| | 3 November 2025 FOMO is Real - And This Time, It's Educational We’ve all been there: scrolling through photos of a conference we meant to register for. Let’s not make that mistake in 2026. Schools from New York to California, Arkansas to Connecticut, Tennessee to Massachusetts, Minnesota to Texas have already said yes to joining us in Minneapolis this January. They’ll be in the room trading ideas, solving problems, and advancing Pollyanna’s 10th year of Building Stronger and Kinder Communities. Help us reach our 10-in-10 Challenge — 10 new schools in 10 days — and make sure your School POD is part of the story we’ll be telling together. Reserve Space for Your POD Now |
| 10 New Schools in 10 Days To celebrate Pollyanna’s 10th anniversary, we’re setting a bold goal:
10 new schools registered by November 10. Will your school help us cross the finish line?
Register your POD and join the growing movement of schools leading with courage, care, and a healthy sense of urgency. Join the Challenge Now |
| Jason is Already in Minneapolis! Jason shares why this year’s conference matters, what schools will gain, and why he hopes to see you in Minneapolis. Watch Now |
| Meet Our Sponsors! We’re thrilled to have an incredible group of sponsors who believe in our inaugural conference and can’t wait to meet you! Each sponsor will be hosting a workshop, session, or meet-and-greet in Minneapolis on Day 3. Take a look at what they'll be doing.
Inclusion Ally: Meredith Herrera Consulting, Strategenius, VHH Consulting Community Connector: Chrysalis Academy, DoSomething.org, Educating for Equity, Joy-Raising, Klingenstein Center, Pollyanna Teen Council, Private School AXIS, Private School Village, Teach AAPI, The Boys' Room, |
| What Your School Will Gain (and what you'll miss if you don't attend) - Real Solutions: Frameworks for strengthening trust, belonging, and community alignment.
- A National Network: Dozens of schools tackling similar challenges with honesty and hope.
- Shared Action: A roadmap your team can start implementing the minute you return home
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| | And while FOMO usually gets a bad rap, this time it’s justified. The moment for Stronger and Kinder Communities is here — and we’d be sorry for you to miss it. With anticipation,
The Pollyanna Team |
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|  | HIGHLIGHTED WORKSHOP David Smith - "The Business Case for DEIB: Socioeconomic Diversity and the Future of Independent Schools" As independent schools face mounting financial pressures, how can they stay mission-driven while building inclusive, thriving communities? We will explore the intersection of financial strategy and belonging, specifically how schools can align budgets with values. We’ll examine new approaches to maximizing revenue, including fundraising and non-tuition income, while centering socioeconomic diversity. We will reflect on how every budget is a values statement and how resource allocation can support student access, faculty excellence, and community connection. Join us to reimagine financial sustainability not as a constraint, but as a catalyst for equity and purpose. *** WHAT'S NEXT? November: Finalize your travel arrangements, hotel rooms are available to book here. Registered schools receive a Pre-Conference Planning Guide with POD directions and reflection tools December: Schools submit final POD lists to this form. January: Gather in Minneapolis for workshops, connections, and collective vision-building Note: Meals at the Conference – Lunch and refreshments will be provided on Wednesday and Thursday, and heavy appetizers at the Welcome Reception on Tuesday night. We accommodate dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-sensitive options. *** CONFERENCE NEWSLETTERS The Power of the POD The Impact of the Student Voice Unity In Action The Tools Needed The Ripple Effect The Impact of Every Voice A Shared Beginning The Moment is Now |
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| Join us! | Pollyanna National Conference – Building Stronger and Kinder Communities
January 20–22, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN
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| Pollyanna, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3). © 2025 Pollyanna | New York, NY 10075 |
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