The OIEJB Welcomes You to the 2024-2025 School Year

Please welcome our new Director and Assistant Director!

Director of IEJB Hayes Davis joined SSFS in 2021 as an Upper School English Teacher and the Assistant Director of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging. After working at a Quaker School primarily in the Upper Division for 13 years immediately prior to joining SSFS, Hayes has enjoyed deepening his connection to Quakerism and having the chance to learn more about grades Pk-8. After serving and learning as Assistant Director and Interim Director of IEJB, he is excited to lead the office. Hayes is also a published poet; he received a Maryland State Arts Council Independent Artist Award in 2022 and served as the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society Writer-in-Residence during the 2023-24 school year.

Assistant Director of IEJB Candice Ashton joined SSFS in 2016 as the Associate Director of College Counseling. She has also served as Testing Coordinator for Upper School, advisor for the Upper School Black Student Affinity Group, and Clerk of the All-School Diversity Committee. That position led to her appointment as Upper School Coordinator when the OIEJB opened during the 2021-22 school year, and in 2024 she was promoted to Assistant Director, a role Candice will balance with her primary duties as Upper School Dean of Student Life. Candice’s career-long connections with students–aside from her college counseling experience, she worked at KIPP DC before joining Sandy Spring, and is an active volunteer/spectator for SSFS athletics–will serve her well in both of her new roles.

What do the words “Equity, Justice, and Belonging” actually mean???

With thanks to Candice, the Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging is excited to share the OIEJB Glossary. Culled from multiple sources, it offers our community shared language for conversations about identity and difference.

Partnering to Support Religious & Cultural Observances

Our office shared this list of Cultural and Religious Observations with adults on campus before the beginning of school. Please be sure to maintain open lines of communication with your student’s teacher(s) and/or advisors so that we can support your family’s religious and cultural observances, especially if your family celebrates a major holiday that is not listed.

Are you interested in Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups?

OIEJB is pleased to announce our SY2024-25 INTERSECT Information Session! Please join us on Monday, September 23, from 6pm-7:30 in Scott House. Head of School Christine Lewis, OIEJB Director Hayes Davis, and INTERSECT Clerk Tiffany Jones will welcome parents and guardians who are interested in Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups at SSFS. Please click here for more details and to register, and click this link to learn more about affinity groups.