Headlines - April 15, 2011
“I didn’t know”
I always enjoy the look of pleased astonishment on parent’s faces when they see firsthand what their children are accomplishing at school and they mouth those words: “I didn’t know”. Often we are not privy to the great things that go on in the classroom every day. However, this week there were several opportunities for parents to come to school and consequently, I heard this phrase often.
Our fourth grade students participated in the school’s 14th Annual Rube Goldberg Contest. Each year students learn about simple machines in science and then apply their knowledge in a fun and engaging competition to perform a simple task; closing a book. Parents were invited to witness the competition that featured highly decorated and themed contraptions with over ten transfers of energy, mouse traps, balloons, dominoes and other ingenious details. Many of our parents expressed delight in the complexity of the projects and how well the students performed. They didn’t know.
As part of national poetry month, our middle school held its third annual Poetry Slam. Each student wrote and performed an original poem for the whole school. Some were enlightening, some were personal, some were humorous, and all were heartfelt. You could feel the energy and hear the preparation that went into the work of each student. It takes a certain amount of courage to share their thoughts in front of the school. They did an excellent job. Several parents who attended were very impressed by the readings and poems and didn’t know that our students could develop and perform poetry with such flair and confidence.
A few weeks back, several middle school students got together and nominated teacher Bailey for Barnes and Noble’s Teacher of the year award. It was a pleasure to tread their essays and understand the commitment and trust that exists in the relationship between Bailey and her students. Good luck to Bailey and thanks to her students for their support. You can find the essays on our web site http://www.scfriends.org
And now you know.
Announcements
Earth Day – This national event will be held on Friday, April 22. We are planning a day focused on becoming aware of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (our watershed) and the impact we all have on it as well as the earth in general. We are planning water testing field trips, service projects around the school grounds, and a musical celebration at the end, including a snack of "dirt". We need some extra help in the form of field trip chaperones, service project helpers, tool lenders, and "dirt" preparers for the snack. Next week we will be sending home an e-mail with a sign-up sheet (no paper for Earth Day), so please keep an eye out for it and consider lending a hand (or tool) for this event. Thank you. The Earth Day Committee
Quaker Parenting Workshops –WE need you to sign UP! Parents, this is an excellent opporuntity for you to explore Quaker values and how they can assist you in childrearing. The workshop will be Facilitated by the Quaker Parenting Initiative, it will be held at the school from 7 to 9 PM on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, April 20th and 21st. These workshops are free and open to the public with childcare available. Please call the school to reserve your spot. If you are able to distribute flyers around town, please let Lori know. lorip@scfriends.org
Open House – The school will be hosting an Open House for grades K-8 on Friday, April 29th from 10am till 1 pm. This is for anyone who may be interested in finding out more about Friends education and the program we offer. Please share this date.
Fun Fair –It’s time to sign up. The Fun Fair is one of our main community events and a Friends School tradition. The Fair generates community interest and support, unites families and is fun for families. We hope every family shares in this community-wide event. Look for emails from Diane and other parent organizers.
Enjoy the weekend.
Dan
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Earth Day and our Community
Headines______________ April 22, 2011
Earth Day – Well, the weather has not been too cooperative today. We chose a longer Meeting for Worship focusing on caring for the earth instead of trying to navigate torrential streams and cold this morning. Afterwards, Sarah Koenig, Ava’s mom, shared a personal story about the naming of Earth Day. Sarah’s father was an advertising copywriter in the late sixties when he was contacted by the senator of Wisconsin regarding an environmental teach-in. The organizers were searching for a good name for the event. It was scheduled for April 22nd and since that was his birthday, he made the intuitive leap from birth day to “Earth Day”. He presented and they loved it. Later, they ran the full page ad in the NY Times and Earth Day was born.
A Community of Learners - Most weeks I write about some of the great things your students accomplish at school, but this week I am reminded that we are a community of learners.
Last Friday, our teaching staff went on an in-service trip to Media-Providence Friends School located outside of Philadelphia. Our teachers enjoyed a morning of observing classrooms of their counterparts at another Friends School. After lunch we all learned about Media’s Quaker Education program. It was a long journey but very beneficial for the chance to observe other teachers and develop some camaraderie among our staff.
This week we also held a two-night Quaker parenting workshop for our adult community. Over twenty parents attended each night and learned about the relationship between our values and beliefs, and how they can inform our parenting choices. We each learned the importance of being clear about our family’s values and the need to have discussions regarding our parenting, and the values we want our children to have in the future. There is talk of forming a parenting group in our community. We will keep you informed.
Announcements
Grandparents and Special Friends Day - Please make plans to join us this Monday, April 25th for this annual event. From 9 to 11:30 am, grandparents and friends are invited into the classroom to enjoy a day at school with your special friend. At noon, after recess, guests are invited to enjoy a buffet lunch in the community room where they will be serenaded by our school’s Peace Choir. This is always a fun day at school and we look forward to seeing you here.
Open House – The school will be hosting an Open House for grades K-8 on Friday, April 29th from 10 am till 1 pm. This is for anyone who may be interested in finding out more about Friends education and the program we offer. Please share this date.
Fun Fair - We can guarantee the FUN part…but we really need everyone to think sunshine for the Fun Fair on May 7! Please check your child’s Friday Folder for flyers that you can post to help us spread the word about this much loved Friends School tradition. And remember, word of mouth is ALWAYS the best form of advertising, so be sure to share the information with friends and neighbors.
Friendly Fun Reminders…
Ø Fun Fair Prizes and Silent Auction items can be dropped off at the front desk. Don’t forget about the Bake Sale. What family favorite will you choose to contribute to the sale this year?
Ø We will assemble the food booths this Saturday from 4 to 7. Feel free to stop by and lend a hand!
Ø We are looking for people to help distribute additional flyers throughout our local communities. Please let Diane know if you can help out!
Ø And of course…if you haven’t returned your volunteer form, please be sure to do so as soon as possible.
Summer Camp – Tr. Becky is planning an incredible summer filled with lots of nature activities, games, art, music, field trips, swimming and more. We have amazing staff hired, and the camps filling quickly. Theater camps are full, and only a few spots remain in some of the Kids Camps and Wee Friends Camps. We really hope to see many of our school families for some summer fun!
Enjoy the weekend.
Dan
Earth Day – Well, the weather has not been too cooperative today. We chose a longer Meeting for Worship focusing on caring for the earth instead of trying to navigate torrential streams and cold this morning. Afterwards, Sarah Koenig, Ava’s mom, shared a personal story about the naming of Earth Day. Sarah’s father was an advertising copywriter in the late sixties when he was contacted by the senator of Wisconsin regarding an environmental teach-in. The organizers were searching for a good name for the event. It was scheduled for April 22nd and since that was his birthday, he made the intuitive leap from birth day to “Earth Day”. He presented and they loved it. Later, they ran the full page ad in the NY Times and Earth Day was born.
A Community of Learners - Most weeks I write about some of the great things your students accomplish at school, but this week I am reminded that we are a community of learners.
Last Friday, our teaching staff went on an in-service trip to Media-Providence Friends School located outside of Philadelphia. Our teachers enjoyed a morning of observing classrooms of their counterparts at another Friends School. After lunch we all learned about Media’s Quaker Education program. It was a long journey but very beneficial for the chance to observe other teachers and develop some camaraderie among our staff.
This week we also held a two-night Quaker parenting workshop for our adult community. Over twenty parents attended each night and learned about the relationship between our values and beliefs, and how they can inform our parenting choices. We each learned the importance of being clear about our family’s values and the need to have discussions regarding our parenting, and the values we want our children to have in the future. There is talk of forming a parenting group in our community. We will keep you informed.
Announcements
Grandparents and Special Friends Day - Please make plans to join us this Monday, April 25th for this annual event. From 9 to 11:30 am, grandparents and friends are invited into the classroom to enjoy a day at school with your special friend. At noon, after recess, guests are invited to enjoy a buffet lunch in the community room where they will be serenaded by our school’s Peace Choir. This is always a fun day at school and we look forward to seeing you here.
Open House – The school will be hosting an Open House for grades K-8 on Friday, April 29th from 10 am till 1 pm. This is for anyone who may be interested in finding out more about Friends education and the program we offer. Please share this date.
Fun Fair - We can guarantee the FUN part…but we really need everyone to think sunshine for the Fun Fair on May 7! Please check your child’s Friday Folder for flyers that you can post to help us spread the word about this much loved Friends School tradition. And remember, word of mouth is ALWAYS the best form of advertising, so be sure to share the information with friends and neighbors.
Friendly Fun Reminders…
Ø Fun Fair Prizes and Silent Auction items can be dropped off at the front desk. Don’t forget about the Bake Sale. What family favorite will you choose to contribute to the sale this year?
Ø We will assemble the food booths this Saturday from 4 to 7. Feel free to stop by and lend a hand!
Ø We are looking for people to help distribute additional flyers throughout our local communities. Please let Diane know if you can help out!
Ø And of course…if you haven’t returned your volunteer form, please be sure to do so as soon as possible.
Summer Camp – Tr. Becky is planning an incredible summer filled with lots of nature activities, games, art, music, field trips, swimming and more. We have amazing staff hired, and the camps filling quickly. Theater camps are full, and only a few spots remain in some of the Kids Camps and Wee Friends Camps. We really hope to see many of our school families for some summer fun!
Enjoy the weekend.
Dan
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