| | | | | Dear Friend, This month, as our nation marks 250 years, I find myself thinking less about anniversaries and more about responsibility. The American story has never been simple. It is a story of remarkable progress and unfinished work, of expanding opportunity and painful setbacks, of moments that have brought us closer together and moments that have pulled us apart. Every generation has been asked to decide what kind of country it wants to help build. Ours is no different. Today, many of us feel the strain of division, uncertainty, and distrust. It can be easy to believe that our differences are simply too great. But I continue to believe that our greatest strength has been found in our willingness to listen with curiosity, to lead with compassion, and to keep doing the hard work of community. That belief is at the heart of Pollyanna. Every conference, workshop, school partnership, and conversation is grounded in a simple idea: stronger and kinder communities are built together. As we launch Pollyanna Circle Membership’s workshops on July 16 and look ahead to our National Conference, The Power of Us, in Charlotte next April, we are leaning into that belief with renewed purpose. In a time when so much encourages us to retreat into our own corners, we are choosing connection. We are choosing community. We are choosing one another. The next chapter of our country's story will be written by each of us in our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and families. Thank you for being part of this work and for helping us continue to Build Stronger and Kinder Communities. Warmly, | |  | | | | | Welcome to our Board! We're delighted to welcome the newest members of the Pollyanna Board of Trustees. Representing a wide range of experiences in education, law, facilitation, business, and student leadership, these individuals bring valuable perspectives and a shared commitment to strengthening communities. We look forward to their contributions as we continue our work. Join us in welcoming Christina Clemente (NY), Marsha Elliott (TX), Emily Gottlieb (NY), Jason Craige Harris (NJ), Saya McKenna (CA), Chai Reddy (TN), James Calleroz White (NJ), and former Pollyanna Teen Council leaders Ava Azoulay (NY) and Victor Peng (TN). | | | | | | Circle Membership Workshops Begin July 16, 2026 Invest in your school community all year long. Pollyanna Circle Membership includes: - 20+ live virtual workshops for the whole community
- Leadership opportunities for students through Teen Council
- Preferred pricing for the National Conference
Every workshop comes with PD recommendations, helping you turn a one-hour session into meaningful conversations and ongoing learning. Join the schools investing in what matters most. Click here to register. | | | | | | | | Keynotes Announced. Registrations Happening Now. We're excited to share the conference website is now live and our keynote speakers are announced. Join school communities from across the country for a shared experience grounded in connection, dialogue, and action. Participation is limited to just 50 schools, and registrations are already underway. We encourage your school to secure its place early. Registration now: Pollyanna National Conference 2027: The Power of Us, April 12–14, 2027, Charlotte, NC. The Power of Us starts with you. | | | | | | Pollyanna Teen Council 2026-27 Meet-ups Make friends. Build leadership skills. Create change. Pollyanna's Teen Council brings together students ages 13–18 from across the country for meaningful conversations, leadership development, and opportunities to make a difference in their schools and communities. Members connect with inspiring guest speakers, collaborate with peers, and gain the confidence and skills to lead with empathy, courage, and purpose. If you're ready to use your voice, Teen Council is for you. Check out the topics and guests for next year! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Teen Council Graduation Season is Here! Three high school graduates. One college graduate. Countless thoughtful conversations, leadership moments, laughs, and Zoom hours together. While we're not quite ready to give up their squares on our screens, we're excited to cheer them on as they head to college, careers, and new adventures. Thankfully, they're not going far. We know they'll continue to be part of the Pollyanna community.
Thank you for helping make Teen Council what it is. Your voices, ideas, courage, and leadership have left a lasting mark on all of us.
Once Teen Council, always Teen Council. Congratulations, graduates! We can't wait to see what you do next. | | | | June in Motion Pollyanna continued its work to build stronger leaders and stronger communities. Senior Advisor Jason Craige Harris partnered with the leadership teams at Stephen Gaynor School, NY and Chandler School, CA for retreats focused on relationship-centered and restorative leadership, exploring how trust, accountability, and Circle practice strengthen school culture. Founder Casper Caldarola also gathered with a couple of Pollyanna's graduating Teen Council leaders to celebrate their leadership, reflect on the year, and thank them for the lasting impact they have made on their schools and communities. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | A Global Perspective for Today's Students In a time when meaningful conversation can feel increasingly difficult, we are excited to partner with Atia Abawi, award-winning journalist, author, and keynote speaker at Pollyanna's 2027 National Conference. Atia's work helps school communities engage across differences, challenge assumptions, and better understand the experiences of others. Whether speaking with students, faculty, parents, or the broader community, she brings a powerful combination of storytelling, global perspective, and practical strategies that inspire empathy, strengthen communication, and bring Pollyanna's mission of Building Stronger and Kinder Communities to life. Available for keynotes, classroom conversations, and community programs, Atia creates meaningful opportunities for learning, dialogue, and connection. To learn more about bringing Atia to your school, please contact Pollyanna at [email protected] | | | | | | A FINAL THOUGHT "Out of school, everything was on pause and yet happening at the same time, this collection of weeks when anything was possible." Sarah Dessen, from Along for the Ride | | | | | | | | | | | | | Pollyanna, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3). © 2026 Pollyanna | New York, NY 10075 | | | | | | | |
