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Debra Wilson, the ninth president of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), visited The Green Vale School campus to speak to heads from independent private schools on Long Island, along with members of the GVS Board of Trustees. Wilson brings a wealth of experience, having previously led the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) from 2019 to 2023. Her impressive background includes 19 years at NAIS, where she focused on regulatory affairs and served as general counsel, supporting schools through crises and creating essential resources. Before her time at NAIS, she was a tax litigator at the Department of Justice.

During her presentation, Wilson discussed the new era of school leadership, highlighting the ongoing challenges and heightened expectations facing educational institutions today. She emphasized that the tools and strategies that once guided leaders may not be sufficient for navigating the path ahead.

Wilson acknowledged the changing demands on school leaders, emphasizing the need to address challenges posed by rapid advancements in technology, including the influence of social media and the emergence of artificial intelligence. The discussion underscored the importance of digital citizenship education at a young age, with Wilson stressing that understanding the online landscape is essential for both students and parents. She advocated for open dialogues and the incorporation of literature to collaboratively explore how to navigate this space.

Wilson believes that, considering the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant developmental gaps it has created for many students, schools are doing a commendable job being nimble and meeting these demands. She sees real hope for the future of independent schools.

Finally, Wilson addressed workforce trends, including teacher shortages and wage penalties, while highlighting the opportunity for independent schools to embrace flexibility and creativity in their approaches. Her insights inspired the audience to reflect on the future of education and the vital role that independent school leaders will play in managing current and future challenges.

At Green Vale, nurturing a strong sense of community is a key part of our Mission and Strategic Plan, and the Lower School Community Groups program is one of the most meaningful ways we bring students together. This initiative, designed for 1st through 5th Grade students, helps create lasting bonds across grade levels, providing opportunities for students to engage, collaborate, and support one another in a unique group setting.

While the beloved Buddies Program pairs Upper School students with Early Childhood students, offering one-on-one mentorship and fostering relationships between older and younger students, Lower School Community Groups take a different approach. In this program, students come together in multi-age groups, and each student stays with their group throughout their Lower School years. This structure creates a strong, empowering network that grows and deepens as students progress through the grades.

The connections formed in these groups go beyond the classroom. Whether chatting about their favorite teachers, sharing stories about class trips, or reflecting on their individual experiences, students have the opportunity to learn from each other in a dynamic, multi-grade environment. The groups engage in a variety of activities such as community service, team-building exercises, and discussions led by homeroom teachers and specialists who serve as Community Group leaders.

Heather Wagner, Head of the Lower School, explains the importance of this initiative saying, "Community Groups plays an integral role in the Lower School experience because it helps students build relationships that span across grades. They see each other in the hallways, recognize familiar faces, and feel a part of something larger than their own grade. This sense of connection fosters a close-knit community where students learn from each other, support each other, and grow together year after year."

By the time students move on to Upper School, they leave the program with strong friendships, a sense of leadership, and a greater understanding of what it means to be part of a supportive, compassionate community. The Lower School Community Groups program is a testament to Green Vale’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every student is known, nurtured, and valued.

GVS Upper School students were excited to welcome Moses West, a trailblazer in atmospheric water generation technology. This incredible opportunity arose from 8th Grader Oliver I., who featured West during his presentation for Black History Month last year. West graciously accepted the invitation to share his groundbreaking work with our students.

Born in Georgia and raised in Germany, West’s life has been a journey shaped by a unique blend of experiences. Growing up in a military family, he moved frequently until they finally settled in Southern Texas. Following in his father's footsteps, West became an esteemed member of the U.S. Army, serving with honor in various prestigious units, including the 75th Ranger Regiment. His time on the battlefield opened his eyes to the critical need for fresh water, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges soldiers faced in accessing clean drinking water. Often, they relied on iodine drops to purify water from creeks and rivers—a necessity born from the harsh realities of military life.

After retiring from the army, West traveled to Australia and Europe, where he became increasingly aware of the global water crisis exacerbated by climate change. It was during his time that West became captivated by a small machine owned by a neighbor that produced water from the air. This moment sparked an idea that would change his life and the lives of countless others. Encouraged by a friend who saw the potential in his vision, West realized he could create a larger-scale version of the water-generating machine. This epiphany led him to develop atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology, which extracts moisture from the atmosphere and converts it into clean water.

West, President of Atmospheric Water Generator Contracting LLC, uses his Atmospheric Water Generators, which combine filtration, sterilization, and reverse osmosis to transform humidity into clean drinking water. This innovation has the potential to alleviate water scarcity in communities worldwide, providing access to safe water without chemicals.

West spoke to students about his AWG machines and noted that he has shipped some to areas in need, including disaster-stricken regions like Puerto Rico, providing hope and essential resources to communities in crisis. He also founded the Moses West Foundation to support these efforts and raise funds for his technology.

As he concluded his presentation, West imparted a crucial message to students: “Always be a part of the solution and not part of the problem.” His words resonated deeply, inspiring the audience to take action and be hopeful for the future.
 

The Green Vale School had the honor of hosting the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) for their 2024 Regional Meeting, bringing together independent school leaders, educators, and administrators from across Long Island. This gathering provided an opportunity for schools to come together, share insights, and discuss the future direction of education in New York. The day was filled with thought-provoking presentations, strategic discussions, and opportunities for collaboration.

The meeting began with a presentation led by NYSAIS' Chief Operating Officer George Swain, who explored the topic, "What Makes a School Great?" Following Swain’s keynote, the participants engaged in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis session. This hands-on workshop allowed attendees to examine their own schools through a strategic lens, identifying key areas for growth and development. By encouraging reflection and strategic thinking, this session enabled schools to better understand how they can evolve.

NYSAIS Executive Director Vince Watchorn delivered a compelling presentation on the "NYSAIS Strategic Vectors," emphasizing mission delivery and desired outcomes. He discussed the importance of embodying the organization's mission and refining institutional language to create a clearer identity. Watchorn highlighted the need to foster and demonstrate expansive equity practices while facilitating member school leaders' use of data in their decision-making processes. He also emphasized the importance of delivering member value through responsive, high-impact services and programming, providing schools with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive environment.

Watchorn continued with an “Albany Update,” which provided an overview of key legislative changes affecting independent schools in New York. This included updates on evolving graduation requirements, special education services, and substantial equivalency standards. The conversation focused on how independent schools can adapt to these changing expectations while continuing to deliver high-quality education.

Andrew Cooke, NYSAIS' expert on communications and technology, led a session on how schools can enhance their digital presence. Cooke explored the growing importance of mobile apps and other technologies that streamline communication between schools and families. His presentation on the effectiveness of targeted messaging and mobile-first strategies was timely, as schools continue to navigate the balance between traditional communication methods and modern digital tools. He also shared insights on reducing email clutter and increasing engagement through smarter use of technology.

Associate Director for Evaluation and Accreditation Shannon Rogers and Swain presented on accreditation, addressing key topics such as accreditation volunteers, the ICAISA review process, and substantial equivalency standards. They also introduced a Financial Dashboard, which included metrics on enrollment, revenue, expenses, change in net assets, assets, and liabilities. This comprehensive approach aims to help schools enhance their financial health and accountability.

Data-driven decision-making was the focus of Chief Financial Officer Suzanne Baumgarten’s session, where she discussed the importance of leveraging school data to inform leadership decisions and offered a high-level review of key trends in independent schools (e.g. teacher retention). Baumgarten highlighted the role of the DASL (Data and Analysis for School Leadership) platform and how schools can use industry and regional data to enhance their operational and strategic planning. Her session underscored the value of using data to improve everything from student outcomes to financial management, all while ensuring schools stay competitive.

Associate Director of Professional Learning and DEI Initiatives Matt Suzuki and Associate Director for Professional Learning Worokya Duncan shared highlights from the professional learning initiatives, noting that over 4,600 participants from 188 member schools engaged in development activities across New York. Looking ahead to 2024-25, the focus will be on addressing critical challenges in private education such as teacher retention, differentiated instruction, DEI initiatives, and artificial intelligence. Governance programming will include both in-person and online conferences, alongside a trustee series and a leadership retreat. 

To conclude, Suzuki and Watchorn led a discussion on NYSAIS’ DEI initiatives, emphasizing the importance of refining organizational language to better align with the mission. They reflected on the ongoing “mission conversations” held between 2022-2024 with various NYSAIS stakeholders, including the board, staff, and regional groups. These conversations highlighted themes such as clarifying the "what" versus the "why" of NYSAIS’ mission, the need for a simple and inspiring mission statement, and centering efforts on continuous school improvement. The discussion also explored NYSAIS’ role in supporting member schools and its primary accountability in strengthening these institutions.

Throughout the day, the meeting’s presenters helped paint a picture of the future for independent schools, encouraging reflection on current practices while providing actionable strategies for improvement. As schools face both long standing challenges and new opportunities, the importance of collaboration and forward-thinking leadership was emphasized again and again.  

Attendees left with not only new insights and ideas but also a renewed sense of purpose. The discussions at this year’s NYSAIS Regional Meeting demonstrated that independent schools on Long Island are well-prepared to embrace the future, ensuring that they remain institutions of excellence for decades to come.

The 8th Grade Secondary School Placement kickoff meeting today was both informative and successful. Led by Head of School Dr. Jesse Dougherty, alongside Head of Upper School Cathy Iannotta and Exmissions Director Theo Dellicicchi, the session provided valuable insights to help parents navigate their child’s 8th Grade year and the high school placement process.

As parents gathered in the Flex Room of the Iselin Center, with many also joining via Zoom, Dr. Dougherty set the tone by highlighting that this is an exciting time full of opportunities. He explained that secondary school admissions committees look beyond the present, considering not just who an 8th grader is today but also the leadership potential they possess. Dr. Dougherty reassured parents that while each family’s journey may look different, the process is designed to guide them step by step. He encouraged parents to ask questions, take their time, and feel confident as they navigate the path ahead.

As the students settle into their new roles as 8th Graders, they’re just beginning to find their footing. Dr. Dougherty highlighted the remarkable growth students undergo between now and January and reminded families to be patient and thoughtful in exploring secondary school options.

He did, however, encourage parents to start researching schools—looking into important details, gathering metrics that resonate with their family values, and planning school visits and interviews while there’s still ample time. 

Theo Dellicicchi then provided an overview of the placement process, noting key dates and steps. She reminded parents that students will take the SSAT on October 9 and explained how scores will be submitted. Dellicicchi also shared that several boarding schools will visit the GVS campus this fall to meet with students, offering them a chance to learn more about the different schools and what they offer. Additionally, an event later this month will help 6th-8th Grade parents explore whether boarding schools are the right fit for their child, with insights from a former admissions associate from Taft School.

Cathy Iannotta turned the focus to the busy fall ahead. Students are signing up for clubs and leadership positions and completing a self-reflection questionnaire to aid in the interview process. She encouraged students to be authentic during interviews, rather than trying to project what they think schools want to see. In the winter, communications consultant Julia Ireland will work with students to refine their interview skills, including body language and communication.

Dr. Dougherty closed with this important reminder: "The best thing you can do for your child right now is to let them enjoy being an 8th Grader. It’s about striking the right balance between planning and enjoying the moment."