Germantown Friends School

10/20/2026

If you've ever wondered where your local produce comes from, ask a GFS First Grader! 🧑‍🌾

Today, first grade visited the Awbury Farm as part of their journey to learn about the Germantown food system. They poked around chicken coops, greenhouses, and fields, even getting to pick their own green peppers to wash and eat!

10/16/2026

What does it look like to change the world through science? Our students got to find out firsthand today!🔬

This morning, Drew Weissman, MD, PhD—a Nobel Prize-winning scientist—was the featured speaker at our Upper School Assembly. Dr. Weissman is a world-renowned physician and researcher at Penn Medicine, best known for his contributions to RNA biology and the COVID-19 vaccines.

During a conversation introduced by Kirsten Jonathan '27 and moderated by Sebi Rivella '27 and Avni Gupta '27, Dr. Weissman shared insights into his research. He highlighted the vital role of scientific collaboration—both within his lab and worldwide—and his vision for expanding equitable vaccine access in developing countries. He also offered advice for young people navigating an unpredictable future: exercise curiosity and pursue learning about what interests you the most.

Thank you, Dr. Weissman, for visiting campus and engaging with our students!

10/15/2026

Did you know? Each year, GFS offers aspiring educators the opportunity to learn, teach, and grow alongside our faculty through the Teaching Fellowship program!

Now in its third year, this program offers recent graduates and career changers an immersive learning opportunity. Fellows gain hands-on experience in Lower School classrooms—progressing from observing and supporting their lead teacher, to eventually planning and leading lessons—while receiving dedicated mentorship, tuition support for graduate study, and weekly professional development seminars.

👉 Learn more and meet our three 2026-27 Teaching Fellows—Berenice Villanueva, Anna Stowe, and Jessica Press: https://www.germantownfriends.org/community/teaching-fellowships

10/14/2026

Just one week left to register for Essentially GFS fall night classes! Watch this special message from two course instructors to hear what’s in store for this season.

Program details:
🗓️ When: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. | Oct 28-Nov 18
🏫 Two courses: Exploring Emily Dickinson and Quakerism (please note: registration for the third Art/Write course is now full)
📍 Where: All School Commons, GFS Campus (online/hybrid option available for the Quakerism course)
💰 Cost: Pay-what-you-can

🔗 Learn more and register by next Wednesday, October 21: https://www.germantownfriends.org/academics/essentially-gfs

10/12/2026

In our newest Alumni Q&A, we hear from professional flutist and educator Jacqueline Cordova-Arrington ’04 about her dynamic career path, which has taken twists and turns through Philly, New York, Berlin, Los Angeles, and Oregon. Learn more about how GFS helped nurture her love of music, her new album "Path of Light" (which includes a track featuring two other GFS alumae!), and how she discovered that her calling is about helping people connect viscerally with music and experience healing.

👉 Read more:

Jacqueline Cordova-Arrington ’04 is a professional flutist and educator who is passionate about the ways in which music can connect, engage, and uplift communities. Read about her new album, Path of Light, her career path, favorite GFS memories, and more!

10/09/2026

POV: You're walking through our Early Childhood play yard. 🛝🌳 🎈

Outdoor time is an important part of the school day for our littlest learners, allowing our students to play, enjoy the fresh air, and get out some energy. We've been soaking up every moment of the beautiful weather!

10/08/2026

“When I was just starting out at GFS, I could see it was a place where people loved to work. Over time, it felt like family, like I had a family at home, and a family at school.” -Karen Rutledge, retired Kindergarten teacher

“From the first day I stepped on the campus at GFS, it’s always been a place where it’s easy to feel a part of the community. Even after being away for a few months, catching up with everyone felt like coming home." -Lynne Tucker, retired Director of Middle School Admissions

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Despite rainy skies, we had a fantastic time gathering for the recent Alumni of Color and Multicultural Parents Alliance Annual Fall Picnic! The event brought together students, families, and alumni for an afternoon of games, food, and fellowship centering our communities of color. We also celebrated special guests Karen Rutledge and Lynne Tucker, honoring their combined six decades of service and mentorship at GFS.

👉 Read the full recap and view photos from the event: https://www.germantownfriends.org/about-us/gfs-news/news-details/~board/media-center-news/post/mpa-aoc-picnic

10/06/2026

Autumnal vibes are in the air everywhere at GFS! 🍁 🎃 Our Upper School Ceramics 1 students have been busy at the potter's wheel shaping wonderful clay creations—including some festive ceramic pumpkins.

10/05/2026

Congratulations to Linda E. Johnson ’76—recipient of GFS' 2026 West Award for alumni service—who was recently named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 list! This national honor highlights extraordinary women who are doing the greatest work of their careers in their 50s and beyond.

As President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), Linda has led a complete revitalization of the 62-branch system. Under her leadership, the BPL system has expanded its community outreach—including offering English classes for immigrants—grown its revenue and fundraising by nearly 50%, modernized historic buildings, and earned national recognition. Notably, Linda launched the nationwide "Books Unbanned" initiative, opening BPL’s digital collection for free to teens across the country to protect the freedom to read.

As Linda put it best, a library is "a place where knowledge is free, all are welcome, and communities come together."

👉 Read more and check out the full list: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2026/08/11/2026-50-over-50-impact/

10/01/2026

Congratulations to Precious Eshiet ’27, winner of Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s first-ever back-to-school rap contest! 🎙️

Chosen from over 900 entries across the city, Precious’s winning track, "The Matrix," addresses how young people often feel pigeonholed into specific futures based on race or economic background. Chalkbeat launched this contest to uplift youth perspectives on education.

Read more and listen to Precious's winning entry:

Precious Eshiet, who goes by Presh so Fresh, moved to the U.S. from Nigeria at age 11. Her contest-winning lyrics highlight how students are often unfairly stereotyped.