Associate Head

“You know that music box that we had in the lobby of the Lower School, well, I looked at it really closely, and it is really old. Then, the teacher came over, wound it up and it played beautiful music. It made me think, that if you take really good care of something, even though it may be old, it can still be beautiful.” 

--Greene Street Friends School Third Grade Student during Meeting for Worship

This message given by one of our third grade students during Meeting for Worship resonated with me. One of our school’s core beliefs, and a belief held by the Society of Friends is that wisdom can come from any corner of the room. On this day, this wise young student took my breath away.

You see, at Greene Street Friends School, we believe that all our students are knowers – filled with curiosity, energy, passion, and information. We seek to create a classroom environment where each student readily knows that they are part of something larger than themselves. That their participation is integral to the momentum of the group, and that true learning takes place in situations where students feel challenged and connected. Challenged by the problem, task, or project set before them and connected meaningfully to their teacher and classmates through relationships based on trust, empathy, and respect.

Greene Street Friends School faculty and staff understand that nothing is more important than what goes on each and every day between teacher and student. The relationship is the core from which meaningful learning takes place.

Just like our 3rd grader’s words of wisdom, if you take care of something, it can be beautiful. At Greene Street we strive to take care of our relationships with each other through our communication, peaceful problem solving, and by showing genuine interest in getting to know each other. We seek to take care of our curriculum, so that it is current, balanced, challenging, and connected from PK-8th grade. We take care of our property, our neighborhood, and our community through service projects, healthy involvement from our parent body, and genuine, timely communication.

Indeed, we may be old, 155 years and counting, but we are beautiful!