May 3-9, 2025

It was another fun and busy week at Tandem Friends. We knocked out the first week of AP exams. Last night our gym housed 30 5th and 6th graders and their chaperones from New Garden Friends School in Greensboro, NC. They were on a five-day trip and were in town to visit Monticello at the end of their travels. The Middle School held a two-day bake sale for Ukraine that ended up raising $350 - they are donating directly to the official website of the Ukrainian government for medical aid and humanitarian demining. Thanks to all who baked or bought (and especially Cord, Henry P, Henry F and Lila L for working the table and organizing) - you can still donate via the link above! Faculty and staff enjoyed every day of Teacher Appreciation this week…amazing Taco Lunch on Monday, tasty cookies from ABC on Tuesday, sustaining coffee bar on Wednesday, delicious homemade pretzels on Thursday, and a sweet treat on Friday. Lots of kind messages as well. Many thanks to all Parent Community members who participated and especially to Rachael Ayers, Julie Bowersett and Katina Wilberger for organizing this week of indulgence. We are so grateful for your continued support and nurturing.

In the Middle School, 5th graders are learning about the lunar cycle in science class. 6th graders are studying Hinduism and reading Baseball Saved Us. 7th graders are studying endangered species and learning about the Progressive Era and the third 7th grade drama class is putting final touches on their Cafe 007. 8th graders are reading To Kill a Mockingbird and learning about the periodic table. Middle Schoolers got to hear from 8th grader Henry R during Community Time today. Henry spoke about his disability, caused by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a group of disorders that can affect the peripheral nerves and for Henry, affect the way brain signals travel to his legs. He was first diagnosed at age 9 and has become more open to talking about it. He spoke about how Avis encourages him to be a full participant in PE class, and about a camp he attends with others who have CMT. Henry now serves as a CMT advisor as well. It was a very inspiring talk. Thanks, Henry!

In the Upper School, our drama program presented their terrific One Act plays, most of them student written and directed, last weekend. Check out photos from the show below. 9th graders are putting final touches on their video TED Talks and will be spending all day Monday at Lighthouse Studio to film and edit them. Sophomores are still working on their Socratic seminars. Juniors are finishing The Things They Carried. 2D art students worked on Intaglio painting. Today, our seniors posed for the annual College Decision photo, sporting shirts, hats or signs for their future schools. Take a look at where they are going in the photo (sorry, we were missing a few seniors) - more college decision pics in Recent Photos below. Mother’s Day Music Festival planners have been in high gear preparing for tomorrow’s event - see details below. A small group got interviewed on radio station 106.1 The Corner on Wednesday - click here to listen to them.