September 11, 2024 

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. As conflicts rage across the globe—in Sudan, in Ukraine, in Haiti, in Gaza, and beyond—we are reminded of the enduring power of peace and the solace it brings, even in the most unexpected moments.

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

"The Peace of Wild Things," Wendell Berry

1st grade Fiddler Crabs and 2nd grade Seahorses enjoy the first hike of the school year at Pages Creek Park Preserve last Friday. These little ecologists are campus stewards to the Rouse Butterfly Gardens and have quite a few big projects in the works related to all things environmental stewardship. Stay tuned to find out more about their upcoming work in the NC Nature Conservancy's Fire in the Pines Festival! 

Last Wednesday morning we gathered as a school in Meeting for Worship to welcome the new year in the idyllic setting in front of Longleaf Cottage. Within the silence, I asked a query to students, faculty, and staff in attendance, to reflect on how they could be a steward for the Friends School of Wilmington this year.

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September 17th: A Big Day for the PA

Make sure to save the date for Tuesday, September 17th and join us for two exciting community events: our first official PA meeting of the year, taking place from 8-9AM in Longleaf Cottage. Later that evening, we'll meet at Wrightsville Beach Public Access #4 from 5-7PM for our first moonick of the year. Look for parent Kara Johnson near the FSW flag in the sand! 

Let's Stock the Staffroom for Our Teachers

Our teachers work tirelessly all year long, so we want to show them some love each month, starting with September's "Stock the Staffroom." Whether it's a cup of their favorite coffee, some healthy snacks, or a treat to brighten their day, every contribution counts! We will be accepting donations during morning drop-off on September 16th and 17th. Thank you for helping us show our teachers how much we appreciate them!

3rd Annual Cape Fear Latinos Festival

Coinciding with the independence days of several Latin American countries, National Hispanic Heritage Month is held between September 15th and October 15th every year and is a celebration of the diverse cultural contributions of our country’s Latinx and Hispanic communities. This year, we are thrilled to serve as a sponsor at the 3rd Annual Cape Fear Latinos Festival taking place on Saturday, September 21st from 12:30-7:00PM at Live Oak Bank Pavilion! 

We hope you and your families will join the festivities and enjoy the important cultural significance of this day. 

If you're interested in volunteering with CFL directly, please follow this link to assist with festival set-up and day-of operations. Nos vemos allí!

Native Plant Expert Doug Tallamy to Speak in Wilmington

We are excited to share the news that Doug Tallamy, a celebrated ecologist and author of Bringing Nature Home, Nature's Best Hope, and The Nature of Oaks, will visit Wilmington to speak on his new program initiative Nature at Work—a joint initiative between the New Hanover County Arboretum & N.C. Cooperative Extension and the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees. Nature at Work is a campaign to educate the public with a goal of shifting from a reliance on grass, invasive, or non-native plants towards more sustainable landscaping practices using native plants and trees.

Doug will present on Saturday, October 12th at 10:00AM at Lumina Theater on the UNCW campus. To learn more and purchase ticket, check out the official Friends of the Arboretum announcement here.

Leftover Legos???

Happen to have any Legos or Duplos that are no longer used in your family and ready for a new home? The Kindergarten classroom is hoping to add more to their morning choice bin. As part of our mission to be environmental stewards, we would love to reuse any no-longer-used toys instead of buying new. If so, please contact Lead Teacher Stephanie or drop off with Susan at the front desk. 

Tiny Trailblazers Is Back for Year 2!

Our Tiny Trailblazers parent-child nature program with environmental educator Lyndsay Schubert (also the wife of Middle School Social Studies teacher Glen!) is starting up again. If you know of a friend or neighbor with a 2-3 year old toddler who loves the outdoors, please spread the word and encourage them to register. Last year's program was such a success, we gained three new wonderful families to our school community!

Annual Fund Gratitudes

A tremendous thank you to Cannon Morgan, Jena Schmidt, Marla Schoolmeester, Theresa Schroeder, Patricia Burdick, Susan Nance, Corrie Slay, Steve McIntosh, Nancy Gross, and Karen Cumberbatch for your generous contributions to the Annual Fund. We're already 6% of the way to our year's $100,000 goal!

Last Week's FriendsMail (09/04/24)

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Middle School Handbook

Technology Guide & All-School Technology Policy

School News

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