November Newsletter 2007

This month at Friends School:
• Queries on Giving >>
• Reflections from the Head of School >>
• Learning Update >>
• November Calendar >>
• Monthly Assembly Themes >>

Queries on Giving

The theme for November is "Giving." The Grade 3-4 class created the following queries which were read at our weekly all-school meeting for worship on Monday, November 5:
• What does it mean to truly give? What do I learn when I am the giver?
• Do I seek to learn that the value of a gift is determined by its value to the giver?
• What can I find in my life to give to others?
• How do I value the gifts in my life: by money, by time, by love?

Reflections from the Head of School

The Friends School of Portland community life is vibrant. Over 80 children, parents, faculty, and Board members turned out for the Potluck Dinner that ended with a brief look at the admissions picture for next year and a group sing-a-long. We joined the REAL School and Governor Baxter School for Halloween fun and a costume parade. The fall soccer program ended with an open game that included children and parents from 4 to 40 years old. The Parents Association, at its second meeting of the year, adopted an organizational plan and families raised over $3000 for the school selling Sunrise Guide coupon books. Parent Night and mid-term reports reflected the social and academic progress that so many of the children are experiencing in class.

One of the most significant events, though, was the way the Grade 1-2 class fulfilled our mission of "empowering and challenging" students. Popular Pokemon cards were brought to school by some children to play with and were consuming recess and transition time. When some concerns were raised about missing out on exercise and distractions from class time, the class met and decided to restrict the cards to just one recess per day. Issues of inclusion and exclusion began to surface, because some children did not have cards, while others found new friends as they shared a common interest; the class met again. Even though some had made their extra cards available to those without, the group decided to make the cards an after-school or "play date" activity. They affirmed this decision after "seasoning" it for a couple of days.

Finally, as we begin our Admissions Events for 2008-2009 (see the calendar below), we anticipate adding our 8th grade class and having a school enrollment in the mid-seventies. We continue to get inquiries for the few remaining openings for this year and just enrolled a student this past week. The other children in her class made her transition an easy one and she seems right at home. So, in general, FSP has hit its stride for the year and life is good.

~ James Grumbach, Head of School

Learning Update

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The great outdoors may be preparing for dormancy, but we at the Friends School are far from slowing down or curling up for a long winter's nap. In every classroom, inquiry, reflection and action are lively and well. We inquire in math about patterns, money and place value, data and graphing. Through social studies, literature, class meetings and Quaker Meeting we reflect on how to work for peace through dialogue - whether we are trading Pokemon cards, retelling folk tales, or creating a Talking Stick to help build a culture of caring.

All classes are in action outdoors for hands-on science explorations - the preschoolers looking at leaves and seeds, the preK-kindergarteners choosing a class tree to observe year-round, the 1st and 2nd graders studying animal habitats and insects, the 3rd and 4th graders doing some sophisticated water testing of Casco Bay, and the 5th-7th graders building prototypes of a solar greenhouse and a cold frame.

Parents help us learn to share snacks, do yoga, watch birds, tell stories, test water, tape record books, and knit. Community service happens with reading buddies, lunch buddies, book-making, UNICEF Trick or Treating, and an upcoming food drive. Songs, art, sign language, painting bright colors while only speaking Spanish, playing bocce ball around the island - the list goes on. And if that weren’t enough, at recess there is no greater joy than jumping in a giant pile of leaves. We give thanks for the beautiful weather, our fascinating island and just being together.

~ Mary Tracy, Curriculum Coordinator

November Calendar

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• Prospective Parent Information Session
  Wednesday, November 14, 6–7 pm
• Prospective Family Open House
  Saturday, November 17, 10–11:30 am
• Prospective Family Visiting Days
  Thursdays, November 8 & December 6
  Call for an appointment 781–6321
• FSP Board Meeting — November 6, 6 pm at the school
• End of 1st Term — November 20
• Thanksgiving Break — November 21–25

Themes for weekly assemblies, Fridays at 1 pm in Carter Hall

• Nov — giving
• Dec — light & solstice
• Jan — winter survival & celebration
• Feb — warmth & love
• Mar — service & change
• April — spring, rebirth & Earth Day
• May — peace & Mother's Day
• June - endings & beginnings, Father's Day

Nondiscrimination Policy

FRIENDS SCHOOL of PORTLAND
An independent Quaker day school for grades Pre–K — 8
1 Mackworth Island Falmouth, ME 04105
207–781–6321, information@friendsschoolofportland.org
Copyright © 2007 FRIENDS SCHOOL of PORTLAND