Service opportunities deepen student empathy, self-initiative, collaboration

At Friends Academy, the Quaker Testimony of Service and school value, “Be the Change,” is woven into the curriculum and educational experience. Service projects and initiatives are built into orientation at the beginning of the year, continued in monthly projects, and continuing partnerships throughout the school year.

In early September, all 10th graders, as part of their back-to-school orientation, visited Sunrise Day Camp–Long Island. Long Island Camp Director & Regional Director of NY Camps Deanna Slade greeted the 100 students the Sunrise Camp way – at round up, of course! – and helped them make connections to Sunrise programs and campers. “Sunrise makes children with cancer feel like kids again,” Deanna explained, and along with other Sunrise staffers discussed ways to get involved in Sunrise programs throughout the year and led student groups on tours of the campgrounds.   

“As I was getting my tour, I realized how thought-through every single building and structure is to accommodate the kids who attend Sunrise,” noted Friends Academy Xxxx Helene Prestandrea. “There are so many activity options so that every kid can participate in something of their interest. It’s an amazing place and I would love to volunteer one day.”  

Providing opportunities for kids to volunteer for a meaningful cause is why Friends Academy History Teacher and 10th Grade Dean of Students Jared Gervais is thrilled that the school’s partnership with Sunrise continues to grow. “Sunrise really aligns with what we aim to do and the values that we want to teach our children,” said Gervais. “We always strive to give back to the community and in addition to academics, emphasize that other aspect of character development.” That’s the way to “teach your children well!”

At the same time, juniors visited Elija Farm, an organization that uses agriculture as a way to foster learning and connection for students who have atypical neurological ways of learning. Students had the opportunity to engage in classic farming duties, learn about different aspects of the environment, and engage in time to deepen their connections with each other.

A small student committee organizes Friends Academy three to four Blood Drives each year, meeting with representatives from the NY Blood Center to understand local need, recipients, and health requirements. This year's first drive on Friday, October 14 yielded 22 donations, which will be given to Long Islanders battling cancer or needing blood transfusions.

This past week, 9th graders dove into their monthly service projects, which took them to different spaces around Friends and off-campus. One group spent time with Pre-K students up in the Forest Program, a newly built 2½-acre section of campus that offers students the chance to expand skills of observation, investigation, and analysis in an ever-changing natural environment.

The Upper School committee, WATCH, which stands for We Are The Community Helpers, organized their first two weekly sandwich-making projects for interested Upper School students. WATCH student members provide the supplies, bread, luncheon meat, and cheese. At the 10- to 15-minute after-school activity, students prepare and then deliver the sandwiches to The People’s Pantry, located in Oyster Bay.

During their Middle School conference series this past week, 7th and 8th grade students spent time in service projects for local community organizations, including creating blankets for a local animal shelter and cheerful cards for residents and members of the nearby Glen Cove Senior Center, which is also an ongoing Friends Academy partner.

Currently, the 8th grade Entrepreneurship class is working on their “challenge” to help increase attendance at assorted Senior Center activities. And every spring, the junior class hosts a special Senior Citizen/Junior Prom on campus to treat Senior Center members to a catered dinner and dancing to a playlist of classics.

Thank you to alumna and contributing writer Liz Winchester ‘91.