3-legged race? How about 30?! Thanks to your generosity, we met our next check-in challenge! 4th grade put their teamwork and communication skills to the test after we made an assembly line of legs. See how far they made it in the video above!

FSW Community,

Giving Tuesday is in full swing, and we’re loving the energy and excitement as we celebrate 30 years of Friends School of Wilmington! So far, we’ve shared 30 Things We Love about FSW and 30 Moments of Impact, but now it’s time to dive into something that’s truly at the heart of Friends: service-learning.

In this email, we’re shining a light on 30 Service-Learning Projects—the powerful, hands-on initiatives led by our students, faculty, and grand/parent community that connect our classrooms to real-world action. From our kindergarteners’ laundry drive for the Humane Society to our Middle Schoolers lobbying for climate action on Capitol Hill, these projects showcase how FSW students embody compassion, leadership, and a drive to make a difference.

Service-learning is more than a project here; it’s built into the very foundation of our curriculum. It’s about planting seeds of change that grow into lifelong commitments to community and justice. Your Giving Tuesday gift helps us to foster these transformative experiences.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Together, we’re ensuring that FSW students not only learn but lead with purpose.

Preschool Service

1. Stepping Stones Coral refill the bird feeders and track which feathered friends visit us most frequently. 

2. Stepping Stones Reef assist in UNCW & paws4people's assistance dog training program.

3. Stargazer Purple collect trash and fallen debris to keep our Lower School playgrounds clean and tidy.

4. Stargazer Blue package non-perishable food for Nourish NC's snack packs. 

5. All of our Preschool friends help in the upkeep of our campus gardens, including laying mulch, planting seeds, weeding non-native plants, and watering flowers.

Lower School Service

6. Kindergarten collects used bedding to donate to local organizations like Monty’s Home and Pender County Humane Society.

7. Kindergarten helps tend to the community gardens at Willowdale Urban Farms.

8. 1st grade organizes a drink drive to give to local Wilmington fire stations. 

9. 2nd grade tends to the Faye Bains Rouse butterfly garden as mariposa stewards. 

10. 3rd grade ties quilts to give to hospitalized children as part of Project Linus. 

11. 4th grade sorts and boxes items at the Lower Cape Fear Branch of the NC Diaper Bank

12. 3rd and 4th cheer on teacher Annetta’s daughter at the New Hanover County Special Olympics 

13. 5th grade serves as our campus composting experts, even performing a play to impart their wisdom to younger grades.

14. 5th grade students and families join together for a courtyard cleanup before the new school year.

15. Lower School friends meet up with Kaylie’s Middle School advisory group to lay mulch around the butterfly garden and playground areas.

Middle School Service

16. Rob’s advisory visits Global Connections to learn about refugee resettlement efforts in the Cape Fear Region and talks directly with displaced families from Ukraine the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

17. Jesse’s students arrange wildflower bouquets to deliver to local assisted living and memory care facilities. 

18. Glen’s advisory spend time in the Lower School classrooms to help with tutoring lessons. 

19. Anna’s elective students lead Preschool and Lower School students in singalongs.

20. Environmental ambassadors deliver weekly cardboard loads to the UNCW Recycling Center. 

21. Middle School works together in campus cleanups to ensure Francisco Field, Polk Peace Pond, and the gazebo gathering areas are clean and ready to enjoy by all. 

22. Rob’s science classes complete trash audits to encourage eco-friendly food packaging and lessen single-use plastics.  

23. After noticing the Little Library outside of Peiffer gate was in need of repair, Middle School paints, decorates, and restocks the shelves. 

24. 7th grade’s annual trip to Washington D.C. connect our Quaker values with American history and civic service.

25. Partnering with local nonprofits in Puerta Plata, Middle School students partake in a cultural intercambio (exchange) with Dominican peers. 

Parent Association & Community Service

26. Wednesday Weeders join forces with EE Coordinator Karen to work on campus beautification projects.

27. DEIJB Coordinator Jennifer distributes children’s books to local hair salons as part of her “Books for Barbers” initiative. 

28. To support our values of stewardship and simplicity, the PA arranges holiday Toy Swaps so families can stock up for the holidays without contributing to excess waste.

29. Parents, faculty, and members of Wilmington Friends Meeting volunteer for a monthly dinner shift at Good Shepherd Center. 

30. Students, alumni, and families near and far gather every year to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and proudly march in the City of Wilmington’s parade.

Can we raise $20,000 by 1:00PM to see Middle School Math teacher Jesse bundle up to teach in 30 layers of clothes??? Michelin Man, is that you?!

Progress Check-In

Our faculty believe deeply in the mission of the school and truly love each student for their most authentic self. How do we know? Because this year, 100% of our Board of Trustees, 100% of our administrative team, and 100% of our teachers have pledged or donated to the Annual Fund. Now THAT is how we celebrate 30 years of Friends!

Psst. Missed some of our earlier emails? Check out the these others 30s: