Student Life
While Tandem Friends’ academic curriculum sets
requirements for every student, the school also offers
a wide variety of adult-sponsored clubs and co-curricular
activities to support independent learning pursuits.
Co-curricular activities are consonant with the philosophy
of the school in that students are given a great deal of
freedom to explore and express themselves within a guided
framework.
Participation in these activities builds confidence
and self-esteem and provides students with opportunities
for leadership and success. In addition, they allow
students to expand their skills and interests beyond
the classroom. Faculty - student relationships are also
strengthened, leading to a greater sense of community.
Student Senate
Since its founding, Tandem embraced John Dewey's idea
that a school should be an 'embryonic democracy' in
which students participate directly in the running of
the school. Student Senate officers are elected by their
peers, serve for one academic year, and oversee the
senate meetings. Senate
meetings are called every other week. Students work
with a faculty member who serves as a sponsor.
Standards
At Tandem Friends, the notion of discipline is founded
upon the school's basis of trust and its commitment
to freedom with responsibility. The Standards Committee,
composed of student-elected representatives from grades
7-12 and volunteer faculty members from both upper and
middle school, works collectively with those students
referred to Standards by a teacher or administrator
for disciplinary reasons. The committee determines the
nature of the infraction and
makes recommendations regarding appropriate disciplinary
action to either the upper or middle school director
or the Head of School. Less serious disciplinary issues
in the upper school are handled directly by one of the
four grade deans, while other behavior concerns or violations
are dealt with by division directors or the Head of
School.
Publications
Student publications include a newspaper, yearbook
and upper and middle school literary magazines.
Groups and Activities
Student groups join like-minded students together in
activities and interest groups, such as Amnesty International,
Model United Nations, American High School Mathematics
Contest, Ski Club, Dances, Student Art Gallery, running
club, Quaker Youth Leadership Conference, literary magazine,
and yearbook.
Special Programs and Events
Numerous activities and programs occur throughout the
school year that enhance parent—teacher communication,
as well as enrich student learning.
- Back to School Night
Back to School Night is an evening designed to introduce
parents to the school program, faculty and staff.
Parents participate in a shortened version of their
children’s daily schedule, moving from classroom
to classroom, and speaking with each teacher. Additionally,
a program overview and school year introduction
is provided by the Head of School.
- Blue Ridge Day
Classes are suspended and the entire school heads
for the Blue Ridge Mountains for a day of hiking.
Parents who wish to join us are welcome to do so.
This is a wonderful school tradition, which is in
its 32nd year.
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Community Beautification Day
On Community Beautification Days, we bring our rakes,
brooms, shovels, nails, hammers, paint brushes,
buckets and paint for a general sprucing up of the
campus. It is primarily an outdoor workday for parents,
students, and faculty. Some projects are general
maintenance in nature (such as raking the leaves
from the parking lot and lawns). Other times there
are special projects. All families are encouraged
to participate.
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Dances
The Parents Association and Middle School Staff
organizes four Middle School dances. Upper School
dances are organized through the Student Senate.
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Emphasis Week
Each spring semester, students participate in Emphasis
Week. During this week, students and teachers put
aside regular school activities and select some
focused line of study. Students may participate
in faculty-sponsored courses, community service
activities, weeklong field trips, or career-oriented
internship programs. At the conclusion of Emphasis
week, students share experiences during an all-school
presentation. We encourage parental involvement
in the Emphasis program.
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Mother’s Day Music Festival
This tradition is a fun-filled day of musical performances,
games, food and sunshine. This is a program
that cannot succeed without active community participation.
Students plan this special day, and welcome help
from everyone in the community. All funds raised
go to the General Student Scholarship Fund.
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New Parent Orientation and Community Picnic
Our new parent orientation introduces new families
to the Tandem Friends School faculty and administration
as well as provides an opportunity for parents to
learn more about the school and ask questions. New
and returning families, faculty and students are
invited to a community potluck picnic following
New Parent Orientation. This informal get-together
is an occasion for greeting old friends and meeting
new ones.
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Pancake Breakfast
Every Wednesday morning a pancake breakfast is offered
in the Middle School meeting room; parents, teachers
and students all help assemble the breakfasts.
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8th Grade Taco Lunches
Every Monday, 8th graders prepare and sell a lunch
of bean tacos,
nachos, lemonade and ice cream. Proceeds from these
lunches have been
used to fund projects such as feeding the homeless
in the PACEM program
and putting in a well in an African village. A portion
is used to fund
the end-of-year 8th grade dinner/dance.
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Pumpkin Carving and Halloween Dance
In October, students traditionally spend an hour
or more on pumpkin carving. Faculty and staff judge
these artistic endeavors. The 8th grade also organizes
a Halloween dance, including a scary “Boo
House”, for the other members of the Middle
School.
- Winter Celebration
On the final school day before the winter holiday,
the Tandem community gathers for a winter celebration.
This includes community service in the morning; in
the afternoon, Santa Claus visits Tandem and leads
the festivities. The day is concluded with Meeting
for Worship.
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Spring Day
As the weather warms, the Head of School announces
a spontaneous spring day. Classes are suspended
for this day of merriment, athletics, art and food.
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Grandparents’ Day
Each spring, grandparents are invited to visit Tandem
Friends. Grandparents are introduced by their grandchild
to the community, accompany their grandchild to
class, and enjoy a student performance.
Education in Service has always been an important part
of the Tandem Friends School program. Throughout their
years at Tandem, students explore the many ways to help
their community be a better place. Their concerns extend
from the local to the global.
In the Middle School, students engage in a variety
of community service projects. In the past, these have
included: collecting money for UNICEF to provide vaccines
to underdeveloped nations; raising funds to help a village
in Senegal build a new well; collecting and donating
gifts and food at Christmas for needy families through
the Salvation Army. Additionally, each grade level
in the Middle School faculty focuses on a service theme.
For example, fifth graders might consider the problems
of aging; sixth graders might work on the issue of hunger;
seventh graders could study the problems of children’s
health; and eighth graders may address energy conservation.
Students perform classroom studies of their theme, complete
a service project to address the need that they have
uncovered, and when possible, incorporate off-campus
activities related to their service goals.
The Upper School has a year-long program that combines
an orientation to community service and day-long projects,
as well as model service-learning projects. The following
is a list of the organizations Tandem students have
been involved with in the past: the Salvation Army daycare;
LiveArts (publicity, office work, set construction);
Amnesty International; the International Rescue Committee;
tutoring at nearby elementary schools; Meals On Wheels;
the Emergency Food Bank; Barrett Daycare; Kids For Kids;
the Thomas Jefferson Adult Day Care Center (working
with seniors and in the greenhouse); the SPCA; the AIDS/HIV
Service Group; the Shelter for Help in Emergency; the
Virginia Discovery Museum; Habitat for Humanity; A.H.I.P.;
and, the Rivanna Trail Foundation.
Work Crew
The role that students and faculty play in maintaining
the buildings and grounds at Tandem is one of the school’s
oldest and finest traditions. Maintenance and upkeep
of the facility is primarily the responsibility of the
faculty and student body. The Plant and Grounds Crew
handles repairs that are beyond the scope of the student’s
abilities; most cleaning duties are assumed by student
work teams. The maintenance program is extremely important
to the well being of the community.
Fifth and sixth grade students are responsible for
cleaning their classrooms under the supervision of their
teachers. The rest of the school buildings and grounds
are divided into distinct areas, with a work crew responsible
for each. The work crews are composed of students in
7th through 12th grades. As crew leaders, seniors are
provided an ideal and challenging leadership opportunity.
All students in grades seven through twelve have a
work obligation of 85 days (approximately one-half of
the school year). The year is divided into quarters
and students are assigned to a work crew every-other
quarter. All work is done after school from 3:30 p.m.
to 3:50 p.m.
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