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Note: This is an introduction to a series of articles on National Association of Independent Schools’ Trendbook. Throughout the year, Friends Select administrators will give an in-depth look into a specific trend, and describe what Friends Select is doing to stay abreast of that trend to ensure the school’s health and vitality for years to come.
In October, I asked members of Friends Select’s Administrative Council (AC)* to read and reflect upon a recent publication of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Called Trendbook, the book provides analyses on contemporary topics for healthy and sustainable independent schools. These topics include, among others, demographic changes, economic trends, consumer attitudes, and school financial operations.
Members of AC each were assigned to read one or more sections of the book and to present their findings back to the full group. This exercise led to provocative discussions about NAIS prognostications and about the degree to which our school meets the challenges of the present and the future. For example, Friends Select is relatively avant garde in its commitment to global studies (evidenced especially by the InterSession program), and to prudent financial management, yet might explore more vigorously its programming in social media. We are quite adept at creating partnerships with our neighboring institutions on the Parkway and in the city, but could explore complementary on-line programming.
Each section of Trendbook suggests action steps for schools to consider, many of which we have already adopted. We are reinvigorating the focus and work of our diversity committee; engaging a fuller community in volunteer opportunities; offering early language instruction; and expanding the scope of data analysis in all areas of the school. NAIS challenges schools to anticipate trends; to embrace change, using new approaches to contemporary challenges; to differentiate themselves among peers; and to provide different skill sets to students for the demands of a new century.
Our school is indeed a thriving community, largely because we have anticipated and continue to remain open to trends that create an enhanced teaching and learning environment.
*Administrative Council (AC): twelve individuals who are responsible for both academic and non-academic daily operations of the school. Jesse Dougherty, director of upper school and assistant head of school for international studies; Kendall Cameron, assistant director of upper school and upper school dean; Terry Kessel, director of middle school and assistant head of school for professional development; Ed Rhee, dean of middle school; David Wood, director of lower school; Amy Segel, assistant director of lower school; Michael Noonan, business manager; Christine Jefferson, director of development and alumni/ae relations; Colleen Puckett, director of marketing and communications; Roger Dillow, director of enrollment management; Sherry Claypool, director of upper school admission and admission programs; and Rose Hagan, head of school.
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On January 10, 2012, Friends Select students will compete in a school-level, seven-round geography bee, hosted by the National Geographic Society and held in the school’s Blauvelt Theatre. Going into its second year, the school’s format for the bee will look slightly different as both fourth and fifth graders will be participating in the competition this year.
There will be preliminary rounds in each grade, which will yield the final ten participants in the school-level competition. The winner of the school bee will advance to the next level, a written examination to determine the state competitors. The top 100 students from each state then move onto the National Geography Bee scheduled in May 2012.
Now in fifth grade, Jack Ryan placed first in the school challenge and competed in the state bee last year. To see how he ranked, read For the Love of the Game.
Fourth graders start the year with colonial geography as part of their study of American History. By understanding the geography of the colonies, students are able to gain a strong grasp on why centers of industry, economics, and leadership developed the way they did throughout our young nation. Students begin to understand the relationship and impact geography has on a developing nation and its ability to interact with the broader world community. “It’s most important that our students see themselves as citizens of a wide, diverse world, and begin to find where they fit in and how they can be a part of the global community,” said Hal Morra, fourth grade teacher.
In conjunction with the fourth grade geography curriculum, lower school librarian Paula Cairo instructs students on the use of maps and visuals during library class period. Throughout the year, students learn how to read and dissect maps while examining questions about physical and political geography, as well as recognizing the impact physical features of the environment have on how societies develop.
“Geography can be a neglected subject and we use the geography bee as framework and an opportunity for students to expand their global knowledge,” said Cairo. “Maps are an interesting way into visual literacy. Kids love learning how to decipher the different codes of symbolism in them.”
 Throughout the course of the geography bee, it’s up to students to decide their level of preparation and many decide to collaborate and practice. During the competition last year, students showed support of the final ten competitors in the school rounds and cheered loudly as the questions became more and more difficult.
“The geography bee is fun, and an age-appropriate exercise for the bridge between lower and middle school," said David Wood, director of lower school. "It helps students broaden their understanding of the world in which we live. The digital natives of our current student body interact with the world in a very broad sense, and it’s good to take time to examine more closely the geography of our world and consider how and why societies differ because of their location and landscape. Studying geography and the inherent physical and political dynamics therein helps students broaden their thinking as global citizens.”
For the 24th year, the National Geographic Society is holding the National Geographic Bee for students in the fourth through eighth grades in thousands of schools across the United States and in the five U.S. territories, as well as in Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world. The 2012 Bee is sponsored by Google.
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Students recall their experience during the seventh grade Search assignment at Friends Select:
“Because of my 7th grade Search project, I’ve been appointed by my family to collect and organize all of my relative’s historic photos and facts.”
“I researched my great uncle. His name was Hank Aaron. I uncovered that he was really, really good at baseball.”
“My project focused on women’s history. I explored my mother’s generation and compared her options during that time to my grandmother’s options, and those to my great-grandmother’s options. There were indescribable differences.”
Search is a research-driven middle school project that students tend to appreciate more with each passing year. Students learn to ask thoughtful questions, use a wealth of resources to discover information and then decide what's important to consider. The semester’s project culminates in a daytime symposium for students and a presentation evening with exhibits for parents on December 7.
For John Colgan-Davis, middle-and upper school history teacher and seventh grade project facilitator, Search is a highlight. Colgan-Davis helped introduce Search to Friends Select in 1988, and through the years, inherently nurtured it to what it’s transformed into- a sequential, learning tool for middle school students.
“The goal of Search is to turn students into knowledge makers. It’s not just an academic exercise, but a life skill,” states Colgan-Davis. “Students need to be makers of knowledge.”
Students across all grades work in the computer lab and collaborate with the school librarians during their respective Search projects. They use subscription databases and identify reliable Web sites in an attempt to unearth facts. Noodle (notetaking and bibliography tool) and Inspiration (wed mapping program) are examples of two online resources students use during the Search process.
“Technology skills are important and we strive to integrate them into the research program in a meaningful way,” said middle- and upper school librarian Maureen Haurin. “When working online, middle schoolers understand that all activity must be handled vigilantly. We instruct students to evaluate the source first, to ensure it’s authentic and reliable.”
Once students find and organize all the data, they turn it into knowledge. Search is comprised of a search journal (for reflection about the process and a running record of all work done), a search narrative (the final report), a symposium presentation, and a visual display.
Grades 5-8 Search Projects:
Fifth and sixth graders must identify a theme within their studies of Africa and Medieval Africa and spend all semester researching various aspects of that topic.
Seventh graders focus on American Studies in the classroom and throughout the semester, and research a topic of choice in conjunction with their family history. The culminating trip is to New York City to experience American immigration. During the trip, students travel to Ellis Island to research and assume the roles of immigrants who might have arrived at the facility between 1885 and 1910.
“Seventh graders get excited about the project because it’s a platform to find facts based on their own interests and experiences,” said Colgan-Davis.
Eighth graders study Ancient Civilization in the spring. The culminating trip is to New Mexico to explore ancient civilizations, a subject studied in the Interdisciplinary Sequence, an innovative and challenging course that traces human culture from 3000 B.C. to the present. The mathematics and science independent research projects are conducted in the winter months and culminate in the Rube Goldberg Machine Competition.
Beginning in pre-kindergarten and extending through twelfth grade, the essential skills of research, writing and oral presentation are taught, practiced and refined through participation in special Search projects and everyday classroom activities.
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R.H. Gray Library Web site
Recently, Friends Select launched a new R.H. Gray Library Web site under the direction of Sandy Guild, director of libraries and academic technology, and Maureen Haurin, middle- and upper school librarian. In their own words, read what Guild and Haurin have to say about the new student-centered resource.
“We want middle- and upper school students to see the Web site as their virtual library - a place where they can get help with assignments, explore their own interests, spend a bit of time in social interactions, and access recreational reading. One of our aims in creating a virtual library is to engage the greatest variety of community members. We have audio and image material, interactive activities, and a growing number of guides for accessing these media, as well as the more typical text-based material. Finally, though, our primary goal is to provide the same level of support for their learning as they experience inside the Gray Library doors.” |
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The highly anticipated InterSession is quickly approaching and this year’s program promises to be another eye opening, global experience for students. From January 23-27, the entire upper school division will pause to consider a single overarching essential question: Understanding Central and South America: What do we need to know?
Regular classes will be suspended for five days between semesters while upper school students and faculty explore Central and South America—its geography, peoples, natural resources, governments, culture, religions, economies and politics.
A different fundamental question will structure each day’s activities. On day one, for example, students will consider, What do we mean by Central and South America? On day two, the question will be about the changing attitudes towards science and technology. Outside experts in fields ranging from Central and South American history, to government and politics, to arts and culture will engage directly with student/faculty teams in a variety of formats: large seminar-style survey lectures, small group meetings, films, and guided discussions and debates around topical issues.
“Last year was an excellent endeavor, and the program this year will remain academic but focus more on the expert’s (presenter) personal experience with the region,” states Jesse Dougherty, director of upper school. “The presenters will give a full picture of Central and South America by leveraging their personal experiences with academic discourse so that students can best understand the nuance of a different place.”
FSS Community Experts
As a personal passion outside of school, upper school English teacher Ian Ranzer has a deep appreciation for Brazilian music. He often plays hits by Brazilian music artists Caetano Veloso and Jorge Ben on his radio show Soul Junction and years ago, was a member of a Brazilian samba band.
During InterSession, Ranzer will give insight into Brazilian music by introducing Stan Getz, a performer who was integral in making samba and jazz an international sensation. In addition, he will discuss the progression to Tropicália re: a look at how and why Brazilian performers were exiled for musical expression. Ranzer intends to play a few sound clips for students that best represent music of Brazil. Here's an example of a clip.
Upper school art teacher Deborah Caiola will present on art and social change based on her recent trip to Bolivia. For years, Caiola was intrigued by the culture of Bolivia, and particularly by the the Festival of the Virgin of Urkupiña, Bolivia, a festival in Quillacollo, that brims with folkloric, religious and cultural expression. This past summer, she had the opportunity to visit and explore the country for a month.
During the week-long program, Caiola will discuss the aspects of social change that are important in her own artwork and the social, cultural, and economic climate she experienced in Bolivia and how it’s reflected in the symbols of this inspiring nation.
As in many places of the world, there are ever-present issues surrounding areas in Central and South America. The goal with InterSession is to see the light in these places and celebrate their global impact in all ways. Once students do this, they can then begin to really understand the challenges and adversities the region faces.
Going into its second year, InterSession is an international studies immersion program that was launched on January 31, 2011. InterSession is made possible through a matching grant by the Edward E. Ford Foundation and is part of the Friends Select School International Studies Program.
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On December 1-3, nine Friends Select faculty and staff will be attending the People of Color Conference (POCC) in Philadelphia.
Organized by NAIS, the POCC has been occurring annually for 24 years and its mission is to:
“provide a safe space for networking and professional development opportunity for people, who by virtue of their race or ethnicity, compromise a form of diversity termed 'people of color' in independent schools.” The POCC allows for many leadership opportunities for participating faculty as they return to their schools and share valuable tools learned at the conference. “I’ve had the opportunity to attend several conferences and always leave refreshed and excited to share new ideas to strengthen community at Friends Select," said Marissa Colston, lower- and middle school administrative assistant and diversity committee clerk. “Through POCC, I have built relationships with faculty/staff at schools across the country and throughout the year, am able to continue the conversation and share ideas that have helped build and sustain inclusive school communities.”
Going into its 18th year, the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) will also be participating in the POCC. The SDLC was created for high school students and it centers around self-reflection, forming allies and building community for all students with a focus of those students of color who are often in the minority at independent schools as well.
On December 3, Friends Select will host a College Fair for SDLC students following the POCC/SDLC closing ceremonies. More than 40 colleges and universities, set up in the school’s gym, will be in attendance to provide all SDLC attendees with information about the college admissions process.
The POCC serves as a network for support, rejuvenation, and amazing educational opportunities with the myriad workshops offered around cutting edge diversity and community building work.
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The following applies to travel-related inclement weather closings (i.e. school closings necessitated by bad road conditions which make traveling to and from school hazardous):
Friends Select School follows the decision of the School District of Philadelphia with regard to school closing.
1. If Philadelphia public schools are open, Friends Select is open. 2. If Philadelphia public schools are closed, Friends Select is closed.
3. If Philadelphia public schools are open without transportation, Friends Select is open without transportation.
4. If Philadelphia public schools must close early in the day due to heavy snow development, Friends Select also will close early in the day.
5. If Philadelphia public schools are starting late, Friends Select will start late (delayed open time will be the same as for public schools). The building will open 30 minutes prior to the start of school.
After School Program will NOT operate on days the school closes early. Parents of ASP children will be asked to make arrangements for their child/ren to be picked up from school as soon as possible or by 3 p.m.
After School Program does NOT operate on days school is closed.
Vacation Care will be decided on a case by case basis. Please call the school information number at 215-561-5900 to determine if Vacation Care is open on days public schools are closed due to travel-related inclement weather.
The school closing number for Friends Select School for KYW Newsradio 1060 AM and their Web site is 134.
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PA: Wizard of Oz Sing-Along Hosted by the LGBT Parent Group, the Wizard of Oz sing-along will take place on Friday, January 13, 2012, at 6 p.m. in the Blauvelt Theatre. Mark your calendars now. All are welcome!
Upper School: LS Winter Pajama Party Parents, take the night off! Courtesy of the upper school student Italy trip and in collaboration with PA's Dining with Friends, babysitting will be offered to lower school families on Friday, January 27, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. There are various activities planned for all lower school ages: pizza, a mini- basketball clinic, cookie decorating, craft projects, flashlight walk on the roof, movies, and a night sky telescope search. It costs $25 per child or $15 for siblings. All proceeds go towards the upper school Italy trip. Click here for more information or to register.
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