Friends Meeting School has limited available spaces for 9th grade admission. Applications are due on February 15th. For more details, visit https://www.friendsmeetingschool.org/9th-grade-admissions-schedule
With the number of reported cases of COVID-19 in Frederick Country climbing consistently since Thanksgiving, some are finding it difficult to maintain a positive outlook for the coming months. However, Maryland has administered thousands of coronavirus vaccines, and this represents a significant step toward returning our lives to a semblance of normalcy.
At Friends Meeting School (FMS), “normal” for the past couple months has involved virtual learning. The policy FMS had established in the summer, one rooted in science and driven by metrics, prompted the school to bring in-person instruction to an end in early November. FMS students are experiencing a rich learning experience at home. The school is sustaining the sense of community that has distinguished our program since its founding nearly 25 years ago-- it has allowed FMS students to thrive, even in these difficult circumstances. In addition to synchronous sessions facilitated by Google Meet and asynchronous work that extends the learning process, students have participated in “after-school” drama programs, on-campus (outdoors) community service work, and virtual community gatherings that have pulled together students, staff, and extended family.
When will FMS students return to campus? This is a question raised daily and one that the school is eager to answer. While the date is unclear, the circumstances are not. Even though research is showing that schools are one of the safest places for children to be, the level of viral community spread in early January is too high to transition now. FMS is confident in its multiple COVID mitigation measures and hopeful that the vaccine and new virus-testing technology will facilitate efforts to bring students back soon. Even though the school’s remote learning program is strong, FMS knows that students of all ages learn best in-person. The teachers at Friends Meeting School look forward to welcoming them back before the end of the winter months.
