Simplicity: A Focus for The School Year

Friends School has been centering joy and purpose for twenty years. There are many ways we dig into the Quaker values each year. This year, we’ve chosen simplicity as a focal testimony. Focusing on one testimony doesn’t mean we won’t be talking and thinking about the other values – peace, integrity, community, equality, stewardship – as these are in dialogue and in relationship constantly.

This focus on Simplicity began as a conversation during teacher work days last June, and has continued to unfold. During faculty work days this August, FSP’s Quaker Life Committee shared simplicity queries to consider. A teacher shared a metaphor she had read about the hard work of community: a simple machine allows big work to unfold when love is the fulcrum.  

The reflections on simplicity have continued in our first six weeks of school.  From considering these queries during our Wednesday Community Meetings to Curriculum Night to the first Community Caregiver Committee meeting with parents. Third and fourth grade students reflected on simplicity as part of their “Simplicity Tree” class contract. 

We invite you to consider these queries with us:

How can we make life less complicated? 

What does simplicity mean?

In what ways is it hard to practice simplicity?  

How is less sometimes more?

How might we show that we value people more than things? 

How are we deliberate in clearing the way for what is important and what matters?