Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - November 21st

Dear Westfield Friends,

In Meeting for Worship this week, Melinda Bradley shared with us the story of John Woolman’s 1763 trip to the Lennai-Lenape community at Wyalusing. At the end of the story, Melinda asks, “What do you wonder about from the story”. Children wondered about the Lenapei woman who sat with Woolman when she first encountered him. They wondered what it was like to travel for 200 miles and if he saw snakes. They wondered about his decision to not carry a gun at a time of war.  I wondered about the part of the story where Woolman asks his family and then his community what they think about his proposed trip and if they will support him. Only when he has their Spirit-filled support, does he proceed. 

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The Fall 2024 issue of Learning for Justice, includes an article on the necessity of the family-school-community partnership in nurturing children. It takes all of us in this virtuous spiral of support to raise up compassionate human beings. Parents and caregivers are the experts on their children, teachers know children as learners and citizens of their class and school communities. We are surrounded by businesses, consultants, professionals, faith leaders, and myriad others who support us in our efforts to create the Beloved Community for our children.

In this time of Thanksgiving, I am grateful to belong to this community where we are working together to know each other, draw on our strengths, support each other through challenges, and keep our children at the center of all we do. 

Thank you for sharing your children with us.

Warmly,

Margaret Haviland

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Announcements:

• November 22 ~ First Trimester Ends. Look for report cards for Grades Prek-8 before Thanksgiving. Preschool 2 and Preschool 3 report cards after Thanksgiving
• November 27-December 1~ School closed for Thanksgiving
• December 3 ~ Preschool 2 & Preschool 3 Music Fest - planning on coming with your child
• December 5 ~ WFS Family Council Meeting - all welcome - Teacher Andrea will speak about the Spanish Program
• December 6 ~ Open House - Prek-8th grades - invite friends whose children would benefit from WFS
• December 7 ~ Craft, Cookie, Clothing Exchange - fun for everyone
• December 20 ~ Winter Concert - in person and live stream