What’s Happening at SCFS

Middle school students traveled to Washington, D.C. and partnered with the Friends Committee on National Legislation to lobby for SNAP and Medicaid benefits. Through workshops, meetings with lawmakers, and visits to historic sites, the students gained a deeper understanding of civic engagement and the power of their voices in democracy.

State College Friends School is thrilled to announce that Pierre Puget will become the next Head of School starting July 1, 2025. Chosen through a collaborative search involving the entire school community, Pierre brings global experience in independent school leadership, most recently serving as Deputy Head at The Awty International School in Houston. He is known for his student-centered leadership and commitment to teamwork and communication. Eager to join a smaller school, Pierre is excited to embrace Quaker education and its values of curiosity, social responsibility, and inclusivity. The school warmly welcomes him and his family to the community.

Middle school students at State College Friends School designed a sustainable version of the State College area, focusing on key environmental topics such as energy, transportation, waste, food systems, and water management. Through research and collaboration, they proposed innovative solutions inspired by real-world sustainable cities, such as biofuel-powered buses, methane-to-energy systems, rooftop gardens, and solar and wind energy. They presented their ideas in a gallery walk and emphasized that while sustainable infrastructure may have upfront costs, it pays off in the long run. Their top recommendations for a greener State College include expanding bike paths, clean public transit, rooftop gardens, and renewable energy—all aimed at reducing emissions and building a healthier, more sustainable community.

To celebrate the 100th day of school, the K/1 community visited eight centenarians at Foxdale Village retirement home, creating a powerful intergenerational learning experience. Students shared their excitement about the milestone and asked thoughtful questions about life, adventures, and the experience of living for over a century. In return, they heard remarkable stories—from wartime journeys and one-room schoolhouses to daring adventures like rappelling off buildings. The visit was filled with joy and curiosity, highlighting the importance of connecting across generations and the rich lessons that can be learned from those with a lifetime of experiences.

This year, SCFS took Martin Luther King Jr. Day “on” for the 21st year in a row. Our students and faculty spent the week leading up to January 15th learning about the life of Dr. King and the legacy of the Civil Rights movement and the ongoing work for justice in the present. Students created art pieces, poems, and projects as a class and displayed them around the school in preparation for our celebration. Families and friends were invited to view the exhibit throughout the day.

Learning about and living into the equity testimony is a year-round experience at State College Friends School, but each January the school community takes extra time to focus on past and present efforts towards racial justice. Click here to read about this year's celebrations, creations, and advocacy.

Join us in welcoming experienced Friends school educator and SCFS alumna, Annie Boggess, to lead the school during the 2023-2024 academic year. Annie joined the SCFS staff in 2020 as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and brings years of experience in the classroom, school administration, peace education, and Quaker advocacy for social justice to this new role.

BREAKING NEWS: 5th and 6th graders at SCFS are completing their first writing project of the year. WTAJ came to report on their progress in drafting persuasive essays to help PAWS animals on their journey to become adopted.

At our first all-school Meeting for Worship of the year, SCFS was honored to be joined by Judith Nandikove, a Quaker pastor at the Friends Church of Nairobi, Kenya.

After a summer full of adventures, it was wonderful to welcome students and their families back to SCFS.