Message from the Head of School - December 9, 2009

"The Importance of a Strong Community"

Dear MFS parents,

The annual Thanksgiving Happening was, once again, a great success.  As senior Emma Baiada, an MFS student since Preschool, wrote in the latest edition of the school newspaper, WordsWorth, “Thanksgiving Happening has shown me the significance of a strong community while ‘learning’ how to give thanks.”

The key word in Emma’s piece is “community.”  Every fall, I sit down with each senior individually to talk about college and career goals and to get the student’s candid views of what we do well at MFS and what we should strive to improve.   These conversations remind me repeatedly how important community is at MFS.  Over 80% of students cite the sense of community and particularly the quality of the relationships they have with their teachers as one of the greatest strengths of MFS.  I suspect that few schools around the nation, public or private, can boast such a high level of commitment to community.

As we approach the end of 2009, a year of great change economically and politically for our nation, I want to thank you for the important commitment you have made to your child’s education.  Our record high retention of students from last year is a testament to your faith in this community and in our academic and spiritual & ethical program, especially in a time of great uncertainty.  What’s really important comes to the fore when times are tough, and families have been steadfast in their commitment to MFS.

Having experienced MFS over a 55–year period as a student, parent, and, these past nine years, as Head of School, I am thankful every day for the wonderful students and parents we have at Moorestown Friends.  It is a privilege to lead this community into its 225th year.

With best wishes for the holidays,

Larry Van Meter '68
Head of School

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