1. Colleagues who feel like family – We laugh, support, and grow together every day.
2. A home away from home – Friends is more than a school; it’s a community of care.
3. David’s morning greetings – His gentle silliness ensures every day starts with a smile.
4. Moments of connection – Friends is a place where teachers truly know their students.
5. It's a whole family affair – More than 200 family members have been part of this community (about 40 faculty children & 160 graduated and current siblings)!
6. Parent-donated treats in the Garden House – A sweet (or savory) reminder of family support. (We're looking at you and your sourdough bread, Big Hank...)
7. Commitment to social justice – Our Quaker values guide us to work for equity and peace for all, and our Esch Endowment for DEIJB ensures we have the resources to do so.
8. Practicing silence together – Moments of shared reflection and celebration keep us grounded as a community.
9. Quaker decision-making – Consensus teaches us to listen deeply and to value every voice.
10. Whole-school Meeting for Worship – An intentional opportunity for re/connection with one another.
11. Teaching students how to think – We empower critical thinking, not just rote answers.
12. Mixed-age Middle School advisory groups – Building relationships across grades to foster connection in preparation for high school and beyond.
13. Peer-to-peer buddy system – Cross-grade friendships provide an opportunity to build leadership skills.
14. Celebrating small wins – We cheer for those first steps of independence, like tying shoes, planting seeds, or spelling a tricky word.
15. Uplifting all students – Our teachers nurture every child, especially the ones who need a gentle nudge to find their voice.
16. Fresh air and time outside – Our students learn to honor and protect Mother Earth.
17. Muddy boots after outdoor explorations – A testament to hands-on, nature-based learning.
18. Bear, the therapy dog – Surprise visits from Landis and Bear never fail to bring a smile to our faces!
19. Mariposa lessons – Studying monarch butterfly migration patterns...in Spanish!
20. Book Character Parade – A too-cute celebration of children's literature, because a Halloween costume without the educational component simply won't do.
21. The beauty of cultural traditions – We honor and teach a range of holidays and customs all year long.
22. Alumni Day – Welcoming three decades of former students back to their campus home.
23. Fall Festival – Hayrides, pumpkin painting, spooky trail walks, and the welcoming of autumn.
24. Raising the next generation of peacemakers – We teach our students to think critically and to act with compassion for all of humankind.
25. Musical rounds with Karen and Anna – It's in our collective voice that we find strength.
26. The grace of welcoming new families – Kindness and intention in every introduction.
27. Full-circle moments – Like teaching a colleague's child 15 years ago and now they teach yours.
28. A community that celebrates life’s little joys – From quiet smiles to shared laughter, we find meaning and connection in even the smallest moments—true Quaker simplicity.
29. The quiet strength of our traditions – Simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, stewardship. Together, they weave a culture of belonging.
30. A love that’s felt in every corner of Friends – Here you are free to be your most authentic self and know you are loved. It is simply what makes our school shine.
