Monthly News
January 2012
Letter from Jacqueline Stillwell,
Head of School
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| Jackie Stillwell and Travis Belcher |
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Dear Friends,
In the winter of 1989 I met The Meeting School, and in 1990 began a journey of service and leadership as Clerk and then Head of School. In twenty-two years both the school and I have grown and, as with each of us, there comes a time for change. On 30 June 2012 I will end my tenure as Head of The Meeting School and begin a new adventure. The school too is at a new stage organizationally as the four-year program ends and the semester school begins. This is a perfect juncture for new leadership.
During my time at The Meeting School, the joy, fellowship, and spirit-filled hard work have been a gift to me. My life has been deeply touched and I am grateful beyond words to countless members of the Meeting School family who have shared this journey. I don't know yet exactly what the next step will be for me, I just know it's time to pause and listen for new direction.
The board is taking great care to thoughtfully pave the way for a smooth transition. I am grateful to current and past trustees for their strong, faithful commitment to the mission and future of The Meeting School. Their focus and vision will support my successor in leading the next exciting era of The Meeting School as the New England Friends Semester comes to life.
One of life's challenges is gracefully letting go of your loved ones — we will always live in each other's hearts. I look forward to working together over the next few months to prepare the way for the New England Friends Semester School and to supporting the school in new ways as our journeys unfold.
Nurturing the Light,
Jacqueline Stillwell, Head of School
Letter from Board Clerk,
Jeremiah Dickinson
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| Jackie Stillwell and three generations of TMS alumni |
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Dear friends of the Meeting School,
As you have just read, Jackie will be stepping down at the end of June this year. It is with enormous gratitude for her Spirit-filled leadership, guidance and care for our community over the past twenty-plus years that we accept this decision. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity, however brief, to have worked with Jackie as Clerk of the Board, benefiting from her keen understanding of the issues, wise counsel and readiness to engage with new ideas. I know, as she listens for new direction, that she will bring the same grounding and wisdom to her next life venture.
This month we will begin the search for a Head of School for the New England Friends Semester School. We are looking for a forward-thinking and dynamic educator/administrator ready to take the lead role in establishing a new educational community, building on the legacy of The Meeting School with content and process that will respond to the rising needs of the 21st century. We seek someone whose example and leadership will establish an environment within which the lived experience of Quaker community and a dynamic of intellectual pursuit grounded in Spirit thrives. If you know of someone, or if you, yourself, are interested, please be in touch. Questions or indications of interest should be sent to:
Head Search Committee
New England Friends Semester School
at The Meeting School
120 Thomas Road
Rindge, NH 03461
or
office@meetingschool.org
This is an exciting and challenging time for our School. I invite you to be a part of this journey, in Spirit, and with your financial support. Both are needed.
As always, please feel free to contact me directly, at DACHA@comcast.net.
Jeremiah Dickinson
Clerk, Board of Trustees
