| | | | | Dear Friend, As we step into September, a recent Harvard Business Review article titled “Why Kindness Isn’t a Nice to Have” powerfully echoes what we’ve always known at Pollyanna: kindness isn’t extra — it’s essential. When kindness is missing, trust erodes, people disengage, and communities suffer. But when kindness is treated as a strategic priority and practiced, reinforced, and built into culture, it becomes a catalyst for connection, collaboration, and meaningful progress. We believe in operationalizing kindness. Through conferences, assessments, workshops, student programs, and leadership development, we provide the tools to help communities live their values and lead with clarity and compassion. Our mission of Building Stronger and Kinder Communities isn’t just a tagline. it’s a framework for thriving. This January, our first-ever National Conference will bring this mission to life. We’ll gather educators and leaders from across the country to share strategies, spark ideas, and strengthen the kind of communities we all need…especially now. 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. | | | | 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. | | | | 15 States and Counting Schools from 15 states have already registered for Pollyanna’s first National Conference this January in Minneapolis — including representation from California schools such as The Nueva School. Is your school one of them? Spots are filling quickly, so don’t miss your chance to join educators nationwide, learn from expert facilitators and keynotes, and take home strategies to strengthen your community. Be part of this milestone as we keep Building Stronger and Kinder Communities. | | | | | | Connect. Learn. Lead. Teen Council 2025-26 Pollyanna Teen Council is back this fall with an inspiring 2025-26 season! Each month, teens from across the country will meet leading voices in education, politics, advocacy, and AI, then dive into meaningful conversations about creating change in their schools and communities. Join us for connection, learning, and the chance to help shape a stronger and kinder future. Please share this invitation with your favorite 13- to 18-year-olds so they can learn more. | | | | | | | | Become a Host of the Leadership Seminar This two-part seminar helps independent schools align culture, strategy, and mission. Hosted in fall and spring half-day sessions, it offers senior administrators time to reflect, collaborate, and sharpen their decision-making lens. Teams of 5-8 senior administrators — including Heads of School and leaders in Communications, DEIB, and Advancement — explore how daily practices reflect values and how strategy drives impact. The result: stronger trust, clarity, and cohesion across communities. We'd love to speak with you about becoming a host school in your area. Please click here for more information. | | | | 1 Raffle. Over $10,000 in Prizes. 1 Lucky Winner. In honor of Pollyanna’s 10th Anniversary, enter our $10,000+ Grand Raffle. One lucky winner will take home exclusive experiences and prizes from Butterfield Market, Dolce & Gabbana, The MET, Film at Lincoln Center, and much more. Tickets are $100 each. Don’t miss your chance to support Pollyanna and celebrate this milestone in a big way. Click here for more information and to buy tickets. | | | | | | | | | | Wrapping Up Our Summer Workshop Series This summer, Pollyanna welcomed hundreds of educators and community leaders into conversation and learning through our 2025 Summer Workshop Series. Together, we explored new frameworks, shared powerful stories, and built connections. We’re grateful to our presenters for their expertise and time, and to every participant who brought curiosity, openness, and commitment to the Summer Series. The conversations don’t end here, join us for our 2025–26 Workshop Series launching this October. | | | | | | Pollyanna Board of Trustees Pollyanna’s Board has officially kicked off our 10th year! Our trustees gathered with energy and vision to chart bold goals for 2025-26: strengthening our National Conference, empowering young leaders, and expanding support for our mission. Together, we’re driving growth and impact while continuing Building Stronger and Kinder Communities. Stay tuned for updates on how we’re growing, connecting, and inspiring change in the year ahead. | | | | | | | | | | | | Manage Challenging Situations Better When your school is dealing with a crisis or complex issue, you need a trusted partner to support you. The Polaris Collaborative works with you to develop strategies to forge the best path forward. Founder Myra McGovern offers expert guidance, assistance crafting key messages and community letters, and media training and support. Myra leverages your school's mission and values to help you find the approaches that work best in your unique circumstances, while drawing on more than two decades of experience working with independent schools. To learn more, please visit www.ThePolarisCollaborative.com. Way Outta No Way Introducing a truly unique teaching and learning experience that leads with empathy! Created by pioneering scholar Tricia Rose, the newly released Way Outta No Way web-based education project harnesses the power of storytelling and African American creativity and resilience to reveal the devastating effects of systemic racism on Black individuals, families and communities. Beautiful visual design invites learner-directed exploration, while richly researched data and reflection prompts support deeper learning. For more information, including companion teaching guides, please contact victoria_hood@brown.edu. | | | | | | | | It’s just really obvious that the Pollyanna crew is committed to helping school leaders mature cultures that support kids, faculty, staff—and, as much as they’re involved, parents." Charles Vogl, author and Pollyanna National Conference keynote | | | | A FINAL THOUGHT "Engaging with all five senses involves being able to see and believe in people... It requires listening to people... It means speaking with empathy, sympathy, and generosity. It involves engaging in a real dialogue, not just speaking at people." Darren Walker | | | | | | | | | | | | | Pollyanna, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3). © 2025 Pollyanna | New York, NY 10075 | | | | | | | |
