From the Home & School Association
Friends’ Central Middle School N E W FA M I LY G U I D E 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2
UPCOMING EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
HELPFUL CONTACTS
New Student Orientation - for all grade 6 and all NEW grade 7 & 8 students Thursday, September 2, 9:30-11:30 am Parents are welcome to stay at this time for a Q&A session.
Middle School Picture Day Tuesday, September 14
Alexa Quinn Middle School Principal aquinn@friendscentral.org
Getting-to-Know-You Conferences Wednesday, September 8 20-minute parent conferences with your child’s advisor
Grades 7 & 8 Tuesday, September 21, 7 pm
First Day of School - All Students Thursday, September 9, 8:20 am FCS Community Celebration Sunday, September 12, 2-4 pm
Middle School Curriculum Nights Grade 6 Monday, September 20, 7 pm
All-School Cookout Hosted by Parents of Students of Color (PSOC) Sunday, September 26, 1 pm
Andy White Middle School Assistant Principal awhite@friendscentral.org Marian Petrarca Middle School Administrative Assistant mpetrarca@friendscentral.org
All-School Parent-Teacher Conferences Friday, November 5 (no classes)
We’ve listed a few important 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 any additional fall events and other important dates through the year (web calendar will be updated prior to start of the year).
DEAR FAMILIES NEW TO MIDDLE SCHOOL, We are so happy to welcome you to the Friends’ Central Middle School community. This guide includes information that will be useful to you in preparing for the school year and once school begins. You will also want to refer to the Back-to-School page on the Friends’ Central website, where you will find important information: friendscentral.org/backtoschool2021. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! We would be happy to talk with you about any questions - whether they be general or more specific to your child and family. Best,
Alexa Quinn Middle School Principal
FAST FACTS
NEW PARENT CHECKLIST
w Homeroom begins at 8:20 am
health forms through our q Submit
w School ends at 3:10 pm wB us pick-up is from 3:10-3:20 pm
Car pick-up (PPU) begins at 3:20 pm
w Homework posted by 3:30 pm on Canvas
new Magnus Health Portal
q Summer Reading q Check supply/book list & prepare school supplies
w Snow closing number 345
q Download calendars & mark important dates
wW eekly School Newsletter - Just the FaCtS
q Set up Canvas preferences in the Canvas
E-newsletter emailed on Fridays wC all the Middle School Attendance Line at
610.645.5137 or email msattend@friendscentral.org if your child will be staying home wB ack-to-School Info:
friendscentral.org/backtoschool2021
parent portal in Veracross
q Lunch plan with new food partner SAGE q Transportation plans q Review Contact Information in Veracross (myfcs.org) 2
CONTENTS Upcoming Events & Helpful Contacts.................................1 Letter From the Principal, Fast Facts, & New Parent Checklist........................................................ 2 Orientation Day, Information & Communication.............. 4 Arrival & Departure Procedures......................................... 5 School Absences................................................................... 5 Transportation....................................................................... 6 Dining Services, Recess, & Lunch....................................... 7 Health Services...................................................................... 7 Student Support Services.................................................... 7 Academic Schedule & Classes............................................ 7 City Avenue Campus Map.................................................... 8 Grades & Report Cards......................................................... 9 Technology............................................................................. 11 Our Quaker Culture..............................................................12 Diversity, Equity, Belonging, & Inclusivity....................... 14 Extracurricular Activities................................................... 14 Athletics.................................................................................15 How to Get Involved............................................................. 16 Other Helpful Information...................................................17 Helpful Links & Resources................................................. 18 3
ORIENTATION DAY Thursday, September 2 (9:30-11:30 am) is Orientation Day! Orientation Day is designed for the entire sixth grade and seventh and eighth grade students new to Friends’ Central. Students will meet teachers, learn the locations of classes, learn how the schedule works, and more! Parents are also encouraged to stay for a Q and A during this same time. Please check the Back-to-School page, friendscentral.org/ backtoschool2021, for more details about Orientation Day. There is a Middle School Curriculum Night for all Middle School parents on Tuesday, September 21 at 7 pm. We hope you will attend to meet your child’s teachers, to learn more about the curriculum, and to meet other parents.
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION Please spend some time exploring the School’s website, friendscentral.org, and the Veracross portal, myfcs.org. Both are extremely helpful sources of information. You can continue to use the Veracross credentials you used to sign into the Admission and Enrollment portals. If you are not new to the School, the credentials you used in Lower School will continue to work. 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 reset your password. VERACROSS - ONLINE PORTAL FOR ACADEMIC INFORMATION For FCS parents/guardians, the Veracross Parent Portal is the central online information hub for the School. This is where you can view your child’s schedule, attendance records, and report cards, as well as schedule your conference in November. Veracross also keeps a log of the emails that have been sent to you by the School and has helpful links to the School Directory, the Magnus Health portal, and tech help. There is also a button on your Veracross home screen that enables you to access Canvas, our student workflow and class management program. JUST THE FACTS (JTF) Every Friday, Just the FaCtS (JTF), our electronic newsletter about events and news, is sent to all parents/guardians. It is critical that you read JTF every week since it has the most current information and upcoming events posted about a month in advance, as well as important messages from the Principal. Important information and invitations will also be shared with you as an email blast from the FCS Communications Office. 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 calendar, photo galleries, athletics updates, and information on what is happening at FCS. There is also the Backto-School page, friendscentral.org/backtoschool2021, for important information you need before school starts. 4
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE PROCEDURES ARRIVAL wS chool begins at 8:20 am. Students should arrive at school between 8 am and 8:20 am so they can prepare for the day. Homeroom begins promptly at 8:20 am. w If you plan to drive your child to school, the car line travels
around the curve of the City Avenue driveway. Parents/ guardians should pull over to let students out and then continue along the driveway. LATE ARRIVAL If students come to school late, they must sign in at the Middle School Office upon arrival. A parent/guardian should notify the MS Office by calling or emailing Marian Petrarca, MS Administrative Assistant, if it is an excused late arrival. DEPARTURE wS chool ends at 3:10 pm, unless a student is involved with an athletic event or play practice. If students are awaiting pickup, they are expected to be in front of Shallcross Hall or in the library, which is open until 4 pm. wA t the end of the day, the parking lot is reserved for buses
from 2:45 pm until 3:20 pm. We realize that families want to pick up their children, but we ask that you wait until at least 3:20 pm to arrive for pick-up. This is both safer and more efficient, since it eliminates the need for students to cross through bus traffic to get to parked cars. w I f you do arrive before buses have departed, a staff member will
direct you to form lines in the parking lot until the buses are clear. wT here is no cell phone use during drop-off or pick-up. Please
follow the directives of staff members. EARLY DISMISSAL If a student needs to be dismissed early, a note or email must be sent to the MS Office with any details regarding the early dismissal. When it is time to leave, the child must go to the MS Office to sign out. SCHOOL ABSENCES Parents are expected to keep sick children at home. Children who have experienced fevers or vomiting should not return to school until 24 healthy hours have passed. If you are keeping 5
your child at home, please call the Middle School Attendance Line at 610.645.5137 or email msattend@friendscentral.org by 9 am. School assignments missed during the child’s absence may be obtained by notifying the Middle School Office. Students are encouraged to consult Canvas for information about assignments.
• M orning Lower School to City Ave leaves at 8:05 am from the bus circle • There is no afternoon shuttle from City Ave to LS wP ublic School District Bus Transportation: FCS is responsible
for notifying all school districts of eligible FCS students. School districts then contact families with the routes, including pick-up and drop-off times. If you do not receive route information by the third week of August, please contact your school district and FCS so that we may assist you in getting the information you require. wP ublic Transportation: The School District of Philadelphia
provides a yearly TransPass for eligible MS/US students. If an eligible student would like a TransPass, please go to the front desk of the Main Building. A free shuttle is available to transport students between the Overbrook train station, the 63rd and Malvern Bus Depot, and the City Avenue Campus. Shuttles to the transportation hubs run at the following times: • Morning shuttles run from 7:45 am through 8:15 am • Afternoon shuttle departs at 3:20 pm, Monday to Friday • Late shuttle departs at 5:40 pm (Monday through Friday) Although this is a free service, we ask that families register online so that we can ensure that bus and van allocations are adequate for the ridership. If you need assistance with transportation questions, please contact JB Bowie, Transportation Manager, at 610.247.3520 or jbbowie@friendscentral.org.
TRANSPORTATION Friends’ Central students get to school in many different
CONTACTS & RESOURCES wM iddle School Office: 610.645.5063 wA bsentee Line:
610.645.5137, msattend@friendscentral.org
ways, including private vehicles, school district buses, and SEPTA. There is a free inter-campus Shuttle Service between the two campuses in the morning, and a free shuttle service to the Overbrook train station.
wT ransportation:
w I nter-campus shuttle: Morning and afternoon shuttle service
wA uxiliary Programs: friendscentral.org/aux_programs
JB Bowie, jbbowie@friendscentral.org wM S Administrative Assistant:
Marian Petrarca, mpetrarca@friendscentral.org
runs between the City Avenue and Lower School campuses. 6
DINING SERVICES, RECESS, & LUNCH
If you have any questions, email Josh Van Dyke, RN at JVanDyke@friendscentral.org.
DINING SERVICES Students may bring lunch from home or purchase breakfast, lunchand snacksà la carte from our new food service partner SAGE Dining Services. All students receive a student ID card which enables them to purchase food with our dining service debit system. This ID card is linked to the debit system that can be replenished with cash, check, or via a credit card, online or in the Dining Hall. Please visit friendscentral.org/ aux_programs for more information about dining services.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
RECESS AND LUNCH wS tudents have a 15-minute recess each day (around 10:30 am) that allows them to play outside or in the gyms, eat a snack, or socialize. wL unch is a 35-minute period, and all Middle School students
and teachers eat lunch together in the Dining Hall or at our picnic tables. When students are finished eating, they are welcome to play outside or in the gyms.
HEALTH SERVICES The City Ave campus has a full-time Registered Nurse, Josh Van Dyke, overseeing the health of our student body as well as an Athletic Trainer, Kevin Bolton. Students and parents are encouraged to contact the nurse with questions about managing illnesses, allergies, or medications at school. All necessary and required health information is found through our secure Magnus Health Portal that you can access through Veracross. Regular email reminders are automatically sent for any outstanding information related to your student. A Physical Examination is required for every student every year. It is due on the month of your child’s birthday or on the anniversary of your child’s last physical examination. For new students, Physical Examination information is required before your child may attend the first day of school. Participation in Middle School athletic activities will be denied if current medical information is not on file in Magnus. For all the details about required medical information, consent forms, medication procedures, emergency health care plans, allergies, and immunizations please visit the Health Services page of our website. 7
There are a variety of support systems in place for students’ learning, social, and emotional needs. The Director of Support Services and Middle School Counselor is Frederick Pratt (fpratt@friendscentral.org), and the Middle School Learning Specialist is Jill MacDougall (jmacdougall@friendscentral.org). Heather Tomes (htomes@friendscentral.org) is an additional counselor along with interns from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. All of our specialists are available to provide student support as well as resources and referrals for families. If you have any questions about mental health, wellness, social/emotional learning, psychological/ neuropsychological, or educational testing, please contact: Frederick Pratt, LPC at 610.645.5134.
ACADEMIC SCHEDULE & CLASSES SCHEDULE & CLASSES One of the biggest changes for students as they move to Middle School is the rotating class schedule. The students have a letter day class schedule that rotates through the week. The days are labeled consecutively - A-F. It is helpful for students to know which letter day it is prior to coming to school that day. The letter days appear on the Veracross calendar and are also posted in classrooms. Students do not travel from class to class as a group but are mixed up in each of their classes, so it is important that they consult their individual schedules. HOMEWORK Homework for each day is posted on Canvas before 3:30 pm. Each Middle School student has a Friends’ Central email address, Canvas account, and Google Drive account. w F CS Email: Students should check email regularly for
any timely messages from teachers. Each student’s email
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13
11 12 9
2
3 7
15
10
8
6 17
1
16
5 4 18
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CITY AVENUE CAMPUS MAP
6. B lackburn Library
13. Track, Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer Field
7. Rex Gym
14. Additional Playing Fields
8. Linton Gym
15. Girls’ Field Hockey & Lacrosse Field
1. M ain Building
9. Shimada Athletic Center
16. Varsity Softball Field
2. L anguage Building
10. Tennis Center
17. Felsen Common
3. F annie Cox Center (FCC)
11. Swimming Pool
18. Visitor Parking
4. S hallcross Hall
12. JV & Middle School Softball & JV Soccer Field
19. Bus Pick-up & Drop-off (Buses only between 2:45 & 3:25 pm)
5. M iddle School
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account will be through Gmail, but the address itself will be an @friendscentral.org address that is managed by our Technology department. w C anvas: Canvas is our classroom management and work-
flow program used by teachers and students. Parents also have their own Canvas account where they can view their students’ assignments and access other community resources and information. If you are having trouble with Canvas, please view our helpful blogs under IT Help on the Parent Page of the website. w G oogle Drive: Google Drive is the place where students
produce much of their work. It allows students to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. This work is stored in the cloud, so students can access it from any device connected to the Internet.
GRADES & REPORT CARDS We provide both letter grades and narrative comments on our report card in the Middle School. We are currently on a semester system, so you will receive report cards in late January and early June. Between the report cards, we do write mid-semester reports in which teachers provide brief progress reports for your child. The mid-semester report for the first semester is conveyed face-to-face during the November 5 Conference Day. The face-to-face parent-teacher conferences enable advisors to share observations about the beginning of the school year and to allow parents to help us know their child better. Our first Getting-to-Know-You Conference Day will be on Wednesday, September 8. Parents will be able to schedule a 20-minute in-person or video conference with their child’s advisor. Your child’s advisor will look forward to getting to know more about your child and your family, as well as sharing information about what to expect from your child in the first weeks of school. Our fall Conference Day for 2021 will take place on Friday, November 5. You will be able to sign up electronically, via Veracross, for your conference time a few weeks before the Conference Day. ADVISORY We find that most students have a very smooth transition, one that is supported by caring teachers, small classes, and 9
welcoming students. The advisory system is an important component of the transition to Middle School. w Your child’s advisor is their homeroom teacher. Their advi-
sor will be their point person, advocate, and cheerleader! The advisor is charged with overseeing your child’s overall progress and social-emotional well-being. They are also meant to be a point person to answer questions for parents and to connect you to the School. w There is an advisory period for 35 minutes every day. This
gives your child time to work on homework, to seek help from teachers, or to work on group projects. w During their advisory period, students may also participate
in Chorus, Orchestra, or Jazz Band.
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TECHNOLOGY
consider these times important for social interaction and essential for a break in students’ screen time.
Each student in the Middle School will receive a Schoolissued and owned Chromebook, the leasing cost of which will be spread across FACTS tuition payments. This Chromebook will be used in classes and for schoolwork.
CELL PHONE USE Students are permitted to have cell phones, but they must remain off and in their lockers during the school day. This is also true of any kind of earbuds or headphones, which must be put away once a student arrives on campus and remain stored until 3 pm. If you wish to communicate a message to your child during the day, please do so by calling the Middle School Office. Students are permitted to use our classroom or office phones at any time should they need to reach a parent or guardian.
TECHNOLOGY USE Students will be asked to use their Chromebooks for a range of assignments and schoolwork-related activities. While students may use their devices until 8:15 am, there is no device use during homeroom, recess, or lunch. We
OVERVIEW OF MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMICS This chart gives you an overview of the courses students take in Middle School.
CORE CLASSES
GRADE 6
GRADE 7
GRADE 8
Math 6 or Pre-Algebra*
Pre-Algebra or Advanced Algebra I*
Algebra I or Advanced Geometry*
English 6
English 7
Science 6: Topics in Life Science History 6: Human Geography
Science: Intro to Physical Science
Prima Lingua
American History 1600-1865
American History Part II 1865-Present
Spanish, French, or Latin**
Spanish, French, or Latin**
Art
Art
Drama
Drama
Engineering: Design Thinking
Music
Music
Study Skills
Health
Quakerism
Computer Science
English 8 Science: Environmental Science
Art: CREATE
ELECTIVES
Drama: Walking in Another’s Shoes Music: Composing Through Time Economics: Financial Literacy
*Math levels are determined by placement tests, grades, performance in the previous class and teacher recommendation. The vast majority of our students progress from Math 6 to Pre-Algebra to Algebra I. Students then take either Geometry or Advanced Geometry in ninth grade. 11
**Students and parents choose from Spanish, French, and Latin for seventh grade. Students take this same language in eighth grade; level I of that language is taught over the course of two years. Students can then continue in the next level of that language for ninth grade or take a different language.
OUR QUAKER CULTURE At Friends’ Central, School life is steeped in Quaker values. At every level, we promote a commitment to learning through inquiry, reflection, action, and discovery – an approach that stems from two foundational beliefs of the Religious Society of Friends: that there is that of the Spirit in every one and that Truth is continually revealed. Our foundational beliefs call Quaker educators and students to a life of ongoing, joy-filled, Spirit-led discovery with one another. The daily impact of this philosophical grounding cannot be overstated. It informs the shape of curriculum, but more importantly, the way curriculum is delivered by faculty and embraced by students. We intentionally build an inclusive atmosphere that fosters the development of curiosity, openness, empathy, and respect for ideas and for one another. MEETING FOR WORSHIP (MFW) Foundational for Friends, or Quakers, is the belief that the Light of the Divine resides in each and every person. Meeting for Worship is a time when we gather together, still our bodies and minds and open our hearts, so that we might connect with the guiding Light within. We make every effort to ensure that students understand why we do Meeting for
Worship and how the silence and stillness can help them in other aspects of their lives. The Middle School has Meeting for Worship every Thursday morning during Community Block. Some Meetings are held with the entire student body, while others are held with smaller groups, such as grades or advisories.
CONTACTS & RESOURCES w Middle School Office: 610.645.5063 wM iddle School Learning Specialist:
Jill MacDougall, jmacdougall@friendscentral.org wD irector of Support Services and
Middle School Counselor: Frederick Pratt fpratt@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5134
wQ uakerism Coordinator: Robyn Richmond
rrichmond@friendscentral.org wD irector of Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion:
Erica Snowden, esnowden@friendscentral.org
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CONTACTS & RESOURCES wM S Club & Service Options:
friendscentral.org/signatureprogramsMS w I nstrumental Music: Carl Bradley, cbradley@friendscentral.org wV ocal Music: Michele Zuckman, mzuckman@friendscentral.org wA thletics: Michelle Crowley, mcrowley@friendscentral.org w Athletic Schedules: friendscentral.org/teams_schedules
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, BELONGING, & INCLUSIVITY
to them. The range of choices may at first seem daunting, but making these choices is an important part of students developing aspects of their identities and engaging in the community.
Friends’ Central School strives to be a deeply respectful and loving environment rooted in Quaker values and committed to supporting individuals to have what they need to thrive. We recognize that some members of our community may face barriers due to their race and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class background, religion, ability, family structure, and other social identities. We are engaged in an ongoing journey to become more aware of these barriers and provide opportunities and programming that foster greater equity and create an increasingly healthy, diverse, and inclusive environment for everyone.
CLUBS & SERVICE Each Middle School student participates in a weekly service project and club, both of which are part of the school day. Service takes place during Community Block on Wednesdays. Clubs take place during Community Block on Fridays. Students sign up for service projects twice per year, with the exception of some year-long projects. Students also sign up for clubs twice per year. You can see some of our service projects and club options from this year on the Friends’ Central website at friendscentral.org/signatureprogramsMS.
Grounded in Quaker tradition and practice, we strive to embody our commitment to justice and equity through our policies, practices and the culture we build together. We call upon all members of our community – faculty, staff, students, administrators, parents, trustees, and alumni/ae – to join us. Our Director of Equity, Belonging and Inclusion Erica Snowden, esnowden@friendscentral.org, leads our community through her inclusion, belonging, and equity work with students, faculty, and parents. She is central to the coordination and implementation of our Plan 175 (strategic plan) diversity goals. She provides training and support to colleagues with respect to curriculum and programming, and she offers education and support to all of our parents and families through workshops and affinity and alliance group work. At the Middle School, Erica guides our students through their affinity group work. She is their champion and cheerleader as they think about identity on a personal level and on a community level.
AFFINITY GROUPS Middle School students participate in affinity groups based on particular aspects of their identity, such as gender or religion. Affinity groups meet once per month, led by a faculty advisor and two student leaders, to discuss some of the challenges and rewards that come with that particular identity. Each group facilitates an assembly presentation to help educate members of the community. MINI-COURSE “Mini-Course” is a signature program in the Middle School that occurs the week prior to spring break. Teachers design three-day interdisciplinary courses that cross grade levels and culminate in special field trips related to the subject. Recent courses have included the History of Medicine, Sports Stadium Architecture, and Filmmaking.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
DRAMA PROGRAM The Middle School performs two plays each year – one in the fall and one in the spring. All students are welcome and encouraged to participate! Lori Reed, the Middle School drama director, will share information about the auditions and rehearsal schedule at the beginning of the school year. Students then sign up for the fall play within the first two weeks of school. Middle School play rehearsals are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:30-5:00 pm. Participating in the play does not conflict with participation in sports.
Middle School offers a range of extracurricular activities. The School is committed to supporting and celebrating the diversity of its students, enabling students to develop into strong, confident, and capable young people by pursuing their innate interests and exploring activities that may be new
MUSIC PROGRAM The Middle School performs two concerts each year to showcase Chorus, Orchestra, and Jazz Band. Chorus and Orchestra are open to all Middle School students, but Jazz Band is formed by audition. The rehearsals for vocal and instrumental 14
groups take place during the advisory period in our schedule, so they are built into the day. Our school also offers private vocal and instrumental lessons that we schedule during the day. If you have inquiries about vocal or instrumental lessons, please contact music teacher Carl Bradley at cbradley@friendscentral.org.
ATHLETICS All students participate in our athletic program. Middle School students sign up for fall athletics during the first week of school. There is no preseason for the Middle School athletic program. Middle School athletic practices are built into the school day (2-3 pm on M, T, Th, F; 2:30-3 pm on W). Game days for interscholastic sports are Mondays and
ATHLETICS OVERVIEW FALL (SEPT-NOV)
Wednesdays. Students ride the bus to and from games, and parents pick up children at FCS after the game. Some of our opponent schools are quite a distance from FCS, so parents will need to plan for their child to be picked up late on game days, Mondays and Wednesdays. Coaches can usually give a good estimate of the arrival time back at school following an away game, and we do encourage students to use cell phones, when possible, to stay in touch with parents about late pick-up. Please check the Athletics section of the website for schedule and location of games. Schedules can be found at friendscentral.org/athletics/teams. Most sports teams will have tryouts which will determine rosters based on skill level and with the understanding that in some sports the roster size is limited. Students not making teams are encouraged to try a different sport or participate in the seasonal intramural offering. If numbers dictate, then we will try to offer both “A” and “B” teams, which can vary in
WINTER (NOV-MARCH)
SPRING (MARCH-JUNE)
Wrestling
CO-ED
Cross Country*
Swimming
Intramural Flag Football
Squash*
Track*
(Students ride the bus to and from Cynwyd Club, returning to campus at 3:30 pm.)
BOYS
Soccer
Basketball*
Soccer
GIRLS
Field Hockey Tennis
*Interscholastic and Intramural 15
Basketball*
Baseball Tennis
Lacrosse Softball
skill level. Player development – both skill and character – is emphasized as an essential part of the athletic program. w On an “A” team, at the coaches’ discretion, playing and prac-
tice time may be limited and not equal; however, coaches will work with players to find opportunities to play everyone during the course of the season. w On a “B” team, the coach will work intentionally with players
to provide equal playing and practice time. Any questions, please contact Michelle Crowley, Director of Athletics and Wellness, at mcrowley@friendscentral.org.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED THE HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (HSA) 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 or
new to the Middle School, please feel free to reach out to your HSA division co-chairs, Catherine Chiang and Elisha Snedeker, with any questions you may have. They are helpful parent volunteers who are available to assist you as your family transitions to FCS and the Middle School You can play an important role as a volunteer helping in many ways, from being a parent rep or a committee chair to helping at All-School events. HSA believes that parents/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. PARENTS OF STUDENTS OF COLOR (PSOC) For parents of students of color, our PSOC Affinity Group fosters communication within the school community between administration, faculty, staff, parents, and children. PSOC supports efforts to develop greater awareness of the needs and values of children of color and to empower children of color within
CONTACTS & RESOURCES wM iddle School Home and School Association
Co-Chairs: Catherine Chiang, ejchiang23@gmail.com Elisha Snedeker, ehsnedeker@gmail.com wP SOC Co-Clerks:
Ily Houston, ilyhouston@gmail.com Simone Knight, sknight19008@yahoo.com Day Yohannes, tsedayyohannes@gmail.com wH SA Co-Clerks:
Meg Wusinich, mfarbmanwusinich@gmail.com Osaru Anyumba, osaruanyumba@gmail.com wD irector of Home and School Partnerships:
Andrea Nuneviller, anuneviller@friendscentral.org
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the FCS community as part of a unified whole. This year, we will build on our ongoing work creating a space for parent leadership development, building capacity, engaging in meaningful partnerships, and working together for our students’ success. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our PSOC Co-Clerks, Ily Houston, Simone Knight, and Day Yohannes. Please save the date for our first meeting on Monday, October 11 at 7 pm.
event of an unplanned closing. Visit the Veracross portal, myfcs.org, to make sure the contact information we have for you 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 weatherrelated changes in transportation, if your child uses public school bus service.
Mark your calendar! Sunday, September 26 at 1 pm on the City Avenue campus, Welcome Cookout sponsored by Parents of Students of Color. All families are invited to enjoy good food with friends. Grill items and beverages will be provided, and we would love for you to bring your favorite side dish or dessert! Want to help out? Contact Andrea Nuneviller at anuneviller@friendscentral.org.
FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL GIVING
OTHER HELPFUL INFO 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. SAFETY & SECURITY Friend’ Central is fortunate to have a wonderful group of campus safety and security officers who patrol our campus daily and assist in the event of emergencies. We also have various layers of campus security that include our card access system, radio system, silent alarms and more. All Middle School students have identification cards that they are required to wear on campus and that give them access to the school buildings. Visitors to campus must go to the Main Building to sign in and do not have access to buildings unless they are admitted by a receptionist or while escorted by an FCS employee. INCLEMENT WEATHER & SCHOOL CLOSINGS In the event of an unplanned closing, a modification of regular school hours, or a school emergency, the School will post a notification on the homepage of our website, friendscentral.org and on the School’s Facebook and Twitter pages. You will also receive an alert by text and email in the 17
Gifts to the Friends’ Central Fund are an important way for families, alumni/ae, faculty, staff, and friends to demonstrate their commitment to Friends’ Central. There is a strong tradition of giving at FCS, and the ongoing generosity of so many allows the legacy of support to continue year after year. Annually, over 1,500 generous community members contribute to the School’s operating budget. The School’s operating budget directly impacts the people and programs that make an FCS education extraordinary. Specifically, gifts to the Friends’ Central Fund include financial aid for talented students, faculty and staff support, diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, student-life initiatives such as athletics and the arts, and much more. Participation in the Friends’ Central Fund at any and all levels makes a difference because it affirms belief in our mission and models the way for all members of our community to show support for our school. Additionally, Annual Fund volunteers are vital to the success of the Annual Giving Campaign. Tasks may include connecting with community members (grade specific) through making phone calls, sending emails or text messages, or connecting through social media. Typically, volunteers are needed for community-wide Giving Days in the fall and the spring. Serving as an Annual Fund volunteer has an immediate impact on the School and our ability to fulfill our mission of excellence at every level. To become an Annual Fund volunteer, contact Melissa DiNofia - Bozzone, Director of Annual Giving, at mdinofia@friendscentral.org, or call 610-645-5420.
HELPFUL LINKS
HELPFUL RESOURCES
w Athletic Schedules
w Athletics & Wellness
friendscentral.org/teams_schedules w Back-to-School Page
friendscentral.org/backtoschool2021 w F CS Auxiliary Programs - Dining Services,
Transportation, Music Programs, & After-School Options friendscentral.org/aux_programs w Parent Website Page
friendscentral.org/parentupdates w Volunteer Sign-up
friendscentral.org/parentupdates
Michelle Crowley, mcrowley@friendscentral.org w Director of Home & School Partnerships
Andrea Nuneviller, anuneviller@friendscentral.org w Director of Support Services
Frederick Pratt, fpratt@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5134 wM iddle School Learning Specialist
Jill MacDougall, jmacdougall@friendscentral.org w Director of Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion
Erica Snowden, esnowden@friendscentral.org w Instrumental Music
Carl Bradley, cbradley@friendscentral.org w Vocal Music
Michele Zuckman, mzuckman@friendscentral.org w School Nurse
FCS LINGO & FUN FACTS w JTF - Just the FaCtS (our weekly newsletter) w PPU - Car Pick-up at the end of the day w MFW - Meeting for Worship
Joshua Van Dyke, jvandyke@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5084 wT ransportation Coordinator
JB Bowie, jbbowie@friendscentral.org w Quakerism Coordinator
Robyn Richmond, rrichmond@friendscentral.org
w HSA - Home and School Association, FCS Parent Group
w Technology - parenthelp@friendscentral.org
w School Mascot - The Phoenix
w Absentee Line - 610.645.5137
w School Colors - Blue and Gray w Ruvna - Daily morning health check system
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We Go Further
