The First Day School’s Corner of the World: June 2021
By RE Coordinator Charlotta Koppanyi
Wow, half the year of 2021 is soon to be past! And what a year! We started the year with a change of presidential administration and with that came a lot of changes. One major change, which really affected us, was the change of view of science, COVID-19, and the vaccine. The first couple of rounds of access and information regarding the vaccine were stressful for many for different reasons, but as things became more accessible, both considering availability, information—in different languages for example—and reaching out to new vaccination sites, providers and communities, we noticed the change. As our community started to open up, as we left the cold and dark winter months behind, we were able to meet at our side yard for First Sundays and then for regular Sunday classes each Sunday. Being blessed with wonderful weather made it all so much better.
The First Sundays are social gatherings, and being together is the focus, with play and snack time. Garden work, which includes watering and checking out the worm population, and picking up sticks, has been on the schedule in addition to running around chasing each other, mostly Raphael. As we started to hold our regular classes outside, we divided the yard space for younger and older students for class time, however a few classes and worships have been held together. Fruits, coconut macaroons, seaweed, and other interesting snacks have been provided and eaten outside. Parents have either participated or taken the time to talk with each other. Quaker and Godly Play stories were read in Primary while in Intermediate we continued to learn more about the vast and rich culture of the Native American Nations. We talked about some general basic matters, such as the relationship to nature and the stewardship of the earth as part of their culture and spiritual practice. We talked about how different ways of passing on knowledge, for example by writing (written traditions) or telling stories (oral traditions) and how knowledge, traditions, myths, creation stories, and why things are as they are. We read stories and practiced our own ability to share teaching stories. We also continued with sharing with each other what we knew about Native American culture and tradition, learning from each other. In many tribes, the elders who hold the knowledge are called Knowledge Keepers. I really like that recognition.
The importance of understanding the impact of climate change and the responsibility we have to our planet is very clear to our students. Rotary International, just recently added the Environment as an area of focus in addition to the other six areas: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution; Disease Prevention and Treatment; Water and Sanitation; Maternal and Child Health; Basic Education and Literacy; and Economic and Community Development. As we learn and practice SPICES, experience the reality of climate change, learn about composting and plastic in our oceans, get impressed and inspired by the Swedish, and now internationally known, young environmental activist Greta Thunberg, read stories from the Native American culture, and visited the Quaker community in Monteverde, Costa Rica and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, we are reminded that nature and our environment is essential for our survival—physically, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually.
May was mental health awareness month and I would not be the only one seeing how our students thrived at being together… outside… running around… playing… sharing joys and concerns… listening to the stories… sharing knowledge… watering the plants… and at times, watering each other. Research shows how important nature is for our mental health and during these COVID-19 months it has become as common knowledge as the need for oxygen to survive. A few years ago, “Forest Bathing” became trendy and as a Swede I had to laugh as we were all raised and grew up with being in nature, in the forest, on lakes, camping, swimming, fishing, or just going for a walk in the forest. Research also shows the importance of just being together, or sharing a meal, and how unstructured play, often called free play, is important for the development of creativity and cognitive growth of children (and probably also adults), as it allows children the freedom to explore, create, and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines. It boosts physical development and social and emotional maturity, and specifically supports creativity and imagination, problem-solving abilities, and social skills development. Our First Sundays are based on these ideas and especially after a year of COVID, the opportunity to socialize and just be together is essential. The RE Summer program will include free play for our First Sundays, and the remaining Sundays will focus on art, storytelling, play, and working our garden, and yes, being together, and of course, snacks!
A few Summer dates to keep in mind:
Sunday, June 6 – First Sunday we gather at the yard of EFM for planting of flowers and plants.
Sunday, June 13 – Recognition Sunday—snacks outside for students.
Sunday, June 20 – Summer classes for all students in an intergenerational setting starts. Midsummer Solstice & Father’s Day
Friday, June 25 – Sunday, June 27 – ILYM Annual Sessions. No EFM RE classes. EFM has an active role in this year’s ILYM Children’s Sessions, with a special event planned for Sunday, June 27.
Sunday, July 4 – 4th of July weekend – RE classes with a special program.