In the recent upper school Chamber Singers concert, students sang “Be the Change” chosen by music teacher Margaret Anne Butterfield who noted in her introduction that the piece adapts texts of Gandhi; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; The Gospel of Matthew; and the composer, Laura Farnell, and employs a phrase in Swahili.
She shared these quotes from some of the students regarding their insights about the message of the piece:
The lyrics of this song are particularly important with all of the conflict that's happening in the world right now. It combines original lyrics with those of "This Little Light of Mine", a song known for inspiring hope in the hearts of its listeners.
As we are faced with climate change, racial inequalities, Covid-19, and other issues, this song motivates us to make any impact we can on the situation. The overall message of the song is to act if you feel passionate about a certain issue. In relation to this year's spice, equality, it can motivate us to strive toward the ultimate goal of equality.
“Be the Change” is very special to us because it embodies one of our core values; equality. The piece has the repeated phrase, “Be the change you want to see in the world” which is especially important now when African Americans and the AAPI community are fighting for racial equality. As students, we are all trying to "be the change "whether it is through our clubs, like Black Student Union, Asian Student Union, or Diversity Club, or just by learning how to be an up-stander. As a choir and as Friends students, we are taught to “let our light shine” and to speak out against injustices we see happening in our community and the world at large. So, we encourage all of you to “Basi mwanga wako uangaze”; Let your light shine.
Margaret Anne also noted that the Martin Luther King, Jr. quote that is part of the lyrics is also on a banner that hangs in the Wilmington Friends middle/upper school meeting room:
“Darkness cannot drive out the darkness; only light can do that.
Hatred cannot drive out the hatred; only love can do that.”
Students, faculty, and staff gathered for an all-school Meeting for Worship on Mellor Field and sat in a 275-configuration to commemorate the School's anniversary! Click here to download the photo.
The WFS boys' lacrosse team was invited to run a clinic with students at Ferris School. The Delaware Lacrosse Foundation and several members of the WFS community helped found the lacrosse team at Ferris seven years ago, and players have found the exchange very rewarding as they share their love of the game.
Seventh grade Chinese students visited Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library to learn more about its Chinese wallpaper and book collection, helping the students gain valuable insight into Chinese history and culture.
Sixth graders recently spent time off campus for a morning of service activities in the local community. These trips included volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware, Faithful Friends Animal Rescue, Rockland Place, Guardian Angels Daycare, and Alapocas State Park.
During Earth Day at WFS, preschoolers worked on beautifying their playground and fourth graders picked up trash around the athletic facilities. We thank these students for their stewardship!
The lower school recently received soil from WasteWell, a local company that collects the lower school's compost. Students used the soil to re-pot classroom plants and will also contribute soil to the school garden!
Before the Class of 2024 heads off on their senior explorations next week, they attend a series of seminars ("Senior Seminars") aimed at giving them tools for adulthood.
The WFS Model UN Club, accompanied by faculty advisor Nick Childers, recently sent a delegation of five students to the inaugural Tower Hill Model UN Conference.
Upper school environmental science students built model carbon capture algae farms as part of their study of climate change mitigation. They developed ways to measure algae growth using microscopes and a spectrophotometer.
Congratulations to our community members who performed at last night's Informal Concert! This concert is designed to showcase the talent of our students, parents, and faculty in an informal, yet serious, chamber concert or recital format.
Wilmington Friends School hosted its second 275th Anniversary Webinar series on Monday, April 8, titled “Leadership, Teamwork, and Quaker Values from the World of Sports."
Congratulations to eighth graders Maya Dobson, Lindsey Forman, Cooper Miller, Victor Montejo, Levi Sawdon, and Sofia Velastegui-Fratticci who contributed to IMAZINE 2023, the annual Delaware Libraries teen literary and artistic magazine! Click here to check it out.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the upper school play, Radium Girls! This fast-paced ensemble piece featured 14 student actors playing multiple roles to create more than 30 characters. Bravo!
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.