May 15, 2025

Hello, Friends! As we head into the final stretch of the school year, there’s still so much to celebrate—big wins, small moments, and everything in between. In this week’s FriendsMail, you’ll find a reflection on last weekend’s Evening with Friends, a warm welcome for incoming faculty, and a rainy-day Sustainability Spotlight you won’t want to miss. Thanks for being part of a community that finds joy in it all ☀️

Order forms for the 2024–2025 yearbook are officially available! Don’t miss your chance to reserve a copy with nearly 200 pages packed with photos and highlights from all the year’s best moments!

Be careful what you wish for!

I shared with faculty on Sunday morning that I was looking forward to the forecasted rain—2 to 3 inches expected between Sunday and Monday. What I hadn’t anticipated was the storm cell that parked itself right over us during lunch yesterday, dropping an extra 2 inches in no time. Martina quickly and correctly placed the community on HOLD as lightning filled the sky. It lasted about an hour and ended with flooded roadways and a very flexible pickup schedule. Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we navigated it together.

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What a night!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Evening with Friends! Our end-of-year celebration was filled with so much joy, laughter, and love for this amazing community. We had such a great time celebrating with you—eating, laughing, catching up, and enjoying a little friendly competition.

A very special thank you to 7th grade parent Stephanie Perrin, her daughters Addie and Molly, and their guitarist John for sharing their musical gifts and kicking off the evening with such warmth and talent. Big thanks also to Kindergarten parent Sean Gerrard and the incredible team at Bourgie Nights for hosting us in such a super cool, vibrant space!

Congratulations to the "Hoezone Layer" for snagging the trivia win (and back-to-back year bragging rights), to Stepping Stones Reef Assistant Teacher Mariya Matthews for winning our Mexico Getaway raffle, and to 4th grade parent Cassidy Santaguida for scoring a $50 credit to the school store! And here’s a little Easter egg…the first person to reply to this email will also win a $50 credit!

Thank you, as always, for showing up, for showing love, and for being part of this joyful community.

We’re thrilled to introduce two new educators who will be joining our faculty this August: Michaela Shantry as our Learning Specialist and Philip “Skip” Walter as our Middle School Language Arts teacher.

Michaela comes to FSW with a Master’s in Elementary Education and a strong background in supporting diverse learning needs through individualized instruction, literacy intervention, and data-informed strategies. In her current role as a 1st grade Lead Teacher in Greensboro, Michaela is known for her thoughtful approach to curriculum planning, her ability to adapt to varied learning styles, and her belief in the power of close family-school partnerships. She’s especially excited to join a community that prioritizes inclusion and connection—two values that have long guided her work as an educator.

Skip brings more than 20 years of experience teaching middle school students across the country, including at Marin Country Day School in California and, most recently, Ravenscroft School in Raleigh. He holds a master’s in English Literature from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English, with a focus on environmental literature and nature writing. A passionate advocate for experiential learning, Skip brings an approach to Language Arts that blends critical thinking, interdisciplinary connection, and creative expression. His energy, experience, and love of outdoor education make him a wonderful fit for our community.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Michaela and Skip to Friends—we can’t wait for you and your children to get to know them!

After many joyful years leading our middle grades music program, our beloved music teacher Anna will be shifting her primary focus next year to our Preschool and Lower School students. Anna has a special gift with our littlest learners and is excited to return to the early childhood roots of her long and cherished career. This transition will also allow her more time with family—a balance she deeply values.

While her role is shifting, Anna is not stepping away from older students entirely. She looks forward to finding new ways to involve middle grades students as music mentors and to continue incorporating multi-age singing opportunities across the school.

We’ll soon be hiring a 5th–8th grade music teacher—if you or someone you know is interested, please apply through our school website!

We’ll soon be searching for a new 5th–8th grade music teacher—if you or someone you know is interested, please apply through our school website!

We want to hear from you! Our Parent Feedback Survey is now open through the end of the month. Your input is so important—not only does it help shape day-to-day operations, but it also plays a big role in long-term planning and visioning for the school. Plus, your feedback helps us meet an important accreditation requirement through the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts and help us continue growing stronger!

Summer's Just Around the Corner! Are You(r Kids) Ready?!

Summer break is just over 2 weeks away which means summer camp preparations are already well underway! Thinking about enrolling your child in one of Ash's incredible offerings? DON'T WAIT! 3 new Preschool camps were just added as well as a second week of Brooks Koff's Art Potpourri class. Register HERE and spend your summer with Friends!

GrandFriends Social Club Happenings

Don't forget about 2 upcoming events for our GrandFriends Social Club coming up this summer!

- Lunch at Dockside ( 1308 Airlie Road) on Wednesday, May 21st at 11:30AM

- "History Comes Alive" Wilmington Water Tour with Dr. Chris Fonvielle--Professor Emeritus, Department of History, UNC Wilmington--on Sunday, June 22nd at 10:00AM.

(Interested in joining us for future events? Follow the link HERE to sign up and view the upcoming event calendar).

Good Shepherd Sign-Up Link

We’re looking for volunteers to help with our monthly dinner shifts at Good Shepherd Center! Follow the link HERE to sign up for any of the upcoming shifts now through September. We serve on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:30–7:00 PM at 811 Martin Street. Come lend a hand and be part of this meaningful community effort!

Rain, Rain… Hooray!

All this rain might feel like a drag, but it’s actually a gift to the planet! Rain naturally recharges groundwater, nourishes native plants, and helps keep local ecosystems thriving. Want to make the most of it at home? Try placing a bucket outside to collect rainwater for your garden or houseplants. Just be sure to use it soon and keep it covered between showers to avoid mosquito breeding. Little steps like this help conserve resources—and turn a gray day green!

Last FriendsMail (05/08/25)

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