First Day School Annual Report 2022/2023:
The First Day School met twice per month this school year starting in Sept 2022 and finishing June 2023. We have 14 families associated with our Meeting and attendance has been regular throughout the year. We continued with the one room classroom until Spring when we began holding 2 classes, 1) ages 5-10 and 2) middle school age. We celebrated one graduating senior in June, Atticus Leibman who graduated from University of Maryland. We welcomed new baby, Langdon Gray as well as two new families who had attended our summer camp from June 2022.
Throughout the year, FDS class themes often followed our 6 testimonies with a strong emphasis on learning within the natural world. Our 7 acre campus supplies abundant opportunities for spiritual growth. The children made pollinator shelters, learned about composting, took many walks around the property, and even drew maps of the Third Haven grounds all the while understanding about communities. The children painted oyster shells and recycled crayons to sell in the annual members Art show in Dec. They also stocked the baked goods table, which sold out! In October the families gathered for a pumpkin fun night and in December the children participated in the annual Holiday program. FDS also held the annual Easter Egg hunt on Easter with many families attending. Children enjoyed making baskets under the guidance of Heidi Wetzel. The testimonies of community, integrity, stewardship and peace were all discussed in this year’s children’s program. At the end of the year, we celebrated the Moving up ceremony with a large potluck co-hosted with the Hospitality committee. Throughout the year on the 17th of every month the children were asked to help prepare the Interfaith Shelter meal in conjunction with the Testimonies and Concerns committee. We also won best nonprofit float in Christmas parade thanks to Jeanne Halpin and First Day School parents.
In June 2023, FDS will hold the annual summer Mindfulness camp. Miss Cherie Baron and Miss Kristin Hanlon will again be our camp leaders as well as being regular teachers throughout the school year. Amy Owsley will again be onsite camp coordinator, and her son Liam Ewing will again be a Junior Counselor for the camp. The Clerks wish to thank all the members who helped teach and who supported the FDS program throughout the year. We also wish to thank all the parents who bring their children to Third Haven. We love having them!
Respectfully submitted, Dee Rein for Susan Claggett and Sarah Hilderbrand