2005-2006 Fall Directions - Friends' Central School

CAMPUS LOG – LOWER SCHOOL
Intra-National Relations: Don Denton’s
Fourth Grade U.N. Pen Pal Project
Front Row (L to R): Evan McVail, Brianna Folwell, Alex Kaplan,
Marielle Greenblatt, Caroline Adams, Victoria Gillison, Phyllis
Williamson, Cara DeCusatis, Sam Silver
Back Row (L to R): Don Denton, Brianna Seid, Ashley Tedesco,
Jason Clough, Thomas Fakharzadeh, Colin O’Shea, William
Block, Spencer Grossinger, Holly Woodbury, Mary Chawaga,
Ryan Cassidy
For the last twelve years, Don Denton’s fourth grade class
has penned letters, emailed, and phoned fellow fourth
graders at United Nations International School (UNIS),
an independent K–12 institution with international flair that
was founded for UN dependents and people associated with
the UN. Stemming from the spring study of international
relations, children’s rights, child labor, and the UN itself,
Denton’s class writes letters to UNIS pen pals from September
through June. He asserts that he, and subsequently FCS, has
benefited from having a long-term relationship with UNIS
because of “their devotion to peace issues and international
understanding. That’s the main point of our study of the UN
each spring, so it’s helpful to see how colleagues at another
school address these issues.”
The pen pal idea was conceived by Don and his friend,
Lloyd Lohmeyer, a fourth grade teacher at UNIS. Don and
Lloyd have been friends since teaching together in Iran the
1970’s; they were both evacuated in 1979 when the Shah was
exiled and have remained close ever since.
Once a month, Don’s and Lloyd’s classes send typed or
handwritten letters, and sometimes pictures, photos, and
drawings, back and forth. Based on the first round of letters
that arrives from UNIS, Don tries to match students with
each other (although these young correspondents do not know
he does this!) to enhance the quality of letters. He finds that
the students get excited when their pen pals write of common
16 DIRECTIONS Fall 2005
likes and dislikes. Although the connection may be partially
fabricated by Don, it ensures the longevity of the relationship
and the continuing enthusiasm for the project.
This connection evolves during the year and culminates in
a Friends’ Central visit to UNIS in April/May. Accompanied
by parent chaperones, Don and his fourth graders sally to New
York City to meet this international group of students with
whom they have shared letters on favorite foods, movies,
books, hobbies, news, and travel. Don jokes that it is always
endearing to witness mixed-gender pen pals meet for the first
time; however, shyness is quickly overcome by conversation
and laughter. After a day of visiting the school, touring the
UN itself, and munching on international fare, the Friends’
Central delegation returns to Wynnewood, satisfied and
excited having met the pals face-to-face. Don indicates that
sometimes pen pals make play dates and invite each other to
birthday parties.
Reflecting on the pen pal project, Don states, “I love to see
the social development of the kids as they express who they are
to their new friends.” He cites social training and attaining a
larger world view as two goals that the FCS students achieve as
a result of this program.
And somehow, although far removed from the Lower
School campus, Don’s fourth graders this past spring managed
to conduct themselves at UNIS in ways that call to mind the
reflective practice of Meeting for Worship. While waiting for
tickets to enter and tour the U.N., the students and their
chaperones remained at the entrance to a meditation chapel
on the site. Laurie Novo, Upper School Literature teacher,
parent of a then fourth grader, and chaperone on this trip
recalls, “I was struck by the maturity of these nine-year-olds.
The kids put themselves into a circle, quietly. It was almost a
natural falling into a Meeting for Worship of sorts. They took
their cues from their FCS experience that suggests that this is
the way one responds to this kind of space. There was a reflective
feeling in that chapel that day.”
Members of Don Denton’s fourth grade class outside a U.N.
meditation chapel