KB performing their fabulous play Antarctica last week. Click here for more photos.

Lower School News

Message from Kelly Bird Pierre

The Lower School will be celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 24. We ask that students bring in a poem that they have written or a copy of a poem of their choosing. We have plenty of poetry books for students to borrow and choose from in the classrooms and in the library. Please let us know how we can be helpful. There will be chances for them to share the poem they have chosen with others throughout the day.

This week, the 4th graders hosted their Annual State Festival. Students shared research papers on their state's geography, agriculture, economy, and history, illustrating their learning of writing in paragraphs and including introductions and conclusions and citing their sources. As a part of their research, they identified a landmark or historic event on which to focus a maker choice project. Students presented their plan, made a material list, and were assigned an advisor with expertise in that area. Five advisors, in addition to classroom teachers, modeled unbelievable collaboration and supported the work of students in small groups, allowing for more choice in how students demonstrate their understanding of a historical event or landmark from their state.

Results show an incredible range of projects: a 3D printed models designed using TinkerCad, laser cut interactive maps that used Makey Makey, cardboard constructed models, stop motion animations, and news reports with green screen editing. Click here to see photos from the State Festival. Click here to watch the State Festival projects that included videos. Enjoy!

Join Principal Kelly Pierre for Coffee & Conversation
Lower School parents are invited to join small group conversations with Kelly Pierre the morning of Tuesday, April 17 from 8-9 am. If you'd like to come, please click here to register. If you are interested but are not available on that date/time, please feel free to email Kelly directly at kpierre@friendscentral.org to set up another time.

Interested in Being a Class Parent Next Year?
The Home and School Association is looking for parents to be classroom reps next year. It's a fun way to be involved and get to know other parents and your child's teachers. Click here for more information. If interested, please contact Andrea Nuneviller.  

Summer Camp Registration is Open for All Camps!
Check out our Mighty Maker Camp for grades K-4 using the Lower School Light Lab. To learn more, contact Kat Clayton in the Summer Programs office at summerprograms@friendscentral.org or 610-645-5132.

LETTUCE FEED YOU 

Menu for the week of April 16-20 

Monday, April 16: Turkey burgers w/ orzo pasta salad, tossed salad

Tuesday, April 17: Grilled fish tacos, fresh raw veggies

Wednesday, April 18: Baked macaroni & cheese, roasted broccoli

Thursday, April 19: Vegetable fried rice, tossed salad

Friday, April 20: Pizza day!

Grade 8 students worked on Piaget Child Development activities with KB students on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Kristi Kallam @teach_kb

Middle School News

Message from Alexa Quinn

Thank you to those of you who joined me and Keino at the Principal's Coffee this past Tuesday. It was wonderful to report on the happenings in Middle School, especially to reflect on the year thus far and to look ahead to some of the culminating projects and events in the coming months.

We have rescheduled mini-courses for May 9, 10, and 11 (Wednesday through Friday). We look forward to getting students excited about mini-courses once again. Please keep these dates in mind when planning any doctor or dental appointments or any family plans. You can expect us to send updated permission slips for your child's course, which will be the same as before, by the end of April.

If you've been on campus in the last week, you've already seen that Shallcross is coming together beautifully. The art gallery and cafeteria space are nearly finished. While the cafeteria equipment has been delayed, likely until late May, we are going to be able to use these renovated spaces very soon. The front entrance and the Meeting Room itself will get facelifts this summer when these spaces are not in high demand.

I am pleased to report that the Middle School building has been outfitted with new locks on every classroom door, making it faster and easier to lock doors in the event of an emergency. The entire campus is going to be equipped with card access doors in the coming month. This means that everyone will need to carry an ID card, including Middle School students, or be buzzed in. Please stay tuned for additional communication in May about the process of switching to card access and the use of identification cards by students.

On Tuesday, April 17 you will receive your child's mid-semester report for the second semester. Please don't hesitate to reach out to classroom teachers, your child's advisor, or an administrator with any questions or concerns.

Finally, we are doing very well in Middle School admissions, with 33 new students already enrolled for next year's sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. This is more than double where we were last year in early April while keeping our admittance rate low to accept students who are capable, talented, and the right fit for FCS. As always, word of mouth from parents and families is the most helpful and effective marketing, if you will, for our Middle School and for FCS. We have an upcoming Open House on April 19 from 9-11 am, but I am also happy to meet individually with any families that you might refer to FCS. Thank you for what you have done and will continue to do to spread the word!

Mindfulness Workshop with Julie Coopersmith - Rescheduled for Monday, April 16, 7 pm, MS Room 10

Last year, parents left this wonderful workshop with many helpful ideas. It was such a positive evening that we are offering it again this year! Through hands-on activities, learn practical mindfulness techniques that have been adapted and used successfully by school‐age children to promote self-regulation, enhance coping skills, and promote well-being. RSVP here. **Please note, this event is on Monday.**

Save the Date! April 26, 7 pm - Workshop with Al Vernacchio "Healthy Sexuality for Tweens and Young Teens - a Toolkit for Parents and Caring Adults"

The Middle School years are exciting and challenging times both for kids and their parents. Puberty, access to technology, and introduction to our highly sexualized culture all begin earlier today than ever before. Helping younger children begin to think about sexuality in a positive, rather than a fear-based, way is essential to the development of healthy sexuality. How can parents introduce these topics to their Middle School children? What are the right words to use? How do we help younger kids see the positive aspects of healthy sexuality and prepare them to negotiate the challenges they will face in their later teen years? Join Friends' Central sexuality educator Al Vernacchio for an evening of conversation about these important topics.

Upper School News

Message from the Upper School Office

We had a wonderful time on Wednesday evening in Shallcross Hall with evolutionary biologist Doug Emlen, who spoke to a large gathering of students and adults. Among other topics, Dr. Emlen's talk was a fascinating look at how the evolutionary biology of weapons (what Doug called "the extravagant results of nature's arms race") can be better understood by considering human military history. The talk received a standing ovation, followed by a series of interesting questions from the engaged and well-informed audience, which was anchored by the 50+ members of the Science Core Team. It was a bonus to be able to walk into the Meeting Room through the new foyer and glimpse the dazzling new dining space for the first time. Core Team students had the chance to speak again with Doug during the day on Thursday. Thanks so much to John Gruber and Anna Schall for their inspired leadership of this group of young scientists.

Also on Thursday, Joel Dankoff took his American Architectural History class for the annual highly-anticipated tour of Philadelphia architectural landmarks. 'Tis the season to be out and about, and the 10th grade will also be in town soon, attending Lantern Theater's well-received production of Shakespeare's The Tempest on Tuesday. The spring Friends Schools League season has begun, so athletes are dispersing around the Philadelphia area as well; however, you can conveniently catch most teams in action at home next week: softball, baseball, lacrosse and tennis all have home contests. Additionally, among the many visitors we expect to welcome to campus next week is the Lower School, whom we look forward to seeing at the annual All-School Assembly on Friday morning in the Shimada Athletic Center.

Mid-semester reports for 9th-11th graders will be released on Thursday; these include comments and an unofficial "grade to date" in each class. 12th graders won't receive reports at this time; with only two weeks of classes remaining before they begin Senior Project, they will receive only a final report card. Speaking of Senior Project, we are grateful to project director Phyllis Hanson for her oversight of this important capstone experience for graduating students. It's a big job, with many moving parts, and our students are lucky in the personal attention she has given them as they design and take care of the logistics for meaningful projects.

Sustainability Club Plastic Bag Collection
The Students Sustainability Club will be collecting plastic bags in order to recycle them. There are bags in the students homerooms and boxes in the Main lobby and FCC lobby for collection. All students, faculty, and staff in all divisions are welcome to participate. The drive will go until the All-School Assembly on April 20, where we will announce how many bags we collected.

Prom Committee Fundraising Event - Wednesday, April 18
Prom Committee is having one last fundraising event on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in conjunction with Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Ardmore, PA. Iron Hill is donating 20% of the food bill to the Prom Committee, please pick up your coupon from the Upper School office. Make your reservations today (strongly recommended).

Prom Details and Prom Parking
This year's Prom will be held on Saturday, May 5 at the National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S Independence Mall E, Phila. The Prom begins at 8 pm and ends at 11 pm and includes dinner, music, and dancing. Prom tickets will be available for purchase online starting on Monday, Apr. 15 to Sunday, Apr. 22 at $90/pp. More details to follow. Parking: we were able to work with Bourse Garage, located at 44 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (right around the corner from the prom venue) for discounted parking. The cost of parking is $7 for up to 8 hours. In order for the students to get the discounted ticket/sticker, please send an email to Heather Tomes at htomes@friendscentral.org immediately so that an order can be put into Bourse Garage. Students will be able to pick up the discounted ticket/stickers from the Upper School office a week prior to the prom or get them from Ms. Tomes the day of prom.

Athletics & Wellness Coffee & Conversation w/ Mitch Greene - Monday, April 16

The Coffee & Conversation with Athletics & Wellness originally scheduled for Friday, April 6 will now take place on Monday, April 16 at 8:30 am in MS Room 10. We're excited to announce new speaker Dr. Mitch Greene, Sports Psychologist with Greenepsych! Hope to see you there.

Save the Date: Screen on the Green - May 19
Student Council will be doing Screen on the Green (An outdoor movie) on May 19 at 7:45 pm. This will be replacing the April 21 Music Festival, which is canceled.

Still Time to Order a Yearbook

If you haven't ordered your child's yearbook, now is the time; the deadline is fast approaching. Click here to order. No need to sign in -- click on yearbook, then add to cart, and it will automatically bring you to the page where you designate recipient name, etc. Yearbooks will be delivered to campus. Please be aware: there will not be extra copies for purchase after the deadline date, so please make sure that you order your yearbook today. 

Shallcross Update from Focus News
Click here to read a fantastic article by Julian Brenman '20 providing an update on Shallcross Hall renovations. Things have progressed even further since April 6, when the article was published!

Grade 11 Parents Mark your Calendar! US Faculty Appreciation Feast – April 25, After School 
Grade 11 parents say "thank you" to our wonderful faculty and staff by providing a luncheon during the April Faculty Meeting. We need lots of food and lots of volunteers to make this a success. Our goal is for all families to contribute something –– supplies, food, cash donations, or time. If you wish to make a monetary contribution, please send cash or check to the Home and School Office, and it will be used to cover the cost of any items listed that are not donated. Please take a few minutes to look at the Sign Up Genius and help out in any way possible. We will be collecting food donations the morning of the luncheon at the front of Shallcross Hall, so feel free to drop your items off then, or bring them with you if you are volunteering to help. Please feel free contact Ami Lonner at alonner@comcast.net if you have any questions.