The Light, Summer 2022

SUMMER 2022 ISSUE: In the Classroom Visual & Performing Arts Alumni Coverage Community Events

Congratulations to the

Class of 2022 Coverage Begins on Page 8

Brooklyn Friends School celebrates Pride Month 2022.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE

A Message From Head of School, Crissy Cáceres

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History Inspires Sixth Grade Artists

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Q&A With Melissa Providence

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Q&A With Alex Guzchenko

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Bravo, BFS! The Curtain Rises Once Again in the Meeting House

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Commencement 2022

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Friends Together Again

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Brooklyn Friends School Athletics

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Quaker Life

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What a Day! SpringFest 2022

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Second Graders Sit for Change

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Grade 3 × Multiplication = Mad Math Skills

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A Year in the Life of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at BFS

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Preschool Blasts Off to Infinity & Beyond

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Stepping Back into BFS History

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BFX: A Program Grounded in Equity, Joy, & Exploration

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BFS Arti-Facts

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Brooklyn Friends Students to Spread Love & Joy to Ukrainian Children

Back Together at BFS: Alumni Reunion 2022

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The Adulting Conference: Life Skills for Graduating Seniors

Letting Our Lives Speak Alumni Tour Heads Back on the Road This Fall

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Class Notes

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All-School Art Show

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In Memoriam

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THANK YOU, FRIENDS! heart Brooklyn Friends School formally said “Thank you and farewell” to three of our retiring colleagues at a Pearl Street rooftop celebration in June for colleagues. The three lifelong educators—from left, Susan Greenstein (Lower School Art Teacher at BFS since 2008), Myriam Juarbe (Lower School Spanish Teacher at BFS since 2009), and Sara Soll (Director of the Family Center and at BFS since 1986)— received gifts and words of gratitude from their colleagues. Crissy Cáceres started the event by reinforcing just how special these three friends have been to BFS over the combined 63 years of service to this community. Also, heartfelt thanks to retiree, Dan Ajerman, who was unable to attend. We wish them all the very best!

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HEAD OF SCHOOL

A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL, Crissy Cáceres Recently, I heard beautiful remarks that focused on the concept of what it means to actively and intentionally create a home. As I listened, I thought of the places that I have called home. All have been home because loved ones have lived there, memories have been created, varied emotions have been experienced, comfort has been manifested, and joy has permeated the walls. As I continued to listen, I marveled at the feeling that arose in me, one that communicated that BFS has been a home created by so many over the years. It has been a home that has been tended to in varied ways, each reflecting differing generational characteristics and historical context, varying identities and belief systems, and yet, this home has been created by many who have all held to a common purpose grounded in Quaker principles.

Everyone who has been a part of our Brooklyn Friends community has believed that this is a school that acts purposefully to manifest positivity and socially just solutions to the ills in our world. While realizing our purpose, we take responsibility for the complex history that we have lived within our 154-year-old existence. It is one that has included the following: Historically profound deepened racism and segregation, which until the 1940’s, prevented people of color from being a part of this now vibrantly diverse school. Karen Edelman, our Director of Institutional Advancement, shared key facts with me. I have learned that a petition was made to the Board of Trustees in 1940 by Head of School, Douglas Grafflin, to integrate. However, he left in 1942, and Warren Cochran, the next head, continued the commitment to integrate and is credited for integrating the school. 1944 marked the first year when applications were accepted from African-American families, and the first African-American student enrolled in 1945. I can only imagine the magnitude of the first steps in our school, one which over the years had to reckon with its past in creating a new future.

A past predominant focus on a gender binary, rather than our present community reflective of a dynamic gender and sexuality spectrum. Our school has focused on professionally developing our colleagues in how to be fully respectful and inclusive of all identities represented in our classrooms, divisions, and departments. Through a thoughtful process of reflection and learning, we have also been minding the ways in which we are collectively responsible for eradicating existing biases.

A school in its long-ago past that was not reflective of the socio-economic spectrum of families and colleagues

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Crissy and Justin H. ’22 take a moment for a selfie

that is true today, engaging in a need-blind process of tuition assistance that ensures that admissibility is determined first and without a bias created due to possible economic need. In this way, we do all possible to make sure that all families admitted are supported in such a manner that their experience can be a sustainable and complete one. While we still have growth to do this in area, we are steadfastly committed to accessibility.

With all of these named truths, we also proudly take responsibility in our present for a school that respects the worth and integrity of each individual, honoring the light that is within each person in our community. It is this light, core to our Quaker beliefs and identity, that causes us to work on a daily basis to create a deliberate home.

In our deliberately-created BFS home, we… …carefully navigate the challenges of today and persevere in finding solutions. …make space for sensitive conversations, knowing that navigating diverse thoughts and perspectives only makes us stronger as people. …materialize joy by centering children and young adults in the decisions that we make each day. …prioritize time as colleagues to learn, fellowship, grow, and laugh together. …spend comprehensive time considering the needs of our families and their children as a way to respect the choices they’ve made to be here with us. …consider our place in our extended community within Brooklyn and beyond, knowing that we have a global civic

responsibility to contemplate and act upon the reciprocal nature of socially-just engagement. …make uncompromisable the respect of all human beings. …ensure that Quakerism is made part of our contemplative and lived reality as a Friends school.

In our deliberately-created BFS home, our light is mighty and all-encompassing.

In centering the light that informs our existence and the responsibility that comes with it, I welcome you to our newly‑named Magazine, The Light. May this collection of stories narrating the happenings of our BFS world be a constant reminder for us all—alumni and alumni family members, trustees—past and present, current students, families, and colleagues, community partners, and fellow Quaker and other independent school peers, that light can only shine brightly when the proper conditions exist. We are all capable of creating homes that are values-informed, socially just and responsible, loving

Guided by the Quaker belief

that there is a Divine Light in everyone, Brooklyn Friends School cultivates an intellectually ambitious and diverse community that celebrates each individual’s gifts. We challenge our students to value and embrace difference as they develop critical thinking skills and apply their knowledge and intelligence both in and out of the classroom.

In this rich learning environment, we inspire all members of our community to voice their convictions, to discover and pursue their passions, and to seek truth. Our graduates are compassionate, curious, and confident global citizens who let their lives speak in the spirit of leadership and service.

and joyous, equitable and inclusive spaces that make belonging real, and communities that center what is necessary and worthy of the gifts of childhood. Supported, these gifts, informed by light, will manifest into a world that we can indeed be proud of.

I am here, right now, proud and ever-committed to the home that we have all had a hand in creating. I welcome you through our light-filled doors—those that will open as you read the pages before you and the literal ones that await you in Downtown Brooklyn.

Always holding our community in light and love,

THE LIGHT is published by the Communications Office of Brooklyn Friends School for alumni, families, grandparents, colleagues, and friends.

375 Pearl Street • Brooklyn, NY 11201 116 Lawrence Street • Brooklyn, NY 11201 Tel: 718-852-1029 • brooklynfriends.org Brett Topel, Director of Communications & Marketing Karen Edelman, Director of Institutional Advancement Emily Cowles, Associate Director of Communications & Community Engagement Peter Mackie, Associate, Advancement & Design Services

Cover Photo by Rolland Smith Photography Magazine Layout and Design by Peter Mackie

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COLLEAGUES

Q&A WITH MELISSA PROVIDENCE Director of Enrollment Management

In many ways, this will serve as an introduction of Melissa to the BFS community. However, Melissa is in no way new to the world of enrollment, as she comes to BFS from the Enrollment Management Association as their Associate Director of Membership and Business Development. A Brooklyn native, Melissa is excited to return to her home borough after professional stops at the Speyer Legacy School, the Oliver Scholars Program, the Nightingale-Bamford School, Bronx Prep Charter School, and Prep For Prep.

What are you most excited about when you think about coming to BFS?

A I am most excited about getting to know and spend time with the students at BFS. They are at the center of why we are all here, and I can’t wait to experience their magic in person.

What is it about Brooklyn and Brooklyn Friends that really attracted you to this position?

A Brooklyn is, hands down, my favorite borough. I was born here, and as an adult,

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have lived in more neighborhoods in Brooklyn than anywhere else in the country. What has most attracted me to BFS is the people. Colleagues and community members overall have been warm, inviting, and engaging. I’m excited to join the team and to do my part in spreading the love. It is, of course, the Brooklyn Way. What should the BFS community know about you in terms of the type of Director of Enrollment and the type of person you are?

A I want the community to know that I am committed to the Quaker principles and distinguished Mission of BFS. I am

also very excited to contribute to the growth of this vibrant community and at the same time, looking forward to my own personal learning and growth as the BFS Family becomes my own.

What is your favorite movie?

A You’ve got me here. I couldn’t even narrow down to a top 5 .

What is your favorite thing to do when you will NOT be at BFS?

A Particularly in the wake of the Pandemic, life’s simplest joys have truly become my most favorite. Outside of the office, I love being outside in the sun and spending time with family and close friends, especially my 1 year old son who makes it his duty to keep me on my toes.

Q&A WITH ALEX GUZCHENKO Director of Facilities

Alex is far from just your normal, everyday, Director of Facilities here at Brooklyn Friends School. In fact, Alex—who has been here for more than 25 years—has degrees from multiple trade schools and also received his BA in Criminal Justice from John Jay College.

Before arriving at BFS, Alex spent many years serving in the military as a radio communications specialist back in Ukraine.

When did you arrive at BFS?

A I arrived at BFS in 1996 right before Christmas time, and when I received my first paycheck, which was given ahead of time due to the holiday season. I was impressed because getting paid ahead of time without putting any effort into the job yet was kind of unusual.

You have had many roles here at BFS, but can you talk a little bit about why you love working here. What do you like about the work, the people, etc.?

A Before I start talking about myself, I want to say that the BFS community is truly amazing. There is always a great feeling when you know that the community respects you and respects your skills. Getting a contract from year to year proves the point that you are progressing and helps the community get to the next level of professionalism. We sometimes spend more time being here than being home, and it becomes sort of second nature of who we are. There is an expression: if you like and enjoy what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

You have an incredible team that works with you. Can you talk a little bit about what a great group we have here at BFS in our facilities team?

A We have such an amazing team, and I would say that team is a backbone of

the school on all levels. Some of us have become friends over all these years and have great support for each other. We are really just like a working family who carry all the best abilities to support the environment on a daily basis.

Alex, everyone knows that you are from Ukraine. This has been a very stressful several months for you for obvious reasons. People might not realize that you still have many close family and friends in Ukraine and that your parents were there during the most violent days at the start of the invasion. Thankfully, your parents have left Ukraine and are safe. What thoughts are in your heart?

A This question is not easy to answer.

At first, I was overwhelmed and the worst part of it was that I was helpless and couldn’t do anything. I still have family in Ukraine, although my closest family members have reached safety.

I still feel the emotions playing in the background of my head subconsciously.

It feels great to know that your family is safe, but the reality of knowing what some people are continuing to go through will make your heart bleed.

What is your favorite thing about BFS?

A Meeting different people at BFS is a great experience, and I believe there is always a reason why we met. Every single relationship you encounter will take you down your path to develop your personality while you are moving through life.

What is your favorite movie?

A This is my favorite question because I love watching movies. The range of movies go from some family entertainment like “Matilda” to “Goodfellas,” which is my second nature since I graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and all of these stories are just simply masterpieces.

There are a lot of great movies.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are NOT at BFS?

A I love to travel. Changing the atmosphere is healthy and refreshing.

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COMMENCEMENT

COMMENCEMENT 2022 On Friday, June 10th, the Class of 2022 enjoyed one last experience as students at Brooklyn Friends School—their commencement. In front of hundreds of family, friends, and BFS colleagues and Board members, the proud graduates processed across the stage at Pace University’s Schimmel Center.

Head of School, Crissy Cáceres, opened the ceremony, followed by messages for the graduates from classmates Delila Lapidus ’22 and Brianna Griffiths ’22, an address by Distinguished Alumni Speaker, Mitch Zeller ’75, and words of

wisdom from colleague speaker, Dr. Jon DeGraff. Guests also enjoyed performances by student musicians, Justin Hohn ’22 and Isaiah Schetelick ’22.

The ceremony culminated with the graduates receiving their diplomas from Crissy Cáceres, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ed Oliver, Head of Upper School, Kamaya Prince Thompson, and Assistant Head of Upper School, Daniel Paccione. After the final diploma was bestowed, the Class of 2022 tossed their caps towards the sky and came together for hugs and cheers.

Congratulations, BFS Class of ’22, we are so proud of you!

On the following pages, please enjoy learning a little bit about our graduates, which first appeared as profiles on our social media platforms.

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CLASS OF 2022

Luciano Agudelo

Alexander Basner Lifetime Friend

Charles Bertoldo Lifetime Friend

Your teachers describe you as the epitome of studentathlete-artist. We have loved to watch you explore your interests in sustainability in and out of the classroom.

Good luck at Bowdoin College!

You have exemplified Blue Pride as a dedicated three-sport athlete. Your athleticism, leadership, and record-setting performances have forever inscribed your name in the BFS record books.

Good luck at Michigan!

Your teachers share that you truly live the Quaker values of our school. It is easy to see them in your worldview and the ethical standards to which you hold yourself. Good luck at Elon University!

Saraii M. Clarke

Peter DeSantis Lifetime Friend

Lila Margalit Ehrlich

Jackson Garvey

You are known for your steady presence and personal depth across your academic interests, love of the visual and performing arts, and your commitment to activism and service. Enjoy your gap year and good luck at Vassar!

Your teachers share that you are creative, driven, truly know who you are, and never waver from your values and what’s important to you. Good luck at Duke!

Brianna Griffiths

Sophia Marrie Hall

Nina Akiko Haskins

Your teachers share that you are a true shining light in our community. You are known as a magnetic force who brings energy and care to all that you do. Good luck at Richard Bland College of William and Mary!

You are known for your intellectual fervor, altruism, kindness, and gracious spirit.

You truly embody the Quaker values of equity, compassion, and integrity. Good luck at Wesleyan University!

We appreciate your artistic abilities and contributions to our community. We have enjoyed watching your creativity when it comes to character development in your art. Good luck at Syracuse University!

Xavier Gordon Your teachers share that you are the ultimate community and team builder in the classroom, on the athletic field, and throughout our school. Good luck at Wake Forest University!

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We have been inspired by your ability to connect with younger students through your passions—technology and film. Good luck at the Rochester Institute of Technology!

Lily J. Boyd Lifetime Friend Your teachers share that you are truly committed to the Quaker value of seeing the inner light in every person. You are known in our community for your stewardship and leadership.

Good luck at Boston College!

Your teachers share that they admire your sensitive disposition and palpable sense of compassion. Words cannot fully express the enthusiasm for life that you exude. Good luck at Barnard!

Amaya Haye Your teachers share that you are a shining example of a student who operates from a place of disciplined intention and a spirit of gratitude. Good luck at Cornell University!

Meghan Jahlei Henry Your teachers share that you are a voice of reason for our school community. You are a community leader because you want to be, not because someone tapped you to do so.

Good luck at University of Massachusetts-Boston!

Justin Shemaiah Hohn You are known as a tireless and unapologetic advocate, who leads by example as a passionate member of our Student Coalition for Social Justice. Good luck at Swarthmore College!

Charles Kipper Lifetime Friend Your teachers share that you truly live the “life of the mind.” Thank you for sharing your myriad of interests with us. Good luck at Washington University in St. Louis!

Kendall Noelle Lambert

Delila Lapidus Lifetime Friend

Jade Lichtenstein Lifetime Friend

Eve Lipkin Lifetime Friend

You have made a huge impact on our community through your many and profound efforts to create welcoming, accessible, and safe spaces for all. Good luck at Sarah Lawrence College!

Your teachers share that you are the definition of a people person. Thank you for your tremendous dedication to our volleyball program. Good luck at Boston University!

You are a staunch advocate for environmental justice and have held BFS accountable to reduce its environmental impact, and we are all better for it. Good luck at Colorado College!

Madison Liuzzo

Franka Isabella Matthes Thompson

Yamila McLaughlin Lifetime Friend

Frank Messina, Jr.

Your dedication to dance has inspired the BFS community.

You are known to approach this craft with intellectual curiosity and unbridled enthusiasm. Good luck at the University of Wisconsin!

We have been inspired by your creativity, tenacity, ambition, and vision as a dedicated visual artist. Enjoy your gap year and good luck at England’s Norwich University of the Arts!

You seize every opportunity presented to you. You have made BFS a more inclusive space as you have held us accountable to our work towards equity and belonging.

Good luck at Brown University!

Your compassion, care, and a desire to help others is evident in all that you do.

Thank you for your dedication to the BFS athletics program as a three-sport athlete. Good luck at Syracuse University!

You are the one who notices details and puts tremendous time and effort into making things “just right.” Good luck at Goldsmiths, University of London

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CLASS OF 2022

Ayoub Moussaddek

Ava Elena Pellagrini

You have left a positive impression on your teachers with your inquisitive listening, sharp follow up questions, and unshakeable commitment to getting the best education available. Good luck at Fordham University!

Your teachers share that you have inspired our community through your sense of wonder, discovery, energy, and positivity. Good luck at Brown University!

Sophia Sanz Marulanda

Isaiah Schetelick

Your teachers share that you are confident and independent. You are a great team member, being an important leader on the volleyball and softball teams.

Good luck at SUNY at Albany!

It has been a true joy for our community to watch you perform in countless Brooklyn Friends musicals, plays, and concerts. Good luck at the California Institute for the Arts!

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Ava Lila Preli Sklar Lifetime Friend You are proof that you do not need to be the loudest voice in the school to have your voice heard and to steer the community toward change. Good luck at Emory University!

Ethan Sheehan Lifetime Friend Your teachers describe you as a gregarious, observant, bright, confident, and motivated person. Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge of music with us.

Good luck at Tulane!

Valentina Marie Rosa You are known for your powerful mind and your dedication to constant learning and desire to improve in all you do. Good luck at Loyola University New Orleans!

Wyatt Shlafer Your teachers share that you are always thoughtful, thorough, and creative in your academic assignments and reflections. Good luck at the Savannah College of Art and Design!

Dylan Tran

Wilhelmina Valentino

Cecily Kira June Vlack

Kai A. Wiley Mandel

Your teachers share that you are independent, disciplined, curious, helpful, and one of the most generous spirits our community has to offer. Good luck at Columbia University!

You are able to flexibly follow the direction of the day’s discussion, as well as put a risky idea on the table for your peers to dissect alongside you. Good luck at Tulane University!

Your teachers admire that you truly value the breadth of human emotions as an opportunity to connect with others meaningfully and as an opportunity to learn. Good luck at Oregon!

From watercolor to oil pastels to digital drawing, your work reflects a vivid imagination, a philosophical questioning, and a willingness to experiment. Good luck at Sarah Lawrence College!

Charli Mariah Wilson Our community has been inspired by your dedication to dance, creating, and performing. You are strong and full of ideas and demonstrate a willingness to commit to risks. Good luck at Pace University!

Senior portraits taken by Lily Boyd ’22

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COMMENCEMENT

LETTING OUR LIVES SPEAK: THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI ADDRESS Mitch Zeller ’75 from tobacco use and bring previously unavailable information about its dangers to light. At BFS’ 2022 Commencement, 47 years after his own graduation in 1975, Mitch stood at the podium and delivered the Distinguished Alumni Address to the seniors and their families.

“This is a privilege and an opportunity to look back at the hugely formative four years I spent at Brooklyn Friends School,” Mitch said, “to reflect on what I took from my high school experience here and the impact that it had on me in college, law school, and in adult, professional life.”

Mitch Zeller ’75 Mitch Zeller spent the better part of 40 years trying to help others live better, healthier lives. When you think about it, what else would you expect from a Brooklyn Friends graduate?

Working on FDA issues since 1982, Mitch served as the director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products from March 2013 through April 2022 and led the FDA’s efforts to use the tools of product regulation to reduce disease and death

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He spoke about the role of teamwork and how important it has been throughout his life.

“Whatever success I have had professionally was the work of teamwork—a commitment by a dedicated group to do whatever it takes, however long it might take, to make meaningful change in policies that affect the health of our country. I can trace all of what drove me in my career back to those four years at Brooklyn Friends.”

WATCH ME

CLASS OF 2022 ADMITTED SCHOOLS Schools in blue are those that members of the Class of 2022 have chosen to attend. * Indicates multiple students are attending that school.

Albright College

Moore College of Art and Design

The New School

Amsterdam University College

Morgan State Universitya

The Ohio State University

Barnard College

Norwich University of the Arts

The University of Edinburgh

Boston College

Pace University, New York City

The University of the Arts

Boston University

Penn State University, Harrisburg

Trinity College

Bowdoin College

Penn State University, University Park

Brown University*

Pratt Institute

Tulane University of Louisiana*

California Institute of the Arts

Princeton University

Colgate University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Colorado College

Richard Bland College at William

Columbia University Cornell University CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

and Mary Richmond The American International College in London

Union College University of British Columbia University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego University of Colorado, Colorado Springs University of Colorado, Boulder

Dean College

Rochester Institute of Technology

Drexel University

Sacred Heart University

Duke University

Sarah Lawrence College*

Elon University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Emerson College

Scripps College

Emory University

Seton Hall University

Falmouth University

Siena College

Fordham University

Skidmore College

George Washington University

Smith College

Goldsmiths, University of London

St. John’s University, New York

Goucher College

Stony Brook University

Howard University

SUNY at Albany

Indiana University, Bloomington

SUNY at Binghamton

Istituto Marangoni Milan

SUNY College at Cortland

Kent State University

SUNY College at Oswego

Lewis & Clark College

SUNY University at Buffalo

Vassar College

Long Island University, Post

Swarthmore College

Wake Forest University

Louisiana State University

Syracuse University*

Washington University in St. Louis

Loyola University New Orleans

Temple University

Wesleyan University

McDaniel College

The American University of Paris

Williams College

Michigan State University

The Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

University of Hartford University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Miami University of Michigan University of Nebraska, Lincoln University of New Haven University of Oregon University of Richmond University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia, Main Campus University of Wisconsin, Madison

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SPRINGFEST

WHAT A DAY! BFS knows how to throw a block party! That much was clear at the SpringFest celebration on June 4th. Under bright sunny skies and warm temperatures, the Brooklyn Friends community took over Pearl Street to celebrate the end of the school year! Pearl Street was filled with a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, games and crafts tables, fun food tables, and—of course—the dunk tank! Hundreds of students, family members, friends, and BFS colleagues were on hand and the smiles were unlimited.

As one third grader said as he left the bounce house, “Wow, that made me feel like a kid again!”

The Advancement Team extends its heartfelt gratitude to our Brooklyn Friends and Families, event chair Molly Small and all family, student, and colleague volunteers. We also thank our BFS Facilities and Security colleagues, and every friend who supported this community celebration. We send a special shout out to our brave dunk tank participants: Crissy, Nitya, and Chef Tom, who were all-around great sports in the name of Brooklyn Friends.

Thank you, BFS Community, for a great SpringFest Block Party!

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Thank you to Coco ’23 and Willa ’23 for your photo skills!

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LOWER SCHOOL

SECOND GRADERS SIT FOR CHANGE The Brooklyn Friends School lobby at Pearl Street was quiet for most of that April day—until, that is—our second grade students from 2A appeared outside the door of Head of School, Crissy Cáceres, each with large hand-drawn signs, to take part in a “sit-in.” They were there to speak with Crissy about their desire to have increased diversity and affinity groups throughout the school.

“We are here because we feel that there is not enough racial, international, gender, and family diversity at BFS,” said one of the three second graders who read a prepared speech. “We don’t want anybody to feel left out.”

In addition to Crissy, members of the Enrollment, Advancement, and Communications teams were also in attendance, as was Dr. AnaMaria Correa, BFS’ Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging.

After their prepared remarks, Crissy commended the group on their approach and their mission.

“What you are doing actually works,” Crissy said of the “sit-in,” you’re not coming to me with demands.

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You are coming to this saying ‘this matters, this is important.’ … This is exactly what we do at Brooklyn Friends School. We work together on things that are real issues and that deserve attention and that we should do better.”

Crissy and AnaMaria then informed the second graders that there was already a plan to start affinity groups in the Lower School, a fact that made the second graders burst into applause. The “sit-in” was emotional for the students and adults alike. Second graders were also informed by the Enrollment Department that their opinions about the school were important for potential new students and families.

“The world is already stronger, already wiser, because you are in it,” Crissy said. “We are going to honor your sit-in by making sure it’s not just a moment on a Tuesday, but that we actually engage in action steps to do something wonderful.”

Third graders take a break from multiplication to smile for the camera.

GRADE 3 × MULTIPLICATION = MAD MATH SKILLS Academic rites of passage are a big part of any and every school year at BFS. While there are far too many of these to fit into a single magazine, let alone a single article, this will focus on an important moment in every third grader’s educational journey—multiplication!

In early April, the BFS third graders started learning their multiplication facts, doing lots of work in school to build a conceptual understanding of multiplication, and they have noticed many interesting rules, relationships, and patterns.

Students focused on building up the bank of multiplication facts, and it is common that everyone learns these facts in different ways: Some people mainly rely on using some facts they know to figure out the trickier facts (so If I know 8 × 5 = 40, then 8 × 6 = 48)...

Some people are really helped by seeing visuals—and by writing down and seeing the answer many times...

Some people learn best through songs, rhymes, and other auditory strategies...

Everyone needs a lot of repetition before a fact becomes one that they really know well.

We’re encouraging students to experiment and discover what strategies work best for them.

For weeks, students practice using related facts, singing songs, building physical representations of facts, playing games, and regularly using flash cards. Each week, the students focused on one group of facts, such as multiples of 5.

In the end, all of our third grade students can hold their heads up high knowing that they now hold new tools and skills! While there are more advanced aspects of math to come, learning multiplication is a major step for every student who passes through Brooklyn Friends School.

Special thanks to our colleagues, Kate Minear, Sarah Gordon, Andrew Andrade, Megan Glionna, Sophie Dougherty, Caroline Bannan, and James Kotak for their tireless work throughout the year (and their work on largely sculpting this article.)

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PRESCHOOL

PRESCHOOL BLASTS OFF TO INFINITY & BEYOND With their curiosity in hand, the Green and Orange Room students began their explorations. They read space-related books, watched videos of astronauts in space (Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield demonstrated how astronauts sleep and brush their teeth in space), viewed satellite photographs, and engaged in hands-on projects. Students created a myriad of celestial artwork and models.

They performed various experiments, including creating the non-Newtonian material of “oobleck.”. They even acted out the orbiting of the Earth around the Sun and the Moon around the Earth.

Each year, the Preschool Fours classes embark upon a “Big Study.” During this milestone experience of the BFS Preschool, the students take a deep dive into a topic of interest over the course of many weeks. For the 2021-2022 Big Study, our Green and Orange Rooms rocketed into Outer Space!

When announcing this exciting curricular focus to their classroom families, Green Room teachers, Rachel Rowan and Jazelyn Montañez, wrote that their Outer Space study will harness a four year old’s “love of magic and mystery related to the natural world and beyond … We expect this subject to invite collaboration and to strengthen our classroom community through the shared experience of learning something together, and cultivating a learner’s disposition as the children delve deeply into one particular subject.” Harness their love of magic and mystery, it did!

The teachers opened the Outer Space study by inviting the students to ask questions. What exactly did they want to learn? Students raised their hands and enthusiastically asked questions and expressed curiosities such as: “I'd like to learn about the planets and the universe!”

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“Why is there no oxygen in outer space?”

“How do astronauts jump in their suits?”

“What holds the planets up?”

“How does the Earth stick together?”

“What are Saturn’s rings made of?”

“What is the Moon made of? (Is it cheese?)”

“What was the first space shuttle called?

And when did it launch?”

“Why is Pluto no longer a planet?”

Always a hub of activity in the Preschool classrooms, the Orange and Green Rooms transformed their dramatic play areas. The Orange Room’s area became a spaceship and mission control where the children took turns going on missions.

The Green Room created a space station.

Each was complete with astronaut gear, and the newly minted space experts created their own jet packs, levers, pulleys, and more!

As a culminating project to the Big Study, the Green Room students created books on the topic of Space. The books were complete with original stories

and illustrations. The Orange Room collaborated on a large-scale solar system mural, representing all that they had learned.

The Preschool Fours Big Study invites learning beyond the topic at hand.

For example, students learned the differences between fiction and nonfiction and the elements of a story while reading imaginative books about aliens and space travel. When the Study was complete, the teachers and students invited families to the classrooms to see first hand all that they had learned and created. Congratulations to the student-astronauts and their teachers, Niamh Dolan, Rachel Kleinman, Jazelyn Montanez, and Rachel Rowan, for their successful exploration of space and their safe return to the second floor.

BFX: A PROGRAM GROUNDED IN EQUITY, JOY, & EXPLORATION

BFX Director, Camille Fobbs

After a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brooklyn Friends was thrilled to bring back an after school program to Pearl Street. Launched in September 2021, BFX: Extended Day Xplorations is a reimagined program that is grounded in equity, joy, and exploration. Students in the Preschool through 8th Grade enjoyed fun and enriching activities each afternoon including: music in many forms, Spanish, chess, art, LEGO League, and much, much more. In a closing message to BFX families at the culmination of the school year, the BFX team wrote: “When we launched Brooklyn Friends Xplorations (BFX) last fall, our vision was to create a very special place for your children. A place where they could relax after a long day in the classroom, and where they could explore and play while building connections and enjoying friendships. A place where all children were free to enjoy all the activities offered. A place of laughter, creativity and joy.” The BFX colleagues truly achieved this vision. We can’t wait to see the program in action in 2022–2023!

BFX Program Manager, Joy Roberts

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

BROOKLYN FRIENDS STUDENTS TO SPREAD

TO UKRAINIAN CHILDREN In early June, the eight students—Tess, Lucia, Natalie, Sarah, Rose, Letizia, Adrienne, and Lyla—entered into Head of School Crissy Cáceres’ office with a purpose. They had been there twice before to discuss their plans on how to honor the children of Ukraine and Russia.

Not by raising money, or by sending items, but by raising awareness and sending love and support—to spread joy and knowledge and to strive for justice. They landed on a powerful concept—the BFS Love and Joy Campaign—to illustrate radical compassion among our students and their peers in Eastern Europe.

“I am always connecting to moments that bring to the surface exactly who Brooklyn Friends School is, and this moment was so significant and emblematic of that,” said BFS Head of School, Crissy Cáceres about when the Middle School students approached her with their ideas. “It was as beautiful in its simplicity as it was in its complexity. The magnitude of what we are wrapping our hearts and minds around is enough to overwhelm adults, and yet to have children distill all of this to humanity, to the place that feelings of love and joy have in our healing process and making a difference was a moment of tremendous pride and reflection and introspection about what matters most.”

The BFS Mission Statement reads, in part: Our graduates are compassionate, curious, and confident global citizens who let their lives speak in the spirit of leadership and service. It does not, however, mention fifth graders. Yet here they were, ready to let their lives speak very much in the spirit of leadership and service.

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“We have strong voices and we can make a change,” one of the students said confidently. “We’re kids and people might not expect us to do much, but that’s frustrating because we can make change.”

Their overall plan is to create a campaign of Love and Joy and to spread the word throughout BFS, the Borough of Brooklyn, the City of New York, and beyond. The goal is that the group can curate messages of hope and expressions of love—written, illustrated, and spoken—and establish authentic relationships via a special web page. Their genuine wish is that these messages of love and empathy make their way to the children of Ukraine—to those who remain within their wartorn country and those who have been forced to flee to neighboring lands. They also want them to go to the children of Russia, innocent bystanders to their government’s actions.

“We want to make sure that everyone understands that the people of Ukraine do not want us to remember them for this war with Russia, but for how wonderful Ukraine is and the people are,” one of the young women shared.

Can eight rising sixth graders change the world? One thing is for certain, don’t tell them that they can’t.

At the end of one of the meetings, one of the students closed things out by reading a heartfelt poem she had written about the war in Ukraine. It was stunningly beautiful. They then stood up to go back to class, with excited student giggles as they walked out the door. After 60 minutes of intense, pointed conversation about making a difference in the world, we spoke about the incredible children they are as a reflection of all of our students at BFS. “What matters most is the building of genuine relationships,” Cáceres said.

“What our students are trying to do is to make sure that the place of love and joy is not forgotten as one of the greatest anecdotes to points of pain, challenge, discord, and hatred. They believe that together we can help change the world, and we can.”

This September, this mighty group of students will pick up where they have left off in June. Something tells us that they will be spending much of their summer time focused on this amazing initiative.

UPPER SCHOOL

After months of thinking and planning, BFS helds its inaugural Adulting Conference this past May. The Conference was aimed to share “Life Skills for Graduating Seniors.”

“We are excited for this opportunity for you to learn and grow together as the Class of 2022,” said Head of Upper School, Kamaya Prince Thompson, on the eve of the first sessions. “Students, this week has been created for you! You will not want to miss a moment of it. Each session will give you the tools we believe you will need to fully launch out into our world with confidence in mind, body, and spirit.”

The one-week program, held mostly at the Upper School on Lawrence Street, included sessions dedicated to: Mindfulness, Personal Finances, Self Defense, Understanding College Campuses, Survival Cooking, Sewing, Laundry, and Body Movement, among many others.

The sessions were presented by BFS colleagues and guests. The conference culminated with bowling and a sleepover at the Upper School.

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VISUAL ARTS

ALL-SCHOOL ART SHOW The Brooklyn Friends All-School Art Show was on view in all its glory in May, filling the Pearl Street Lower Gym and hallways at Lawrence Street. Featuring the work of our students from Preschool through 12th grade in an assortment of mediums, the show truly represented the talent and creativity within Brooklyn Friends. Bravo to all of our student artists and to the tireless work of the BFS visual arts teachers!

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HISTORY INSPIRES SIXTH GRADE ARTISTS There were so many stunning pieces of art at the BFS All‑School Art Show this past spring that it is virtually impossible to single out any specific media. Having said that, there was one specific project that was undertaken by the sixth graders as part of their Medieval Studies Unit, that we are highlighting.

The students were inspired by the rose windows of the great cathedrals of medieval Europe as well as sacred circles from Tibetan Buddhist mandalas, Hindu chakras, interlocking Islamic designs, African textiles and symbols from the Kabbalah. The class watched a computer translation of Earth’s vibrations (as recorded by NASA’s Challenger) into corresponding, undulating and reflecting the same symmetrical, concentric circle substructure.

“We discussed how often this form appears in nature, the universe and even atomic particles. The students created their own concentric, circular designs in pencil, learning how to use two kinds of compasses, triangles and rulers as well as learning to divide a circle into equal sections,” Middle School and Upper School Visual Arts Teacher Tina Piccolo said. “The students created original patterns and interlocking shapes within the circles. The linear drawings were placed under plexi-glas sheets and traced over with acrylic, liquid leading. The final step was filling in the patterned designs with liquid glass paints that dried into clear, gem-like colors.”

Ultimately, each student completed a 2'x2' stained glass windows which wowed everyone who viewed them.

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PERFORMING ARTS

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BRAVO, BFS! THE CURTAIN RISES ONCE AGAIN IN THE MEETING HOUSE Brooklyn Friends Performing Arts students returned to the stage in the Meeting House this spring, and the reviews were all outstanding! Two years ago, immediately following the 2020 Dance Concert, the world shut down.

Our students and colleagues kept joyfully, thoughtfully, and powerfully dancing over Zoom and in small groups in our dance studios. However, this past March, the BFS dancers were back in person and better than ever! Congratulations to the students and colleagues who created Dance Concert 2022! … Congratulations to the amazing cast and crew of our Middle and Upper School musical, "The Trouble with Dead Boyfriends." You dazzled the BFS community over

four incredible shows! … The Middle and Upper School annual chorus concert was certainly one to remember.

Congratulations to the singers and musicians and to our Performing Arts colleagues for a beautiful culminating performance of a year of learning and hard work! …

Congratulations to our Middle School musicians on a joyful and inspirational concert. It was a thrill to have instrumental music back on the Meeting House stage and to witness the hard work and talent of our student musicians. … Thank you to Stephen Buck and all of our Performing Arts colleagues for your dedication and for the joy that you spread this school year—on and off the stage.

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FRIENDS TOGETHER AGAIN

Our honoree and family

Next to the stage was Jonathan Bach ’15, who started his BFS journey in Sara’s classroom, and gave a heartfelt, emotional speech in tribute to Sara.

Our Friends Together Again Gala on Friday, May 6, was truly an evening to remember for the BFS community!

It was a joy to be back together, inperson, and in community, to honor Sara Soll, and to sing, dance, and celebrate Brooklyn Friends School.

Together, we raised nearly $150,000 to officially launch the Sara Soll Student Engagement Fund.

The evening’s program got off to a rousing start, as the Upper School dance group—The BFS Steppers—

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marched their way to the front of the room and put on an outstanding performance. Under the direction of Michelle Cole, the BFS students mesmerized the room with their stepping, dancing, and movement.

Following the opening, Brooklyn Friends Head of School, Crissy Cáceres formally welcomed everyone to the event. “This evening is to celebrate being together again,” Crissy said. We can never take for granted again—ever— what it means to come together.”

Finally, Honoree Sara Soll took to the stage to thank everyone for being there and explaining how important the moment was for her and her family. As her husband, children and grandchild, close friends, colleagues, and BFS family members looked on, Sara shared her emotions.

“I will hold everyone in my heart, always,” Sara said. “I have so many memories that make me smile and that bring me joy. … and for this I am so very grateful and appreciative.”

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FRIENDS TOGETHER AGAIN

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One of the highlights of the 2022 Gala was the formation of the Sara Soll Student Engagement Fund, in honor of Sara Soll, who retired this June after serving the Brooklyn Friends community for 36 years.

This Fund, which is extremely close to Sara’s heart, will allow BFS to enrich the everyday experience of all Brooklyn Friends students by supporting programming such as visiting authors, field trips, student travel, and guest artists for Preschool through 12th Grade. This Fund will allow Sara’s legacy to impact BFS students and families for years to come!

To learn more and support the Sara Soll Student Engagement Fund, visit brooklynfriends.org/student-engagement-fund

WATCH ME

Special thanks

While there were so many people who made the Gala the success it was, we wanted to call special attention to some special people without whom, the event would not have taken place at all! Emily Cowles, Karen Edelman, Peter Mackie, and Brett Topel of the Advancement and Communications teams; the BFS Steppers; Michelle Cole, Colleague and Advisor to the Steppers; Stephen Buck, Colleague and Performer; Amelia Jenison, Colleague and Performer; Tony Soll, Colleague and Performer; Jonathan Bach ’15; The Gala Planning Committee; The Gala Host Committee; Our Board of Trustees; The entire BFS Leadership Team; ALL in the BFS community who generously and whole-heartedly supported the celebration.

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ATHLETICS

BFS student‑athletes capped the year off in style in late May. We celebrated the Winter and Spring players and teams during a rooftop event at Pearl Street. All Middle School student-athletes were recognized by their coaches for how they carried themselves on and off the playing fields and courts, always representing BFS with style and class. The Upper School student-athletes were then recognized for their excellence and sportsmanship with awards handed out to basketball, track, swimming, squash, baseball, and softball players. Special recognition and personalized posters were received by the senior student‑athletes, who have played their final games and

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matches at BFS. In addition, those athletes who competed in all three seasons received the special “Triple Crown” trophy. Congratulations to Director of Athletics Operations, David Gardella, and all of our student‑athletes and coaches! When one season ends, another one is around the corner—although there will be a summer in between. Please mark your calendars for August 22, when mandatory athletics practices will kick off for the fall season.

Dedication to the team means everything, which is why practices from day one are so critical. We can’t wait to see everyone out there on August 22! For schedules, visit bfsathletics.org.

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ATHLETICS

WATCH ME 34

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QUAKER LIFE

FIRST GRADE STUDENTS CREATE “A PEACEABLE KINGDOM” IN EXPLORATION OF SPICES During Meeting for Worship, the students of 1C explored the Quaker SPICES (the core Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship). Inspired by this exploration, they created a collaborative collage showing a peaceful community of all creatures. They were inspired by the painting “A Peaceable Kingdom” by 19th century Quaker painter Edward Hicks. To accompany the collage, the 1C students wrote poems in which they describe the Quaker SPICES and what each SPICE means to them. Here are some excerpts from their poetry: • “Simplicity is when you take a long time reading a book so you really enjoy it rather than going so fast and not enjoying it!” — William • “Peace is a flower blooming into beautiful petals on the first day of May.” — Adelia • “Integrity is telling the truth and not cheating in a game.” — Ava • “Community is working together as a team.” — Asa • “Equality is fighting for what’s right.” — Sam • “Stewardship is watering trees and planting new flowers.” — Darya

BFS RETURNS TO VOLUNTEER AT THE QUAKER CEMETERY IN PROSPECT PARK

MONTHLY MEETING FOR WORSHIP RETURNS VIRTUALLY

We are grateful to the Spiritual Life Committee of the Board of Trustees that hosted monthly virtual Meetings for Worship for our community throughout the 2021–2022 school year. They also offered virtual community book discussions on A Quaker Book of Wisdom by Robert Lawrence Smith. Thank you, Friends!

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After taking a hiatus during the pandemic, the Brooklyn Friends community returned to the Quaker Cemetery in Prospect Park this school year for fall and spring cleanup events. This BFS tradition represents just one of the ways in which our school community partners with the New York Quarterly Meeting, who manages the Cemetery, and engages with fellow Friends schools in New York City who also attend the cleanup days. At the events, students, colleagues, and Friends gathered in the Cemetery to rake leaves in the fall and plant and clean in the spring. They also enjoyed tours during which they learned about the history and flora of the Cemetery, which is not open to the general public. Thank you to the Friends at Friends Committee of Brooklyn Friends and Families (BFF) and the Cemetery Committee of the Quarterly Meeting for planning these community stewardship events.

A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY FOR COLLEAGUES ON OUR QUAKER IDENTITY

“You are the light of the world,” said the sign standing proudly on a table as people entered Brooklyn Friends School’s Pearl Street building.

While there were no classes for Brooklyn Friends students on Tuesday, February 22, the classrooms and hallways were far from empty, as those spaces were alive with an exciting All-Colleague Professional Day centered around Quakerism.

Following introductory remarks from Head of School Crissy Cåceres, who framed the day, and Assistant Head of School Suzie Matthews, who was the day’s architect, there was an inspiring panel discussion with experienced Quaker Educators: Ken Aldridge (Wilmington Friends School), Mark Doty (Mary McDowell Friends School), Toni Graves Williamson (Friends Select School), Rachel Kane (Sidwell Friends School), Chris Kimberly (Friends Meeting School), James Lynch (Brooklyn Friends School), Karyn Payton (Westtown School), and Deborra Sines Pancoe (Friends Council on Education).

Following the panel discussion, colleagues met in smaller groups to reflect on what it means to each individual to be in a Quaker School and how the panel resonated with them.

Colleagues then participated in multiple group activities and discussions, centered around the Quaker Testimonies. What are we doing to ensure that this testimony is part of each person’s experience in our school community? That question was posited for each of the Testimonies and was approached from all colleagues’ points of view.

All colleagues participated in Meeting for Worship with Facing Benches of Jonathan Edmonds and Joy Roberts.

Perhaps one of the most critical parts of the day was the Gratitude Activity, which was available for all colleagues throughout the day.

The activity could not have been more simple—and at the same time—complex. Each colleague had to take a large sticky note that read: “Today, I am grateful for…” with four blank lines. The stickies were filled out as the day went on and were then placed on one of the large columns in the Pearl Street lobby. The gratitude was flowing as colleagues also received a sweet treat from our Brooklyn Friends and Families (the BFF) with the message “We appreciate YOU!” attached to each.

The powerful day ended with each colleague receiving a small candle to take home, reminding them that they are the “light of the world.”

BFS HEAD NAMED TO NAIS BOARD Brooklyn Friends School is thrilled to announce that our Head of School, Crissy Cáceres, has been named to the Board of Trustees for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), a meaningful honor in her 25-year professional journey. NAIS states, “Election to the NAIS Board of Trustees carries with it a responsibility of stewardship. By definition, trustees are the custodians of the integrity of the organization; they hold in trust the organization’s reputation as created by its founders, and as developed by those who have shaped the organization in the past.

Current trustees accept the obligation to not only preserve, but also add to this organization. In this way trustees help form not only the present, but also the future composition and direction of the organization.” We are extremely

proud of Crissy and know that, along with her peers, she will use her voice and inner light in ways that positively influence the direction of independent schools. Congratulations, Crissy! … The NAIS wasted little time showing off one of their newest Board members. On a recent episode of “New View EDU,” a podcast by the National Association of

Independent Schools, one of the experts that was selected to be a guest on a show entitled, “The Future of Schools as Desirable Workplaces,” was our very own Head of School, Crissy Cáceres!

During the show, Crissy and the two other special guests talked through different ways of thinking about their roles as being supportive to their communities.

Making space and time for each person to show up fully and authentically even amidst polarization and creating habits that allow workers to feel that they understand their purpose and are better for having been a part of that purpose are cornerstones of the practices they recommend for healthier and more desirable workplaces. You can hear the entire episode wherever you consume your podcasts.

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DEB

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND BELONGING AT BFS

By Dr. AnaMaria Correa

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging I write this as the school year culminates and the thoughtfully planned rituals commence: Moving ups, graduations and farewells; touchpoints which connect us and evidence the extraordinariness of BFS. I am so grateful to work in my purpose, serve our mission, values and claim this school as a community.

As I reflect on the year, the one gesture that had the most impact in the work of DEB was receiving the invitation to collaborate and co-create. From curating a whole day of professional development to partnership with divisional leaders to thought sharing with colleagues, these invitations legitimized the purpose of the office and made visible for me the integrity of this community’s commitment. Values of equity, community, wholeness, imagination, learning and justice enacted in authentic ways through the collective responsibility we all hold in our hands.

In the spirit of centering all the ways we do the work, I share snapshots from divisional life which illustrate the

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ways souls, humanity, character, and criticality are nurtured in our school—not necessarily as guided through the DEB office—but as a collective experience; work that is the heart of the Brooklyn Friends School mission and takes us from where we have always been in ways that are grounded in the “now” of our world for learning that is timely and enduring.

Preschool The foundational learning for Preschool was developing community and friendship which incorporates the NAEYC anti bias goals. Query: How are we the same and different and how do we celebrate each other and learn what is fair? Evidence of this is embedded in the curriculum, particularly in the choice of books and ongoing team reflection.

Activity: AntiBias Principles in Early Childhood, Identity exploration, representation and conversations about family and what kindness truly means.

Lower School In the Lower School, Kindergarten Head Teacher, Laleña Garcia, and Associate

Teacher, Olivia Sweet, engaged in an activity at morning meeting reflecting on the meaning of Collective Value.

“The goal was to show that everybody is important and has the right to be safe and happy, no matter what religion they are, how much money they have, where they come from, their abilities or disabilities, or who they love.

“Just like in our community, everyone has to be safe!” one child exclaimed.

Children then took some time to think about things that are important to their KC community and work collaboratively on posters demonstrating the values as a community.

As noted in class news, many children were moved to write words, as well as draw pictures, demonstrating their growing understanding of the power of words. After the activity was completed, the children looked at them together to share what they noticed, and discuss why they chose the images and words they did.”

Middle School The Middle School’s Affinity Club Program included G.A.Y.E.S.T. LGBTQIA+ and IMANI for Black and Brown Girls of Color, were spaces for affirmation and identity development of youth.

Connection, community, voice, justice, and awareness building transpired. As one student named: “We found each other, and that feels good.” Marching in Brooklyn Pride, an activism act, was the culmination of the school year!

Upper School For Spanish language learning in the Upper School, there were activities in amplifying a “single story” of a chapter of Dominican History and Culture. By inviting partnership in planning, Vanessa incorporated narrative and interview with Dominicans introducing counter‑narratives and personal stories to impact the singular story of the Trujillo era.

Looking into next year, I invite your enthusiasm as my focus will be on: • Illuminating the importance of identity in the work of social justice through the work of scholar, Dr. Liza Talusan • Organizing the calendar of DEB focused tributes and school-wide events • Partnering with academic leaders in the intentional activation of AntiBias, Anti‑Racist, and Culturally Responsive Practices, including aligning community tributes with curriculum • Scheduling cross-community training and implementation of the Affinity group program for students, families and colleagues • Featuring DEB focused Connect & Talks to amplify parent and family education

• Deepening learning of Restorative Practice across our community as a part of our culture of reflection, restoration and repair • Designing interdisciplinary learning opportunities across content areas and dream with my partner, our new Director of Global Civic Engagement and Service Learning, Kevin Murungi • Centering voice through youth led Equity and Justice Conferences • Nurturing support of family engagement through continued partnership with BFF family community and beyond I leave you with this query: “What does it look like, sound like, feel like to expand my own understanding of power, equity and justice?”

I hope you have a wonderful summer.

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BFS ARTI-FACTS

STEPPING INTO BFS HISTORY

By Brett Topel

Director of Communications and Marketing

Ever since I started working at Brooklyn Friends School—11 whole months ago—I have been fascinated by the school’s history.

I have spent hours looking through old photos, in the archive room going through boxes and boxes of items, listening to stories from alums. However, I am a very hands-on person and love to think of yesterday and today at the same time, using the same lens.

Several months back, I had the opportunity to tour the Brooklyn Meeting House and see where all of the original classrooms had been. Still, it was not until June that I was able to gain access to the building adjacent to the Meeting House, which was once a brownstone. That version of the school housed the expanded BFS from 1914–1972. Currently, the former BFS is home to Brooklyn Frontiers High School, an alternative school run by the New York City DOE. Thanks to Neil Pergament, the Vice Principal of Brooklyn Frontiers, we were able to gain access to take some photos and tour the old building.

I am not exactly sure what I was expecting to find inside, especially since the building has been open and used by the Department of Education for one school or another since BFS moved out in 1972. The nostalgic part of me was hoping there would still be remnants of BFS in some way, shape, or form.

Would there be an old plaque on the wall that the DOE didn’t bother to take down? Or perhaps the curtains in the windows of the library would be the same? Was Head of School Stuart Smith’s desk left untouched, waiting to be re-discovered a half century later? Well, no such luck. There were, however, some really interesting parts of the building that were as interesting as I had hoped they would be.

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There was no place I wanted to see more than the old, iconically—and comically—small gymnasium. It was, as advertised, iconically small. Carrying some old photos from the early BFS days, I was able to walk around the gym and match up many of the same items—pipes, air vents, specific designs in the brick walls. Those BFS plaques I was hoping to see were long gone. The gym floor was original from 1920 and there is no question about that. While some structural changes had been made over the years, the gym is basically the same gym it has always been—including the extremely low ceiling. The ceiling that Jim Yglesias ’66 described to me by joking: “You could not even go up for a layup without hitting your hand on the ceiling.”

Check out the cool now and then photos.

Another area I was looking forward to seeing was the roof, where the youngest children used to play, and athletic teams posed for team photos. When I asked about the roof, I was informed that no one had access, but was instead taken outside to what they currently call the “backyard.” Immediately, I realized that this was, indeed, the “roof” that I was hoping to see. As you can see from the now and then photos, the steps leading to the school from the “roof” are the same and the railings are the exact railings dating back to the 1920s.

Back inside, it was harder to identify what is and what was. Some of the rooms on the first floor seem to match up with old photos, but some simply do not. It is hard to know exactly how much structural work has been done over the past 50 years, although the age of the building itself is certainly evident, and if I was able to return when the building was empty, I am sure there are some permanent residents from times gone by.

There was one last stop on my tour that I found very interesting.

When I was given a tour of the Meeting House months earlier, I asked about a door that used to go through to the school building.

I was told that it was no longer connected. It made sense, though, that the two buildings were at one point connected from the inside. However, when I was in the school and came upon

the other side of this “no longer connected” door, it looked like a locked dungeon door, never to be spoken about. However, one thing about that door that has stuck with me, and is clear from the photos.

There are a lot of locks on a door that leads to nowhere… just saying.

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BFS ARTI-FACTS

Each week in The Weekly, BFS Arti-Facts examines a moment in history from the Brooklyn Friends Archives.

These short stories remember people, places, and events from the rich 154 year history of our school. Here are a few of our favorites from this school year: 1

Memories of Brooklyn

When writing history pieces, I often think deeply of where and when I am writing about—in this case the borough of Brooklyn itself and the important place that BFS fits into its history. We say, almost too casually, that Brooklyn Friends School has been a part of the Brooklyn community since 1867. Let’s just put that into perspective a bit. When BFS opened its doors, the Brooklyn Bridge—one of the most iconic landmarks in the most iconic city in the nation—was literally a sparkle in New York City’s eye. It was in February of 1867, in fact, that the New York State Senate passed a bill that allowed the construction of a suspension bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan. That construction would not begin until 1870. Another building that lives in the nostalgia of Brooklyn is Ebbets Field, which was the home of the beloved Brooklyn Dodgers. However, in 1867 there was no Ebbets Field.

Construction on that building would not start until 1912. There were two other baseball stadiums in Brooklyn at that point, however. One was called the Union Grounds in Williamsburg, which is considered one of baseball’s first true stadiums. Opened in 1862, the admission price was raised in 1867 from 10-cents to 25-cents, equivalent to about $5 today. The Capitoline Base Ball Grounds were conceived in 1863 as a rival to the immediately successful Union Grounds. Located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Capitoline Grounds not only hosted baseball games, but also hosted the ill-fated sport of baseball on ice skates when the grounds were purposely flooded for winter skating. Both Union and Capitoline were gone by the early 1880s and few know that they ever existed. I wonder how the Mets and Yankees would do on skates?

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Gala Then, Gala Now

This past May, Brooklyn Friends held its first Gala since 2019—a terrific celebration of BFS and honoree, Sara Soll! It was a spectacular event, filled with joy, music, food and drinks, laughs, and—most importantly—our community! One of the most impactful parts of the evening was the generosity of BFS families and friends donating to the newly-launched Sara Soll Student Engagement Fund. This should not be a surprise to anyone, as BFS has a long-standing tradition of generosity. Back in May of 1963, Brooklyn Friends held a benefit to raise funds for the BFS Teachers’ Retirement Fund. In an event packed with nearly 300 people in the Schermerhorn Gym, guests enjoyed a luncheon, card playing, and “friendly chatter,” according to The Life newspaper from 1963. The decorative theme of the party was that of a flower garden, with panels of flowers mounted around the room. Ninth grade waitresses dressed in the

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traditional garb of Quaker maidens mingled among the guests.

In all, the event raised $2,000 for the BFS Teachers’ Retirement Fund, comparable to more than $18,000 in 2022 value. “The tremendous social, as well as the financial success of the affair gratified us greatly,” the chairman of the 1963 gala said. The same could be said of the 2022 event!

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Bravo to Our Facilities Team

Exactly who is Elias Morgan? I am quite sure that if you ask any of the students or the one teacher at BFS in 1867, they would not hesitate to explain the importance—and really, the crucial position that Elias held. You see, when there were less than 50 students at the school and only Mary Haviland as a teacher, Elias was hired for $10 per week as the school janitor for his “brawn and brains.” While Elias’ responsibilities are not exactly documented, in 1867 Brooklyn still had streetlights that needed to be lighted and extinguished by hand. That is to say, there were not all that many ways of doing things that we would consider “modern.” Was lighting the street lamp outside the small building on Schermerhorn Street Elias’ responsibility? As I think of Elias, I am moved to think about our absolutely amazing facilities team today at Brooklyn Friends School. Always ensuring that all of BFS’ buildings—and all their nooks and crannies—are always looking their best. However, our facilities team is much more than what they do—it’s who they are. Their hard work is equal to their smiles, their daily greetings, their true passion for making sure that all of the students and adults at Brooklyn Friends have everything they need. We do not have a “janitor” any more at BFS, but we do have a long list of men and women who are appreciated for their “brawn and brains” on a daily basis. Some of these friends are out in the open and some remain behind the scenes—but they are all beloved colleagues. Elias Morgan would be proud of the extremely high standards being carried on at Brooklyn Friends School so many years after he started on the job.

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Events of the Past—and Present

We are going to travel back nearly 65 years to the day that BFS held two important annual events, not unlike the events we have today. First was the Athletics Award Celebration—which this year we held on May 23rd. Back in May of 1957, the guest speaker for the event was George “Snuffy” Stirnwiess, who played for the New York Yankees in the 1940s. He was said to have given a “very stimulating and entertaining talk.” Of course, anything Snuffy might have said will be far surpassed when Brooklyn Friends AD David Gardella steps to the mic. Still, David doesn’t have a cool nickname like Snuffy—but we can work on that. Just a week

VIEW MORE ARTI-FACTS

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1 Capitoline Grounds 2 Brooklyn Friends School students dressed as Quaker Maids 4 George “Snuffy” Stirnwiess

after the awards event in 1957 was the annual Weenie Roast, signifying the end of exams. Of note in the published account was the fact that each attendee also received a bottle of coke and some mustard. While I am sure that the event—which was held at

Friends Field—was fun for all, it is without question that Chef Tom will be providing a nicer spread of home-made goodies. However, everyone should bring their own mustard! (That was a joke, please do not BYOM).

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ALUMNI REUNION 2022

BACK TOGETHER AT BFS: ALUMNI REUNION 2022 The evening of Saturday, June 4th was glorious in every way on the rooftop of 375 Pearl Street! The cool breeze, the hugs, the laughter and the stories were all in abundance as we greeted almost 100 members of the Alumni community.

While friends gathered from a 50 year time span, there were many gathered for their 5th reunion (Class of 2017), 10th reunion (Class of 2012) and 50th reunion (Class of 1972), as well as a great turnout from alumni from the 1990s! In addition to reminiscing with one another about their time at BFS, many friends shared their memories on film as part of the “Letting Our Lives Speak” documentary film project. We can’t wait to share this film with the entire community soon!

The Class of 1972 gathered in force to celebrate their 50th reunion on June 4th. Those who couldn’t join in person gathered by Zoom during a special brunch after the all-alumni festivities.

We loved catching up with one another and hearing the stories! Thanks to Amy Tractenberg Kulb, Lance Kulb,

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Jack Ostroff, Susan Norman, Sam Safdeye, Nancy Chang Amberson, Mie Kurahara, Burke Fitzpatrick, Ava Berinstein, Stephen Magagnini, Steve Reisner, Tina Klein Baker, Norma Terrin, Liz Breyer, Gay Gillman, with a special shoutout to Marcus Levitt for doing a lot of detective work helping to track down classmates!

10 years after their graduation from BFS, the Class of 2012 also enjoyed reminiscing and gathering in community! Spencer Morenko, Jonathan Skurnick, Dylan Major, Dante Pilkington, Madelyn Valenzuela, Madeleine Feinberg and Jessica Carlson.

Their very first milestone reunion year, some members of the Class of 2017 welcomed one another for their 5th reunion! Emmitt Sklar, Sam Francis, Ben Francis, Alexia Samuel, Naomi Malcolm, Monet Massac, Tyler Roberts, Maalik Dunkley, Valerie Magan, Natacha Almanzar.

Ronald Mosely ’80

William Bielefeld ’97

Ellen Chaitin ’66

LETTING OUR LIVES SPEAK

The Brooklyn Friends School Alumni Tour, “Letting Our Lives Speak” continued this school year with visits and interviews with alums in Virginia, Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London and of course New York City! We look forward to upcoming visits to Philadelphia, Florida, New England and the Pacific Northwest. To learn more, contact Karen Edelman at kedelman@brooklynfriends.org.

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ALUMNI TOUR

LETTING OUR LIVES SPEAK ALUMNI TOUR HEADS BACK ON THE ROAD THIS FALL Mitch Zeller ’75 stood at the podium of Pace University’s Schimmel Center and just smiled for a moment. His rousing, entertaining speech dedicated to the Class of 2022 was over, and he was just taking it all in. Forty seven years after his own graduation from Brooklyn Friends School, Mitch was selected to deliver this year’s Letting Our Lives Speak Distinguished Alumni Address.

Six months earlier, Mitch sat across an outdoor table from Head of School Crissy Cáceres—sipping a cup of coffee— at a small cafe on Calvert Street in Washington, DC. He and Crissy were not there to experience the coffee, although on what was a chilly evening, it certainly helped. More importantly, they were there to have a conversation—which would be recorded for the upcoming BFS Documentary Film entitled, “BFS: Letting Your Lives Speak.”

Mitch was one of the first to be interviewed for the project and wasted little time proving to be quotable: “All roads lead back to BFS,” he told Crissy.

Since sitting down with Mitch in Washington, DC, Brooklyn Friends School has traveled to multiple cities in

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multiple states (and even overseas) to interview nearly two dozen alumni to date. This is just the start, however! In the fall, Crissy will be traveling to Florida, Washington State, Boston, Philadelphia, and many more locations. Of course, we always take additional opportunities to interview alums who are living in the New York City area.

The aim of the film is extremely simple—to prove that no matter when someone may have graduated from BFS—the overall experience was similar. Crissy is out to prove that no matter when you graduated from Brooklyn friends school, there is a connected thread among our alumni. From the places they’ve lived, to the schools attended, to the friends made, to the professions pursued, there is a story that highlights the ways in which the values of Brooklyn friends school affected and continue to influence their lives.

“I am out to prove that there is a way in which our school permeates our being in such a way that it defines our humanity— in ways that we are proud of and which can change the world,” Crissy said to one of the alums she was speaking with.

We have done interviews with an alumnus from 1940, and we have done interviews with the members of the Class of 2022—an unbelievable 80-year span of time and an extremely entertaining span of humans.

“I just loved school, and I loved Brooklyn Friends School,” said Muriel McClendon ’77, who is a professor at UCLA. “Every teacher I ever had at Brooklyn Friends completely and totally embraced me. I always felt happy there.”

Jonathan Bach ’15 began his BFS education at the age of 2 with Sara Soll as his first teacher.

“Brooklyn Friends in a nutshell is a place where people care about your life,” said Jonathan, who is currently a stage manager on Broadway for the hit show, Wicked. “My whole life was Brooklyn Friends, and I would not be where I am today without Brooklyn Friends.”

But we are just getting started! We may be heading to your town soon this fall. If you are interested in being a part of this special film, please contact Director of Institutional Advancement, Karen Edelman at kedelman@brooklynfriends.org.

CLASS NOTES/IN MEMORIAM

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CLASS NOTES Thank you to Bebe Yaffe ’21 and Sonia Sergeant ’21 who spoke with members of the Class of 2022 during the first Adulting Conference for our seniors.

They shared tips and insight into how to adjust to your first year away from home at college.

This past February, Upper School students had an opportunity to learn about what it’s like to attend a large university from Isabel Ullman ’18, Ty Sheehan ’20 and Maxine Simons ’19.

Thank you for your words of wisdom!

Brooklyn Friends welcomed over 100 prospective and current families to an engaging Zoom panel with members of our young alumni community. Moderated by fellow alum Jonathan Richards ’99, the young alumni (college students and those who recently graduated from college) spoke about their experiences at Brooklyn Friends and the preparation that they received for success in college and beyond. Thank you to Jonathan Richards ’99, Sophie Edelman ’17, Lili Massac ’19 and Ty Sheehan ’20 for volunteering to share their experiences

and insights. We loved having you back with our BFS community!

When Broadway “came back” in 2021, Jonathan Bach ’15 rejoined Wicked The Musical as an Assistant Stage Manager. Jonathan shared many memories during the Spring 2022 Gala, where he paid tribute to Sara Soll, retiring Family Center Director. Sara was Jonathan’s first teacher when he was two years old!

1 Tyler Clarke ’14 is living in London and working for Bloomberg in Talent Acquisition. She shared how the core values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Service at BFS is something that she seeks to incorporate into her professional endeavors. As she recruits talent for Bloomberg, she is able to focus on helping build a diverse community with a value on service and giving back to their community. We are so proud of the work that Tyler is doing. Cheers Tyler!

2 Congratulations to Amara Granderson ’13 who played the “Lady in Orange” in for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.

on Broadway this spring. Many members of the BFS community went to see Amara while she was performing. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

Kudos to Matthew Gentile ’08 on his feature directorial debut, American Murderer with musical score by Scott Gentile ’07. Starring Idina Menzel, Ryan Phillippe, Jackie Weaver, Tom Pelphrey and many more, this American true-crime drama film had its world premiere at the Taormina Film Fest in June (the day after Francis Ford Coppola presented the 50th Anniversary of The Godfather!).

Congratulations to Kyle Neptune ’03 who was appointed the Head Coach of Villanova basketball. Kyle was a key member of the BFS Basketball State Champion team in 2003!

Many thanks to Richard Cutler ’62 who hosted his annual Estate Planning Seminar for members of our community.

Richard has been leading this discussion for 20 years and many have been so appreciative of his sage guidance!

IN MEMORIAM Margy Lazarus Meyerson ’40 Richard Frost ’47 Sheldon Weeks ’49

Judy Friedlander Porter ’66 Deborah Morse ’71 Michael Sayegh ’99

Will Tesdell ’07 Robert Gooden ’09 Lucy Adams

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It was a great year! We can’t wait to see everyone in September!