Dear Quaker Ridge Families,

In this week’s letter:

• Students voted for our new school mascot - Winner to be revealed Tuesday!

• The QRS Benefit & Tinker Fair joyful successes - Thank you!

• Class Placement! A look ahead at our upcoming Parent Input Form, with a focus on friendship requests and how we approach them thoughtfully.
  
  

Student Mascot Vote

Today brought a wave of excitement to the halls of QRS as our K–4 students cast their ballots in the final round of voting for our new school mascot. The candidates? The Quaker Ridge Coyotes, Koalas, Lions, Rams, and Rhinos! We’ll announce the winning mascot this Tuesday, and whatever the outcome, the real win was seeing our students so engaged and enthusiastic.

QRS Benefit & Tinker Fair  – Two Very Special Nights

QRS Benefit

A big thank-you to everyone who attended last Friday’s QRS Benefit at the Sunningdale Country Club. The company was spectacular, the food superb, and even the dance floor—well, let’s just say it was undeniably alive with joy. I’m deeply grateful to the PTA for organizing such a festive and memorable evening, and I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our event team: Jackie Swanson, Ashley Arons, Caroline Junnarkar, Amanda Roth, Bret Sommer, Kim Zwickel, and Becca Baye for their time, energy, and creativity.

Tinker Fair

We also want to celebrate the success of our K–2 Tinker Fair, which gave students a chance to explore, invent, and problem-solve through hands-on stations. Events like these capture the joy of learning, and they wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our parent and faculty volunteers.

Special thanks to our co-chairs, Lizzy Fabrikant and Shaira Sithian, and to the following parents for lending their talents and time:Melissa Nhaissi, Boris Fabrikant, Anand Sithian, Rupa Shah, Amit Padhiar, Angi Vora, Caroline Junnarkar, Renata Blinov, Jess Moddell, Alison Schram, Heather Cronin, Anna Friedman, Jennifer Park, John Park, Allison Fields, Bret Sommer, Jen Leventhal, and Jenny Greene.

We’re also grateful to our faculty volunteers—Karen Rozencwaig, Sara Bhatt, Maddy Hyde, David Liebowitz, and Amy Kenney—for helping bring the spirit of tinkering to life.

Friendship Input – A Thoughtful Preview

In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing our Optional Parent Input Form to help inform class placements for the 2025–26 school year. While the full form isn’t out just yet, I want to preview one of the more nuanced elements: friendship input.

Why Parents Make Requests

We understand why parents ask for a particular friend—especially during key transitions like Kindergarten, after a move, or when a child is navigating a tough moment or feeling anxious.

How We Approach It as Educators

At the same time, part of our role is to help children develop social flexibility, strengthen independence, and broaden peer connections. Friendships at this age can be surprisingly fluid—a bond that feels essential in August may shift by October. Children often discover their most meaningful relationships with peers they hadn’t known well before.

Our Process and Considerations

Placements are shaped through thoughtful collaboration between teachers, support staff, Mrs. Jen Hefner (our Assistant Principal), and me. While your input is deeply valued, placements also consider:

• Academic, social, and emotional needs

• Classroom balance (gender, services, temperament)
  Teacher insights into how children work together
  
  

We do our best to ensure your child has someone familiar in their new class—but this may not always be the specific friend you list. It may be a peer your child works well with or someone we view as a strong match.

On “Disrequests” – A Note of Guidance

We also understand that parents may have concerns about specific peer dynamics. You are welcome to share these in the form; however, please know that we cannot guarantee avoidance of specific classmates. If you do have concerns, we strongly encourage you to speak directly with your child’s teacher, and if applicable, our school psychologist. This ensures that impressions are shared and confirmed by those who work most closely with your child day to day.

The Big Picture

Our goal is to build classrooms where all children can thrive. While a friend pairing may bring comfort, some combinations can lead to distraction, co-dependence, or even tension. We aim for groupings that reflect your child’s needs and the professional judgment of those who know them in the school context.

In a community as welcoming as ours, it’s worth remembering the old saying:

“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.” (Attributed to Irish poet W.B. Yeats.)

At Quaker Ridge, we take great pride in the care, collaboration, and experience that go into creating class communities. Year after year, students form new connections, flourish in thoughtfully built classrooms, and are supported by educators who know how to guide them forward. We stand behind our process, and more importantly, we stand beside your children and your family—ready to support them as they grow.

Coming Next Week

• Be on the lookout for the full Parent Input Form next week. We appreciate your trust and partnership as we begin this important process together.

• Reminder: This coming Monday, March 31st, is the school is closed for students.