Mary McDowell Friends School

Bioethics, Comparative Literature, Calculus, Honors Chemistry, Honors U.S. Government and Politics, Spanish for Heritage Speakers, History through Film: these are just some of the academic classes MMFS students will be taking next year. 📚 Stay tuned for a look at our visual and performing arts offerings!

This summer, a group of lower school students spent the week immersed in Math Camp, a hands-on program inspired by Stanford University’s YouCubed approach to mathematical thinking.

Throughout the week, campers built and redesigned geoboards, explored geometry through art inspired by Ruth Asawa, tackled estimation and place value challenges, investigated volume through water experiments, and worked together to solve puzzles and build community. Each activity encouraged students to think critically, ask questions, and test ideas.

One of the week’s biggest lessons came when the students’ first geoboards didn’t work as planned. Rather than seeing failure, they saw opportunity, analyzing why the materials failed, brainstorming solutions, and redesigning stronger versions using wood and nails. It was a perfect example of the growth mindset and joyful problem-solving that defined the week.

Happy Pride!! 🌈💞 In honor of Pride Month, the lower school held its 5th annual student-run Pride March on June 5th. The idea to have our very own Pride March was first advocated by 3rd floor lower school students after they learned about Stonewall in their Activism Social Studies unit. Leading us in the march were the lower school Rainbow Group and the middle school GSA, with their adult facilitators. We chanted and waved our flags as we marched around the neighborhood, with many shopkeepers and passing cars cheering us on. Thank you to all who joined us on this special day, advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights!

Congratulations to our 8th grade students and their families on Moving Up to high school!

This year 11 MMFS juniors completed Honors Projects, after submitting a proposal last fall for an independent study project to be completed without scaffolding or major academic supports. These projects give students an opportunity to turn a personal passion into academic research and a scholarly paper and presentation. Before their presentations, students discussed their papers with small panels of MMFS teachers, administrators, and some of last year’s Honors Project participants. Congratulations to these 11 students on their outstanding academic achievement.

Last week, the Middle School GSA collaborated with the Faculty/Staff LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group to host a bake sale in honor of SAGE. For over 40 years, SAGE has championed the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ elders. Through advocacy, community, and support, they ensure that every LGBTQ+ person can age with dignity and pride. Together we fundraised over $1000! With the matching campaign that ended on May 31st, that means we raised over $2000! Thank you to everyone who contributed bake goodies, time and/or money for our first ever student-adult affinity group initiative. Happy Pride! 🌈

For AANHPI Heritage Month, the Anderson Room welcomed a very special guest: Paolo Kapunan (aka DJ P Love), Filipino DJ and husband of Anderson Room Head Teacher Paula M.

As a DJ, Paolo is known for starting the Montreal chapter of Table Turns (an open turntable night that began at NYC’s Nuyorican Poets Café). He later toured with artists like Kid Koala, Amon Tobin, Bonobo, and The Slew, and performed with orchestras and music ensembles.

Paolo talked with students about Filipino culture and how central music is to it. Whether it’s playing an instrument, singing, or simply appreciating it, music is a big part of the Filipino home. Paolo explained that when he and his Filipino friends got together to listen to music as teenagers, a DJ would often set up so everyone could listen and dance together. This led to the creation of a vibrant cultural scene in the San Francisco Bay Area during the rise of hip hop in the 70s and 80s. Paolo also talked about the invention of the scratching technique by DJ Grand Wizzard Theodore.

Students also got a hands-on look at the QFO, a special turntable created by DJ QBert that has a built-in mixer and pitch controller, allowing it to serve as a stand-alone instrument for scratching.