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For six years, I served as of a head of an Episcopal school on the island of Kaua’i. Given that Kaua’i is a small, remote island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it was easy to feel disconnected, professionally and personally. Honolulu was only 107 miles away. Yet, a trip to the “big city” and the neighboring island of Oahu was an all-day adventure, which included two plane flights, two airport security lines, and the daunting snare of Honolulu traffic. “Zoom meetings” were not a thing yet. Hawaiian locals call the illness of island isolation “rock fever.” Despite Kaua’i’s profound beauty and spirit of Aloha, island life can be lonely.
| The isolation of island life is not restricted to physical islands. Having spent most of my educational career in major cities and sprawling neighborhoods, I have experienced a sense of isolation, even amid the hustle and bustle of urban and suburban life. As educators, we often enter an all-consuming bubble in August and emerge from that bubble in June, fulfilled yet tired—longing for the few weeks of summer to recharge. Despite our extraordinary campuses and the sheer joy and wonder that consume them, school life can be lonely. | I was reminded of the gift of association while attending last month’s National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) Biennial Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Every two years, for a short week, an astounding group of educational and ministry leaders gather (associate together) to celebrate and continue reimagining our Episcopal schools. One week every two years, I am profoundly reminded that we (Episcopal schools) are not islands unto ourselves. Association life is empowering, life-changing, and Spirit-driven. | From previous experiences on the island and in the bubble, I always knew my NAES friends and colleagues were a phone call, email, or text away. Whether it was dreaming up a student vestry, overhauling the early childhood curriculum, or dealing with a difficult governance issue, I knew I had like-minded lifelines who could provide wise counsel, pass along a resource, or simply share their experience. These vital relationships are forged and nurtured through the gift of association. | |
The NAES family is a tremendous resource and blessing to our Episcopal schools. The NAES staff are invaluable professionals who understand Episcopal schools, the Episcopal Church, and the extraordinary challenges and opportunities we face daily. The member institutions of NAES and their professional communities provide a rich and elaborate tapestry sown together by knowledge, experience, and collegiality. Through the gift of association, our Episcopal schools have innumerable resources to learn, grow, and thrive.
| To be a certified school in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the Commission on Schools requires that a school maintain an active membership with the National Association of Episcopal Schools. Unfortunately, not all our schools have consistently maintained their membership with NAES. Furthermore, some schools do not take advantage of their NAES membership. Inactive and under-utilized memberships withhold your school’s ability to benefit from the gift of association. | |
In the closing minutes of the 2024 Biennial, NAES announced that the 2026 Biennial will return to the West Coast, specifically San Francisco. I am overjoyed that the Biennial Conference will be returning to our state. It will allow our schools in the Diocese to maximize participation and leadership in the Biennial experience.
Therefore, I want to set a goal for the Commission on Schools for 2026. When NAES arrives in San Francisco in the fall of 2026, I would love for EVERY school in the Diocese of Los Angeles to have an active NAES membership and send at least one representative from their school to the Biennial Conference in San Francisco. The Commission on Schools is committed to helping schools reach this bold aim. Let us work together to achieve this goal, ensuring every school in our Diocese embraces the gift of association.
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Finally, as the busy yet beautiful Christmas season unfolds on our campuses, may your school community be filled with joy, love, and peace.
ryan+
The Reverend Ryan D. Newman, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Commission on Schools – Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
| Photos Above: (1) Kauai Coastline - Ryan D. Newman, (2) & (3) 2024 NAES Biennial Conference - Tony Kawashima and the National Association of Episcopal Schools, (4) Golden Gate Bridge - Alexey Komissarov on Unsplash. | Keynote speaker Steve Pemberton shared his remarkable story of overcoming insurmountable odds to discover his identity and calling in life. Pemberton spoke about the "lighthouses," the ordinary people in his journey who did extraordinary things in his life. | Left: The Reverend Canon Norman Hall, Chaplain at Campbell Hall, leads a conference session for school chaplains. Right: Canon Serena Beeks, the 2006 NAES Ruth Jenkins Award recipient, was an exhibitor at the Biennial Conference—sharing information about Haiti partnerships for Episcopal schools. | |
Dr. Cris Lozon, Director of the Early Childhood School and Wee Tartan Center at St. Margaret's, was part of a featured panel exploring key early childhood education topics in Episcopal and Lutheran schools. | |
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Jennifer Tolbert, Head of School at St. Mark’s School in Altadena, California, with the Rev. Canon Preston B. Hannibal (far-right) gathered to celebrate LaSandra “Sandi” Hannibal, the 2024 John D. Verdery Award recipient. Sandi was a visionary educator whose dedication to children’s learning and development left an indelible mark on the educational landscape. With over five decades of experience, Sandi’s career spanned both public and independent schools, where she served as a beloved classroom teacher, school librarian, and administrator.
Sandi’s legacy is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence, her compassion for others, and her unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. As a posthumous recipient of the John D. Verdery Award, her contributions to the field of education will continue to inspire generations to come.
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Biennial Conference offered pre-conference opportunities, including a beach clean-up service opportunity. | |
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The Rev. David A. Madison, D.Min., NAES Executive Director, sends a weekly meditation to the NAES community. To receive Rev. Madison's weekly meditation, please make sure your NAES profile is updated, and your communication preferences include receiving NAES publications. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact NAES at communications@episcopalschools.org.
Below is the meditation for the week of December 9, 2024.
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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. — Isaiah 9:2
The season of Advent is a treasure of our Episcopal identity as it provides a time for us to pause and reflect upon the mysteries of God dwelling among us. Today, I am reminded of another treasure of our identity: Lessons and Carols. This liturgical tradition was popularized by King's College, Cambridge in 1918, becoming a profound Anglican tradition that weaves biblical narrative and beautiful hymnody into a tapestry of hope and anticipation.
One of my favorite readings from that service comes from the book Isaiah. Isaiah wrote during a time of great political turmoil where people were experiencing darkness and despair. The prophet promises a time of renewal and celebration to come. As educators in Episcopal schools, we are reminded that our calling is fundamentally an act of hope—of bringing light to darkness, of nurturing potential in spaces where despair might otherwise take root.
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light." These words resonate deeply within the hallways of our schools, where each classroom is a sanctuary of transformation. As educators, we are more than instructors of academic content; we are bearers of light, carriers of hope, and architects of potential.
The families we serve arrive to us carrying diverse burdens—some visible, many unseen. Like the people Isaiah addressed, they walk through landscapes of questions and uncertainty. Our mission is not simply to teach, but to illuminate. We are called to help students see beyond their current circumstances, to recognize the extraordinary potential within themselves.
As Episcopal educators, we stand in a prophetic tradition. We are not merely preparing students for tests or college, but for a life of meaning, of service, and of profound human connection. We are helping to birth hope in a world that desperately needs it.
Let us walk, then, as bearers of light—illuminating paths, nurturing potential, and trusting in the extraordinary possibility that resides in every student entrusted to our care.
The Rev. David A. Madison, D.Min.
NAES Executive Director
| Article Source: National Association of Episcopal Schools | |
Congratulations to all of our fall athletes in the Diocese, especially to our CIF winners. | |
Congratulations to the St. Margaret’s girls' Cross Country team on winning the CIF-SS title. This is the Tartans' second consecutive championship and fourth in the last six years. The boys cross country team CIF runners-up | |
Images Source: St. Margaret's and Campbell Hall's social media sites. | |
2024-2025 Commission Dues | |
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Later this week, invoices for 2024-2025 annual dues will be sent out. Annual dues are calculated based on your 2023-2024 tuition income, as reported in your 2024-2025 school profile. We kindly request that all dues be paid in full by January 31, 2025.
Please make the check payable to the “Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles” and include “24-25 Commission on Schools Dues” in the memo line to ensure proper application to your account. Please mail your check to the Commission on Schools at the address indicated on the invoice.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Commission on Schools office.
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An Important Partner: CAPSO | |
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Our schools in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles are members of the California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO). The Commission's Executive Director, Ryan Newman, is a board member of CAPSO.
CAPSO, considered the voice of private education in California, is a nonprofit legislative advocacy organization representing 80% of all parentally placed private school students in California. CAPSO actively lobbies on behalf of private school interests, advocating for the exclusion of private schools from legislative matters that could hinder their mission-based operations and promoting their inclusion in initiatives that provide direct benefits to students and staff.
As a private school leader, the following resources may interest you.
CAPSO Monthly E-Mailer: CAPSO distributes a monthly email that focuses on key state and federal issues that potentially or directly impact private schools in California. In addition to highlighting “need to know” content for private school leadership, the Email features a monthly legislative engagement opportunity for schools to connect with local legislators and reinforce the value of private education to state decision-makers. School leaders are invited to subscribe to this monthly email here.
State/Federal Programs: CAPSO advocates for private school engagement in beneficial state and federal programs. These programs, including ESSA, IDEA, Blue Ribbon Schools, and Green Ribbon Schools, can be accessed from the CAPSO website. A landing page with all state and federal programs can be accessed here.
ESSA: CAPSO is involved in ongoing dialogue with the California Department of Education to improve the ESSA engagement process for private schools. Future webinars and support offerings will be forthcoming during the 2024-2025 school year- more information will follow on these sessions once dates are confirmed. In addition, CAPSO has partnered with ADAC to create a comprehensive guide to understanding title programs for private schools. Resources include descriptions of the titles, checklists for consultation meetings, explanations of funding mechanisms and qualification requirements, and a process overview. A comprehensive set of resources for ESSA can be accessed here.
IDEA: CAPSO is involved in efforts to support the successful engagement of private schools in California with IDEA, including the Child Find process. CAPSO has partnered with ADAC to create a comprehensive guide to understanding IDEA for private schools. Resources include descriptions, regulations, checklists, and a process overview. A comprehensive set of resources for IDEA can be accessed here.
Legislative Tracker: CAPSO maintains a legislative tracker that reveals the legislation that CAPSO is watching/involved with as the representative for private schools. You are encouraged to visit the tracker anytime to learn how the political landscape of California is interacting with private school matters in the state. The CAPSO Legislation Tracker can be accessed here.
Thanks for your engagement and support of CAPSO, the voice of private education in California! www.capso.org
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On Campus: Fall Happenings | |
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Fall Plantings
St. Mark's (Altadena)
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Soup Kitchen Volunteers
St. James' (Los Angeles)
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Junior Firefighters
Delaney Wright (Hollywood)
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Dinosaur Picnic
St. Mark's (Glendale)
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Tunes at Open House
School of Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
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Thanksgiving Feast
Blessed Sacrament (Placentia)
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Alice in Wonderland
St. John's (Rancho Santa Margarita)
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Photos retrieved from schools' Facebook accounts. All photos have a "public" privacy setting. | |
2025 ECF Fellowship Applications | |
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The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) announced that the 2025 applications for the Fellowship Partners Program are now open! Since 1964, ECF has supported nearly 240 dedicated lay and clergy leaders through this program, empowering them with resources for advanced academic studies and specialized ministries that strengthen The Episcopal Church’s mission and impact.
The Fellowship Partners Program nurtures leaders at a formative stage, enabling them to contribute in meaningful ways to the Church’s growth and future. Here’s what you should know:
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We Empower the Next Generation. ECF is committed to strengthening the leadership capability of The Episcopal Church. Applicants are asked to describe how they will be developing the next generation of leaders for the Episcopal Church, whether in the context of a local congregation, through a church-wide initiative, or in another setting.
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Our Support Goes Beyond Funding. An ECF Fellowship provides both financial backing and invaluable connections. Awards typically range up to $15,000 for the first year, with renewals available for up to two additional years. New Fellows also join a vibrant network of past Fellows and ECF partners, connecting with peers and mentors across the Church.
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The Selection Process is Rigorous. Because ECF takes this commitment seriously, the Fellowship application process is highly competitive and requires thorough preparation. ECF encourages all applicants to begin early to ensure a strong submission. The deadline to apply is March 11, 2025, and the selected Fellows will be announced in June 2025.
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For more information about the Fellowship Partners Program application process, visit the ECF website, where you will find everything you need, including our Frequently Asked Questions. Curious about our current Fellows? Check out the profiles of the 2024 Fellows here.
If you have any questions or need guidance on your application, feel free to reach out to Jacob Sierra, Senior Program Director, at fellows@ecf.org.
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Events and Important Dates | |
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NAES Webinar: Four Priorities for Human-Centered AI in Schools
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PM [Zoom]
Nearly two years after the release of ChatGPT, schools are considering how to adopt long-term, sustainable strategies for the rise of generative AI. The first step is to reset our priorities to ensure our approach is mission-aligned and human-centered rather than reactive and proscriptive. In this session, we'll explore four essential priorities: augmentation over automation, literacy over policy, design over technology, and vision over decisions. We'll look at research and use cases from innovative schools. We'll consider how a school's approach to AI can be an asset to its program, its message, and its community. The presenter is Eric Hudson. Eric is a facilitator and strategic advisor who supports schools in making sense of what’s changing in education. He specializes in learner-centered assessment, human-centered leadership, and strategic program design.
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NAES Webinar: NAES Culture and Climate Survey for Administrators, Faculty, and Staff
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 9:00 - 10:30 AM [Zoom]
Announcing the new NAES Culture and Climate Survey for Administrators, Faculty, and Staff, one of the resources developed by NAES in response to member schools requesting tools to support their efforts to strengthen and sustain their Episcopal identity and commitment to inclusion. This survey is designed to be one element of your school's ongoing reflective process by providing data from administrators, faculty, and staff about how Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice exist in the school's programs and practices and the respondents’ experiences. The webinar is offered in partnership with Mission and Data who will walk participants through setting up the survey and dashboard for their schools. This survey and dashboard are free to members.
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NAES Webinar: Chaplains and Heads of School—Navigating Tensions in the Chaplaincy
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM [Zoom]
Living into your school’s Episcopal identity is a critical strategic topic for heads of school. It’s hard work! Success in implementing the board’s vision for a school’s Episcopal identity depends on a highly effective partnership between the head of school and the chaplain. Join us to hear from three pairs of heads of school and chaplains about how they navigate tensions in the chaplaincy and cultivate collaboration in this important work.
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NAIS Thrive 2025
February 26-28, 2025 in Nashville
Thrive 2025, the NAIS annual conference, is where independent school leaders come together to connect, explore, inspire, and recharge. This is your opportunity to gain new ideas, build meaningful connections, and leave ready to lead with joy and purpose. You'll hear from inspiring speakers and dive deep into dynamic programming designed to help you, your leadership team, your students, and your entire school community thrive.
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