Friends Seminary

At Friends, the thoughtful integration of technology begins early. With guidance from Lower School Computer Science Teacher Judith Seidel, students engage in purposeful, age-appropriate tech experiences that encourage creativity, collaboration, and reflection.

Whether designing simple programs in ScratchJr during Buddy Time Community Period with kindergarten and third-grade partners, or learning sequencing and logic through Bee-Bots and Finch robots in first and second grade Creative Computing, students explore digital tools in ways that are joyful and developmentally appropriate. Creative storytelling comes to life through stop-motion animation, inviting students to combine visual planning, hands-on creation, and digital recording.

Importantly, second grade students are also encouraged to discuss and reflect on how technology makes them feel. These conversations help cultivate mindful and balanced digital habits from an early age.

In the Lower School, creative computing happens both on and off the screen. Students not only learn how to use technology, but also begin to internalize the habits of a computational thinker—such as recognizing patterns, sequencing steps, breaking problems into parts, and experimenting with different iterations. They also reflect on how, when, and why technology evokes certain feelings.

These activities do more than build technical skills—they spark imagination, foster problem-solving, and strengthen community.

The Boys Varsity Tennis team continues to demonstrate discipline, focus, and resilience on the court. Their commitment to the game reflects true sportsmanship and skill. We’re proud of their drive and the excellence they bring to every match. The Owls will face Browning in a non-league match on Thursday.

This spring, Grade 6 students at Friends Seminary have been engaged in a powerful and multifaceted exploration of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. As part of their English 1 curriculum, students have been reflecting on the enduring importance of personal narratives and what it means to serve as a witness to injustice. The unit has been grounded in a broader understanding of history, language, and empathy—integrating instruction with moral inquiry and historical reflection.

Learn more: https://www.friendsseminary.org/News-Detail-2?pk=1631723

This year, to honor Trans Day of Visibility, the GSA offered queries during Meeting for Worship and hosted a letter-writing event for Point of Pride, an organization that supports trans youth in states with trans healthcare bans. Students wrote notes of encouragement, love, and support. These letters let young trans children across the nation know: someone loves you, someone sees you. Today and every day, we stand in solidarity with trans and non-binary people everywhere.

Signs of spring during Lower School recess 🌷

The 1JB Post Office is open for business! 📬 This year’s theme, Growing Together Through Silence and Dialogue, invites us to build stronger community connections by listening deeply and engaging in thoughtful, respectful conversations.

Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to stop by during daily Open Community Hours. Families are invited to visit on Wednesday, April 23, from 9:00–9:30 AM, following Meeting for Worship.

The Post Office offers stamps, envelopes, and stationery for just one penny each. Don’t forget to include a special 1JB stamp on your “Friends Mail”! A large mailbox is located on the second-floor landing, and dedicated Letter Carriers will handle pickup, sorting, and delivery within the Friends Seminary community.

All proceeds will be donated to a charitable organization chosen by the students following a presentation by the US Service Committee.

Third grade artists in Valerie Garcia’s class have been hard at work on their Animal Step Stool Project! They began by sketching animals using picture books for inspiration, then chose one design to turn into a Shop blueprint. With precision and creativity, students measured and cut their wood, assembled their stools using three penny nails, and brought their animals to life using coping saws and vibrant paint. Combining function with imagination, these dazzling step stools reflect not only students’ growing woodworking and painting skills but also their patience and resilience.

As part of the lead-up to their culminating independent research projects, Susannah Walker’s Advanced U.S. History students took a meaningful and eye-opening trip to the main research branch of the New York Public Library—an essential experience designed to deepen their understanding of both the research process and the incredible resources available beyond the classroom.

Their visit began in the iconic Bill Blass and Rose Main Reading Rooms, where students received an introduction to the history and mission of the NYPL. Unlike the neighborhood branch libraries they may be more familiar with, the NYPL’s research branch is a closed stack library—meaning most materials are stored out of public view and must be requested for use. This distinction sparked conversations about the intentionality required in advanced research and the value of spending time with carefully curated, often rare or specialized materials.

Students were introduced to tools that predate the “Google model” of research, including card catalogs and archival finding aids. They learned to think critically about their sources, moving beyond quick searches and instead considering how to develop unique angles, refine their topics, and build arguments using a variety of traditional and nontraditional research methods.

In the library’s Digital Collections Center, students also learned about the breadth of physical materials available through NYPL’s shared off-site storage facility, which it operates in collaboration with Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia. Because these four institutions use the same facility, researchers at NYPL can access physical sources from all partner libraries—dramatically expanding the range of materials available for scholarly research. This expanded access allowed students to begin drawing connections between their research topics and broader historical themes, often uncovering unexpected sources that could shape or even shift the direction of their papers.

Students in Susannah Walker’s Fashion, Dress, and Style class visited FABSCRAP in Brooklyn — a nonprofit tackling textile waste by recycling excess fabric from the fashion industry. Instead of heading to landfills, these materials are now repurposed and sold at discounted prices. A great lesson in sustainable fashion and circular design!

Victoria Ford’s fifth and sixth grade scientists are hard at work building, researching, and collecting data ahead of the Middle School Science Fair on May 15!

🎉 Save the Date: Spring Fair is BACK! 🎉
Join us on Saturday, May 10 from 12–4 PM for an unforgettable afternoon of games, fair food, a talent show… and yes, parkour is back!

🎟️ Registration opens Monday — check FWD and keep an eye on your inbox for all the details.

The Boys Varsity Baseball team has kicked off the spring season with grit, determination, and heart. Come cheer them on today at 4 PM as they take on Avenues—let’s go, Owls! ⚾🦉

A boat tour of Barcelona’s bustling port, a guided visit to Antoni Gaudí’s breathtaking Sagrada Familia, and an excursion to the world-renowned Picasso Museum—these are just a few of the cultural moments Friends Seminary students enjoyed during the second year of the Barcelona Exchange Program. But even more memorable than the sights were the everyday joys: leisurely breakfasts in local cafés before class, spontaneous conversations in Spanish, and warm connections with their host families.

Launched last year by Kara Kutner, Director of the Center for Peace, Equity and Justice, the Exchange Program with Colegio Sant Ignasi (Saint Ignatius) in Barcelona continues to grow as a cornerstone of Friends Seminary’s global education offerings. In the fall, five students from Sant Ignasi joined our New York community, engaging in school life and forging friendships with their host students.

This spring, the exchange came full circle. Friends students—Amaa ‘26, Geneva ‘27, Mia ‘27, Raya ‘26, and Victoria ‘26—packed their bags and traded their classroom seats for a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience in Barcelona. Once immersed, Friends students embraced the challenge of Sant Ignasi’s rigorous academic program—all taught in Spanish. From ordering their meals with confidence at cafés to contributing in classroom discussions, they leaned into the experience with curiosity and courage. They reflected with pride on their efforts to engage in Spanish conversation, try new foods, and deepen their friendships.

Outside the classroom, the cultural immersion continued with a group outing to Mar i Cel, a beloved Catalán musical concluding its 50-year run, visits to several of the modernist architectural gems of Antoni Gaudí, learning first-hand about regional Catalán language and culture, and exploring the Gothic Quarter of this beautiful, historic city. Another essential component of this experience is the homestay. Through this experience, Friends students experience daily life in a Spanish family, and the strong bonds that they forge last long beyond their time in Spain.

Read more by visiting our homepage.

The Girls Varsity Softball team is off to a solid start after defeating Saint Ann's 11-7 in their first game of the season. We are excited to see this team compete in the ACIS this spring! ! 🦉 🥎

Creativity is in full swing in the Lower School ahead of their Art Show on May 15. Grade 2 artists brought their blueprints to life in woodworking this week—carving feet and tails for their imaginative characters, adding hinges to sun rays, and more.

Muslim Families at Friends, in connection with the Parents Association Diversity & Inclusion Committee, hosted the second annual Eid Potluck Dinner on April 3 to meet new friends, reconnect and celebrate together!

On Friday, April 4, 2025, the eighth grade class visited the DNA Learning Labs at City Tech in Brooklyn, NY. This field trip was carefully planned to align with the students’ unit on DNA, offering an exciting opportunity to deepen their understanding through hands-on science in a university-grade laboratory setting.

The DNA Learning Center (DNALC) prepares students and families to thrive in the gene age. As the largest provider of biotechnology instruction at the precollege level in the United States, DNALC operates 15 teaching laboratories throughout New York and New Jersey. The organization is dedicated to making complex topics in genetics accessible, engaging, and relevant to today’s learners.

Throughout the unit, students explored the structure and function of DNA, how the molecule is replicated, and how it is used by cells to make proteins. In class, they engaged in a variety of inquiry-based lab activities, including DNA extraction from plant cells, modeling DNA replication, and modeling protein synthesis.

At the DNA Learning Labs, students applied their classroom knowledge in advanced laboratory experiments, including forensic DNA analysis and crime-solving investigations. These activities reinforced their understanding of DNA while introducing them to critical scientific tools such as micropipettes and techniques used in professional lab environments.

This immersive experience not only extended their comprehension of key biological concepts but also strengthened their skills in experimental design, ex*****on, and scientific thinking. As such, the trip was a required part of the eighth grade science curriculum and a valuable opportunity for students to engage in real-world applications of their learning.

Friends Seminary parent and calligrapher Yvonne Yang returned this year to lead hour-long workshops with each Grade 5 History class, offering students a hands-on exploration of Chinese calligraphy.

In these dynamic sessions, students journeyed through the evolution of Chinese writing—from ancient oracle bone and seal script to the modern standard script studied by Mandarin learners today. With brush in hand, they practiced each form, gaining a deeper appreciation for the artistry and history embedded in the written word.

We are deeply grateful to Yvonne for generously sharing her time, passion, and expertise with our fifth grade students once again.