Leadership Transition at Paul Penna DJDS

Article posted by Amy Ballon

Dear Paul Penna DJDS Community,

I am writing to share news that is both a source of pride and a genuine loss for our school community. Amy Platt has accepted the position of Head of School at TanenbaumCHAT, and will conclude her tenure at Paul Penna DJDS in July 2026 before beginning her new role this fall.

We will not pretend this is easy news. Amy has been the heart of this school for nearly a decade, and her departure will be felt deeply. At the same time, we are genuinely proud of her. That TanenbaumCHAT has chosen Amy to lead their community is a testament to everything she has built here, and we celebrate her as she takes on this exciting new chapter.

I want to assure you that the Board has implemented measures to ensure continuity and stability for our students:

  • First, I am pleased to share that Rena Markus, our Principal, will step into the role of Interim Head of School for the 2026–2027 school year. Rena is a deeply trusted leader with almost 25 years of tenure at Paul Penna DJDS and prior experience as Interim Head of School at Netivot HaTorah Day School in 2024-2025. Her appointment, alongside our outstanding professional team, ensures continuity of our operations, academic program, and value of community for our students, families, and faculty during this transition. Any additional staffing updates will be shared with the community at a later date.
  • Second, because Paul Penna DJDS and TanenbaumCHAT are peer institutions and community partners, we are working closely with them to support a thoughtful and collaborative transition that sets both communities up for continued success. Amy will provide transitional support to Rena and the DJDS leadership team throughout the coming year.
  • Third, we have struck a Head of School Recruitment Task Force, which will be chaired by longstanding parent and board member, Mitchell Marcus. As we work towards establishing leadership for the 2027-2028 school year, we will continue to share updates on the process.

As parents, you may choose to share the news of Amy’s departure with your child. As the school year winds down, there will be opportunities to say goodbye to Amy.

Finally, I want to take a moment to reflect on what Amy has built here. Nearly 20 years ago, the eldest of my three children began at the school, and I have had the privilege of watching this community evolve over time. Amy has been a transformative leader, driving significant academic, financial, and philanthropic growth. Today, the school is in as strong a position as at any point in its history which is a testament to her vision, determination, and deep commitment to this community. We are so grateful.

In the months ahead, we will create opportunities to celebrate Amy. We look forward to those moments to come together as a community to honour a remarkable tenure and look ahead to a bright next chapter for our school.

Amy Ballon

Chair, Board of Directors

Paul Penna DJDS