Unexpected Voices of Episcopal Identity | |
Recently, a school leader shared with me that a new family was leaving just weeks into the school year, citing concerns that the Episcopal school “was not Christian enough.” This led to an extended discussion about the importance of clearly communicating Episcopal identity.
During the conversation, I asked, “How do you convey the school’s Episcopal identity during the admissions process?” The leader explained that they typically introduce families to the chapel space and provide a brief overview of the Episcopal identity during the admission tour. However, they candidly shared that “a few sentences on our website and a tour of the chapel space is probably not enough.”
During the admissions process, families are often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information they receive—it is like drinking from a fire hose. How can we ease the pressure by providing additional opportunities to hear, see, and interact with the information?
Our schools are uniquely positioned to provide students with an exceptional academic foundation while also nurturing their spiritual, emotional, and moral growth. Through this unique mission, our schools cultivate exceptional, safe, and faith-centered environments where respect, dignity, and love of neighbor are woven into the very fabric of our communities.
As Episcopal school leaders, one of our critical responsibilities is to clearly and consistently articulate our Episcopal identity to prospective and current families. This process requires more than a brief mention of the Episcopal tradition during an admissions tour—it demands multiple and ongoing touchpoints that allow families to fully understand and appreciate the Episcopal tradition. Through various forms of communication, such as brochures, emails, videos, and admissions events, we have the opportunity to articulate and highlight how our schools’ values and actions align with the broader ideals of the Episcopal faith.
Often, the task of communicating the Episcopal identity is entrusted to the chaplain, rector/vicar, head of school/director, or the admissions team. However, I have learned that some of the best articulators of a school’s Episcopal identity come from the unexpected voice—the Jewish administrator, the Muslim student body president, the humanist art teacher, and the atheist campus security guard (all of these are factual examples). I want to encourage our school leaders to seek out and empower those unexpected voices of Episcopal identity in the school community.
Finally, I have always found that inviting prospective families to attend a chapel service offers one of the most compelling experiences for truly understanding and appreciating the beauty of a school’s Episcopal identity. Whether it is a preschool or high school chapel, a prospective family begins to see our Episcopal values embodied and expressed in the service. The Episcopal tradition in our schools is expressed in so many rich and diverse ways. Our various illustrations of Episcopal identity weave together a beautiful tapestry that makes us both unique and unified.
Ultimately, our Episcopal schools must remain true to our core values—offering a welcoming and safe spiritual environment for families of all faiths, as well as those who identify with no faith tradition. Episcopal schools are deeply committed to being inclusive communities that respect the dignity of every human being and seek to nurture each child’s unique spiritual journey. By embracing these principles, we ensure that every family entrusted to our care feels valued, seen, and supported.
The Reverend Ryan D. Newman
Executive Director, Commission on Schools
| Registered to Attend the Celebration | |
Bishop John Taylor and the Commission on Schools invite Episcopal school leaders in the Diocese of Los Angeles to gather at St. Paul's Commons on Thursday, Oct. 10, to celebrate Episcopal Schools Week.
The event will begin with Eucharist at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon. It is open to all who serve in Episcopal schools in the diocese.
St. Paul's Commons is located at 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles 90026. Parking is available underground and on the street, but carpooling is strongly encouraged
Registration is required; click here.
| 2024-2025 School Profiles | Last month, school leaders were emailed a secure link to update their Commission Profiles for the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you to the schools who submitted their profile by the September 20th deadline. | |
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All Saints by the Sea Parish School
Arcadia Episcopal Preschool
Campbell Hall (Episcopal)
Delaney Wright Fine Arts Preschool (Eagle Rock)
Discovery Gardens Emmanuel Environmental Early Learning Center
Dorris Dann Kids Campus
Saint Andrew's Children's Center
Saint Mark's Preschool
St. Columba's Children's Learning Center
St. James' Episcopal School
St. John's Episcopal School
St. Margaret's Episcopal School
St. Mark's in the Valley Episcopal Preschool
St. Mark's School
St. Matthew's Parish School
St. Michael's Children's Center
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
St. Paul's Preschool
The Gooden School
The School of Los Angeles
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If your school still needs to complete its Commission Profile, we kindly ask that you submit your profile by Friday, October 4th. We sincerely appreciate your assistance with this update process, which helps the Commission better serve and support the exceptional schools within the Diocese.
If you need the link resent, have any questions, or have technical issues, please email the office.
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Earlier this month, the Airport Fire erupted in Orange and Riverside counties on September 9, 2024, scorching over 23,500 acres and destroying 160 structures. The fire started less than three miles from St. John’s Episcopal School in Rancho Santa Margarita. School leaders suspended after-school activities on September 9 as many St. John’s families faced mandatory and voluntary evacuations.
St. John’s, with many other private schools in the Rancho Santa Margarita area, closed school for two days. Families from St. Margaret’s Episcopal School also dealt with evacuations. However, St. Margaret’s was able to remain open, but it modified athletic practices, recesses, and other outdoor events due to the impact of smoke and high temperatures.
|  | A week after the start of the fire, the St. John’s community got an opportunity to thank members of the Orange County Fire Authority and Cal Fire. In thanksgiving for their efforts to protect RSM and the surrounding communities, St. John’s students gave the firefighters letters, cards, artwork, and banners of gratitude. | |
Images Source: St. John's Facebook Page and Jessica Carlson | |
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Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.
We recommend that school leaders have this app on their mobile devices.
Powered by over 100 volunteers–firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders–who diligently monitor radio scanners and other official sources 24 hours a day to send you the most up-to-date information.
- Real-time Wildfire Map & Alerts
- Monitor Wildfires and Prescribed Burns
- Air Quality & Wind Direction
- Consolidated Information
- Track Active Fire Perimeters
- Evacuation Orders & Shelters
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Presiding Bishop’s Message
for Episcopal Schools Celebration 2024
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Episcopal Schools Celebration (ESC) celebrates the ministry of the 800+ Episcopal schools and early childhood education programs throughout the Episcopal Church. Observed the week beginning with the first Sunday in October, ESC highlights a different aspect of Episcopal school identity and mission through the event’s theme. | |
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The below-listed suggestions are arranged according to the Book of Common Prayer pattern for the Liturgy of the Word, but use as many or as few lessons as suits your school’s needs. Download a Word Document with the readings.
- Old Testament: Isaiah 58:1-9a, [9b-12]
- Epistle: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, [13-16]
- Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20
- Psalm 112:1-9, (10)
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St. Patrick's Annual Peace Chapel | |
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On September 19th, the entire St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School (Thousand Oaks) student body came together for their annual Peace Chapel, renewing our commitment to peace and kindness.
Members of the 7th-grade class offered a powerful presentation on what peace truly means, sharing real, concrete ways we can either create or break it in our daily lives.
The Reverend Sarah Kitch, School Chaplain, invited students to sign a special Peace Pledge--promising to follow the Golden Rule—to treat others with the same kindness, respect, compassion, and inclusion they hope to receive.
A short video capturing highlights of the extraordinary chapel service can be viewed on St. Patrick's Facebook page or Instagram account.
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Source: St. Patrick's Facebook Page | |
Campbell Hall Youth Visual Arts Residency | |
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Javon'e Williams, elementary science lab co-teacher and practicing artist at Campbell Hall, founded and launched the Campbell Hall Youth Visual Arts Residency (YAR) program this past summer. Still in its incubation phase within the CH IDEA Center, the program aims to provide young creatives from Title I schools a space to explore their artistic potential through access to studio facilities, high-quality materials, and mentorship. The program seeks to create a nurturing environment for the arts that parallels the robust support often found in youth athletics.
The residency is a tuition-free, intensive three-week program during which 12 high school artists refine their skills, develop their artistic voices, and create works to showcase under the mentorship of professional artists. Students were nominated by their art teachers and interviewed before being selected to be a member of this cohort of artists.
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The inaugural YAR exhibition, Identity: Creative Expressions from Student Artists of L.A., opened on August 2 and explores the complexities of identity. Through a range of artistic expressions, these young artists offer a fresh perspective on the teen experience, inviting viewers to reflect on the many ideas that make up one’s own identity.
In keeping with the school’s mission, Campbell Hall has instituted several partnerships with local public schools to help build a more just and equitable community. Under the leadership of Michael Schlesinger, the Public Partnerships Committee oversees the development and implementation of these strategic partnerships.
The Identity: Creative Expressions from Student Artists of L.A. exhibition is on display in the Campbell Hall Gallery until September 29.
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Free Professional Development | |
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Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the State Education Agency (SEA) has the responsibility to implement equitable services for qualified nonprofit private school teachers and administrators to the extent that it reserves any funds under the ESEA Section 2101(c)(1) for any of the State-level activities authorized in sections 2101(c)(3)-(4).
California Private School Professional Development (CAPSPD.now) is managed by the California Department of Education and receives funds through Title II, Part A Equitable Services to provide no cost professional development to private school educators.
The CAPSPD.now website offers over 1000 no-cost courses available to schools and teachers in an on-demand format.
Private school teachers and administrators can join the CaPSPD email distribution list to receive notifications about upcoming development opportunities by sending a blank email to this address.
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Source: CAPSO & CaPSPD Now | |
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California Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Program, now in its 10th year, offers encouragement, guidance, and recognition to schools desiring to become better stewards of the environment, conserve resources (and reduce costs!), teach and model sustainability, and promote the health and well-being of students, teachers and staff.
Each year, the California Department of Education recognizes schools, both public and private, that have demonstrated significant progress toward achievement of these goals. Additionally, up to five public schools (or public school districts, or county offices of education) and one private school are nominated for recognition by the U.S. Department of Education as National Green Ribbon Schools.
Your school leaders can learn more about the program by perusing the CDE’s “Green Ribbon Schools Award Program” web page.
Interested applicants should first complete the 2024-25 Application Interest Survey. The survey and the online application period will close at 12:00 P.M. PST on November 4, 2024.
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Source: California Green Ribbon Schools | |
Early AI Adoption Woes in California Schools | |
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While AI continues to spark excitement about how it might be a powerful companion to the educational landscape, the challenges faced by two large districts in California highlight issues with recent AI-driven education initiatives. These high-profile AI projects were intended to enhance educational outcomes, but problems, including inadequate planning, lack of teacher input, and technical difficulties, contributed to unsuccessful and costly implementation. These failures underscore the need for more practical and well-supported AI implementation plans for schools that involve educators in planning, ensure technology aligns with educational goals, and include proper training and support.
Read the article on Cal Matters.
| Source: CAPSO & Cal Matters | |
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New outdoor learning center
St. John's (RSM)
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Learning to read
The Gooden School (Sierra Madre)
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T-Rex (aka Dr. Kelly) makes reading fun
St. Matthew's (Pacific Palisades)
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Chapel Duties
Blessed Sacrament (Placentia)
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Photos retrieved from schools' Facebook accounts. All photos have a "public" privacy setting. | |
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NAES Webinar: How Parents Pay
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 (11 am - 12 pm US/Pacific) [Zoom]
| Join this discussion of the new findings from the 2023-24 How Parents Pay research for insights into where behaviors and emotions have changed and where they’ve stayed the same. Consider how these parent perspectives can inform your financial aid policy, parent education, and affordability communication efforts. | Episcopal identity informs all aspects of our school life and can be a compelling reason for families to join our communities. How schools live into their Episcopal identity often begins with the admissions process. If you are a head of school, admissions officer, division head, chaplain, or involved in any aspect of the admissions process, this webinar is for you. | | | | |
