Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - September 22

We are having a great week of joy and discovery. On Monday, 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade students went to the Cooper River to Kayak and learn about the impact of plastics on our waterways. As a part of the day, teachers were given “Aqua Marooned” , a card game in which students interact with Delaware Watershed. Classes have played the game and learned how enmeshed we are with our watershed. During Meeting for Worship, one 4th grade student shared their joy at kayaking on the river and their sense of urgency coming in our using less plastic. They had learned about microplastics, that once created, plastic never goes away and that animals eat plastic, feel full, and starve. Thank you to our alum Vedra Chandler, who works at Camden Community Partnership, for connecting us to this wonderful learning experience.  

Monday was also the 6th Annual Golf Outing. 80 golfers had a day of sunshine, friendship, and friendly competition at Riverton Country Club. Thank you to all the golfers and all of the wonderful sponsors, donors, and volunteers who helped make this such a successful event.

On Wednesday, Rabbi Michael Perice from Temple Sinai of Cinnaminson worshiped with us. He shared with us the meaning and importance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. After Meeting, a 5th grade student stopped by my office to share with me their thoughts on why you might say “we ask for forgiveness” rather than “I ask for forgiveness”. They had been thinking about Rabbi Perice's explanation of why the Jewish prayers on Yom Kippur use the pronoun “we”. The inner lives of children are deep and profound when given time and space to wonder.

We finish the week with two speakers. Thursday, 3rd through 8th grade students heard a presentation by Trinity Norwood, a citizen of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation in South Jersey. She shared with children that the Lenni-Lenape chose to hide in plain sight when other tribal nations were removed to reservations in the west. Today there are Lenni-Lenape throughout New Jersey. For tribal gatherings and important festivals they gather in Bridgeton, NJ. After sharing crafts and beliefs, students asked questions including “does your hair in a long braid mean something?” “Yes, growing our hair long signifies reaching  down to connect us with the earth.” Is there a specific Lenni-Lenape religion?” “The Lenni-Lenape people are monotheists. Today there are tradiationalists, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim members of the tribe who pray to the Creator together at gatherings”. “Are there Lenni-Lenape in other parts of North America?” “Yes, groups tended to migrate as families. There are groups in Oklahoma and in Canada. Each group was tasked with preserving a part of the culture.” Trinity ended the session by teaching us a circle dance.

Announcements:

• I am looking for a few volunteers to help water the mums we have at all of our entrances
• Don’t forget that Parent and Guardian mum orders are due Friday, September 23
• School is closed for Rosh Hashanah this Monday, September 26th
• Tuesday, September 27th is Spirit Day, students should wear their Garnet and Blue!
• Saturday, October 1st is the Parents and Guardians Palmyra Cove Clean Up
• Sunday, October 2nd is the Friends School High School Fair. Hosted by Westfield Friends, Haddonfield Friends, and Friends School Mullica Hill, it will have 20 high schools represented

If you haven’t seen it, I recommend the new Ken Burns documentary The U.S.and The  Holocaust.

L'shana tova

Margaret

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