School News

Reflections on the AISNE Accreditation Process

4/14/2022

Kim Ridley, Head of School

April break marks the time of the year that we think about how to wrap up learning. We are trying to include all of the important things we want students to know and learn through projects, reflective assignments, and fun experiences. The 2021-2022 school year has been a challenging year on many levels, from parents not being able to come into the building to children re-adjusting to being together in classrooms. Decision-making around COVID, as well as constantly adjusting health and safety protocols and policies are experienced by some in our community as frustrating and anxiety-provoking, while others are just rolling with the punches. It has been challenging to move the school forward when students, parents, teachers, and staff are exhausted from two years or more of the pandemic.

Today I felt hopeful, as, during the 5-6 Biographies project, I loved seeing parents at school witnessing the fruits of their children’s hard work. I realized how much I miss organic connections with parents. It is not just what is said in person, but what is felt in an exchange that doesn’t happen in the same way on Zoom. Despite all of these barriers, we were also required this school year to work on our self-study in preparation for the AISNE re-accreditation process. The original self-study was written in 2019, however this year, myself, Carolyn, Kate, board members, and staff updated (or in some cases, re-wrote) parts of the self-study to reflect all of the ways we have transformed since 2019.

The accreditation process takes place on a 10-year cycle and consists of four pillars: reflection, affirmation, accountability, and transformation. Reflecting on our history, affirming the decisions and strategic initiatives we have pursued, being accountable to recommendations from 10-years ago, and making visible areas we want to improve. The visiting team produces a report commenting on four areas:

Commendations (things we are doing well)
Recommendations (things we should work on)
Suggestions (ideas for addressing recommendations)
Summary of findings

The visiting team will share the report with me, and then I will share the report with the board, administration, staff, and the wider community. When you see some unfamiliar faces upon returning your children to school, most likely they are the visiting team, consisting of the team chair (Head of School), Director of Finance, and four faculty members from other schools. Please give them a big FSS welcome! When you return from break the time will fly by, and June will be fast upon us, which is why we want these last six weeks of school to be a time of connection and joy after another year of teaching and learning in a pandemic. Enjoy your break and we will see you soon.

In partnership,

Kim

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