Happy Mother’s Day to all FSW Mums and to all of our own Mothers. My Mum is having a special one knowing her two oldest American grandkids are in Australia and soon to be with her. Mum grew up on the farm I’ve previously mentioned but was sent to boarding school (which she hated) because my beautiful Nan insisted that Mum have a career and not be a farmer’s wife. And so it was. Mum was a nurse right up until her 70th birthday, only taking 8 years off when we were all little kids.

This day also carries special meaning when I think about our school’s volunteers and especially our PA chairs Sarah and Chelsea. To dedicate your time and energy at so many community events and service efforts is truly commendable and to do so while raising families and balancing the everyday challenges of parenting is truly a feat. Thank you to each and every one of you. 



“Thank you” doesn’t fully capture the profound gratitude we feel for our teachers, but it’s a good start. Throughout the week our students and families submitted individual notes of appreciation for different faculty and staff members which were connected to form gratitude garlands around campus. It was such a beautiful visual reminder of the profound impact our teachers make and the power of community connection in celebrating their impact. To them we say, happy Teacher Appreciation Week, dear friends. The love and Light you share with our students is beyond measure 🤍

I remember
the first day,
how I looked down,
hoping you wouldn't see
me,
and when I glanced up,
I saw your smile
shining like a soft light
from deep inside you.

“I'm listening,” you encourage us.
“Come on!
Join our conversation,
let us hear your neon certainties,
thorny doubts, tangled angers,”
but for weeks I hid inside.

I read and reread your notes
praising
my writing,
and you whispered,
“We need you
and your stories
and questions
that like a fresh path
will take us to new vistas.”

Slowly, your faith grew
into my courage
and for you—
instead of handing you
a note or apple or flowers—
I raised my hand.

I carry your smile
and faith inside like I carry
my dog's face,
my sister's laugh,
creamy melodies,
the softness of sunrise,
steady blessings of stars,
autumn smell of gingerbread,
the security of a sweater on a chilly day.

- "Ode to Teachers," Pat Mora

On Wednesday we held our annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast as a small token of appreciation for the selfless service and countless hours our families and friends give to the school to ensure its success. Your efforts are deeply appreciated. So many of our school events and service efforts simply wouldn't be possible without you. Thank you.

We also want to spotlight the remarkable efforts of Parent Association Co-Chairs, Sarah McIntosh and Chelsea Bradshaw. Their unwavering commitment and leadership have enriched our school in more ways we can count, and we are thrilled to announce that Sarah and Chelsea will continue in their co-chair roles next year!

We're thrilled to announce the incredible success of our weeklong virtual auction, which raised a grand total of $23,000! Nearly $13,000 of this generous sum will directly support the construction of our much-anticipated partial basketball court which is scheduled to break ground this summer! We ended the auction celebrations with last Saturday's "Evening with Friends" at Oceanic's Mira Mar Loft on the stunning Wrightsville Beach Crystal Pier. It was a night of celebration and gratitude for our generous donors and a tremendous success that we're excited to build upon next year! Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year's auction the best yet. If you won an item, please keep an eye on your inbox for an email from Allyson Keating with pickup instructions and contact details.

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Stephanie Byrd has accepted our offer to join Friends as the Kindergarten Lead Teacher alongside Assistant Teacher Jenny Kennen this fall! Stephanie comes to us with a M.S. in Special Education, a B.S. in Elementary Education, a certificate in English Language Learners, and licensure for birth to kindergarten, elementary education, and mild to moderate special education. She has more than 15 years of experience in the field having served as a Kindergarten teacher in both Maryland and California before relocating to Wilmington. Most recently she worked as a pre-K teacher at the Rachel Freeman School of Engineering and as an aide for one of our very own students here at Friends! In addition to her tremendous expertise in curricular design and differentiated instruction, she also emphasizes the importance of social-emotional learning and creating an inclusive classroom environment that uplifts whole-child development. 

In her cover letter, she describes herself as "initiative-taking, purposeful, organized, and results-driven," and the hiring committee (and our students) saw firsthand how quickly and intentionally she connected with the Kindergarten class. She comes highly recommended with multiple nods to her “compassion,” “organization,” and “dedication to optimizing her students’ learning.” These qualities, along with her extensive experience, make her an invaluable addition to our Lower School team and the greater Friends School community.

Welcome, Stephanie!

We are thrilled to welcome Connor Watersmith as our new Summer Camp Coordinator! Connor brings a wealth of experience and a passion for education to our team. With a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Connor has spent the past few years as an English teacher at Pender High School in Burgaw.

In his cover letter, Connor highlights his dedication to fostering inclusive communities and his commitment to student development. His enthusiasm for teaching lies in building positive relationships with students and in mentoring peers—both of which align perfectly with the summer camp role.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Connor! We are thrilled that his expertise and passion will continue to enrich our camp programming and promote FSW to the larger Cape Fear Region. 

Well, folks, that's a wrap on PA meetings for the year, but that doesn't mean the calendar is empty! Thanks to Audrey Hammond's efforts in partnering with Good Shepherd Center, we are part of the monthly volunteer schedule, assisting in the kitchen to prepare dinner for up to 118 overnight guests.

Every third Thursday we meet downtown, with Audrey or Tony as Leader + 1 faculty/staff member + 1 member of Wilmington Friends Meeting + 2 FSW parents. There's still 8 opportunities remaining in the 2024 calendar, so sign up below! 

Yearbook Orders Open Soon 

We're thrilled to announce that all students will receive a FREE digital copy of this year's yearbook. Hard copies will be available for purchase soon and will be distributed during the last week of school. Please stay tuned for additional information and reach out to Director of Marketing & Communications, Rachel Presley, with any questions.

Stargazers Extended Day Enrollment

We are excited to announce that enrollment for our 2024-2025 Stargazers Extended Day Program is now open! Please check your email for all the details and reach out to Director of Admissions, David Hoolahan, with questions about the registration process. 

Parking Reminders

As we prepare for our many end-of-year celebrations, we kindly ask that when you arrive on campus, you park near the volleyball nets on Francisco Field. Please refrain from parking on Camellia Lane or Peifer Avenue outside of the school gates. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping these areas clear to ensure the safety and respect for our neighbors. Thank you for your understanding and support!

"Just wanted to take a moment to say a huge thank you to Landis Holman for all the support and guidance she provides our students as school counselor. Her dedication to helping students navigate challenges and find their path is truly invaluable. We're so lucky to have you in our corner!"

-Anonymous Friend