Headlines - January 17, 2017: Generosity and Kindness - Part II

I want to pick up from last week.  It seems the themes of generosity and kindness continue.  In last Monday’s headlines I told you about the anonymous donation we received from a student to the Annual Fund.  With his donation, he expressed his gratitude for the school and his desire to support us.  This week I received two more gifts from students to the annual fund.  In both cases they heard about the donation and wanted to match it.  They also wish to remain anonymous but wanted others to know how much they appreciated the school.  We are truly touched to be receiving these generous gifts from your students.  While we know that parents understand the value of a Friends Education, it is especially uplifting to see that understanding and support from your children.   Thank you anonymous!

Our school’s celebration of MLK Day was special yesterday.  In the morning we attended meeting at the Friends Meetinghouse and watched Part of Dr. King’s I have a Dream speech.  Later in the day, classes worked together to learn more about Dr. King, peacekeepers, equality and responsibility.  Our middle school students were visited by two young men from Penn State’s MLK Celebration Committee who discussed the Black Lives Matter Movement and some of their personal experiences.  Cameron and Brian were very well spoken and made us aware of how inequality and oppression can be hidden but still exists.  Our students were interested, engaged, and thoughtful. They asked good questions and understood that there is still much work to be done to ensure equality for all.  I also want to congratulate Lilian Feinberg and Sage Kennedy who won Penn State’s MLK Community Showcase Art and Poetry Contest.  Lilian was the winner in the middle school category for her charcoal rendition of Dr. King and Sage finished second for her drawing depicting Jim Crow laws.  There work was selected from numerous entries across the school district.  Their work, along with art and poetry from all the contestants, will be on display during the Community Showcase in the HUB-Heritage Hall tomorrow evening (January 18th) from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  Congrats to our winners and to all of our students who contributed their work. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

State College Swap
A swap meet will be held Saturday, February 4th form 9:00 am to 11:00 am.  Bring things in good condition that are finished  with and feel free to pick up some items that you could use.  This month they are expanding to offer services to swap - exciting!  A flyer is attached.

Bring a Friend to School Day
Wednesday, January 25th is Bring a Friend to School Day. This is a day for students to invite a friend who may be interested in the Friends School to spend a day in their classroom. Visitors should be a similar age to the students in the classroom which they are visiting. Registration forms came home in Friday Folders and are also available at the desk (and HERE).  They should be returned by Friday, January 20th so that teachers can make plans so that teachers can make plans for the day.  Please contact Tr. Lisa with any questions.

Open Houses
Our Admissions open houses are scheduled for the following dates and times.
First Wednesday of every month, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Walk Thru Wednesdays’
Thursday, January 19th, 8:30 – 10:00 am: Middle School Coffee and Tour
Thursday, January 26th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, K-8 Open House
Friday, February 3rd, 10:00 – 1:00 pm: K-8 Open House
Wednesday, February 15th, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Middle School Lunch and Tour
Saturday, February 18th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: K-8 Open House and Winter Play Day
Saturday, March 18th, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm: K-8 & Pre-K Open House / Winter Play Day
Saturday, April 29th, 9:30 – 11:30 am: Pre-K Open House
Please tell your friends and encourage them to take a tour.

Free Winter Play Days
On Saturdays, February 18th and March 18th, Friends School is hosting Winter Play Days for children ages 3-7.  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.  Check below for times.

Summer Help
We are currently opening our search for summer camp counselors and maintenance staff.  If you or someone you know may be interested in working at Friends School this summer, please have them contact us at the school.