Lower School
At GFS, the elementary years are truly wondrous, and we provide our students in grades K-5 with an academic program that is developmentally appropriate, highly ambitious, well balanced—and joyful.
Lower School News
![Lower School Teacher De'Sean Fennell Inducted into Sports Hall of Fame]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683215679/germantown/bi9p71ssznsmiyzhausj/image_50427393.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1683215679/germantown/bi9p71ssznsmiyzhausj/image_50427393.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1683215679/germantown/bi9p71ssznsmiyzhausj/image_50427393.jpg","width":640}])
GFS Lower School Teacher and Assistant Tennis Coach De'Sean Fennell was recently inducted into the Roman Catholic Sports Hall of Fame.
![Friends Free Library Unveils Student Summer Reading Quilt]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677873927/germantown/lmzetvdfvrmkbfsbhqbc/D83A9872.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1677873927/germantown/lmzetvdfvrmkbfsbhqbc/D83A9872.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1677873927/germantown/lmzetvdfvrmkbfsbhqbc/D83A9872.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1677873927/germantown/lmzetvdfvrmkbfsbhqbc/D83A9872.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1677873927/germantown/lmzetvdfvrmkbfsbhqbc/D83A9872.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1677873927/germantown/lmzetvdfvrmkbfsbhqbc/D83A9872.jpg","width":2200}])
The Friends Free Library celebrated the reading and creativity of 101 students with a massive summer reading quilt.
![Celebrating Lunar New Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677247998/germantown/tu4q1xs1a5pcdxqbscsp/unnamed_3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1677247998/germantown/tu4q1xs1a5pcdxqbscsp/unnamed_3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1677247998/germantown/tu4q1xs1a5pcdxqbscsp/unnamed_3.jpg","width":640}])
Read reflections from our 2023 Lunar New Year event.
![GFS Community Comes Together for MLK Day of Service]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677874923/germantown/apyfk7gwihiezpdyxyml/D83A5374.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1677874923/germantown/apyfk7gwihiezpdyxyml/D83A5374.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1677874923/germantown/apyfk7gwihiezpdyxyml/D83A5374.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1677874923/germantown/apyfk7gwihiezpdyxyml/D83A5374.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1677874923/germantown/apyfk7gwihiezpdyxyml/D83A5374.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1677874923/germantown/apyfk7gwihiezpdyxyml/D83A5374.jpg","width":2200}])
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Office of Community Engagement held an annual Day of Service on campus.
![Welcoming Our New Faculty and Staff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1659023156/germantown/p4ngnpasnselca0onlnf/211109_2302.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1659023156/germantown/p4ngnpasnselca0onlnf/211109_2302.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1659023156/germantown/p4ngnpasnselca0onlnf/211109_2302.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1659023156/germantown/p4ngnpasnselca0onlnf/211109_2302.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1659023156/germantown/p4ngnpasnselca0onlnf/211109_2302.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1659023156/germantown/p4ngnpasnselca0onlnf/211109_2302.jpg","width":2000}])
We are excited to welcome our new faculty and staff to GFS.
![Friends Free Library: Summer Reading Programs for All Ages!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1583935545/germantown/cvffv04fj5jsxp8xfzru/Library-6.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1583935545/germantown/cvffv04fj5jsxp8xfzru/Library-6.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1583935545/germantown/cvffv04fj5jsxp8xfzru/Library-6.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1583935545/germantown/cvffv04fj5jsxp8xfzru/Library-6.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1583935545/germantown/cvffv04fj5jsxp8xfzru/Library-6.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1583935545/germantown/cvffv04fj5jsxp8xfzru/Library-6.jpg","width":2000}])
Celebrate summer with some good books! Learn about our summer reading programs.
![Retirement Tribute: Diane Marinoff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1654886847/germantown/yjvdo6u5pnr7gmtxvzsq/Diane-Marinoff-web.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1654886847/germantown/yjvdo6u5pnr7gmtxvzsq/Diane-Marinoff-web.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1654886847/germantown/yjvdo6u5pnr7gmtxvzsq/Diane-Marinoff-web.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1654886847/germantown/yjvdo6u5pnr7gmtxvzsq/Diane-Marinoff-web.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1654886847/germantown/yjvdo6u5pnr7gmtxvzsq/Diane-Marinoff-web.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1654886847/germantown/yjvdo6u5pnr7gmtxvzsq/Diane-Marinoff-web.jpg","width":2000}])
We are so thankful to Diane Marinoff for years of service to GFS. Read about her commitment to our students, teachers, and families.
![Retirement Tribute: Deb Brackett]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1654886496/germantown/czp7xdflrvsu92sxpbaa/Deb-Brackett-2-web.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1654886496/germantown/czp7xdflrvsu92sxpbaa/Deb-Brackett-2-web.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1654886496/germantown/czp7xdflrvsu92sxpbaa/Deb-Brackett-2-web.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1654886496/germantown/czp7xdflrvsu92sxpbaa/Deb-Brackett-2-web.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1654886496/germantown/czp7xdflrvsu92sxpbaa/Deb-Brackett-2-web.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1654886496/germantown/czp7xdflrvsu92sxpbaa/Deb-Brackett-2-web.jpg","width":2000}])
We are so grateful for Deb Brackett's contributions to the GFS community over the past 35 years. Read about her commitment to our students, teachers, and families.
![Lower School CommUnity Playlist]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1655152776/germantown/mmv80vhb0wmhjvbsrype/D83A7014.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1655152776/germantown/mmv80vhb0wmhjvbsrype/D83A7014.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1655152776/germantown/mmv80vhb0wmhjvbsrype/D83A7014.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1655152776/germantown/mmv80vhb0wmhjvbsrype/D83A7014.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1655152776/germantown/mmv80vhb0wmhjvbsrype/D83A7014.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1655152776/germantown/mmv80vhb0wmhjvbsrype/D83A7014.jpg","width":2200}])
Lower School students share their community playlist for summer.
![Art Show Turns Campus Into Gallery Exhibition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1654111050/germantown/osk8w8ke31ou9yhw6xom/Art-Show-19-web.jpg","width":2000}])
After a two-year hiatus, the All-School Art Show was back in person.
Meet Joe Stanzione: Director of Lower School
No post to display.
Lower School Office
To contact the Lower School, please call 215-951-2318 or email lowerschool@germantownfriends.org.
For help with Lower School Admissions applications, please email admissions@germantownfriends.org.
Joe Stanzione
Director of Lower School
Daisy Curtin '11
Assistant to the Director of Lower School
Kyle Hoffman
Lower School Administrative Assistant