In the academic year, 2011-2012, Brooklyn Friends School will engage in a  Quaker Self-Study.  The Quaker Self-Study is an opportunity offered by the Friends Council on Education for member schools to explore the nature of Friends Education and the unique way their own Friends school lives out its Quaker dimension. Different from state school accreditation self-study processes, the focus and process of a Quaker  Self-Study is entirely school self-determined and provides an invaluable opportunity for each school to explore its own identity and direction as a Quaker school.

Beginning in the fall of 2011 and carrying through to the fall of 2012, there will be occasions for all school constituencies (students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni, and Quakers) to participate in Quaker Self-Study  events.  There will be opportunities for education, reflection, and the creation of new elements to enhance the Quaker life of our school.  

Each Friends school is unique.  Every person in our school community shares a part in defining who we are.  This upcoming year, everyone will have the opportunity and responsibility to explore how Quaker values and practices now live at Brooklyn Friends and to shape our collective vision for the future.  There will be periodic updates about the Quaker Self Study as it progresses.

We are looking for BFS alumni/ae and for parents from each division to serve on the Quaker Self-Study Committee.  We hope for a diversity of perspectives and comfort in regard to the Quaker dimension of the school, because part of this committee's function will be to hash out plans for events, forums, surveys, and discussions, etc., so that they will be meaningful to as many people in our community as possible, and not just to those who are already interested in Quakerism and Friends education.

This committee would meet monthly throughout the next academic year with our steering committee either in afterschool hours or mornings, depending on member limitations.  There may be smaller sub-committees that meet more frequently during certain months where more planning or decisions are required. We also plan to have one opening meeting very soon this spring--before the end of this academic year.

If you are interested in joining this committee, have in mind someone you like to nominate, or just have a question, please send an email message as soon as possible to Whitney Thompson.