Spring Thing
On Saturday, April 21, members of the Shipley community celebrated Earth Day by participating in one of four Spring Thing service projects to help spruce up the local environment. One group partnered with Philadelphia Cares to help clean up city schools. The Shipley Sprouts beautified the grounds of the Montessori Genesis School. Another group cleaned up Bryn Mawr parks. A fourth group of students made cheerful decorations for the Discovery Charter School and cards for nurses at Bryn Mawr Hospital in honor of nurse appreciation week. Maria Stroup, Upper School Service Learning Coordinator, said, “It was a fantastic day to appreciate the beauty of the earth and the community coming together to make a difference.”

Shipley Students Honor Victims of Virginia Tech Tragedy
Friday, April 20 was National Orange and Maroon Day, commemorating those who lost their lives on Monday, April 16 at Virginia Tech. Students and faculty members in Shipley’s Upper School donned the Hokie colors to honor those affected by the tragic events. Senior Sam Frey, who will attend Virginia Tech next year, helped to coordinate Shipley’s participation in this day.

Upper School Participates in Day of Silence
Over 50 Shipley students and faculty members participated in The Day of Silence, a protest of the violence and harassment so often experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. Participants either observed silence or showed their support by wearing a sticker. The Day of Silence was founded in 1996 by students at the University of Virginia, and currently takes place in more than 2000 schools and universities across the country. The purpose of the Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Here at Shipley, students want to send the message that everyone is welcome and should feel safe—regardless of sexual orientation.

Shipley Raises Scholarship Money for Brain Tree Students
In 2002, fourth grade teacher Ingrid Serrell spearheaded the effort to raise money for the Brain Tree Scholarship Fund—which has helped to send 18 students to the Ugandan equivalent of high school. Five years later, she’s at it again.

“The average yearly tuition for a secondary school student is $425. Therefore, $7,650 is needed each year for our 18 students. There is presently enough money in the fund to pay their tuition through August, but without our continued support, the funding for their schooling will end,” wrote Serrell in a letter to the School’s faculty and staff. “I believe we have an obligation to continue our support…If we can keep ourselves and our students involved in Brain Tree, we have really lived our mission statement of ‘developing…a compassionate participation in the world.’”

A group of faculty members from all three divisions of the School met to discuss Shipley’s association with Brain Tree. “We would like Brain Tree to become Shipley’s ‘official’ sister school, with specific projects and fundraisers going on yearly so all Shipley children will be aware of and benefit from the School’s Brain Tree connection,” explained Serrell. “It’s wonderful that we have focused on a place where we are truly making a difference.”

Any Shipley community members interested in contributing to the Brain Tree Scholarship Fund can make out a check to The Shipley School with “Brain Tree Scholarship Fund” printed in the memo portion of the check. Please feel free to email Ingrid Serrell if you have any questions.