Headlines - Nov 11, 2011

What a week. . . .

In light of the truly tragic events that have come to light this week, it is hard for me to begin my usual headlines on a positive note. There is much to talk about in each of our homes and it is a hard subject. Talking with young children about the incidents of the last week is uncomfortable, maddening, and ultimately, heartbreaking. How do you explain this type of behavior? How do you explain the failures and/or lack of judgment of others? How do you restore trust? In light of the damning allegations, should you speak to due process and avoid the court of public opinion?

We talked as a staff on Wednesday, and felt it was best for individual teachers to address issues and provide information when appropriate in the classroom rather than do any debriefing on a school-wide level. Children of different ages will have different understandings of recent events and we believe it’s best to for families to meet children at their own level. In the classroom, we will address these matters only when specifically approached by the students (for example, in circle time).

On a brighter note, I do want to share a wonderful thing that happened at PSU this past Tuesday. A few weeks ago, Ann Clements our Peace Choir Director and Professor of Music Education at Penn State, arranged for the Peace Choir visit Dr. Anthony Leach’s undergraduate class for future choral and music instructors. It was a great experience for all.

Thirty nervous kids got off the bus Tuesday morning and were led by Ann into the Esber Recital Hall in the PSU Music Building. After dropping their coats, the students hopped on stage and were assembled on risers. Our Assistant Choir Directors, Michael and Kate got the choir warmed up with a series of vocal and physical exercises and then they began to sing. Our students sang an opening song and were soon joined by Dr. Leach’s students on stage. The sound was amazing. The mature, well-trained voices of the PSU students blended and lifted our children’s voices to produce a lovely chorus that carried throughout the auditorium. After a song or two, Dr Leach (now known as Teacher Tony to our students) played the piano and coached the combined choir in a spirited rendition of This is the Day and Freedom. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the singing and rhythmic movements. I found myself swaying and singing along from the seats.

Our students were not the only nervous ones. Each of Tr. Tony’s students was to lead the combined choir in a song of their choosing. As I understand it, this was a first experience with elementary and middle school students for many of them. As they each took the lead, a different personal style emerged but an overall sense of respect, encouragement and enthusiasm prevailed among all the student teachers. This is a credit to Dr. Leach and the PSU School of Music. His students were prepared, engaged and professional. Collectively, they were able to lead the peace choir through several new songs in a very short period of time. The range covered everything from the depression era anthem Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen to Christmas carols such as Winter Wonderland.

Our school’s Peace Choir was also up for the task. The students did a great job. They remained attentive for the entire two hours and were eager and willing to listen and gamely attempted several new songs, sounds and movements. A real sense of cooperation and community filled the auditorium. At times, when a student teacher struggled with an instruction or had trouble finding the right note, our kids listened with even greater intensity to understand the instruction so they could all benefit. I was very proud of their attention and commitment to learning the new material. We were all rewarded by an encore from Tr. Tony as he led the combined choir through a completely improvised song.

My hat is off to Dr. Ann Clements, Dr. Leach, and his students. Our choir really enjoyed their time on the Esber stage and comments went from “awesome” to “Not as bad as I thought it would be.” (this is high praise from a middle school student). It is my hope that this first step will continue to build our relationship with the very awesome music department at Penn State. In these days when we hear the worst, it is important to remember that thousands of committed, hard-working students, teachers, and staff also represent Penn State and they will be there to continue the good works.

Announcements

Thankful Tuesday – Please make plans to join us for our Thankful Tuesday celebration on November 22. We begin with lunch with your students in the classroom and then we all enjoy classroom presentations in the community room beginning at noon. As with most school celebrations, we end with some singing. It is a wonderful warm event and I hope you can join us. Afterwards, parents can choose to take their students home if they need an early jump on the Thanksgiving travels.

School Photos – Here are picture dates for the classrooms.

K/1 – Tuesday, November 15th

2/3 – Friday, November 18th

4/5 – Tuesday, November 29th

MS – Wednesday, Nov. 30th

Make-ups – December 2, and December 6 and 7 as needed.

Sabine will be taking candid shots, as well as a more traditional shot of each child. The candid shots may be taken inside or outside at recess. All photos will eventually be posted by class on Sabine’s web site, freerangingphotography.com, in a password protected folder.

Family Workshop – the School’s Quaker Life committee will be hosting a light supper and discussion on Wednesday, November 30, at 5:30 pm. The discussion will focus on consumerism and include a viewing and discussion of the short film The Story of Stuff. The evening will begin with a simple meal provide by the committee and end by 7:30 Spi

Spices Success – Our annual SPICES Gala, held at the Atherton Hotel was a tremendous success, offering families and community members a chance to enjoy conversation, music, food and silent auction fun. Through ticket sales, silent auction proceeds and monetary contributions from those who could not attend, nearly $10,000 was raised (a record for the school). We expect to publish the final outcome on the web sometime early next week. Thank you for supporting our school through this friend raising and fund raising event. Cheers!

"Blessed are the flexible for they will not be bent out of shape"

Dan Hendey
Head of School

State College Friends School
1900 University Drive
State College, PA 16801
(814) 237-8386
(814) 235-1446 Fax
www.scfriends.org