Monday, December 21, 2009

Headlines, December 18, 2009

On the other side – Last week I wrote about the 7/8 grade science class. I wrote about their engagement and motivation to learn. This week, I decided to travel to the Trs. Dorothy and Elli’s K/1 class to find out what engagement looks like in their classroom. Several students were working with Tr. Elli creating holiday cards for classroom helpers Ferne and Richard while others were in the alcove with Tr. Dorothy in a reading lesson. The students making cards were seated at a large table with colored paper, glue, crayons, markers and scissors; highly motivating for K/1 students. In addition to creating original works of art to express their thanks, it was obvious that Tr. Elli was helping these students develop several different skills. In between expressions of encouragement and support (“it’s beautiful, I like the colors you chose”), she provided gentle reminders on sharing materials, voice volume and helping with reading (“That’s right merry has the Mmm sound”). Dividing the class gave both teachers time to work more closely with individuals and kept the students more engaged and on task. While academics are always part of the Friends program, teachers in the early grades also work with students to develop self-control, practice social skills and experience success. These are life lessons that will help them in their studies in the upper grades. A truly appropriate curriculum for the age.

MLK Music – Want to get a head start on learning the songs for King in Montgomery? Thanks to the efforts of Will Hancock, we now have an audio CD available of the songs. Ask Diane at the front desk for your copy.

$5,000.00 Scholarship Donation – A special thank you goes out to First National Bank of Pennsylvania for their generous donation to our scholarship fund. Through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program offered through the State of Pennsylvania, businesses that pay taxes to Pennsylvania can make scholarship donations to Friends School and take a credit of up to 90% on their state tax return. This also typically lowers their federal tax liability as well. Please let us know at the school if you know of any businesses that may be interested in this program.

Reminders

Holiday Gathering – On Tuesday, December 22, we’ll gather in the community room at 1:45 p.m. for our annual Holiday Gathering. We’ll do some singing together and nibble cookies before we all depart for our holiday break. All families are invited, and we hope you will plan to join us.

Open House – Our first Admissions Open House of the season will be held on Friday, January 15 from 9:30 a.m. – noon. We’ll be inviting prospective families to visit that morning to tour the school and see the classrooms in action. We’d appreciate your help in spreading the word, and we hope you’ll let Mary know if you might like to lend a hand as a tour guide.

Food Drive – The 7/8 grade class will be taking the lead on the food drive this winter. Look for more announcements soon.

Free Winter Play Days – On Saturdays Jan 16th, February 20th and March 13th, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, Friends School is hosting Saturday Play Days for children from 3-7 years old. The school‘s community room and a classroom will be open for supervised active and imaginative play. This is a great opportunity to bring a friend to the school and enjoy a morning out of the cold. Refreshments and snacks will be served. All are welcome.

Sing with King – I would like to invite all families and friends to participate in the King Chorus for our annual production of King in Montgomery: Ten Years in the Non-Violent Civil Rights Movement. This is an uplifting and moving performance that needs your voice to come alive. Previous choir experience is not necessary, only the desire to sing out in a big group. Contact the school for more information or to sign up.

Have a safe and healthy weekend.
Dan

Friday, December 11, 2009

Headlines December 11, 2009

Written in Blood - Teaching science comes with several advantages over other subjects. Depending on the specific topic, there are usually things to grow, change, move, or blow up. However, using these characteristics to teach science well takes skill. On Tuesday, Teacher Bailey was using hydrogen peroxide, salt, magnesium and blood from a calf’s liver to teach about catalysts in chemical reactions. The experiment came first and the students were all actively engaged in the activity of adding blood to the different mixes they made with the other chemicals. Afterwards, she led them in a discussion of their results and why they differed between groups. Her students were then able to define and talk about the function of catalysts for her. Only then did they write in their notebooks. She could have just had them take notes in the beginning of class but where would be the fun in that? Learning occurs when there is engagement and what 7/8 grade student wouldn’t want to watch blood foam and percolate? Tr. Bailey’s lesson plan accomplished the goal of defining a catalyst but also brought students a deeper understanding of what a catalyst can do, how it works and the scientific thinking process. It literally served as a “catalyst” for deeper understanding of science and a great example on how to engage students in learning.

South Pole – Wednesday’s storm ushered in our first cold blast of the year. On Thursday if you looked just the right way over the school field, you would have sworn you were on the South Pole. Snow forts with antenna dotted the barren landscape while groups of heavily bundled “explorers” fought the elements to navigate the icy terrain.

Reminders

Holiday Gathering – On Tuesday, December 22, we’ll gather in the community room at 1:45 p.m. for our annual Holiday Gathering. We’ll do some singing together and nibble cookies before we all depart for our holiday break. All families are invited, and we hope you will plan to join us.

Peace Choir Performance – You’re invited. Tomorrow, December 12, the school’s Peace Choir will perform at the Toys for Tots Pancake Breakfast at the Ramada Inn at ~9:00 a.m. This is one of their first public performances in a while and they are excited. Bring an unwrapped toy for the drive and come out and support our choir and a worthy cause.

Community Offerings -- We hope you will consider giving the gift of a Friends School Community Offering to family or friends (or yourself) this holiday season. Please check out our new Community Offerings page on the web. http://scfscommofferings.blogspot.com/

Open House – Our first Admissions Open House of the season will be held on Friday, January 15 from 9:30 a.m. – noon. We’ll be inviting prospective families to visit that morning to tour the school and see the classrooms in action. We’d appreciate your help in spreading the word, and we hope you’ll let Mary know if you might like to lend a hand as a tour guide.

A Book for Every Child –This is the last week for this program. Help us help this great local cause that seeks to put a book in every child’s hand in Centre County.

Food Drive – Look in the Friday folders for more information on the food drive.

Free Winter Play Days – On Saturdays Jan 16th, February 20th and March 13th, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM the Friends School is hosting Saturday Play Days for children from 3-7 years old. The school‘s Community Room and a classroom will be open for supervised active and imaginative play. This is a great opportunity to bring a friend to the school and enjoy a morning out of the cold. Refreshments and snacks will be served. All are welcome.

Sing with King – I would like to invite all families and friends to participate in the King Chorus for our annual production of King in Montgomery: Ten Years in the Non-Violent Civil Rights Movement. This is an uplifting and moving performance that needs your voice to come alive. Previous choir experience is not necessary, only the desire to sing out in a big group. Contact the school for more information or to sign up.

Have a safe and healthy weekend.
Dan

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Headlines December 4, 2009

After an event-filled theme week and our Thankful Tuesday celebration, who could blame us for trying to have a relatively “normal” week at Friends? This was a week to hit the books and make good use of our classroom time. Throughout the week, the quiet hum of academics in the classroom was occasionally interrupted by the shouts of recess.

Developing Self-Regulation in Children –Thirty parents joined us for this interesting and informative evening with Dr. Karen Bierman. We were also able to discuss some particular concerns with her and the group. The children who attended also had a great time in our child care program. Look for more of these events in the future. Thanks again to professor and parent Karen Bierman for sharing her research and insights with us.

Staff Development – We also extend our thanks to school parent, Jason Gines. He provided our staff with two in-service sessions on diversity issues. The presentations and open discussions helped us begin to explore diversity and discrimination issues. Thanks again to Jason for his knowledge and ability to engage us in thoughtful conversation.


Reminders

Holiday Gathering – On Tuesday, December 22, we’ll gather in the Community Room at 1:45 p.m. for our annual Holiday Gathering. We’ll do some singing together and nibble cookies before we all depart for our holiday break. All families and friends are invited, and we hope you’ll plan to join us.

Peace Choir/Foxdale Chorus Performance – You’re invited! Tomorrow, December 5, the school’s Peace Choir will perform with the Foxdale Chorus. This special event will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Foxdale Auditorium. We’re excited by the opportunity to combine our voices with those of our neighbors. Thanks to Ann Clements, Peace Choir director, for her work in making this happen.

Open House – Our first Admissions Open House of the season will be held on Friday, January 15 from 9:30 a.m. – noon. We’ll be inviting prospective families to visit that morning to tour the school and see the classrooms in action. We’d appreciate your help in spreading the word, and we hope you’ll let Mary know if you might like to lend a hand as a tour guide.

A Book for Every Child – We are still taking donations for your new or slightly used books. This is a great local cause which seeks to put a book in the hand of every child in Centre County.
Food Bank Collection – Our collection box for Food Bank donations is in our front lobby. All kinds of food items are needed by local families this season, and you can drop off your contributions at any time.

Sing with King – I would like to invite all families and friends to participate in the King Chorus for our annual production of King in Montgomery: Ten Years in the Non-Violent Civil Rights Movement. This is an uplifting and moving performance that needs your voice to come alive. Previous choir experience is not necessary, only the desire to sing out in big group. Contact the school for more information or to sign up.

Free Winter Play Days – On Saturdays Jan 16th, February 20th and March 13th, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, Friends School will host Saturday Play Days for children from 3-7 years old. The school‘s Community Room and a classroom will be open for supervised active and imaginative play. This is a great opportunity to bring a friend to the school and enjoy a morning out of the cold. Refreshments and snacks will be served. All are welcome.

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

Dan