Dear Greene Street Friends School Families and Caregivers,

Through our Marigold peer observation model, faculty are engaging in shared professional learning focused on classroom environment, engagement, and differentiation. These conversations—rooted in trust, reflection, and curiosity—are helping us make great teaching visible and strengthen coherence across grades. The result is a learning environment that feels deeply intentional, where every student is seen, challenged, and supported.

Academic and Curricular Highlights

In mathematics, our expansion of Illustrative Math into Grades 4–6 has brought energy and excitement to classrooms. Students are tackling rich, problem-based tasks that strengthen reasoning, perseverance, and collaboration.

• In literacy, teachers across all divisions are sharpening writing instruction—helping students craft arguments, tell stories, and write with clarity and confidence.
• In social studies, our refined Grades 1–8 curriculum has created a clear and connected learning arc—from students’ early explorations of self and community to their study of national and global systems in middle school. Lower School students are studying community, culture, and civic engagement through inquiry-based projects connected to Germantown and Philadelphia, while Middle School students are exploring world geography, ancient civilizations, and U.S. history through diverse primary sources and critical questioning. This work continues to affirm our commitment to helping students become thoughtful, informed, and justice-oriented citizens.
• This fall also marks the launch of our inaugural Preschool class, an exciting and transformative addition to our community and academic program. Grounded in The Creative Curriculum, our youngest learners are already engaging in rich, play-based exploration that builds early literacy, numeracy, social–emotional skills, and curiosity about the world around them. Each week, preschoolers also participate in LifeSkills, Library, Movement and Dance, Spanish, and Art classes, which broaden their exposure to language, storytelling, social-emotional learning, creativity, and physical expression. It has been especially heartwarming to see them forming bonds with Pre-K students through joint play opportunities and connecting with their 6th-grade partners, as well as engaging with members of our community across divisions—beautiful examples of the relationships that make Greene Street Friends such a special and joyful place, centered by the Quaker value of Community.

The Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Mural: A Celebration of Art, History, and Community

One of the most moving moments of the fall took place on October 30, when we unveiled the Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: We Are All Bound Up Together mural on our campus. The mural, created in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and Penn State’s Center for Black Digital Research, honors Harper’s extraordinary legacy as a poet, abolitionist, educator, and advocate for freedom and justice.

The day began with a beautiful school assembly, where 1st-8th grade students met Athena Scott, the mural’s artist, and Donnell Powell, the Project Manager from Mural Arts—who once served as a substitute teacher at Greene Street Friends. Our Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students proudly unveiled a mural of their own creation, inspired by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s poetry, nature, and the sky above us. Their artwork reminded us that imagination and creativity flourish at every age.

That afternoon, we hosted a dedication ceremony that brought together partners, community members, and special guests, including Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Raab, Philadelphia-based poet, spoken word and recording artist Ursula Rucker, and Risë Wilson, a GSFS alum featured on the mural. Our students took center stage—TORCH leaders and middle schoolers delivered speeches, danced, and performed poetry inspired by Harper’s legacy.

Leading up to the event, our 7th graders worked with Ursula Rucker in a three-day poetry workshop, culminating in the creation of a powerful Zine of original student work. Students experimented with poetic forms and themes inspired by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, exploring how music, rhythm, and history intertwine. One especially moving moment came when Ursula performed Harper’s poem “Songs for the People”, inspiring students to write their own pieces on justice, hope, and community. Through this experience, 7th-grade students produced original works that beautifully reflect both Harper’s enduring legacy and the creativity that thrives within our classrooms.

These experiences exemplify what we strive for at Greene Street: learning that is relevant, creative, and connected to the community. In the coming months, our faculty will continue to integrate Harper’s story into classroom instruction through upcoming professional development sessions, ensuring that her legacy lives on in our curriculum and our students’ learning.

The day’s events and the collective work that led to them, drew broad recognition throughout the city. Our partnership and student contributions were featured in the Chestnut Hill Local, WHYY, Philly Voice, and ABC Action News, highlighting not only the beauty of the mural but also its educational and community impact. Seeing Greene Street’s story uplifted across the region was a meaningful reminder of how our students and faculty are living out our mission in visible, lasting ways.

The unveiling was not just a celebration of art; it was a celebration of identity, voice, and collective purpose. It affirmed our belief that education and artistry are intertwined, and that Greene Street Friends remains a place where young people learn to see themselves as changemakers.

The Arts in Full Bloom

The arts remain a cornerstone of life at Greene Street Friends. This month, students showcased their many talents in various events across campus. Last week, middle school students displayed their musical theater talent in Seussical the Musical, performing for a full house over three days. To round out 2025, in just a few weeks, our December Winter Concerts will feature performances from every grade, including our preschoolers’ debut on stage.

Our newly formed 3rd and 4th grade chorus, which has been practicing diligently every week since the start of the school year, performed on GrandFriends Day. On December 5th, they performed again at Arch Street Meeting House’s annual winter program, Meetinghouse by Candlelight.

On October 30, our 8th graders attended the Philadelphia Young Playwrights New Voices Festival at Temple University to watch a professional staging of a play written last year by Jubilee Kleinberg ’25. Seeing the production live sparked engaging discussion about storytelling, performance, and the power of voice—laying the groundwork for their own playwriting projects later this year.

Athletics, Service Learning, and Community Engagement

This fall also marked the debut of our Middle School Volleyball program, a true labor of love that was more than a year in the making. With over 30 students participating, the season was defined by enthusiasm, teamwork, and joy. Whether during formal practices or impromptu lunchtime games, our students modeled sportsmanship and built community. This program’s success is due in large part to the leadership of Rob Evans, our PE teacher and Athletic Director, and the partnership of our families and caregivers who helped make this vision a reality.

Service learning remains a central expression of our Quaker SPICES, particularly Community and Stewardship. This month, our faculty, staff, and students participated in the “Feed the Fridge” initiative, a food drive to support the Germantown Community Fridge. Through this work, students are learning about food insecurity, advocacy, and how small, consistent acts of service can have lasting impact. It has been deeply inspiring to see students think critically about the role they can play in creating a more just and compassionate community.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the heart of the school year, Greene Street Friends continues to be a place where learning and purpose come together. From the joyful energy of our youngest learners to the reflective insights of our middle schoolers, our students are growing as thinkers, creators, and compassionate citizens, while letting their light shine.

I am deeply proud of the work happening in our classrooms, on our stages, and throughout our community—and I hope you feel that same pride as parents and caregivers. The teaching and learning taking place here are not only preparing students for academic success but also helping them see themselves as active participants in shaping a more just and connected world. 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, encouragement, and trust. Together, we continue to nurture a community grounded in integrity, alive with curiosity, and rich in the joy of shared learning.

With appreciation,
Darien Headen