Head of School Penny B. Evins
A Letter From the Head of School
Welcome Panthers and Families,
As Head of School for Holton-Arms, I am deeply grateful to welcome you to a community where our mission grounds and elevates everything we do.
I am honored to serve this community. With a long legacy of excellence in educating girls, it is a privilege to nurture each child in our care, providing young women with time-tested and future-forward programming, enhancing their world of possibilities now, and preparing them for what the world needs next.
It is a privilege to work alongside dedicated and caring educators, mentors, and coaches, who are also committed to developing young women who embody kindness, intellectual curiosity, a global perspective, respect, and the courage to take thoughtful risks.
Together, we aim to guide our students in their current journey and prepare them for the future by helping them grow into thoughtful, capable, students who are exceptionally equipped, world-ready, and connected for life.
Every day offers a chance to help our students become the people the world needs—ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
I am excited and grateful to embark on this journey with you.
Warmly,
Announcements from the Head of Holton-Arms School
Academic Year 2024-25
- Message from Head of School: Thanksgiving 2024
- A Fall Message from Holton-Arms: People, Place, and Program
- A Message from the Head of School: Day 1
- A Message from the Head of School: Principles of Dialogue
Message from Head of School: Thanksgiving 2024
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A Fall Message from Holton-Arms: People, Place, and Program
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A Message from the Head of School: Day 1
Dear Holton-Arms Community,
Thank you to those who joined us for Convocation this morning to hear the voices of students from all divisions, a member of our faculty and staff, and a member of our Board of Trustees.
Today, as I welcome you to Holton’s 123rd year, I am filled with immense pride in our shared commitment to educating the mind, soul, and spirit of young women. Reflecting on the legacy of our founders, Jessie Moon Holton and Carolyn Huff Arms, I am reminded that Holton has always been about meeting the present and future needs of our students.
This year, I am particularly excited to focus on the idea that mistakes are not just inevitable but essential for growth. Inspired by Corinna Luyken’s The Book of Mistakes, I believe that mistakes can lead to unexpected opportunities for creativity and learning. At Holton, we emphasize that learning is an ongoing process, represented by the continuous “ING” of living, growing, and connecting. Each moment, whether planned or spontaneous, offers us a chance to learn and grow.
Our journey at Holton is not about achieving perfection. Rather, it is about embracing uncertainty, taking healthy risks, and growing together as a community. By supporting one another through our mistakes, we can unlock our potential and create something truly extraordinary. The concept of perfection often limits us, holding us back from exploring our full potential. Here, we strive to move beyond the fear of making mistakes and instead see them as stepping stones to mastery and innovation.
In my own experiences, I have found that the most meaningful moments often come from the unexpected. Whether adjusting plans to accept another person’s outreach or embracing mistakes in the classroom, I have discovered that these moments of uncertainty often lead to profound growth and connection. It is in these unplanned moments that we find opportunities to deepen our understanding, strengthen our relationships, and push the boundaries of what we thought possible.
This year is a gift, being unwrapped today. It is a chance for continual improvement, growth, and discovery. I encourage each of you to embrace this gift fully, to welcome the surprises it brings, and to see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and evolve.
As we begin this school year, I encourage each of us to embrace the unknown, lean into discovery, and celebrate our individual and collective strengths. We are all part of something bigger—a powerful Panther community where each of us contributes to the excellence and goodness we seek to cultivate in mind, soul, and spirit. Together, let’s make this year one of growth, creativity, and connection. Let’s celebrate our imperfections as catalysts for innovation and community building, knowing that each step, each mistake, brings us closer to becoming the best version of ourselves.
For those not able to join us, we look forward to seeing you inside and beyond Holton's Open Door.
Warmly,
Penny B. Evins
A Message from the Head of School: Principles of Dialogue
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Dear Members of the Holton-Arms Community,
I hope the last days of summer bring joyful memories and well-rested Panthers, ready for our exciting new academic year together. I look forward to student-filled spaces and warmly welcoming our new Panthers as well as our returning students. Together, we embark on Holton's 123rd year, building on our legacy of excellence in educating girls with time-tested and future-focused programs.
Like every school year, ours will be marked by familiar routines, new experiences, and unexpected events. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the opportunities and challenges of an election season within a learning community.
During complex times, I find that providing clear expectations offers confidence and predictability, hallmarks of Holton’s longstanding tradition of excellence. Every Holton employee is a mission-driven educator and role model for our students. Successfully realizing Holton’s full promise and mission delivery requires interdependence and recognition that every community member, your children, my colleagues, and each of you is important and valuable. We rely upon each other and together, we create the ideal conditions for each young woman to achieve her potential and connect to her purpose.
Mrs. Holton’s vision, as stated in our mission, inspires us to embrace change and growth while considering the ages and stages of human development. As Head of Holton-Arms, I find strength and clarity in our founder’s vision and strive to ensure we are a non-partisan learning community centered on children’s intellectual and emotional exploration. We welcome their curiosity and want them to ideate.
With a long legacy of excellence in educating girls, we provide our students with time-tested and future-forward programming. Holton students and graduates are known for their ability to engage in conversations wherein multiple perspectives are surfaced and for their ability to harness empathy.
For over a century, Holton has prepared young women for a life of purpose, which involves leading and civic engagement. Within the next decade, every child in our current learning community will be of voting age. We have first-time voters in our Class of 2025; this November’s election day will be a momentous one for them. My colleagues and I hope that civic engagement is central to your children’s lives.
As they strive to become their best selves, I believe the children in our care need support and high standards, with many opportunities to feel hope, employ curiosity, find safety in wondering, fail gracefully, and succeed proudly. As educators, we are in a unique position to offer such an environment to grow the excellence of each of our students and our collective strength.
Recognizing that one’s professional status at Holton can signal power and create influence, I affirm it is not appropriate for any member of Holton’s faculty or staff to share their political views with your children. As role models, we commit to encouraging their curiosity, growing their agency, and fostering a sense of hope and positivity.
As parents and guardians, I ask you to model this commitment and employ our
Principles of Dialogue. This is essential for maintaining, advancing, and nurturing the strength of our community.
With a shared understanding of our non-partisan stance, Holton’s academic team has plans to position the election as an educational opportunity to learn about the electoral process, leveraging our Principles of Dialogue.
At the end of this letter, you'll find a review of our Divisional Approaches, which are also linked here, along with the dress code expectations outlined in our summer Handbook update.
Our educational program is crafted to cultivate mindsets, skills, and habits that will serve your children into adulthood. While serious, complex, and polarizing ideas are embedded in election topics, we intend to harness teachable moments and intellectual challenges as facilitators, promoting and upholding respectful dialogues.
With steadfast commitment to our individual roles, collective craft, and shared focus, we anticipate a wonderful year. I look forward to growing our excellence with you, my colleagues, and the heartbeat of our School, our beloved Panthers.
Thank you for your positive partnership and participation.
Warmly,
Penny B. Evins
Head of School
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| Holton-Arms School 7303 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 www.holton-arms.edu |
Academic Year 2023-24
- A Message from the Head of School: Reflections on the Year
- A Letter from the Board of Trustees
- Behind the Paw - Podcasts with Penny B. Evins
A Message from the Head of School: Reflections on the Year
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A Letter from the Board of Trustees
Dear Holton-Arms Community,
On behalf of the Holton Arms Board of Trustees and Head of School Search Committee, we are thrilled to announce that Penny B. Evins has been appointed by the Board of Trustees as Holton-Arms’ 8th Head of School. Penny was unanimously recommended by the Search Committee to the Board of Trustees who then unanimously approved her appointment to succeed Susanna A. Jones on July 1, 2023.
Penny is a seasoned school leader who brings deep experience working collaboratively with faculty, staff, trustees, families, students, and alums to strengthen school communities—always keeping the needs of the students front and center. With nearly a decade of experience serving as Head at two other prestigious independent schools–including Collegiate School in Richmond and St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore–Penny has an exceptional record of building strong, lasting relationships and motivating those around her to be the best versions of themselves. In addition to her depth as a leader, she has a breadth of experience across school divisions and functional areas, including: division headships, admissions, counseling, and fundraising.
Perhaps a result of her New Orleans roots, Penny is a straightforward and warm communicator–a real connector and people person. In making this choice, we have selected a leader who fully shares our community’s strong commitment to–indeed, has dedicated her career to–nurturing a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive school. We are excited and energized by the promise and potential of Penny’s appointment as our next Head of School.
Selecting a new Head of School is perhaps the most consequential duty of the Board of Trustees. We extend our deepest gratitude to our fellow Search Committee members for the diligence, care and effort they have invested throughout this process. We are also appreciative of our alumni, faculty and staff, parents and guardians, and students who gave so generously of their time to engage with the finalists and share their many insights with the Search Committee along the way.
We look forward to welcoming Penny along with her husband, Sam, and two children to our community in July. We will share more details about opportunities to meet and greet them soon. In the meantime, as Susanna continues to lead the School through June, we look forward to celebrating her extraordinary legacy.
Stay tuned for updates on the many festivities ahead!
Best,
Cathy Johnson Butz ’87, P ’18, P ’21, Trustee, Search Committee Co-Chair
Mark Israel, P ’20, P ’22, Trustee, Search Committee Co-Chair
Behind the Paw - Podcasts with Penny B. Evins
Behind the Paw is a podcast series featuring interviews with teachers, alumni, students, staff, parents, and administrators—who support one another to find a way or make one. Hosted by Head of School Penny B. Evins, listeners will get a chance to follow along as Holton’s eighth Head of School listens and learns about what makes Holton so special.
Episode 5: A Life of Impact and Meaning
In this episode, Head of School Penny B. Evins explores the stories and insights of those who shape our beloved institution. We sit down with Julia Grandison, Academic Dean, and Yolanda Keener, Senior Class Dean, as they reflect on their years of service, share surprising tidbits about Holton's history, and discuss the evolving landscape of education. From classroom memories to favorite meals, from traditions cherished to challenges faced, listen in as we uncover the essence of Holton through the voices of its dedicated educators!
Episode 4: Creative Waymakers
In this episode, Head of School Penny Evins talks to Mike Robertson, Director of Libraries & Information Services, and Callie Oliver, Director of Auxiliary Programs, about why it takes a whole year to plan summer camp, the coziness of working in Granger House, how to find Callie by "following the music," and ... what does the Panther say? Listen in.
Episode 3: Arts, Athletics, Academics... oh my!
This week Head of School Penny Evins welcomes Athletic Director Graham Westerberg, Fine & Performing Arts Director Felicia Swoop and Student/Athlete/Artist Anne L. '24 to this episode of Behind the Paw. Listen in as they discuss the opportunities and challenges of trying new things, learning to fail, and quick changes between swim meets and Orchestra concerts. Check out previous episodes here.
Episode 2: Wisdom from 65 Combined Years at Holton
With a combined 65 years of experience at Holton, Lower School Science teacher Linda Bailey and Main Entrance Security Guard Dave Hawkins have touched the lives of generations of Holton girls and students. Listen in as Head of School Penny B. Evins learns a little more about what drew them to dedicate their careers to cultivating the unique potential of young women through the education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit. They discuss their hopes for Holton’s students and families, as well as why Holton is an ideal work environment. And hear why Mrs. Evins has dubbed them our “Chief of Find a Way or Make One” and “Chief of First Impressions,” respectively.
Episode 1: Habits of Mind & Heart
In this first episode Mrs. Evins is joined by alumnae parent and Trustee Cal Daggitt (P’ 21, P’23), her eldest daughter alumnae Macy Daggitt ’21 and Middlebury junior to talk about the habits of mind and heart that have set her up well for life after Holton. They’ll discuss how Holton helped them make room for learning from mistakes, encouraged healthy risk-taking and provided executive functioning for “adulting” in college.
