| | Dear Friend, Let's take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress we've made together. This year alone, we've welcomed 130 schools to our Workshop Series, hosted over 15 Pollyanna Conferences, and touched the lives of countless students and educators. With each passing year, our network grows stronger, united by a shared commitment to Building Stronger and Kinder Communities . Joining this mission has never been easier or more important. Whether through events, workshops, Teen Council meetups, or conferences, your involvement has the power to make a real, lasting impact. Together, we can lay the foundation for a more compassionate, harmonious world, even in the face of the challenges that lie ahead. Stay involved with Pollyanna by attending one of our upcoming events or consider supporting our mission. Your partnership is essential as we continue this important work! Warmly, |
|  |
|
| | Pollyanna Teen Council November Meetup Calling all teens! Join us for our next Pollyanna Teen Council meetup, Coming Out Again and Again, with Head of School Frank Patti on November 17. Our PTC School Membership program provides 13-to 18-year-old students with an unforgettable journey of discovery and connection through meaningful dialogue on important topics. Each monthly meetup on Zoom features a new special guest. Click here to register for PTC or to learn more. |
|
|
| 2024-25 Pollyanna Workshop Series We were thrilled to kick off our 2024-2025 Workshop Series this October. Outstanding workshops for the entire school community continue this month, covering topics such as “Transforming Conflict into Connection” and “Building Stronger, Kinder Family Engagement.” Click here to learn more and register for the complete sixteen-workshop series. All are recorded and available on demand throughout the school year. We hope you'll join us! |
|
|
| Klingenstein Center Becomes a Sponsor We’re thrilled that the Klingenstein Center, is a sponsor of our 2024-2025 Workshop Series. Klingenstein Center is dedicated to building the capacity of educators so they can better teach, lead, and make change for the kinds of schools all students deserve and need to flourish. |
|
|
| | Harvard-Westlake’s Pollyanna Conference H-W hosted its 8th annual Pollyanna Conference on October 19 - Exploring Gender in 2024 and Beyond. This event brought together schools to critically assess the progress made toward gender equity and to examine systemic barriers that remain. Renowned speaker Lily Zheng delivered a keynote emphasizing the need for structural change, stating, "We need to stop fixing people and fix systems." This underscored the importance of shifting the focus from individual responsibility to collective reform. |
| |
|
| Thank You, San Francisco! We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with both familiar colleagues and new partners, engaging in meaningful workshops and discussions while collaboratively planning for the future. The shared meals and conversations further strengthened the sense of community and purpose. We extend our heartfelt thanks for welcoming us into your school communities, and we look forward to continuing this important work in the future. |
|
|
| PTC Kickoffs with “Being Heard and Not Hurt” On October 20, Pollyanna Teen Council welcomed special guest Jason Craige Harris. He is part of the Pollyanna speaker bureau and specializes in inclusion strategies, conflict mediation, restorative justice, and leadership development. We got to pick his brain on the best ways to handle difficult conversations relating to current issues, a particularly pertinent topic right now. The most impactful idea is to have productive discussions, especially with people who do not share your views. Both parties must have genuine empathy for each other and be able to connect emotionally with each other's experiences. |
|
|
| | | | Introducing School Partner Connect for School Leaders School Partner Connect is the platform that connects school leaders with a network of expert partners to get their projects and strategic initiatives seamlessly off the ground. When a school leader submits a project to School Partner Connect, they are contacted by experts who are best suited to meet their school’s specific needs. The result is a simplified procurement process, less time vetting external school partners, and greater access to experts in the independent school sector. Learn more and submit a project. |
| | | One of the many great things about the Pollyanna Conference is that it gives schools a chance to gather with their own community POD and unpack problems of practice and brainstorm solutions to improve the student experience. It’s rare but so necessary for parents/guardians, admin, faculty, students, Board members and alumni to be in the same room tackling things together. Carley Dryden, Director of E&I, Brentwood School, Los Angeles, CA. Attendee at Harvard-Westlake's 8th Pollyanna Conference |
| | | |
|
| | | | Pollyanna, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3). © 2024 Pollyanna | New York, NY 10075 |
|
|
| |
|
|
