Roots and Shoots

Roots and Shoots is a program developed by Jane Goodall to engage kids with nature, age appropriate service/activism and community. We thought that it might provide a nice infrastructure for mutli-age FSP gatherings this summer and if kids like it they could continue as a club next year. Our first meeting will be at Baxter Woods (meeting at the large sign on Stevens Ave) on Friday June 15th at 10:00 am (weather permitting ~ bring a picnic lunch if you'd like) ... please feel free to share your schedule with me if you have particular days/times that work well and we'll vary our meeting schedule! We will introduce ourselves, read a story, and do an insect scavenger hunt. Use comments to suggest outdoor places to meet, to volunteer to lead an activity and to share scheduling info!

June 21st Parents Meeting?

Lise suggested that we begin our fall planning on June 21st -- perhaps people could use the comments to RSVP so we know if we have a critical mass?

Beyond Bully Prevention

eyond Bully Prevention: Strategies That Work There's a lot more to creating and sustaining safe schools than many current bully-prevention programs let on. Join us November 5, 2007 in Portland, Maine for a cutting-edge conference: Beyond Bully Prevention: Strategies that Work. Designed for teachers, school counselors, school social workers, administrators, and all adults who work with youth; this conference tackles issues underpinning school-based bullying and harassment. Many of the issues we will address with you are insufficiently addressed in popular bully-prevention approaches. Workshop topics will include girlfighting/ building girl allies, relationships between stereotypical masculinity, violence and boys' academic success, bias-based harassment of GLBTQ youth, the effects of sexist and racist media messages, the impact of poverty and social class on students' school experiences, and the misuse of technology and cyber-bullying. Registrations available in September, and for more information please send an email to info@hghw.org. View Our Save The Date Note, and forward it to your friends!

Appreciation & Lunch

Dear FSP Parents and Board Friends: The end of the year is upon us. I marvel at how much has happened in a single school year - - and I look forward to celebrating on June 4th. The teachers and staff have worked tirelessly this year to meet the challenges of a brand new school while maintaining loving relationships with our children. On June 7th we will thank them for their efforts by providing lunch / treats for the last two in-service days. We are asking for contributions of baked goods, salads, beverages, fresh flowers, or anything else you can think of... Since refrigeration is a problem, I propose that families in the Pre-School and primary classroom bring food on June 7th and families with children in the Upper Elementary and board members bring food on June 8th. You can bring non-perishables on June 6th if you need to. (Sign up through the comments if you'd like!) Families and board members may also participate by contributing comments of appreciation. Next week there will be a "Praise Jar" in the office. If you wish to write a special message of appreciation to a specific person, classroom or the whole teaching staff you and/or your child may do so. Please put the message in the praise jar (or e-mail it to me or Jessica) and they will be read out loud to all the teachers during the special luncheon gatherings. Thank you for helping to show our gratitude to the teachers and staff who made this year possible for our children! Kim Simmons (Grace's mother)

Favorite Books

Lea suggested a blog-book group discussion -- (although I'd also LOVE an in-person book group too)... Use the comments to share recommendations and insights from your favorite books!

Boys to Men Conference

Boys to Men is a wonderful group that advocates a feminist approach to raising boys and thinking about the stress that conventional masculinity puts on boys. They are offering their annual conference on May 25th -- registration closes on May 17th. The workshops look interesting and useful to all parents and teachers, I think... http://boysconference.org/

Closing Rituals

The school year is coming to a close and we're seeking ways to celebrate and mark the transitions... one wonderful idea is to have a tree planting ceremony -- each classroom might also want to do something special. Share ideas, rituals that have worked well in other places, and your thoughts and feelings about the end of the year...

Amazing Auction

The Auction was amazing -- the donations really reflected the incredible talent, creativity and generosity of our community. Thank you to everyone who made it happen!!! Share your "best buys" here -- and someone give us the grand total!!!

NEW AUCTION BLOG! Image of donated vacation getaway to Nova Scotia

The First Annual Silent Auction Brunch - A morning on Mackworth is coming up in just a few weeks. To help spread the word I just created an Friends Auction blog. Send Darlene photos if you have a jpg of an item you are donating. Below is a photo of a vacation getaway in Nova Scotia.

Kathleen's class parents successful meeting

The Parents of the K-1-2 classroom, recently had a very nice and productive meeting to discuss the successes of the year thus far as well as to brainstorm and find ways to continue keeping the channels of communication open and flowing for all, without overwhelming the staff. It has been an busy year for all those involved in making this first year one to remember at Friends School. The teachers, administrators, staff, board members and all the parents who have helped in various capacities deserve a hand for all that has been accomplished. I won't go into detail of all that was discussed at the meeting, but among some highlights were the growing numbers of students and postively changing face of the classrooms, the possible addition of an outdoor classroom, the upcomming survey for parents to fill out (stay tuned), the auction, the upcoming Spring Science piece as we come into Spring, the new classroom structure and I am sure I am forgetting more...Among most of the parents present, affirmations were shared that the community here at Friends is enjoyed at many levels, watching the kids in their very comfortable selves working out their problems diplomatically to finding like minded parents to share our ideas with. And it goes without saying that we have all benefitted from the gift of this island as the location we found Friends at. Peace, Sydney's mom