Quaker Life

MONTHLY MEETING FOR WORSHIP RETURNS VIRTUALLY

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

FIRST GRADE STUDENTS CREATE “A PEACEABLE KINGDOM” IN EXPLORATION OF SPICES

During Meeting for Worship, the students of 1C explored the Quaker SPICES (the core Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship). Inspired by this exploration, they created a collaborative collage showing a peaceful community of all creatures. They were inspired by the painting “A Peaceable Kingdom” by 19th century Quaker painter Edward Hicks. To accompany the collage, the 1C students wrote poems in which they describe the Quaker SPICES and what each SPICE means to them. Here are some excerpts from their poetry:

•“Simplicity is when you take a long time reading a book so you really enjoy it rather than going so fast and not enjoying it!” — William •“Peace is a flower blooming into beautiful petals on the first day of May.” — Adelia •“Integrity is telling the truth and not cheating in a game.” — Ava •“Community is working together as a team.” — Asa •“Equality is fighting for what’s right.” — Sam •“Stewardship is watering trees and planting new flowers.” — Darya

BFS RETURNS TO VOLUNTEER AT THE QUAKER CEMETERY IN PROSPECT PARK

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

A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY FOR COLLEAGUES ON OUR QUAKER IDENTITY

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

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

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

Following the panel discussion, colleagues met in smaller groups to reflect on what it means to each individual to be in a Quaker School and how the panel resonated with them. Colleagues then participated in multiple group activities and discussions, centered around the Quaker Testimonies. What are we doing to ensure that this testimony is part of each person’s experience in our school community? That question was posited for each of the Testimonies and was approached from all colleagues’ points of view.

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

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

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

BFS HEAD NAMED TO NAIS BOARD

Brooklyn Friends School is thrilled to announce that our Head of School, Crissy Cáceres, has been named to the Board of Trustees for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), a meaningful honor in her 25-year professional journey. NAIS states, “Election to the NAIS Board of Trustees carries with it a responsibility of stewardship. By definition, trustees are the custodians of the integrity of the organization; they hold in trust the organization’s reputation as created by its founders, and as developed by those who have shaped the organization in the past. Current trustees accept the obligation to not only preserve, but also add to this organization. In this way trustees help form not only the present, but also the future composition and direction of the organization.” We are extremely proud of Crissy and know that, along with her peers, she will use her voice and inner light in ways that positively influence the direction of independent schools. Congratulations, Crissy! … The NAIS wasted little time showing off one of their newest Board members. On a recent episode of “New View EDU,” a podcast by the National Association of Independent Schools, one of the experts that was selected to be a guest on a show entitled, “The Future of Schools as Desirable Workplaces,” was our very own Head of School, Crissy Cáceres! During the show, Crissy and the two other special guests talked through different ways of thinking about their roles as being supportive to their communities. Making space and time for each person to show up fully and authentically even amidst polarization and creating habits that allow workers to feel that they understand their purpose and are better for having been a part of that purpose are cornerstones of the practices they recommend for healthier and more desirable workplaces. You can hear the entire episode wherever you consume your podcasts.