| | | | | Dear Friend, My heart hurts. Cruelty is making headlines daily -- from violence and oppression to the slow erosion of empathy in our communities and institutions. It’s overwhelming. And yet, it’s in these moments of heartbreak that Pollyanna’s mission feels most urgent and necessary. Even as the world feels fractured, we remain grounded in our work of Building Stronger and Kinder Communities. We continue to offer tools, frameworks, and conversations that cut through the noise with clarity and compassion, not with urgency alone, but with kindness, purpose, and hope. That hope comes alive this fall in our 2025-26 Workshop Series, where educators, parents and leaders come together to learn, reflect, and grow. It continues in our Teen Council, where young people inspire us with their voices and vision. And expands in January at our National Conference in Minneapolis, where schools from across the country will reimagine what community can look like -- and how to build it. Through our local conferences as well, we're making meaningful progress region by region. These are not just events. They are reminders: we are not alone, and a better way forward is always possible. Support our work through partnership, participation, or philanthropy, and help ensure we keep bringing people together in ways that matter. Warmly, | |  | | | | | 2025–26 Workshop Series Begins October Pollyanna's Workshop Series brings together expert facilitators —renowned educators, practitioners, and thought leaders to support your entire school community: Administrators, Faculty, Parents, Staff, and Trustees. Each workshop is actionable, inspiring, and grounded in real-world experience—designed to spark learning, dialogue, and meaningful change. The Workshop Series is 1 price for 16 powerful workshops. Countless ways to strengthen your school community. Come for the content. Stay for the community. Learn from the best.
Join us and make 2025–26 your most inclusive, connected year yet. | | | | Preparing for the NYC Mayoral Election As the upcoming mayoral election stirs strong feelings on issues of identity, representation, and justice—including Muslim visibility, antisemitism, and progressive values—students in grades 7–12 are likely to engage in passionate, and sometimes polarized, conversations across school settings. Educators will encounter these discussions in hallways, classrooms, advisories, and team practices—and must be prepared to respond with steadiness, care, and clarity. Bridging the Divide: Supporting Students Through Polarized Political Moments is a free, one-hour virtual session on 9/18/25 with Jason Craige Harris, that will equip educators with tools to navigate student political dialogue with nuance and confidence. | | | | | | Bring Your Coat! Wondering what to expect from the Pollyanna National Conference, taking place January 20–22, 2026, in Minneapolis? Conference Guide and longtime Pollyanna speaker Jason Craige Harris shares a powerful preview of what makes this gathering so unique—from deep listening and honest conversation to meaningful collaboration across school communities. Over the course of three days, School PODs will: - dive into interactive sessions
- hear from insightful keynotes
- connect with peers from across the country
- leave with tangible tools to strengthen their school communities
This experience is designed to inspire learning, spark change, and create actionable items that build momentum for the work ahead. Register today and be sure to bring your voice, bring your team, and bring your coat! | | | | | | | | Far Brook Wins Our Registration Raffle We’re thrilled to announce that Far Brook School in Short Hills, NJ is the winner of our Pollyanna National Conference Fine Print Raffle! The first 20 schools that registered for the Conference were entered to win FREE registration—and Far Brook’s name was pulled from the hat. Far Brook has been a valued partner as a conference host since Pollyanna’s founding, and they will host their 10th Annual Conference this fall. We’re excited to continue Building Stronger and Kinder Communities together. Congratulations! | | | | | | July's Workshop Takeaways Our workshops with Jason Craige Harris, Elizabeth Rosner, Kelly Bird, David Smith, Janet Stickmon and Sam Hosen have each brought engaging presentations and much wisdom to our Summer Series. Here is a sampling: Undoing harm begins with honest, interpersonal work and a commitment to self-awareness—active tools of resistance that fuel collective growth. Anti-racism is a shared journey of unlearning in community. Joy is essential to this work—our liberation lives where our joy does. Building inclusive spaces means cultivating trust and empathy, connecting equity to daily life, and reinforcing values consistently. In tough conversations, curiosity sparks empathy, and validating experience—not harmful interpretations—deepens understanding. Structured spaces for listening and practicing conflict skills make lasting change possible. Join us in August! | | | | | | Summer Strategic Planning for Teen Council The Teen Council Strategic Framework (2025–2028): Honoring Our Roots, Expanding Our Reach, guided by Jay Golon, outlines an exciting vision for the future of student voice and leadership at Pollyanna. Since launching in 2018 as a component of Pollyanna’s school-based conference model, the Teen Council has evolved into a national, independent collective of 13- to 18-year-olds who are committed to Building Stronger and Kinder Communities. With this new plan, Pollyanna aims to grow the Teen Council’s national reach, deepen student engagement, expand learning and leadership opportunities, and increase visibility and sustainability. More details to come as students begin shaping this next chapter. | | | | | | | | | | | | Partnering to Build Purpose-Driven, Compassionate Workplaces Vanessa Hicks is an executive coach and human capital consultant who helps leaders and organizations foster cultures rooted in purpose, empathy, and accountability. Through her firm, VHH Consulting, Vanessa has supported Pollyanna’s own HR and leadership development initiatives—helping the organization grow its impact while staying grounded in its values. She brings decades of experience advising nonprofit and for-profit leaders and boards, and co-leads Success Lab, a PD program for emerging leaders focused on coaching skills, strategic direction, and values-aligned career growth. To learn more, contact Vanessa at vanessa@vhh-consulting.com Because Great Leaders Lead with Compassion Is compassionate leadership part of your PD plan? Join the 800+ educators, administrators and leaders from 65 countries who have completed our evidence-based Compassionate Leadership Certification Training—90% of whom would recommend it. This 8-week online journey begins October 21, 2025, and builds compassion from the inside out, while connecting you with a global peer community. Pollyanna participants receive an additional $100 off with code POLLYANNA, on top of Super Early Bird pricing. To invoice your institution, email cfclprograms@gmail.com. Questions? Contact evan@cfcl.org | | | | | | | | “Pollyanna does not do off-the-shelf professional development, it’s really bespoke… at the pace of trust that your community needs. That trust has grown over multiple engagements. Each time they come out, I feel like they get to know us a little bit better. They take in the information and get better with each iteration.” Kelly Sortino, Head of School, Crystal Springs Upland, CA | | | | A FINAL THOUGHT You are not weak just because your heart feels so heavy. – Andrea Gibson | | | | | | | | | | | | | Pollyanna, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3). © 2025 Pollyanna | New York, NY 10075 | | | | | | | |
