BFS Students Stay Engaged and Connected
Buckingham Friends School Pivots Quickly to Distance Learning and Virtual Admissions
Lahaska, PA: Buckingham Friends School is now in Week Seven of BFS: Together. Wherever!, their new distance learning program—a program that will continue through the end of the school year. Over the course of the school’s March spring break, the faculty reimagined the entire curriculum for distance learning, including “specials” such as French, music, art, woodshop, PE, and mindfulness. Every grade level, from K – 8, is engaged in a robust and inspiring learning environment, and, as an independent school with a lower teacher-student ratio, is supporting everyone’s ability to be introduced to new concepts and skills while progressing through the School’s vigorous curriculum.
One of the school’s most unique characteristics is the supportive nature of its community. Deeply connected prior to the pandemic, BFS faculty and families have drawn strength from, and continued to build upon those connections. Faculty are regularly reaching out to make sure students are thriving and parents are supported under the new distance learning model; and the school has launched a series of parent presentations with renowned psychologists such as Dr. Michael Thompson to provide guidance while navigating today’s environment.
Says a current parent, “We have found that while we may not be together physically, our school remains a tight-knit community devoted to supporting one another academically, socially, and emotionally. We are grateful for BFS’s ability to respond quickly in a crisis, and to support us so well in this new reality.”
The pandemic hit during a traditionally busy time for independent school admissions offices, and BFS has adapted there as well, offering virtual tours and Open House experiences, and conducting admissions interviews via videoconference. The school has held one successful virtual Open House thus far, and has additional events scheduled for May 9 and 12.
Head of School Paul Lindenmaier commented, “I am so proud of our entire community… how quickly we moved to a virtual environment, and how well we did so. We have maintained traditions like weekly Lower School sings and Meeting for Worship, seen students conduct science experiments and create art… and much more. While we are all challenged by the uncertainties of our time, we are energized by the stories of connection and accomplishment we see every day across our entire school community.”