From Head of School Donnan Stoicovy
“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” - Fred Rogers
March 23, 2020
Dear Community of Friends,
Today, our teachers will begin their initial steps of providing school at home. Over the past week, they have worked hard to create schedules, collaborate with their assistants and teaching partners to determine who is leading what aspects of learning, learn some new tools (Zoom) to bring them into your homes, assemble student materials for pickup, and put together their ideas for how to provide continuity of instruction. They miss your children (we all do) and are eager to see them in their virtual classrooms. They are to be commended for their hard work and be offered some understanding as they “trial and error” their way through their plans. We will be meeting weekly to check in with each other.
As school leaders, we have worked to support them in their planning and learning of new tools in a school that has not focused learning on using technology. We do understand that using some technology will help all of us make and keep connections with your children and you. We have also spent time thinking about ways that we can keep our school connected with everyone. We already have cancelled a number of upcoming activities – Middle School Visitation Day, Grandparents Day, programs at Eisenhower Auditorium, and more. We have also decided to postpone our Annual Fun Fair to a future date to be determined. We will share a complete list another time especially when we know more about the rest of the school year. We are trying to think about ways to fill those voids that those cancellations and postponements create in our community.
We are also concerned about the wellbeing of everyone in this unprecedented time. While I, personally, have not had a hard time with the physical (social) distancing (just working to remember no hugs or shaking hands), I am finding ways to make connections in other ways – calling and checking on my mother and other elderly friends, writing a card a day to reach out to friends, Zooming in with my siblings, neighbors, and others. While doing those things, I have been thinking about four main questions about our school community’s connections:
1. How are you and your family doing?
2. What do you and your family need in the way of support at this time?
3. How can our school community help? 4. How can we keep our school community connected?
As you think about these questions, please reach out to someone from our school that you feel comfortable talking with and share if you have some needs with which we can be of help. We will do our best to rally around your needs or find a resource that can help. We’re counting on you to help us by sharing thoughts and ideas about how our community can come together to build resilience, connection, and strength during this unusual situation. Thanks to the parents who have already reached out to share ideas and offer support to others.
As of a few minutes ago, I received information that the PA Department of Education (PDE) announced today that all schools in the commonwealth will remain closed through at least April 6th as a result of the COVID-19 response efforts. The closure order could be extended beyond April 6th if necessary to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. You will see evidence of that in the hard work that the teachers have done with their school at home schedule. We will continue exploring ways to connect our school to you and your child/ren. I will have weekly updates that I will write to you based on what is happening or any news that I receive. Watch for other ways that we can connect with you...perhaps even a Friends School Sing Along.
In the meantime, please take care, be well, and stay safe.
Yours in Gratitude,
Donnan Stoicovy Head of School
Donnan write here. . .
March 23, 2020
Dear Community of Friends,
Today, our teachers will begin their initial steps of providing school at home. Over the past week, they have worked hard to create schedules, collaborate with their assistants and teaching partners to determine who is leading what aspects of learning, learn some new tools (Zoom) to bring them into your homes, assemble student materials for pickup, and put together their ideas for how to provide continuity of instruction. They miss your children (we all do) and are eager to see them in their virtual classrooms. They are to be commended for their hard work and be offered some understanding as they “trial and error” their way through their plans. We will be meeting weekly to check in with each other.
As school leaders, we have worked to support them in their planning and learning of new tools in a school that has not focused learning on using technology. We do understand that using some technology will help all of us make and keep connections with your children and you. We have also spent time thinking about ways that we can keep our school connected with everyone. We already have cancelled a number of upcoming activities – Middle School Visitation Day, Grandparents Day, programs at Eisenhower Auditorium, and more. We have also decided to postpone our Annual Fun Fair to a future date to be determined. We will share a complete list another time especially when we know more about the rest of the school year. We are trying to think about ways to fill those voids that those cancellations and postponements create in our community.
We are also concerned about the wellbeing of everyone in this unprecedented time. While I, personally, have not had a hard time with the physical (social) distancing (just working to remember no hugs or shaking hands), I am finding ways to make connections in other ways – calling and checking on my mother and other elderly friends, writing a card a day to reach out to friends, Zooming in with my siblings, neighbors, and others. While doing those things, I have been thinking about four main questions about our school community’s connections:
1. How are you and your family doing?
2. What do you and your family need in the way of support at this time?
3. How can our school community help? 4. How can we keep our school community connected?
As you think about these questions, please reach out to someone from our school that you feel comfortable talking with and share if you have some needs with which we can be of help. We will do our best to rally around your needs or find a resource that can help. We’re counting on you to help us by sharing thoughts and ideas about how our community can come together to build resilience, connection, and strength during this unusual situation. Thanks to the parents who have already reached out to share ideas and offer support to others.
As of a few minutes ago, I received information that the PA Department of Education (PDE) announced today that all schools in the commonwealth will remain closed through at least April 6th as a result of the COVID-19 response efforts. The closure order could be extended beyond April 6th if necessary to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. You will see evidence of that in the hard work that the teachers have done with their school at home schedule. We will continue exploring ways to connect our school to you and your child/ren. I will have weekly updates that I will write to you based on what is happening or any news that I receive. Watch for other ways that we can connect with you...perhaps even a Friends School Sing Along.
In the meantime, please take care, be well, and stay safe.
Yours in Gratitude,
Donnan Stoicovy Head of School
Donnan write here. . .
Donnan joined State College Friends School as interim head in 2017 and was named permanent head of school in December 2019. Donnan retired in 2016 from State College Area School district after serving for more than 27 years as principal at Park Forest Elementary School. In that position, she was instrumental in cultivating a safe and rich learning environment designed to empower thoughtful, active, and engaged citizens. Under her leadership at Park Forest Elementary Donnan enjoyed recognition for environmental education and for an award-winning recycling/zero waste program.
One of Donnan's first all-school accomplishments upon joining State College Friends School was to help the school become a Green Ribbon school, an honor bestowed upon only 35 across the US. She also helped the school become recognized by The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) as a school with Wildlife Habitat Gardens that support birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife. Our Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens provide natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water and doesn’t rely on pesticides. Students, teachers, and volunteers have planted and tend to several specific garden areas on the school grounds as a demonstration of love for nature and commitment to stewardship.
One of Donnan's first all-school accomplishments upon joining State College Friends School was to help the school become a Green Ribbon school, an honor bestowed upon only 35 across the US. She also helped the school become recognized by The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) as a school with Wildlife Habitat Gardens that support birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife. Our Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens provide natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water and doesn’t rely on pesticides. Students, teachers, and volunteers have planted and tend to several specific garden areas on the school grounds as a demonstration of love for nature and commitment to stewardship.
