Today is Peter Seeger’s birthday, and he would have turned 100. Pete Seeger is one of my heroes, and it is with sadness that I recall that he passed away six years ago at the age of 94. An inspiring folk singer and daring activist with a deep love and concern for our world, he […]
If Adults Don’t Talk with Children About Race…
(This summary written by Kim Marshall – The Marshall Memo) In a recent article in Phi Delta Kappan, Margaret Hagerman (Mississippi State University) says many white parents and educators avoid talking about race and racism with elementary-school children because they believe it’s too early to engage with controversial and disturbing topics. The problem with this […]
The aim of a Friends education, BFS’s core values, and why empathetic kids succeed in our all-about-me world
“While each Friends school has its own unique style and personality, they all have a common purpose: not only to provide a rich and challenging education but also to foster the ideals of community, spirituality, responsibility and stewardship. A hallmark of the Quaker school experience is the basic beliefs that we are all teachers and learners and […]
Setting Limits on Technology Use At Home
Citing sound and reliable research, psychologist Jean Twenge (San Diego State University) recently emphasized in an article in Time that the surge in depression and other mental health issues among adolescents is directly linked to heavy technology use. She has set the following limits with her three children: – “No phones or tablets in the […]
Parents, here’s the best thing you can do for your kids. (Pssst: It’s easy.)
By Elliot Haspel, The Washington Post, March 25, 2019 “As a parent, I worry about many things. Some are concerns I imagine to be universal and shared by parents from time immemorial: Are the children healthy, are the children safe? Yet there’s also a suite of uniquely modern anxieties that can be summed up as “How […]
“The Art of Celebration” Exceeds Expectations!
“The Art of Celebration” was a total success! I write to extend my sincere and heart-felt gratitude to the scores of current and former community members and friends of BFS that gathered on Friday night for a memorable evening of fun, friendship, food, and fundraising. Special thanks go to Auction Chair Colby Smith – and […]
Strategic Planning update – The Board of Trustees has reached unity about the vision and goals for Buckingham Friends School!
Dear Buckingham Friends School Community Members, I am excited to share that, after careful review and thoughtful discernment, the Board of Trustees reached unity at the March 2019 meeting about the vision and goals for Buckingham Friends School. Our vision: In 2023, Buckingham Friends School is the regional leader in preserving the spirit of youth […]
mission, story, and brand align in a note of gratitude
Hi Paul, My daughter had such a great day today at the sap boiling. She especially loved taking time to reflect in the woods on her own. Wow! 🙂 She’s making incredible strides every day. This week so far alone she programmed a robot to talk, spent most of the today outdoors setting traps and […]
Technology, Social Media, and Introducing Common Sense Media – a resource for parents (of children of all ages) and educators
The following four paragraphs are excerpts from a recent article from Donna Orem, President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). BFS is a NAIS member school. Please be sure to check out the last section – introducing Common Sense Media. For parents today, not only are there hundreds of channels to monitor, but teens have access to the internet, video games, social media, and more; not […]
Girlhood, Girl Power, Raising Female Activists
Girlhood, by Lory Hough “After years of social gains and with bright futures within reach, why are things still so difficult for middle school girls? Last September, The New York Times came out with a story with a promising opening paragraph that made me happy: “Girls have been told they can be anything they want to be, […]