From the Home and School Association
FRIENDS’ CENTRAL LOWER SCHOOL New Parent Guide 2019-2020
Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendar!
Lower School Resources
Orientation Day (New students and all Nursery, Pre-K, and K) Tuesday, September 3 Nursery-Grade 4: 9 am Grade 5: 1 pm
During the summer, if you have any questions, please email Melody Acinapura, Lower School Principal. If you would like to speak with someone, please call the Lower School main number, and your call will be directed to the appropriate person.
First Day of School – All Students (Half day for Nursery, Pre-K and K) Wednesday, September 4, 8:30 am Parent Welcome Coffee – 8:00 am Family Welcome Gathering Sunday, September 15, 2 pm Parent Curriculum Night Tuesday, September 17, 7 pm
Lower School Picture Day Wednesday, September 18 Get Involved! Home & School Orientation Meeting Wednesday, September 25, 8:30 am Lower School Principal’s Coffee - Grade 1-5 Thursday, October 3, 8:30 am Nursery, Pre-K, K Parent Gathering and Principal Talk Friday, October 4, 7 pm Pumpkin Fair Sunday, October 20, 12-4 pm
Lower School Main Number: 610.642.7575 Melody Acinapura, Lower School Principal melody@friendscentral.org Ginger Fifer, Interim Lower School Assistant Principal gfifer@friendscentral.org Andrea D. Lubrano, Lower School Admission Director alubrano@friendscentral.org
We’ve listed these fall dates to give you a head start, but don’t let the rest of the year sneak up on you! Once the school year begins, please look through the School Calendar, friendscentral.org/calendar, and mark down important dates throughout the year.
DEAR NEW LOWER SCHOOL FAMILIES, It’s a true privilege to welcome you to our Lower School community! This booklet was developed to help you learn more about the ins and outs of Lower School, including important dates and details, as well as ways to become involved and connect with a community that is eager to get to know you and your family. As the first day approaches, please know that we are here to support you along the way. Feel free to reach out at any time with your questions or for more information about your child(ren) that can help us to ensure their first days, weeks, and months at FCS are a success! We can’t wait to get to know your children as learners, as unique individuals, and as community members who will have an incredible impact on who we are as a school. I am joined by a devoted team of teachers and professionals, as well as our amazing current families, who look forward to welcoming you in person. Warmly,
Melody Regino Acinapura Lower School Principal
FAST FACTS w School begins at 8:30 am w School ends at 2:50 pm w Call the Lower School Attendance Line at 610.645.5138
if your child is sick and staying home
w Snow closing number is 345 w Back-to-School information: friendscentral.org/backtoschool2019
FCS LINGO & FUN FACTS w JTF - Just the FaCtS (our weekly newsletter) w PPU - Parent Pick-up at the end of the day w MFW - Meeting for Worship w HSA - Home & School Association, FCS Parent Group w School Mascot - The Phoenix w School Colors - Blue and Gray
New Parent Checklist q S ubmit Health Forms q Submit Transportation Plan q Prepare School Supplies q Mark Important Fall Dates q R eview Contact Information in Veracross (myfcs.org)
q C omplete PA State Clearances
for chaperoning and volunteering 2
Contents
LOWER SCHOOL RESOURCES .............................................1 LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL & CHECKLIST ....................2 NEW STUDENT & FAMILY ORIENTATION .............................4 INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION.....................................4 ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES............................. 5-6 AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ...............................................6 PLAYDATES AND CARPOOLS...............................................7 HEALTH SERVICES ..............................................................7 SCHOOL ABSENCES ............................................................7 LOWER SCHOOL CAMPUS MAP ...........................................8 DINING SERVICES & SNACK TIME .......................................9 TRANSPORTATION ..............................................................9 INCLEMENT WEATHER & SCHOOL CLOSINGS .....................9 OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ...................................10 MEETING FOR WORSHIP AT THE LOWER SCHOOL ............11 DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSIVITY .................................12 GETTING INVOLVED ..........................................................12 VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE INFORMATION ..........................13 GIVING TO FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL ...........................14 HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES........................................14
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New Student and Family Orientation In late August, look for a Back-to-School email that will provide your child(ren)’s teacher assignment and specifics regarding your family’s orientation time on Tuesday, September 3. On September 4, the first full day of school (half day for Nursery, Pre-K, and K), stop by the Welcome Tent for coffee with fellow FCS parents. Finally, the Parent Representative(s) for your child(ren)’s class(es) will reach out by email during the first week of school to introduce themselves to you. Please feel free to ask them any questions as you settle into the school year.
Information & Communication Please spend some time exploring the School’s website and the Veracross portal. Both are extremely helpful sources of information. You can continue to use the Veracross credentials you used to sign in to the Admission and Enrollment portals. If you have forgotten your password, go to the Veracross portal, myfcs.org, and click on the “forgot username or password?” link to receive an email with your username and a link to use to reset your password.
COMMUNICATION There are a number of ways you will receive communications about what is happening at the School. Just the Facts (JTF), the FCS weekly electronic newsletter, is sent out every Friday and is a must-
read for all parents. It will keep you informed about upcoming events and provide important news about the Lower School and at FCS. Teachers will email parents regularly with information regarding their specific classes. Students, with the help of their teachers, maintain a Seesaw account where parents can view their work. More details will be coming from your classroom teacher.
WEBSITE - CAMPUS LIFE INFORMATION The Friends’ Central website, friendscentral.org, is a constant and current source of information on the life of the School. There, you will find School news and events, the All-School Calendar, photo galleries, athletics updates, and information on what is happening at FCS. There is also the Back-to-School page, friendscentral.org/backtoschool2019, for the information you need before school starts. Parents can also visit the Parent Update Page of the website (friendscentral.org/parents) to keep updated and informed.
VERACROSS - ONLINE PORTAL FOR ACADEMIC INFORMATION As an FCS parent, you can access the Veracross Parent Portal to view your child(ren)’s schedule(s), attendance records, conference sign-ups, and report cards. Veracross also contains the School directory and allows you to search for families who live nearby, a helpful tool for finding rideshares and babysitters.
HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION PARENT REPRESENTATIVES Each class has one to two Home and School Association parent volunteers who facilitate communication between the teacher and the parents. They will be contacting you about chaperoning field trips, in-class celebrations, and other class events where parent volunteers may be needed. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Nuneviller, the Home and School Coordinator, at anuneviller@friendscentral.org.
JUST THE FACTS (JTF) Every Friday, Just the FaCtS (JTF), an electronic newsletter with detailed information about events and news, is sent to all parents. Please take the time to read this newsletter! In addition, specific announcements for upcoming events or important news will be sent as a separate email communication from the School. 4
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures TRANSPORTATION FORM In early August, you will be asked to provide the School with your child(ren)’s daily arrival and dismissal plan. It will be sent to you as an Informed K12 form (our online permission form) and will be due in mid-August. It is very important that the School has your child(ren)’s plan before the school year begins. During the school year, if there is a change to your child(ren)’s transportation plan, you must email Lower School Administrative Assistant Pat DeSabato, pdesabato@friendscentral.org, and your child(ren)’s classroom teacher by 12:00 pm.
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES Morning Supervision 7:30-8:30 am From 7:30-8:00 am, children go to the gym. Teachers are not supervising the car loop during this time. Children who can get out of the car independently may be dropped off at the curb of the car loop. Please watch as they walk to the gym. If your child(ren) cannot exit without assistance, please park in the main lot and walk them in. There is no parking in the car loop. From 8:00-8:30 am, teachers and administrators are on duty in front of the gym. Families can drive through the car
loop, where drop-off is facilitated by adults, or families can park in the lot and walk their child(ren) in. For everyone’s safety, we ask that you observe the following guidelines in the car loop: w A dults driving the car should not get out of their vehicles. w C hildren must be ready to exit when an FCS staff member opens the door. Children should not be eating, their jackets should be on, and their bags should be close by. w A ll children exiting should be in the curbside seat or be ready to exit curbside. w C hildren should not be let out on the opposite side from the curb. w I f your child needs assistance buckling or unbuckling their car seat, we ask that you park during drop-off and pick-up instead of going through the car loop. This procedure is designed to keep your children safe by ensuring the adult who is transporting them properly secures each child into their individual car seat as it is designed. w P arents must wait until the car in front of them has pulled away before moving. w I f you need more time for your drop-off, please park and walk your child in. w T here is no cell phone use during drop-off or pick-up. w T here is no parking in the car loop. School Begins at 8:30 am All FCS staff members will leave the car loop at 8:30 am so they can begin their daily responsibilities. Please note: when there is a two-hour delayed opening, early drop-off begins at 10:00 am. School will not be open before 10 am. Late Arrivals From 8:30-8:45 am, FCS security officers will be at the entrance door next to the gym to make sure children get inside the building, but they will NOT be curbside to aid children getting out of the car.
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From 8:30-8:45 am, if your child(ren) can get out of the car independently, you can drop your child(ren) off at the curb of the car loop. If your child(ren) cannot exit without assistance, please park in the main parking lot and walk him/her/them in.
Early Dismissals
After 8:45 am, the door next to the gym at the drop-off circle is locked, so all families must park in the main parking lot, walk their child(ren) in through the main Lower School Office door, and check in with Pat DeSabato in the Lower School Office. The parking spaces closer to the Lower School Office entrance are reserved for FCS staff and Admission visitors only, and we ask parents not to park or drive in this area, as students are often walking there from the buses during drop-off and pick-up.
Late to Dismissal
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES Dismissal is at 2:50 pm The Lower School day ends at 2:50 pm. Parent Pick-Up (PPU) children gather in the gym. Extended Day and bus/shuttle children are escorted to their respective gathering spots. Parent Pick-up (PPU) From 2:50-3:20 pm, you can collect your child(ren) in the gym or through the afternoon car loop. Afternoon car loop guidelines: w Please do not exit the car. w P lease ensure that the person picking up your child(ren) has the FCS pick-up sign clearly displayed in the car. You will be given a pick-up sign on Orientation Day. w I f your child needs assistance buckling or unbuckling their car seat, we ask that you park during drop-off and pick-up instead of going through the car loop. This procedure is designed to keep your children safe by ensuring the adult who is transporting them properly secures each child into their individual car seat as it is designed. w E lectronic device use is strictly prohibited in the car loop. w P arents must wait until the car in front of them has pulled away before moving.
If you need your child to leave school early, please email your child’s teacher and Pat DeSabato at pdesabato@friendscentral in a timely manner. Your child will be sent to the main lobby to wait for pick-up. PPU ends at 3:20 pm, and any remaining children are escorted to Extended Day (more details about our Extended Day Program below). If you decide you need your child(ren) to stay at school longer, please inform the Lower School office prior to 12:00 pm, or bring him/her/them to Extended Day and let an FCS staff member know that plans for your child(ren) have changed.
After-School Programs EXTENDED DAY The Friends’ Central Lower School Extended Day Program (EDP) seeks to create a settled, supervised environment for Lower School students who need to arrive early or stay on campus beyond the regular school day. Each day, there are planned activities, as well as time for free play and time for homework. There is a fee associated with this program. Registration for Extended Day will be available in August. We now offer extended day and transportation for Lower School students at the Trinity Center for Urban Life at 2212 Spruce Street in Center City. Participating students can take part in After-School Clubs or Extended Day on the Wynnewood campus until 4:00 pm, when they will be shuttled to the Center City location.
FCS AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS After-School Clubs are a wonderful time for students to be together with friends, having fun, and exploring areas of interest. Online registration for the fall session of After-School Clubs will be available by the end of August. All clubs are 3:00-4:00 pm, and students must be picked up at 4:00 pm or go to Extended Day. To see the range of options or to register for Extended Day and After-School Clubs, visit Auxiliary Programs in the Campus Life section of the website. 6
Playdates & Carpools Playdates are a great way for children and families to build and grow friendships. They can be after school, on the weekends, or as a pre-arranged gathering at another location such as a playground or a museum. If your child is having an after-school playdate and is going home with another child, or if you are taking another child home, please email both Lower School Administrative Assistant Pat DeSabato (pdesabato@friendscentral.org) and your child’s teacher with the name of the host and the name of the guest. There must be an email/note from both the guest parent and the host parent giving permission for the child to go home with a different student. This email/note must be received prior to 12 noon. CONTACTS & RESOURCES wL ower School Main Number: 610.642.7575 wA bsentee Line: 610.645.5138 wT ransportation: jbbowie@friendscentral.org wE xtended Day Program & After School Clubs Director:
eseay@friendscentral.org
wL S Administrative Assistant:
pdesabato@friendscentral.org
wA uxiliary Programs: friendscentral.org/aux_programs wH ealth Services: friendscentral.org/health_services
Jennie Nemroff, Nurse • jnemroff@friendscentral.org Barbara Cole, Nurse • bcole@friendscentral.org
Health Services All students must present documentation of having met PA Department of School Health immunization requirements by the first day of school. Visit the Health Services section of the website, friendscentral.org/health_services to read the full Immunization Policy. An easy-to-read immunization chart can be found there. An electronic Emergency Consent Form is required annually for all students. It is due on or before June 7. Please complete and submit this online Informed K12 form, which will be emailed directly to parents/guardians. If you have not 7
received the form in an email, please contact Lower School nurses Jennie Nemroff and Barbara Cole. A Physician’s Report of Physical Examination form is required for every student every year. It is due the month of your child’s birthday or on the anniversary of your child’s last physical examination. Participation in 6th through 12th grade athletic activities will be denied if a current Physical Examination form is not on file. A Medication Request Form and a physician’s order for prescription medication is required for any student who needs to have prescription medication (daily medication, EpiPen, inhaler, insulin, etc.) kept at school. The original pharmacy labeled container is acceptable in lieu of a written prescription. A Dental Examination Form is required for all students in kindergarten, grade 3, and grade 7. We look forward to getting to know your children. If there is information you would like to share with us or if you have questions, please feel free to contact us. Open communication will help us give your child the best care possible. Please contact both Lower School nurses so your message is sure to be received by the nurse working that day.
School Absences Parents are expected to keep sick children at home. A child with a cough or cold is usually more comfortable at home, and children who have experienced fevers or vomiting should not return to school until 24 healthy hours have passed. If you are keeping your child at home, please call the Lower School Attendance Line at 610.645.5138. After an absence, a note from the child’s parent or physician should be given to the teacher if a child is not to go outdoors or participate in physical education. School assignments missed during the child’s absence may be obtained by notifying your child’s teacher. Assignments will be ready at the end of the school day if requests are made by 10:00 am.
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Lower School Campus 1. Main Parking Lot
3. The Ulmer Family Light Lab
5. Old Gulph Road
7. Lower School Office Entrance
2. Car Loop
4. Gym
6. Bus Loop
8. Faculty & Staff Parking Lot
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Dining Services & Snack Time Our innovative food program, Lettuce Feed You, inspires children to work toward a healthier and more sustainable world by teaching them about the sourcing and production of food. Children learn to enjoy healthy and planet-friendly food. The program includes delicious, fresh-from-scratch, sustainable and, whenever possible, local and organic foods prepared in-house by expert chef & Lower School Director of Culinary Services. The Friends’ Central lunch table is supplied overwhelmingly by local farms - including the School’s own expansive organic garden. For lunch, students can bring their own lunch from home, or they can purchase a meal plan from the Dining Service. Please visit friendscentral.org/dining for more details about our meal program and the full range of Lower School Meal Plan options and to purchase the plan that best fits your needs. Among the plan options is a one-day-a-week plan, which can be used on pizza day (offered on Fridays and very popular with students).
SNACK TIME Children in nursery through grade 2 will be given healthy snacks by their teachers during morning snack time. If children in grades 3-5 would like a snack, they should bring a snack to School to be eaten during morning snack time.
coordinated by Director of Transportation JB Bowie, who can be reached at 610.247.3520 or jbbowie@friendscentral.org. There is a fee associated with most of these services. For more information, visit friendscentral.org/transportation. Many Friends’ Central students travel to School by private vehicles and school district buses. For information on district buses, please contact Pat DeSabato, LS Administrative Assistant, at 610.642.7575 or pdesabato@friendscentral.org. All new students enrolled for the upcoming year in kindergarten through grade 5 will be added to the various school districts’ transportation eligibility lists based on age and grade. Please note: currently, no school district provides transportation for Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten children.
Inclement Weather & School Closings In the event of an unplanned closing, a modification of regular school hours (late arrival/early dismissal), or a school emergency, the School will post a notification on the homepage of our website friendscentral.org. You will also receive an alert by text and email in the event of an unplanned closing. Please visit the Veracross portal, myfcs.org, to make sure the contact information we have for your household is correct. The School’s snow closing number is 345 on KYW 1060 am radio under Montgomery County. Please check with your local school district regarding weather-related changes in transportation, if your child uses public school bus service.
CONTACTS & RESOURCES
Students who have potentially life-threatening food allergies must bring safe snacks from home to be stored at School and used in lieu of snacks brought by other families.
wL ower School Main Number: 610.642.7575 wL ower School Attendance Line: 610.645.5138 wL S Administrative Assistant:
Transportation
wT ransportation: jbbowie@friendscentral.org wD ining Services: friendscentral.org/dining wS chool Snow Closing Number: 345
Friends’ Central School Transportation Services coordinates buses for students. FCS Transportation services are 9
pdesabato@friendscentral.org
Other Important Information DRESS The children have busy and active days at school, spending a great deal of time inside and outside. Comfortable clothes and shoes with closed toes are preferred so children can fully enjoy all daily activities. On days when there is snow, children are still able to go outside to play. They need to be appropriately clothed with boots, gloves/mittens, hats/hoods, and snowpants.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES The website’s Back-to-School page (friendscentral.org/ backtoschool2019) has a complete list of supplies by grade. During the first week of school, teachers will provide students/ parents with a list of any additional supplies needed.
PERMISSION FORMS All permission forms are completed online using the Informed K12 Document system. Each form will be sent to parents as an email with a link to the online document that requires an electronic signature.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES AND REPORT CARDS If you are having concerns about your child either academically or socially, teachers are always available to speak with you and encourage you to schedule a meeting with them. More formal parent/teacher conferences will take place in the fall and in the spring to specifically discuss your child’s progress. Conference sign-up information will be sent via email, and parents will be able to sign up for a specific time via the Veracross portal. Report Cards will be available on Veracross in late January and June. You’ll receive an email notifying you when report cards are posted online.
TECHNOLOGY & CELL POLICY Friends’ Central School encourages the use of technology to enhance and support student learning. Students need to exercise responsible behavior when using technology and understand that by using any device on campus, they are expected to adhere to the community values. This includes
only taking pictures, video, and audio of community members after permission is granted and, for grade 5 students, using school email for school purposes only, checking it daily, and maintaining the privacy of passwords. Students may carry cell phones to school in their backpacks, but phones must remain in their bags and be silenced throughout the school day.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES We believe an intentional and collaborative partnership between home and school is essential for student success. Outside of the expertise of classroom teachers, there is a team of professionals who provide support to students both within learning and social emotional development. Our School Counselor, Jenn Curren, works with all Lower School students to support their emotional growth and help them to thrive socially. There are also times where she meets with students individually or in small groups, and closely consults with families. Our Learning Specialist, Jackie Merchant, coordinates learning support services for students in grades K-5 and closely partners with classroom teachers in grades 3-5. While our Kindergarten-2nd Grade Reading Specialist, Deb Will, partners with teachers to provide reading support to students in grades K-2 and works with small groups to deliver targeted instruction in fluency and comprehension. Our team is overseen by our Director of Student Services, Frederick Pratt, who works closely with our Lower School Principal and Assistant Principal. If you have any questions or want to know more about how this team can support your child, please contact Lower School Principal, Melody Acinapura at melody@friendscentral.org. 10
Meeting for Worship at the Lower School Weekly Meeting for Worship consists of 25 minutes of quiet reflection and truth-seeking that are an essential part of life at the Lower School. Our School is enriched and strengthened by weekly Meeting for Worship – held on Tuesdays for students in grades 3-5 and on Thursdays for Pre-K through grade 2. The entire Lower School gathers together once a month for a community Meeting for Worship. The special silence that distinguishes a Quaker service is evident as students and teachers work to still the body and mind and open themselves to the Spirit and to the community.
DEVOTIONS Quakers believe that one needs to come to Meeting for Worship with “heart and mind prepared” to listen to the “still small voice” of the Spirit within each and every person. Learning to use the time meaningfully in Meeting for Worship involves the development of skills such as centering one’s body and mind, reflecting, and listening. We begin each day with a Devotions period – a time in which we can practice some of the spiritual skills and habits of Meeting for Worship. We read stories, practice yoga, talk about the monthly themes, and write reflections. We are always emphasizing the skill of listening to the voice within and to one another. These experiences in Devotions (and at any time of day when it seems right), help children become familiar with the spiritual principles and basic ideas of Quaker practice.
FAITH & PLAY Some classrooms prepare for Meeting for Worship through activities like Faith & Play stories. These activities and stories provide moments for children to wonder. They offer students The information presented on this page has been excerpted from the booklet Hearts & Minds Prepared: Meeting for Worship at Friends’ Central Lower School,created by current and former faculty members Chris Ramsey, Kristi Kallam, Robyn Richmond, and Toni Sharp with the support and guidance of the Friends’ Central Lower School Religious Life Committee.
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questions and queries and help to further develop the depth of their own journeys, understandings, and discoveries of “that of God.”
QUERIES Queries are reflective questions that prepare our hearts and minds for Meeting for Worship.
CLOSING MEETING FOR WORSHIP As Meeting comes to a close, we sing a song and then shake hands with those around us. We affirm our connection to one another and the importance of community in our lives at school.
VALUES THAT GUIDE OUR MEETING FOR WORSHIP Quaker Testimonies, key principles that guide Quaker practice and lives, are sometimes grouped into the acronym “SPICES.” This acronym helps children remember them and provides a common vocabulary for all of us at Friends’ Central to use when talking about the shared Quaker values that guide our religious education.
Simplicity Peace Integrity Community Equality Stewardship
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSIVITY Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity is based on Quaker testimonies and practice in which we honor each perspective and life experience. Through an intentional curriculum and differentiated methods of teaching, we seek to empower and engage all traditionally marginalized groups. Our community as a whole benefits when we listen to and involve a broader range of voices. Our Coordinator of Equity and Justice Education, Dwight Dunston, ddunston@friendscentral.org, spends time on both campuses to coordinate, collaborate, and support faculty with respect to programming throughout the School and serves on the diversity committees of each division. At the Lower School, he develops and runs activities that teaches our youngest students about fairness, equity, and empathy. Through songs and games, he encourages and supports them to find their inner voices. Mark your calendar! Sunday, September 22 at 1 pm on the City Avenue Campus, Welcome Picnic sponsored by Parents of Students of Color.
Getting Involved The Friends’ Central Home & School Association (HSA) is the vibrant and vital FCS parent volunteer organization that works collaboratively with the School to strengthen communication and foster enriching opportunities between parents/guardians and the School. If you are new to FCS please feel free to reach out to the HSA division co-chairs, Elisha Snedeker, Allison Liebman, Lula Tadesse, or Jen Rogers with any questions you may have. They are parent volunteers who are happy to help you as you transition to FCS. You can play an important role as a volunteer helping in many ways from being a parent reps to a committee chair to helping at all-school events. HSA believes that parents and guardians are essential for the development and success of our students. We encourage you to find a role or event that’s right for you. Complete our Volunteer Survey on the parent page of the website at friendscentral.org/parents. If you have any questions, contact Andrea Nuneviller, HSA Coordinator, at anuneviller@friendscentral.org. Save the Date for the HSA Orientation Meeting on Wednesday, September 25 after morning drop-off to learn about ways you can be involved and to meet other parents! 12
HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (HSA) WAYS TO VOLUNTEER: Parent Representatives Parents can volunteer to be a Parent Representative to support their child’s class and teacher. As Parent Reps, volunteers send communications from HSA and their classroom teacher to the parents in their class to help keep everyone connected and informed about activities and events. They also help with classroom activities during the year. HSA Events These are annual events that need a large number of parent volunteers to help plan and run. w Pumpkin Fair - FCS Fall Festival w Lower School Service Committee
v ElderNet Basket Service Project
v MLK Day of Service
w Lower School Book Fair w Movie Nights Parent Gatherings In the fall, each grade gets together socially, either at school or at a parent’s home, as an opportunity for fellowship. These gatherings are organized by each grade’s Parent Rep. Look to your inbox for your invitation. Attention Nursery, Pre-K, and K Parents: Parent Gathering with the Principal on Friday, October 4, 7 pm! Get your babysitter now!
VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE INFORMATION The state of Pennsylvania requires that all adult volunteers who are responsible for a child’s welfare or have direct volunteer contact with children need to provide clearances to the organization where they are volunteering. At FCS, all parents who will be volunteering – parent representatives, library volunteers, child event coordinators, and field trip chaperones – need to have their clearances. We encourage
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CONTACTS & RESOURCES wL ower School HSA Co-Chairs:
Allison Liebman, allisoncanter@gmail.com Jen Rogers, jennifer.rogers@aberdeenstandard.com Elisha Snedeker, ehsnedeker@gmail.com Lula Tadesse, lulat@yahoo.com wH SA Coordinator: Andrea Nuneviller, anuneviller@friendscentral.org
any parent interested in volunteering or going on a field trip with their child get their clearances before the school year begins. For a link to the documents, please go to the Veracross portal and locate the Clearances button. Once you have your clearance documents, please give copies or email them to Donovan Moore, Lower School Admissions Assistant, at dmoore@friendscentral.org. If you have any questions, please contact Donovan.
GIVING TO FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL An Annual gift to the Friends’ Central Fund is an important way for parents, alumni/ae, faculty, and friends to demonstrate their commitment to Friends’ Central School. Each year, over 1,600 generous community members contribute to the School’s operating budget. This tremendous generosity allows the School to open its doors to talented students with limited financial means, to retain outstanding faculty, and to maintain two beautiful campuses. Participation at all levels is welcome and makes a difference in support of the joyful learning experiences and unparalleled opportunities for all our students. Annual Fund volunteers are vital to the success of the Annual Giving Campaign. Tasks may include signing letters and making phone calls to community members or simply helping to stuff mailings. Becoming an Annual Fund volunteer has an immediate impact on the School and our ability to fulfill our mission. To become an Annual Fund volunteer, contact Kim Emmons-Benjet, Director of Annual Giving, at kbenjet@friendscentral.org, or call 610.645.4499.
Resources We are here to help! Feel free to contact us with any questions. To call the Lower School, dial 610.642.7575, and your call will be directed to the appropriate person.
Melody R. Acinapura, Lower School Principal melody@friendscentral.org Ginger Fifer, Lower School Interim Assistant Principal gfifer@friendscentral.org Andrea D. Lubrano, Lower School Admission Director alubrano@friendscentral.org Pat DeSabato, Lower School Administrative Assistant pdesabato@friendscentral.org Frederick Pratt, Director of Support Services fpratt@friendscentral.org Andrea Nuneviller, Home and School Coordinator anuneviller@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5040 Technology: parenthelp@friendscentral.org Absentee Line 610.645.5138 JB Bowie, Transportation Coordinator jbowie@friendscentral.org, 610.247.3520
Back-to-School Page friendscentral.org/backtoschool2019
Chris Mazzeo, Dining Services chris.mazzeo@compass-usa.com
Lower School Food Program friendscentral.org/lettucefeedyou
Jennie Nemroff, Nurse jnemroff@friendscentral.org
Parent Website Page friendscentral.org/parents
Barbara Cole, Nurse bcole@friendscentral.org
Veracross Help ParentHelp.friendscentral.org
Jenn Curren, Lower School Counselor jcurren@friendscentral.org
Auxiliary Programs, Transportation, & After-School Activities friendscentral.org/aux_programs
Dwight Dunston, Coordinator of Equity and Justice Education ddunston@friendscentral.org 14