Plymouth MeetingFriends SchoolSpring 2007

A P u b l i c A t i o n f o r A l u m n i , P A r e n t s , A n d f r i e n d s

On a cold, gray Tuesday morning in February, fourth grade students at PMFS head across campus. Unicycles in hand,

heads bent into the wind, they make their way to the Steinbright Multipurpose Building to practice.

Later that same day, the class gathers together for a series of social studies presenta-tions. Their work has been weeks in the making and this morning they are ready to share all they’ve learned about one noteworthy figure in the history of the Wild West. One group, including students Ben Forman, Eve Mansell, Magda Andrews-Hoke and Naim Williams, are presenting their poster and performing a play about Sitting Bull, the Sioux chief known for standing up in defense of Sioux land and all he believed in, even in the face of Custer and his troops.

It is evident they’ve learned a lot and worked well together. At one point a student makes special note of the fact that Sitting Bull joined Bill Hickok’s Wild West Show, and he seems particularly captivated by this fact. It seems to resonate with him. And it is under-standable that it would, as the Wild West Show was a circus, and “The Circus” is a central theme in fourth grade at PMFS.

Just one example of integrated curriculum here, “The Circus” illustrates how subjects such as math, physical education, social studies, art and music can all become interconnect-ed and related, as opposed to being viewed by students as separate, stand-alone subjects. The end result is academic progress, personal growth and a concrete goal to work towards. From as early as September, every fourth grade students knows he/she will perform in a

real, live circus, complete with acrobatics, plate juggling, tightrope walking and, yes, uni-cycling!

When asked how it is he came upon “The Circus” as a theme, fourth grade teacher Will Starr explains that it’s in part because the circus has a rather universal appeal. “For hundreds of years, troupes of performers have been traveling the world entertaining audi-

continued on page 4

The Circus: Fourth Grade Students Tumble into Learning this integrated curriculum brings

academic subjects to life and captures kids’

imagination……..and energy! by Betsy Torg

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Over the past two years, members of the PMFS com-munity – parents, faculty, School Committee and members of Meeting – have engaged in a thorough and strategic long-range planning process. Through visioning sessions, meet-ings and extensive surveys we have worked hard to create a shared vision, define priorities and develop a strategic plan that is grounded in Quaker stewardship and consensus building. In the end I believe we have arrived at a plan that celebrates the curiosity and potential of children in an aca-demically challenging and socially responsible community of learners.

In drafting and crafting our long range planning report, the theme of stewardship emerged over and over again, echoing throughout our conversations and our writing, and in the end it defines our strategic goals. It is with pleasure and excitement that I highlight these goals for you:

strategic Goal: friends school life – Rest assured that PMFS con-tinues to incorporate the tenets of Quakerism in all aspects of the school experience. We are first and foremost, a Quaker school. One result of our strategic planning process has been the development of a Quaker Life Advisory Committee, formed to support the relationship between the school and Meeting and to further strengthen the Quaker life of our school.

strategic Goal: stewardship of the Historic campus – Our strategic plan recognizes that aspects of the campus require attention. We have decided to move ahead with designing renovations for our older facilities, while being mindful of the historic nature of the campus and striving to preserve that as much as possible. We have hired an architect, James Bradberry, to develop schematic plans for the develop-ment of the new administrative and classrooms spaces. James, who has a depth of experience working with Quaker schools, has presented plans that show tremendous respect for the Meeting House and cemeteries, reflect an understanding of the culture and atmosphere of our school, and incorporate, as much as possible, the application of environmentally-friendly design principles. These plans are being reviewed by faculty, School Committee, PMFS parents and members of Meeting and once all the feedback has been synthesized, the plans will

be finalized. I look forward to sharing them with you soon.strategic Goal: stewardship of People – PMFS will

maintain the school’s ability to hire and retain quality indi-viduals. Our commitment to stewardship of people will be upheld by compensating school employees fairly and in a manner that is consistent with area independent schools of similar size and character.

strategic Goal: financial stewardship – PMFS has established financial stewardship as a strategic goal, with priority given to increasing annual giving and building the endowment. Strategic targets have been set to move the

annual giving goal from $40,000 in 2004-2005 to $100,000 by 2008-2009. Under the careful

planning and guidance of co-director of development Juanita Nyce, the increased

yearly goals have been met and exceed-ed. Significantly, parent participation in annual giving has also increased from 35 percent in 2005 to over 60 percent in 2006. Printed materi-

als to support leadership giving levels have also been developed. Finally, we

have received several significant gifts ear-marked for the Mexican Scholarship Fund,

as well as our endowment, and for that we are truly grateful.

strategic Goal: community outreach – Our strategic planning process revealed the need for enhanced marketing efforts that better reflect and promote our school. Efforts in this direction include establishing defined talking points for admissions and advertising, which are already in place in the warm and vibrant new PMFS view book, developed by our marketing committee, in conjunction with Ellen Harris and Madelyn Ladner in our admission department. Creating a more sophisticated and representative school website was also identified as a need. Our recent auction in March of 2007 netted $39,000 and part of those funds will go towards upgrading the website. Finally, improved signage has been part of the plan and installation of our new signage system has begun!

We have spent many hours planning, debating, thinking and dreaming. The result is a living, breathing strategic plan to take PMFS forward into the future. We hope you will join us on this exciting venture in whatever way you can.

1940ssusan boesch laber (46), living in Northeast, PA, sends her greetings from grape country.

1950snelson camp (59) says, “After teaching drama and directing over forty main stage productions and sixteen annual circuses at George School, I retired in June 2006. My goal was to teach French, and sure enough, I was hired the day before school opened as the entire French department of H.S. Truman High School in Levittown, Bristol Township, PA. My homeroom is all of the ESL students, and so I’m surrounded by languages! Truman has a very diverse population, and has a reputation as a tough school in a rough area, with some newsworthy gang violence recently, and a sizeable number of kids at or below the poverty line. It’s been a fascinating challenge!”

1970sJean-marie magnier writes, “I graduated in 1975 after seven years at PMFS. I have wonderful memories and am still in touch with my best friend from PMFS – Betsy Datner. I teach math at Springfield Tech Community College [Springfield, Massachusetts]. I am married with two great kids, three step-kids and five step-grandkids.”

1980sJennifer briggs (89) and her husband, Carl Wellington, are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Wellington, who was born on January 31, 2007. Jennifer, Carl and Sarah live in Pittsburgh.

Peggy Beecham, parent of Kyle (88) and Kahlil (91) Martin, reports that Kyle and Kahlil are still pursuing their

respective callings in acting (NYC) and medicine (Houston). She wishes the PMFS family blessings and peace in 2007!

1990selisa epstein (96) is working at Deloitte & Touche in Boston for her graduate school internship. She is earning an MBA and an MS in Accounting at Northeastern University.

2000sPaul nolan (00) is a freshman at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL.

clare delaney (01) is a senior at the High School for Creative and Performing Arts in Philadelphia where she is a theatre major. Clare has been accepted to the Tisch School for the Arts at New York University for next fall.

elbe Kim (01), a senior at Germantown Friends School, was featured recently in the school’s student newspaper in an article on “underground art.” Elbe creates background tracks for rap music using original instrumentals, (he plays guitar, bass, keyboard and drums), computer software and synthesized sounds. Although he began recording his work as a hobby, he has been able to sell some of his beat art to amateur rap artists.

Jason lazrus (04) returned to PMFS to play in the young alumni basketball tournament in January. Jason tells us that he sings with the Keystone State Boys Choir and traveled with the choir last summer to Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. He also sang with the Opera Company of Philadelphia production of La Boheme this past fall. Jason is in ninth grade at Abington Friends School.

Jeremy Picker (05) is in the “Sharped Flats,” a select Middle School singing group at the William Penn Charter School.

dan smith (05) traveled to Italy in March with his Latin class.

sasha ragland (06) writes, “Since leaving for California I have had a few reunions with friends from PMFS including Whitney Spaulding and Leann Stover Nyce. Come visit me!”

newsAlumni

save the date!

Strawberry FeStivalJune 2, 2007

we are looking Forward to Seeing you at the alumni tent again thiS year!

On Saturday, January 6, 2007, PMFS alumni gathered in the Steinbright Multipurpose Building for the annual young alumni basketball tournament.

“We must ask where we are,

wither we are tending.”

- Abraham Lincoln

Stewardship of o u r f u t u r e by Anne Javsicas, Head of School

“One faces the future with one’s past”

- Pearl S. Buck

Five to six years ago, PMFS alumni Michael Sudofsky was planning a business trip to Mexico City. He emailed a friend there and told him he was flying in and catching a taxi. The friend quickly sent back an email offering to arrange transportation for Michael.

The friend? Carlos Roberts, Michael’s exchange partner from the PMFS Mexican Exchange Program…… thirty three years ago!“He and I met when we both were ten and I’m now 43,” muses Michael, clearly cherishing a friendship that was born through his PMFS experience and continues today. The two keep in contact, both via phone and email. Michael has even been back to visit his Mexican Exchange family in the very house he stayed in as a PMFS student.

In addition to providing him a friend for life, Michael says his PMFS experience had a big impact on his career path. It fostered a love of travel and led him to Europe after college (where he actively sought out employment) and then on to a career in international business.

Today Michael has his own business, a company that specializes in bringing industrial adhesive tapes and films from overseas to the United States. The materials he imports are used for things like laminating book covers, wrapping the composite materials used in forming wind turbine blades and airplane parts, and taping inside electrical and electronic components.

While Michael’s love of international travel, business, and foreign exchange still runs strong, he’s chosen to con-tinue his engagement with international market places from a small town on the New England coast. He’s taken up resi-dence, along with his wife Kate and five children, in the little coastal town of Marion, Massachusetts. He walks to work, his kids walk to school, and he can see the ocean from his office window. In his free time he pursues his passion for sailing, racing competitively in his J-24.

Michael continues his ties with PMFS as an active par-ticipant in annual giving efforts at the school. Michael likes having his money “going to a place where it has an effect,” he explains. When asked for words of wisdom for other alumni as to why they should consider supporting PMFS, Michael says, “It’s small, it’s special, it’s thorough and it’s diverse.

The programs are interna-tional and the kids there are exposed to things.”

While he does support his college alma mater, he contin-ues to give to PMFS because “you can make a difference putting your money into a small school like this.”

PMFS AluMni share t idbits of school history with current students by Betsy Torg

Katherine muckle (25) remembers taking a trolley – called “The Dinkie” – up and down Butler Pike from PMFS to Harmonville.

George c. “skip” corson, Jr. (47) recalls being teased by another boy at school and advises today’s students with the same advice his teacher gave him at the time: “Don’t let anyone get your goat!”

John Haub (43) remembers spending hours on the top floor of the Jeanes Library building, which at the time housed the reference room.

Katherine Krause (47) and carol corson (51) recall the days when stu-dents were actually allowed to walk on the Meeting House wall (!) and how the two of them (they are sisters) spent hours after school scaling the beams of the Annie H. Wilson room while it was under construction!

There were even a few stories about the graveyard.

Many things have changed and some have remained very much the same. That much was clear on Thursday, November 16, 2006, when a group of senior alumni returned to PMFS to visit. The alumni,

all of whom graduated or left PMFS in or before 1955, returned to campus for Meeting for Worship with students, a luncheon in the Corson Lobby and a tour of the campus.

Alumni who returned for the event enjoyed seeing old friends and catching up. Apparently they made quite an impression on today’s PMFS students; several parents report that their children came home and shared our alumni’s sto-ries at the dinner table.

And so, some pieces of PMFS history have been passed from one generation of PMFS students to another.

Alumni who returned to campus to visit included (from l to r): George C. “Skip” Corson, Jr. (47), Carol Corson (51), John Haub (43), Katherine Muckle (25), Carla Dietze (48), (Anne Javsicas, head of school), John Price (28), Katherine Krause (47) and Sally Richards Robins (45).

The Circus continued from page 1

Datest o r e m e m b e r

May 3 - 17 Mexican Exchange Program: Colegio Williams de Cuernavaca students visitMay 4 & 5 Sixth Grade Musical, 7pmMay 18 & 19 Fourth Grade Circus, 7pmMay 22 Instrumental Concert, 7pmJune 2 Strawberry Festival, 10am – 3pm June 12 Graduation, 7pmJune 25 – PMFS Summer Arts Camp August 3

Alumni, friends, and families are warmly welcomed at PMFS events. For more information, please contact Juanita or Betsy in the development office at (610) 828-2407 or at juanitan@pmfs1780.org and betsyt@pmfs1780.org.

AluMni ProFile: Michael Sudofsky (74)by Betsy Torg

In Memoriam: P ro f e s s o r A l e j and ro W i l l i ams R i va s 1949 -2006

Alejandro Williams, who died unexpectedly in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on November 20, 2006, was remembered by friends, including PMFS faculty and alumni, at a Meeting for Worship, held in his memory at on December 13, 2006, in the Plymouth Friends Meeting House.

Alejandro (Alex) was the head of the English department at the Williams School of Mexico City, a school founded by his grandfather in 1899. He started the exchange program with Plymouth Meeting Friends School in 1970. In the late 1970’s he moved to Cuernavaca and began the Colegio Williams de Cuernavaca where he was able to develop a program that reflected his educational philosophy – to know the individual child and to promote social responsibility. The strong bilingual (Spanish and English) program he created at Colegio Williams de Cuernavaca and the international exchanges between schools that continue under the leadership of Alex’s nephew, Alfonso Garcia Williams, remain as a legacy of Alex’s educational lead-ership.

Photo: Josh Turlon

ences of children and adults alike,” he says. “As a result it is a topic that just about any child can relate to and one that we all have had at least some exposure to in our lives.”

The curriculum is per-fect for this age group, he

adds. “Fourth graders are filled with wonder and imagina-tion, the world is truly their oyster and they believe they can do anything,” says Will. “And in the end, they can!”

Throughout the year, the theme encompasses just about every academic subject. In social studies, the class talks about the history of the circus and vaudeville in the United States. Students do an in-depth study of a character in the history of the American west, and in doing so learn research, writing and presentation skills. For math, Will has written a math curriculum with the circus as the central theme. The curricu-lum, now in book form, takes circus acts and facts and uses them to teach the math principles – place value, multiplica-tion, division, fractions and more – that are important for students to master in fourth grade. While Will has been using various parts of “Fourth Grade Circus Math” for the past few years, this year his book is complete (he’s actively looking for

a publisher) and is being used throughout the year. “It has been a wonderful tool to help bring math alive throughout the year,” he says.

With regards to physical education, “the circus is obvi-ously very physical,” says Will. “It gives the opportunity to excel in physical activities that are not traditional sports. Stilt walking, juggling, unicycling, and gymnastics are all very physical and the kids love to try new things,” he explains

Similarly, there is a connection between the theme and subjects such as drama, music and art. “The circus is natu-rally a precursor to the sixth grade musical,” explains Will. “It gives students the opportunity to be on the stage, perform in front of an audience and feel the joy of the theatre.” In terms of art, “the kids get involved in creating set design for the show,” he says, “gaining a sense of how they want the show to look.”

In addition to incorporating all of the academic skills fourth graders need to be learning, “The Circus” theme also accomplishes a lot of what PMFS is all about: helping stu-dents find confidence in themselves. “To learn how to juggle or walk on a wire….there is confidence in that,” says Will. He explains that he and his assistant teacher, Lorraine Council, try to guide individuals and stretch them to do things that are difficult and don’t come easily. “Watching kids perform acts that they’ve practiced all year makes it worth it!”

Art by Perky Edgerton

Plymouth Meeting Friends School provides students with a Quaker education that ensures each child is valued, develops a love of life-long learning, and becomes a responsible citizen of the world. While continually examining the balance of aca-demic challenge and age-appro-priate expectations, PMFS celebrates the exuberance and joy of children who are active members of a community of learners.

The mission and vision of Plymouth Meeting Friends School is strengthened and nourished through acts of kind-ness. Our collective efforts feed and deepen life at Plymouth while nurturing new growth in the classroom and beyond.

On March 3, 2007, the school hosted its fifth bi-annual Silent and Live Auction at Chestnut Hill College. It was a fab-ulous community event that netted $39,000 to continue the effort of updating school facilities. This year’s auction pro-ceeds will go toward purchasing additional SMART Boards™ for the upper grades, upgrading the PMFS website and entry-way resurfacing outside Journey’s End. The auction could not have happened without many parent volunteers and donations from members of our community. Thank you!

Letter from the Directors:acts of kindness

b y J u a n i t a N y c e , C o - D i r e c t o r o f D e v e l o p m e n t

PMFS is honored to receive a gift from the Estate of Katherine and William P. Camp in support of innovative curriculum, particularly in the areas of art and performance. Son Nelson Camp, PMFS class of 1959, became aware of Plymouth’s fourth grade circus

after speaking to sixth grade students at the annual alumni luncheon several years ago. Nelson is passionate about circus arts. He was particularly impressed by how the innovative curriculum, developed by Will Starr, integrates math, his-tory, the arts, physical activ-ity, and per-formance. The circus engages our students’ minds and bod-ies while build-ing confidence and creativity. Nelson’s inter-action with PMFS faculty and students inspired this generous gift.

You can strengthen Plymouth by making a gift to the Annual Giving Fund. Tuition alone does not cover all of the school’s needs. Financial support from all members of the PMFS community helps fill this gap. Please make a generous gift that reflects your passion for children and your capacity to invest in Plymouth Meeting Friends School’s exceptional mission. Many employers provide matching funds that can double or even triple your tax-deductible contribution.

These are just a few of the ways that the PMFS com-munity comes together to support the current mission and future vision of the school. Your partnership makes it possible for PMFS to continue the important work of cultivating an environment that celebrates the world and its people with the hope that children will discover their own gifts, recognize their differences and similarities, value stewardship and service, and remain ever-curious, lifelong learners.

Fourth grade students Naim Williams (l) and Alexandra Bailey (r) engage in a circus math activity together.

Name ______________________________________________ Maiden Name _________________________________________

Spouse/Partner’s Name ______________________________________________________________________________________

Children’s Names and Ages __________________________________________________________________________________

Class of _________ Date of Birth _______________ Email ________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone (home) _______________________________________ Phone (cell) ___________________________________________

Current/Prior Profession ______________________________ Employer _____________________________________________

Middle School, High School, College and graduation dates, if applicable ____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With whom do you stay in contact? (PMFS classmates, faculty, former faculty) ______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What has been happening in your life? Can we share your news in the alumni newsletter? Y/N ________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is your fondest memory of your time at PMFS? ____________________________________________________________

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions,

and the roots spring up and make new trees.”

- Amelia earhart

surveyPmfs Alumni

How do you currently connect with Plymouth?q Website q Alumni newsletterq Strawberry Festival q Reunionsq Young Alumni Basketball Tournamentq Contact with former classmates/facultyq Other ____________________________________________

At what time of year are you generally in the Plymouth meeting area?q Thanksgivingq Christmas/Hanukkah/Winter Breakq Passover/Easter/Spring Breakq Memorial Dayq Summer (June through August)q Labor Dayq Other ____________________________________________

Would you travel to Plymouth meeting specifically for a Pmfs event?q Yes, particularly for ________________________________q No

Would you be interested in events sponsored by Plymouth meeting friends school in your area?q Yes (please check any below that are of interest to you)

q Alumni reunion q Alumni Activity q Speaker seriesq No

Would you be willing to be your geographical area’s Pmfs alumni group leader?q Yes q No

Would you be willing to be a class agent? (Liaison with the school for your graduation class)q Yes q No Would you be willing to speak about your career and education experiences to current and potential students and parents?q Yes q No

Would you be willing to donate your time to help with school initiatives that align with your career or inter-ests?q Yes q No

if you are a local alum, would you be willing to host an open house or coffee with Pmfs staff for parents in your area?q Yes q No

Please return to:

Betsy Torg, Plymouth Meeting Friends School2150 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

As an alumnus/a, you are vital to the ongoing health of Plymouth Meeting Friends School. You offer a valuable source of energy and wisdom. Please share your thoughts and suggestions.

PMFS parents (from l to r) Laura Craig, Beth Castiglione and Sarah Sweeney-Denham at OUTSIDE/INSIDE: PMFS Auction 2007. The event, co-chaired by Joyce Colzani and John Gilliland, brought parents together on the night of, as well as beforehand to plan and organize.

The PMFS Auction 2007 brought togeth-er various members of the PMFS com-munity for a fun and festive evening. From l to r: Alumni parents Hillary and Jamie McAndrews, faculty members Holly Terry and Gladys McLendon (also a PMFS par-ent) and former faculty member Willard Terry.

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The PMFS Mexican Exchange Program continues! This year’s fifth grade traveled to Mexico from February 1 – 15, 2007. Here the class gathers for the traditional class photo in front of the main cathedral in Cuernavaca.

Friday, April 13, 2007 was Grandparents and Special Friends Day at PMFS. Here kindergarten students and their guests enjoy circle time together.

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

M e x i c a n e x c h a n g e 2 0 0 7