• Last Sunday, Friends participated in the NYC World Pride March, which marks the fifth consecutive time that the School has marched for LGBTQ+ rights in honor of the Stonewall Rebellion. Friends co-sponsored a float with Bank Street School for Children and the School at Columbia. Under their banners, 200 marchers assembled, donning their school’s colors and waving rainbow flags. Guests from Grace Church School, Trinity School, Horace Mann and Packer Collegiate joined as well. Organized by the School’s Center for Peace, Equity and Justice, the Friends group was comprised of students from across the divisions, parents, faculty, administrative staff and alumni. World Pride brought about 150,000 marches and over 2.5 million specters, a record high for Pride in NYC.
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    Last Sunday, Friends participated in the NYC World Pride March, which marks the fifth consecutive time that the School has marched for LGBTQ+ rights in honor of the Stonewall Rebellion. Friends co-sponsored a float with Bank Street School for Children and the School at Columbia. Under their banners, 200 marchers assembled, donning their school’s colors and waving rainbow flags. Guests from Grace Church School, Trinity School, Horace Mann and Packer Collegiate joined as well. Organized by the School’s Center for Peace, Equity and Justice, the Friends group was comprised of students from across the divisions, parents, faculty, administrative staff and alumni. World Pride brought about 150,000 marches and over 2.5 million specters, a record high for Pride in NYC.
  • Upper School students participated in an interactive simulation led by the Osborne Association and learned about some of the challenges former inmates face reintegrating into society. Click the link in our bio to read the @newsdecoder article by Malik ’20 and Aryanna ’20.
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    Upper School students participated in an interactive simulation led by the Osborne Association and learned about some of the challenges former inmates face reintegrating into society. Click the link in our bio to read the @newsdecoder article by Malik ’20 and Aryanna ’20.
  • Friends bids farewell to Constance Vidor, Director of Library Services, and wishes her well in retirement. Erin Mumford fondly remembers the impact she had on the School: “Over the past 13 years, Constance has shared with us her love of literature and of learning. In her first year at Friends, she was charged with organizing and orienting the community to the newly renovated library space, which has undergone many changes since, and under her guidance has remained a hub of study and collaboration. An award-winning educator, Constance has been the recipient of the American Library Association’s Jaffarian Award for her interactive Greeensboro Civil Rights exhibit, as well as a Turkish American Foundation Curriculum Grant and Friends’ own Richard Eldridge Staff Grant. She pioneered a partnership with the New York Times as well as developed a Kindle book-sharing program, all while teaching us best practices in research skills, partnering with faculty on projects, managing our many scholarly databases, and hosting a visiting author series. Yet she always could find a moment to share her recommendations for books she referred to as “un-put-down-able.” Constance may be retiring, but was recently honored at reunion as Director of Library Services Emerita, so she will forever be part of our Friends community.”⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣Constance is photographed with Elinor ’24 during a goLEAD project.
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    Friends bids farewell to Constance Vidor, Director of Library Services, and wishes her well in retirement. Erin Mumford fondly remembers the impact she had on the School: “Over the past 13 years, Constance has shared with us her love of literature and of learning. In her first year at Friends, she was charged with organizing and orienting the community to the newly renovated library space, which has undergone many changes since, and under her guidance has remained a hub of study and collaboration. An award-winning educator, Constance has been the recipient of the American Library Association’s Jaffarian Award for her interactive Greeensboro Civil Rights exhibit, as well as a Turkish American Foundation Curriculum Grant and Friends’ own Richard Eldridge Staff Grant. She pioneered a partnership with the New York Times as well as developed a Kindle book-sharing program, all while teaching us best practices in research skills, partnering with faculty on projects, managing our many scholarly databases, and hosting a visiting author series. Yet she always could find a moment to share her recommendations for books she referred to as “un-put-down-able.” Constance may be retiring, but was recently honored at reunion as Director of Library Services Emerita, so she will forever be part of our Friends community.”⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣Constance is photographed with Elinor ’24 during a goLEAD project.
  • Images from the 2018-2019 Lower and Middle School Closing Ceremonies are now available at www.friendsseminaryphotos.com!
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    Images from the 2018-2019 Lower and Middle School Closing Ceremonies are now available at www.friendsseminaryphotos.com!
  • On June 1, Friends came together to celebrate the diversity of our community in Brooklyn’s beautiful Prospect Park. In honor of Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we welcomed Glory City as our cultural performer, brought to us by the Upper School’s student Asian Culture Club. Glory City is a dynamic, interactive performing arts group that educates people of all ages on traditional Han culture. This event is co-sponsored by the Parents Association and the Center for Peace, Equity & Justice. Special thanks to Kristi Ribbecke for providing these photos!
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    On June 1, Friends came together to celebrate the diversity of our community in Brooklyn’s beautiful Prospect Park. In honor of Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we welcomed Glory City as our cultural performer, brought to us by the Upper School’s student Asian Culture Club. Glory City is a dynamic, interactive performing arts group that educates people of all ages on traditional Han culture. This event is co-sponsored by the Parents Association and the Center for Peace, Equity & Justice. Special thanks to Kristi Ribbecke for providing these photos!
  • Congratulations to the Class of 2019! Here's a sneak peek at some images from last night. A full image gallery and video will be shared next week.
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    Congratulations to the Class of 2019! Here's a sneak peek at some images from last night. A full image gallery and video will be shared next week.
  • The Friends After Three program hosted a surprise party for Administrative Staff Emerita Eva Townes, who is leaving Friends after this school year. Friends Seminary is deeply appreciative of the many contributions Eva Townes has made during her tenure as Custodian, Crossing Guard, Receptionist and Head Receptionist. When asked about the highlights of her experience at Friends, Eva responds, “I am most proud of the kids and watching their accomplishments.” As Head Receptionist, Eva knows every person who enters through the front door. She is a cherished member of the community, and she is known among students and alumni for her warmth and care. Leah Allen ’10 remembers of Eva, “At the end of my first day of seventh grade, I waited anxiously on the steps outside for my dad to pick me up. Noticing me standing alone, Eva offered to stand and wait with me until he arrived. Over two hours later, as the sun was setting, Eva was still there, standing and chatting with me, despite her work day having ended hours before. From that first moment, Eva’s generosity planted her firmly as a beacon of love and warmth at every turn. A true guardian angel.”
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    The Friends After Three program hosted a surprise party for Administrative Staff Emerita Eva Townes, who is leaving Friends after this school year. Friends Seminary is deeply appreciative of the many contributions Eva Townes has made during her tenure as Custodian, Crossing Guard, Receptionist and Head Receptionist. When asked about the highlights of her experience at Friends, Eva responds, “I am most proud of the kids and watching their accomplishments.” As Head Receptionist, Eva knows every person who enters through the front door. She is a cherished member of the community, and she is known among students and alumni for her warmth and care. Leah Allen ’10 remembers of Eva, “At the end of my first day of seventh grade, I waited anxiously on the steps outside for my dad to pick me up. Noticing me standing alone, Eva offered to stand and wait with me until he arrived. Over two hours later, as the sun was setting, Eva was still there, standing and chatting with me, despite her work day having ended hours before. From that first moment, Eva’s generosity planted her firmly as a beacon of love and warmth at every turn. A true guardian angel.”
  • On May 18, the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) held a fundraising gala honoring Claire Brennan ’09, Service Learning Coordinator at Friends, for all of the wonderful work she does with the organization. Also in attendance were Sarah Vogelman ’09, Miles Arntzen ’09, and Nicki Zenker ’09. Proceeds from the event support beautification, advocacy, restoration and maintenance initiatives in Stuyvesant Square Park and its surrounding Historic District. Friends is proud to have worked with @spna_nyc over the years on projects like composting, flower planting and fence painting — projects often coordinated by Claire. We congratulate her for this well-earned recognition!
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    On May 18, the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) held a fundraising gala honoring Claire Brennan ’09, Service Learning Coordinator at Friends, for all of the wonderful work she does with the organization. Also in attendance were Sarah Vogelman ’09, Miles Arntzen ’09, and Nicki Zenker ’09. Proceeds from the event support beautification, advocacy, restoration and maintenance initiatives in Stuyvesant Square Park and its surrounding Historic District. Friends is proud to have worked with @spna_nyc over the years on projects like composting, flower planting and fence painting — projects often coordinated by Claire. We congratulate her for this well-earned recognition!
  • Commencement 2019 will be streamed live online on Thursday, May 30 starting at 6 PM. The link to the livestream is www.friendsseminary.org/commencement. Share the link with friends and family who can't make it to 16th Street. Congratulations to the Class of 2019!
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    Commencement 2019 will be streamed live online on Thursday, May 30 starting at 6 PM. The link to the livestream is www.friendsseminary.org/commencement. Share the link with friends and family who can't make it to 16th Street. Congratulations to the Class of 2019!