We provide a creative and challenging academic program supported by the Quaker belief that there is that of God in everyone. From age 3 through 6th grade, PMFS builds and affirms a community grounded in cultural competency and social responsibility.
Our core values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship (SPICES) are woven into the educational and cultural fabric of who we are and what we do.
Students collaborate with peers and teachers, using inquiry and reflection to solidify understanding and prepare them for success as lifelong learners.
Students develop a solid sense of self and social responsibility through connecting and communicating with others, and persevering to solve problems and resolve conflict collaboratively.
Fourth graders explored our nation's capitol on their annual four-day pilgrimage to Washington, DC. Since most of them went to DC last year as part of the 3/4 class, Will got creative with a new itinerary. The students visited the US Capitol building, had a powerful experience seeing a peaceful protest, enjoyed some culture at the National Gallery of Art, had recess on the Mall, visited the Library of Congress, got a tour at Ford's Theater, and visited Will's son at the Democratic National Campaign Committee, where he works. There may have also been a mountain of ice cream at an Italian restaurant! This trip is the culmination of their year-long study of US History and a stepping stone to their grand adventures during the Mexican Exchange next year as fifth graders!
As the weather is warming Kindergarten is enjoying taking their learning outside. They continue to study the Mary tree in Sarah's nature class. The students did bark rubbings and drew Mary in spring, noticing the changes brought with the new season. With materials given as a grant from the Planet Bee Foundation, kindergartners made seed balls and spread them on the lower campus. The class is also observing two hawks (named Tony and Felicity), as they build their nests.
The rain held out for a beautiful ArtsFest April 15th, an annual celebration of music, theater, and visual art at PMFS. Corson Lobby was transformed into a beautiful art gallery, showcasing 2D and 3D work from all our students. The Art Studio was humming as our young artists demonstrated a wide variety of art techniques, from painting and drawing to paper marbling and working with clay. The stage in the Steinbright building also came alive as students performed (on piano, drums, guitar, and violin!), danced, and sang. Third grade performed a hilarious sketch they've been rehearsing in Drama class, "Now You're Cooking With Butter," and Pre-K performed "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake."
Pre-K students hit a huge milestone this week in Music class. For the last month, students have been "meeting" each bell in the major scale, playing one note at a time and learning how to take care of their instruments. They met the final bell in our set this week, meaning they finally got to play all eight bells at once! After successfully placing all the bells in order by pitch and color, students got to practice playing up and down the entire scale. They even got to freestyle at the end! Congrats to Pre-K!
Last Friday third graders hosted the first International Luncheon since 2019; the culmination of a month-long multi-part family unit study. In school, students researched a place to which they had a family connection, recording what they learned about different topics in a “passport” to that place. At home, third graders talked to their relatives to learn more about their family traditions and history. Through these conversations, each student captured a family story. We celebrated their hard work at Friday’s International Luncheon. Each third grader brought a special food to share at the luncheon. We enjoyed a delicious meal with parents and other family members while listening to each third grader read their powerful family story. Together these stories represented beautiful, diverse families. We are so proud of these brave third graders!