Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - February 9th

Dear Friends,

First-Grade students took time away from their continuing study of Africa (first South Africa, now Egypt) to learn with their 8th-Grade Buddies about influential African Americans. Together they created this fantastic display “We Are Who We Are Because They Were Who They Were”. The hands have their names and the names of those they studied. 

Second Grade students have studied Astronaut Mae Jemison as a part of their ongoing exploration of astronomy. They used her to inspire their own writing about their aspirations for when they grow up - from being in the NFL, to being a doctor, to being an astronaut. 

Fifth Grade students began an extended project on the history of the Civil Rights Movement by learning about Ruby Bridges. Each student then chose from a variety of Civil Rights Movement topics that they have now spent several weeks researching. They will work together to create a wall-spanning timeline of people and events leading up to Ruby Bridges attending the all-white William Frantz Elementary School and the events that followed. Students will finish with research papers ranging from the creation of the NAACP, to the work of Ella Jo Baker, to the work of Malcolm X.

We will finish out our week with an afternoon of Quaker Friday fun and learning. The focus is on hearts and love. In classes, students are making clay hearts for hospice in association with Samaritan of South Jersey. Students will learn about the hospice work of Samaritan of South Jersey and what role their clay hearts play in this work. 

They will also make paper hearts to decorate the gym for the Parent/Guardian and Child Dance Friday evening. We will sing love songs. Then we will morph into a Pep Rally for the Eagles.

Announcements:

• The Parents/Guardians and Student Dance is on Friday, February 10th. I hope to see you there. There is still time to RSVP.
• Preschool Two Families information session about Preschool Three in 2023-2024 will be Thursday, February 16 from 8-9:30.
• Save the date, we are bringing back Grandparents Day, Friday, April 28th. Look for more information before spring vacation. 

Queries for February Meeting for Worship - students have been talking about the queries in class and sharing their thoughts in Meeting. 

• How does our worship nurture all worshippers, creating a deeper sense of community?
• Does worship enhance my capacity for attentive, nonjudgmental listening to others?
• How does participation in Meeting for Worship contribute to my lifelong spiritual journey?

Have a great week,

Warmly,

Margaret