The First Day School’s Corner of the World: July 2023
Head of First Day School, Charlotta Koppanyi
The month of June has now passed and soon enough we will leave the summer behind for fall and winter. From an RE perspective, June was a busy month with events and programs with that a lot of preparation, planning, and doing. Recognition Sunday, June 4 was a nice event and followed tradition with class, which included a visit from John Woolman (aka Rex), celebration with everyone upstairs, the gift of an individually selected book to all students who attended class during the year, and concluded with a generous potluck picnic in our yard. As usual, we were fortunate with the weather. A Big Thank You to all who contributed and attended, and for those that did not, we missed you!
The following week, June 11, our Summer RE program started. We worked on the eco-system in nature. The following week we worked on the eco-system of our spirit; both weeks made art work and text reflecting these themes, and are on display in the Primary classroom. Raphael, Margi R., and I rode together to Illinois Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions (June 21 – June 25). Raphael was tightly tucked among everything possibly needed for the Children’s Religious Education program and for our personal needs. Margi drove and I enjoyed the ride. A stop at St. Charles for a visit at the Mad Batter Bakery on 320 Main Street https://www.madaboutbaking.com/ was mandatory – and is recommended if you enjoy exquisite baked goods. While no children from EFM participated in ILYM this year, a nice representation of adult EFM Friends was in attendance. David S. was a guest with the Middle School students, sharing his experience and knowledge of exchange programs and traveling the world, meeting Quakers of all ages and creating international relationships. Rex N., dressed up as John Woolman, met with Primary and Intermediate students for two days, talking, sharing information about life back when, showing artifacts and explaining how objects were used and answering questions. I taught the Primary class with the assistance of Margi, who also helped with snacks and checking children in and out of the program. She is an angel! Raphael was tireless in his ability to connect to each individual child – including the teens and the young adults – and give them time – and undertaking a variety of responsibilities. Our local babysitters did an amazing job and have committed to be back next year. We played, swam in the pool, ran around, had class, read stories and learned about Quakers and Quakerism, ate, hung out with friends, talked, made music, rested, played in the pool or just cooled our feet there, discussed, shared, reflected, rested some more, had soft ice cream, walked around, cleaned, scrubbed and painted the Foxhole, did dishes and made some art. Among other activities…
Just before ILYM Annual Session, Steve R. and I attended a Godly Play Conference via Zoom, which was perfect as preparation for ILYM. It was also perfect in the sense of learning and being reminded of the importance of children’s need for space where they can learn, experience, practice and develop their spiritual journey with others as well as by themselves. This space is a place where art and religion can go hand in hand. Maybe the best lesson I learned, or was reminded of, was when I logged into a workshop and the presenter told the Godly Play story in Russian. While I knew the story I was frustrated and impatient until I remembered the point was not to understand the words, but how the words were spoken, to allow the silence and space for children to process the story in any format which was right for them.
