In my opinion, great educators see teaching not as a job but as a vocation – a calling and a professional pursuit that is particularly worthy and that requires great personal investment and extra dedication. . . I’ve worked with many extraordinary educators over the course of my decades-long career –  including at some very […]

During this concise and clear 3-minute video, Pedro Noguera shares his thoughts about how we can create a learning community that helps students develop the higher-order thinking skills essential for solving problems and promoting justice in the world around them. This speaks to me about BFS’s mission, core values, and what we believe, stand for, […]

I continue to be interested in the work of Positive Psychologist Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., known for her original, broadly regarded research on grit and self-control.  Dr. Duckworth is the founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit whose mission is to advance scientific insights that help children thrive. She is also the Rosa Lee and Egbert […]

It is stating the obvious that the 2020 elections are upon us and dominating the news during unprecedented, contentious, and stressful times.  As a school, we will observe, teach about, and process the elections – before and after –  with an attention to developmental-appropriateness and the importance of discourse, respect for differences and different people and […]

As we settle into this new year, and one that asks us to re-establish, develop and take care of the relationships that foster a positive and constructive home-school relationship – all in the interest of student success – I offer some thoughts gleaned from a New York Times article that was published several years ago.  […]

As we celebrate the successful completion of the first ten days of the 2020-2021 school year and prepare for our very first virtual Back-to-School Nights, I am proud to share the Minute that was read at last week’s School Board meeting.  This Minute of appreciation recognizes and thanks our faculty and staff, and it will […]

I write to offer a warm welcome to everyone and share a few thoughts as we begin a new school year – our 226th year – at Buckingham Friends School.  But first, the big news is that 45 new students (and 38 new families) have joined and are already contributing to the quality of our […]

I’m very grateful that BFS School Counselor Linda Kamel will be increasing her teaching role in every division to support children and teaching and learning this year.  Linda is planning to facilitate parent forums in advance of the school year and during the school year to provide parents with guidance in navigating these before-school conversations […]

The Speak Truth to Power program is a first-ever virtual Youth Summer Series for students interested in human rights, social justice, theater and the arts, community organizing, and creating meaningful change in their communities and in themselves. The series will include two programs: Youth Organizing and the Arts and Human Rights. Sessions are open to […]

After three months away, members of the Eighth Grade class, their immediate families, and several teachers returned to campus on June 12th – in socially-distanced ways – to celebrate the Eighth Grade class, conclude BFS’s 225th year, and hold graduation on the upper field.  A warm yet especially beautiful June day graced everyone’s arrival, and […]