Midwest and in the Southeast. We are pleased to note that one is a graduate of Friends Council’s Institute for Engaging Leadership.

Join us in extending greetings to these eight new heads/interim heads. Share how important the connectivity of this community has been to you and encourage them to reach out to the Friends school network to enrich their experience.

https://www.friendscouncil.org/resources/news-details/~board/migrated-news/post/welcome-new-heads-of-friends-schools-in-2024-2025-1725649491664

Directory of Friends Schools and Educational Organizations [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD] Updated March 2024 Listing of member Friends Schools in the United States Global Affiliate SchoolsAffiliate Educational OrganizationsFriends Colleges in the United States includes a map of Friends Schools in the US. Available as an Epub or interactive PDFEpubs work best with iBook...

Dear Members of the Friends Council on Education Community,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Rodney Glasgow as the Interim Associate Director of Friends Council on Education - the National Association of Friends Schools. Rodney brings with him a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to Quaker beliefs and practices, and a strong vision for the future of our organization. As Interim Associate Director, Rodney will work closely with our board, staff, and community to continue the important work of supporting and strengthening our member schools and their leaders through programming, professional development, and the Member Renewal Process. We are fortunate to have someone of Rodney's caliber working with us.

Rodney is a distinguished educator and administrator with over twenty years of experience in educational leadership, including his most recent role as Head of School at Sandy Spring Friends School. Rodney is also a seasoned school trustee, currently on the boards of Lowell School and The Bishop Walker School for Boys. He has consistently demonstrated a passion for academic excellence, fostering inclusive communities, promoting social justice, and advancing the dignity and worth of each and every individual in our school communities.

Throughout his career, Rodney has been a strong advocate for equitable and just practices in independent schools, and to that end, founded The Glasgow Group in 2016, a dynamic consortium of educational consultants. Rodney will continue in

his important role as the Group’s Principal Consultant. We at Friends Council are honored to be associated with this work and are glad to know this work will continue out in the world.

Rodney shares his excitement for joining Friends Council as Interim Associate Director. “I love Quaker schools because they are models for values-based pedagogy that centers inquiry and social-emotional learning. Our students need that, especially now! Before being in a Quaker school, I had opportunities to be enriched by Friends Council. During my time as Head of School, I was incredibly thankful for the good, strong work that FCE does for our schools. And now, I am overjoyed that Way opened to allow me to serve FCE and our member schools in delivering transformative Quaker education.”

Please join me in welcoming Rodney to the Friends Council on Education community. He can be reached at [email protected]. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our organization and the lasting and strategic contributions he will make to the Friends school community.

In peace,
Drew Smith
https://www.friendscouncil.org/resources/news-details/~board/migrated-news/post/welcome-rodney-glasgow

July 2024, Quakers across the world celebrated George Fox's 400th birthday. We invite you to sharpen your pencil to solve this homage to the founder of Quakerism created especially for Friends Council.
https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=ab60f1a2&set=ef722e68c4895100c2f3ed58728530433678d55e3ad490fee3dc63332e153650

Special THANKS to Laura Kinnel for creating this puzzle.
Laura Taylor Kinnel is the director of studies and a math teacher at George School (PA), and serves on the board of Buckingham Friends School (PA). Some of her earliest crosswords were made during her days as a First Day School teacher at Newtown Meeting, where she is a member. More recently, her crosswords have appeared in Friends Journal and The New York Times.

Show your love for Friends Council!
https://www.friendscouncil.org/support

Upcoming research study and THANK YOU from Drew Smith Drew Smith teases the results of an upcoming research study, thanks current donors, and reminds others that there are just a few days left to give to Friends...

Friends Council on Education is grateful to be the host and facilitator of the Institute for Engaging Leadership in Friends Schools/IELFS – a two-year program of thoughtful and inspired professional growth and development. At the Annual Meeting on April 18, the 2022-2024 cohort of 20 members joined the broader community of 153 Institute alumni.

Friends Council created the Leadership Institute in 2002 as a learning community for Friends school leaders to work collaboratively on strengthening their capacity and skills. The Institute focuses on the unique role of Friends school leadership and the peculiar art of sustaining the Quaker ethos of a Friends school.

This year has been one of transitions as Irene McHenry stepped down from the program and Darryl Ford and Shu Shu Costa became more involved as program facilitators. McHenry says, “I am honored to have co-founded and shepherded the growth of the Leadership Institute for the past 21 years. As I step down from leading the program, I look back on many experiences and persons that have enriched the Friends school network. Each cohort member’s engagement in the reflective work of our retreats at Pendle Hill, shadowing a head of school, and creating an action research project has made a huge difference for the individual leader, their school, and the wider community of Friends schools.”

McHenry continues, “Most of our graduates have become heads and administrative leaders in Friends schools, and some in independent and public schools. In the way of Friends, we are influencing the wider world of education and intentionally bringing the special essence of Quaker education into the world.” The composition of leaders in today’s Friends schools is palpably different from a generation ago. There are more women who are heads as well as more heads of color. Moreover, there is a strong sense of shared responsibility of the community of Friends schools to claim the time and space for collaborative and reflective leadership.

Costa echoes McHenry, sharing her thoughts on the program from her added perspective as a member of the 2009-2011 Cohort. "IELFS is a different kind of leadership program, one that fully embraces the idea that true leadership comes from within. When we know who we are, when we have generous space to listen to our Inner Teacher, when we can see the Light that comes from others, we can learn to lead in transformative ways."

Click to view individual Action Research Summaries from this cohort.
https://www.friendscouncil.org/resources/news-details/~board/migrated-news/post/congratulations-leadership-institute-graduates

The Ripples of Water
Friends Council's executive director's remarks as we prepare for the associate director, Deborra Sines Pancoe's retirement.

"The Ripples of Water", Drew speaks on Deborra Sines Pancoe Friends Council's executive director's remarks as we prepare for the associate director's retirement.

Deborra's light and careful stewardship have helped to make Friends Council what it is today. There is still time to give in celebration of Deborra or leave a comment on the padlet. https://www.friendscouncil.org/about/honoring-deborra

"She shows up", Toni Williamson Toni Williamson, Friends Council's Board Clerk and Director of Equity and Inclusion at Friends Select School says a few words about our retiring associate di...

Did you know that we have a slide show of Deborra photos? If you have one that we should add to our show put it in the comments. Check out our slideshow!
https://www.friendscouncil.org/about/honoring-deborra

Friends Council Grants for Student Projects
Teambuilding + SPICES = Leadership, 2023-24

Grant Contact: Mitch Bernstein
​​​​​​​Friends School of Wilmington, NC

We engaged the 8th graders in a variety of team building initiatives including, icebreakers, problem solving, trust and low element challenges. The goal was to create a more inclusive and perceptive group that would understand differences among one another, promote better listening skills and more empathy towards one another, teachers and other younger community members. These program began in late November and continued through the end of the school year. As a result, these 8th graders were able to find a place that allowed them to work together as a cohesive group during a school trip to Philadelphia in May. One of the tasks assigned to them was to work in small groups to develop menus that they would feed the entire group while staying at a hostel in Philly. The result witnessed by 4 adult teacher chaperones was amazing. Each meal was flawlessly cooked, served and then cleaned up by each crew, culminating in developing a special bond. The entire school community benefitted.
https://www.friendscouncil.org/resources/news-details/~board/resources/post/fsw-2023-24-1718117646545

“I think about the big world of educational philosophies, approaches, tools, and perspectives that we all hold dear, that we carry with us every single day both in our work in Friends schools and also outside of Friends schools. And, I am so grateful to have lived a life of intellectual challenge and excitement, of heartfelt connection, and spiritual expansion.” Deborra Sines Pancoe
We are shining a light on Deborra through June 12 to allow as many people as possible the chance to make a gift to Friends Council or share reflections on how Deborra has touched you and Friends education. https://www.friendscouncil.org/support/secure-giving-online/online-giving-form

If you have not yet shared an experience that you have had with Deborra or sent her well wishes as she embarks upon her next journey, please do so here on this Padlet. We know she will treasure your ruminations.
https://padlet.com/friendscouncil/honoring-deborra-sines-pancoe-vngfucj2dzqrcy98

“What I love most about Deborra is her good heart and the way that she has been able to connect with people and connect with Friends education. There are thousands of people who have had the opportunity to be part of the brilliance of this person. I have been blessed to not just work with you, but also to be in friendship with you.” Toni speaking about Deborra, her mentor, co-facilitator, colleague, and sister-friend.
If you are one of the thousands, and feel so moved, make a gift to Friends Council in honor of Deborra at this time of her retirement. If you have already made a financial contribution, we thank you!
https://www.friendscouncil.org/support/secure-giving-online/online-giving-form

Per Executive Director Drew Smith, “There is not our part of our current work of Friends Council – deepening the Quaker nature and character of our schools – that was not initiated or influenced by Deborra’s service.”

Make a gift to Friends Council today in Deborra's honor.
https://www.friendscouncil.org/support/secure-giving-online/online-giving-form

Meeting-School Care Relationship publication, Educators New to Quakerism workshop, Peer networks, Community Conversations on Race, Membership Renewal Process, SPARC/Spirited Life and Renewed Courage leadership program,
The careful way in which Friends Council leads you to experience Quakerism firsthand grows out Deborra’s careful and creative planning.

Tomorrow we honor a very special educator and Friend, Deborra Sines Pancoe, with our Day of Giving!
https://www.friendscouncil.org/support/secure-giving-online/online-giving-form

Friends Environmental Education Network (FEEN) held its first gathering since COVID, with Monty Ogden and Jonathan Ogle as volunteer facilitators. This FEEN peer network event brought together educators from various Friends schools, including Brooklyn Friends School, Friends School of Baltimore, George School, Germantown Friends School, Greene Street Friends School, Lancaster Friends School, and Moorestown Friends School.

Today, forty-six educators consisting of heads, board members, administrators, and teachers of Friends Schools attended the Clerking Workshop: Facilitating Quaker Decision Making in Friends Schools, led by Drew Smith, Friends Council on Education, Deborra Sines Pancoe, Friends Council on Education, Ken Aldridge, Wilmington Friends School, and Kiri Harris, Greene Street Friends School.

Quaker Lower & Middle School educators considering how to encourage our students to use vocal ministry, reviving service learning as part of the Quaker ethos of our schools, and, learn all about Meeting for Worship in a Box! Quaker Life in Lower & Middle Schools Gathering @ Friends Center. Robyn Richmond (Friends' Central School) & Jill Bean (Lansdowne Friends School) co-facilitators.

The 10th cohort of the Friends Council Institute for Engaging Leadership in Friends Schools is spending a few days at Pendle Hill for their fall retreat. Today Drew and the group were joined by Sherry Coleman (Education, Organizational Search Consultant), Judy Schechtman (Triangle Associates), Darryl J . Ford, and Earl Ball (Carney Sandoe). Also on hand were program leaders Irene McHenry and Shu Shu Costa.

Friends Council on Education friends were on hand to celebrate Michelle Holland at her Installation Ceremony as the 18th head of Greene Street Friends School earlier this week. Michelle’s dedication and service to Friends Council has been exemplary and ongoing. She is a current Board member of Friends Council, served as Board clerk in 2015-2016, is a graduate of Friends Council’s Leadership Institute and has given of her time and talent serving on other Board committees. As part of the ceremony, Michelle, expressed gratitude for the mentoring, wisdom, commitment, and love that she receives both in the present from her family and the GSFS Leadership Team as well as in the past. Some of her mentors include long-time Friends Council friends - Darryl Ford, Ed Marshall, and Irene McHenry. On hand to witness and celebrate Michelle’s leadership were Deborra Sines Pancoe, Associate Director of Friends Council and Irene McHenry, retired Executive Director. Congratulations Michelle!