The First Day School’s Corner of the World: June 2023
Head of First Day School, Charlotta Koppanyi
The month of June is here, and soon enough half of 2023 will be behind us and we will prepare for the fall, an election, and winter. Evaluating our time and how we spend it is becoming more and more a reality for people — of all ages, I would say. Our children are busy with school, homework, activities, friends and families seven days a week. Seniors and retired people are just as active as our children. People who are working, full or part-time, are juggling even more. Anything outside of a tight schedule, such as getting sick and needing time to heal and get well, puts responsibilities on the back burner, and stresses us even more. As we wrangle all of that, knowing the importance of stepping back, taking time for ourselves, being mindful of what we say “yes” to when we are stretched thin and managing stress despite the feelings of guilt, is indeed challenging.
It comes down to making choices about what is important to you and your family. How you build stamina and grit, calmness and happiness, and prioritize for today and for the year? How do you maintain healthy social relationships, build and strengthen community without it being at the emotional expense of yourself and/or your family?
On the last Sunday of May, Richard G was our guest teacher for our students. He shared stories about and pictures of the prairie restoration he is doing on his land in Wisconsin. We talked about our yard, did some digging in order to plant prairie grass, and tasted some of herbs growing there. We spoke about the interconnectedness between humans and nature. As the last “S” in SPICES is stewardship of our environment and nature, I find including nature in our RE program essential. A few weeks ago, one of our students in Intermediate shared how he connects with the trees and how it calms him, how looking into the sky and stars connects him to God. Taking time for oneself connects to that which is larger than ourselves. It is never too early to set personal priority time to reflect and connect! Studies show the importance of being in and connecting to nature and the positive impact that has on our mental health.
Sunday, June 4 is Recognition Sunday. Together we will celebrate our students in First Day School with an individually chosen book for each child who attends FDS during the year. A book that captures (hopefully) their interests and Quaker values in its many different forms. We will thank all our teachers and the families and conclude the day with our Annual Potluck Picnic which I hope you will all attend. What is special for this year is a Time Traveling Guest – John Woolman – who will be visiting our Primary and Intermediate students for class time! Meanwhile our Middle School students will help get the picnic in place. I am, as always, grateful to have the opportunity to work with our students, families, and the Meeting, and recognize the value the program has on a long-term perspective. However, I also recognize the scheduling and prioritizing our families need to do each week and that their time – and energy - is limited. I so appreciate each family who joins us as their time allows!
Starting Sunday, June 11 is the all-ages and students Summer RE program. The summer program is about being together, building community, playing, reading stories, doing art, and learning from nature as we spend most of the time outside. No Summer RE program Sunday, June 25 as I will be at Illinois Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions. Camille might join us in August and Molly might join us as well for some Sundays during the summer.
For more information about ILYM see https://ilym.org/ilym/2023annualsessions/ Dates are Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25. You can come for one day or all days. In addition to all the programing and events, Virginia Schelbert will present the Plummer Lecture, "Let Your Life Speak." As in previous years, I will be there managing the children’s program and Raphael will be there as well with his amazing abilities to connect to children of all ages!
Join us for Father’s Day and Pancake breakfast June 18, 8:45-9:45AM!
