​Dear ESHA Friends,
 
Several items come to mind as we move into spring. 
 
First, on a somber note, please keep Jerry Ward, Head of The Fenn School, in your thoughts. Sadly, he lost his dear wife Lorraine on March 9. Lorraine was a true friend and inspiration to many of us, and members of ESHA’s Executive Committee – on which Jerry recently served - certainly mourn her passing and extend our condolences to Jerry. Jerry can be contacted c/o The Fenn School at 516 Monument Street, Concord, MA 01742.
 
Second, as happens every year, several veteran ESHA members are retiring. Steve Barker of Friends Academy (MA) (we were at NAIS Institute for New Heads of 1984 together!) and Larry Griffin of Shore Country Day (MA) have both supported and served ESHA consistently over the years. Palmer Bell at Riverside Presbyterian (FL) has likewise been a long-time booster. And there are others whom I’m no doubt forgetting, so please remind me! Most of all, Steve Hinds of The Meadowbrook School (MA), President of ESHA in 2002-2003 and a long-time board member, has doggedly, enthusiastically, and cheerfully promoted and guided ESHA through thick and thin. Thank you, Steve, for your terrific service to our organization, and thanks to Palmer, Larry, and Steve Barker as well. Your devotion to ESHA has had a major and beneficial impact.
 
Third, we had a terrific annual dinner on March 1 at the Calvert School in Baltimore, thanks to our host Andrew Holmgren and his staff. Nearly 60 Heads, spouses, partners, and guests – including the dynamic duo of Rob Evans and Michael Thompson – attended the event and were treated to a delicious meal and an outstanding tour of the school. I was so caught up in the evening that I forgot to fulfill my role as ESHA photographer and thus sadly have no photos to share with you. They were ALL beautiful people, however.
 
Fourth, I’m including below an “article” – really a series of questions and answers – that tells the stories of a dozen Heads who were in the 1984 class of what I like to call the “New Heads’ Boot Camp” that NAIS runs. The stories were compiled a while ago, in 2012, and may or may not be of interest to you. As a participant, I certainly enjoyed reading them and learned a lot. It’s a hefty compilation, but the reflections are certainly manageable in small doses.
 
 Cheers,
 
Chris

As mentioned above, here is the report on the New Heads of 1984.

             

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2017 Annual Retreat
Boulder. Colorado
October 7-10          

"HEAD TEACHER TO CEO"

​Donna Orem, President of NAIS, will deliver the keynote speech on leadership at the October Retreat.

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Dear ESHA Friends,

It's a brand new year, one that will hopefully be extremely fulfilling for you and your schools. I was thinking that in your work, the calendar year flipflops the school year since you start 2017 with the second half of the game before you begin another first half in August ot September. Now you're able to make any half-time adjustments that are appropriate so that your team can finish well. I send you my applause and encouragement for both what you've accomplished in the first part of the annual contest and for what you plan in order to seal the victory in the second half. Go, ESHA Heads!
 
Cheers!
 
Chris Abell
Executive Director