Virginia Beach Friends School

Please make a special note on your calendar to attend the Virginia premiere of the independent documentary, “NO WAY OUT BUT ONE.”  The film chronicles the remarkable, true story of Holly Collins and her children, the first American family to be granted asylum by the Dutch government as a result of domestic violence.

The award-winning husband and wife team of Garland Waller and Barry Nolan, spent two years producing this shocking documentary that exposes the systemic failure of the family court system to protect those who need their help the most – the children.

WHEN:     Thursday, April 26th, 5:30, meet Garland Waller and Barry Nolan (producers), 6:00 Screening
WHERE:     Beach Movie Bistro,  941 Laskin Rd.,  Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Entry:        $5.00 at the door (Entry includes light refreshments).  Full food menu and cash bar available.
RSVP:        April 20th to this address: nowayoutbutone@gmail.com

The Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma presented “No Way Out But One” with the Award for Media Excellence.  Past awards for numerous productions include Best Social Documentary at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival, the Grand Prize at the International Film Festival of New York, and the Iris Award for Best Entertainment.  Screenings have taken place in San Diego, Boston, and New York.

Many of you know Garland as an alumna of Virginia Beach Friends School, the sponsor of the annual Teacher Jane Book Award and a former member of Meeting.  We welcome her back to the area.

Watch trailer here: nowayoutbutone.com

Take a minute to watch T. Tamara’s top tip  for learners:

T. Lauren and T. Andy get into character!

WhoDunIt?  That was the question last evening at the Virginia Beach Friends School Mystery Dinner.  Staff and students came together to entertain a great crowd including parents, students, alumni, meeting members and extended family and friends.  T. Megan’s outstanding directorial skills were quite apparent throughout the evening.  Attendees watched for clues intently as to who killed Lord Ninny.  After the main action everyone enjoyed a great Italian dinner,  bid on student art during the silent auction and voted for their guess as to “whodunit.”  Students participated in an impromptu snowball fight, returning for the thrilling denouement.  The guilty party was discovered and those who guessed correctly were eligible for a variety of drawings.  The most eagerly anticipated prize, Head of School for a Day was won by none other than Nina R.  Congratulations Nina!

Noted musicians and story tellers Elizabeth and Sandy LaPrelle visited VBFS Thursday, bringing Appalachian culture alive for students and teachers alike.  Demonstrating story telling by use of a “cranky”, singing ballads and playing banjo, the daughter/mother duo shared their skills with Early Lower, Middle and Upper School students at two presentations in the Library.  The LaPrelles joined the Cottage Thursday evening, performing  to a packed house of students and parents.  Thank you ladies for a wonderful evening!  For more information about Elizabeth LaPrelle, go to  http://www.old97wrecords.com/elizabeth-laprelle/about.htm.

What better way to start the new year than sharing an evening in the Library with one of your favorite grownups?  Students in Early School and Lower School came to the library dressed in their jammies and bringing sleeping bags, pillows, fluffy friends, parents and grandparents to enjoy an evening of fun!  T. Norris entertained children and adults with her story telling skills.  Afterwards everyone stretched out to share books, stories, snacks and friends.  Lots of fun was had by all!

VBFS Admissions Open House will be held Saturday, January 21 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM.  Current families are encouraged to invite friends and neighbors to learn more about Virginia Beach Friends School and discover how a Quaker education can benefit their children.

Whether a prospective or current family, you are invited to attend this year’s second Parent’s Toolbox, “Your child: how to enhance study skills, improve reading strategies and build resiliency.”  Common concerns and topics for discussion include homework, how much assistance is too much, should children be allowed to fail and coping with student stress.

Early and Lower School students enjoyed a visit with local children’s author Sheila Kilpatrick.  Ms. Kilpatrick read her book “Anastasia’s Rain” in which lovable Anastasia Pickering listens to her little fairy, Patience, and learns how to turn rain into rainbows.  Students had the opportunity to  lunch with the author and learn about creating your own book.

Give the gift of life.

Virginia Beach Friends School and the American Red Cross are sponsoring a blood drive at the Wilson Center (gym) from 11:30AM to 4:30PM.  Walk-ins are welcome but preregistration is preferred.  Just visit the American Red Cross at http://www.redcrossblood.org/, click on “enter a sponsor code”, enter VBFS and register.

Over 100 students, from Hampton Roads participated in the Old Donation Chess Center Chess Tournament on October 29th.  Amid stiff competition, Jake H. and Duncan G. came in 11th in their respective K-12 divisions.  In the K-5 division, Ava and Blake N. finished 7th in the overall team competition.

The Friends School Chess Club meets weekly in T. Danny’s room and there has been quite a bit of interest.  Students of all ages enjoy a good game of Chess!  

Congratulations to the girls volleyball team.  The girls took 2nd place in the JV final.  Take a look at the trophy in the Wilson Center when you get a chance!

Competition in our Seven Cities Conference was extremely tough this year. However, BOTH of our teams were in their conference tournaments.  GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

Virginia Beach Friends hosted the soccer conference tournament last week and the turn out was great.  Congratulations to the VBFS Soccer Team for a great season!  Please also extend an extra congrats to Will Nelson and Walker Thomas for an outstanding season!

WILL N. (Senior Team Capt. & Goalkeeper) received the 1^st Team All-Conference Award for his outstanding keeper performance throughout the season.

WALKER T.  (Freshmen Team Capt.)   received a Honorable Mention for the 1^st Team All-Conference.  He recorded 9 goals in 11 games.

Very impressive guys!!!

The VBFS Vibes and Sound Waves, led by Music Director Jo Thiele, leads off this evening’s entertainment at 6:30 PM at  the 6th annual One Love Festival, hosted by Virginia Wesleyan College. ” Through music, art, words, and performance, One Love Festival seeks to create a community united in hope and a world at peace where all are joined in One Love.”  Virginia Beach Friends School is a proud participant and encourages everyone to support this celebration of what is possible.

Admissions Open House & “Parent Toolbox” – Saturday, October 22, 1-3 pm 

Students learn about bird conservation

Parents of students in pre-k through 11th grade are invited to visit and explore Virginia Beach Friends School campus, meet faculty, and discover how a Quaker educational environment can meet the needs of their child.

Parent Toolbox – 2 pm -”How to Identify and Nurture Your Child’s Innate Talents”

“Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ~Albert Einstein

Parents and educators of students of all ages are invited to join our panel in the Upper School history classroom for a discussion followed by Q & A as we explore tips, insights, and ideas for identifying and helping to cultivate your child’s unique talents.

What if your “fish” child can’t climb a tree?  Does s/he become the “black sheep?”  Or can you provide a pond instead?

Albert Einstein never quite fit the mold by which others tried to shape him.  Reportedly, his teachers and some family members pegged the young boy as intellectually delayed.  He wasn’t interested in climbing their trees as he grew; he showed far more interest in the potential of the undiscovered than in the traditional wisdom of his day.  No doubt others had dubbed him an “aloof” or “difficult” child.

Turns out Einstein broke molds.  He lived the life of a fish swimming upstream,  but only because he didn’t buy into the belief that he was stupid.  Instead, he believed in his own unique talents enough to climb down out of that rigid old fish-defying tree and find himself a suitable stream where he could thrive as the genius he was born to become.

We’re not all Einsteins, but we all have the potential for some degree of genius in some area/s of expertise.  How can we help instill this concept in children of all ages?

We’ll start by exploring the fundamentals:

• What does it mean to recognize and nurture your child’s innate talents and why is this important?
• Negative vs. positive approaches and their typical impacts
• Parent’s roles
• Educator’s roles
• How to choose a school that best meets your child’s needs
• Q & A
• Additional resources to take home

For additional information, or to RSVP to the seminar, please call 757-428-7534 or email admissions@friends-school.org

Congratulations to the Virginia Beach Friends Middle School for placing first in their divisional category for the 2011 Neptune Festival School Sand Sculpting Competition!

Middle School took the prize thanks to enthusiastic participation on the part of students, creative design by students and Art Director T. James and great coaching on the part of T. James, T. Lauren and T. Linda S.  Huge thanks also go to the Middle School teachers for their presence and support and the many parents who braved the chilly sea breeze to cheer their students on.

It was great fun and we can’t wait to do it again next year.