New to BFS: Welcoming Two New Division Heads to our Community

new to BFs: Welcoming Two new divisional heads to our community

This Fall, there are several new faces being seen around BFS. In this Journal, we hear from our newest divisional heads: Jason Novak, Head of Lower School and Kamaya Prince Thompson, Head of Upper School

A WARM WELCOME FROM Jason Novak HEAD OF THE LOWER SCHOOL

It is my deepest pleasure to have begun a journey at Brooklyn Friends School. In my first few months, serving as your new Head of Lower School, I have wholeheartedly fallen in love with the joy and connection I have felt in our community. Brooklyn Friends School is a very unique and special place, and I am truly grateful to have joined in our commitment to cultivate an intellectually ambitious and diverse community that celebrates each individual’s gifts.

Having just relocated with my husband Alejandro to Brooklyn, NY, from the Washington, D.C. region, I can happily say that we are both becoming quite acclimated to the area and have enjoyed exploring NYC. Being new to Brooklyn, I have utilized my first months to connect with Lower School colleagues and Leadership Team members and also to begin learning about our community. I am beginning to gain insight into the many layers of the school experience at BFS, and I am looking forward to many exciting years ahead.

Words can’t express the excitement we all felt when we reopened our doors this past September. Seeing the smiles on the faces of our children and families was an unforgettable thing to witness amidst an unprecedented year. To the children attending in person to those attending at home, I am filled with nothing but gratitude when I think about how resilient and dedicated you all have been. It is truly inspiring and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings for our community.

My favorite hobbies:

I spent part of my career serving as a music teacher, and have formerly performed as a cantor. I love listening to all different types of music. I also enjoy getting outdoors and being outside in nature.

My favorite food in Brooklyn:

Alejandro and I really enjoy eating at home. He loves to cook. Two restaurants we have really enjoyed are

Imani and Evelina in Fort Greene. We definitely still have a lot more investigating to do!

When I was an elementary school student, I’d describe myself as:

In elementary school, I was very passionate about doing well in school and playing the violin. I was somewhat shy and introverted, and kept to a very close group of friends. I can remember all of the science projects I created during my elementary school years (erupting volcano, a food created map of the human brain, etc.)

My favorite song:

There are way too many to list! Music is a big part of my life and has always been. My father was a musician in his high school band, and both my sister and I played violin and the tuba growing up.

In Friendship,

A WARM WELCOME FROM Kamaya Prince Thompson HEAD OF THE UPPER SCHOOL

I am so deeply moved at this moment to be connecting with you as Head of Upper School at Brooklyn Friends. I am honored to serve in this capacity and deeply committed to work side by side with you to grow this community and achieve our goal to be a just, inclusive, and equitable institution. We are living through a watershed moment in history, and I want you to know that my foremost priority is and will remain the physical, emotional, and spiritual health and safety of all colleagues, students, and families.

In just a very short time here, Brooklyn has already begun to feel like home. I have walked around our new neighborhood and have only begun to scratch the surface of the rich and vibrant cultures that infuse this city with life. Jeremiah, Olivia, Zora, Ruby, and I have experienced a number of special places here in Brooklyn, most notably Brooklyn Bridge Park, which we have traveled to several times already. Our first few months here have been incredibly meaningful because of the warm, open-armed welcome from our new BFS family. And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This moment has allowed many of us time to recalibrate and figure out what will work best for us individually and for our families. For me, the period of quarantine allowed me time to reflect on what is most important, and these past few months, in particular, have given me so much to feel grateful and hopeful for. I continue to be encouraged by what this community demonstrates: compassion, empathy, and an uncompromising commitment for justice. Our students, your children, here at BFS have come together for each other and this community over and over again. From the baseball team’s unified showing of their Panther Pride, to the brilliant student artwork hanging on the walls at Lawrence, to the powerful music played by incoming 9th graders at last spring’s Moving Up ceremony, and the incredible passion and leadership displayed by our students at the “Students Unite: We Continue the Fight” event.

I am so proud of the work that we have done and the values which we continue to live out loud, both in and outside of our

building. Because of our students’ drive and their hard work, no incoming Head of Upper School could be more honored to join you. With that pride, I enter these first few months at Brooklyn Friends eager to get to know all of you even more because your stories, your voice, and your heart precede you.

My favorite hobbies:

As a former swimmer, swimming will always be a passion and my go-to exercise. One of my happy places is also on my mat in a hot, Power Vinyasa yoga class. I am also a foodie and love finding new recipes (especially vegan) to try out at home.

My favorite food in Brooklyn:

That’s really hard… I will say that a few of my favorite recent meals were at Colognie and Imani. So good!!! I also love creating a beautiful charcuterie board with my girls. Union Market has become a family favorite spot for olives and cheese. I encourage any and all food recommendations!

When I was in high school, I’d describe myself as:

A lover of school—I would knit and quilt in my classes (because it was widely encouraged), and I always wanted to hang out with my friends.

My favorite song:

Mary J. Blige’s “Everything”

In Friendship,