mike, jennifer, & clarke

farewell to great friends:

saying so long—not goodbye—to mike, jennifer, & clarke

Mike, Jennifer, and Clarke each made indelible marks on our community during their time at Friends. We’re grateful to each of them, honored to have crossed paths, and excited for their next chapters. Thank you, Friends, for everything.

For the last several months, we’ve said goodbye—at special lunches and dinners; at school-wide events and more intimate gatherings; through cards, notes, and specially dedicated t-shirts—to our three outgoing heads: Mike, Jennifer, and Clarke. Seeing these three off to their new adventures on the East Coast, Southern California, and across the Bay, respectively, has not been an easy task—not only because goodbyes can be difficult, but also because it’s been hard to capture all that the work of these extraordinary Friends has devoted to our community. What we can say is this: we are forever grateful for you three.

Mike Hanas, Head of School

(2016–2022): Mike has lifted up the SFFS community for the past six years, a seemingly endless fountain of ideas; creativity; dad jokes; and pure, positive energy. He has led us through a multi-year pandemic we could not have possibly fathomed just 2 1/2 years ago, inspiring us to continue on and be our best selves, even on the most challenging days. He’s pushed us to reflect on our strengths and where we hold room for improvement, as well as to up our baseball, presidential history, and speedwalking game (if you’ve ever gone on a walking meet-

ing with him, you know!)... The enthusiasm Mike brings to a room fills the space, buoys the group, and leaves one feeling that for SFFS, anything is truly possible.

He also encourages us to find connection and light in one another, and to let our shared values propel us forward as a bonded community. Director of Community Engagement Guybe Slangen shares, “When I think of my time with Mike, I’m reminded of something Maya Angelou said: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Mike always made me feel heard, seen, and valued. Regardless of what was on his plate—and these last two years he had more than his fair share—he gave me his time, attention, care, guidance, support, and encouragement.” One thing we’ll be sure to keep with us in our roles as stewards and clerks at SFFS for years to come is a question that

Mike used to close every meeting he led at Friends: Anything else for the good of the group?

Jennifer Arnest, Lower School

Head (2008–2022): Jennifer, who departs SFFS after 14 years as the founding Head of the Lower School, has imbued her unwavering spirit, commitment to fun, and complete love of our Friends community throughout her tenure at Valencia Street. Those who know Jennifer speak, without fail, of her devotion to championing her beloved faculty, fiercely advocating for and protecting childhood, encouraging a sense of wonder and whimsy, and meeting our students exactly where they are. Director of High School Transition and longtime colleague Kristen Daniel says that, “Jennifer’s office is a safe haven for students.” She remembers one instance in particular that has stuck with her through the years: “One day I was looking for her and her office appeared dark. I was about to walk away when I noticed a young student sitting quietly on her rug with some small, battery-powered votive candles lit around him. He was ‘having a bad day’ and needed a peaceful place to regroup. This was a far cry from being sent to the principal’s office in my day!” Scenes like this were common in Jennifer’s first floor office, though in addition to moments of calm and silence, there have been plenty of scenes of boisterousness and joy. Jennifer encourages it all as part of the wondrous journey we call childhood, and it’s perhaps the most important lesson she’s shared with us.

Clarke Weatherspoon, Middle

School Head (2019–2022): Clarke has been a calm, soothing force at SFFS since his arrival as a trustee four years ago. He is masterful at moving through stressful situations with a cool, collected mindset that we all admire. Though much of Clarke’s tenure as Middle School Head was focused on COVID management, he made meaningful connections with the students in his care, as School Counselor Katherine Preston

“When I think of my time with Mike I’m reminded of what Maya Angelou shared: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel..’” – Guybe Slangen, Director of Community Engagement

points out: “If a kid gets sent to Clarke because they are disregulated or misbehaving in some egregious way, that kid is going to leave his office feeling better about everything, even if they were in big trouble when they walked in. And that is impressive...”

He’s also thought of as the ultimate team player (for example, volunteering to sleep on the couch during the 6th Grade trip to Westminster Woods when it was discovered there were not enough bedrooms for the chaperones; and no matter that the group discovered the day they were leaving that the couch was actually a sofa bed— Clarke took the news in stride, per the usual!)... We know he will bring that signature calm and care with him and his family in their next adventure in Pasadena!

We will miss you, Friends, but we also know that just the right stewards—Pankti, Amabelle, and Lizzie—are coming in to continue your legacies and the work you cherished during your time at SFFS. Friends forever. •

Do you have an idea for a story about the SFFS community to be featured in a future issue of Among Friends? We’d love to hear about it!

Please let us know by reaching out to akinney-moe@ sffriendsschool.org. Thank you!

CONTINUED FROM “CELEBRATING OUR RETURN” ON PAGE 7: ––––––––––

section, for the first time in three years. The excitement and community that pulses through campus on graduation day was back, and it was awesome.

Our graduates introduced one another with loving anecdotes and encouragement, and there was more than one standing ovation among the joyful group of family and friends in attendance. Head of School Mike Hanas also arranged a special surprise for the 8th-Graders, leading their loved ones in a heartfelt rendition of “Swimming to the Other Side,” the legendary folk ballad from Pat Humphreys:

We can worship the ground we walk on, Cherishing the beings that we live beside, Loving spirits will live forever, We’re all swimming to the other side. •