New Parent Handbook 2013
Mark Your Calendar! NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
NEW PARENT DINNER
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Sunday, Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m.
w Upper School, 9 a.m.-noon w Middle School, 6-8 grades, 9-10:15 a.m. w Fifth grade, 10:30 a.m.-noon w Lower School, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
PARENTS’ NIGHTS: w Lower School – Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. w Middle School – Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. w Upper School – Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m.
Dear Agnes Irwin Families,
WELCOME TO THE AGNES IRWIN COMMUNITY! Every school year, I am buoyed by the enthusiasm and energy that comes with the first day of classes. Our youngest girls virtually leap out of their cars during drop-off, middle schoolers are brimming with smiles and giggles, and our high schoolers arrive slightly more composed but just as eager to reconnect with classmates and friends. It is arguably my favorite moment of the school year. As new AIS parents, you are about to become part of this delightful experience as well as a first-rate community of learners and educators who care deeply about the intellectual development of girls and young women. And we are thrilled to have you with us. At Agnes Irwin, as with many all-girls’ schools across the country, we help our students build a foundation of intellect, character and imagination–all aimed at preparing them to successfully navigate an ever-changing, ever-challenging world. Agnes Irwin has a national reputation for providing girls with a rigorous academic program coupled with the nurturing needed to become confident young women. We strive to be open to all the richness of experience that a diverse community such as ours brings. My hope is that your daughters will soon come to know that an Agnes Irwin education is a special privilege, and that with such privilege comes the responsibility to make a contribution to the world, as more than 4,000 graduates have done since 1869. I look forward to getting to know you and your daughters as you settle into our school community. My door is always open should you want to share any thoughts with me. Welcome to Agnes Irwin!
Warmest regards,
Mary F. Seppala, Ed.D. Head of School
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Preparing for School To help you and your daughter get ready for school and become familiar with the wonderful world of AIS, we’ve created this handy pocket guide filled with a variety of general information about school life. We hope this information will answer most of your questions as your daughter prepares for the exciting school year ahead and as you become part of a very special educational community. For more details about any of the information contained in this guide, please contact us by phone or email using the Resources section (Page 24) or refer to the school’s website, www.agnesirwin.org. Welcome to Owl Territory! Health Requirements........................................................ 4 Family Information System............................................. 4 Dining Services & Meal Plans........................................ 4 Transportation...................................................................... 4 Student IDs and School Safety...................................... 5 School Day, Arrival & Dismissal.................................... 6 Summer Reading.................................................................. 7 School Supplies..................................................................... 7 After-School Programs..................................................... 7 Uniforms and Dress Code...............................................8 The AIS Shop.......................................................................... 9
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First day of class
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HEALTH REQUIREMENTS All schools in Pennsylvania are required to have on file with the school nurse a completed physical examination form and a completed dental form for new students. We also require that students with food allergies have on file with the school nurse a Food Allergy Action Plan. You can find the required forms, along with contact information for Middle/Upper School nurse Jeannine Kelly and Lower School nurse Lorraine Lampe, in the Parents section of the school website.
FAMILY INFORMATION SYSTEM The AIS FIS (Family Information System) is an online series of forms that are pre-populated with current information from our database. Please use this site annually to give transportation and medical permissions, and at any time to verify and update your contact information. You can access AIS FIS from the Parents section of the website.
DINING SERVICES & MEAL PLANS Lower School A morning snack is provided at morning recess for all children. If your daughter is in PreK, she should bring a lunch. The purchase of a beverage or full lunch including beverage is optional for K-4 students. Lunch enrollment forms and pricing for 2013-2014 will be available on the Dining Services page of our website shortly. 4
Middle and Upper Schools There is a mid-morning break when all students may purchase a snack or enjoy one brought from home. Your daughter may purchase lunch daily or bring lunch from home. For more information on purchasing lunch, visit the Dining Services page of our website. www.agnesirwin.org/dining
TRANSPORTATION Lower School Bus: If you wish to have your child (K-4 or 1-4, if in the Philadelphia School District) ride the bus either to or from school, please complete and return the transportation form to the Admission Office. This form is available in the Parents section of the website. Please contact your resident public school district concerning bus questions. All of your daughter’s school and lunch bags that are taken on the bus should have a label on them with the school district and bus number for identification if lost. Car: We will provide an Agnes Irwin laminated card with your daughter’s name printed on it to be used at pickup. Please place this card in your front windshield. For an efficient pickup, please arrive at your appointed dismissal time and stay in car line.
Van: A van service for a fee is available to families with stops in the Phoenixville and Chester Springs areas. For more information, call the Admission Office at 610. 672.1256. Important: If for any reason your daughter’s transportation changes, you must notify the Lower School Office by 12:00 p.m. using this email: lsattendance@agnesirwin.org or phone 610.525.7600. Middle and Upper Schools Bus: Twenty public school districts provide bus service to Agnes Irwin, and many families meet the school buses at transfer locations near their home. Please contact your school district to arrange busing. Van: A van service for a fee is available to families with stops in the Phoenixville and Chester Springs areas. If you live in these areas, you will receive information this summer.
Playing bingo in Spanish class
Commuter or SEPTA Train: Morning shuttles leave from Stadium Station (R100 train) at 7:15, 7:30, and 7:45 a.m. Morning shuttles leave from Radnor Station (Paoli-Thorndale Line) at 7:20 and 7:45 a.m. Afternoon shuttles depart from the AIS front parking lot to Stadium Station and Villanova Station at 2:55, 3:40, 4:05, 5:00, 5:30, and 5:50 p.m. Any schedule changes will be communicated when school opens. If a student misses a shuttle, she should wait for the next one. Call 610.525.8400 if the last shuttle is missed.
STUDENT IDS & SCHOOL SAFETY Middle and Upper School students are issued a school identification card that can be used to gain access to school buildings and to purchase meals and snacks in the cafeteria. Students are required to bring the badge to school each day.
Planting in the school’s Sensory Garden
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For school safety, all parents will be issued AIS name badges, which must be worn while on campus. Other visitors are required to sign the visitor’s log at the reception desk in the Main Lobby and to obtain a yellow visitor’s badge, which must be worn while on the campus. In addition, all faculty and staff wear their school identification badges during the school day so that all persons on campus are identified.
offers a no-fee afternoon study from 4:00-6:00 p.m. (for more information, see 4:00 Study on page 7).
SCHOOL DAY, ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
Students who have a co-curricular activity at 3:35 p.m. are expected to remain on campus from 2:50-3:35 p.m. Students may not be on campus after 6:00 p.m. unless they are at school for a faculty supervised activity.
Lower School K-4 students may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. at the Owl Lobby. Girls must be in their classroom by 8:15 a.m. PreK drop-off is between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. If your daughter arrives late, bring her to the LS Main Lobby/Office for a late pass. Dismissal times are: PreK: 2:35 p.m. Kindergarten: 2:50 p.m. Grades 1-2: 3:05 p.m. Grades 3-4: 3:20 p.m. Middle School The school day begins for Middle School students at 8:05 a.m. and ends at 3:35 p.m. Girls in grades 7-8 may have athletics following dismissal. Drop-off: 7:30 a.m.-8:05 a.m. Pick-up: 3:35-3:45 p.m. for 5th and 6th grades; 3:45-3:55 p.m. for 7th and 8th grades. The school 6
Upper School The school day begins at 8:05 a.m. for Upper School students and ends at 2:50 p.m. Attendance is taken at 8:05 a.m. in assembly, advising, or class meeting. Girls who arrive late may go to the Main Office for a late pass.
Lower School art class
Between 3:35-4:00 p.m., students may only be picked up by the A&S entrance along the Lower School circle.
SUMMER READING Lower School Summer reading for children in the Lower School is encouraged. For PreK and K students, please try and read with your daughter every day. For students entering grades 1-4, a list of suggested titles in both fiction/nonfiction areas, as well as books that you can read to your daughter are published on our website. Middle and Upper Schools Middle and Upper School students have required summer reading and an assignment based on grade level. Assignments and recommended book lists will be posted on the website at the beginning of summer. www.agnesirwin.org/summer_reading
SCHOOL SUPPLIES Lower School There is no need to purchase any school supplies before the first day of school. Your daughter’s homeroom teacher will notify you after school starts if you need to purchase specific items. PreK and Kindergarten students need to purchase an AIS school bag in the AIS Shop.
Middle and Upper Schools Middle and Upper School students do not receive a supply list before school and should simply bring the basics until their teachers give specific instructions per course. Many students purchase essentials like binders/dividers, pens and pencils, and loose-leaf paper over the summer.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS Lower School After Session is an after-school care program held in our Lower School until 6 p.m. It is offered from one to five days a week on a regular or drop-in basis. Further information/fees will be available prior to the school year or call 610.672.1274. Extra Session is an after-school enrichment and recreation program for Lower School students, including a variety of constructive activities such as tumbling, drama and “Mad Science.” Courses are supervised by AIS faculty and popular local instructors. For information on registration/fees visit: www.agnesirwin.org/extra_session
Middle School After 4:00 p.m., all Middle School students still waiting for pickup attend 4:00 Study, a quiet, proctored study hall that runs until 6:00 p.m. Girls are encouraged to complete their homework or read during this time. For pickup after 4:00 p.m., you should come to the front desk or call 610-672-1278. New Parent Handbook
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UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE Lower School PreK students do not have uniforms. Comfortable play clothes are recommended and athletic sneakers are required for gym. Girls K-4 q Yellow or navy tunic q White or yellow turtleneck or polo shirt with collar
q Yellow or navy cardigan q Yellow, white, or navy socks q Navy or white tights, navy or yellow leggings or yoga pants
q Sneakers (athletic style-tie or Velcro, no light-ups or slip-ons) K-4 Gym Attire Navy shorts, navy leggings or sweat pants, an outdoor jacket or AIS sweatshirt that does not inhibit running, and athletic sneakers that tie or are Velcro. Sneakers do not have to be white, but the soles must not be colored because they damage the gym floors.
Middle School q AIS navy kilt
q 5th-7th grades: Yellow (not gold) polo shirt with collar, turtleneck and/or oxford-style shirt*
q 8th grade only: White polo shirt with collar, turtleneck and/or oxford-style shirt*
q Navy sweater* q Navy tights or sweatpants* q AIS gym shorts under kilt q Shoes must have backs; no boots q A IS backpack Grades 5 and 6 Gym Attire q AIS gray t-shirt
q AIS mesh shorts, navy Under Armour form short or navy Soffe track shorts
q Navy or gray AIS sweatshirt q Navy sweatpants* Grades 7 and 8 Gym Attire q AIS gray T-shirt; any navy, white or gray T-shirt from school store*; AIS spirit gear T-shirt
q AIS mesh shorts, navy Under Armour form short or other navy shorts*
q Navy fleece* q Navy sweatpants* q Navy yoga pants or leggings* * Items must be plain, with no insignias or logos except AIS. 8
AIS SHOP Upper School Required Items q AIS navy, yellow or plaid kilt, at least mid-thigh in length
q White or navy polo shirt*, turtleneck*, or AIS rugby shirt
q Closed-toe shoes with backs Optional Items q Navy or white sweater*
Uniform items, spirit gear and other brand merchandise may be purchased at The AIS Shop, located in the Middle/Upper School building or online at www.agnesirwin.org/ aisshop. During the school year, the shop is open from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The shop is closed for summer and re-opens August 19 for special summer hours between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
q Navy or white sweatshirt* q Navy or white fleece/vest* q Solid navy or black leggings, tights, or fitted yoga pants for under kilt * Items must be plain, with no insignias or logos except AIS.
Upper School Friday Dress Each Friday, uniforms are optional. Friday dress is professional casual and must be school appropriate. Dress slacks, mid-thigh dresses/ skirts, and sleeveless shirts and dresses are appropriate. Examples of inappropriate items: • Tank tops • Legwear such as sweatpants, pajamas, • Shorts athletic pants • Denim and jeggings • Ripped/un-hemmed clothing New Parent Handbook 9
Other Important Information SUMMER SESSION Summer Session is a great opportunity for new students of all ages to become acquainted with the campus and students before the first day of school. The seven-week coed program for rising PreK-Grade 12 runs from June 10-July 26, 2013. To learn more and to register, visit: www.agnesirwin.org/summersession
BRIDGE PROGRAM New and current students entering the ninth grade at Agnes Irwin are invited to join new students at The Haverford School to participate in the Bridge Program during the weeks of July 8-11 and July 15-18. New students should sign up for both weeks! Bridge is a fun orientation to high school that explores math, science, humanities and drama. There are neither tests nor homework. The fee of $150/week includes all
expenses, including lunch. Financial assistance is available. Questions? Contact Deanna Mayer at 610.526.1676 or dmayer@agnesirwin.org.
UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS PRESEASON Prior to the beginning of school, the tennis, cross country, field hockey and soccer teams will hold preseason. Please keep an eye on your mailbox and inbox for information regarding preseason and conditioning programs from Athletic Director Sheila Pauley, spauley@agnesirwin.org or 610.672.1277. NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION Lower School In late August, check your mailbox for a welcome back-to-school letter from your daughter’s homeroom teacher. PreK, Kindergarten and new students in grades 1–4 are invited to meet
LOWER SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS We offer optional instrumental music lessons for 3rd and 4th graders during the school day at no cost. Private instrumental lessons are available for strings, flute and guitar. Contact Murray Savar at 610.525.7600 ext. 1718 or msavar@agnesirwin.org. 10
their homeroom teacher and see their classroom between 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3. This is an informal opportunity to get acquainted with their surroundings before Opening Day. There is no need to RSVP. Middle and Upper Schools New Student Orientation will take place on Tuesday, September 3. Check your mailbox for more information to come. Friendship Families Program Join the AIS community before school begins! The Friendship Families Program pairs incoming parents and students of all divisions with current AIS families. During the summer, your Friendship Family will reach out to welcome you and arrange to get together. Please let us know if you do not hear from your family by mid-July.
SCHOOL ABSENCES If your daughter is late or absent from school due to illness or other reasons, please contact the Administrative Assistant in her division by phone or email before 8:05 a.m. for Middle/Upper School and 8:30 a.m. for Lower School. Contact information for the Administrative Assistants can be found in the Resources section on page 24.
ILLNESS If your daughter gets sick, we ask that you refrain from sending her to school until she is fever-free (temperature below 100.3) for a full 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. If your child has a stomach virus, she must be free of diarrhea and/or vomiting for 24 hours and keeping down food prior to her return to school.
MEDICATION POLICY DIVISION HANDBOOKS At the beginning of each new school year, Middle and Upper School students are issued with a Student Handbook containing a day planner for the academic year and outlining important rules, regulations and policies of the school regarding uniforms, discipline, parent-teacher conferences, the acceptable use of technology, special programs and other information.
Students are not allowed to carry prescription or over-the-counter medications in school, keep them in their lockers or self-administer. If your daughter requires prescription medication during school hours, the school nurse must be informed, the medication must be sent into school by you in the original prescription container, and the prescription information must be on record in the school’s online family information system, AIS FIS. If your daughter requires over-the-counter medication during school hours, it will be New Parent Handbook 11
administered by the school nurse and you must provide information about dosage and frequency. Upper School students with asthma or allergies may carry Benadryl, Epi-Pen and/or an inhaler on their person with parental and physician permission. Middle School students may carry and self-administer inhalers with parental and physician permission. Students must immediately report any use of rescue medication to the nurse. For Lower School students, all medications for asthma or allergies must be forwarded to the school nurse for administration. For students with other medication conditions, please contact the school nurse about the administration of medication during school hours. It is important that you ensure that your daughter’s medical condition, prescription, asthma and allergy information is up to date in the online AIS Family Information System (AIS FIS), which is accessible from the Parents portal of the school website. This includes a Food Allergy Action Plan for students with food-related allergies.
FOOD & ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGY PRACTICE Food and environmental allergies are handled individually for each student based on her needs. Each family should contact the school nurse regarding any questions.
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TECHNOLOGY USE AIS provides access to an all-school network and the Internet. We expect students to apply the same standards of behavior in their online life as they employ in face-to-face conduct. Middle and Upper School students will sign a contract in their division handbooks acknowledging that they have received and agree to the acceptable use policy outlined in the handbook.
INCLEMENT WEATHER & EMERGENCY CLOSINGS In the event of a school emergency or unplanned closing, the school will post a notification on the website homepage (www.agnesirwin.org). We also will use the AlertNow automated message system to notify parents/families. This includes notice of inclement weather delays or cancellations. The school’s snow closing number is 498. Please check with your local school districts regarding weather-related changes in transportation if your daughter uses public school bus service.
Ready for a new year New Parent Handbook 13
Pumpkinfest
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Getting Involved There are many, many ways for you to get involved in school life at Agnes Irwin! Throughout the year, a wide range of athletic competitions, arts events, community service initiatives, Parents’ Council activities and parent gatherings take place. You can help organize them, volunteer at them or simply attend! Our very active Parents’ Council is dedicated to fostering positive school spirit and supporting the school through a variety of activities and events. There are lots of leadership opportunities, as well as numerous smaller volunteer opportunities, and we invite you to join the many wonderful parents who have already committed to help, serve and provide support for the community, the faculty and staff, and our daughters.
Sports Events....................................................................... 16 AIS/EA Day........................................................................... 16 Arts Events............................................................................ 16 Service Events..................................................................... 19 Parent Events...................................................................... 19 Parents’ Council ............................................................... 20 Supporting AIS ................................................................... 21
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SPORTS EVENTS Agnes Irwin fields 14 Varsity teams in the InterAc League over three seasons – fall, winter and spring, so there is no shortage of athletics events to attend. We encourage students and families to attend the competitions and cheer on our teams. Keep up with our teams at www.agnesirwin/athletics. Our school mascot is the owl, so you’ll be seeing and hearing a lot about owls!
AIS/EA DAY This annual rivalry with Episcopal Academy has become one of the highlights of the fall athletic season, drawing many alumnae back to campus for an afternoon of sports and fun. AIS and EA compete in tennis, cross-country, field hockey and soccer, and to the victor goes a banner to hold for a year. Blue and yellow reigns for attire!
ARTS EVENTS There is a vibrant artistic scene at Agnes Irwin, with ample student-led showcases in both the visual and performing arts. All three divisions offer unique opportunities for our girls to shine. Listed are some of our major arts events, but there are plenty of other smaller events over the year that you can attend. Winter Concerts. A holiday showcase of the instrumental and singing talents of students in all three divisions. 16
Spring Concerts. Concerts including both instrumental and choral music take place in the spring for all grades. Instrumental Concerts. An opportunity for the school’s musicians to demonstrate their skills. Upper School Musical. An impressive and well-attended fall production, pooling the talents of Upper School performers, stage crew, production crew, and set and costume designers. Upper School Drama. Taking place in the winter, the Upper School drama regularly receives rave Cappie reviews. Impulse Arts Night. The official kick-off to Arts Week in the Upper School, featuring a lively open mic night of music, poetry and drama. Dance Motion. A creative showcase of Upper School dance talent, directed by professional dancers and including some student choreography. Middle School Musical. An opportunity for seventh and eighth graders to take the stage for what is always a highly polished production. Fifth Grade Opera. The culminating event for fifth grade music studies, written by students themselves, with every student performing. Fourth Grade Musical Revue. An exciting conclusion to the Lower School music experience, featuring scenery created by the fourth graders themselves.
AIS/EA Day brings out the school spirit
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Upper School fall musical, Into the Woods
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SERVICE EVENTS Learning through community service makes service relevant to each girl’s life and reinforces the connection of AIS values to her everyday experiences. From our PreK students through our seniors, each student has the opportunity to put her values into action – through grade-specific service learning projects, division-wide programs and whole school collaborations. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Every year, AIS Lower and Upper School students participate in a range of community service activities both on and off campus. Middle School students team up with The Haverford School and The Baldwin School to host the Martin Luther King Jr. Caring Community Carnival for children with disabilities. Empty Bowls. After creating ceramic bowls to sell, AIS and Haverford School students join forces for the biennial Empty Bowls Supper to raise public awareness and funding to fight hunger. Dolly Gaul Day. A day of exciting service projects for Lower School students, named in memory of beloved former teacher Dolly Gaul. Canned Food Drive. A community-wide collection of canned foods to benefit local food pantries, held in conjunction with AIS/EA Day as well as several other times. Grade-Level Service Projects. Each grade level in Lower School has at least one service-learning project that is closely linked to the curriculum.
Projects often vary from year to year and are sparked by ongoing work in social studies, science, language arts, math and sometimes by current events. In Middle School, service learning has been linked with the math curriculum through the Kiva micro-loan program. In Upper School, girls have the freedom to initiate service projects based on their interests.
PARENT EVENTS Parents’ Nights. These back-to-school nights, held in September, are a chance for parents to meet teachers, visit classrooms and find out all about the curriculum. Back-to-School Information Meetings. Held each September, these division gatherings provide parents with the opportunity to hear from the Division Director and other school administrators about the year ahead. Fall Parent Socials. Class Parents usually organize social gathering for parents during the first months of the school year. A chance to reconnect and meet families new to the grade. Winter Class Coffees. Held in January and February, the Class Coffees are grade-specific informational gatherings for parents. Presentations will be made by Division Directors as well as by teachers, counselors and athletic staff. New Parent Handbook 19
PARENTS’ COUNCIL The Parents’ Council is led by an 11-member Executive Committee with the support of Class Parents for each grade and various Committee Chairs who plan and organize events and activities throughout the year. Every parent is automatically a member of Parents’ Council.
PARENTS’ COUNCIL EVENTS RenAISsance Sale. This sale of gently worn uniforms, held twice a year, is a great way to add to or subtract from your daughter’s school wardrobe. Some great vintage items can be found.
Staff Appreciation Lunch. Parents provide and serve lunch to AIS faculty and staff, who are always extremely appreciative of the delicious food! Nothing says thank you like a well-prepared meal!
Agnes Irwin Cup Golf Outing. The annual fall golf tournament brings together parents and alumnae for a fun-filled afternoon on the links, ending with an awards reception. Great opportunity for business sponsorships.
Winterfest. Parents’ Council’s largest fundraiser of the year, Winterfest is a live and silent auction and dinner dance with a different theme each year. Auction features one-of-a-kind items and opportunities. Not to be missed!
PumpkinFest. An all-school event, PumpkinFest is a fall festival of pumpkin-decorating, raffles, games and yummy treats. Usually combined with the Lower School Halloween Parade.
May Fair. A Lower School tradition and rite of passage, girls in grades PreK-4 dance around the Maypole, culminating with the weaving of the Maypole ribbons by the fourth grade. A spring carnival follows with food, games, raffles and much more.
Book Fair. A great selection of books is always available for purchase during the annual Book Fair. In store is a wide range of fun activities, including author visits and book readings. Welcome Wellness. An energizing fall fundraiser which puts overall health of the mind and body at the forefront. Family Skating Party. This evening of ice skating for the Agnes Irwin community is always a highlight of the winter season. 20
Spring Luncheon. A great way for parents to catch up with each other before the end of the school year, celebrate the Parents’ Council fundraising efforts and enjoy a delicious lunch. Class Photos. Parents’ Council organizes the traditional class photos in the fall, ensuring that students have the opportunity to bring home a treasured memento of each school year.
Supporting AIS An important avenue for making a significant difference in school life at Agnes Irwin is through giving. Such support by alumnae, current and past parents, faculty and staff, grandparents and friends enables the school to provide the best environment and experience for girls who will one day take their education from the classroom to the boardroom and beyond. Whether you make a contribution to annual giving, secure a donation through your company’s Matching Gift Program, arrange for a planned gift or participate in Pennsylvania tax-credit programs that fund scholarships, there are numerous ways to support the school. And every gift, every year of every size helps impact the lives of our girls. The Agnes Irwin Fund. The starting point for financially supporting the school, our annual giving campaign represents approximately 5% of the school’s operating budget each year.
Planned Giving. Bequests, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and other deferred support allow donors to leave a special legacy of support for the future.
Dare to Do More Campaign. This $40 million capital campaign is responsible for a 85,000-square-foot campus expansion that includes new athletic, dining and technology facilities.
EITC & OTSC. Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs allow businesses to earn a tax credit for up to 90% of certain state taxes when they make a donation to student scholarships.
For more information, please visit the Giving section of our website. New Parent Handbook 21
Academic Calendar 2013-2014 SEPTEMBER 2013 3 Orientation, all new students/all 5th, 9th and 12th graders 4 Classes begin 5 Rosh Hashanah, no classes 12 LS Parents’ Night 19 MS Parents’ Night 26 US Parents’ Night OCTOBER 2013 11 In-Service Day, no classes 14 Columbus Day, no classes 24-25 LS Parent-Teacher Conferences, no classes Friday for LS
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JANUARY 2014 6 Classes resume 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, no classes FEBRUARY 2014 14 In-Service Day, no classes 17 Presidents’ Holiday Weekend, no classes or meetings MARCH 2014 20 Spring Break begins at noon 31 Classes resume APRIL 2014 3-4 LS Parent-Teacher Conferences, no classes Friday for LS 18-21 Spring Weekend, no classes or meetings (Good Friday, 4/18) MAY 2014 24 Special Studies Program 10th & 11th graders (start date may vary) 26 Memorial Day Holiday, no classes or meetings 27 C21 Challenge, 9th graders JUNE 2014 5 Middle School Graduation 6 Lower School Moving Up Day 9 Class Night, all US students 10 Commencement
New Parent Handbook 23
Resources We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us with any questions. In the summer, the division offices are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, should you need assistance.
BUSINESS HOURS
DIVISION CONTACTS
Academic Year Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Lower School - 610.525.7600 Donna Lindner, Lower School Director dlindner@agnesirwin.org
Summer Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
ATTENDANCE EMAILS If your daughter is going to be late or absent from school, please send a note to the email address for your division by 8:05 a.m. for Middle/Upper Schools and 8:30 a.m. for Lower School. Lower School LSattendance@agnesirwin.org Middle School MSattendance@agnesirwin.org Upper School USattendance@agnesirwin.org
Carol Hillman, Administrative Assistant chillman@agnesirwin.org For Lower School parents, Claire Lewis, Admission Assistant, is also available for any questions 610.526.1667 or clewis@agnesirwin.org Middle School - 484.380.4119 Lynne Myavec, Middle School Director lmyavec@agnesirwin.org Thomas Corcoran, Administrative Assistant tcorcoran@agnesirwin.org Upper School - 484.380.4115 Joanne Hoffman, Upper School Director johoffman@agnesirwin.org Donna Page, Administrative Assistant dpage@agnesirwin.org
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For Middle and Upper School parents, Barbara Silverman, Admission Assistant, is also available for any questions 610.526.1667 or bsilverman@agnesirwin.org
Lower School musical, The Miserable Muse
EMAIL FORMAT The email address format for all AIS faculty and staff is the first initial and the full last name@agnesirwin.org. Example: mseppala@agnesirwin.org
TELEPHONE NUMBERS Main Receptionist.................................. 610.525.8400 Alumnae Office........................................ 610.526.1675 Athletic Office ......................................... 610.525.1527 Development Office.............................. 610.525.6125 Dining Services........................................ 610.523.7990 Head of School’s Office........................ 610.672.1267 Lower School Office.............................. 610.525.7600 Lower School Nurse.............................. 610.672.1269 Middle School Office............................. 484.380.4119 Upper School Office.............................. 484.380.4115 Middle/Upper School Nurse............. 610.672.1270 School Store.............................................. 610.672.1262 Summer Session Office ....................... 610.672.1272
SNOW CODE: 498
New Parent Handbook 25
www.agnesirwin.org
The Agnes Irwin School • Ithan Avenue & Conestoga Road, Rosemont, PA 19010