FA's 2024-25 school theme, "Empathy," kicks off with community and joy

With the first day of school in hand on Tuesday, Sept. 3, Friends Academy students and colleagues jumped in with both feet to a week of community bonding that celebrated the building blocks of FA's 2024-25 school theme, "Empathy." 

Community and joy were in high demand and supply as students settled into new academic spaces and faces. In Lower School, ice cream, popsicles, a visiting magician, and a special puzzle challenge summoned up bright smiles and a plethora of "ooohs," in and amongst learning about classroom routines and heading off to specials and core classes.

Middle School students immersed themselves in their MESH (Math/English/Science/History) courses, while exploring the worlds of music, art, and athletics. A special program, "Grit-N-Wit", an interactive teamwork obstacle course for students, gave each Middle School grade the chance to compete in a combination of physical feats and brain teasers. Erected on the football field, a variety of structures from climbing to running, ropes, to hurdles, required student teams to work together to solve mental puzzles in a fast-paced environment. The top of the Middle School, the 8th grade, participated in an additional leadership retreat, as they prepared to learn and model for younger peers.

Community and academic orientation kicked off the week for Upper Schoolers, as they rotated through all of their academic classes and electives. Small Advisory groups, which will meet several times a week during the school year, formed the backbone of community interactions, as students learned how to grow networks of teachers and peers. An elaborate community puzzle (created by Director of Arts Andrew Geha) united the Upper School in a fierce race to solve multiple brain teasers, racing against the clock and each other.

Within the newness of the school year, one thing remained constant for all students, Quaker Meeting for Worship, often termed "the most important meeting of the week" at Friends schools. In Upper School, members of TASQUE (Teachers and Students for Quaker Understanding and Education) oriented students to the history of the Matinecock Meeting House (built in 1725), as the country's oldest continuously operating Quaker meeting (established in 1671). Students explained the practice and importance of community reflection – the ability to synthesize multiple thoughts, active listening, and growing empathy – and rising to speak and share a message, if one was moved.  

The week ended with the school's annual fall Convocation, where students from Kindergarten to 12th grade, gathered in the Main Gym, to welcome new students and colleagues to the community. Senior Myles Cooper-Boyce introduced the school's 2024-25 theme of Empathy. "To me, empathy is being able to deeply understand and share someone's feelings and experiences. It is to feel obligated to see the world through someone else’s eyes, whether it is in a moment of happiness or frustration," he shared. 

Head of School Paul J. Stellato encouraged students along a path of light and understanding. "So exhaust yourselves with empathy; surround yourself and your friends with kindness; be as patient as you can and when you’ve exhausted your patience, start again.  Listen carefully before you speak.  Be warmed by the light you discover in others; in turn, they will be warmed by yours."

Watch our video of Convocation below:

Photography and video by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy