THIS WEEK AT LFS
UPCOMING EVENTS

September 21
International Day of Peace

September 22
Start of Cherrydale Fundraiser

September 22
SCA meet and greet
Back to school Night

September 26
Picture Day

September 28
Donor Event



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Notes from Head of School

Back to School Night
We look forward to seeing you next Thursday for Back to School Night.  The evening will start at 6:30 with a reception by the SCA where you can learn about our parents organization. 
 
Back to School Night is designed for you to meet all of the faculty and staff and to learn about our overall program, our specials program, the programs of each grade, and the ideas, philosophy and thinking that goes into how and what we teach.  We start out in the auditorium where you will meet the faculty and hear briefly from the specials teachers.  Then you will proceed to your child's classroom to hear about what goes on there.  Please know that if you have questions that pertain to just your child, you will be able to sit down with your child's teacher at conferences two weeks later.
 
Singapore Math
We are very excited to be rolling out Singapore math this year.
 
Singapore Math is the name of an approach to teaching mathematics based on the ideas of Jerome Bruner, an American psychologist.  The learning in Singapore Math is experiential, and students learn mathematical concepts through a three-stage process:  concrete, pictorial, and lastly abstract.  The inclusion of the pictorial stage of learning is an important addition to math learning in this program. Singapore Math also emphasizes fewer subjects, which allows students go deeper in their learning. Problem solving is at the heart of program, and by encouraging students to explain their thinking, they encourage them to use metacognition.  Most importantly, it promotes attitudes of appreciation, confidence and perseverance.
 
I used Singapore Math myself when I taught pre-Algebra and Algebra at Westtown, and found that it made it much easier for students to understand topics such as fractions and equations with variables.  For the last two years, Deb Hazen used it with her students, and she has shared this with the rest of the faculty.
 
Independent schools and many public schools all over the country have adopted Singapore Math, and we found that the leading schools in the Philadelphia area chose Math in Focus as the program to implement Singapore Math.  We have adopted this program and this summer our teachers were trained in Math in Focus. 
 
You will hear more about this program at Back to School Night. I hope to see all of you tonight this coming Thursday.
 
Have a great weekend!
 
-John
CALENDAR CORRECTION: PICTURE DAY

Please forgive our error.
Picture day is Monday, September 26
Back to school night
Back to school is next Thursday, September 22.
SCA will welcome parents between 6:30 and 7:00.  We will all proceed to the auditorium at 7:00 and then you will proceed to your child(ren)'s classroom(s) . The event ends promptly at 8:30.

This is an adults only event and, unfortunately, child care is not available.
Book Fair and Chili Dinner to benefit our library
 
Choose from a wonderful selection of literature and then join us for a scrumptious, family-style chili dinner. 

The books will be provided by Children's Book World, in Haverford and the chili dinner is organized by our own School Commu nity Association.

Join us!


To volunteer at the Book Fair :
International Day of Peace
Students assemble pinwheels
On September 21, we will celebrate International Day of Peace, along with institutions all over the world. Instituted by the United Nations, this is a day of hope for war torn nations and to appreciation of the peace around us.
It is a great opportunity to focus on our Quaker value of Peace and hold each other in the light.

Our yearly tradition of pinwheel-making is in full force. Older students are diligently assembling the pinwheels for the youngest ones. It is a team effort.

Next Wednesday, we will have a shorter Meeting for Worship, followed by the reading of the official declaration of the International Day Peace. We will sing and then enjoy a parade led by the 5/6 and our Peace Dove.

For more information on IDP, visit http://internationaldayofpeace.org/ and http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/
Piano Lessons by Teacher Emily
Teacher Emily Nicholson is offering piano lessons again! They will take place at the Meeting House, starting at 3:10pm on Wednesdays.
For detailed information, please read her letter or contact her directly at emilynicholson@comcast.net or (610) 316-2783. 
SCA News

The Lansdowne Friends School School Community Association (SCA)  is already up and running and excited for the new school year!

We really enjoyed seeing returning families and meeting new families at the Annual Playground Picnic. 

For those interested in learning more about the SCA and how to get involved in our group, please join us for the informal SCA Meet and Greet that will take place on the evening of Back to School night on Thursday, September 22, 2016 from 6:30 PM-7:00 PM.  You can meet the current leadership team and enjoy some light refreshments prior to meeting with your child's teacher. 


Thursday, September 22, 2016 also marks the beginning of the SCA's first fundraiser: Cherrydale Farms.  Cherrydale Farms is a local, high-quality, family-owned and operated specialty candy store that has evolved into one of the largest, product fundraising companies in the United States.  Today, Cherrydale Farms offers a wide variety of products designed to enhance our school's fundraising efforts. The same signature chocolates and confections that Esther Cherry began selling in Old City Philadelphia remain a cornerstone of their product line, along with popular magazine subscriptions, unique gift items, designer jewelry, delicious foods and cookie dough, gardening kits, gift wrap, holiday items and more.  A representative from Cherrydale Farms will be available during the SCA Meet and Greet to answer any questions.  Fundraising will continue through Monday, October 17, 2016.
 
Please join us on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM for our annual Book Fair and Chili Dinner.  You can first browse for books at the Book Fair and then join together for a family style meal.  We will be serving our traditional Turkey and Vegetarian Chili and Macaroni and Cheese with corn bread on the side for only $5 per dinner.  In order for preparation, please fill out the order form that you will find attached to this newsletter or in your child's backpack and return it to the SCA Mailbox.  Please prepay your order by Friday, September 30, 2016 and make checks payable to Lansdowne Friends School.  All proceeds will benefit the Lansdowne Friends School Library.
 
Following our annual Book Fair and Chili Dinner is a wonderful fall community-building event: The LFS SCA Hayride at Linvilla Orchards on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Enjoy a hayride with your fellow families that ends at a campfire with marshmallows to roast and apple cider.  Come early and make it an all day affair with pumpkin picking, apple sling shot, play land and more!  The wagon for the hayride departs at 5:45 PM SHARP!  The cost for this event is only $7 per person!  Please fill out this hayride order form that will also go home in your child's backpack and return it to the SCA Mailbox.   
Please prepay and reserve your spot by Friday, September 30, 2016 and make checks payable to Lansdowne Friends School.

We are looking forward to seeing you next Thursday.

Sincerely,

Missy Duran, on behalf of the SCA.
PECO Runaround
Support Teacher Nancy Sleator and pledge your support for good jobs from local solar power. 

On Saturday, October 1 at 10, Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) has organized a run, wall and wheel that circles the PECO building and shows how far we will go to Power Local Green Jobs.

Whether you want to be there or donate, we hope that you can join us.

You can donate to T. Nancy's personal goal here:
https://earthquakeractionteam.nationbuilder.com/ignite_the_light/?recruiter_id=9801
 
Lansdowne Friends School:
Growing confident learners to  engage and excel 
in a changing world