FAQs & Testimonials
    Friends of the Upper East Side > Young FRIENDS – children’s education programs > FAQs & Testimonials

Young Friends

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does it work?
An experienced educator visits your classroom and brings all necessary materials. Our teachers have a strong background in arts education and love teaching your students about their amazing surroundings! We will work to make our lessons applicable to your studies. Recent examples include incorporating Greek/Classical architecture, New York City Landmarks, geometry, and green buildings into our classes. We are one of the only programs in NYC that creates a custom walking tour for each different school that we work with.
How are sessions scheduled?
Most programs include three one-hour visits and are scheduled to be convenient for the school. It can be three consecutive Wednesdays, three days in a row, or any arrangement that is mutually agreed upon. There is also an option to combine two lessons into a longer two hour and 15 minute session. Please inquire for details. Most programs includes two classroom sessions and one walking tour.
What is the cost?
Please contact us for program fees, as they vary based on which program you choose and the number of sessions. A reduced fee is possible in cases of documented need. Payment by check is required before the first visit. ALL programs are offered for FREE for East Harlem and Title I schools.
What about the weather?
We teach our programs throughout the entire school year. Please have your students dress comfortably to be outside for one hour on walking tours. If inclement weather may hamper a walking tour, our educator will be in contact with you in advance to make an educated decision and potentially reschedule.
Can parents join the walking tour?
This is up to the school and their policies, but we do require 1 adult for every 10 children on the walk. Typically we have about 3-4 parent chaperones, which can be a big help on our busy NYC streets!

Teacher Feedback

We love the teachers and students that we work with. Apparently, the feeling is mutual! Here is what our participating teachers have to say about our programs. Also check us out in Our Town and in a great article about a visit to Chapin.

“Being able to take a walking tour of the neighborhood really brought history to life and made it real for my students. They could see the real places immigrants lived and worked.” (Yorkville Immigration) -4th grade teacher

“Thank you for all of the wonderful experiences you’ve given to our students and teachers this year. The girls have acquired an appreciation for their immediate neighborhood because of your knowledge.” –Visual Arts coordinator

My students have been learning what it means to be a ‘city kid’. Part of this is knowing and recognizing what is around us! -2nd grade teacher

What a wonderful resource you all are! This added depth and meaning to our study of Yorkville. The program was wonderfully managed too! -1st/2nd grade teacher

The program created an architectural and artistic link as students learned about local architecture and the importance of preservation. -2nd grade teacher

“I loved the program, especially the building of students’ vocabulary and the application of it to the real world!” -3rd grade teacher

“I loved doing the scavenger hunt for architectural elements. My students have been down these blocks hundreds of times but now they see them in a whole new way.” -1st grade teacher

“Thank you for your incredible presentation at our school. Your lessons, discussions, and models were perfectly leveled to our Class I boys. It brought the neighborhood into the classroom. Our study was greatly enhanced though your guidance and wealth of information! I hope to be able to schedule you again in the future… and to recommend you and your organization to others.” -1st grade teacher

Thank you for the amazing program- my class really enjoyed their time and we definitely want to participate next year. It was fabulous how your program fit into our social studies curriculum, and I wish we could add MORE sessions! -2nd grade teacher

FRIENDS of the Upper East Side 2020