 November/December 1999 (XXXVII 5) |
ducation was the focus at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting on Saturday, July 24. In the afternoon, about 35 Friends gathered to discuss the "Quaker Quality" of our Friends schools. Many were parents of children in Friends schools and a number were involved on School Committees, or as faculty or administrators. Friends were asked to identify the basic ingredients that give rise to the Quaker Quality of their Friends school. Friends were also asked to explain how they have improved the Quaker Quality at their school. Here are some of their insights:
Meeting for worship is central to the life of the School. Regular attendance at meeting is built into the schedule, and children are encouraged to share their spiritual concerns, and speak in meeting. The curriculum includes religious education that is appropriate for friends and Friends alike, but at a minimum these courses will acquaint the student with Quaker history and the testimonies and concerns of early and modern Friends, perhaps through Quaker biographies or journals. Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, respect for God's creation, and so forth, are both taught and practiced. The goal is development of the Inward Light and teaching children to trust their leadings. This may be assisted by the use of weekly or monthly Queries, especially Queries by the children themselves.
Children may visit historic Meetings in our area. While today's Friends schools must embrace a religiously diverse student body, we should not apologize for our Quaker/Christian roots. These subjects should be taught with sensitivity toward those who see the Light differently.
Out of this spiritual center, the Friends school will follow Quaker process as exhibited by a respect for all, and decision-making by consensus. Valuing one another and treating all children with respect is the hallmark of the Friends school. The teacher-student relationship is a "We-We" relationship, not "We-They." Peaceful conflict resolution is practiced.
The next aspect is the presence of adult Friends in the school community. Quaker faculty, staff, administrators, and committee members all enhance the Quaker Quality of the school, through their day-to-day exercise of our faith and practice. Today, this is a challenge for many of our schools where Friends may be only a handful among the faculty and staff. However, this is also an opportunity for service, as one retired Friend pointed out. Volunteers may be drawn from the Meeting, from Friends retirement facilities, or from among the parents, all of whom offer a Friendly Presence that helps to nurture the spiritual life of the school.
In a school where this Quaker presence leads to Quaker practice, we find a general willingness to stand outside accepted norms, where everyone in the school community is encouraged to stand up for what they believe, and labor toward consensus in an atmosphere of love and respect. We must always understand that "Truth comes from many places." When this is fully understood, there is better integration of the school community, including non-teaching and support staff, along with faculty, parents, students, and administrators, in the decision making process (challenging the corporate model of top-down management). Communication from the School Committee is not just through the Head of School.
Finally, a Friends school celebrates each and every child's abilities and nurtures his or her unique gifts. We must remember to recognize all kinds of gifts, not just intellectual. Friends schools are often diverse in the racial and economic backgrounds of their students; but are they diverse in terms of academic potential? The importance of status symbols may be minimized; but is educational "elitism" minimized? Commitment to diversity should not just be based on marketing. Friends were united in making Friends school education more accessible to Friends' children.
This breakout session was sponsored by the Friends Schools Working Group of PYM, which invites interested Friends to join with them in ministering to the needs of the Friends schools that are under the care of PYM (either directly or indirectly). This rewarding work leads to involvement in the school community that will continue to improve and celebrate the Quaker Quality of our Friends schools as well as enrich the spirit of the volunteers who undertake it. For more information, call Tom Hoopes, PYM coordinator of education, at 215-241-7224.
Stephen Loughin
Old Haverford Meeting (PA)
Clerk of PYM Friends Schools Working Group
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM