Quakerism This Month

October's theme of the testimony of Community was chosen for this month in part because it coincides with the annual Fall Fair and Alumni Day, one of our biggest community events. During the first two Thursdays of this month, classes focused on topics related to the community of our classrooms. This week, students gathered in the Social Room to hear about the needs of our community from Sue Yocom of the Cares Food Network. We will be conducting a food drive for the remainder of the month to benefit Cares Food Network as a way of serving the surrounding community. (An article about Cares' gleaning program appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer this summer.)

Next week, we will introduce a new (to us) practice of multi-age worship sharing groups. Small groups that include one or two students each from grades 1-5 and one or two teachers/administrators will meet once a month for worship sharing, with a guiding query based on the month's theme. Teachers John Scardina and Bonnie McLennan will work with the fifth grade to help them to be leaders in this new experience. Pre-k and K will join the groups about the same time they begin coming to Meeting with grades 1-5. The idea is that these groups will stay together year-to-year. The final Thursday of this month we hold a Meeting for Singing - all are welcome!

All-School Unit Culminating Event

As the children lined up to start their day on Friday, their high level of excitement was already evident, and for good reason. It was the day that we celebrate the culmination of the All-School Unit. Before sending the classes inside, T. Alice encouraged them to keep the lessons learned over the past six weeks in their minds, in their bodies and in their spirits throughout their lives.

That afternoon we all gathered to celebrate this year's "Healthy Mind, Body and Spirit" theme with parents, grandparents and other guests. Following an energetic and entertaining musical performance about good eating habits (did you ever think you'd hear a song about fiber?), we moved outside to view displays of the wonderful work completed by every student in the school. And then it was time for the fun run! Children and adults of all ages ran or walked a loop around the lawn and through the school yard. It was heartening to see so many participating and those on the sidelines cheering them on!

The bubbling excitement from the morning carried through the day and was capped with a great sense of camaraderie. As families headed home at the end of the day, T. Connie was heard to say, "That was very cool." I couldn't agree more!