3.18.22

Last fall I was on a panel of Quaker school heads talking to aspiring heads of school about our self-care during a difficult school year. I recounted two people who influenced my life and taught me invaluable lessons about leadership and self-care. Both were called to tend and administer to others and were successful in their careers. One was my father, who never took time to make time for himself. He worked a 9-5 job and simultaneously pastored two churches. Church, work, and home were all that my father knew. The other was my mentor and former head of school, who made self-care a priority in his life. Dave would rise early in the morning three days a week to box and spend one night a week learning to play the fiddle.
My father’s lack of self-care showed me that without attention to this important part of life one runs themselves mentally and physically into the ground. And what I learned from Dave is that when you take a moment to step away, you are able to approach your work or life with a fresh perspective and renewed energy. 
 
Prior to COVID, many of us were living busy and stressful lives. COVID did not lessen our busyness or stress, it intensified both. Some of us are still existing on adrenaline or suffering from emotional and mental fatigue. The need for rest and restoration is an imperative for us-both adults and children.
 
In a recent NAIS survey, independent school leaders were asked if they felt any of a list of factors leading to burnout. These included feeling tired and lacking energy, sluggish thinking, emotional detachment, and anxiousness that interferes with daily work. As I read through that list I thought, “these could apply to any adult working and living right now.” 
 
Next week, spring break allows our students, teachers, and staff at FCS to pause. I recognize that it may not be easy for all of our families to pause with your children out of school. Nonetheless, it is important to find the time and make the time to exhale, to move, be still, or to sleep. I hope whether you are in your home or traveling that you find moments to slow down your minds and bodies. Please treat yourselves to self-care and model for your children its importance and value.

In Peace, 
 
Angela 

P.S. Many thanks to Janelle Jordan, Katherine Piggott-Tooke, Erin Weaver, Staff Appreciation Week volunteers, the Parent Association, students, and families, for the thoughtful, loving, and encouraging attention you gave our community this week. You brought much joy and some happy tears to our lives and the building.
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Located in College Park, MD, Friends Community School is a progressive Quaker K-8 day school, founded on the belief that every child is a valued member of our community. We offer a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage.
Friends Community School
5901 Westchester Park Drive
College Park, Maryland 20740
301-441-2100