Back-to-School Manual 2022-23

2022-2023 Back-to-School Manual WWW.BROOKLYNFRIENDS.ORG

Table of Contents Welcome Letters from: Head of School............................................... 3 Board of Trustees........................................... 4 Assistant Head of School............................... 5 Director of Diversity, Equity & Belonging and Director of Global Civic Engagement and Service Learning............................................. 6 Director of Athletic Program & Vision .......... 8 BFS Major Dates Calendar....................................... 11 COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols....................... 12 Information and Resources for Families................. 13 A Message From the BFF......................................... 17 BFXplorations.......................................................... 18 Preschool................................................................. 21 Lower School........................................................... 29 Middle School.......................................................... 35 Upper School........................................................... 42 Closing Thoughts..................................................... 47

Our Mission Statement 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.

The Friends Council website is an excellent resource for all colleagues, students, families, and friends who wish to learn more about Quaker schools. To visit the site go to: www.friendscouncil.org

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Welcome to the 2022–23 School Year from the Head of School Welcome to the start of a roaringly fabulous (in true Panther fashion) 2022-2023 school year!

As I hope has been true for you, summer provided me with an opportunity to step back and reflect upon all that has occurred over the past couple of years and consider our time together in the year ahead. This step-back-time had key ingredients within it for me, which included: 1. Resting my body and bringing mind and spirit back to its full might 2. Re-connecting with my three daughters in deepened ways—chatting with them about their days, friends, activities, and just hugging them and loving on them 3. Re-engaging with my home in creative ways—cleaning closets left alone for far too long, playing music that I love loudly and dancing, and cooking both involved and simple meals for the family’s enjoyment 4. Taking long walks and drives (with windows down and music blasting)—throughout Brooklyn and beyond, in nature, alone, and with company 5. Reading varied books—that teach, inspire, make me laugh and cry, spur innovative thinking, and also made me want to sit and write 6. Considering the needs of our beloved BFS—minding the work that happens in our buildings over the summer, checking in on the projects that many manage during these days, extending support as needed, and devoting time for dreaming about this school year 7. Taking time to reflect and consider the blessings that are a part of my life—a beautiful family, a profession that I absolutely love, and a school community that I believe in with full might As I have reflected upon these seven things, I have marveled at how much these differently-paced days have allowed for, and I am thankful. I am also thankful to the teams who have given so much to our school these weeks as well as all colleagues, who I know that, even in their summer breaks, have given time to thoughtfully planning in anticipation for September.

Among the books that I have recently read, The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker, is one that I gifted to the Leadership Team as they embarked upon their summer. As part of the work for our retreat last week, they listened to a podcast between Brené Brown and Priya Parker that you may find interesting to listen to. I had the pleasure of listening to Priya Parker when she graced the New York Heads of School at our annual conference last year, and I was so moved by the ways in which her work and the values inherent in our Quaker school community intersect. Encapsulated succinctly, Parker believes that when we gather, we must set a condition where people build a connection to one another and to the why and purpose of the meeting. Whether with one person or many, Priya maintains that how we begin a gathering matters greatly, and thus, we must take time to consider this in the design of our times together. Parker further asserts that navigating our time together requires us to engage the

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voices of those in the gathering space, making sure that we are consistently remaining curious and expectant of the wonderful things that can happen when we think and work together. Equally important to how we begin gatherings, she maintains that the closure element deserves pointed attention and care, and that it should include an actively shared expression of gratitude for the ways in which we have influenced and held space for one another.

As we begin our 2022–2023 journey this September, I invite us to consider our collective entry into this year and all subsequent gatherings through Priya Parker’s lens. Let us ensure that we make space to understand the why of why we come together; to welcome one another with grace and curiosity; to consider the benefit of the many voices in our midst; and to ensure that our points of closure embody meaning, our values, and the respect and compassion that is true of who we are. Let us consider that in a year where we are embarking upon various exciting and promising ventures, including a meaningful Strategic Planning Process in partnership with Leadership + Design, the art of our gatherings matter and must reflect the vast promise and strength of Brooklyn Friends School.

In advance of all that this year has to offer, I thank you, for your genuine partnership and support. I am certain that we will accomplish what we set out to do simply because we will do so with full spirit and love and in a manner that re-defines our mighty mission.

With gratitude and excitement for the school year ahead,

Crissy Cáceres, Head of School

Welcome New All-School Colleagues

A Welcome Message from the BFS Board of Trustees

We are excited to welcome the following colleagues to all school roles. New colleagues who are assigned to each division are listed in those sections later in this document.

Dear Friends, It is my pleasure once again to welcome you back to what I fully know will be an exciting year at Brooklyn Friends School. As our community emerges from two years of successfully navigating the global pandemic, I can confidently say that we feel that BFS is stronger than ever. That is a testament to you, our families and our entire colleague body, and for that, I—and the entire Board of Trustees—thanks you. As we begin a new school year, let us remain grounded in the Quaker values that are the pillars of the academic and social-emotional strengths of our school. Together, we will continue our pursuit of excellence—both in philosophy and practice—and proudly look to the light that shines inside each one of our students, colleagues, and our entire community.

In Friendship, Ed Oliver, Chair, Board of Trustees

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l Jose Arcila, Assistant Director of Facilities

& Maintenance

l Adam Atherton, All-School Systems Manager & Scheduler l Matt Batastini, General Counsel and Director

of Human Resources

l Christian Brown, Director of Athletic Program & Vision l Joyce Duverce, Director of Strategic Partnerships

and Major Gifts

l Kevin Murungi, Director of Global Civic Engagement

and Service Learning

l Jamie Pine, Associate Director of Admissions & Retention l Melissa Providence, Director of Enrollment Management l Jay Rapp, Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives

and Alumni Relations

l Maegen Rose, Director of Library Program

and Upper School Librarian

l Sharesa Thomas, Athletic Trainer

l Naomi Varnis, Associate Director of College Counseling

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A Message from the Assistant Head of School Dear BFS Families, Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! I hope that the summer has allowed for meaningful family time and that you were able to engage in activities that brought you joy and happiness.

This past month, as a yoga teacher trainee, I reflected daily about pedagogy, curriculum, Quaker education, and the important work we all do at BFS. No matter the location—a yoga mat, the stage, a science lab—the most expansive learning provides multiple points of entry for students and empowers students to be active authors in their education. In a yoga class, no two people will embody a pose in exactly the same way, and this adds to the connective tissue of the shared experience. Likewise, each of our students this year will have a unique experience in Meeting for Worship, the art studio, or math class, thus collectively creating our living, thriving BFS community.

Being a student and a learner always brings me joy, whether I am in a formal classroom setting or not.

Each summer, our Colleagues engage in a shared reading. This spring, after soliciting suggestions from Colleagues—and receiving so many good ideas—we decided on Liza Talsan’s The Identity Conscious Educator as our common read, which we will use throughout the upcoming school year. In addition, each Colleague selected a second work from the following options: bell hooks’ All About Love, Quian Julie Wang’s Beautiful Country, and a documentary about the Silk Road Ensemble, The Music of Strangers. This fall, in small groups, colleagues will discuss the works in the context of our mission and values as a school. Please see Page 10 for information about each selection.

Many of our colleagues also engaged in professional development this summer, including: graduate school courses; an International Baccalaureate Conference; literacy workshops, such as the Reading and Writing Institute at Teachers College; the NAIS Diversity Leadership Institute; and workshops with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and the Folger Shakespeare Theater.

It has also been wonderful to be back at school and see the preparations underway for the school year.

In my position, I am so fortunate to witness the tremendous work of those who care for your children every day and who see the divine light in each of them. In particular, I want to highlight our four division heads, who have built strong teams that move our mission forward, as you will see in this manual.

Finally, I hope that your summers have contained rest and recharge. The final pose in a yoga class, one of rest, can be considered the most important pose. Rest also has important implications for learning and the consolidation of memory. As we collectively enter into this school year, I am so excited for your children and families. The new year stretches ahead with so many possibilities. It is an honor to share it with you.

In peace and joy,

Suzie Matthews Assistant Head of School

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A Message from the Director of Diversity, Equity & Belonging & the Director of Global Civic Engagement and Service Learning Dear BFS Families, Welcome to the 2023 school year. This time of our lives presents milestones for many of us moving into new grades or joining this school community for the first time. Whatever your milestone is, we invite you to relish the moment as it is a meaningful time of growth and anticipation for what’s to come in our school year.

Diversity, Equity and Belonging and Global Civic Engagement and Service Learning represent two core pillars of the BFS experience that profoundly influence the development of our character, partnership, and community impact. As members of the BFS community, our students and their families are important members of this experience.

As a school, we create spaces of learning to amplify and parallel the education happening with our students.

As partners in the work of illuminating a vision and framework for our school that is student centered and develops competencies of criticality and humility through community education and reflection, we invite you to be an active learner and participant within our school.

In our community this year, we look toward the following experiences that will serve as opportunities to manifest our commitment to both Diversity, Equity and Belonging and Global Civic Engagement and Service Learning. Indeed, the two intentionally go hand-in-hand and will be led in partnership: l Centering a focus on who we are as individuals as a critical competency for the work of

equity, justice, belonging, bias and anti-racism l Learning touch points for critical engagement with understandings of identities, race, power, privilege, and social impact encompassing the breadth of lived experiences and ways of knowing l Courageous-learning in Restorative Justice practice for continuous community stengthening and growth in brave, and sometimes uncomfortable dialogue l Practice critical service learning as we build global competence and activate our global citizens to be societal change makers and champions of social justice

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Our work will utilize a “Fair Trade Learning” model, a global educational partnership exchange that prioritizes reciprocity in relationships through cooperative, cross-cultural participation in learning, service, and impact.

We will engage, in solidarity (not charity), with our local, national and global communities.

We are looking forward to building this work with you, across all divisions and stakeholders.

Wishing you all the very best for an aware, active and engaged school year.

Dr. AnaMaria Correa Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

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Kevin Murungi Director of Global Civic Engagement & Service Learning

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A Message from the Director of Athletic Program and Vision Dear Brooklyn Friends School Families, It is with great joy, pride, enthusiasm, and humility that I write to you as the Director of Athletic Program and Vision at BFS. In my first year, I plan to be an active member and listener in the BFS community, and build relationships with families and student-athletes so that we can together bring the athletics department at BFS to new heights. David Gardella has done an exceptional job coordinating the athletics program at BFS for more than 20 years. Moving forward, David will be the Director of Athletic Operations and Management. Together, we will build upon all of the amazing work that he has done and forge an expanded vision; increasing our digital media presence, rejuvenating the athletics facilities and spaces, and creating new programming for our students. All of this will be done with the goal to cultivate a more robust athletic program to facilitate the best student-athlete identity and experience possible.

All students in grades 7 through 12 are encouraged to sign-up for one or more of our 37 athletics teams across 10 different sports throughout the year, starting with soccer, girls’ volleyball, and cross country in the fall. We wholeheartedly believe that—with the proper supports and expert guidance— there is an athlete inside each and every student that can be brought to light.

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Required Actions Sign up for a team by clicking HERE to fill out the athletics sign-up form.

Click HERE to view BFS athletic schedules and sign-up to get VIP athletic practice and game alerts here (please note that schedules are subject to change).

Student-athletes participating in Fall athletics (grades 7-12) need to submit their required health forms through Magnus before Monday, August 22, 2022.

Looking Ahead Winter season begins on November 1, 2022: Boys & Girls Basketball, Boys & Girls Indoor Track, Boys & Girls Squash, Boys & Girls Swimming Spring season begins on February 27, 2023: Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Boys & Girls Outdoor Track, and Boys Volleyball What’s New Follow and keep up with the Panthers via our Athletics Instagram and Athletics Twitter accounts.

I am always happy to talk about our program and unfolding vision, and answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact me at crbrown@brooklynfriends.org.

Go Panthers! #BluePride #LoveWins With Gratitude,

Christian Brown Director of Athletics Programming & Vision

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Summer Readings for Colleagues The Identity-Conscious Educator: Building Habits and Skills for a More Inclusive School

by Liza A Talusan

COMMON READ FOR ALL COLLEAGUES

Readers will learn powerful, practical strategies for creating an inclusive school community. The Identity-Conscious Educator provides a framework for building awareness and understanding of five identity categories: race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Connect with vignettes and personal stories from the author that illuminate how to address identity topics in your personal and professional life. Then, develop skills in engaging in meaningful interactions with students and peers. Among skills learned will be: Discovering how identity affects both personal and professional lives; Reviewing a framework for building habits and skills of identity-conscious teaching and learning; Building knowledge of five different identity categories and experiences—race, social class, sexual orientation, gender, and disability—and then act for positive change; Reviewing practical, research-based strategies, and activities for having difficult conversations and creating more inclusive communities.

All About Love by bell hooks

A New York Times bestseller and enduring classic, All About Love is the acclaimed first volume in feminist icon bell hooks’ “Love Song to the Nation” trilogy. All About Love reveals what causes a polarized society, and how to heal the divisions that cause suffering. Here is the truth about love, and inspiration to help us instill caring, compassion, and strength in our homes, schools, and workplaces. As bell hooks uses her incisive mind to explore the question “What is love?” her answers strike at both the mind and heart. Razing the cultural paradigm that the ideal

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love is infused with sex and desire, she provides a new path to love that is sacred, redemptive, and healing for individuals and for a nation. The Utne Reader declared bell hooks one of the “100 Visionaries Who Can Change Your Life.” All About Love is a powerful, timely affirmation of just how profoundly her revelations can change hearts and minds for the better.

Beautiful Country: A Memoir

by Qian Julie Wang

The moving story of an undocumented child living in poverty in the richest country in the world — an incandescent debut from an astonishing new talent. In Chinese, the word for America, Mei Guo, translates directly to “beautiful country.” Yet when seven-year-old Qian arrives in New York City in 1994 full of curiosity, she is overwhelmed by crushing fear and scarcity. In China, Qian’s parents were professors; in America, her family is “illegal” and it will require all the determination and small joys they can muster to survive.

The Music of Strangers

Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Orchestra

The Grammy-nominated documentary The Music of Strangers, follows members of the Ensemble as they gather in locations across the world, exploring the ways art can both preserve traditions and shape cultural evolution. Blending performance footage, personal interviews, and archival film, Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville and producer Caitrin Rogers focus on the personal journeys of a small group of Silkroad Ensemble mainstays — Kinan Azmeh (Syria), Kayhan Kalhor (Iran), Yo-Yo Ma (France/United States), Wu Man (China), and Cristina Pato (Spain) — to chronicle passion, talent, and sacrifice. Through these moving individual stories, the filmmakers paint a vivid portrait of a bold musical experiment and a global search for the ties that bind.

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BFS Major Dates Calendar

This calendar only includes days that directly impact school operations.

Dates subject to change August 22 Start of New Colleague Days and Opening Days for Colleagues Fall Pre-Season Begins (Middle and Upper School Student-Athletes) September 5 Labor Day (No Classes) September 6 Family Visit Day for Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools

November 28 PD for Colleagues (No Classes)

April 3 Classes resume

December 16 Winter Break starts (Half-day of classes for students)

April 6 Passover (No Classes)

January 3 Classes Resume

April 7 Passover/Good Friday (No Classes)

January 16 Martin L. King Jr. Day (No Classes)

April 14 Middle School Report Writing Day (12pm Dismissal for MS)

September 7 First Day of School for K-12 / Half-day for Grades K and 1

February 10 Upper School Conferences (No Classes for US)

April 27 Middle School Conferences (12pm Dismissal for MS)

September 12 First Day of School for Preschool

February 20 Presidents Day (No Classes)

September 26 Rosh Hashanah (No Classes)

February 21 Professional Day for Colleagues (No Classes)

April 28 Middle School Conferences (12pm Dismissal for MS)

October 5 Yom Kippur (No Classes) October 10 Indigenous Peoples Day (No Classes) October 11 Professional Day for Colleagues (No Classes) November 1 Winter Athletics Begin November 4 Middle & Upper School Report Writing Day (12pm Dismissal for MS & US) November 11 Preschool & Lower School Conferences (No Classes for PS, LS, BFX)

February 27 Spring Athletics Begin March 10 Preschool & Lower School Conferences (No Classes for PS, LS, BFX) March 17 Preschool & Lower School Conferences (No Classes for PS, LS, BFX) March 17 Spring Break begins at the end of the school day

May 12 Preschool & Lower School Report Writing Day (12pm Dismissal for PS & LS) May 29 Memorial Day (No Classes) June 4 Upper School Baccalaureate June 8 Last day of classes June 9 Commencement for the Class of 2023 June 12–16 Closing Days for Colleagues

CLICK HERE FOR THE

November 18 Preschool, Lower, & Middle School Conferences (No Classes for PS, LS, MS, BFX) November 23–25 Fall Break (No Classes)

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COMPLETE CALENDAR

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COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols, 2022–2023 As we prepare to enter into the 2022–2023 school year, we are entering with optimism and a focus on all that is possible for our vibrant community, despite the fact that we are continuing to adjust to the consistently-changing health pandemic. Still, we will need to maintain the highest levels of health and wellness to keep every single person at Brooklyn Friends School as safe as possible. While masks are not required, BFS will continue to be a mask-friendly community.

We expect our entire community to do everything they can to keep everyone healthy and safe. This will require the vigilance and cooperation of every single community member—student and adult—when they are on campus and when they are not. We are grateful for your partnership in ensuring that everyone will hold themselves accountable to ensure the overall well-being of our community.

To ensure optimal entry into our school year, all students and colleagues will be required to take an at-home COVID test within 48 hours of their first day of school.

As always, BFS is committed to making this a strong and meaningful year for all and it is in that spirit that we outline our Health and Wellness guidelines for the upcoming school year: As indicated in our Enrollment Agreement for Families, and as consistently communicated to all, students, colleagues, and anyone entering any of the BFS buildings, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As per the email sent out to the entire BFS community this summer, the following guidelines apply:

For BFS students who are under 5 years of age: All students under 5 years of age must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by October 10, 2022 and upload proof of vaccination.

Fully vaccinated for students under 5 years of age is defined as:

Pfizer: 3 total doses Moderna: 2 total doses For BFS students who are 5–18 years of age:

All students between ages 5-18 must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the first day

of school, September 7, 2022 and upload proof of vaccination. All fall student athletes must be fully vaccinated and upload proof of vaccination by August 22, 2022.

Fully vaccinated for students ages 5-18 is defined as:

Pfizer: 2 total doses Moderna: 2 total doses While we strongly suggest all eligible students receive a booster, it is not required by

BFS at this time.

Always keep your child home if they have:

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l Fever above 100°F. l Respiratory symptoms (cough, difficulty breathing) not a previously diagnosed condition (ie. allergies)

Brooklyn Friends School

l Vomiting l Diarrhea l Rash l Any contagious illness www.brooklynfriends.org

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

Please review the requirements for vaccination against COVID-19 for the 2022-23 school year. Proof of vaccination must be updated via the BFS Student Vaccination Upload Form.

Proof of vaccination must be uploaded by the following dates: Student-Athletes & Colleagues*: August 22, 2022 Students 5 Years and Older: September 7, 2022 Students 4 Years and Younger: October 10, 2022 *NOTE: Colleagues will upload their proof of vaccination via internal colleague system

PLEASE NOTE: If you already uploaded proof of vaccination last year, you do NOT need to re-upload those documents!

Moderna Vaccine 6 Months to 2 Doses 17 Years Old Total

18+ Years Old

3 Doses Total

Dose 1

Dose 2 4-8 Weeks

Dose 1

Fully Vaccinated

Dose 3

Dose 2

4-8 Weeks

5 Months

Fully Vaccinated

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine 6 Months to 3 Doses Total 4 Years Old

5+ Years Old

3 Doses Total

Dose 1

Dose 2

3-8 Weeks

Dose 3

8 Weeks

Fully Vaccinated

Dose 1 Dose 2 3-8 Weeks

Dose 3 5 Months

Fully Vaccinated

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine 2 Doses 18+ Years Old** Total

Dose 2

Dose 1 2 Months

Fully Vaccinated

**NOTE: The J&J vaccine is not currently approved for people under age 18

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NOTE: Dose 2 (Booster Dose) must be either Pfizer or Moderna.

Last Updated: August 9, 2022 www.brooklynfriends.org

Reference Guide: Information and Resources for Families Directories Our student and family directory is in MyBackPack. l To update your contact information: Log-in, click on your name at the top right, then My Profile, then edit and submit. Families are responsible for keeping their contact information up to date. l To search the directory: After you log-in, click on the Student/Parent Directory (top right, under Search) where you can search for an individual student or family. l To run a list of your class or grade: Log-in→ Search → Search Directory Using Advanced Search Options → Select the entire grade or search by homeroom teacher. l For assistance with your MyBackPack account: Email seniorsystems@brooklynfriends.org.

Our colleague directory can be found at the Brooklyn Friends School website.

Health All student health information needs to be completed and submitted to Magnus before the start of school, Wednesday, September 7th. (August 22nd for student athletes). Magnus is our highly secure health care records system. l For assistance with your Magnus account: Email health@brooklynfriends.org l To contact our Health Services Team: Email: health@brooklynfriends.org l To connect with BFS colleagues regarding social and emotional health: Email All-School Well-Being Coordinator Rachal Maldonado at rmaldonado@brooklynfriends.org.

Enrollment and Tuition TADS is our enrollment and tuition management system. l For assistance with billing, contact the Finance Office. l For assistance with matters related to enrollment, contact the Enrollment Office. l For assistance with matters related to financial aid, contact our Financial Aid Coordinator.

Early Arrival BFS will not have an Early Care program for the 2022–23 school year.

Extended Day (BFX) Registration and billing for Extended Day for Preschool through 8th grade students are managed by CLICKING HERE. l For questions relating to the Extended Day Program: Email the BFX colleagues at BFX@brooklynfriends.org.

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Athletics Athletics schedules for grades 7-12 are available at BFSAthletics.org. You can follow BFS Athletics on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

The Weekly Newsletter The Weekly, our all-school email newsletter, is sent to the community every Sunday morning during the school year (outside of school breaks). It is important that families read it thoroughly. It contains important news and action items each week. l If you are not receiving The Weekly and/or have questions about the newsletter: email communications@brooklynfriends.org.

School Calendar The Brooklyn Friends School website calendar is the most up-to-date and comprehensive school calendar, and lists all of the events for the 2022–2023 school year. You can CLICK HERE to subscribe to our calendars.

Dashboard at the Brooklyn Friends Website The Dashboard of the Brooklyn Friends website is a repository of important communications and resources. New families can expect to receive their log-in information for the Dashboard in the opening days of the school year. l To Login to the Dashboard: Go to brooklynfriends.org and click “Sign In” in the top right corner and use the log-in credentials that were sent to you. On the mobile site, click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select “Sign In” from the drop-down menu. l For assistance with accessing your Dashboard account: Email dashboard@brooklynfriends.org.

Student MetroCards Grade K-12 students who are more than 0.5 miles away are eligible for a full fare NYC Student MetroCard and will receive the cards from their classroom teacher or advisor on, or shortly after, the first day of school. Eligibility is determined by the NYC Department of Education (DOE). If you have a question about student MetroCards, please contact Cheryl Foote at the Pearl Street Reception and Security Desk on school days. Her email is cfoote@brooklynfriends.org and her phone number is 718-852-1029x 0.

Classroom Related Communications When you have a question related to your student’s classroom experience, start by reaching out directly to the appropriate teacher. You can find their email by using the BFS website colleague directory. If you feel the need to speak further about the question or issue, please contact the appropriate divisional assistant in order to communicate with the division head.

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Advancement Like all independent schools, Brooklyn Friends School relies on the generosity of our constituents to safeguard and enrich the educational experience of our students. The Advancement Office works year-round to engage the community, create connections and raise funds for our exceptional program. In collaboration with our families, alumni, colleagues, and friends, the donation of time, funds and other resources help to sustain our school. Visit the BFS website to learn more about Giving at BFS.

Volunteering The Brooklyn Friends and Families Association (BFF) is an organization of which all parents and guardians are automatically members. The BFF supports the leadership of the school in the fulfillment of its mission and its community building and fundraising efforts. Learn more about getting involved at the BFS website and in the Brooklyn Friends and Families Handbook.

Report Student Absences Preschool: Please email your child’s teacher and the Preschool Program Manager (jroberts@brooklynfriends.org) if your child will be absent.

Lower School: Please email your child’s teacher and the Lower School office (twalkin@brooklynfriends.org) by 8:15 a.m. to let us know that your child will be absent and each day when your child is absent. On the second day of absence, check with your child’s teachers to determine if a homework assignment is necessary.

Middle School: Families should use the online attendance forms on brooklynfriends.org/dashboard to report absences and request extended absences.

Upper School: Families should use the online attendance forms on brooklynfriends.org/dashboard to report absences and request extended absences OR email usaa@brooklynfriends.org.

If your child is enrolled in BFX Extended Day, you must include the BFX staff in the above email at BFX@brooklynfriends.org.

Student and Family Handbooks The BFS All-School Handook contains important information and policies and has special sections for Preschool, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Please review carefully!

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A Message from the BFF Co-Chairs Hello BFS Families and Friends!

We hope this note finds you healthy and having enjoyed some quality time with family and friends this summer.

As the co-chairs of the Brooklyn Friends and Families, (our school’s families association), we can’t wait to see all of you in a few weeks and we hope you join us with excited anticipation of the promises of this new year. While admittedly challenging, the pandemic’s restrictions last year forced us to again pause, evaluate, and reimagine how best we could serve the school and our community. We brought back some BFS traditions, and also tried some new events like SkateFest and SpringFest to great success. Building on lessons we learned, while also keeping in mind our core directives of supporting the school in its mission and building community, the BFF will continue to work in tandem with the school to connect our community members with one another, strengthen Blue Pride, and create plenty of opportunities to come together as a larger community!

Please take a few moments to review the Brooklyn Friends and Families Handbook. This comprehensive handbook, which was first published last September, but has since been updated, will reintroduce you to all things BFF, including who we are and how you can get involved!

Please also review the comprehensive calendar on the school website here. This page will be updated throughout the year. It is a key goal of ours to work with school leadership to ensure you know what’s happening, when it’s happening, and with enough advanced notice! PRO TIP: Take a minute to subscribe to the school calendars! Directions are included in this back-to-school manual.

We’d love to have you join us this year in whatever capacity you are able— especially if you’re a new family. This is a great way to feel quickly connected to our community. As often recited, “there are no small parts”, so whether you have an hour to give, or many, we just hope you’ll raise your hands.

If you have any questions, would like to learn more, or to join a committee, please email us at bff@ brooklynfriends.org.

PS — we have several open Class Family Lead positions. Again, this position is a perfect role for a new family to immerse themselves into the community. Classroom Family Leads serve a vital role as community builders at BFS, within their class and grade as well as across the community as a whole.

Enjoy the last breath of summer. We look forward to seeing you September 6th at BFS’ Inaugural Family Day and throughout the first days of school as we gather again in downtown Brooklyn!

Candy Wilcocks Sharon Reid Co-Chair of the BFF Co-Chair of the BFF Jack ’35 & Henry ’33 Tate ’28

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Tracey Wells-Schneps Co-Chair of the BFF Sloane ’33 & Hudson ’30

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BROOKLYN FRIENDS’ EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM Dear BFS Families,

We are excited to welcome your child to our second year of the BFXplorations Extended Day Program! Re-imagining what afterschool should be, BFX is grounded in equity, joy, and exploration, and is a place where children want to be!

When we launched BFX in 2021, our vision was to create a very special place for your children. l 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.

l A place where all children were free to enjoy all the activities offered. l A place of laughter, creativity and joy.

Students enrolled in BFX are free to participate in any Xploration given on the days in which they are enrolled. Xplorations include dance, cooking, singing, STEAM activities, art and more. In addition to the daily Xploration activity, students can participate in playgroups, homework, reading and creative projects. For the daily schedules and more information on the Xplorations, please click here.

BFX is open to all students in Preschool through 8th grade. BFX runs Monday–Friday from 3:00– 5:30pm. Please see Page 2 of this letter for enrollment options and fees.

To enroll your child in BFX, please click here to complete the enrollment form.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at BFX@brooklynfriends.org.

In Friendship, Camille Fobbs BFX Director

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In Friendship, Joy Roberts BFX Program Manager

www.brooklynfriends.org

BROOKLYN FRIENDS’ EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM BFX Fee Schedule Fall, 2022 Lower School and Middle School Wednesday, September 7 - Wednesday, December 14 11 Mondays $550 13 Tuesdays $650 13 Wednesdays $650 13 Thursdays $650 11 Fridays $550 All 5 Days $2,900 Preschool Fours Monday, September 19 - Wednesday, December 14 10 Mondays $500 12 Tuesdays $600 11 Wednesdays $550 11 Thursdays $550 9 Fridays $450 All 5 Days $2,650 Preschool Threes Wednesday, September 21 - Wednesday, December 14 9 Mondays $450 11 Tuesdays $550 11 Wednesdays $550 11 Thursdays $550 9 Fridays $450 All 5 Days $2,550 Preschool Twos Tuesday, September 27 - Wednesday, December 14 9 Mondays $450 11 Tuesdays $550 10 Wednesdays $500 10 Thursdays $500 8 Fridays $400 All 5 Days $2,400 Please note: There will be no BFX on the following dates: September 26; October 5, 10, 11l November 11, 18, 23, 24, 25, 28

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Welcome to the 2022–2023 School Year!

Preschool Lower School Middle School Upper School

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Preschool

A Message from our Preschool Dear Preschool Families,

I hope that your summer provided you with moments of playful fun and connection with family, friends, and loved ones. For me, summer is a time to dream and imagine and try some new experiences! I enjoyed reading books, taking the ferry to Governer’s Island and spending some weekends exploring upstate and in Vermont. I can’t wait to hear about your time this summer.

I am eager and excited to see you very soon! This year, we welcome our Twos families and children to the Pearl Street building, and it’s sure to be a year of growth and joy for our Twos, Threes and Fours classes. We have an amazing teaching team who are looking forward to being in touch with you and welcoming you to Preschool!

We want to make sure you have all of the information you will need to get prepared. In this document, you will find important dates and useful information for the start of your child’s Preschool adventure next month! This information will help you plan and be ready for the start of school.

Getting Ready for Preschool and the Phase-In Process

In this section you will find information on preparing for Preschool, what to expect during the first days of school, and other important information.

Important Dates

The school-wide calendar can be accessed HERE. Mark your calendar in advance with all the important dates, school holidays and breaks, conference days and more!

Meet the Preschool Colleagues!

Read all about the members of the Preschool colleague body, including our spectacular Specialist teachers, Extended Day teachers, and Administrative staff on the BFS website. All of our colleagues have significant depth and breadth of knowledge of early childhood development, tremendous passion and creativity, and a love of young children!

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Here is a quick look at the classroom colleague line-up before you go to the Meet the Preschool Colleagues page: l Head Teacher Erika Garcia and Associate Teacher Chantel Cleckley will be teaching in the

Blue Room Twos

l In the Yellow Room Threes are Head Teacher Zoe Goldberg-Stewart and Associate Teacher Ruth A. McQuiggan l The Red Room Threes team includes Head Teacher Sharon Carter and Associate Teacher

Linda Villamarin

l Our Green Room Fours are Head Teacher Hande Erkin and Associate Teacher

Jazelyn Montanez

l The Orange Room Fours team is Head Teacher Rachel Kleinman and Associate Teacher Rebecca Lawrence All classrooms are assisted by All-Preschool Assistant Teachers Bina Vora and Jackie Ortiz. Jackie Ortiz is Head Teacher of the Preschool BFX teaching team and will be assisted by Bina Vora.

Preschool Student and Family Handbook

The Preschool Student and Family Handbook is embedded in the BFS All-School Handbook and has important information about daily Preschool routines and expectations, drop-off and dismissal, special events, communication requirements and much more. We ask that you take some time to read this Handbook before the Family orientation in September so that you can bring us any questions you might have.

We are all so excited to meet your children. By way of introduction, preschool children will be virtually visited via Zoom by their teachers after Labor Day and before the start of school. This visit will give your child an opportunity to see their teacher before school starts. The Zoom visits will last about 10-15 minutes. You will hear more about this from your classroom teacher in early September.

In Friendship,

Maura Eden Joy Roberts Head of Preschool Program Manager of Preschool and Extended Day

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Getting Ready for Preschool, 2022-23!

Important Information for the Start of the Year

The Beginning!

Orientation to the Preschool will happen in three parts: a virtual introduction for students, a virtual introduction for families, and an optional in-person visit to the Preschool.

In early September (after Labor Day and before the start of school), Preschool children will be virtually visited via Zoom by their teachers. This visit will give your child an opportunity to see their teacher before school starts. The Zoom visits will last about 10-15 minutes. You will hear more about this from your classroom teachers in the next few weeks.

On Thursday, September 8, 12:30 - 1:30 pm, we will be connecting with you on Zoom where we will talk about what you can expect as your child embarks on their Preschool adventure! We will share important Start of the Year information and introduce you to your child’s teachers.

On Friday, September 9, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, you are invited to bring your child to BFS to get a glimpse into the magical world of the Preschool classroom and to meet their teachers in person.

We will be sharing a Sign-up Sheet in early September and visits will be conducted in small groups of several families.

The School Year Begins

The Preschool school year begins with the Welcome Morning on Monday, September 12. On this day, children and families will be welcomed by teachers in two groups for each class. The schedule for this Welcome Morning can be found below. You will receive your child’s specific time in early September. This Welcome Morning is a short acclimation period to help the children settle in and will support separation and adjustment to school. These gatherings are the beginning of the “PhaseIn” period for each class. The length of Phase-In varies, depending on the children’s age. A parent or other adult with whom your child is comfortable needs to be readily available during Phase-In. Please plan to keep your work schedule flexible as possible for the first days of school - September 12 to September 27 - in case your support is needed.

Preschool Phase-In TWOS: Blue Room On Monday, September 12, children and families will be welcomed by their teachers at the “first day of school” Welcome Morning small groups. The Welcome Morning is a short acclimation period to

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help the children settle in, and will support separation and adjustment to school. You will learn which group your child is in from your teacher in early September.

Welcome Morning Group 1: 9:00am - 9:45am Welcome Morning Group 2: 10:15am - 11:00am Lunch should be provided at home on Welcome Morning day, and on each day of Phase-In until it is noted to bring lunch. Please plan accordingly.

Phase-In continues as follows. This schedule applies to all Twos classrooms: Tuesday, September 13 Wednesday, September 14 Thursday, September 15 Friday, September 16 Monday, September 19 Tuesday, September 20

9:00 - 10:00am 9:00 - 10:30am 9:00 - 11:00am 9:00 - 11:30am 9:00 - 11:30am 9:00 - 11:50am/12:30 *

* Half-Day students dismiss at 11:50am from this day forward, while Full-Day students bring lunch and continue until 12:30pm

Wednesday, September 21

9:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch and bathroom Thursday, September 22 9:00 - 2:30pm Lunch, bathroom, short rest time Friday, September 23 9:00 - 2:50pm First Full Day (including rest) Monday, September 26 Rosh Hashanah No school Tuesday, September 27 8:30 - 2:50pm * Extended Day begins for children

enrolled in the BFX Extended Day program Doors open at 8:30am going forward.

What is Phase-In All About?

The Preschool year begins with a PhaseIn Schedule so that children can gradually learn the routines of each day. We start the first day in small, two-hour “Welcome Morning” groups. After that, the days gradually lengthen until the whole class stays for the full day. Schedule modifications are made on a case-by-case basis according to a child’s individual needs “My child is ready to stay for a longer day. Why are they still coming for such a short time?”

We invite you to see the phase-in time as an investment in your child’s overall classroom experience. Whether your child is the first to settle in or the last, the benefits will pay off in the long run for the entire class.

“Until each of the children in the group is ready for a full school day, the class isn’t ready.” (from Practical Wisdom for Parents, Raising Self-Confident Children In The Preschool Years, by Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum, Directors of the 92nd Street Y Nursery School) Phase-In also allows your teachers to get to know your children. They can give focused attention to each child as they gradually get to know the group, allowing them to plan accordingly. This PhaseIn period also gives parents time to build community with each other.

THREES: Red Room and Yellow Room On Monday, September 12, children and parents/guardians are welcomed by teachers at the “first day of school” Welcome Morning groups. The Welcome Morning is a short acclimation period to help the children settle in, and will support separation and adjustment to school. You will learn which

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group your child is in from your teacher in early September.

Welcome Morning Group 1:

8:30am - 10:00am (½ of the children in each Class)

Welcome Morning Group 2: 11:00am - 12:30pm (other ½ of the children in each Class) Lunch should be provided at home on Welcome Morning day, and on each day of Phase-In until it is noted to bring lunch. Please plan accordingly.

Phase-In continues as follows. This schedule applies to all Threes classrooms: Tuesday, September 13

9:00 - 11:00 am

Wednesday, September 14 9:00 - 11:45 am Half-Day students dismiss at 11:45 from this day forward Thursday, September 15

9:00 - 1:00 pm (Bring lunch)

Friday, September 16

8:30 - 1:00 pm (Bring lunch. Doors open at 8:30am going forward)

Monday, September 19

8:30 - 1:00 pm (Bring lunch)

Tuesday, September 20

8:30 - 2:50pm (First full day)

Wednesday, September 21

8:30 - 2:50pm

(Extended Day begins for children enrolled in the BFX Extended Day program) FOURS: Green Room and Orange Room On Monday, September 12, children and parents/guardians are welcomed by teachers at the “first day of school” Welcome Morning groups. The Welcome Morning is an acclimation period to help children settle in, and will support separation and adjustment to school. You will learn which group your child is in from your teacher in early September.

Welcome Morning Group 1: 8:30am - 10:30am (½ of the children in each Class) Welcome Morning Group 2: 11:00am - 1:00pm (other ½ of the children in each Class) Lunch should be provided at home on Welcome Morning day, and on each day of Phase-In until it is noted to bring lunch. Please plan accordingly.

Tuesday, September 13 9:00am - 11:45am Wednesday, September 14 8:30am - 11:45pm (Doors open at 8:30am going forward) Thursday, September 15 8:30am - 1:00pm (Bring lunch) Friday, September 16 8:30am - 2:45 (First full day, includes rest time) Monday, September 19 8:30am - 2:45pm (Extended Day begins for children enrolled in the BFX )

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Any schedule modifications will be made on a case-by-case basis according to a child’s individual needs for both Preschool and Extended Day.

Above is subject to change, and safety protocols may be put in place if COVID restrictions are in effect in September.

What Comes Next

Maura and Jane Davidson, our Preschool Developmental Specialist, will host a special Zoom “Lunchtime Connect & Talk” on Thursday, September 22nd at 12:30pm on facilitating these first days and supporting you and your child’s adjustment to school. You will receive more information and a Zoom link in a later communication.

Please make note of the following Preschool specific dates. The BFS all-school calendar, which includes holidays and vacation days, is always accessible at the BFS website.

Preschool Curriculum Night Thursday, October 20, 6:00pm Preschool Introduction to the Lower School Wednesday, November 9

Fall Family Conferences Friday, November 11 & Friday, November 18

BFS Autumn Sing Tuesday, November 22

Spring Family Conferences Friday, March 10 and Friday, March 17

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Last Day for BFX Extended Day Tuesday, June 6

Preschool Closing Celebration Wednesday, June 7 Family Gathering in Brooklyn Bridge Park 4:00–6:00pm (no BFX) Preschool Closing Day Thursday, June 8, Noon Dismissal

Information about curricular events that occur in the classroom or by grade level will be communicated to you directly by your child’s classroom teachers.

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Preschool Class Lists TWOS, BLUE ROOM Teachers: Erika Garcia, Chantel Cleckley All-Preschool Assistants: Jackie Ortiz, Bina Vora

FOURS, GREEN ROOM Teachers: Hande Erkin, Jazelyn Montanez All-Preschool Assistants: Jackie Ortiz, Bina Vora

Students: Leah Anders Oscar Brodie Liberty Lourdes Jacobs Golden Ocean Lyn Dugall James Wang Meade Valentina Patuzzo Mathew Wagner

Students: Jane Cohen Arden Cowles Alma Dano-Kazan Andrew (Cole) Hazel Imad Khan Nathan Lilly Tessa Murphy Eva Prosper Coleman Roush Penny Swan Esme Teslik Kohen White

THREES, RED ROOM Teachers: Sharon Carter, Linda Villamarin All-Preschool Assistants: Jackie Ortiz, Bina Vora Students: Kieran Bhaskaran Axel Blickle Lilah Bonewitz Lucas Cariello Frances Garea Josie Simmons-Vineyard Ethan Takahashi Azaelea Veldhoven

FOURS, ORANGE ROOM Teachers: Rachel Kleinman, Rebecca Lawrence All-Preschool Assistants: Jackie Ortiz, Bina Vora

THREES, YELLOW ROOM Teachers: Zoe Goldberg-Stewart, Ruth A. McQuiggan All-Preschool Assistants: Jackie Ortiz, Bina Vora Students: Dylan Byrne Lucy Chiang-Conroy George Knight William Kronsberg Margot Mendelsohn Jack Ordower John Beckett Ranson Alina Nani Rifkin Emilia Rifkin

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Students: Avery Bae Zoe Ciancimono Audre Frank Benedict Grunow-Levine Jacob Norris Charlie Peoples Eleanor Proctor Dahlia Soderstrom Lila Tsang Maggie Van Der Meulin Rosco Wood Nussbaum

Brooklyn Friends School

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Lower School

A Message from our Lower School Dear Lower School Families, Welcome to the 2022-2023 Academic School Year!

We hope you all have enjoyed a meaningful summer. It is with great anticipation and excitement that we welcome you back to school for our 2022-2023 academic year. As we are preparing for the start of the school year, we have included important details related to operations, safety, and structures to be sure we are all prepared and ready for the opening of our doors as we welcome everyone to school in person. Most importantly, we once again ground ourselves in the grace, care, integrity, and respect we uphold in our partnership together as a vital importance deepening our community commitment to social responsibility and the ever evolving landscape of education. Please review the details included below. We look forward to the first of our upcoming steps together, and being back in touch with you again soon.

“Look for truth within yourself… live a life of simplicity, love, and service. Let your life speak, and trust that your children will learn by example.” —Robert Lawrence Smith, A Quaker Book of Wisdom As we start a new academic year this fall, we want to center around these essential and intertwined principles: l We are committed to living our mission as a Quaker school. l We are committed to excellence, both academic and personal. l We are committed to the social and emotional well-being of all members of our community. l We are committed to seeing the Light, the joy, and the love both in ourselves and in each other.

This summer provided a much needed moment to reconnect with friends, family, space, values, and reflection. Inspired by the quote above, we trust the truth and light within ourselves and within our community to continue to help guide us as we enter the new beginning that a school year offers each of us. It is within our own Quaker values and beliefs that we usher in a new start holding your children and their experience at the center of our preparation. We have committed to an investment in both the social and emotional health and wellbeing of our students, as well as the continued important education our Quaker environment provides. Let us all continue to serve in our capacities as examples for the children of Brooklyn Friends as we move forward together in partnership. You will be receiving a communications from your child’s teachers on the afternoon of Monday, August 29th.

In friendship, and with warmest regards,

Jason Novak Katie Banks Head of Lower School Assistant Head of Lower School for Academics

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Lower School Family Visit Day — Tuesday, September 6, 2022 9:00–11:00 am

As we welcome everyone back to the start of school, this year we have planned a two-hour window of time to invite students and families to connect with all of our teachers in advance of the first day of school. On Tuesday, September 6, we welcome all students and families to come to our Pearl Street building to meet, introduce themselves, and connect before the first day of school. Teachers will be available and present in their classrooms from 9:00–11:00 am on September 6 for visits from students and families. You may come by Pearl Street to visit anytime between 9:00–11:00 am. We hope that this time offers a glimpse into school in advance of the first day as well as an opportunity to connect together as we welcome everyone to the start of another school year. Specific names of teachers and room numbers are located in our Student and Family Handbook, and we will also be sure to have a reference guide available to view when you arrive to the building. We are excited about offering this opportunity for connection and having everyone in the building together!

Summer Professional Learning We place an important value on creating a rigorous and expansive professional learning community among our colleagues. We feel strongly that professional learning supports the best of what we can offer in classroom experiences for our students. Our colleagues have engaged in a variety of professional workshops, seminars, and personal development work this summer. The list below offers a lens into some of the opportunities members of our colleague body have experienced that will support your children’s learning and our upcoming school year. We are excited to share more with you throughout the new school year. l Shifting the Balance Resource and Course l AIM Pathways to Literacy Leadership l The Reading and Writing Project: July Writing Institute l 2022 National Anti-Racism Teach In General Conference l Personal book study reading including but not limited to: The Identity Conscious Educator:

Building habits and skills for a more inclusive school by Liza Talusan

Welcoming New Lower School Colleagues The 2022-2023 school year brings new colleagues to our Lower School. As a community member, please reach out in the coming weeks and welcome the colleagues below as they join us at BFS. The qualifications, skills, former experiences, expertise, and educational philosophies that the following individuals bring will add to our already vibrant and committed colleague-body. These are a point of pride as we enter the 2022-2023 school year. Photographs as well as detailed bios will be updated and shared with our community in the coming weeks following our opening days after colleagues engage in the start of their new school year.

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Lower School Classroom Teachers l Sam Ashmore, 1st Grade Head Teacher l Cameron Crump, Kindergarten Associate Teacher l Natalie Emery, 3rd Grade Associate Teacher l Nick Lerangis, Kindergarten Associate Teacher l Amanda Magnavita, Kindergarten Head Teacher Lower School Specialist Teachers l Loreto Barranco, Spanish Specialist l Julie Gibson, Dance Specialist l Admir Ivojevic, Physical Education Specialist l Doris Rodriguez-Graber, Art Specialist l Ana Oropez-Parra, Library Specialist l Alyssa Postman Putzel, Lower School Learning Specialist Lower School Returning Colleagues who are Stepping Into New Roles l Tasfia Ali, 4th Grade Head Teacher l Rachel Maldonado, Lower School Psychologist and All-School Wellbeing Coordinator l M’Balia Rubie-Miller, Middle School Learning Specialist and All-School Learning Support Coordinator Lower School Colleague Partnerships and Specialists

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures to Pearl Street Morning Arrival As a way to continue to uphold safety, account for all of our Lower School students, and continue to engage in the benefit of coming together as a community at the start of our day, arrival for the 20222023 school year will continue to be organized as a five minute staggered entrance as children arrive at the start of their day. The details of arrival times are listed below as well as in the Student and Family Handbook. When facing the front of the Pearl Street building, we ask families to escort their students to the positions listed below, and then part once your child is in line with their teachers.

We will continue to consider the information and safety needs before us throughout the school year, and update these routines as circumstances allow or change. We also want to have families in the building with us this school year, and we will release more information about visit opportunities once students are settled and have mastered their routines.

We do ask that you make every effort to arrive on time for the start of the day. Any child arriving at school after 9:00 am will be marked as tardy. When arriving to Pearl Street, we ask students to arrive and be ready to enter the building during the following times:

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Left Side (facing the doors) 8:15 am 3rd Grade Classes 8:20 am 2nd Grade Classes 8:25 am Kindergarten

Right Side (facing the doors) 4th Grade Classes 1st Grade Classes

Please note that excessive tardiness may warrant action by the division head, including, but not limited to, a decision by the school not to renew the student’s contract or a decision that the student is not eligible to be promoted to the next grade.

Afternoon Dismissal Dismissal for the 2022-2023 school year will also be staggered using the layout included below. We will dismiss at the same times Monday through Friday. When facing the front of Pearl Street, we ask families to meet their students for pick up at the times listed below. Teachers will escort students out of the building at the dismissal times listed below.

Left Side (facing the doors) 2:50 pm 3rd Grade Classes 2:55 pm 2nd Grade Classes 3:00 pm Kindergarten

Right Side (facing the doors) 4th Grade Classes 1st Grade Classes

Students who are not picked up on time at the end of day dismissal will be escorted to our BFX Extended Day program.

All School Student and Family Handbook, 2022-2023 Please be sure to review all of the details included in the Lower School section of the All School Student and Family Handbook. Any details pertaining to specific classroom information will be shared by your child’s classroom teachers. The Student and Family Handbook will continue to be updated throughout the school year as necessary.

Upcoming Communications, Events, and Connect and Talks In the weeks and months ahead, you will continue to receive messages in regard to many points of communication as we come together in community. We will also continue to offer Lower School Connect and Talk events to keep everyone informed and engaged connected to various updates coming to our Lower School division. Please note the following that will be coming forward: l Virtual Kindergarten Family Welcome event to be held from 10:00 - 11:00 am on Friday,

September 2, 2022 (adult event via Zoom) l Tuesday, September 6, 2022 - Family Visit Day from 9:00 - 11:00 am l Wednesday, September 7, 2022 - First Day of School (Kindergarten and First grade will have a half day dismissal at 12 pm)

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Lower School Curriculum Night Events

l Kindergarten and First Grade will occur on Thursday, September 29 from 6 to 7:30 pm l 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Curriculum Night will occur on Thursday, October 6 from 6 to 7:30 pm

Lower School Connect and Talk Events

More details will follow with the Zoom link as well as the specific topics being discussed including the formal adoption of our new math curriculum.

We look forward to welcoming you to the start of the school year and to our Lower School Family Visit on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 beginning at 9:00 am.

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Middle School

A Message from our Middle School Greetings Middle School Parents and Families, As we look toward welcoming your children into the school in just a few short weeks, we are absolutely thrilled to be returning to a stronger, if still unfolding, sense of normalcy in the Middle School. After the past two Septembers, it can honestly be a bit difficult to remember and operationalize the way school “used” to look and feel. As we begin the 2022-2023 school year, our theme within the Middle School is “Back to Basics.” As much of our community has never participated in some of the time-old traditions and experiences of the middle school program, our focus this year will be on fully living who we are and what we value most as an institution. We also have many new students and families we are welcoming to BFS this school year! Whether your student is in 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, I am sure each of you will join us in creating and maintaining the welcoming, joyful, and inclusive space we consistently strive for at Brooklyn Friends School. Whether a new or returning family, we are SO excited to begin the year with each of you!

As we welcome you to this school year, please take the necessary time to carefully read all of the details herein. Not only does it include important and pertinent information for the start of school, but many of the details may indicate a change from years past for those of you who are returning to our program. As always, we welcome families to be in touch with any questions or concerns, and families and students can find informational needs and exciting announcements on the Middle School’s Panther Central website.

Thank you, as ever, for partnering with us in this next school year ahead. We know well and deeply appreciate that sending your children to school each and every day is an exercise of trust, vulnerability, and commitment. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you!

Please remind your middle schooler that now is the time to start that final summer reading book if they haven’t already!

In warmth and friendship,

Nitya L. York (she/her) Kathleen Clinchy (she/her) Head of Middle School Assistant Head of Middle School for Academics

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Welcome New Colleagues in the Middle School In addition to our new students and families, we welcome several new colleagues to the Middle School this school year. The qualifications, skills, experiences, expertise, and educational philosophies that the following individuals will add to our already vibrant and committed colleague-body are a point of pride as we enter the 2022-2023 school year. l Katharine Bradley, 6th & 8th Grade Science Teacher l Henry Clark, 5th Grade Humanities Teacher & 6th Grade English Teacher l Emma Cothren, 5th Grade Humanities Teacher, 6th Grade History Teacher,

& History Department Chair l Julie Gibson, Lower School & Middle School Dance Teacher l Admir Ivojevic, Physical Education Teacher l Jaime Lassman, Middle School Technology Teacher & Technology Integrator l Danielle Perkins, 7th & 8th Grade English Teacher & English Department Chair l Kaila Warner-Haakmat, Middle School Counselor We would also like to announce the following exciting changes to returning colleague roles for the 2022-2023 school year: l Kim Allen, Middle School Spanish Teacher l Lucien Kouassi, Upper School Science Teacher & Science Department Chair l Rachel Maldonado, Lower School Psychologist & All-School Well-Being Coordinator l M’Balia Rubie-Miller, Middle School Learning Specialist & All-School Learning

Support Coordinator l Katie Ryan, Middle School Librarian l Jingyi Zhang, 7th-12th Grade Mandarin Teacher & World Languages Department Chair

Start of Middle School Schedule & Events As we return to a stronger sense of normalcy this school year, we are happy to announce several ways in which we will engage students and families before the start of school.

Middle School Visit Day: Tuesday, September 6th, 9:00AM–11:00AM Our doors at 375 Pearl Street will be open for an informal chance to come into the building as a family, with or without your student, to meet advisors, teachers, and other colleagues in-person as well as take a self-guided tour. We recognize how limited in-person visits and events have been over the past two school years, and we’d love to have students and families come in the day before school just to say hello!

New Middle School Student Welcome Event: Tuesday, September 6th, 11:15AM–2:00PM Students who are new to the Middle School this year, which includes all of our amazing 5th graders, are asked to attend this multi-hour educational, bonding, and community-building event. New Students will be supported in what can otherwise be an overwhelming experience on the first day of

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school - finding classrooms, meeting friends, getting a student-buddy, and receiving school supplies.

Students will also be receiving lunch and engaging in games, meeting their advisors and teachers, and having fun!

Virtual New Middle School Family Welcome: Tuesday, September 6th, 5:00PM, Zoom Invitation to Come Similar to students, we hope to equip new Middle School Families - including all 5th grade families - with the information necessary to support your start to the Middle School journey at BFS. Despite all the information herein, there are often questions, wonderings, and connections that new parents and families are sitting with, and we’d love to see you on Tuesday evening to help ease the transition into the school! We are conducting this event virtually in recognition that new families will have already dropped off and picked up their students on the same day, and this event is intended for adults only.

First Day of School for All Middle School Students: Wednesday, September 7th, 8:00AM - 3:30PM All students will have a complete and full day of school on Wednesday, 9/7/22. We have also adjusted the start-of-school to begin Morning Advisory at 8:00AM this school year. Your student(s) may arrive as early as 7:50AM each day, but they must be present upstairs and in advisory by 8:00AM. Middle School Student Orientation: Wednesday, Friday, September 7th–September 9th, 8:00AM - 3:30PM Given that much of the past two years has looked different for our students, we are centering the need to reacclimate to school as we once knew it before the start of the pandemic and return to basics with our students through a three-day orientation experience. The purpose of Middle School Orientation is to ensure all students know how to navigate the physical tools and spaces for learning, center connection and joy with teachers, friends, and peers, as well as teach routines and expectations. Formal classes will begin with students’ teachers and their regular schedule will commence on Monday, September 12th.

Student Orientation days are mandatory for all BFS students in grades 5–8.

As stated in our health and wellness guidelines, anyone entering Brooklyn Friends will be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Brooklyn Friends School is currently a mask-friendly environment.

Arrival & Dismissal Times Students must arrive at 375 Pearl Street and be upstairs in their Advisory Homeroom by 8:00 AM sharp in order not to be marked tardy. This is a change from our 8:15 AM start time last year. Middle school students can enter Pearl Street and arrive as early as 7:50 AM. As has always been the practice both before and during the pandemic, families and/or caregivers will drop students off at 375 Pearl Street, and students will enter the building on their own. It is an important right of passage for middle school students to develop and feel a sense of independence and autonomy as they navigate the school building. Middle school advisors, leaders, and colleagues will be present during arrival to support children in finding where they need to be and welcoming them warmly into classrooms.

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Dismissal in the Middle School will be at 3:30 PM each day. The BFX Extended Day program is offered after school until 5:30 PM, and all middle school students are invited to participate. Signing up for BFX programs takes place via your My BackPack account. Please note that all students may utilize the Middle School Library from 3:30 - 4:00 PM each day with the exception of Fridays, and the library is available until 5:30 PM for 7th & 8th grade students Mondays - Thursdays. 5th & 6th grade students otherwise present after 4:00 PM will be sent to BFX Extended Day programming and families will be charged for the day. Please note that unless otherwise communicated, middle school students are permitted to be dismissed at the end of the school day without a parent or guardian.

Please note that outdoor park time is being incorporated into the school day this year. It will take place twice per week during an extended recess period coinciding with students’ lunch period.

Therefore all pick-up locations will be at 375 Pearl Street at 3:30 PM unless otherwise communicated due to a field trip, special event, or other disruption to the typical school day.

Panthers Enrichment Program (PEP) Another exciting change to the program this year is for our 6th - 8th grade students, who will be signing up for enrichment periods every Tuesday and Thursday during the last period of the school day (2:40 PM - 3:20 PM). Many students, families, and colleagues alike have expressed the desire for more offerings that pique students’ interests, aptitudes, and curiosities. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of our PEP Program will be the eventual introduction of parents, families, and outside partnerships to enrichment classes! While we don’t expect family involvement during the first marking period, please stay tuned in the coming months - we’d love for those who are able and available within our adult-community to offer special enrichment opportunities in their areas of expertise. PEP offerings will take place for approximately 12 weeks at a time, adjusting choices every marking period. Stay tuned for more information! We’re really excited about it!

Middle School Guidelines and Expectations Each year, the Middle School reviews and revises its section of the All-School Student and Family Handbook. Important policies, expectations, procedures, and information are contained within the Handbook, and students and families are encouraged to read it before the start of school.

School planners will be distributed this year at the start of school to all students in grades 5–8, and all Middle School teachers will write homework and assignment information on the board and provide the time and structure for students to write important details down in their planners. We will also continue the use of Google Classroom and teachers will always post students’ homework assignments before 4:00 PM on the day it is assigned. Parents/guardians are asked to sign up for “Guardian Summaries” to receive daily or weekly updates on students’ work completion.

In accordance with our need to return to the basics in the Middle School, we will be carefully reviewing and teaching expectations and procedures to students at the start of the school year. In addition

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to general expectations and rules of conduct, we’d like to draw students and families’ attention to a new section in the handbook called, “Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive Community.”

Advisory Placements Each year, an abundance of time and careful attention is given to creating advisory groups for our middle school learners. We try our very best to ensure that children have at least one peer in the advisory group with whom they have had a prior connection to or friendship with in the past, and yet, we also prioritize creating spaces that will not perpetuate exclusivity and intentionally encourage students to be open-minded and optimistic about forming new connections and friendships.

Students will also go to some classes by advisory groups, although as students get older, this becomes less frequent.

For all of the aforementioned reasons, we will not accept any requests to transfer students to another advisory group or advisor. We thank you in advance for your adherence and understanding.

Supply Lists This year, we have gathered the important supply lists into one helpful document, linked below.

Please note that students should not bring all of their school supplies on the very first day of school, which makes for a very heavy and hectic backpack. Students can bring in a little at a time throughout the first week, and should have all of their supplies in their lockers by Friday, September 16th.

2022-2023 Middle School Supply Lists

Upcoming Important Dates & Events

At the start of school, there are several points of engagement for students and families. Please mark your calendars for the following important events: l We are attempting to plan an important 8th Grade Overnight Trip in October for our class of

8th graders. We tentatively have this trip planned for the week of October 17th and will communicate details closer to the date. l The week of September 27th, the Middle School will be conducting our September Benchmark Testing. Students will take the NWEA MAP Growth Test in Reading, Language Usage, Math, and Science beginning on Tuesday 9/27/22. Attendance during these days is critical. We will send out more information and an invitation to learn more about the NWEA MAP test as we approach mid-September.

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l Middle School Curriculum Nights are two of the most important events of the school year.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet each of your child’s teachers, learn more about their academic studies this year, and generally experience life in the Middle School. Please save the dates for these evening events: 5th & 6th Grade Curriculum Night will occur on Thursday, September 29th and 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night will be on Thursday, October 6th. l Finally, we invite you to save the date for our first Middle School Connect & Talk on October 20th. The exact time, topic, and format will be communicated closer to the date.

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Upper School

A Message from our Upper School Dear Upper School Community, Happy August, Friends! I hope that this letter finds you well, rested, and excited for the new year. As I walk around our halls and see all our empty classrooms, I am reminded of how each one of our students serves as the necessary Light that brings meaning and joy to all that we do. We have been busy all summer preparing diligently for you – working with the facilities team to make sure the composition of each classroom is just right, partnering with departments to order new texts for each student, making changes and additions to spaces in the Upper School so that students are able to do their best work in each space, and a great deal more. All that is missing now are our students.

As we start a new academic year this fall, we want to center our Upper School community once more around these essential and intertwined principles: l We are committed to living our mission as a Quaker school. l We are committed to excellence, both academic and personal. l We are committed to the social and emotional well-being of all members of our community. l We are committed to seeing the Light, the joy, and the love both in ourselves

and in each other.

Families, you will find a good deal of information below to help prepare you for the new year. Please take a look through each section. Students, the first few days of school will take place either here on campus or away at a retreat center in Maryland. We are excited that we have this opportunity to come together in community, engaging in conversations and activities that will prepare us even more for the awesome months to come. We look forward to seeing and engaging with you very soon.

In Light and Love,

Daniel Kamaya Prince Thompson Daniel Paccione Head of Upper School Assistant Head of Upper School for Academics

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Welcome New Upper School Colleagues A new school year brings many opportunities. One such opportunity is the welcoming of new friends to Brooklyn Friends School. Please join me in welcoming the following colleagues to the Upper School. l Maman Cisse, Upper School Learning Specialist l Alexa Galberth, Upper School Counselor l Susan Ma, Upper School Math Teacher l Danielle Perkins, 7th & 8th Grade English Teacher & English Department Chair l Heather Phan, Upper School Science Teacher l Maegen Rose, Upper School Librarian & Director of the Library Program l Michal Stobierski, Upper School Science Teacher l Naomi Varnis, Associate Director of College Counseling l Maritza Zapata, Administrative Assistant to the Upper School

We would also like to announce the following exciting changes to returning colleague roles for the 2022-2023 school year: l Lucien Kouassi, Upper School Science Teacher & Science Department Chair l Rachel Maldonado, Lower School Psychologist & All-School Wellbeing Coordinator l M’Balia Rubie-Miller, Middle School Learning Specialist & All-School Learning

Support Coordinator) l Jingyi Zhang, 7th-12th Grade Mandarin Teacher & World Languages Department Chair)

Summer Reading & Preparation for School

If your student has not yet finished their summer reading, please encourage them to do so as soon as possible! Please find the list of texts HERE. When your child begins their first day of classes, each one of their teachers will share with them the specifics of all that they need (calculator, texts(s), etc). They should, however, arrive at each class on their first day of school with a writing implement(s) and a tool for taking notes.

The School Day The 2022-2023 School year will begin officially on September 6th for Seniors and on September 7th for students in grades 9-11. Our schedule will run from 8:15 to 3:30. Specific student schedules will be available in MyBackpack by Monday, August 29th. The schedule template can be found HERE. Handbook Updates There have been significant changes to the Upper School section of the All-School Student and Family Handbook. Please take time to review it, especially the following sections with your child: l Attendance, Absences, and Lateness l Academic Concerns & Academic Probation

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l Academic Honesty and Integrity l Cell Phone Policy

Students will discuss changes to the handbook and the ways that their teachers, advisors, and the leadership team will be present and ready to support them.

Opening Days & Retreats 11th & 12th Grade Retreats The Junior and Senior trips to Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center will proceed as planned! Seniors will leave for their retreat early on Tuesday, September 6th, and return on the afternoon of September 8th. Juniors will leave for their retreat on Wednesday, September 7th, and return in the afternoon of September 9th.

Seniors, as the leaders of the entire school, will focus on leadership development during the retreat, discussing and planning for the moments and ways in which they will lead intentionally this year.

Juniors will use their retreat time to focus on building relationships across peer groups. Both groups will also have ample time for games, bonding, and community relaxation.

Families will receive more detailed information about the trip, including required forms and packing lists, in the next two weeks. Students will also receive surveys to determine rooming preferences. It is important that everyone completes the forms and sends them back to the Dean as soon as possible as there will not be an opportunity to meet in person before we leave for the retreats.

10th Grade First Days and Retreat Sophomores will return to school on Wednesday, September 7th. They will spend the first week of school in activities around leadership and community building. Their sophomore retreat will take place on September 28th, returning on September 30th. We will send more detailed information and forms to prepare for the trip at the start of the school year.

9th Grade Orientation The 9th grade will have an orientation day at the Upper School building on Wednesday, September 7th. They will be introduced to the culture and processes of the Upper School, and enjoy plenty of activities to bring them together as a grade.

If you have any questions about any of the retreats, please contact our Dean of Students, Brian Sullivan at bsullivan@brooklynfriends.org.

The Office of College Counseling Senior College Night—Tuesday, September 13th, from 6:00pm-8:00pm Senior College Night is the College Counseling Office’s official kick-off to the college application

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cycle. This program is our opportunity to frame how we support students and families throughout the process, individually and as a whole grade. We will share important deadlines, discuss best practices, and answer any questions from students and families. Our goal is to reinforce the deep level of care and attention each student and family will receive as they navigate this process.

Upcoming Communications, Events, and Connect and Talks In the weeks and months ahead, you will continue to receive messages around the moments in the year when we will gather in person or over Zoom in conversation. Our goal is to keep everyone informed, engaged, and connected around life here in the Upper School. Please note the following upcoming events: l US Family Visit Day—September 6th,

9:00-11:00 AM If you would like to walk around the Upper School, please stop by and see the building before the students arrive! l 12th Grade Retreat, September 6th - 8th (Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center, Maryland) l 11th Grade Retreat, September 7th - 9th (Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center, Maryland) l 9th & 10th Grades Opening Days, September 7th - 9th (BFS) l Upper School Picture Days, September 12th & 13th l Senior College Night, September 13th, 6:00-8:00 PM l Upper School Curriculum Night, September 22nd l Succeeding with your Financial Aid Application, (Seniors & Families) Office of College Counseling, October 13th l Connect & Talk, October 14th l HBCU Panel, October 18th, 6:30 PM (All are welcome to attend!)

We look forward to welcoming all of you to the 2022-2023 School Year!

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The Stillness The stillness here Quiets the heart’s throbbing.

My breath comes softly; The light shines Through the high windows.

Silence settles Into communion.

Intensity deepens.

Out of the stillness Another speaks My unformed thoughts And expresses my longing.

My soul is satisfied, And I rejoice.

Elizabeth T. Shipley

BFS on Social Media

Thank you...

I would like to extend sincere gratitude to colleagues in all of our divisions, the Assistant Head of School and Chief of Staff, as well as the many other departments at Brooklyn Friends who support all of our students’ experiences on a daily basis.

Athletics Health Services Advancement Maintenance and Facilities Communications Security College Counseling Technology Dining Services Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Enrollment BFX Extended Day Finance

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