As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, a lot of exciting things have been happening on 16th Street!
Attending to the Quaker Mission
The Faith and Practice Committee led by faculty and staff is in the process of reviewing the School’s 2008 Faith and Practice booklet. This type of document, common to many Quaker organizations, expresses the School’s aspirations in fulfilling its Quaker mission. When completed, the Committee will submit its recommendations to the Board of Trustees’s Faith and Practice Committee for consideration.
The concept of equity has emerged as a major focus, reflecting broad societal changes that have occurred over the last 15 years. The Director of the Center for Peace, Equity and Justice Kara Kutner explains, “Equality is used throughout the document, but we need to think more about equity.”
The Committee envisions a new digital version that maintains the booklet’s simplicity, but is more interactive and dynamic. For example, a digital document could connect equity to specific actions and programs, thereby providing additional context and meaning. Annah Heckman ‘15, Associate for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, explains, “[A refreshed document] should feel very familiar. We hope to create plain language that is accessible to even our fourth graders.”
As part of its work, the Committee reached out to students to review, refresh and generate news queries and to ensure nothing was overlooked. Annah comments, “This work has been especially joyful and rewarding for me and my colleagues.”
Friends Reunite at Friends
On May 19-20, 200 alumni and guests returned to campus for Reunion Weekend. Programming included the Emeritus Ceremony in the Meetinghouse, where Michael Miller, Paul Qautinetz, Harriet Burnett and John Byrne were honored for their longstanding and dedicated service to the School. Another highlight included the dedication of a classroom in honor of Ed Carroll ’56, the first African American graduate of Friends Seminary. Members of the class of ’73 celebrated their 50th Reunion.
Seated front (left to right): James Gales, Michael Miller, Paul Quatinetz, John Byrne, Harriet Burnett Click here to view more photos.
Celebrating Arabic Language and Culture
An energized and dedicated group of parents led by KK Peabody, Parisa Jaffer and Nadia Sandozi rallied to support this year’s annual Arabic Culture Night in the Meetinghouse on May 8. Inspired by Lunar New Year celebrations, their aim is to help shine an even brighter light on Islamic culture and this distinctive curricular program, particularly among Lower School families.
For KK the Arabic program at Friends has had a profound impact on her family. She explains, “Years ago, bearing witness to Friends students speaking Arabic showed me that the language that can be learned and changed the course of our lives. Having spent the first half of the year in Jordan, I returned thinking ‘How can we help make Arabic Culture Night even better?’”
As a result, MS and US students performed engaging skits, readings and music to an even larger audience of students, parents, faculty and staff. Afterwards, guests gathered in the Outer Courtyard for traditional activities including henna, backgammon, calligraphy, and a delicious buffet of dishes donated by Chris Khalifa, the owner of Zooba, and other parents. Parisa comments, “As parents, we have a role to play in helping to ensure that the School has the structures needed for all people to feel seen and represented. It is also important that we create meaningful opportunities for folks to show up for each other.”
The Arabic program was launched in 2010 to foster cross-cultural connections in the aftermath of 9/11. KK comments, “The volunteer response to this event was immediate. It reflects the spectacular work that the Arabic Team, Joseph Sills and Mouna Fdilat, do to inspire learning and to create this night for our community. We’re excited to do more in 2023-24!”
Day of Service
The annual Day of Service is an important day when the School community of students, faculty and staff leave their classrooms and offices and turn into a powerful volunteer workforce. On April 27 close to 1,000 members of the Friends community supported several non-profits across New York City.
The Lower School partnered with Grassroots Grocery to prepare and package over 200 lunches for hungry New Yorkers. The Middle and Upper School helped with clean up and beautification projects associated with Flushing Meetinghouse, Quaker Cemetery, Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Riverside Park and Earth Matter. Students pitched in at God’s Love We Deliver, a long standing Friends service partner. At AFYA Foundation in Yonkers volunteers sorted medical supplies destined for countries in need.
The Lower School partnered with Grassroots Grocery to prepare and package over 200 lunches for hungry New Yorkers. The Middle and Upper School helped with clean up and beautification projects associated with Flushing Meetinghouse, Quaker Cemetery, Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Riverside Park and Earth Matter. Students pitched in at God’s Love We Deliver, a long standing Friends service partner. At AFYA Foundation in Yonkers volunteers sorted medical supplies destined for countries in need.
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