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Notes from Head of School
Dear Families,
PreK
There are so many things going on here at LFS that show how we are grounded in experiential education taught thematically and authentically. This morning, the preK presented the first gathering, a funny dramatization of the book "Down on the Funny Farm." They did this as part of their study of the farm. We were then visited by a menagerie of farm animals from Quiver Farm, including a llama, a sheet, a goat, a duck, a turkey, a goose, and many rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks. In November, they will be visiting an educational farm in Delaware.
Teacher Paola
We have some very exciting news. As some of you may have noticed, Paola Livingstone is expecting a baby. The baby is due March 15. We have already lined up a substitute while Paola is out on maternity leave. Paola hopes to return to school after one month of leave. Please join me in sending good wishes to Paola, her family and her baby.
Governance at LFS
I wanted to share with you how governance works at LFS. Lansdowne Friends School is under the care of Lansdowne Monthly Meeting. A special committee called the School Committee governs the school. It is made up of fifteen members, eight of whom must be members of the Religious Society of Friends, and the rest who do not need to be but may be Quaker. Potential members are nominated by the school committee's Committee on Trustees, who look first to be certain that each member is committed to the Quaker nature and mission of the school. The Committee also seeks to have a balance of skills and talents necessary to help oversee our school. The Committee on Trustees then forwards names to Lansdowne Meeting which ultimately approves every appointment. The present members of the School Committee are Judy Nicholson Asselin (LFS Class of 1965, and a member of Westtown Meeting), Joan Broadfield (member of Chester Meeting), Joe Bullen (LFS Class of 1953 and a lawyer in Lansdowne), Latesha Colbert-Mack (a parent of a present student and an alumnus, and classroom liason for SCA), Emma Lapsanksy-Werner (member of Lansdowne Meeting and professor at Haverford), Carol Martsolf (a past parent and member of Lansdowne Meeting), Erik Muther (a parent of two LFS students), Karyn Payton (a teacher at Westtown and a member of Chester Meeting), Jerry Sena (a past parent and member of Lansdowne Meeting), Abbi Smith (a teacher at Friends Select and member of the Lansdowne community), Phoebe Titus (a parent of a student and an alumna and member of Lansdowne Meeting) and Jane Waltman (a past parent and attender of Lansdowne Meeting.)
The Committee meets at least six times a year. While others may attend these meetings to observe or ask questions, the school committee alone makes the decisions regarding the school, and when there are items that are sensitive or confidential, the committee meets in executive session (i.e. alone.) The meetings are conducted according to Quaker practice where decisions are made by a sense of the meeting, which is akin to deciding by consensus.
The officers of the School Committee include the clerk (Abbi Smith) and assistant clerk (Phoebe Titus), the recording clerk (in other settings called a secretary) (Emma Lapsansky-Werner) and the treasurer (Erik Muther). The Head of the school is an ex officio member of the school committee.
The School Committee does several things. It hires and reviews the performance of the Head of School. Working with the Head, it oversees the financial management of the school and guides the school's strategic vision, consistent with the mission. The school committee is not in charge of administrative matters that involve the day-to-day running of the school, which matters are the charge of the Head of School. The administration of the school involves implementation of Board policies, curriculum and instruction, hiring and evaluating staff, parent relations, community relations, meeting relations and facilities management.
One question that often arises in an independent school is to whom does one direct communication about the school. The lead channels of communication are the Head of School and the Clerk of the School Committee. If one has a concern about school administration, such as teachers, staff, parents, students, volunteers, or donors, then one should talk to the Head of School. You should also talk to the Head about something distressing that might be happening in a classroom, on the playground, or in a student or employee home.
If there is a concern about the Head's performance, then it makes sense to talk to the Head first (and I want to hear from you), but if that does not work then you may direct your concern to the Clerk of the School Committee.
I know I speak for the whole community when I say that we are grateful for the service of the school committee to our school. They give so much of their time and energy to help Lansdowne Friends School function so well.
Sincerely,
John
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