Tag: Frankford Friends School

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Frankford Marks MLK Memory

The 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King breakfast celebration was held at Frankford Friends School on January 16th this year.

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It was a fitting venue to remember a man of peace who somehow managed to save us from the darkness that shrouded our society.  That darkness was the cloud of racism.

I lived through the 60s in Philadelphia in what was a mostly segregated city.  It was a time throughout the entire country that could have torn us apart.  People were demanding justice and Dr. king saw that the best way to reach that end was non violently.

His opponents saw it differently and we witnessed the violence that was done to people who were merely asking for their rights.

King lead us out of that and into the light.  We are far from the ideal but he set us on the road.  This annual celebration is an event that all races should embrace.  Without King’s leadership during that time, the forces of darkness might have taken us on a much different path.  We all owe him.

 

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Republic Bank Contributes to Financial Aid at Frankford Friends School

John W. Woods, Jr., and Kinjal Patel of Republic Bank visited Frankford Friends School this week to present a donation check for $7,500 to be used for financial aid for low-income students at the school.

Mr. Woods was recently named Vice President and Store Manager for Republic Bank’s Mayfair and Torresdale stores.

After touring the school, Mr. Woods said, “Republic Bank is proud to support the communities where we do business.”

Pictured: John Woods of Republic Bank (left) and Kathryn Park Cook of Frankford Friends School

John Woods of Republic Bank (left) and Kathryn Park Cook of Frankford Friends School

“I am responsible for many different business assignments,” he continued. “My favorite duty by far is community outreach. It is such a privilege to help schools like yours and to actually see the great work that you do.”

The donation, made under Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit program, was gratefully accepted by Kathryn Park Cook, Head of School.

“We are so appreciative of Republic Bank’s generous support of our financial aid program,” said Mrs. Cook. “With the lowest tuition of any Quaker school in the region, Frankford Friends strives to enroll a very diverse student population, from families of many different backgrounds. Republic Bank’s support makes a huge difference in our ability to help those who cannot afford the entire tuition.”

Mr. Woods and Mr. Patel both spoke about how important relationships are to their work. “Thank you for the wonderful work you do here at the school,” said Mr. Woods. “Both Republic Bank and I look forward to a great relationship with Frankford Friends School.”

Frankford Friends School, operating at its historic location on Orthodox Street since 1833, enrolls students in grades PreK through 8th, many of whom reside in Frankford and surrounding communities. Graduates of the school attend selective public and private high schools in the city.

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Hollywood Comes to Frankford

by Norton Folgate

Hollywood came to Frankford Friends School in Northeast Philadelphia last week, in the person of Actor and Producer Paradox Pollack.

Paradox has worked directly with some of the biggest names in film including actors Robin Williams, Will Smith,and Tom Hiddleston, as well as directors JJ Abrams and Kenneth Branagh.  His main work is as the fight choreographer and movement director for films featuring aliens and monsters, including  Star Trek, I am Legend, and Thor.

He has also created shows for Cirque Du Soleil  and is currently devising the fight choreography for Batgirl.

Mr. Pollack showed the fifth grade class at Frankford Friends clips from his films to illustrate how the movements of the live actors are linked to computer graphics to create special effects.

“Science and technology is an important part of our program,” explained fifth grade teacher Jonathan Clifton. ” Paradox was able to show the students how that technology was used to create some of their favorite film sequences.”

Students became actors too, as Paradox Pollack rehearsed them  and then filmed them in some action scenes.

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“They all agreed it was very hard work,” said Mr. Clifton, “But it gave them a new appreciation of the self-discipline and concentration required to get the perfect shot.”

Frankford Friends School is a pre-K thru Grade 8 school in NE Philadelphia.