Executive Director's Message

AUGUST 2024

Dear Episcopal School Leaders in the Diocese of Los Angeles,

As we embark on another academic year, I want to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome back to each of you. The work we do in shaping young hearts and minds is not only vital but transformative. I am confident that this year will be another exceptional chapter in the history of our schools.

The landscape of Episcopal and independent school education continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities. In a year that also brings the complexities of a presidential election cycle in a deeply polarized nation, our roles as educators and leaders are more crucial than ever. Episcopal schools thrive in these moments, serving as spiritually grounded, mission-centric, and diverse communities deeply dedicated to excellence, goodness, and respecting the dignity of every human being. Now more than ever, we are called to create safe and innovative campus environments that equip our students to navigate and positively impact the world around them.

I encourage each of you to embrace the unique opportunities this year brings. Our steadfast commitment to excellence, equity, justice, and nurturing every student’s potential will remain the cornerstone of our work. Together, we can lead our schools with courage and grace, ensuring that every student is empowered to thrive academically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and leadership to Episcopal schools. Like you, I am also immensely grateful for our fellow educators, staff, administrators, and volunteers, whose extraordinary efforts form the backbone of our community’s success. May this year be filled with growth, joy, and success as we continue shaping the future through the sacred work God has entrusted to us and our colleagues.

On a personal note, my spouse, Erin, and I are thrilled that our daughter, Lexie, has begun kindergarten at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. It is a homecoming for our family, as Erin and I both attended SMES. We met there, and 21 years ago, we were married in the church. It is also special that Lexie’s teacher is a former student of mine from when I worked at SMES before attending seminary.

You might have also noticed that we have rebranded our e-newsletter. You can learn more about this transformation in the article below.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out if any needs arise throughout the school year.

Blessings,

ryan+

The Reverend Ryan D. Newman

Executive Director | Commission on Schools

Email: schools@ladiocese.org

Cell/Text: 949.371.1560

The Work of the Commission

What is the work of the Commission on Schools in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles?

On behalf of the Bishop of Los Angeles, The Commission on Schools is focused on helping our schools of the Diocese to thrive as lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom. The Commission’s purpose is primarily articulated through four guiding principles in our work with schools:

• Fostering a strong Episcopal identity within and among the Episcopal schools in the Diocese.

• Consulting with key stakeholders on Episcopal identity, governance and leadership, operations, financial sustainability, spiritual formation, outreach and community-based partnerships, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) initiatives, continuing education, and professional development.

• Supporting and empowering the leaders of our Diocesan schools to be thoughtful, innovative, and responsible stewards of their institutions, nurturing the educational, spiritual, and emotional well-being of their school communities.

• Advocating for our schools with organizations and governmental entities to safeguard private, faith-based education that upholds justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being.

Photo Above: The Gooden School Class of 2024 with their buddies. Source: Gooden School Facebook.

A New Approach to Communications

We have re-envisioned our communications instruments for the 2024-2025 school year to serve our member schools better.

NEWSLETTER: We are taking a new approach to our e-newsletter. First, it has a new name, The School Bell. Second, it will now be published monthly, excluding December and July.

Why The School Bell? The school bell has long been a symbol of unity and communication within educational communities, serving as a reliable tool to signal the start and end of classes, transitions between activities, and important announcements. It ensures that everyone stays informed and on schedule, fostering a sense of community and rhythm throughout the school.

The purpose of The School Bell will be to share important information, news items, feature articles, best practices, and key dates. Also, we want to highlight more of what is happening throughout the schools in the Diocese.

TIMELY BULLETINS: When there is a timely matter (i.e., a crucial legal or HR issue, a key piece of legislation, etc.), the Commission office will send electronically a "Commission Bulletin." We will be thoughtful about what content gets elevated to this communication level and promise not to flood your email inbox.

2024-2025 School Profiles Due September 20th

Last year, the Commission on Schools transitioned the annual school profile update process to an online platform. Each year, schools must review and update their profiles with the Commission. This year, we anticipate an even smoother and faster process, as much of the information is already stored in the Commission's database.

Links to your school's specific profile will be emailed during the week of August 26th.

Please make sure your school's profile is reviewed and updated by Friday, September 20, 2024.

You can edit and "save in progress" your profile before submitting it. Also, you can share the link with other school leaders to facilitate collaboration when completing the profile.

The Commission office will generate an invoice for your 2024-2025 dues. We aim to send these invoices out by the first week of October.

Annual School Celebration Gathering October 10th

Please save the date, Thursday, October 10, 2024, for the Bishop's Annual Episcopal Schools Eucharist and Luncheon during Episcopal Schools Celebration Week (October 6th-12th).

The gathering will be at St. Paul's Commons (840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles). A special Eucharist will be celebrated at 11:30 AM, followed by a lunch reception. The event is open to all who serve in Episcopal schools in the Diocese.

Invitations will go out by Tuesday, August 27th. Please reply by September 30th.

We hope you can join us for this celebration.

NAES Biennial, Nov. 13-15 in Fort Lauderdale

Group and early rate deadline is September 13.

Register now!

The mission of NAES is to serve those who serve Episcopal schools and this gathering provides an opportunity for all of us to come together and celebrate the life-giving work that is happening on Episcopal schools campuses across the country.

The is Let Your Light Shine and it is a reminder of how our common work has the potential to be the light that the world so desperately needs right now.

Biennial Conference, held in the fall of even years, is the premier gathering of Episcopal school leaders and friends. Why attend?

Workshops

60+ peer-led workshops on a variety of Episcopal school topics.

Top Speakers

Hear from five featured speakers in addition to the keynote, Steve Pemberton, author of The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Effect in the World. 

Worship

Inspiring worship featuring participants and local student musicians.

Networking

With 500+ attendees, this is the largest gathering of Episcopal educators.

Important Information Links:



• Conference Schedule
• Registration Rates
• Hotel Information

SB 553: Workplace Violence Plan

Does your school have a Workplace Violence Plan? 

California Senate Bill (SB 553) went into effect on July 1, 2024, and requires California employers, including private schools, to implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan. 

Specifically, the bill requires our schools to do the following: 

1. Create a workplace violence prevention plan
2. Maintain a log of all incidents in the workplace
3. Provide training to employees on workplace violence
4. Retain responsibility for workplace violence recordkeeping requirements

The bill does not allow for a grace period. Thus, if your school has not begun implementing the requirements of SB 553, it is imperative that you begin immediately. Also, it is never a bad idea to seek the assistance of an HR professional or legal counsel.

CAL OHSA, has prepared a very helpful information sheet, Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry (Non-Health Care Settings) – Information for Employers. Please download and read the document.

There are specific requirements of the workplace violence prevention plan. Thankfully, CAL OSHA has created a simple-to-use fillable template. The WVPP must be in writing and available to employees and authorized employee representatives.

A list of resources is available on the Commission’s website.

Image Source: GeeksforGeeks | https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/10-ways-to-prevent-workplace-violence/

Data and Analysis for School Leadership (DASL)

NAES partners with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) to collect annual data about Episcopal schools via DASL — Data and Analysis for School Leadership, a powerful database tool. 

Why is DASL important for all Episcopal schools?

NAES can use DASL to track trends in Episcopal schools nationally and regionally and tell the story of Episcopal schools to our members, the Episcopal Church, and the public, religious, and independent school sectors. But we need complete and accurate data to do so. 

Why is participating in DASL important for my school?

Participating schools have access to DASL’s robust data and reports. Use DASL reports to benchmark your school regionally, by school size, or in relation to other Episcopal schools across variables such as:

• Faculty and staff salaries and benefits
• Chaplain salaries and benefits, including housing allowance and pension plans
• Demographic composition and enrollment 
• Tuition and financial aid
• Fundraising

You do not need to be a member of NAIS to participate in DASL! However, your NAES membership account must be current.

Why should schools be using DASL?

Fewer data collections. When you put your data in DASL, it will go to many of the organizations to which your school belongs.

Shorter data collection. Based on characteristics you provide, your school will see only the questions relevant to you. For example, girls’ schools will not be asked for boys’ enrollment.

More choices. This year, you will have the option of downloading an Excel template into which you can enter your data, then upload the file to DASL, confirm your data populated correctly, and finalize your entry.

Faster system. DASL is in the cloud, with state-of-the art security and speed.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The purpose of the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP) is to provide funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs, or mission.

Grants are typically around $250,000 each. Many schools with religious affiliations receive grants each grant cycle. This year's deadline is September 23, 2024. For more information, please visit the CSNSGP website.

Nondiscrimination Statements

Schools must have a student racial nondiscrimination policy to maintain their tax-exempt status.

The governing board needs to adopt this policy officially. Furthermore, the policy must be genuinely implemented and made known to the general public. There is no need to advertise in newspapers or on broadcast media anymore to meet the publication requirement for student nondiscrimination policies. Posting the policy on your school’s website is now sufficient. 

Please take a moment to ensure that your school’s nondiscrimination statement is clearly visible on your school’s website. The Commission recommends placing it in the footer text to be prominently featured on every page.

On Campus: Start of School

First Day of School

St. James (Los Angeles)

Opening Chapel

St. John's (RSM)

Teachers Prep for Students

Blessed Sacrament (Placentia)

New Faculty Campbell Hall (Studio City)

Welcome Back BBQ

Delaney Wright (Eagle Rock)

Photos retrieved from schools' Facebook accounts. All photos have a "public" privacy setting.

Events and Important Dates

Episcopal Schools Celebration Week (October 6-12)

ESC celebrates the ministry of the 800+ Episcopal schools and early childhood education programs throughout the Episcopal Church. ESC is the time to give thanks and to proclaim to your community and the Church the good news that is your school!