It is a season of change in leadership here at Ellis as well. Every day that I see our girls transform into intelligent, inspired young women in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in extracurricular activities, I feel that same excitement I felt 36 years ago—that same motivation to ensure that Ellis is an empowering, challenging, and supportive environment for your daughters. I am thrilled to hand over the honor of serving as Head of School to Macon Paine Finley in July of 2017. Macon will be the 15^th Head in The Ellis School’s 100-year history. She will join us from John Burroughs School in St. Louis, where she has been a consummately respected Assistant Head of School since 2012, and beloved educator since 2000. We are extremely pleased to welcome her to our community.

 

The changes that occur in autumn during an election year provide great learning opportunities in our classrooms. Earlier this year, I circulated a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette op-ed article written by Kiski Head of School and former Ellis trustee, Chris Brueningsen, to our faculty and staff. In this article, Chris emphasizes the important role that teachers play in guiding students as they research, analyze, and make their own judgments about our political process.  This is particularly important in the contentious campaign season that we are all experiencing this fall.

 

Chris goes on to state, “teachers can lead discussions about the candidates’ policies and philosophies. That’s the easy part. But if we stop there, we’re doing our students a disservice. We need to help them unpack the candidates’ rhetoric and behavior. [...] That can only happen if we’re willing to engage in open conversations...”

 

Here are two examples of how open conversations have been recently proceeding in the Ellis Upper School:

 

 

Sara Frazer Ellis opened the doors to the school four years before women had the right to vote, and now, 100 years later, a female is a major party candidate for president of the United States. Regardless of one’s political leanings, this is a momentous occasion. The possibilities for our girls are limitless, and they are reminded of this essential message on a daily basis in this unique school environment. Seasons change, but one fact remains: at Ellis, in every way, there is truly More Power To HER. 

 

On November 8, Upper School students will partake in mock online senate and presidential elections to experience the process directly. In a matter of days, the results of the national election will be revealed. The hard conversations will not end there, but our girls today and in the future will never know a time when a woman was not a major party nominee, and for that I am grateful. I am also grateful for the Ellis atmosphere, where laughter and friendship comingle with scholarly debate, active inquiry, and even intense political discussions. Ellis is a wonderful place to be, rather than to seem. Esse Quam Videri.