SUMMER 2002Drew Smith
Head of School
embers of the Quaker Outreach Committee and I are hoping to schedule a Deshbandhu Building Open House for members of Salem Quarter some time soon. Until then, I hope that all of you have a chance to visit our new building, or, at the very least, drive by on High Street. The help that individuals and meetings in the Quarter have given to us has been an invaluable part of the project, and it can truly be said that we could not have completed the building without all of you.
We opened our new doors during the first week of April. Students and teachers helped move their books and supplies from old classrooms to new. Work crews are still at work, touching up paint on the walls, planting grass seed, testing safety systems, and treating floors. All of us are still realizing that this terrific new building is actually ours. I have especially enjoyed observing Board members as they realize that the fruits of their labor have created such immediate excitement, and a physical permanence that is a first for the school.
Our moving-in ceremony primarily honored T. Hanshi Deshbandhu, our longest-serving faculty member, for whom the building is named. The day was beautiful, blue and sunny, and was perfectly suited for our special occasion. Some of you may have seen her photograph in the Gloucester County Times or the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Hanshi also read for us the Arabic and Hindi inscriptions on our newly installed peace pole. The pole is four-sided, with the phrase, “may peace prevail on earth” written in four languages, one on each side. The pole was purchased and installed by our fourth grade and their teachers, Glenn Parker and Chris Mahon. The classes learned about peace poles from a visit to Friends Center, and were moved to post one here on campus. It enjoys a place under the clock tower on the campus side of the building.
As the building will occupy an enduring place on campus, so too will the posted message of peace. I am grateful that our fourth grade has chosen this symbol to represent our school and our community.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
