Issue 2 2025-2026
News
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COP30 Summit
Westtown School and Germantown Friends School (GFS) sent a delegation to the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. At the thirtieth annual COP (Conference of the Parties) summit,…Read More Read LessWesttown School and Germantown Friends School (GFS) sent a delegation to the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. At the thirtieth annual COP (Conference of the Parties) summit, delegates from 194 countries across the globe gathered to address the climate crisis collaboratively. At these conferences, they set goals, share their country’s progress, negotiate action plans, and formulate legal agreements.
Representing Westtown were Sarah Lan ’27, Chris Wills, Associate Head of School for Program and Community, and Francine Locke, Director of Sustainability at Westtown School and GFS. They traveled with Justin J. Harris, Executive Director of the Climate Equity Collaborative Collaborative (CEC), a climate-action and education organization that focuses on youth and underserved communities. The CEC developed an immersive program for the delegates that included education and discussion sessions, rainforest tours, meetings with leaders in Indigenous communities, and volunteer opportunities—all in addition to attending COP30 sessions.
Students had the opportunity to concentrate on specific topics. Sarah—in addition to two GFS students—focused on blue carbon ecosystems, ocean restoration, and renewable energy. She was particularly interested in one of the presenters, from the State University of Amazonas, who developed a technological tool that focused on monitoring the water quality of the Amazon rivers.
The delegation also met with Keith Runyan, General Secretary, Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW). Over a dinner together, Keith shared his thoughts on the interconnectedness between Quakerism and climate action, and the group engaged in a robust conversation together. “We made deliberate connections with Quaker organizations this year, like the QEW and the Quaker United Nations Office [QUNO],” says Wills. “To explore these really big ideas with frameworks that are simple and that our students already know and understand because we live those out here on campus every day was very valuable.”
The conference availed the students of important proximity to the mechanisms of action and allowed them a close-up look at how change can be made and at what’s both effective and ineffective in bringing about change. “In a time of shifting climate policy, the perspective of the next generation is a critical force for change,” says Locke. “COP30 provided our students with an unparalleled laboratory for climate action. By bridging the gap between the classroom and global diplomacy, we are preparing our students to serve as the advocates and stewards our planet urgently needs.”
Wills adds that students witnessed, “the interconnectedness of all of these larger systems that come together to work against climate change. Students were able to see how the levers of capitalism are functioning on a global scale and understand the ways that change can happen at a grassroots level, a policy level, and then at a global initiative level. So being able to separate those things to see where one can have an impact in different kinds of contexts was pretty incredible for our students.”
Features
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MLK Day Celebrations and Observances
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all three divisions studied his work and legacy. In Lower School, students had a Day of Service, collecting donations of basic necessities…Read More Read LessIn honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all three divisions studied his work and legacy. In Lower School, students had a Day of Service, collecting donations of basic necessities for families in need in partnership with the non-profit Circle of Giving 2020. Service is not only central to the mission of Westtown School, but also an essential part of our Quaker beliefs, alongside social responsibility, justice, and peacemaking. Lower Schoolers started their day in Gathering, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights activists through readings, poetry, and song. Then they rotated through stations to package the donations and reflect on the shared readings.
Lower Schoolers putting together donations for their service project In Middle School, January was dedicated to community learning and celebration centered on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Over the course of the month, the three grades each had a unique focus. Eighth graders learned about the role music plays in the Civil Rights Movement. Seventh graders focused on community by exploring the Ubuntu philosophy, a South African concept of “I am because we are.” Sixth graders learned about service, to begin to understand service learning, and engaged in service projects. Some of the activities included a performance of the musical Bridges by the Philly Sound Exchange, a special Meeting for Worship rooted in Dr. King’s teachings, and a visit from folks at CityWorks that prepared sixth graders for one of their service projects. Finally, seventh graders interviewed members of the school community, reflecting on the impact that we all have on each other.
Middle Schoolers on their feet during the Bridges performance by Philly Sound Exchange In Upper School, students explored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolent direct action through a screening of the film Boycott, which chronicles the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Dr. King’s emergence as a national leader, before breaking into advisory groups for reflection and dialogue. Students examined Dr. King’s understanding of nonviolence as a disciplined, intentional practice rooted in moral courage and preparation—not passivity. Drawing clear connections to Quaker testimonies of peace, justice, and integrity, students reflected on the four steps of nonviolent action—information gathering, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action—and considered the responsibility each individual holds in working toward a more just and compassionate world.
In these Upper School discussions, students also examined how nonviolent movements can be strengthened, or undermined, by public perception. Drawing on research and historical examples, students explored how negative stereotypes and delegitimizing language have often been used to justify repression, even in nonviolent campaigns. They reflected on the importance of allyship, the role of narrative and moral clarity, and the responsibility individuals with privilege may hold in advancing justice. These themes echoed the film Boycott and Dr. King’s insistence that nonviolence is both a moral commitment and a strategic practice, grounded in courage, discipline, and collective responsibility. Students also reflected on the historical role Quakers played in shaping traditions of nonviolent resistance and the ways these practices continue to inform movements for justice today. Through discussion, students considered their own gifts, responsibilities, and the moral courage required to live out the values of peace, social responsibility, and active engagement—core commitments shared by Dr. King and the Quaker tradition.
Students
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Lunar New Year
In February, the celebrations of Lunar New Year enlivened campus. In Lower and Middle Schools, students and teachers wore red, considered to be a lucky and joyous color that brings…Read More Read LessIn February, the celebrations of Lunar New Year enlivened campus. In Lower and Middle Schools, students and teachers wore red, considered to be a lucky and joyous color that brings happiness and prosperity in many Asian cultures, and the lobbies were adorned in celebration.
In the Upper School, the Lunar New Year Community Dinner was a spectacular event with delicious food, beautiful decorations, and lovely performances, which included a dramatic dragon dance, a traditional Chinese instrument performance, and Middle and Upper School Mandarin classes singing songs. A student performed “Bian Lian,” Chinese face changing, and other dances were shared before the community was invited to visit classrooms in the Main Hall where 18 different cultural stations had been set up. Guests were invited to attempt Chinese yoyo, have their palms read, and try their hands at calligraphy, among many other activities. It was a grand evening of shared food, traditions, and community. Our thanks to the Asian Student Association (ASA), International Student Organization (ISO), and teacher Bei Zhang for the amazing celebration!
You can see more photos here and watch the ASA/ISO’s promo video here!
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Cardboard Carnival
Science Teacher Carlos Charriez gave his seventh graders a design thinking task: create a carnival for your clients—Westtown fourth graders. Teacher Carlos gave them the following criteria for their carnival…Read More Read LessScience Teacher Carlos Charriez gave his seventh graders a design thinking task: create a carnival for your clients—Westtown fourth graders. Teacher Carlos gave them the following criteria for their carnival activities: they must be fun, engaging, challenging, made with cardboard, and cater to fourth graders. For this task, students divided into team to interview their clients and assess their needs and wants. They asked their clients and themselves about the best and worst elements of carnivals they’d been to and began to brainstorm ideas, then winnow them. Next they designed and made prototypes of their carnival games and activities. They tested their designs, got feedback, reflected on ways to make them better, and improved them. The project culminated in the Cardboard Carnival in which the fourth grade clients came to the Science Center to enjoy the final products, and enjoy them they did! See more of the carnival here.
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Under the Sea
Second graders dove deep for their recent unit on sea life! Each student researched a sea animal and wrote a book about their topic, then made dioramas or stop-motion videos…Read More Read LessSecond graders dove deep for their recent unit on sea life! Each student researched a sea animal and wrote a book about their topic, then made dioramas or stop-motion videos in art class to show the animal in its habitat. At the conclusion of the unit, they hosted a fair to show their work. At the fair, they had the opportunity to share their new knowledge of sea life as other Lower School classes came to learn about the different sea creatures, ask questions, and admire their projects. The books and videos were so well done and the students did a wonderful job talking about what they learned with other students.
Enjoy the whole gallery of photos here!
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African Dance
A big round of applause to our third graders on their wonderful African Dance performance! As part of their studies of the continent of Africa, its cultures, and its art,…Read More Read LessA big round of applause to our third graders on their wonderful African Dance performance! As part of their studies of the continent of Africa, its cultures, and its art, third graders spent six weeks working with Jeannine Osayande and Dunya Performing Arts Company. The students learned the movements, origins, and symbolism of the African dances and Capoeira, culminating in the performance. Students also made their batik costumes in art class under the guidance of teacher Kelly Nicholson. At this year’s performance, fourth and fifth graders, who remembered their own African Dance experience, came on stage to join in the dancing. Lower School teachers also joined in the revelry!
We are grateful to Jeannine and DunyaPAC for 24 years of partnership and to our third grade teachers Kristin Hayman and Charis Fisher who keep this beloved tradition alive!
Enjoy the gallery of photos of their exuberant performances here!
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Semi Global Schools Visit 8th Grade
Representatives came from Semi Global Schools came to visit our eighth grade's Sustainability and Stewardship class. They introduced our students to Micro:bits which are programmable, pocket-sized computers that can be…Read More Read LessRepresentatives came from Semi Global Schools came to visit our eighth grade’s Sustainability and Stewardship class. They introduced our students to Micro:bits which are programmable, pocket-sized computers that can be programmed to measure light, sound, temperature, movement, and magnetism. The class has been learning about the impacts of air quality on our environment and health. With the use of the Micro:bits, students will be able to measure Westtown’s air quality and keep a data log to analyze air quality trends on our campus.
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Metal Moose: Community Outreach
An important aspect of both Westtown’s team and FIRST Robotics is service and community outreach. In addition to designing and building a robot each year, Westtown’s Team 1391, the Metal…Read More Read LessAn important aspect of both Westtown’s team and FIRST Robotics is service and community outreach. In addition to designing and building a robot each year, Westtown’s Team 1391, the Metal Moose, engages in service projects and outreach to promote STEM and to compete for the Impact Award, the most prestigious award in the FIRST robotics competition league.
Over the years, this outreach has included running a TechGirlz workshop for girls in STEM; teaching LEGO robotics sessions at Camp Dreamcatcher; doing LEGO robotics and Kendal Crosslands communities; restarting and mentoring a FIRST LEGO League team at The School in Rose Valley; demonstrations at Westtown second graders’ Space Day, and much more. This year, they have been building a relationship with the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center staff reached out to Westtown’s team and invited them to do a robot demonstration on their annual family day. This demonstration was such a hit that the museum staff invited the team back to do another demonstration in their summer program. The Metal Moose then proposed a five-week LEGO robotics camp, which they began this past fall. Fifteen youngsters enrolled, and in their two-hour weekly sessions, Team 1391 taught students how to build, program, test, and demonstrate mini robots, and to learn the principles of teamwork. They worked with FIRST LEGO League EV3 which uses LEGO Technic pieces. The camp was so impactful on the young students that a few reached out to Metal Moose team members to inquire about finding a FIRST LEGO team that they could join.
The Metal Moose team members enjoy this added dimension to being on the robotics team. “All of the service and STEM outreach we’ve done as a team has been really inspiring to me,” shared Maitreyi Vadigepalli ’27. “Whenever we organize a demonstration, summer camp, or learning session, seeing the kids so excited is always heartwarming. I am always reminded of how excited I would be at these opportunities when I was younger! One thing I particularly like about our outreach work is how student-led it is. I used to attend the School in Rose Valley, and was on their FIRST LEGO League Challenge team for 4th and 5th grade. This team is what ultimately motivated me to pursue engineering in life. Now, as a member of the Metal Moose, I’ve been able to lead the re-establishment of this team by conducting robotics demos, mentoring the team, and attending their scrimmage. This initiative really felt like a full-circle moment for me, and it was really empowering.”
Arts
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Youth Art Month Awardees
Congratulations to the five Middle Schoolers who were featured in this year’s PAEA Youth Art Month Exhibition—Keira Bartholomae '30, Jena Farhan '30, Annsley Frazier '31, Pedro Giraldo Lozano '30, and…Read More Read LessCongratulations to the five Middle Schoolers who were featured in this year’s PAEA Youth Art Month Exhibition—Keira Bartholomae ’30, Jena Farhan ’30, Annsley Frazier ’31, Pedro Giraldo Lozano ’30, and Sam Lehmann ’31! This statewide virtual exhibition is organized by the Pennsylvania Art Educators Association as part of Youth Art Month (March) as part of the annual nationwide celebration administered by The Council for Art Education and The National Art Educators Association. Youth Art Month recognizes and applauds the power of visual arts education and the skills student artists develop through problem-solving, creativity, observation, and visual communication. A special congratulations to Keira, whose ink drawing “Old Shack” (using black walnut ink from our local trees) was selected by a jury of professional working artists as this year’s PAEA Youth Art Month Middle School Division Award! Well done, artists!
Sam Lehmann ’31, Disguise Keira Bartholomae ’30, Old Shack Pedro Giraldo Lozano ’30, Perspective Jena Farhan ’30, Chiaroscuro Annsley Frazier ’31, Small Friends -
Chesco Band Fest
In February, six students from fifth and sixth grades were selected to perform in this year's Chesco Band Fest: Jonathan D'Alessandro '32, Lucas Donatelli '32, Hugo Charriez '32, Charlie Maloney…Read More Read LessIn February, six students from fifth and sixth grades were selected to perform in this year’s Chesco Band Fest: Jonathan D’Alessandro ’32, Lucas Donatelli ’32, Hugo Charriez ’32, Charlie Maloney ’33, Jackson Silva ’32, and Alex Wahlen ’33. The festival hosted over 100 fifth and sixth grade band students from around Chester County representing 25 schools. Students spent the day rehearsing with a guest conductor in preparation for an evening concert the same day. This year students worked with Mr. Ryan Fegley, a longtime educator from the Unionville/Chadds Ford School District. Congratulations to our talented musicians and our thanks to music teacher Jason Wu for facilitating this opportunity for our student musicians!
From left: Teacher Jason Wu, Charlie Maloney (5th), Alex Wahlen (5th), Lucas Donatelli (6th), Jackson Silva (6th), Hugo Charriez (6th), Jonathan D’Alessandro (6th)
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Middle School Play
The Middle School presented James and the Giant Peach, a production based on Roald Dahl’s "masterpeach" of a tale with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. When…Read More Read LessThe Middle School presented James and the Giant Peach, a production based on Roald Dahl’s “masterpeach” of a tale with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of this excellent production and thank you to theater teacher Jack McManus who directed!
Enjoy the entire gallery of photos from the performance here!
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Winter Dance Concert
Elements Dance Company and the Winter Dance Ensemble (along with some special guests!) presented Hallway Hustle, this winter's Upper School Dance Concert. The show took a glimpse at a typical…Read More Read LessElements Dance Company and the Winter Dance Ensemble (along with some special guests!) presented Hallway Hustle, this winter’s Upper School Dance Concert. The show took a glimpse at a typical day in the life of a Westtown School student through altered forms of various social dances in this lively performance. Well done, dancers!
See more from their concert here!
Athletics
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FSL Champs x 2!
Both our girls and boys varsity basketball teams won Friends Schools League Championship Tournaments at LaSalle University this winter. It is only the second time in school history that both…Read More Read LessBoth our girls and boys varsity basketball teams won Friends Schools League Championship Tournaments at LaSalle University this winter. It is only the second time in school history that both teams have won on the same night. Congratulations to these two tenacious teams! See more of the girls team in action here, and the boys team here.
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Winter Sports Roundup
It was a strong winter sports season for our student athletes. In addition to our varsity basketball teams bringing home the FSL championship, indoor track athlete Ajana Patton ’28 was…Read More Read LessIt was a strong winter sports season for our student athletes. In addition to our varsity basketball teams bringing home the FSL championship, indoor track athlete Ajana Patton ’28 was the state champion in the long jump! Ryder Tookes ’27 and Miguel Wenderoth Bachiller ’26 both qualified for wrestling National Preps, and five swimmers placed in the top 25 at Easterns. Additionally, seventeen student athletes at were named to the Friends Schools League All League and Honorable Mention teams. We recently celebrated all of our talented and hard-working student athletes at the Winter Varsity Awards Ceremony. You can enjoy photos of all the awardees here!
See more winter athletics photos here!
Ajana Patton ’28 Miguel Wenderoth Bachiller ’26 Ryder Tookes ’26 FSL All League First Team
Community
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Shoemaker Speaker: Sapphira Cristál
We were thrilled to welcome Sapphira Cristál to Westtown as our Shoemaker Visiting Lecturer! A classically trained musician with a six-octave range, fourteen drag pageant titles, and international recognition as…Read More Read LessWe were thrilled to welcome Sapphira Cristál to Westtown as our Shoemaker Visiting Lecturer! A classically trained musician with a six-octave range, fourteen drag pageant titles, and international recognition as runner-up and Miss Congeniality on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, Sapphira dazzled our community with an aria, a lecture focused on self-love and acceptance, and a show-stopping lip-sync. The next day, she met with our theater students as well as students from the Westtown Affinity Group for Gender and Sexuality (WAGGS).
As Quakers, we’re called to see the Light in every person, with particular attention to those whose identities have been historically marginalized. Guided by educator Elyssa Maxx Goodman’s definition of drag as “performance of the gender spectrum on and off stage,” we’re reminded that the ways we dress, the personas we inhabit, and the ways we show up in the world make drag a deeply human art form—one we all participate in.
See more of Sapphira’s visit here.
Alums
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Alums Weekend 2026
Register Now: Alums Weekend | May 15–17, 2026 We invite ALL ALUMS to a weekend designed to bridge our storied history with a vibrant present through connection, conversation, and discovery. Experience…Read More Read LessRegister Now: Alums Weekend | May 15–17, 2026
We invite ALL ALUMS to a weekend designed to bridge our storied history with a vibrant present through connection, conversation, and discovery.
Experience the campus today through our brand-new Explore Westtown sessions, engage with the Deep Dive Incubator (details coming soon on the registration page), or share your own history at the Alums Storytelling Booth. The schedule features a mix of tradition and newer options, including the Alums Annual Meeting, an Alums Panel, kids activities, and the Alums Field Hockey and Soccer Games.
In addition to reunion plans, gatherings throughout the weekend offer something for everyone, from the Belonging is Sweet social to the G.O.L.D. (Graduates of the Last Decade) meetup in the West Chester Borough. Whether you’re here for the milestones or the memories, we look forward to seeing you!
Visit the registration website to view the full schedule and secure your spot today!
