Middle School Students Take the Lead on Conferences
In January, WFS middle school students take the reins and lead portfolio-led conferences with parents/guardians and advisors. This approach not only fosters a sense of accountability for the students but also strengthens the partnership between parents/guardians, students, and advisors. The two main objectives of these conferences are:
For students to present evidence supporting their significant progress toward becoming proficient in select skills in their courses.
For students to set two to three goals that can be achieved by the end of the school year. By identifying essential academic skills for targeted improvement, it makes abstract concepts such as “communication” and “collaboration” more tangible.
“The process of presenting work from the first semester as a method of identifying key skills or ‘habits of mind’ to develop further enables students to become more aware of and invested in applying these skills in the second semester,” said Jonathan Huxtable, Middle School Head. “This is not easy. The emphasis in these presentations is not to have students present to their parents/guardians and their advisors glitzy and polished pieces, but to use their own work, however simple or flawed, to engage in a conversation about the most important skills they need to develop during their middle school years.”
“Seeing Grant find evidence to support his growth and challenges was impressive,” said 7th grade parent Meghan Burns. “It was clear he really made connections and was engaged in the process.”
Through the activity of selecting, organizing, and presenting their work, students engage in introspection, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth for the remainder of the school year. They also gain critical presentation skills.
"Our daughter delivered her presentation with so much confidence!" said 6th grade parent Greg Mand ‘87. “Witnessing my child give a presentation was a highlight. I was impressed by the goal setting, how they achieved their goals, and their self-assessment. It’s what most adults in the corporate world do,” added 6th grade parent Helen Weiss.
The student-led portfolio conference not only promotes student engagement and agency but also assures their growth as they head into their high school years. “I think the conference lets 8th graders recognize their areas of improvement as they head to high school, making them aware of where they are,” said 8th grade parent, Eva Feito.
At the conclusion of the second semester, students will reflect on and evaluate their efforts toward meeting the goals they set for themselves in these mid-year conferences. Their written reflections are then published in their end-of-year grade reports.
For an example of one of these conferences, please click here.
Dr. Tracey Dennis-Tiwary, author of the book, Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good for You (Even Though It Feels Bad) recently visited with WFS parents and faculty members. In her talk on anxiety in the context of education, Dr. Dennis-Tiwary, who is an anxiety researcher and bestselling author, discussed new perspectives on child anxiety.
The WFS boys’ lacrosse team defeated St. Andrew’s School on Saturday afternoon, 9-3! With their victory over the Saints, the Quakers finished undefeated in conference play and captured the DISC Championship for the second consecutive year.
Kathleen Martin and Rose Gnade from the WFS College Counseling office were presenters at the April 2024 Potomac Chesapeake Association of College Admissions Counseling (PCACAC) annual conference.
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.
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.