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Instructional Philosophy Whittier Friends School
was founded in September 1974 as a non-profit school under the
care of Whittier Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of
Friends (First Friends Church). The School is registered with the
State of California Department of Education, and is an active
member of the Friends Council on Education. Children of all
ethnic backgrounds and religious persuasions are welcome to
share in the diverse and rich learning experience offered in a
school dedicated to the growth and development of the whole
child. Whittier Friends School defines the whole child as a
spiritual being, a learner, a responsible citizen and a
peacemaker.
Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, emerged
from England with a faith that was inward, reflective, and based
both on the Bible and the inner spirituality of each person.
There is no creed, but underlying principles of belief guide
each individual. These beliefs grew into the testimonies of:
Simplicity, Peace (Harmony), Integrity, Community, Equality - or
SPICE.
The Quaker testimonies see persons as children of God/Christ,
living simply in moderation, working toward peaceful resolution
of conflicts within the community and providing service as
needed. Whittier Friends School works with the students using
these principles. Simplicity Simplicity is a challenging
concept in today's material world, and Whittier Friends
School approaches the awareness of leading a simple and
moderate life through practical examples and projects. Peace (Harmony) Whittier Friends School attempts
to find decisions by coming to unity together, rather than
by using majority rule, which often disregards the
thought of the minority group. Unity allows each
individual viewpoint to be shared and included and
creates a decision of informed consent of all involved.
This process creates the free sharing of concerns where
each person feels a valued part of the school and its program.
The students at Whittier Friends School are
encouraged to solve differences in a peaceful manner.
Teachers help each child to see the different points of
view in any conflict, and, without blaming anyone, to
work out a solution acceptable to all parties involved. Integrity Integrity is the one testimony
underlying the entire spectrum of all testimonies.
Integrity, defined as personal honesty, essentially
nourishes and supports all human relationships and
action. Community Whittier Friends School students
learn the testimony of community by developing and
carrying out service projects that provide some form of
care for others within our locale. The school also joins
with the Meeting in worship, holiday celebrations, and in
the opening of all school activities to the Meeting
family. The spirit of Community is also developed within
the world by studying not only the United States, but all
countries, creating in all our students, regardless of
grade level, a distinct global awareness. A Meeting for
Worship is held each week in the Meetinghouse and is
attended by all students and staff, as well as any
interested friends. Quakers have a strong belief in quiet
meditation, taking time to listen to one's Inner Light
(the spirit of God within each person) and to share
reflections with one another. Each school day begins with
a time of gathering together to reflect on the coming
activities and to help each student find a comfortable
center on which to build the day's experiences
successfully. The spiritual purpose of the Whittier
Friends School program is to strengthen religious beliefs
regardless of denomination and to give each student a
comfortable awareness of himself or herself within our
society as a whole. Equality Children and staff alike are
encouraged to express concerns, defined in the Quaker
sense as an obligation to do something for or to offer
sympathetic interest to an individual or situation. The
sharing of concerns is encouraged in thoughtful and
respectful ways so that each person feels an equal part
of the school and its program.
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