--- title: Friends School Blog | Steve McManus, Upper School Principal description: Friends School of Baltimore’s private school blog provides thought-provoking ideas and trends in Pre-K-12 education. The Thinking Cap focuses on a wide range of topics, from the importance of play in problem solving and the maker movement, to technology in the middle school classroom and the A.P. curriculum. Friends School of Baltimore – the world needs what our children can do. --- ![ThinkingCapHeader.jpg](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ThinkingCapHeader.jpg?width=4000&name=ThinkingCapHeader.jpg "ThinkingCapHeader.jpg") # Friends School of Baltimore Private School Blog ## Steve McManus, Upper School Principal ### Recent Posts ## [How a Friends school approaches Charlottesville](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/responding-to-charlottesville) Posted by [Steve McManus, Upper School Principal](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/author/steve-mcmanus-upper-school-principal) on Aug 28, 2017 5:40:17 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/hubfs/FSB_ThinkingCap_FacebookLink-1.jpg)](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/responding-to-charlottesville) Upper School principal Steve McManus likes to check in with the student body and help set a positive tone for the week ahead by sending a weekly Sunday evening “McMessage” – even when School is out of session. Often these are upbeat, lighthearted and infused with humor. But not always.  Here’s what he shared a week ago following the events in Charlottesville, Virginia.  [Read More](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/responding-to-charlottesville) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/responding-to-charlottesville#comments-listing) [All posts](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/all) ## Considering an Independent School?  ### Download Friends School's "15 Important Questions to Ask when visiting an independent school."  - Learn *the right questions* to ask when evaluating school options.  - Gain confidence in making the important decision of where to send your child to school.  [![15 Questions to Ask](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2241609/557274a3-d5bd-483e-b05a-38749edfaf21.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2241609/557274a3-d5bd-483e-b05a-38749edfaf21) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Other blog posts ## Experience Friends  ### Experience our culture and campus like never before.  [![](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/hs-fs/hubfs/experience%20friends%20crop.jpg?width=390&height=195&name=experience%20friends%20crop.jpg "experience friends crop.jpg")](http://experience.friendsbalt.org/) [![Inquire at Friends](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2241609/bc7b32da-058b-4329-963b-f235b0318869.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2241609/bc7b32da-058b-4329-963b-f235b0318869) ![Site-Footer-Wordmark.png](https://blog.friendsbalt.org/hs-fs/hubfs/LogosSeals/Site-Footer-Wordmark.png?width=320&name=Site-Footer-Wordmark.png "Site-Footer-Wordmark.png") Friends School of Baltimore is a private coeducational Quaker school founded in 1784 and serving students in Pre-K through 12th grade. Learn more about Friends School by visiting our [website](https://www.friendsbalt.org/page) and [virtual viewbook](https://experience.friendsbalt.org).   \[fa icon="phone"\]  410-649-3211 \[fa icon="envelope"\]  [admission@friendsbalt.org](mailto:admission@friendsbalt.org) 5114 North Charles Street Baltimore Maryland 21210 \[fa icon="chevron-up"\]Back to top