HEADLINES………………….November 12, 2010

Dear Friends School Parents,

Dan’s off in DC for the weekend, so Lori and I are the substitute Headlines writers this week.

It was good to see so many of you over the course of our two parent-teacher conference days. I know that the teachers found their time with you to be of great value, and I trust that you felt the same.

I’d like to draw your attention to an upcoming event that you won’t want to miss. Friends School’s annual Thanksgiving observance---Thankful Tuesday---will be held on November 23. This event dates back to 1980, our very first year, and is one of the school’s most cherished traditions. Although the details have changed and evolved over the years, the Friends School community has always gathered on the day before Thanksgiving vacation to express our gratitude for our children, for our teachers, and for one another. We hope that each of you will join us this year and help us to extend and strengthen this important tradition.

On November 23 at 11:15, families are invited to bring along a brown bag lunch and join their children for lunch in the classrooms. Then, at 12 noon, we’ll all gather in the Community Room for brief, but very entertaining, presentations by each class, K-8. We’ll finish up with some group singing and some outdoor recess time if the weather allows. The festivities should end by about 1:00 and then we’ll continue with our regular classroom activities, dismissing at 3:20 as usual. The After School Program will be available that day, as well. However, if you have Thanksgiving travel plans and would like to get an early start, you’re welcome to take your child home with you at 1:00. Just be sure, please, to let your teacher know.

If you’ll have family or friends visiting for Thanksgiving, please bring them along for Thankful Tuesday. We expect a packed house for our class presentations, but there’s always room for one more.

SPICES - Thanks to all for a successful event.

Our SPICES of Life Gala held at the Atherton last Sunday was a success on several levels. The early evening social time for parents, grandparents and friends was well-received as recreation in its truest sense; a time to change from work wardrobe and gardening gloves into special occasion clothes, and to enjoy simple yet beautifully presented sweets and savories without needing to feed hungry little mouths. The music played by Andy Tolins and Tom Jordan was an acoustic feast! As the evening progressed, so did the urge to do some foot tapping and moving, just on the edge of dancing (we may want to consider this for another time). The backdrop of the Atherton Hotel, made even more intimate and special by the SPICES decorating committee, made the selection of donated goods and services look like the window displays of Tiffany’s at Rockefeller Center. New families were warmly welcomed, old friends talked of soccer, jewelry making and family plans for the holidays. Individuals invited from businesses and organizations in our community had an opportunity to learn more about Friends School and to learn how they might become more involved with the school in a number of ways.

Between ticket sales, sponsorships, cash donations and silent auction proceeds the event raised approximately $6000 for the Scholarship Fund. An impressive amount considering that the 3rd Annual SPICES celebration was just held in March. The decision to officially move the yearly event to fall and to host a “second” 3rd Annual SPICES event -- if that’s possible – was an experiment of sorts and it worked. It worked because of the generosity and help of families, businesses and community members who seek to live with and enjoy SPICES in life – the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship. We have much to celebrate!

Enjoy photos of the event taken by Sabine Carey (Mattie’s mom) using the following link.

http://freerangingphotography.smugmug.com/Other/Spices-Gala-2010/14566338_pMkdc#1082716189_E7jHo

Reminders:

Sync-a-Palooza: Several songs have been submitted, teachers and kids have been rehearsing, costumes have been considered, and everyone is excited for this Friday afternoon, November 15. We hope many of you will be able to join us at 4:00 for what is certain to be an entertaining afternoon, as well as an opportunity to say a final goodbye to Abby before she makes her move to Massachusetts. If you are performing, be sure to bring in your music next week. and remember, contributions of refreshments will be welcomed.

Thanksgiving Vacation: No school on November 24, 25, and 26. We’ll be back in session on Monday, November 29.

Have a terrific weekend!~

Mary Ziegler