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 first and third Sunday. 
• Procedure: Teachers meet the children in the Meeting House library beginning at 10:50 a.m. and walk together to a nearby classroom in the Sidwell Friends Lower School at 11:00 a.m. Parents must sign in their child when they arrive. First time students will complete a short registration form. At approximately 12 noon, teachers will bring children to Meeting for Worship to join their families in Meeting. Children will be signed out by the teachers, after they meet up with their families. Please use our Contact Us form if any questions.  
• During the summer, supervised play is held for children in K-6th grade, either on the playground or indoors. 
• Procedure: For summer supervised care, please bring your student to the child care room (downstairs in the Meeting House) between 10:50 and 11 a.m. (before Meeting for Worship).  

• 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 during 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. 

• We will resume First Day School classes in September (please stay tuned for the date classes will resume).

• Upcoming events are always featured in the BFM Newsletter. 

• 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 Walkathon for the Homeless, the annual Christmas Pageant, and Spring Fling for Ramallah Friends School.