Monday, January 17, 2011

Memories, Quaker Quest, Fit Trail Grant, and MLK Day Invitation

Headlines - ________________________________ January 14, 2011

The wood benches we use in the community room are old; over 200 years old by some accounts. They were obtained by the school from the old Stormstown Meeting House/Grange building. They are heavy, sturdy, and hard, but not entirely uncomfortable. No matter how many times we paint them they still manage to project their age. The benches provide us with a link to the area’s Quaker history. For two hundred years, these benches have supported numerous worshipers in quiet reflection and remind us that there is always room for simplicity in our lives.

Many alumni remember their time at Meeting for Worship as a unique experience in their education. They miss it. Not only did it give them an opportunity to be with themselves-without any distractions. It was also a community building experience as we sang songs together and shared news from all the classes. Several alums now report that they sometimes use quite reflection to help them with hard decisions or difficult times. They also remember the benches.

Announcements

Parents -
Look for a separate email for an invitation to a musical play study by Teacher Ann Clements. Also, please check Friday folders for important information about drop off and pick up.

Good News – The school is the recipient of an $8,400.00 grant to install Fit Trail Equipment around our walking path. This grant was provided by the Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge Grant initiative of the Highmark Foundation. The purpose of the initiative is to improve the health of children by providing them with the tools and practices needed to make informed decisions about living healthier lives. Look for installation of the stations in the spring.

Quaker Quest – The Friends Meeting invites you to join them for a series of public sessions, known as Quaker Quest. Quaker Quest is a dynamic process and demonstrates how the Quaker way is a spiritual path for our current times: simple, radical, and contemporary. Quaker Quest sessions will be held on Sunday evenings from 4:00-6:30 p.m. The first series of three sessions will be January 16th, 23rd, and 30th, 2011 and will repeat again in February. This Sunday’s session will address the topic ‘Do Quakers Believe in God?’ Refreshments and child care will be provided. All are welcome to join in for one or all of the sessions at the State College Friends Meetinghouse, 611 E. Prospect Street, in State College, PA. For further information call Dana Mitra, at 814-234-8966

Martin Luther King Day
– School will be in session on MLK Day (January 17th). This year, we will be bring the entire school community to the meeting house for Meeting for Worship from 9:15 – 9:45 am. Later in the day (~2:15) we will again join together as a school for a birthday celebration. We will view some of Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech, share cards, and sing songs from the ‘King in Montgomery’ musical. Parents and friends are invited to both of these events. We hope to see you there.

Free Winter Play Days – On Saturdays, Jan 22nd, February 19th and March 19th, 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 K/1 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. Please contact the school at (814) 237-8386.

Open Houses –The Friends School will be hosting Open Houses for our Pre-k and K-8th programs this winter. Upcoming Open Houses are scheduled for the following dates.

Pre-K program at the Friends Meeting House Annex (site of Cooperative Playschool)

Wednesday February 2nd 9:00 AM – noon

K-8 at the Friends School
Saturday February 19th 9:30AM – noon

Friday March 18th 10:00AM – 1:00PM

Please encourage friends and families who may be interested in Friends education to attend.

School Pictures – Pictures are posted and ready for your inspection and purchase. Sabine is working hard to finish classroom pictures and retakes. It has been suggested that friends could pool orders and save on shipping costs. Contact Diane at school if you need the password for your child’s class gallery.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Dan