news from Lansdowne Friends School
Lansdowne Friends School Newsletter is a publication of Lansdowne Friends School. Eric Mayer Head of School Hanne Weeden Editor Iris Hills ‘11 Graphic Design & Layout 110 N Lansdowne Avenue Lansdowne, PA 19050 610-623-2548 www.lansdownefriendsschool.org 2024-2025 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Tara Bledsoe Latesha Colbert-Mack Daniel Consiglio Fabiola Desmont Marion Henderson Dawn Mercurio Nicole Muther Pam Nagy Regina Powell Sandy Sadeghi Matt Silva Paulette Taylor Diana Waters Wick Williams ALUMNI & ALUMNI PARENTS Scan the QR code and share what you/your children have been up to!
Winter 2024
Building the Foundation of Democracy, One Classroom at a Time
By Jill Bean, First & Second Grade Teacher
Friends education is built on two central beliefs: that each person is guided by their Inner Light and that truth is revealed through an ongoing process of continuing revelation within a community. At Lansdowne Friends School, the shared work of learning builds students’ capacity for civic engagement and fosters an appreciation for diverse experiences. Over time, our students come to understand the importance of community and the strength of their own voices. For over 20 years, I have had the privilege of teaching at LFS, guiding young children through the crucial early stages of their education. In my classroom, children, community, and Quaker values are always at the heart of our work. Through intentional activities, careful listening, and meaningful relationship-building, I focus on more than just academic growth. I strive to create a strong, supportive community that prepares my students to become engaged and empathetic citizens in a democratic society. At the beginning of each school year, I concentrate on building an inclusive, cohesive classroom environment. I know that when children feel a sense of belonging and significance, they are more invested in their learning. This sense of community is carefully nurtured through activities that help students bond and develop trust. I also incorporate elements of the Responsive Classroom approach, particularly when we create classroom guidelines together. Rather than imposing rules, I invite the children to discuss how they want to be treated at school and what they need to reach their goals. Continued on page 2
“When children feel a sense of belonging and significance, they are more invested in their learning. This sense of community is carefully nurtured through activities that help students bond and develop trust.”
Lansdowne Friends School, Fall 2024
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Quaker values of equality, community, and stewardship continue to be woven into our work throughout the year. Another key project each January focuses on nonviolent protest. After learning about historical changemakers in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day, we invite members of the Lansdowne Friends Meeting to share their own ongoing protest experiences. My students then plan a peaceful protest march through Lansdowne, each creating a sign to express the changes they wish to see in the world. This project empowers them to share their messages of hope and change with the larger community.
At LFS, building a strong community goes hand in hand with nurturing democratic principles. Continued from page 1 To deepen these conversations, I share two beautifully illustrated books by Native American author Monique Gray Smith: You Hold Me Up, illustrated by Danielle Daniel, and My Heart Fills With Happiness, illustrated by Julie Flett. These books prompt my students to reflect on what makes them feel supported and joyful at school. I ask them questions like,
Children experience the power of collaboration, the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, and the value of creating rules together. Through projects like developing classroom guidelines and participating in a peaceful protest, they learn what it means to be part of a democratic society. They are developing skills to express their needs, listen to others, and work together for the common good. By focusing on both academic learning and the development of
“How can we hold each other up?” essential interpersonal skills, Lansdowne Friends School shapes “What would fill your heart with happiness at school?” young people who are not only ready for the challenges of the Their answers shape our classroom guidelines, which emphasize kindness, inclusion, and support. When children help co-create these rules, they gain a sense of ownership in our classroom culture and learn they are active participants in creating a space where everyone is heard and valued. Once developed, our guidelines are compiled into a book illustrated by the students. This book remains central to our classroom throughout the year. It serves as a constant reminder of how we want to treat one another. Simple acts, like greeting classmates each day or offering help when someone feels sad, reflect the principles that guide our community.
classroom but also prepared to become thoughtful, engaged, and compassionate citizens in the world. Each classroom is a microcosm of the broader society we all hope to live in—one where every voice matters, every person is seen, and kindness and understanding guide us forward. -Jill Bean
The process of developing these shared agreements mirrors the way society creates laws and agreements that reflect everyone’s needs. My students learn that their voices matter and that their actions shape the world around them. It’s an early lesson in civic engagement, showing them that democracy isn’t confined to government—it’s something we practice daily by listening to others, sharing ideas, and making collective decisions.
Student illustrations from 1-2 Community Guidelines book:
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Thank You Teachers!
We are profoundly grateful to our teachers and staff who spend countless hours and great amounts of their own resources in support of the school. Whether picking up wonderful new books to share with their students, searching out extra supplies and arts materials, bringing in thematically tied snacks and treats, and so much more, our teachers are often here on weekends, and are often the first to arrive and the last to leave. They tend to our childrens’ hearts and minds, and are the very backbone of our school.
Classroom Teachers (left): Kathi Hajjar & Brooks Wilson (PreK), Mingh Whitfield & Andrea Danks (K), Jill Bean & Alec Sena (1-2), Maura Leeper & Harsha Cooke (1-2), Dee Amey & Chris Paynter (3-4), Matthew Plastino & Maya Taylor (5-6) Specials Teachers (top row, right): Tatyana Smolen (music), Elena Winston (Spanish), Rachel Grobstein (art), Al Gaspar (shop and science), DJ Giordano (gym), Jennifer Woodring-Shea (library) Extended Day Staff (bottom row, right): Andrea Danks (pictured with classroom teachers), Lucinda Jones-Pegram, Ashley Wyatt, Grace Cullen, Ashley Covert
We So Deeply Appreciate You! Fostering a Lifelong Engagement with the Visual Arts by Rachel Grobstein, LFS Art Teacher For me, good teaching in visual art involves modeling both passion and rigor for the content of my classes. I think of my job as both facilitator and guide. I challenge students to examine their ideas, passions and motivations. My classes tend to be grounded in observation and working from life in order to hone the fundamentals of slowing down, and paying attention. So much about creating art involves a honing certain quality of attention, which then translates through the hands and body onto the page. I also try to expose students to as much art as possible! As creators in the 21st-century we are all standing on the backs of giants, and encouraging students to ingest a deep and diverse buffet of visual influences helps them create new associations and give form and voice to their own taste and style. I also believe in fostering a lifelong engagement with the visual arts, by contextualizing each student’s individual explorations within a broader history and promoting an affinity with a community of artists, both historical and contemporary. Art is a generative connective tissue sparking new associations across disciplines, and should participate in broadly relevant conversations. Each student learns differently, and part of my job is also to explain ideas and processes in a variety of ways. I am to create an inclusive space where all students feel encouraged to take risks in order to grow. The classroom should be a community where students are confident in their ability to articulate their perspectives and learn from each other, not only from the teacher. My aim is to foster dialogue and an artistic practice that will continue beyond the classroom!
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The View From My Window by Eric Mayer, Head of School Last fall, when asked what I saw out my window, I replied, “I see America.” From here, I look out onto a playground filled with diversity, cooperation, and a true cross-section of America. Unlike traditional independent schools that often serve to perpetuate generational wealth, LFS stands apart, removing barriers for working and middle-class families and fostering a deep sense of belonging for every student. It’s a small miracle that we exist, and I am so passionate about our school.
This Annual Report shares last year’s highlights and our upcoming innovations. After the pandemic, we returned to a school-wide theme, “Walls & Bridges,” inviting engineers to help design bridge models, visiting the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to explore public art, and even taking a day to walk across one of Philadelphia’s bridges. Students and teachers experimented with various structures, discovering what makes bridges both beautiful and strong. We introduced a new Tech Club for grades 3-6, where students learned coding and robotics. Two female engineers joined us for additional after-school coding sessions. Our Gardening
program also grew, with students actively participating during recess and after school. As families increasingly seek an education that addresses today’s challenges, LFS is focusing on preparing students for the future. We are teaching coding as a new language, recognizing it as a vital skill that promotes critical thinking about technology. We are also aligning our curriculum with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, connecting our students to a global movement. Understanding the impact of climate change on our students’ futures, we are taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint by installing solar panels to meet 100% of our energy needs, upgrading to LED lights, and replacing asphalt with greener alternatives. Additionally, we have integrated DEI into the heart of our curriculum with the new role of “Director of Culture & Curriculum” to ensure a culturally-responsive educational experience. LFS matters because we provide a progressive, childcentered education that meets today’s needs. Our graduates will carry empathy, awareness, and creativity into all areas of life. Thanks to financial aid, LFS is accessible to families who historically haven’t had access to independent education.
Thank you for ensuring the success of future LFS scholars.
Young Alumni Update: Eli Eskridge LFS ‘24 As part of Meeting for Graduation, our 6th graders share their insights with the community about their LFS experience. This past spring Eli Eskridge, LFS ‘24, shared his thoughts about becoming a leader.
“LFS helped me grow by teaching me strategies to be a leader and giving me opportunities to build my strengths.” - Eli Eskridge Before I was a leader I had to grow myself, doing small things, and when I was ready, I could help others grow.
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There were many people and experiences that helped me learn leadership skills at LFS. Teacher DJ helped me become a leader by inviting me to lead gym classes with the younger grades. Having three younger siblings made me a leader at home and at school. Cross Country helped me become a leader because I used to lead workouts. Reading buddies helped me be a leader because we had to set an example and teach and play with the youngest kids in the school. In my next school, when I need to show leadership and integrity in the classroom, I will use the skills LFS taught me to be a leader and to help guide people. My favorite memory at LFS was the 5 ⁄ 6 class trip to Washington D.C. I had so much fun with my classmates and teachers! My favorite part was talking to Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and watching the House of Representatives vote on a bill on whether there should be restrictions and taxes on crypto currency - I learned how complicated and complex the government is. Talking to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives inspired me and showed me how you can lead on a bigger stage.
Raising Children in the Village that is LFS by Nicole Muther, Clerk of the School Committee
We’ve all heard the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
When our children were born, my husband Erik and I found that our “village” resembled more of a remote rural outpost. While our parents heroically traveled long distances to support us, our college friends and siblings lived far away and most didn’t have children yet. We lacked a local peer group with kids and didn’t have parents a few years ahead of us to turn to for advice and support. Thus, when Nancy Werner, LFS’s long-time admissions director, asked what I hoped to gain from LFS as a parent, I was stumped. My initial thought was, “Ummm… a kid who learns how to read someday?” We could see that LFS had the skilled adults we wanted teaching our three-year-old, a diverse and engaged student body, and a safe campus where our son could play. It was difficult to think beyond pre-K; with a two- and three-year-old, sixth grade seemed as distant as college. In my inexperiencedparent mindset, school was a place for children, not for me. However, we soon discovered that Lansdowne Friends School is far more than just a place for children. We were actually choosing LFS for our entire family. We became part of a community of adults—faculty, staff, administrators, and fellow parents—who worked together to foster a learning environment for our children. We found babysitters among the young LFS alumni, a Quaker faith community, and a vibrant social life through playground
chats, Friday gatherings, parent meetings, playdates, birthday parties, hayrides, and ice skating meet-ups. In essence, we found our village. Most importantly, we saw our sons thrive. They were eager to go to school, excited to share what they learned about the Harlem Renaissance, Ancient Greece, and robotics. They read books recommended by friends, took the train into Philadelphia, and sang songs about having a habitat, black socks that never get dirty, and bringing us peace. Watching our sons graduate from LFS in 2017 and 2018 was one of the most bittersweet moments of our lives. It marked the end of a decade-long chapter where LFS had become our home away from home. Yet, even as our children grow up, our village remains. In recognition of the profound impact LFS has had on our lives, Erik and I continue to support the school through gifts of time, money, and expertise. We volunteer for events, contribute financially to ensure the school’s continued success, and share our professional skills to help advance LFS’s mission. As the Clerk of the School Committee—the role Quakers use to refer to the chair of the Board of Trustees—I am deeply committed to helping shape the future of LFS and ensuring that it remains a vibrant, supportive community for generations to come. By giving back, we honor the support we received and help sustain and enrich the village that has become such an integral part of our family’s story. I know many of you have your own stories of LFS’s impact, and I hope you will share them!
Scan the QR code to contribute to the school and tell us about how LFS has impacted your life! Your support keeps our community strong!
Celebrating 50 years: LFS Class of 1974 Lansdowne Friends School Class of 1974 celebrated their 50th reunion in mid-May, bringing together seven of the thirteen classmates to reconnect and reflect on how LFS shaped their lives. The weekend included meetings with both young alumni and current students, fostering intergenerational connections and shared experiences. A highlight was Barrett Caldwell’s talk, “From Lansdowne Friends to Mission Control,” where he shared his journey from LFS to becoming a Professor at Purdue and contributor to NASA’s space program. Barrett credited LFS for instilling the Quaker values that guided his career, and announced a transformative $100,000 gift to fund a writing program and support the school’s capital campaign for a sustainable playscape. LFS ‘74 classmates Bruce Kramer, Deanna McRae King, and Barrett Caldwell
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Green Spaces Growing Minds Transforming Outdoor Spaces at LFS
Launching the Capital Campaign
Environmental Stewardship
Lansdowne Friends School is launching the public phase of a $750,000 campaign to transform our outdoor space into a sustainable, climate-ready playscape. This project is rooted in Quaker values, fosters child development, and incorporates climate-resilient features. It also includes solar panels and infrastructure upgrades to enhance campus sustainability.
The playscape will feature rain gardens, shade trees, and heatreflective surfaces to reduce flooding and create cooler play areas. Solar panels and campus upgrades will lower energy costs, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and stewardship.
Campaign Progress Since January 2024, LFS has raised $500,000 during the quiet phase of the campaign. As we move into the public phase, we warmly invite you to join us in bringing this exciting vision to life. Stay tuned for more details in the new year about how you can be part of this transformative project!
Enhancing Education and Community Impact The redesigned space will provide hands-on learning opportunities, fostering environmental awareness and a connection to nature. It will also contribute to a more resilient and livable community while sharing strategies for climate preparedness with the surrounding communities.
Supporting Timeless Educational Values LFS matters because we provide a progressive, child-centered education that meets today’s needs. Our graduates carry empathy, awareness, and creativity into all areas of life. Thanks to financial aid, LFS is accessible to families who historically haven’t had access to independent education. Thank you for ensuring the success of future LFS scholars. Your support of the Annual Fund and our Programming truly matters! LFS INCOME: $2.4M 2023-24
Tuition $1.8M Restricted Donations 536K Auxiliary Programs $140K Lansdowne Monthly Meeting Contributions $128K
ANNUAL FUND $190K
LFS EXPENSES: $2.4M 2023-24
Staff: $1.495M Admin. Op: $231K Facilities: $145K Rent- Lansdowne Monthly Meeting $128K Technology: $70K Instructional Materials: $50K Benefits: $281K
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The Development Office has taken care to ensure that the Annual Report is accurate. Please let us know of any errors or omissiona so that we can make corrections to our records.
2024-2025 Giving at Lansdowne Friends School The Backyard Playspace Capital Campaign: Anonymous Barrett Caldwell ’74 Doris Lehman Erik & Nicole Muther Dana Robinson & Nancy Sleator —--------------------------I LFS campaign: Anonymous Rachel Betesh Gisela Blake Tara Bledsoe & Kyle Bittenger Mary Boardman & Gabriel Csanalosi Christina Chimi Eden Copeland Michelle Crouch Ellen Dabagian Odalina Duran Mary Eversole Natalie Felix DiDonato Geraldine Felix Lauren Frantz Al Gaspar Alyce Grunt & Jamie Zigarelli Debra Gulotta Rhonda Hart Marion Henderson Rachel Isaacson Laura Kolker Todd Lieber Lia Petrozziello & Brooks Wilson Rebecca Popowsky Rochelle Scott Lois Sellers Sharday Shaw Tatyana Smollen Charles D. Staples Paulette Taylor Lynda Thomas Tara Tomasco Jessica Tutton Hope Velocette Hanne Weedon Wick Williams & Jennifer Loustau Jennifer Woodring-Shea —--------------------------In Honor of Emma LapsanskyWerner & Paul Del Rossi’s Wedding: Lucious & Melanie Anderson John & Camille Coda Anne Marie Del Rossi Samuel DiPietrantonio Lucious & Melanie Anderson Linda Gerstein Betsy Griffith-Smith Houghton Sandra Howze Debby Meloney & Jim Meloney ‘49 Roger Lane & Marjorie Merklin Amy Lempert Laura Matika John Melinchock
Randall & Linda Miller Kim Nagy Leonard & Lilian Nelson Kirk Peterman Fred Slack Hazel Spears Vilayat Del Rossi —--------------------------Annual Giving (Unrestricted): Anonymous Allison Acevedo (The William Penn Foundation) Dierdre Amey George Arpajian ‘73 Denis Asselin & Judy Nicholson Asselin ’65 Mark Berman Tara Bledsoe & Kyle Bittenger Nolan Borgman ‘02 Barrett Caldwell ‘74 Christina Chimi Susan Ciccantelli Latesha Colbert-Mack Dan Consiglio Carol Cooke Harsha Cooke Peter Isard & Margaret Cooke David Crawford Fabiola Desmont The Grand Friends of Eloise DiGiuseppe Dottie Duffy Helen Herr Ford ‘46 Elaine Fulmer Elaine Fultz & John Francis Al Gaspar Virginia Mustin Gourlie ‘61 Philip Graitcer ‘56 Alyce Grunt & Jamie Zigarelli Kathi Hajjar Charlton Harley III ‘75 Harriet Heath Marion Henderson Patrick Hennessy G.R. Hoffman Sandra Pearson Howze Anne-Marie Inge & Jay Howser Jacqueline & Norman Janes Juan Jewell & Susan Cozzens Tim Kaiser Edward Keith & Joan Kabakjian Keith ‘55 Bruce Kramer ‘74 Rachel Labush Emma Lapsansky-Werner Sherisse Laud-Hammond Maura Leeper Doris Lehman Margery DeArmond Maconachy ‘56 G. Bruce & Margaret Mainland Mark Schenker In honor of Ilana Glaser Eric Mayer Ginny Mazzei & Carl Chimi In honor of Olivia Thomas
Carolyn McCoy In honor of Margie Sanderson Linell McCurry Dawn Mercurio & Chris Callison-Burch Marcia Morgan Erik & Nicole Muther Paul Muther & Ulla Dagert In honor of Nicole Muther Bill Nicholson & Emily Mustin Nicholson ’65 Nadine Patterson Kirk Peterman Robert & Deborah Petrozziello Regina Powell Sandy Sadeghi ‘74 Nancy Sarr Matthew & Judith Schultz Richard Schultz Lois Sellers Alec Sena ‘05 Linda & Gerard Sena Paul & Frances Sheldon Nancy Sleator Tatyana Smollen Eloise & Peter Smyrl Molly Smyrl ’94 Rebecca Smyrl ‘89 Kate & Anand Srinivasan John Thomas & Lydia Veliko Linn Vaughters Emily Vener-Giszter Marty Von Ronsensteil Helene Von Ronsensteil Alex & Matt Vrazo Michael Wajda Gerald Walsh Robert Ward ‘53 Diana Waters Hanne Weedon Nancy Werner Mingh Whitfield Wick Williams & Jennifer Loustau Jennifer Woodring-Shea Toni Isard Yagoda ‘74 Susan Yemin —--------------------------Annual Giving (Restricted): Bridge Foundation Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends Children First Foundation of Delaware County Children’s Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia Emlen Foundation Grant Fidelity Investments Friends Council on Education Friends Fiduciary Lansdowne Monthly Meeting of Friends Leon McKenzie ‘85 & Joleen McKenzie (McKenzie Promising Futures Fund) Media Providence Friends School
Old Haverford Friends Meeting Playtors Cove Foundation Quaker Seeds Fund T. Wistar Brown Teachers’ Fund Virginia Mustin Gourlie ’61 (Mustin Scholarship Fund) White Richardson Fund William Penn Charter Wyatt Wistar Brown Fund —--------------------------Matching Gifts: Penn’s Way Chris Callison-Burch & Dawn Mercurio Erik & Nicole Muther —--------------------------EITC & The Friends Collaborative: Tara Bledsoe & Kyle Bittenger Chrissy Chimi Lise Detwiler Etai Dori & Rachel Isaacson Annie & Jason Giaccone Ahaviah Glaser Alyce Grunt & Jamie Zigarelli IMC Construction Anne-Marie Inge & Jay Howser Andrea Mayer Eric Mayer Katie McKinstry & Marc Badger Dawn Mercurio & Chris Callison-Burch Credence Management Erik & Nicole Muther Mike Neuss & Alex Borst Daniel Singer Nancy Sleator & Dana Robinson Molly Smyrl ‘94 Pete & Eloise Smyrl UGI Energy Services Carmen Valentino Waste Management Wick Williams & Jennifer Loustau —--------------------------Gifts in Kind: Christine DuBois-Buxbaum Jeanne Chang Ashley Covert Lise Detweiler Sarah Fowler Ashley Francisco Laura Francisco Anne-Marie Inge Jack Nissel Dana Robinson Linda Sena Nancy Sleator Marty Von Rosenstiel Christian Whitfield ‘17
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LFS 5th and 6th Graders Visit DC
Learn all the ways you can make a gift to Lansdowne Friends School: RECURRING GIFTS When making your gift, you have the option to set up a recurring gift on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. TAX CREDITS Through the PA-EITC and The Friends Collaborative programs, you can direct your state taxes to support Lansdowne Friends School scholarships. The programs operate on a calendar year basis, but you can give in the spring or fall for generous tax benefits. PLANNED GIFTS Bequests, charitable gift annuities, cash and other planned gifts can be directed to Lansdowne Friends School. The benefits of a planned gift can include sizable income and estate tax deductions, favorable capital gains tax, income, and a lasting impact on Lansdowne Friends School.
The 5th and 6th grade toured Washington, DC in May. Amongst other adventures, they went to the Supreme Court, the US Capitiol, the Native American Museum, the Botanical Gardens, met with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, and took an open-top bus tour of the city!
UPCOMING DATES: Community Sing- 12/18/24 Mayfair- 5/03/25 Meeting for Graduation- 6/05/25
GIFTS OF STOCK AND SECURITIES Contact your broker to make a gift of stock or securities to Lansdowne Friends. Indicate the name of the stock, number of shares, and the name of the account the stock is being transferred from: DTC Participant: #2803 Account #: 10996-01-J Account Name: Friends Fiduciary Corporation, Quaker Growth & Income Fund Participant Income Account
Visit lansdownefriendsschool.org/support to find out more today