James, Jenny, and Sara sat down over Zoom with four middle school students writing a story for the FSP all-school newspaper. Students co-created questions to ask former Heads of School, James Grumbach and Jenny Rowe, and our new Head of School Sara Primo.
Students asked: “What did you do that helped the school?” “What is it like to watch us grow up?” “What is it like to be a new Head of School?”
Here are a few highlights from the discussion:
James: I have a metaphor for you… I think of FSP as a boat. The boat was launched by people like Mary and Tom Tracy, Lise Wagner, and Sam Solish. They had a first year together and then I came along in the second year. I think of myself as someone who came along to take the school out on sea trials. My job was primarily to make sure that the boat would float, would continue to float, and go in the direction it was pointed. I helped set that direction and that is how I helped the school. To extend that metaphor, Jenny came along and really took that boat on a voyage. Now, I am really excited to see the direction that Sara takes it in.
Jenny: It is so cool to watch you grow up! It is just so much fun… It’s one of the best things watching people grow up and stay connected even after you leave Friends School. That’s the best part of life… watching people go through it with you.
Sara: I am trying to ask good questions. I feel as if I have been handed a rope. It is a line that takes us back all the way to the beginning of Friends School. I have questions and new ideas but there is a sacred thread that goes through this school’s life. Daily I am struck in positive ways by that thread. I am hanging on to that and not letting it go.
