Whitefish, MT • September 9, 2025

The Skola, Whitefish’s independent, nature-based school, announced today that it will be introducing The Aerin Project to its students beginning this academic year.

The Aerin Project is a values-based educational initiative inspired by the legacy of Aerin Glaser, who wrote a series of heartfelt letters to her best friend before she left for college. These letters — marked with themes such as “Open when you need a laugh” or “Open when you need a pep talk” — embody encouragement, kindness, and resilience. The project encourages children to write their own meaningful “Aerin Letters” to peers, mentors, or loved ones, fostering empathy, reflection, and intentional connection.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with The Aerin Project! This beautifully blends our intention toward bringing community connection into literacy. So often, we think these need to be separate when, in fact, they can be integrated for a true holistic learning experience,” said Brooke Ober, Educational Programs Director and Founder of The Skola. 

The program will be woven into the Skola’s experiential, community-centered curriculum, giving students a chance to practice compassion and build social-emotional skills while connecting to the enduring spirit of Aerin’s letters. 

For more information about The Skola, visit www.theskola.org.