Summary of Religious Education (RE) for Children & Youth (Grades K-8)

Religious education classes for children in grades K-8 is called "First Day School" (FDS)

First Day School (FDS) emphasizes Quaker values & history, Bible stories, and community service learning activities. 

• During the school year, First Day School (for vaccinated children, ages 5 and older) meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. 
• On the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays, children are supervised on the playground. 
• Procedure: Teachers meet the children in the Meeting House library at 10:50 a.m., and parents complete the sign in form. 
• Parents must sign in their child when they arrive, and first time students complete a short registration form. 
• Then children and teachers walk to a nearby classroom in the Sidwell Friends Lower School at 11:00 a.m.
• At approximately 12 noon, teachers will bring children to Meeting for Worship to join their families. Children will be signed out by the teachers, after they meet up with their families. 

• Procedure: During the summer months, please sign your student in at the child care room (downstairs in the Meeting House) between 10:50 and 11 a.m. (before Meeting for Worship).  The professional child care providers will supervise the children in playground activities. 

• If you'd like to have your child join the first 15 minutes of Meeting for Worship, then please escort them to the child care room for sign-in at 11:15 a.m.  Children are always welcome to stay for the full hour of worship.

Please note that all children must be signed in and signed out of FDS or supervised play by their parent or caregiver. For new and visiting families, please fill out the short registration form. 

• The BFM Youth Safety Policy (see below) requires that all young people (infant-18 yrs old) must be supervised by a parent, teacher, or child care staff at all times. 

• Please use our Contact Us form if any questions.  

• Upcoming events are always featured in the weekly bulletin and our Events calendar. 

• During the school year, our First Day School classes are about Quaker Faith and Practice, often with a focus on the life and teachings of Jesus.
• In addition to classes, teachers and guest teachers discuss Quakerism in action and facilitate multi-age community service activities.     
• The children also participate in regular Meeting activities, such as the October Walkathon for the Homeless, an annual Christmas Pageant, and Spring Fling for Ramallah Friends School.