October - Staffing Changes Announced

The school year is well underway. The few tears that welled for the little ones on the first days have long since dried, and the children now skip joyfully into school, eager to continue the work of the day before or launch a new adventure in learning. Wednesday morning meetings are already filled with their songs and shared activities. The seventh and eighth graders have confronted the outdoor challenge of Frost Valley and, despite an occasional runny nose, returned with increased self confidence and a heightened sense of their ability to problem solve amicably with one another. And the upper school has settled nicely into the role of leadership and responsibility. The modifications in last year’s schedule, suggested by faculty and students, are working well, and there is an air of purposefulness throughout. It’s good to be back together again.

As many of you know, there have been some unanticipated changes in organizational structure and staffing this year. Early last summer, Liz Vinogradov developed severe although not clearly diagnosed back and muscle pain that necessitated her taking a leave of absence for this academic year. Late this summer, upper school humanities chair Mike Foley valiantly agreed to serve as co-head of upper school. He and Don are doing a fine job, and we are grateful, indeed. Since then, however, Liz has decided that although she hopes to be well enough to return in September, she does not wish to continue as division head. She prefers to return to her first love, teaching. Those of you whose children have studied with Liz understand what wonderful consequences that decision will have for all of our students and our program. Liz is an extraordinary teacher. Her knowledge of history and of her students, her ability to bring out the best in every student and her genuine delight in engaging young minds in thoughtful inquiry have inspired literally generations of PDS students. We are fortunate that she will return to us to continue that most important work.

But what are we to do about continuing leadership in the upper school? Don Fried, who as served as co-head with Liz for several years, is also working at one hundred and ten percent. His job as college counselor has become far more complicated and time consuming than it was when he began. We have more students to guide through the college inquiry and application process that, itself, has increased exponentially in complexity and importance in recent years. Attending fully to these needs while also engaging his passion, the independent musical CS and teaching his senior English course has left him little time for administration.

We must, therefore, find a full-time head of upper school. Fortunately, Liz is well enough to work with us in launching this project. She has graciously agreed to chair the committee that will coordinate the search. She will be talking with faculty and students about the professional and personal qualities they feel are important in leading our upper school forward. She will also find opportunities to hear your opinions. Our goal is to advertise the position by the end of October and to have it filled shortly after the new year begins. Liz, Don and Mike have offered to mentor the new division head in ways that only they can. I am truly grateful to them.

A second staffing change has occurred in the middle school. Just before school began in September, Dan Abramson, a middle school humanities teacher, resigned. We immediately began a search for his successor. I am pleased to report that we have found her! Trace (rhymes with face) Schillinger received her B.A. in English literature from the University of Utah, her M.A. in English education from N.Y.U. and currently is an advanced doctoral candidate in English education at Columbia University. An experienced independent school educator, Trace has taught English in grades six to eight at The Horace Mann School in New York City; math, English, literature, geography, spelling and sports at the St. Albans School in Washington, D.C,; and English literature, writing and grammar at Elizabeth Irwin High School (Little Red) in New York City. In addition, she designed and instructed a course on drug and alcohol prevention at St. Albans and supervised student teachers from Columbia University working in the public schools of New York City. She left teaching temporarily when her daughter was born and, now that her daughter is in school, Trace looks forward to returning to the classroom. I know that you will welcome her to our PDS family.

These changes remind us of the generosity of spirit that shapes our lives here. Each required significant efforts on the parts of our faculty and staff. Foremost in their minds was always the question, “What must we do to make this right for our students.” Their selflessness is characteristic of our PDS community. To adapt the sentiment and words of President Kennedy, we must count our blessings that we are part of a community in which members asks not what they must do for the school, but what they can do for each of its children. That is a significant part of the PDS heritage.

May the rest of the year be wonderful for you and for your children. I look forward to seeing you at the 70th anniversary celebration on October 16th. Meanwhile, remember that I am here for you and your children. I welcome opportunities for us to talk together.

Sincerely,

Mary Jane