Students Supporting Students, 30+ Years and Counting

Banana Splits, a support and affinity group for students who reside with one parent or one parent at a time because of separation, divorce, death, or single parenting by choice, is celebrating its 31st year at Friends. ‘Banana’ stands for the group’s undaunted and joyful spirit and ‘Splits’ represents students’ experiences of living. Through this school-based discussion and activity program for K-12, students find they are not alone in their feelings and experiences by hearing how others cope with common issues. Along the way, they also learn how to help others and the importance of confidentiality.

Samantha Meltzer, Director of Support Services and School Psychologist, says, “Meetings are voluntary and student-led. Some students participate vocally in every meeting while others attend faithfully, listening yet rarely speaking. Some occasionally choose to spend a meeting day with their other friends instead.” Students are encouraged to talk to their parents, and parents are also encouraged to contact group leaders as needed during the school year. The group leaders are John Behling, Jessica Contreras, Megan Fenstermaker, Khairah Klein, Mirtha Martinez, Paul Quatinetz, Ashley Shaw and Karin Spitzer. The group concludes the year with a picnic in the outer courtyard, celebrating all types of families and the students’ year of growth with games, pizza and of course, make-your-own Banana Splits!

Valerie Raymond, the former school psychologist, established the Banana Splits at Friends in 1990 with support from Linda Chu, a former Lower School teacher. Linda reflects, “We started with four students in a small room off the Meetinghouse balcony using stuffed animals for comfort. The group kept growing each year, as an important forum for expressing feelings of separation and loss. In those early years it was enlightening to hear the children’s concerns. As group leaders, we often had to set aside time to reflect on the sessions which left us in awe and emotional over what was shared.”

If you or your family have a story to share about the Banana Splits program, please email me (rholmes@friendsseminary.org).

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