Black History Month
Upper School Black History Month kickoff with CPEJ & the Black Culture Club! Treats were supplied by @thebakeryonbergen which is owned by the parent of three incredible alumni, Chuma Osse ’15, Chi Osse ’16, and Kai Osse ’19!
Black Culture Club’s HBCU Panel
The Black Culture Club hosted a Zoom panel on the possibilities that Historically Black Colleges & Universities can offer students. CPEJ and BCC were joined by five incredible panelists including Malik Bunton ’15.
Peace Week
Lower School students exploring the Quaker testimonies—the SPICES. They are learning that we, as a school community, value these testimonies as we try to live lives that demonstrate these values. As a project in 1JE, students wanted to learn what the Class of 2022 thought about the SPICES and how things like Meeting for Worship have affected their school experience. The first graders prepared questions and practiced their interview skills first on adults in the school community.
Peace Week Meeting for Worship
The full Lower School (K-4) came together in the Meetinghouse during a Peace Week Meeting for Worship led by leaders of the Center for Peace, Equity and Justice. For a full list of Peace Week activities, visit www.peaceweek2022.com. (photo by Jeneen Mangel)
Heart Filled Cards for Heart of Dinner
The Asian Culture Club, Language Department and CPEJ invited students, parents, faculty and staff to decorate bags and write notecards for Heart of Dinner, an organization that delivers meals to the elderly Asian community in New York City. Heart of Dinner collects notes in the recipient’s native language such as Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog or Korean with translation in English. Students from Chinese classes helped with translating messages. This effort is meant to help those marginalized by the increase in anti-Asian hate feel safe and connected, combatting both anti-Asian racism and food insecurity at the same time.
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh Visits Friends
During Peace Week, the Center for Peace, Equity & Justice hosted Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute's Religion and Society Program. Dr. Singh spoke to our Upper School students about his story and what it means to lead a values-based life. Dr. Singh shared his guiding values of oneness, love, and service / justice with the community, and prompted us all to consider what our core values might be and how they can serve as our compass. Dr. Singh's talk kicks off the CPEJ “Let Your Life Speak Series” of special events for our Upper School.
In the Lower School, Dr. Singh read his book, “Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon.” Before the read aloud, Theo ’33, Suhaila ’32, and Nicola ’30 told Dr. Singh how they have been engaging with the SPICES during Peace Week. Through the read aloud, students learned about Fauja Singh’s story, as well as his dedication and perseverance. Students asked questions about the Sikh religion, Dr. Singh's roots and family, and Fauja Singh’s mile time.
CPEJ Associate for Diversity Equity & Belonging, Sahana Mehta ’16; CPEJ Associate for Service Learning & Civic Engagement, Annah Heckman ’15; Dr. Simran Jeet Singh; Director of Diversity, Equity & Belonging, Kirsti Peters; Dean of Co-Curricular Programs, Leitzel Schoen; and Head of School, Bo Lauder
Maker Day
On Saturday, February 12, more than 200 students, parents and staff members participated in the 6th Annual Maker Day at Friends Seminary. From making robot owls and bobblehead dolls to engineering egg carriers that would survive a perilous two-story drop, the Friends community came together after a year of being virtual for a fun-filled morning of building, creating and designing.
My Vote Project
On February 23, The Upper School Service Committee hosted Tweeps Phillips Woods ’93, the Deputy Mayor of Cold Springs New York, and the co-founders of the My Vote Project, Gita Stulberg ’93 and Sari Kaufman, for a conversation about voting rights, local government and how students can engage with elections.
Tweeps Phillips ’93, Gita Stulberg ’93, My Vote Project founder Sari Kaufman, Annah Heckman ’15 and Alumni Relations Director, Michael Mudho gathered for lunch after the Upper School assembly.
Sports
On February 3, the Varsity Girls held their Senior Night Basketball game. Seniors Amah, Nour, Raven, Sophie and Tessa were celebrated, while the team defeated Hewitt 50-32. Congratulations team, and congratulations Seniors!
Brian Tart, James Tart ’22, Andrew Tart ’22 and Alex Tart ’88 on Senior Night
Highlights
VG Basketball - The team finished the regular season with a record of 10-7. In the AAIS, they were a #4 seed in the league tournament and hosted a quarter-final game for the first time in many years. They advanced to the semi-finals where they lost to Chapin.
VB Basketball - The team finished the regular season with a record of 13-9. In the ACIS quarter-finals they defeated Staten Island Academy.
Swimming - The Boys team won the ACIS regular season championship while the girls were second in the ACIS. Sadly, there is no ACIS Championship Meet this season due to Covid restrictions. Both teams would have been very competitive in this meet.
Indoor Track - The team wrapped up the regular season last week. One athlete, Saagi '24 qualified for the NYSAIS meet.