Over the last few months we have been in the process of filling two critical positions on campus: our new Director of Equity, Justice, Community, and Engagement and our Assistant Head of School for Academics.
We are pleased to announce that current upper school math teacher Erica Childs will serve as our new Director of Equity, Justice, Community, and Engagement. Erica’s leadership has been displayed to our community, most notably through our READ (Read and Educate ourselves on Anti-Racism and Diversity) sessions over the past two academic years. Additionally, Erica is a strong problem-solver, a good communicator, and has a vision for growing and deepening our diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
We are also pleased to announce that we have appointed Ed Gallagher as our next Assistant Head of School for Academics. Ed currently serves as the Interim Head of School at AIM Academy in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Ed brings a wide range of experiences to his work at Friends and holds a doctorate in educational leadership and organization from the University of Pennsylvania. Along with his extensive experience and strong recommendations, from both colleagues and students, Ed brings a warm and engaging presence to WFS. One of Ed's references described him as a person "who values community and building relationships with others."
Please join us in welcoming both Erica and Ed into their new roles. We are so grateful to have them in our community and look forward to their important work.
Kindergartners visited Ramsey's Farm! Students engaged in five stations–– enjoying a hayride, feeding the cows and goats (and steering clear of pecky chickens!), picking pumpkins, navigating a corn maze, and playing on the combine playground. We love getting out into the fresh air for hands-on learning!
Upper schoolers learned about the School Year Abroad (SYA) program at WFS, hearing from a representative from SYA along with Rose Mulveny ’26 and Abbie Thurlow ’26 who participated in the program last year.
8th graders enjoyed Fright Night, a fun event in the WFS Library Learning Commons featuring pizza and snacks along with one scary and one not-so-scary movie!
During our recent professional development day, faculty and staff had time to participate in an activity to have fun and connect with colleagues. Choices included forest bathing; AIKIDO; pickle ball; volleyball; Meet and Greet; and Read and Relax. Here are photos from "Walk and Connect" in the neighborhood and Alapocas Woods.
Kindergartners visited Ramsey's Farm! Students engaged in five stations–– enjoying a hayride, feeding the cows and goats (and steering clear of pecky chickens!), picking pumpkins, navigating a corn maze, and playing on the combine playground. We love getting out into the fresh air for hands-on learning!
Upper schoolers learned about the School Year Abroad (SYA) program at WFS, hearing from a representative from SYA along with Rose Mulveny ’26 and Abbie Thurlow ’26 who participated in the program last year.
Adrian Burston, a former Friends teacher and Vice President of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center, and Debbie Burston, board member of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center, presented to 10th grade American History students about the local history of the Underground Railroad and the involvement of Quakers in the local abolition movement.
Lower School Spanish teacher Lara Munch spent her sabbatical exploring the intersection of culture, history, and language—both within the United States and abroad.
Middle School Spanish teacher Laura Jersild Pardo ’90 explored nature and the brain in a de-natured culture, asking how embodied, real-world experiences shape mental health, creativity, and problem-solving.
On the evening of Friday, October 3, more than 200 guests gathered in the Library Learning Commons for a night of community, music, and recognition. Guests enjoyed dinner and a lively performance from the Upper School Jazz Band. The program then turned to celebrating this year’s alumni honorees, who all let their lives speak in their own ways.
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.