February 27, 2025
February is on its way out, and big things are on the horizon! Today’s a half-day, and tomorrow there’s no school as our teachers wrap up trimester #2 and prepare for the exciting stretch ahead. Speaking of excitement—our Virtual Auction launches this coming Monday, March 3rd! The catalog is stacked with incredible items from local favorites to bucket-list getaways, so get ready to bid!
Plus, a huge shoutout to our Science Olympiad teams who are gearing up for back-to-back competition weekends. We’re cheering you on as you put your problem-solving, engineering, and scientific skills to the test!
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Our Science Olympiad team got a spirited send-off at this week's pep rally! Cheers to all the problem-solvers, innovators, and future scientists representing FSW! We'll send a competition day update on Saturday for our Division A (3rd-6th grade) superstars! 🔬🧬🔭
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| As we welcome March this weekend, it feels like we are turning the page to the exciting months of the school year. Field trips, overnight trips, signature programs, spring soccer. So much fun to look forward to.
Thank you in advance for supporting the Auction. As discussed at the PA Meeting this week, the money raised from the Auction makes up a large part of our Annual Fund, that necessary revenue that makes up the difference between tuition revenue and the actual operating cost to run the school. I’ve always liked that the Auction specifically, is a way you can engage extended family and neighbors with our community. Last year two items I was associated with, Head of School for a day, and Afternoon Tea for a family at my house, were both bid on and won by Grandparents. If, like me, you have family visiting Wilmington over the summer, what a great way to tempt them with some local business offerings!
Read more >>>
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Parent Association Updates |
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A heartfelt thank you for all the canned good donations last week! Your generosity makes a real difference. It was wonderful to welcome Meagan Verdi from Good Shepherd Center at this week’s PA meeting to talk more about the organization's program offerings!
Another key topic of discussion was the transition to a new Clerk leadership team as Chelsea and Sarah conclude their term at the end of the year. As a Quaker school, we follow a community process to find consensus on our next leaders. If you're interested in serving or being part of the selection committee, you can submit a nomination (for yourself or others) at the link below.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for our upcoming moonicks (March 12, April 12, and May 12) and our next PA meeting after spring break (April 1)!
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Save the Date! Virtual Auction March 3rd-9th
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Our annual Virtual Auction is just around the corner, and today we're spotlighting items that prove there's something's for everyone in the family--including your furry friends!
🐾 For the four-legged family members: Treat your pup to a luxury doggy daycare experience at The Barkington, teach them a new trick or two with training sessions from Jenni Boyd, or display a custom watercolor pet portrait from Drina Connors.
🎢 For unforgettable family adventures: Enjoy a bee-hind the scenes beehive tour at Seaside Honeybees, climb aboard a steam locomotive at Wilmington Railroad Museum, or strap on some skates at Polar Ice Wilmington or the (newly re-opened) Skate Barn!
🎨 For the little movers and groovers, explorers and creators: Bid on a week of summer camp at Carolina Gymnastics Academy, Artist Academy classes at Wild Child Art Studio, or a month of music classes at Kindermusik with Sarah!
🍽️ For parents who need a night out: Enjoy a well-earned date night with a gift card to nationally acclaimed Indochine, a hands-on cooking class at DeMarco Family Kitchen, or an evening of side-splitting laughter at Book of Mormon.
🏕️ For the outdoor adventurers: Take a scenic paddleboarding excursion along the ICW with Wrightsville SUP, enjoy a long weekend of glamping at Carolina Beach State Park, or savor a romantic beachside meal under the stars with Coastal Picnics. Looking for a change of seasons and scenery? Why not take the whole family on a ski excursion to Lake Tahoe?!
And that’s just the beginning! Whether you're looking for a hands-on adventure, a cozy night in, a wild night out, or the perfect way to pamper each member of the fam, every bid goes directly to the Annual Fund, helping support classroom enhancements, auxiliary programming, teacher professional development, and more.
Bidding opens Monday, March 3rd, so REGISTER NOW and preview the full catalog below!
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Celebrating Black History Month
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Throughout this Black History Month, we'll be highlighting different figures whose remarkable legacies continue to inspire us to do good in the world. This week we're reminded that Black history isn’t just in the past--it’s unfolding right now. Today, we celebrate three influential figures whose voices, leadership, and creativity are making a difference today.
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Kendrick Lamar (b. 1987) – More than just a rapper, Kendrick Lamar is a cultural force. Through his powerful lyrics, he addresses systemic racism, police violence, and the realities of Black life in America. His Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN. was the first non-classical, non-jazz work to earn the honor, cementing his status as one of the most important storytellers of our time. Whether through music, philanthropy, or advocacy, Lamar continues to use his platform to challenge, educate, and uplift.
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Alicia Garza/Opal Tometi/Patrisse Cullors (b. 1981/1984/1983) – Yesterday marked 12 years since the death of Trayvon Martin, a tragedy that sparked a national reckoning on racial injustice. In response, Garza, Tometi, and Cullors co-founded the Black Lives Matter movement, transforming a hashtag into a global call for change. As dedicated human rights activists, they continue to fight for racial equity, immigrant rights, and digital justice, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and protected. Their work reminds us that the fight for justice is ongoing—and that movements for change begin with people willing to take a stand.
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Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett (b. 1986) – A trailblazing immunologist, Dr. Corbett played a key role in developing the COVID-19 vaccine as the lead scientist on Moderna’s vaccine research team. She is a fierce advocate for science education and racial equity in healthcare, working to ensure that Black communities have access to life-saving medical advancements. Her contributions to immunology and public health have made a global impact, proving that representation in STEM fields matters.
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Summer Camp Spots Filling Quickly
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Early bird camp registration ends March 10th, and at this rate, we're not even sure if there will be space left in our camps by then! If you're still trying to figure out summer plans, don't wait to enroll and spend your summer with FRIENDS!
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Annual Fund Thanks & Donation Receipts
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As tax season approaches, please reach out to Director of Development & Marketing Rachel Presley if you need receipts for your donation history. And be sure to save the date for our upcoming virtual auction taking place March 3rd-9th. 100% of the proceeds go directly to support our Annual Fund!
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Sustainability Spotlight ♻️ |
First Signs of Spring: A Reminder to Renew & Reconnect with Nature
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As February winds down and the first signs of spring begin to emerge, it’s a perfect time to reconnect with nature and refresh our sustainability habits! This week, take a mindful moment to appreciate the seasonal shifts—whether it's spotting the first budding flowers, hearing birdsongs return, or simply enjoying the extra minutes of daylight. Looking for a simple way to make an impact? Consider:
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- 🌍 Decluttering Sustainably: As you spring-clean, donate gently used items instead of discarding them.
- 🌱 Planting for Pollinators: Early bloomers like native wildflowers provide crucial food sources for pollinators emerging from winter.
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♻️ Refreshing Green Habits: Whether it’s reducing single-use plastics, composting food scraps, or swapping out paper towels for cloth, small changes add up!
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Middle School Artists' Retreat
Wednesday & Thursday, 02/26-02/27
Bald Head Island
- End of Trimester #2 - HALF-DAY
Thursday, 02/27
- Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL
Friday, 02/28
- Virtual Auction
Monday, 03/03-Sunday, 03/09
- Good Shepherd Dinner Shift
Thursday, 03/20, 4:30-7:00PM
811 Martin Street
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE
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