Dear Dr. Johnston,
We are writing to introduce ourselves to you. First, you should know what drives Haven.
We are a school that values the arts (just look at Haven’s band), a place that brings people together, but we have always been a school without labels.
Music teacher Mr. John Shankweiler, who worked at the school since the merging of the Swarthmore and Nether Providence High Schools before retiring in June 2024, reminded us of the spirit of Haven.
“Can I just say, I hope Haven keeps its unique characteristics?” he said. “Not playing to the masses but embracing the individual uniqueness of every student. If we lose our character, we lose what makes us special. We are a little bizarre, and we love it.”
That spirit that Shankweiler talks about doesn’t just live in the chorus room or a gym, it’s everywhere around us; it’s the quirks that make our community unique.
So, as our new superintendent, we ask this: keep us bizarre.
If you walk around Haven’s hallways, you’ll stumble on not just geometry proofs but professions of love from Shakespeare reenactments, the constant smell of biscuits from the cooking classroom, or a whole hallway decorated for the winter hallway concert.
Those quirks are our culture. We need you to help us continue celebrating them to keep the culture we value so much alive.
But the most important quirk is how involved many students are in school. It is also the passion of students who aren’t afraid of speaking their minds at public school board meetings.
Students, parents, teachers, staff—everyone deserves to have a say in what happens to the district we care about so much. That’s how you’ll succeed. Take time to get to know us.
Don’t implement plans that chug along at full speed for a year or two, then sputter out as other obligations get in the way.
Come up with plans that work not just for the community, but with the community. Then, instead of dragging us along, it will be a collaborative effort.
Haven mixes a strange dose of curiosity and thoughtfulness to make one of the most lively communities you’ll ever encounter.
It’s the nature of block scheduling, fifth block, and various after-school programs that create a sense of community that is unmatched everywhere else. The extra hour after school allows students to form stronger connections with their teachers and students and makes music class accessible to all.
Those passions are abundant at Haven. According to music teacher Mr. Nicholas Pignataro’s weekly band notes, 40 percent of our athletes play a musical instrument. Our girls soccer team won the PIAA 3A state championship, and our Hi-Q team recently won a national championship.
Whether a budding scientist, varsity athlete, or dedicated musician (or a combination of them all), Haven students inspire inside and outside the classroom.
However, the dedication of everyone at Strath Haven is what makes us truly stand out. Our teachers care deeply about the well-being of their students, and it shows. They consistently show up for us and work so hard to ensure we’re getting a quality education.
It’s the advocacy from all areas—from students to parents to staff—that makes our community so unique. So when you’re making district schedules, ask teachers and students for their input.
So many people want their voices to be heard. We have a diverse community that deserves to have every voice heard. So ask yourself: How can I use those voices to make thoughtful decisions? How can I help bring Haven together?
We’ve had a long period of uncertainty here. Since the current seniors started high school fresh off of COVID, they will have had three superintendents by the time they graduate, as well as three principals.
We’re looking for stability and some refocusing; clarity is found best with multiple perspectives. This is the exciting part—our world is constantly changing, and Haven needs someone who can preserve our values and move with the times.
It’s a delicate balance, because as proud as we can be of our school, there’s still many issues that need to be addressed.
We are excited to hear your perspective, and turn to a new beginning. Hopefully, you will soon be a fixture in our passionate, creative community.
Go Panthers!
The unsigned editorial represents the opinion of the Editorial Board, which consists of the majority of student editorial staff listed on this page.
