Dear HGSFS Community,

Our first two weeks of summer programming have been incredible and full of new discoveries, new friends, creating new memories, and lots of learning, enrichment, and fun!

Our specials classes in karate and yoga really helped set the tone for Week 1,

as our students practiced mindfulness, built self-confidence, and developed new leadership skills. Students also worked with our new Art Specialist, Khaleel Adger learning about different forms of art as well as various artists such as Pablo Picasso. Our students also spent two days learning the art of theater in our newest specials class instructed by renowned Philadelphia-based producer and playwright, John Graves of John Graves Productions.

Our friends and special guests from Los Bomberos de la Calle stopped by to perform at our first weekly assembly, sharing exciting sights, sounds and rhythms from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Our students and staff enjoyed dressing up in traditional dance costumes and learning Bomba, a traditional dance and musical style of Puerto Rico.

Field trips are also underway as our 2nd and 3rd grade students visited the African American Museum of Philadelphia and explored several exhibits, including Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876 which recounts the stories and contributions made by people of African decent in Philadelphia during the tumultuous years following the founding of our nation. The timeline highlights a sequence of images and documents, all drawn from the historical record, that illuminate and explore topics of relevance including entrepreneurship, environment, education, religion, and family traditions.

Students in Grades 4 through 7 traveled to the Museum of the American Revolution to visit the Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia exhibit. Using objects, documents, and immersive environments, the exhibit explores the Forten family’s roles in the Revolutionary War, business in Philadelphia, and abolition and voting rights from 1776 to 1876. Students were able to explore more than 100 historical artifacts, works of art, and participated in several interactive experiences.

Our PreK, Kindergarten and 1st grade students participated in an on-site workshop led by the African American Museum of Philadelphia titled, “Mlanjeni Magical Theatre" and our friends from the Mobile Tree House at Tree House Books also joined us and provided free books to our students.

Week 2 field trips included visits to The Franklin Institute and Vetri Community Partnership, a non-profit organization that provides nutrition education through cooking to people of all ages across Philadelphia and Camden each year.

We’re looking forward to an amazing rest of the summer and sharing more with all of you as we continue this important work here in Germantown. In the meantime, please be sure to follow and engage with us on all of our social media platforms where we share daily photo and video highlights and other cool Horizons happenings!

Want to find ways to continue to support Horizons at Greene Street Friends School? Reach out to Monica Quarrie, Executive Director mquarrie@greenestreetfriends.org.