January 30, 2025

I hope I'm not alone in feeling like this month was 50+ days long. So many incredible happenings since our last FriendsMail on January 15th--reflecting on our MLK Day program, connecting with the 14 Middle Schoolers in the Dominican Republic, and lots of PA events coming up including a parent social on Valentine's Day. We hope you enjoy all of the exciting work happening both in and out of the classroom! As a reminder, please remember that tomorrow, Friday, January 31st, is a scheduled teacher workday, so campus is closed to students. See y'all again on Monday!

Hey Siri, play "Snow On The Beach" by Taylor Swift! Click on the image above to see how our students and staff spent this last week's snow days during Wilmington's once-in-a-decade winter wonderland!

In November 1998 I moved to Evanston, IL to join Anne who was doing her Ph.D. at Northwestern. I’d never experienced a cold like that (or all Chicago winters to be honest). It gave me a new understanding of the “Windy City”. It wasn’t the forceful winds that were remarkable, it was the bone-chilling breezes off of a frozen Lake Michigan that would stop me in my tracks. And it would snow, just…because. It could be sunny less than half mile from campus but snowing heavily along the Lake. People used to say Chicago’s Mayor Daley was able to maintain his position for more than two decades because—in spite of all the snow—we never missed a day of school. Read more >>>

Lots of exciting updates and events since last week's snowy interruptions. Check out all of the upcoming events on the horizon, and reach out to our dedicated PA inbox if you have any questions or ideas! 

In the quiet corridors of history, the Religious Society of Friends—Quakers—have been a steadfast presence, standing at the intersection of faith and justice. From abolition to civil rights, Quakers have long understood that belief without action is an empty vessel. Today, they find themselves at another moral crossroads, filing a lawsuit to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from carrying out arrests and searches in houses of worship. Read more>>>

MLK Day was full of connection, reflection, and inspiration for our FSW community! At the Brooklyn Arts Center's all-school event, families gathered for a moving program of music, spoken word, and powerful reflections on Dr. King’s message of justice and unity. The atmosphere was one of both reverence and celebration, as our collective voice came together to honor his vision for a more just world.

Meanwhile, at the MLK Convention Center, our table was a bustling hub of conversation with Wilmington community members. We welcomed over 300 visitors—alumni, prospective families, and current students, and local organizations—who stopped by to share their own stories, learn about our mission, and discuss the ways education can be a force for equity and peace. DEIJB Coordinator Jennifer Barfield's "Walk in Dr. King's Footsteps" activity was especially moving and stirred up deep reflections on how we can each make the world a better place.

It was a day that reminded us of the power of community, the importance of action, and the ongoing work of justice. We’re grateful to have been part of such meaningful events and to continue carrying Dr. King’s message forward, not just that day but every day.

14 of our Middle School students and 3 faculty advisors have spent the week in the Dominican Republic diving into hands-on learning, community service, language exchange, and all-new cultural experiences. So far, they’ve explored El Choco National Park, swam in underground caves, toured Saari's cacao farm (with plenty of samples!), and spent time in La Cienaga Primary School by leading language and science lessons. They’ve also worked on community projects—including assembling bookshelves and garden beds for the school—and have embraced every moment with great enthusiasm.

Catch up on all of their daily activities by following along with the group's blog, and hold them in the Light for safe travels as they fly home on late Friday night. We can't wait to learn more of their stories, reflections, and deeper understandings of the world. 

Re-Enrollment Packets Due February 5th

A friendly reminder from the Admissions and Business Offices: Re-enrollment packets are due February 5th! Many classes are already at full capacity and both of our Preschool and K-8 Open Houses are on waitlist-only, so please do not wait to submit and secure your spot for next year!

Don't Wait to Register for Summer Camp

Summer camp registration opens to the public this Saturday, February 1st, and some of our camps are already on a waitlist! Be sure to register now to spend your summer with FRIENDS! Navigate to Campsite's enrollment page and enter passcode SummerwithFriends to sign up.

Annual Fund Thanks & Donation Receipts

A tremendous thank you to Justin LaNasa, Tony McCudden, and Jenni Boyd for your tremendous contributions to the Annual Fund. As tax season approaches, please reach out to Director of Development & Marketing Rachel Presley if you need receipt copies for your donation history. 

Carpool (and Maybe Karaoke, Too?)

Welcome to Sustainability Spotlight--our standing section in FriendsMail where we connect with the PA's Green Team to share eco-friendly tips and tricks each week. 

Last Week's FriendsMail (01/15/25)

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