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) is held from 11:00-noon. It emphasizes Quaker values & history, Bible stories, and community service learning activities. 

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, First Day School (FDS) for children ages K-8 is held from 11:00 am to noon.

It is usually held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays September to June. Dates may change based on holiday weekends. 

• • On the days with no FDS (usually the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays), children are supervised on the playground. 
• Schedule and Procedure: Teachers meet the children in the outdoor courtyard or in the Meeting House library at 10:50 a.m. to sign in. 
• Parents must sign in their child when they arrive. 
• We like to have children join us in worship! Sometimes, this will be from 11:00-11:15 and then they go to a nearby classroom for the planned lesson. In other instances, the class may start at 11:00 and children join worship later at 11:45-noon. 
  
• At approximately 12:10, children will be signed out by the teachers and will meet up with their families. 
• First time attending? Please complete a short, online registration form in advance of attending if possible.

DURING THE SUMMER, supervised play is held for children in K-6th grade, either on the playground or indoors. 

• 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 and/or BFM volunteers 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 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, collecting toys for toy drives, and the BFM Spring Fling to support Ramallah Friends School.