2009 CHRONICLES of

Quaker Education 9 0 0 2 R E T N I W with atriptoChincoteague. 3rd graderscaptheirstudy and Friends School Charlotte (Right) Plymouth Meeting themselves through letters. Friends studentsintroduced Haverford andGreenwood (Below) Friends School pointsview,of liftseverybody good way.”ain up thatcantakeplace, between different schools, between betterworkwaytolearn:and to themore connecting mutuallybeneficial, David believes: justis“Thisa FriendsSchool connectionsbyvisiting overnight at theChincoteague,wayto FSCstudents mademore offer,”to saidFSChead schoolof David Kern. On deliverprograma wewould not otherwise ablebe “Asyounga school, thiscollaboration allows tous photos. Thisyear’s 3rdgraders willalso collaborate. theyearthrough exchanging letters, artwork, and Chincoteague,Virginia. Students connected throughout classes3-daymetforatrip to Wallop’s Island near andwetlands. Theproject culminated whenboth Carolina,year-long,ain parallel studyoceanof newlyatformed School Thethird gradeclass at Lifting Everybody Up program:Joint Environmental Mission. goal“Theof forenvironmental action andeducation, theJEM co-foundedglobala network schoolof partnerships BuckinghamFriends School, Joint Environmental Mission andlearning puttingandin allintoitcontext.” communityourpartneris theprocessin teachingof educationthananysingle teacher couldever offer. The broaderworldwe areproviding themwith more an of and,way,ain simplicity. “By connecting students theto strongaas example livingof thevalue communityof JonathanHuxtable, whoseesthepartnership approach ourpartnership naturalais fit,” said headschool of bulktheirofteaching happens afterschool hours, so manytheorganizationsof thatwework with, the music,andoutdoorart education programs. “For andformalized instructional partnerships deliverto regularcurricular trips, servicelearning partnerships, withorganizations itscommunity,in including Harford’sprogram includes multiple relationships adaptivenature trailwith Eden Mill Nature Center. neighboringsenior center anddeveloping sustainablea intergenerationalcommunity garden witha manypartnership projects, suchcreatingas an HarfordFriends School Learning Partnerships A Publication , ,, partnered withthethird graders experience both the commonality and the rich diversity of humanity in our world. our in humanity of diversity rich the and commonality the both experience organizations in the community and the world are a powerful way for students to students for way powerful a are world the and community the in organizations of the ,Virginia. Partnerships aremore than FriendsSchool Charlotte Creative partnerships in Friends education across schools and with outside with and schools across education Friends in partnerships Creative This issue highlights Friends school partnerships with the goal of honoring of goal the with partnerships school Friends highlights issue This PlymouthMeeting Friends , Street,, Maryland, has

Lahaska, Pennsylvania, VirginiaBeach , North,

Learning Partnerships Learning

these unique connections and inspiring more. inspiring and connections unique these • • Sharing Costs, Reaping Benefits discusstheir fears and hopes for the future,” Scott said. Summitprojects, engage insimulation games and fordifferent points ofview asthey collaborate onEarth developpatience, cultural understanding andtolerance a Summitprovides uniquea opportunity for the kids to JEMpartner schools throughout the world. “TheEarth withstudent and teacher representatives from all ofthe Everythree tofive years, BFS holds anEarth Summit France,which engage inyearly home-stay exchanges. China,Australia, Ecuador, Haiti, Hawaii, Africa and BFShas permanent partner schools inRussia, India, Sovietteachers tofound the JEM program in1991. Baytosh,head. Buckingham teachers collaborated with togetherinbalance with the environment,” said Scott J • EMistohelp children ofall nations walk this earth This fall, that can continue over time.” confident in where they are, and establish relationships values as Greenwood Friends School. It helps them feel from other Friends schools which teach the same school peers. There is real meaning in meeting students ours can sometimes feel different from their public Boggess says, “Students in rural Friends schools like December. students during their visit to in returned the favor, hosting GFS middle school down to sleep on the gym floor. FSH students Meeting, a local farm with hayride, and hunkered intermediate class for visits to Millville Monthly of Quaker history, the class joined with GFS’s in Millville, Pennsylvania. Linked to their study took a 3-day trip to schools of similar size as Greenwood. sending an invitation to art teachers at several Friends Cindi Hron. Cindi generated the connection by and response’ through the mail,” says GFS teacher displayed the pieces together. “It was kind of a ‘call response to what they received, and both schools mail. The students then each did an art piece in created art pieces that they exchanged through the United Friends School Middle school students from the cost of a tripthecostHarrisburg.toaof GoshenFriends School Haverford, WestChester Friends School Inspring 2009,the 4thgrades of ideas for sharing resources across schools.”resourcesacross sharing for ideas we know each other through the Friends the through other each know we establish significant connections and get and connections significant establish Friends School Haverford Council network. Through FCE we network. FCE Council Through Greenwood Friends School “These ideas really happen because happen really ideas “These Greenwood Friends School , Quakertown, Pennsylvania, willshare bus andsplita Greenwood Friends FriendsSchool —Brenda Boggess —Brenda 4th graders head Brenda and and

Global Partnerships

Bolivian Quaker teachers interning in Friends schools this year: Alicia Lucasi (far left) with her class at Carolina Friends School, and Ruben Hilari, painting at Oakwood Friends School.

Bolivian Internships in Friends Schools

A powerful cross-cultural partnership is in progress at success of this partnership is the result of a series of of what constitutes ‘normal’ in terms of our living two U.S. Friends schools, as Bolivian Quaker intern coordinated efforts by members of Chapel Hill Friends accommodations, diets, access to resources, and become teachers have joined Friends school communities for Meeting, Durham Friends Meeting and members of more aware that people in different circumstances this school year. Ruben Hilari, who has a degree in the CFS community. More than 40 people have come lead remarkably rich and full lives without necessarily English and Aymara linguistics, is spending the year together in a network of support to provide food and having the same access to the resources that Americans at Oakwood Friends School, Poughkeepsie, New lodging for Alicia during the length of her stay, which depend on,” Peter said. York, where he began by observing classes, and is now has created a special bond of caring across the meeting teaching. Alicia Lucasi is spending the year at Carolina and school communities. The intern program, new this year, is coordinated Friends School in Durham, North Carolina. by the Bolivian Quaker Education Fund (www.bqef. Ruben Hilari is described by Oakwood Friends School org), which supports programs that strengthen Quaker This term Alicia has taken on full responsibility for head Peter Baily as a multitalented musician, visual education in Bolivia and create connections with teaching classes in the upper school, providing coverage artist, techie, and a linguist, who has fully incorporated throughout the world. For more information, for a teacher who is enjoying paternity leave. Mike himself in many dimensions of school life. “We have contact Andrew Rutledge, BQEF board member Hanas, head of school, says: “The courage that Alicia learned a great deal about the perspective of someone and teacher: arutledge@ has demonstrated by coming and engaging so fully who comes from an extraordinarily different culture, abingtonfriends.net. Follow along with Alicia and provides a powerful example for all of us committed to who is immersed in Quaker traditions that are Ruben’s experiences through their blogs (in English extending ourselves in the interest of building bridges different from ours. Sharing through language, music, and Spanish): Ruben: http://rubenhilari.blogspot.com/; and nurturing even more inclusive communities.” The and art, we have learned about our own perceptions Alicia: http://alyluc.blogspot.com.

El Misterio de la Reunion de Adoracion: William Penn Charter teacher Jean Taraborelli translated the Friends Council’s booklet The Mystery of Meeting for Worship into Spanish for use by Bolivian Quaker educators. Available for free download: www.friendscouncil.org. More translation opportunities are available! Contact [email protected].

George School to Pilot Global Service Program The Essence of Our Mission A grant from the E.E. Ford Foundation will allow George By Joyce Ajlouny, Ramallah Friends Schools Director School (GS), Newtown, Pennsylvania, to create the new Global Service Program. The Global Service Program is envisioned as an opportunity for students and high school The story of the Ramallah Friends Schools (RFS) is that of educators from schools worldwide. Plans for the program RFS teachers and RFS exchange students: success, impact, service and enduring love; a story that would include two components: a Summer International to Sidwell Friends and have ended a long time ago if it weren’t for our deep-rooted Program in which students prepare for and participate 2007-’08. global partnerships that manage to cross all borders. in an international service trip, and a Service Learning Faculty Institute that provides training for faculty Our long-standing affiliations with Quaker schools and colleges in the United States have put to test the interested in implementing service learning programs. mutual benefit of a vibrant exchange program. For over a decade now, schools such asGeorge School, This summer, is running two pilots of Westtown and more recently Sidwell Friends School and the William Penn Charter School have each the program for faculty. The July 2009 Global Service presented one of our students the opportunity of study at the school for an entire year. These generous Programs will take faculty to either the Szechuan Province scholarships constitute a life-transforming opportunity for students who have lived their entire lives under of China, which was devastated by an earthquake in the duress of military occupation. We have seen them return year after year with bigger and greater plans for 2008, or Cuba, which was ravaged by multiple hurricanes their future. Their year in the U.S. gives them a glimpse of what a life of freedom feels like. Upon their return, in 2007. with passion and excitement they share stories with the entire student body as the impact of their experiences slowly finds its way into our entire community. This rich exchange opportunity signifies an important element GS’s history of international service began in 1947, when of bridging the cultural gap between our two peoples. For many of the U.S. students, teachers and staff, a the school took part in post-World War II reconciliation Palestinian is someone who they have only met in the news, and for Palestinians, an American is either the efforts by establishing relationships with two schools Hollywood star they see in the movies or the teacher who once taught them in Ramallah. in Germany. (See photo on p. 3.) Today, in addition to Our global friendships have improved the lives of so many people throughout our history as they expanded engaging in ongoing service at local sites, GS students our opportunities and provided hope to a community that desperately needed it. For many more generations participate in service projects in Costa Rica, France, India, to come, our new contacts will develop into relationships and our relationships into partnerships and our Nicaragua, South Africa, South Korea, and Vietnam, as partnerships into enduring friendships. Read more about the Ramallah Friends Schools online at: www. well as Arizona, coastal Louisiana, coastal Mississippi, and palfriends.org. Washington D.C.

For info contact: Pauline Forest: Pauline_Forest@ georgeschool.org. Heritage Academy, founded in 2004 by Westtown teacher Kwesi Koomson (right), is a co-educational Friends School of Tokyo, Japan, primary and junior high school located in Koomson’s home village of Breman Esiam in the central region has partnerships with sister Friends schools for student of Ghana, Africa. Heritage Academy has grown from exchanges with: Moorestown Friends School, New 32 to 450 students in four years, and in July 2008, all Jersey; Friends School Hobart, Australia; Abington graduates passed Ghana’s national exams. Every winter Friends School, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and is two teachers and a group of seniors from Westtown currently hosting a junior from Germantown Friends teach and perform a service project at Heritage Academy. School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and a teacher A Heritage grad is now attending Westtown. exchange with Earlham College, Indiana. Info: www.scheorkefoundation.org. Hot Off the Presses: Order online: www.friendscouncil.org

“I am delighted Philadelphia Friends Schools that the contributors Friends Council on Education with Janet Chance and Mark Franek to this book have Available March 2009 come out to share how mindfulness William Penn envisioned a society dedicated to religious toleration, participatory and concentration government, and liberty. Central to this “Holy Experiment” was his belief that all can be a pleasure to children deserved a moral education. This book includes images from the 10 Friends learn, as well as to schools founded in or near Philadelphia before the 20th century: Abington Friends teach.” School, Frankford Friends School, Friends’ Central School, , —Thich Nhat Hanh George School, Germantown Friends School, Greene Street Friends School, Plymouth Meeting Friends School, William Penn Charter School, and Westtown Tuning In: Mindfulness School. The images in this collection tell a photographic story of the Friends educational in Teaching and Learning philosophy—ideas rooted in three centuries of faith and practice. Irene McHenry and Richard Brady, Editors This collection vividly demonstrates that Excerpted from Philadelphia Friends Schools: contemplative methods can be used with any Work Camps in Germany: curriculum content. Experientially-based vignettes In response to the suffering created by World War II, Quaker-sponsored work camp programs provided a tangible way to contribute to world show children, teenagers and teachers using peace by offering aid and friendship. Both Westtown and George School pebbles, mandalas, literature, beanie babies, yoga, participated in the German work camp movement (1949-1968). This journals, homework, artwork to strengthen the photo (right) shows George School students in Wolfenbuttel, Germany, core skills underlying all learning: concentration, where they joined peers from partner schools in Dusseldorf and Berlin observation, relaxation, and open, receptive to participate in a work camp near the former East-West border. (Photo awareness with a positive, curious attitude. courtesy of George School.)

Public School FRIENDS COUNCIL NEWS Partnerships You Lift Us Up! Friends schools develop working partnerships with When economic times are uncertain, people take a hard look at their priorities – which donations will have the public schools, demonstrating the myriad ways biggest impact? As you read about the powerful examples of partnering in this issue of Chronicles, consider investing communities can explore and grow together. in a partnership of support with the Friends Council on Education. Your dollars make these programs possible: • Brooklyn Friends School, New York, partners • peer networks, through which educators connect, explore, and serve as resources for each other; with Public Schools 287 and 307 for the Horizons • the governance initiative, currently focusing on financial sustainability for small Friends schools; summer enrichment program. • new online webinars and audiocasts, as well as regional workshops, to increase participation regardless • Delaware Valley Friends School, Paoli, of geographic location. Pennsylvania, partners with Valley Forge Elementary School for the “Eye to Eye” mentoring program for By giving to the Friends Council, you not only support many valuable programs for all Friends schools, you enter 3rd and 4th graders with learning differences. into a meaningful web of relationship among teachers, administrators, and trustees of Friends schools. Together, we • Friends School of Portland, Mackworth Island, are all raised up by every donation, large or small. Maine, partners with Governor Baxter School of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the REAL School on Hundreds of caring people have shared their resources through giving to our annual fund so events and student projects, such as Pinwheels for far this year. Please join them by making an investment in the future of Friends education. Peace, a “thanking tree,” collaborative art projects, To find out more, go to www.friendscouncil.org and click on “Make a Gift” or contact team building trainings, and student performances. Amy Ward Brimmer at 215-241-7245; [email protected]. Administrators from the schools meet monthly to plan collaborations. Member Notes • Friends Seminary, New York, has these partnership Newest Member Schools programs: with PS 19, where Friends Seminary (FS) 4th graders teach service learning to PS 19 • Harford Friends School, in Street, Maryland, was welcomed in spring 2008 into full membership in the 2nd graders; with Head Start, where FS 4th graders Friends Council on Education. The school serves 28 children in 6th through 8th grades, and opened in 2005. read and play with pre-kindergarten students; with • High Point Friends School, Greensboro, North Carolina, was welcomed into membership in the Friends Learning Springs Elementary School, where FS Council on Education, fall 2008. Under the care of High Point Meeting (North Carolina Yearly Meeting 2nd graders learn about autism and work with LS and United Friends Meeting), the school opened 40 years ago, and has 175 students in pre-school-8th grade. kindergarteners; with Manhattan Comprehensive Neighbors of New Garden Friends School, HPFS learned a great deal about the Friends Council network Night and Day, where FS students work on language through NGFS co-director and Friends Council board member David Tomlin. acquisition exchange with students. • Friends School of Portland, Mackworth Island, Maine, was welcomed in January into full membership in • Media-Providence Friends School, Media, the Friends Council on Education. Now three years old, FSP serves 70 students in pre-school — 8th grades. Pennsylvania, partners with Media Elementary School, where MPFS 8th graders design and teach a Expanding Upwards year-long course in conflict resolution to 5th graders. Three Friends schools are growing along with their students: Friends Meeting School, Ijamsville, Maryland; • Moorestown Friends School, New Jersey, has and Mary McDowell Center for Learning, Brooklyn, New York, are adding upper school divisions; and these partnership programs: with Camden middle San Francisco Friends School, California, is adding a middle school division. schools, where MFS’s Camden Scholars Program provides three students each year with full tuition Friends Schools in the News and assistance with school fees for books and trips; Since the Obama family announced their choice of Sidwell Friends School for their daughters’ education, with area public and independent schools, MFS’s Friends schools have been a frequent subject of news stories and blogs. See the latest at friendscouncil.org> Lead for Diversity summer program for high school “Obama family Chooses Friends School for Daughters.” students including exchange visits during the school year with Haddonfield and Woodbury public Online NETworking for Friends schools is here! schools; with Camden Public School, a robotics team works regularly together and travels to robotics competitions. www.friendscouncil.NET • Moses Brown School, Providence, Rhode Island, partners with Hope High School for a joint class Friends school faculty, staff, and trustees are invited to join the Friends Council on exploring local history through drama. Education’s new online networking and resource sharing site: friendscouncil.net. • Westbury Friends School, Long Island, New York, Recent topics include: conflict resolution programs, research on reflective education, partners with Westbury High School, where WHS and the many ways to take part in this year’s Bridge Film Festival. students work with young WFS students, and faculty share resources for working with students with special A conversation is always better when YOU are part of it! needs. Register at friendscouncil.net. Reflections carechildrenfor sufferingrecent frominwar communitiesresponded likefashioninto Holland,Germany.and Friends school relationshipswithsisterschoolsPoland, in Committeereliefin workformingand workingAmericanwiththe Friends Service teenagerstuition-free duringwar;teensthe WarschoolsII:enrolling Japanese-American relievesuffering duringafterand World photographsFriendsof schoolprojects to Arcadiapublication, movedwasI by fromFriends schoolsupcomingthefor Whilereviewing hundreds archivalof images personsengagedaction.in becominggoalof informed, compassionate experiencesacredtolifeas of withtheall throughQuakertheapproach theylearn peacemakersengagingorservice, in Whetherstudents arelearning about worktoward morepeacefula world. participateglobalthecommunityin and preparationthesee I studentsforfully to Readingnewsletters fromFriends schools justiceandflourish.can possibilitytheandworld where afor peace optimisticwithan human visionthespiritof childrenresponsible,liveasto moralcitizens Quakerroletheofeducation preparing in unrelatedeventsspurred reflectto me on Schools, Philadelphiathe area( photo-documentaryFriendsof schoolsin CouncilEducationonhistoric writean to PublishingCompanyinviting Friends the theirdaughters coincided withArcadia familychoosingFriends a schoolfor recentThearticles newsaboutObamathe Arcadia Publishing, 2009). These PhiladelphiaFriends Democratic Society&aRelationalWorld The RoleofFriendsEducationina — justice,— tolerance equalityandmatter — world,citizenstheasofthose us andprinciples understandthatthere areprinciples thatjoin daughterschoolmyfor becausewantedto her I Quakerjustworld.choseaa live Iin to and childreneducatedbesafe,well,to eatbe toto interviewedpeopletheI there wanttheir commonlyour heldvalues. LikeAmericans, culture,traditions evenpaledandhistorybefore reportingIraq,in thatdifferenceswasit in “ WallStreet Journal followingThe excerpt thearticlefromin an anothercontinuetogrow.” to commongroundconnect,to inspire and one mutualrespect, groupstwoanyfindcan sustainedand through relationships of understandingby createdthatpeacebecan complexsimplyaworld, whatisgoodinfor lookingothers,lighttheinsearchingforby ElSalvador,in experience:thesumsup “By Carolina,writingtripservicehomefrom a globalrelationships. studentAfrom North Friendsschoolstudents teachers and creating regularlyam U.S.I encouraged of newsby havesafehaventoeducationand the in decades,makingpossibleitchildren for demandingdeeplyanddemocratic. simple,lifethatwasofclear,way a spirited, group.a themas now,Then,as theytaught creedsacramentsteachnoorhadto bind to threecenturies ago,whenearlyQuakers schoolssincetheirbeginnings morethan Theseprinciples havegrounded Friends themcontributesocially a justworld.to educationan theirforchildren thatwillhelp frommanyFriends schoolparents ensure to echoescommitmentthehave heard thatI Sociallya Just World“ (December 2008),9, Iftherelearnedlessonfrom onewasI of Germantown Friends School). Meals on Wheels, c.1954(Photo courtesy Germantown Friends studentsserving WashingtonPost Foreign Correspondent , “Quaker, Education for AnthonyShadid

.”

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID 1507 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 Philadelphia, PA 215.241.7245 • [email protected] • www.friendscouncil.org Permit No. 248 WINTER 2009 Learning Partnerships

CHRONICLES OF Quaker Education

Spirit-Led Professional Development for Friends Schools

Workshops Upcoming Peer Networks GRANTS for Student Projects Educators New to Quakerism, Pendle Hill Librarians: February 27, 2009, Abington Friends School Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2009 February 19 – 20, 2009 May 7 – 8, 2009 Early Childhood Educators: March 2 – 3, 2009, Pendle Hill The Friends Council on Education happily Facilitating Quaker Decision-Making in a Friends Bridge Film Festival: March 28, 2009, Ackworth School, UK supports experiential student projects that are grounded in Quaker testimonies. School, Arch Street Meeting House, Philadelphia, PA Secondary Heads: April 16-17, 2009, Sidwell Friends School Each year the Friends Council awards grants Monday, February 9, 2009 of up to $2000 to Friends schools to fund Deans of Students: April 20, George School creative and collaborative projects in Governance Matters! Elementary Heads, Nursery & PreSchool Heads: Friends schools. See the FCE Grants Gallery to see past projects and guidelines for Special Focus for 2008 – 09 on Advancement April 26 – 28, Chestnut Hill Meeting House, Phila., PA application for 2009-10 funding: & Financial Sustainability for Small Friends Division Directors & Assistant Heads: April 27 – 28, 2009, Schools for Trustees, Heads, Business Officers, www.friendscouncil.org. Development Staff & Volunteers Chestnut Hill Meetinghouse, Phila., PA April 4 — Mary McDowell Center for Learning, Friends Environmental Educators Network (FEEN): April 29 – May 1, 2009, Friends School Haverford Brooklyn, NY Past participants of Friends Council programs say . . . April 18 — San Francisco Friends School, CA Development: May 5, 2009, Abington Friends School “ Every meaningful professional development experience Downloadable Recordings: www.friendscouncil.net that I have had has been through the Admissions: May 11-12, 2009, Pendle Hill > Heads/Trustees > Governance Matters Friends Council, because my work is spirit-led.”

Preserving, Inspiring, Strengthening . . . Friends Education