November 28, 2024
As we gather around dining room tables adorned with warmth, gratitude, and turkey aplenty, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a joyous Thanksgiving. In this season of reflection, we celebrate our community and the spirit of togetherness that defines Friends School of Wilmington all year long. May this holiday season be a reminder of the strength found in our collective spirit and the importance of fostering genuine connection and appreciating unique differences. Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, song, and a deep sense of appreciation.
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Last Sunday, Tony & Anne welcomed GrandFriends Martha & Paul van Cleve, parent Katie Comand, and siblings James, Connor, and Rory for a delightful afternoon of Aussie snacks and British tea. The menu? Homemade sausage rolls, scones with jams and creams, smoked salmon on rye sandwiches, TimTams, chocolate-covered honeycombs, Scottish shortbread, jammy dodgers, lemon bars, licorice sweets, and fairy bread! (And for all the Bluey fans reading this, YES, apparently fairy bread is a real thing!) This event was made possible by Martha & Paul's generous contribution to the Annual Fund during last year's virtual auction. I wonder what next year's teatime treats will be...
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What is Thanksgiving to someone who didn’t grow up in America? Of course thanks to the wonders of Charlie Brown, I have a good understanding of what the day means (i.e., getting together and sharing a meal with family and friends).
My wife, Anne, is one of 10 kids, so Thanksgivings tended to be rather large gatherings. Anne and her siblings are all extraordinarily gifted musicians and academics, so in addition to passionate Trivial Pursuit games, our evenings typically ended around the family piano, with a fire crackling in the background, singing carols while the cousins watch Charlie Brown Christmas.
Thanksgiving has given me some of my happiest memories as a parent and an in-law. And while I have no chance competing in a trivia game, Anne’s family has welcomed me unconditionally—albeit enforcing a unfortunate attachment to the Washington football team.
I hope today is happy and safe for you all, whether you are staying local or traveling. I am so very thankful for this community.
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Parent Association Updates |
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Our PA-led Toy Swap is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season by honoring our school’s commitment to simplicity and sustainability. This longtime tradition encourages families to swap gently-used toys, thereby reducing waste and uplifting our dedication to going green!
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Drop-Off Times: 12/4 drop-off and pick-up; 12/5 drop-off and pick-up; 12/6 drop-off. (PA volunteers will collect any items from the carline).
- Swap Times: 12/6 from 12-1 and 3-4
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MLK Shirt Swap: Table on-site to exchange shirt sizes for this January's MLK Day event, or scan a QR code to purchase new! (For new families, we hold a student-run MLK Day program and participate in the City of Wilmington parade every year. As part of the occasion we always wear matching green shirts with a quote from "Letter From Birmingham Jail" on the back).
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DR Movie Night Collaboration: Ticket holders will receive early access to the swap from 11:30-12 and 2:30-3. Two great causes, one meaningful day of collaboration!
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What Friendsgiving Delights!
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Last week was one of immense gratitude—for family and friends, school traditions, sunshine and fresh air, and this beautiful community we call home.
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Stepping Stones Coral stirred up their annual Stone Soup recipe. Delicioso!
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| Stepping Stones Reef feasted with parents and GrandFriends on a Friendsgiving lunch.
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| Stargazer Blue & Purple enjoyed a combined feast honoring International Day of the Child.
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| Kindergarten went on a cross-campus turkey hunt before sitting down for a sweet treat.
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1st and 2nd grade joined together in Longleaf Cottage for the 13th(?!) annual Thanksgiving singalong.
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| 3rd grade created thankful sunshine rays and enjoyed pajama snuggles with their special stuffys.
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| 4th grade soaked up the sun and autumn air during their reading & reflection time.
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| 5th grade enjoyed a sweet hand turkey craft from their Kindergarten buddies.
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6th grade went fossil hunting at the Martin Marietta Quarry in Castle Hayne.
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| 7th grade toured the UNCW recycling facility with Amelia Woodruff, Recycling Coordinator.
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| 8th grade toured Downtown Wilmington with Jennifer Barfield, stopping by the Cape Fear Museum and Bellamy Mansion.
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| Faculty and staff enjoyed a celebratory lunch at Wrightsville Beach Brewery before departing for the Thanksgiving break.
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Save the Date! Night of Peace All-School Concert |
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| Oh, special night!
The stars are brightly shining!
There truly is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than by listening to the sweet sound of our students' voices singing with joy. Please be sure to save the date for this year's Night of Peace--our all-school winter concert--happening on Thursday, December 12th, led by longtime music teacher Anna Ritchie.
Performances will begin at 5PM on the Garden House Stage, but we encourage you to arrive early to get seated and settled. A special announcement regarding this year's event is coming soon. Stay tuned for more information!
NEW THIS YEAR: Everyone who donates to this year's Giving Tuesday campaign will have a luminary lit during our upcoming Night of Peace. Donors can dedicate their luminary to a student, alumni, teacher, or family member, honoring the people who make our community shine so brightly!
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Countdown to Giving Tuesday
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Friends, Giving Tuesday is LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY! This year, on our 30th anniversary, we're celebrating all the things that make us so uniquely *Friends.* 100% of your donations go to support our Annual Fund, which helps cover the difference between tuition and operating expenses. We've raised $20,000 in years' past. Can we celebrate our 30 year milestone with $30,000? Let's do it, together!
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T2 After-School Club Programming
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We’re thrilled to announce that our second-trimester lineup of after-school clubs is starting soon! From creative engineering with Lego Builders, endurance training with Soccer Shots, and tech mastery with Robotics Club, there’s something for every interest. Be sure to secure your spot early—spaces fill quickly!
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Dominican Republic Movie Night Fundraiser
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This January, 14 Middle School travelers will join trip leaders Martina Jonsson, Kaylie Saidin, and Amy McGlinn in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Together, they’ll engage in a meaningful cultural exchange program with a local nonprofit, including daily intercambio classroom exchanges with Dominican students and excursions to historic sites like El Choco National Park and Cacao Finca. To help cover costs and begin their team-building journey, the group is hosting a Parents’ Night Out Movie Night Fundraiser on Friday, December 6th, from 5-8 PM at the Upper Campus courtyard. Drop off your Kindergarten-8th grader for an evening of games, lemonade, popcorn, and a screening of Shrek! Register HERE.
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- Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday-Friday, 11/27-11/29
- Giving Tuesday
Tuesday, 12/3
- PA Toy Swap
Friday, 12/6, 12-1PM & 3-4PM
Garden House Stage
- DR Movie Night Fundraiser
Friday, 12/6, 5-8PM
Upper Campus Courtyard
Register Here
- Night of Peace
Thursday, 12/12, 5-6PM
Garden House
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5814 Camellia Lane | Wilmington, NC 28409 US
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