A campaign to transform the lives of students who need DVFS the most

CASE FOR SUPPORTOverviewDelaware Valley Friends School is about to embark on an exciting venture. Building on our 30-year track record of success meeting the needs of older students with learning differences, and with significant momentum from the addition of a 5th grade this year, we are ready broaden our impact on students who need us, when they need us most. In September 2017, DVFS will expand to include a Lower School by adding 3rd and 4th grades.

We invite you to join us as we embrace the challenge of our mission and position DVFS for growth. Our “Building Brighter Futures” campaign addresses the next two years of expansion, preparing our school to welcome younger students, and making other school-wide improvements that are needed for all students. Our goal is to raise $360,000 by June 30th.

Please join us!

“Building Brighter Futures”

With the creation of a Lower School program, DVFS will become the only Friends school in the Philadelphia area dedicated solely to the education of students who learn differently from elementary through high school.

Our VisionWe see Delaware Valley Friends School as a place where children from elementary grades through high school will learn to:

> be champions of their learning differences, and advocates for their learning needs

> build resiliency to face the world with confidence

> develop their skills in a caring environment that celebrates their individuality

> make their dreams of academic success a reality

“The biggest benefits [since coming to DVFS] would be my daughter’s renewed love

of learning, independence, increased self-esteem and

belonging to a close community.” ~ Parent of a New DVFS Fifth Grader

Building on our strengths, and addressing our needsDVFS faculty members have the training, experience, and drive to meet the needs of younger students. 80% have more than 10 years’ experience teaching students who learn differently, and many have years of

experience in elementary education. Our accredited teacher training provides a cohesive background for teaching across all classrooms. In addition, our evidence-based instruction and innovative assistive technologies help students build the skills they need for academic success. However, other critical needs must be addressed before we can welcome students to a Lower School this fall. Our ‘Building Brighter Futures” campaign will ensure that our staff and campus are set to provide an outstanding educational experience for students in all grades.

Younger students need DVFS nowThe longer kids’ learning differences go unmet, the more damage they sustain to their feeling of self-worth, and the harder it is to remediate their learning needs.

As a fundamental aspect of our identity as a Quaker school, we recognize each person’s innate self-worth, and encourage students to appreciate their personal gifts and the differences which make them unique. This nurturing community builds our students up, allowing them to believe in themselves and reach higher than they ever thought was possible.

We also know we need to get to these children sooner, when learning differences are first identified. This is often in 2nd or 3rd grade, when academic rigor begins to increase. Says Head of School, Kirk Smothers (above): “Time is of the essence in addressing the concrete needs of students who learn differently, and years of educational research show that early intervention works.”

“Last year at public school,

Emily often came home crying, saying she was

stupid and hated school.

This year in 5th grade at DVFS, Emily feels smart and

understands she learns differently. She is thriving, and most importantly, is

becoming resilient.”

~ Parent of a new DVFS 5th grader

Our PlanLower School Assistant Director/CounselorWe will hire this position to play a key role in developing the Lower School curriculum, supporting faculty, and overseeing the wellbeing of our youngest students. We seek to underwrite costs for this position for approximately one year, until enrollment scales up.

Additional ClassroomsWe will shift the location of some classrooms and administrative offices within our existing building, and will outfit existing classrooms to accommodate our Lower and Middle School students.

Play and Community SpaceWe envision a welcoming, compelling space that invites children of all ages to explore, interact with nature, and collaborate with each other as they design their own play. Older students will have spaces for socializing, and classes may also use the space for hands-on learning, or just a welcome change of scene. See architect’s renderings, below.

Studio Arts Classroom RenovationWe will create a more accessible and comfortable work environment for students of all ages by providing new furniture, a wide-screen tv for digital classwork, more storage space, and a double sink for more efficient clean-up.

Cafeteria and Kitchen UpgradesActing on feedback from students and parents, we will overhaul our lunch program and offer healthier choices at a lower cost. We will do this by investing in new equipment for our kitchen and preparing lunches on site.

Above: Upper Schoolers instituted a buddy program to

welcome 5th graders to the DVFS community.

Setting the Stage for GrowthAdding elementary grades makes DVFS a viable option for families who want their students to have a continuous academic experience which supports their learning at all stages. Over the years, enrollment growth from the addition of elementary grades will lead to increases in the school’s overall student population.

We expect to welcome 15 students initially in the Lower School. As students move up through the grades, enrollment will increase in our Middle School and Upper School, bringing the DVFS student body to 233 in five years - a 34% increase from current enrollment.

Contact UsFor any questions, or if you require additional information about gifts or pledges, please contact Anne-Marie McMahon, Development Director, at 610-640-4150, ext. 2154, or annemarie.mcmahon@dvfs.org. Mailing address: DVFS - Attn: Development, 19 E. Central Ave., Paoli, PA 19301.

Gifts and pledges may be paid by check, gifts of stock, or credit card. Delaware Valley Friends School holds 501(c)3 non-profit status under the group tax exemption number of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Federal tax EIN: 23-2416737).

Please Join Us!As a friend of the school, we know you’ve been personally impacted by DVFS. Perhaps you have a family member who lives with a learning difference, and have witnessed their struggle to overcome challenges and succeed. You know, as we do, that this takes courage, perseverance, and significant support from teachers, family, and friends.

Now, we are asking for your support and partnership to bring transformative education to many more students who need DVFS, and help DVFS move into the next phase of our growth as a school.

Thank you for considering a gift towards this important campaign!