Environmental Symposium

Here’s a new word for your science vocabulary list: Eutrophication. If you ask one of our fourth graders, I expect they can define it for you. It is the process through which decomposition uses the O₂ from water to change the plant and animal life in a lake or bay. Our fourth graders study of eutrophication began last month both in science class and on their trip to Echo Hill, and it was the focus of a project that they presented in the Environmental Symposium today.

The Environmental Symposium (formerly known as the Mold Symposium) is an annual gathering of fourth grade classes from five area Friends schools in which the students present the results of their scientific explorations as well as entertaining skits and songs that they have created related to their project. We have been glad to host the symposium, now in its 29th year, for the past several years.

One of the nicest aspects of the gathering is the friendships that quickly develop among students from the different schools. After a morning full of workshops and lunch, the students went out into our school yard for recess. It was heartening to see groups forming for various games that included students from different schools -- all without teacher direction! Everyone gathered in a circle for one last "F-R-I-E-N-D-S" cheer before our guests headed back to their own schools. I know our fourth graders are looking forward to sharing the Harrisburg trip with their friends from Goshen Friends School and Friends School Haverford, later this month.

Quakerism This Month

The testimony of Integrity is the focus of our Quakerism curriculum for this final month of the school year. Integrity, by definition, is a firm adherence to a moral code or set of values. With our youngest children, we talk in simple terms about honesty and truth telling. For older children and adults, discussions become increasingly complex and reflective as we first explore what our beliefs are. We then focus on the importance of remaining true to these beliefs, even in the face of challenging situations, and introduce and practice the skills that help us to do so.

Parents are welcome to join us for worship:
Thursday, May 7, 8:55 a.m.
Thursday, May 21, 8:55 a.m.
Thursday, May 28, 8:35 Meeting for Singing, 8:55 Meeting for Worship

Our plan to enjoy worship outside last month, when our theme was Stewardship, was “washed out.” We may still try to enjoy this experience when the weather allows.

All-School Unit Announcement and Thank You!

The All-School Unit theme for the 2009-10 school year was announced with a fun skit at the auction last month, and it will be . . . "All About Books!"

Teachers have already begun developing ideas for the many creative lessons, activities and experiences that will enliven this theme for their students in the fall. With the disclaimer that much of the planning happens over the summer and plans may change, I want to give you a sneak preview of the ideas that are being considered so far:

• paper making and creating all types of books (accordion books, bamboo books, flip books, movie screen books, collaborative books for social studies projects, bound books of original poetry)
  
• author studies and making class books in younger grades
  
• making fitness and nutrition logs with the upper grades
• musical performance about reading books . . . books are a magical carpet that can take you anywhere
• looking at "classic" and award-winning children's picture books and seeing how styles have changed over the years
• reading books in math related to the topics being covered
  
• studying the history of books from handwritten and illuminated to the Gutenberg press to desktop publishing
  
• researching the evolution of written language from ancient runes and hieroglyphs to modern fonts
• integrating the history of books with modern technology
• trips to local museums to view early school books and illustrations

"All About Books" will be fully revealed in the fall, and we look forward to sharing it with you.

Those who attended the auction also enjoyed a short slide show featuring every student in the school. It was our way of expressing appreciation to everyone who supports West Chester Friends School -- those who attend the auction, as well as the many who give their time and resources to the school throughout the year, particularly the parents who make the considerable decision to invest in WCFS for their child's education. From all of them to all of you, we say . . .