Friends School of Minnesota (FSM) Welcomes New Head www.fsmn.org . Lili Herbert, part of FSM since she filled out an application in 1992 for her daughter to attend kindergarten, has been officially welcomed as head of school after a nationwide search. She served in a variety of leadership roles, from humanities teacher, FSM's Conflict Resolution Program director (1995-99) and interim Admissions Director. FSM has “set two important goals: to become a model of environmental sustainability and education, and to increase our endowment and reduce debt.” Inspiring indeed! What Does Peace Look Like? In kindergarten, FSM students are “taught how to speak with each other when they have conflicts, and time is made in our schedule for conflict resolution....” In the Lower School, “a half hour is set aside each day for this. In the Middle School, conflict resolution time is built into recess, but students can also schedule conferences for other times.” Practical and effective.
Tuesdays with Dwight Wilson, Head of Friends School in Detroit (FSD) www.friendsschool.org Over the years, Head Wilson has been asked why he reads regularly on Tuesdays to the younger students. He cites one of his mentors, “We teach who we are.” In his newsletter article, he explains that to research his article he used www.Goodsearch.com , a search engine that donates one cent per registered-user visit to FSD. Cents mount up! Detroit Mayor former FSD parent: Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was presented with the new Revitalization of the City award by FSD. The school's theme, “Eyes on Detroit,” highlighted the connection between Detroit's revitalization and the role FSD has played in this over the years.
Leading by Example, Friends School in Atlanta (FSA) Builds Relationships and Community www.friendsschoolatlanta.org . Students and faculty at FSA decided to create a “Peace Path” that could be used by area schools as well as the wider community. The cooperative spirit and generous scope of the path concept impressed the American Greenways Program so much that it awarded FSA $1,000 toward the project, which will have a wildlife habitat, amphitheatre and wildlife study area to inspire students to examine the complex symbiotic relationship between the environment and humans. Three well-attended workshops at FSA were by Richard Brough, a teacher of tai chi, meditation and circus arts; local chiropractor, Lisa Place; and FSA's own Wayne Wells, who led a yoga class--a favorite with kids, grandparents and special friends.
Greene Street Friends (GSF), Philadelphia, Has a Lengthy List of Completed Actions, www.greenestreetfriends.org GSF has: created a set of �We Believe� statements; developed a set of mini-lessons on Quaker principles and practices; sent new lead teachers to the Friends Council on Education workshop, Teachers New to Quakerism; initiated faculty participation in Learning Circles, a year-long professional development program that fosters relationships with colleagues at similar schools; provided conflict resolution and anti-bullying training to students and teachers; and instituted a monthly community service program for middle school students. What is the face of GSF's student body? The 2006-07 school year at GSF opened with 228 children (110 boys, 118 girls, in pre-K-8th grade), an increase of 4 students. Retention of returning students rose from 79% to 85%. GSF's mission of racial diversity was certainly realized again with 49.6% Caucasian students, 36.4% African American; Bi-racial, 8.8%; Latino, 3.0%; and Asian, 2.2%. The number of Quaker students also rose to18, or 7.9%.
Frankford Friends School (FFS, Philadelphia www.frankfordfriendsschool.org) in a cooperative project with the Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Historical Society of Frankford joined together to present an exhibit about service through the centuries to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Campbell AME Church and the History of the African-American Community of Frankford. A sizable audience heard a lecture about the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia and saw a presentation on local Civil War Colored Troops. Sponsorship in part came via a grant from Pennsylvania's Humanities Council. FFS's Green goal for new building: In its Middle School Expansion Campaign, FSS is building a new facility, 4 classrooms and a multi-purpose space for activities as diverse as art, music, P.E., after-school programs and special events. The �green� building will combine environmental awareness with financial prudence by focusing on energy efficient constructions. Last but not least: Welcome to Melissa Glenn-Fleming, who has ten years of experience with development and fundraising for academic and non-profit groups; she is the new Director of Development for FFS
QICSEF Facts A school is eligible for participation in QICSEF if it: a) is a Friends school; 2) is located in an inner-city neighborhood of a large metropolitan area; 3) has grades K-6, K-8 or K-12; 4) is well integrated: and 5) has little or no endowment. Now in its 14th year, the book value of QICSEF's endowments has grown from $0.00 in 1993 to $1,038,418 in January 2007.
QICSEF Endowment Funds have come (i) half from the schools themselves and (ii) half from 89 Friends Meetings, individual contributors and various foundations in 39 states.
QICSEF has no paid staff. To assure Friends Meetings, individual donors and foundations that their contributions will go entirely into endowment funds matched by the schools themselves, QICSEF trustees contribute all the funds needed to cover operating expenses.
Please make checks to: QICSEF, c/o P. Gilbert, 152 Crosslands Drive, Kennett Sq., PA 19348.