Wilmington Friends School

Don't forget to join us on Friday, May 17 from 6 - 9 p.m. at the WFS lower school for a special birthday celebration commemorating the past 275 years and looking forward to all that's ahead! The event will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine, live music, and an opportunity to hear an update on the School’s strategic plan and lower school renovations. We hope to see you there! Click here to RSVP today: https://tinyurl.com/msu9k2d3

“The goal was to get every voice, get every kid talking…A teacher is almost like the conductor of an orchestra; you get every voice, every sound. So, the goal was to make sure that you heard every voice.”

Dick Kittle, who has been working at Wilmington Friends School since 1975 in a variety of roles, joined the Quaker Matters Podcast. In this episode, Coach Kittle discusses his decision to work at Friends in 1975, what he enjoyed most about teaching history, coaching his children in lacrosse and football, and why he continues to give his time towards WFS. Click here to listen today: https://rss.com/podcasts/wilmingtonfriendsschool/1454058/

Over the coming weeks, we will recognize the WFS Class of 2024 and their college choices as they prepare to graduate!

Congratulations to the following members of the Class of 2024: Max Brown, Boston University; Ava Rubano, University of Miami; Pablo Charriez, University of Delaware; and Katie Bryan, William & Mary.

Don't forget to join us for a Community Birthday Celebration with the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Saturday, May 18 at 6:05 p.m. Enjoy free tickets to the game and food vouchers (good for a hotdog, chips and a drink). The first 1,000 fans to come to the stadium will receive a pet bandana giveaway! And don't miss Head of School Ken Aldridge throwing the ceremonial first pitch! Click here to register by May 15: https://www.wilmingtonfriends.org/community/275th-anniversary/275th-anniversary-events/celebrate-our-275th-at-the-wilmington-blue-rocks

So much laughter and so many smiles at yesterday's pre-kindergarten/kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grade concerts!

8th grade students recently completed their “A Tower for Wilmington” projects with MS Visual Arts teacher Paulo Machado!

Before starting this project, students completed an architecture unit on innovative housing, which allowed them to brainstorm and design housing that addressed specific needs like homelessness, population growth, sprawl, ecosystem collapse, and rising sea levels. After they did this with the help of a 3D modeling program called SketchUp, students began to focus on the role of towers.

Once they explored the history and the functions of various towers, students were tasked to design one for the city of Wilmington with specific constraints; the size of the base must fit within a certain amount of land next to the Daniel S. Frawley Stadium (home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks), and it must be a multi-purpose tower. The student-made models were built with a 1/4"=1' scale and assessed in terms of stability, structural awareness, craftsmanship, accessibility/safety, and originality of form. Each student presented their model to the class, explaining their tower’s multiple functions and why the city of Wilmington should select their idea.

Lastly, during their final critique, students selected one model they would be proud to see as part of Wilmington’s skyline.

Fourth grade students inspired and amazed with their passion for learning when they recently presented their TED Talks. These persuasive speeches explored the wonders of science, discussed social issues, and each presentation ignited curiosity and sparked meaningful conversations! Topics ranged from pollution to why students shouldn't have homework.

Kathleen Martin and Rose Gnade from the WFS College Counseling office were presenters at the April 2024 Potomac Chesapeake Association of College Admissions Counseling (PCACAC) annual conference. Kathleen presented, "Defend the Rainbow: How to Support LGBTQIA+ Students and Colleagues in the Context of Recent Anti-LGBTQIA+ Legislation." Rose presented, "Not Just Study Abroad: What Counselors Need to Know About International Higher Education." Kathleen also serves as a board member of PCACAC and is chair of the counselor resource committee.

Don't forget to shop the online school store - Kanga's Closet - in May for 20% off decals, magnets, and auto!

https://kangascloset.merchorders.com/

Emerson Altland ’28, a member of the Maryland Twisters F5 Medium All Girls cheerleading squad, won bronze at the 2024 Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando, Florida. Congratulations, Emerson!

Throwing it back today to the 2009 middle school fair! A beloved tradition, tomorrow's fair will feature student-run fun and games for our lower and middle school students to enjoy.

Ryder Magaw '31 placed first in the USASA Mid-Atlantic Series and qualified for USASA Nationals in Copper Mountain, Colorado, where he made the finals and placed fourth overall in Snowboard Cross! This was Ryder's second year racing for Blue Mountain's Snowboard Cross team and he has been snowboarding for five years. Congratulations to Ryder on an awesome season!

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for our 4th Annual WFS Golf Outing! And thank you to the committee and volunteers, including the WFS golf team who helped with check-in. Proceeds from this outing benefit a variety of initiatives at Wilmington Friends, including financial aid; expanded service learning opportunities; and professional development and technological tools to support our incredible teachers.

This summer, WFS will welcome a new Camp Director, Ryan Shelton! Take a few moments to learn more about Ryan and what he's looking forward to at WFS. To learn more about our Summer Camp program, click here: https://www.wilmingtonfriends.org/our-programs/summer-programs

-What's your professional background/camp experience?
I have spent my summers working at day camps, overnight camps, and adventure camps in Connecticut, Colorado, Tennessee, and Delaware. I've also spent the last nine school years teaching high school science at Delaware Military Academy and Padua Academy. I'm passionate about helping kids find their passions and pursue their dreams, and there's no better place to accomplish this than at summer camp!

-What's your favorite thing about summer camp?
I love seeing kids explore nature and friendships outside the pressures of school. When kids feel safe and relaxed, they let their guard down and forge lasting, authentic friendships. These connections can drive kids to share their gifts with the world confidently. That's what life is all about, and it can start at camp!

-What are you looking forward to at WFS?
I'm excited to get to know a new and inspiring community. With the foundation of Quaker values and an appreciation of all members of the community, I'm walking into a space that can be transformative for everyone who is open to growth. I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with the people who make up the Wilmington Friends community.

-What do you do for fun?
When I was younger, I loved going on long backpacking trips, including 500 miles along the Colorado Trail and 1200 miles along the Appalachian Trail. Now, with a 4- and 1-year-old, my wife and I like to take our kids to explore Delaware State Parks. As long as we're outside together with friends and family, we're sure to have a good time!

Several middle school teachers and administrators recently had exciting professional development opportunities!

Dean for student life Logan Goodwin earned a certificate for participation in the “Restorative Practices for Educators” program run by the International Institute for Restorative Practices. From the description of this eight-hour course, "Building and strengthening relationships and community is a critical component of school culture. Restorative practices is an essential process for creating a positive learning environment, building social capital, and resolving relational issues.”

Chinese teacher Jianglin Shi presented at the Chinese Language Teacher Association annual conference in St. Louis. Her presentation entitled, Merge of Western Culture into Chinese Language Teaching: Practical Exploration in Chinese Teaching in Middle School, provided teachers with examples of how to meld real-world experiences like gardening, eating at restaurants, and traveling into the instruction and learning of the Chinese language.

Social science teacher John Hanson completed the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's “Geography and the Economy Teacher Training” certificate program. From the course description, “This two-evening professional development program introduces middle and high school educators to lessons for teaching about world geography and economics together. The lessons demonstrated in this program provide educators with grade-level appropriate activities for teaching about a wide range of geography and economics topics.”

The WFS boys' lacrosse team was invited to run a clinic with students at Ferris School. The Delaware Lacrosse Foundation and several members of the WFS community helped found the lacrosse team at Ferris seven years ago, and players have found the exchange very rewarding as they share their love of the game.

Seventh grade Chinese students visited Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library to learn more about its Chinese wallpaper and book collection, helping the students gain valuable insight into Chinese history and culture.

Congratulations to all of the student performers at last night's middle and upper school spring instrumental concert!

Sixth graders recently spent time off campus for a morning of service activities in the local community. These trips included volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware, Faithful Friends Animal Rescue, Rockland Place, Guardian Angels Daycare, and Alapocas State Park.

Please join us on Friday, May 17 from 6 - 9 p.m. at the WFS lower school for a special birthday celebration commemorating the past 275 years and looking forward to all that's ahead. The event will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine, live music, and an opportunity to hear an update on the School’s strategic plan and lower school renovations. We hope to see you there! Click here to RSVP today: https://tinyurl.com/msu9k2d3

Sharing more photos from Earth Day at WFS, preschoolers worked on beautifying their playground and fourth graders picked up trash around the athletic facilities. We thank these students for their stewardship!

Please join us on Tuesday, May 7 at 3:45 p.m. in the LS meeting room to hear Dr. Tracey Dennis-Tiwary, author of the book Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good for You (Even Though It Feels Bad). In this talk on anxiety in the context of education, anxiety researcher and bestselling author Dr. Dennis-Tiwary discusses new perspectives on child anxiety. She provides a blueprint for how, by challenging our long-held assumptions, we can help kids and teens manage anxiety better, learn from it, and leverage it to their advantage. If you purchase the book ahead of time (https://tinyurl.com/4j5vb5nv) and bring it with you, Dr. Dennis-Tiwary will be available for a signing after she speaks. Please RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/4ecuh5wa. We hope to see you there!

WFS was a recent stop on the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, a global torch relay that was founded in 1987 by peace visionary Sri Chinmoy. The Run offers everyone in the world a chance to express their longing for peace. Since its founding, the Run has visited almost every country on earth – over 150 nations and territories.