Embedded Files
A project honoring play based learning at Greene Street Friends School
and the legacy of late teacher Kathie Bowes
Why Play?
Because Play WORKS.
Research demonstrates that developmentally appropriate play with parents and peers is a singular opportunity to promote the social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain. Furthermore, play supports the formation of the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with all caregivers that children need to thrive. (Yogman M, Garner A, Hutchinson J, et.al., The Power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics. 2018. 142(3), DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-2058
Why Kathie?
Because Kathie knew.
Play was Kathie's passion. During her 20 years at Greene Street Friends School, Kathie brought her knowledge of play, her knowledge of children, and her quiet leadership to the school year. Frequently spotted outside on the "upper" playground, Kathie believed in the power of community through play. Her students learned how to support one another, how to advocate for themselves, how to regulate, how to get strong, and how to be. This renovation of the playground into an outdoor playspace will honor Kathie's memory and cement her commitment to children in Germantown and especially at Greene Street Friends School.
About this project
In Summer 2025, Greene Street Friends School is transforming its outdated plastic and metal playground into a nature-based playspace for its early elementary students. GSFS has contracted with Ground Reconsidered who - in partnership with a group of committed teachers and volunteer parents who are engaged professionally in the play and landscaping world - has designed an outline of the future space. The playspace will be used for students ages 4-8 during the school day. The campus is open to the full Germantown community after school hours and is actively used.
The Six Playground Components
1. Climbing, Sliding, Balancing
2. Sand Play
3. Imagination & Collaborative Play
4. Sensory Play
5. Vertical Edge (Fence Line Play)
6. Boundary / Seat Wall
About Greene Street Friends School
Greene Street Friends is a Quaker school that inspires our student body, who represent the diversity of Philadelphia at large, to be world changers and seekers of knowledge, equity, and social justice. We value the richness of our diversity, encourage empathy and responsibility, and expand how students perceive the complexities of their experiences.
The character of our community, located in the heart of historic Germantown, is rooted deeply in respect for everyone, stemming from the Quaker belief in “that of God” in all, and strengthened by our caring, spiritual relationship with Green Street Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.
Cultivated by the school community, students foster partnerships with our Germantown and surrounding neighbors, affirming themselves and others as they come to honor differences in ability, language, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, family structure, or family income. Emphasis on simplicity, stewardship, integrity, and the reliance on peaceful conflict resolution underlie our inclusive community.
We provide a holistic, robust curriculum, working to ensure each student’s fullest academic, social-emotional, physical, and spiritual development. We encourage self-advocacy, resilience, leadership, and creativity with innovative teaching methods and our Life Skills curriculum. Our students develop the skills and character to thrive in their academic environments beyond Greene Street Friends School, and to make the world a better place.
To support this special project and build on Kathie's legacy,
please visit www.greenestreetfriends.org/giving
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