School Life & Culture

• A Good School [S]

  The Rev. Brinton W. (“Pete”) Woodward, Jr., explores what it means for an Episcopal school to be a good school.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Biennial Conference 2014 - Opening Eucharist Sermon

  The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, reflects on the Biblical concept of Jubilee and its expression as holy rest and creative freedom in Episcopal schools.

  Tagged: Biennial Conference, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Consultants, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Educational Association Staff, Elementary School, Episcopal Church Leadership, Heads of School, Middle School, Parents, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Sermons & Speeches, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Biennial Conference 2016 Eucharist Sermon

  The Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, D.D., NAES Executive Director, explores how our schools “offer the opportunity—whether it is for those who are yearning for an alternative, or those who stumble upon the value of that alternative by surprise—to view life in a new way.”

  Tagged: Articles, Biennial Conference, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Consultants, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Educational Association Staff, Elementary School, Episcopal Church Leadership, Heads of School, Middle School, Parents, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Sermons & Speeches, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Claimed and Unclaimed Episcopal Identity [S]

  There is a natural tendency for schools to claim their Episcopal identity primarily if not solely in terms of its most visible symbols. At the same time, there are less visible but equally powerful cultural norms at the heart of each school’s Episcopal identity that often remain unspoken and unclaimed.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Consultants, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Educational Association Staff, Episcopal Church Leadership, Heads of School, Parents, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Principles & Ideals, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Delivering Difficult News to Parents: Speaking Truth with Compassion and Grace [S]

  Laura C. Walker discusses how best to deliver difficult news to parents about their student, offering strategies for successful meetings and interactions.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Episcopal Identity 2.0 [S]

  Today, “2.0” is used throughout the education world to signal a transformational reinvention of schooling. Similarly, Episcopal schools are exploring how best to live out their core values in the context of a changing social and religious landscape.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Educational Association Staff, Elementary School, Episcopal Church Leadership, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Principles & Ideals, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Teachers & Administrators, Theology & Theory of Service & Service-Learning, Theology & Theory of the Study of Religion, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Episcopal Identity: Five Ideas for the Start of the School Year [S]

  The many meetings and community gatherings that mark the start of a new year lay the foundation and set the tone for the year ahead. Here are five simple ways to address your school’s Episcopal identity with faculty, staff, and parents during the opening days and weeks of the school year.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Educational Association Staff, Elementary School, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Principles & Ideals, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members

• NAES Principles of Good Practice

  NAES develops sets of principles of good practice for various aspects of Episcopal school identity, leadership, governance, and community life. Click this link to view the current documents in this series.

  Tagged: Boarding School, Chapel & Worship, Chaplaincy, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Consultants, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Educational Association Staff, Elementary School, Episcopal Church Leadership, Episcopal Identity, Equity & Justice, External Links, Heads of School, Leadership & Governance, Middle School, Parents, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Rectors, School Life & Culture, School Management, Secondary School, Service & Service-Learning, Study of Religion, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Refinding Tools of the Spirit [S]

  David Streight of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE) offers strategies for redeveloping the spiritual life of your school.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, School Life & Culture, Secondary School

• School Climate and Anti-Bullying Resources

  The following resources can assist Episcopal schools of all types to foster a positive school culture as well as to develop, disseminate, and evaluate effective policies and programs to prevent and respond to social cruelty, including harassment, hazing, and bullying. 

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Consultants, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Diversity & Inclusion, Early Childhood, Educational Association Staff, Elementary School, Episcopal Church Leadership, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Teaching in an Episcopal School: A Primer for Faculty and Staff [S]

  Each Episcopal school has its own culture and way of being. But amid their great variety, Episcopal schools share common characteristics and a set of core assumptions about human formation.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Principles & Ideals, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Teachers & Administrators

• The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

  Membership organization providing resources and professional development.

  Tagged: Boarding School, Consultants, Diocesan or Independent School, Educational Association Staff, Episcopal Church Leadership, External Links, Heads of School, Parents, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Trustees & Vestry Members

• The Episcopal School as Redemptive Community [S]

  The Rev. Russell W. Ingersoll explores how practices regarding discipline, restoration, and dismissal reflect Episcopal schools' commitment to the work of redemption.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Elementary School, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Teachers & Administrators

• The Spiritual Life of Holderness School [S]

  A sample spiritual life statement reflecting a strategic planning process dedicated to this aspect of Episcopal school life.

  Tagged: Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Heads of School, Middle School, Models & Samples, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Transgender People in Episcopal Schools: An Invitation to Discernment [S]

  NAES’ initial effort to assist our schools in undertaking careful and compassionate responses to both the challenge and the opportunity of welcoming transgender people in Episcopal schools. Offers a short list of steps schools should consider as they thoughtfully respond to transgender people in a manner that reflects the best of what it means to be an Episcopal school.

  Tagged: Articles, Boarding School, Chaplains & Teachers of Religion, Consultants, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Diversity & Inclusion, Early Childhood, Educational Association Staff, Elementary School, Episcopal Church Leadership, Heads of School, Middle School, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, Rectors, School Life & Culture, Secondary School, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members

• Way Beyond Recess: Creating an Outdoor Classroom

  The Outdoor Classroom is comprehensive approach to learning and child development that speaks to the heart of Episcopal schools’ mission to be places that celebrate the joy and wonder of God’s creation and honor the spirit of each child. St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, California was recently named an Outdoor Classroom demonstration site.

  Tagged: Articles, Day School, Diocesan or Independent School, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Heads of School, Network Newsletter Items, Parish School, Cathedral or Similar School, School Life & Culture, Sustainability, Teachers & Administrators, Trustees & Vestry Members