Have you ever heard of Dunbar's Number , also called the Rule of 150? I learned about it from one erudite faculty member at an important decision-making meeting back in 2016.    

   

Anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar posited that 150 is the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships-- relationships in which an individual knows who each person is and how each person relates to every other person .

   

It also happens to be the number of students FSP will have once every double grade after Kindergarten has expanded to two sections.  

 

We were told by many that if we built the new school, students would come.  And it has proven true! We've generated a lot of interest, as evidenced by inquiries, well-attended admissions events, and visits by curious families.  

 

What we weren't expecting was that more students would stay.   Specifically, more preschoolers have gone on to our Kindergarten, and more Kindergartners have gone on to FSP's primary grades.  Several months into our first year in the new building, we realized it was likely we'd need to add a second section of grade 1-2-in fact, after our first year here, 100% of the K class enrolled in the first grade! And it wasn't long before it was clear that two years later, that enthusiastic group of learners would require a second section of grade 3-4.

 

You can see where this is headed.  

 

Knowing that a second section of grade 5-6 youngsters is coming down the pipeline, and given that we now have deployed the last existing classroom, we have taken up the glorious challenge of planning for a middle school wing, to open next September.  Four simple classrooms, built to Passive House standards, will join the existing ones upstairs, with a glassed-in room connecting old and new classrooms (goodbye, long outdoor bridge).

 

   

In 2022, a second section of grade 7-8 will complete this thoughtful growth.  Imagine the opportunity to send twice as many amazing Friends School graduates out into the world!

 

We have taken great strides in accomplishing this project already:  the new parking lot, accommodating 42 cars, will make it possible for construction vehicles to access the project site through the old parking area.  The Capital Campaign Committee has quietly raised 86% of the $2.25 million needed for the middle school wing in just over a year.  And groundbreaking for the classrooms will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6.

 

At the groundbreaking celebration, we'll let you know how, together, we can complete this vision.  There's so much to dream about and to do, and our remarkable success comes from the faith and efforts of so many in the FSP community.

 

With gratitude and excitement,

 

Due to staffing issues, we are unable to take drop-ins for Aftercare on Fridays for the near future. And please be aware that drop-in availability on other days may be limited. As soon as we are able to hire more Aftercare staff, we will open Fridays up for drop-ins and will notify you of this!

Wheel Fun Days will return September 23rd through September 27th during P.E. class for preschool through 8th grade. Students are encouraged to bring a scooter, big wheel, bike, etc. Helmets and long pants are required. Students in preschool will ride on Monday and Tuesday and Kindergarten will ride on Monday and Wednesday. The 1st and 2nd graders will ride during their PE classes (Xanthe's class on Wednesday and Friday, Katie's on Thursday and Friday) and the 3rd and 4th graders will ride during their scheduled P.E. classes (Lindsay's  class on Monday and Wednesday, Nicole's class on Tuesday and Wednesday). The 5th and 6th graders will ride on Tuesday and Thursday and the 7th and 8th graders will ride on Wednesday and Thursday. Students in grades 5-8 will be riding off-campus so need a bicycle to participate in PE next week. There also will be selected recesses when students may ride. 

If you are leaving your bike overnight, please lean it against the fence around the dumpsters and make sure to take it home by Friday afternoon.

FSP will be hosting an influenza vaccination clinic on Wednesday, September 25 beginning at 8:30am. The flu shots are free for students and the clinic is administered by the Visiting Nurses Association. Current students, their siblings (ages 37 months to 18 years), and parents may be vaccinated at the clinic. More information and the required Health Screen & Permission Forms are available outside the main office, or by clicking here. Participants must turn in the required Health Screen & Permission form to the FSP office by Friday, September 20. Please see or email Jen McNally with any questions. Please note that we recommend parents of children in preschool or Kindergarten stay with their children for the clinic if possible (you will get to go first!).