PAIS October 2026 Newsletter

Dear PAIS Community,

Last Friday we launched a weather balloon. It didn’t go as planned. The new regulator valve filled the balloon much more slowly than expected. If we had a time lapse video, you would see a hundred people slowly peeling away. The final countdown was not a cacophony of children’s voices. It was more of a quartet of adult loyalists. Nonetheless, we launched and everyone who gathered looked up together in amazement as they shielded their eyes from the sun and followed the balloon as long as they could into a cloudless sky.

Every educator knows the feeling of preparing carefully and then letting go - not knowing the destination. It is what we do everyday in schools. Countdown and audience not included.

Lift happens when what's inside is stronger than what holds it down. That is the confidence and character we offer students, but it also seems like a good point of reflection for this moment in time. Each of us is stronger than the forces acting upon us. PAIS connects us, so together we are stronger than any headwind we face.

Unlike a school that sends its graduates off into the world not knowing what comes next, we tracked that balloon, pulled off on a gravel side road, trekked through high grass and ground water and searched tree tops until spotting the orange parachute. Was it worth it? Every bit. Afterall, that's the work we do: shared wonder, necessary resources and the commitment to follow through in support no matter what.

Liz Hofreuter, Executive Director

ACCREDITATION | Jay Harvey

“‘Do you see, Pooh? Do you see, Piglet? Brains first and then Hard Work. Look at it! That’s the way to build a house,’ said Eeyore proudly.” - A. A. Milne

When I start a presentation to schools launching their accreditation self studies I share the observation that this work will indeed be a 'plus one' to the myriad responsibilities thrust upon a school community in the busyness of a year. Accreditation is the rare opportunity for a school, through the North Star of its mission, to review all aspects of school life and operations.
It also affords a school the opportunity to develop internal leadership as it calls for many if not all members of the school community to participate.

And, the recent addition of a strategic thinking piece has allowed schools to receive valuable feedback on their ongoing strategic plans or to help guide their creation of a new one.

We would never countenance one of our students looking at an assignment as a 'box checking exercise' - great schools should maximize the deep dive that accreditation provides and not just treat it as a means to be licensed or validated. As one of our member school heads so eloquently said, "We hire PAIS to help us be the best of who we are and who we strive to be." Schools are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and let PAIS accreditation help them be the best that they can be.

CONNECTIONS

We know it’s hard to step away from school...

But sometimes, getting out of your own building is one of the best ways to bring fresh ideas back.

Join a PAIS Professional Growth Visit and spend a day inside another PAIS school—exploring programs, connecting with students, faculty, and administrators, and exchanging ideas with fellow educators from across our community. Visits run approximately 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., with opportunities throughout the 2026–27 school year at PAIS schools across Pennsylvania and Delaware. Learn more and REGISTER NOW!

PROGRAMMING | Deb Borden, Luke Hladek

An early October educator email, eh? You have plenty of time for that…

Of course you don’t. So let us keep it short and sweet. We know you have plenty going on and sometimes it’s difficult to step back and take time to enrich yourself. To convene with colleagues and listen and share as a community and you know, be in the same room as the people who know the effort this job takes. So that’s exactly the kind of programming we’ve put together for you. These can be a challenge, for sure, but one well worth the effort and learning that we believe will be well worth your time.

Take a look at our featured October events and register asap. Some deadlines are closing in and some are filling up fast.

Elevate Learning (in-person) (Act 48 eligible)

Our full Elevate Learning Conference Workshop Listing is Live ! Elevate returns to Pittsburgh on October 19th at Carlow University, with wall-to-wall programming led by some of the most accomplished members in our field. This year, we will focus on three tracks: Learning Differences in Our Classrooms, The Science and Design of Student Engagement, and AI in Education. Registration is open now but the October 15 deadline is looming and some workshops are filling fast! Be sure to follow PAIS on our social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube) for updates and extras.

Before things kick off on October 19, join us for our special Pre-Conference Workshop, Reframing Student Well-Being, on October 18 before the two-act premiere of Schooled, the Musical!

Forward Together: A Symposium of Women School Leaders (in-person) (Act 48 eligible)

This one-day, in-person experience, on October 8, is hosted by The Baldwin School is for senior women leaders and focuses on leading with greater intention, confidence, and balance through reflection, peer learning, and practical leadership tools. Our symposium will provide insights both personal and professional while focusing on strategies to expand leadership capacity and take care of yourself all the same.

Registration closes at 5pm today! REGISTER NOW

Teaching & Learning Series (virtual) (Act 48 eligible)

There is still time to dive into our Teaching and Learning Series! We just kicked things off big with Jason Craige Harris, but our subscription still includes NINE outstanding programs by industry leaders on topics ranging from social and emotional learning to AI in the classroom to authentic student engagement. Subscriptions provide access for your full staff at a tiered rate based on school size for the entire year.

Learn more about ALL of our upcoming professional learning
opportunities by visiting the PAIS UPCOMING PROGRAMS page.

October 7
RISE: Middle School Student Leadership Summit
The Shipley School
Bryn Mawr, PA
REGISTRATION OPEN
(closes at 5pm today!)

October 8

Forward Together: A Symposium for Women
The Baldwin School
Bryn Mawr, PA
REGISTRATION OPEN
(closes at 5pm today!)

October 18 & 19

Elevate Learning Conference Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

REGISTRATION OPEN
(closes October 15)

November 9 & 10

Every School Schedule Tells a Story
Tower Hill School
Wilmington, DE
REGISTRATION OPEN

December 13 & 14

Heads and CFOs Convening
A collaboration with PAISBOA
Hershey, PA
MARK YOUR CALENDAR

PAIS Team Meetings
The PAIS team meets in person each month, and we’re always looking for member schools willing to host us! We only need a meeting space for seven people—nothing else. We’d love the opportunity to see your school, so if you’re willing to host, please let us know. Thank you!