A Message from David Kern, Interim Head of School

Hello to everyone in the State College Friends School learning community,
 
I am sitting in our new dining room in Boalsburg this early morning enjoying my good fortune to now be connected to SCFS. The school and people associated with it are a living example of the difference Friends education can make in the lives of all those who are touched by it.  In just a month and half at the school, my wife, Karen, and I have been so graciously welcomed and supported.  It is wonderful to be here.
 
My own journey in Friends education began nearly 30 years ago. I have had the good fortune of working in five different Friends schools and have had associations with many more. Our son, Derek, is a 2012 graduate of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia. Our family has been blessed through our connections with Quaker school communities and our lives have been so clearly changed for the better. 
 
Each day, as I learn more about SCFS and come to understand its great strengths and lesser concerns, I am constantly reconsidering my goals for the year.  During the course of this year at SCFS, I hope to be able to diligently change priorities to meet the real needs of the school.  However, I know the following priorities will remain:

• To support the school in deepening its roots in Quaker practice and education
• To hear the hopes and dreams of the community and help find ways to make these hopes and dreams come true
• To support our teachers in becoming the best Quaker educators they can be
• To transition SCFS in the best way possible for a new permanent Head of School
• To help navigate our way through educating children in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

 
Both my wife and I feel quite lucky to spend this year at State College Friends School.  I can't wait to see our students to come to see our students come to school in just a week's time! 

All the best,
​David