With
the start of the 2012-13 school year, Linda Espenshade Heinemann, a resident of
Newtown, began her tenure as the Clerk of the School Committee (governing
board) of Newtown Friends School.  A
member of Newtown Friends Meeting and the Library Director at George School,
Heinemann has a long association with the pre-k to eighth grade Quaker school
dating to her daughter’s enrollment in the 90’s.

“We
are very pleased with the selection of Linda as our Clerk,” indicated Dana
Harrison, Head of School.  “We are
confident in her ability to lead the School Committee and continue our
commitment to 21^st century education.”

Heinemann
has worked at George School for nearly 20 years and has spent additional years
in many kinds of educational settings. 
She strongly believes in Quaker education – “I love that, at Quaker
schools, it is OK to discuss values and spiritual beliefs, in a context of
respect and understanding.  It has been
my experience, that, in Quaker schools, students learn to think for themselves,
learn to ask insightful questions, and learn to love learning.  Students also learn to treat others with
kindness, and learn that it is important to take care of themselves, each other
and the world.”

She
has worked closely with many schools, serving on the Secondary School
Commission of the Middle States Association and chairing accreditation teams to
other independent schools.  Having also
served as a board member of other schools, Linda has enjoyed getting to know these
schools and learning what is important to running a successful school.

Linda
asserts, “For a school to be successful, it needs to be very clear on what it
does, how and why.  Every member of the
school community needs to understand and embrace the mission of the school, and
all need to be willing to work hard to make it even better.  Newtown Friends School is absolutely a
successful school, because the school community supports its unique
mission.” 

Under
Heinemann’s leadership, the School Committee of Newtown Friends School ensures
the schools financial health, strategic planning and adherence to mission.  It sees that the school operates in the best
interests of its students, teachers and parents, reflecting the long-standing
interest of Friends in education.  Linda
explains, “In these efforts, I am happy to contribute my time, talents, and
treasure to Newtown Friends School.” 

Newtown
Friends School (www.newtownfriends.org) is a pre-k to eighth grade coed day
school located on Route 413 South at the edge of the George School campus.  NFS was founded in 1948 by Newtown Friends
Meeting and emphasizes academic excellence, Quaker values, community service,
and independent thinking.  For more
information contact:  Rebecca Niszczak,
Director of Admissions at rniszczak@newtownfriends.org, 215-968-2225.