From the Home and School Association
FCS UPPER SCHOOL New Parent Guide 2019-2020
UPCOMING EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Monday, August 19 Preseason Athletics Begins Thursday, August 29 Orientation Day I All New Students & All Grade 9 Students Tuesday, September 3 wO rientation Day II Classes for all Upper School Students w Upper School Picture Day Wednesday, September 4 First Full Day of Classes, 8:25 am
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Thursday, September 5 Thursday, October 17 Upper School Parent Orientation (All New Upper School Principal’s Coffee Parents & All Grade 9 Parents), 6 pm 8:15 am & 7 pm All-School New Parent Welcome, 7 pm Friday, November 8 Tuesday, September 10 Parent-Teacher Conferences (No Classes) Grades 9 & 10 Curriculum Night, 7 pm Thursday, September 19 Grades 11 & 12 Curriculum Night, 7 pm Sunday, September 22 Welcome Cookout - Parents of Students of Color (PSOC), 1 pm
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 starts, please look through the School Calendar, friendscentral.org/calendar, and mark down important dates through the year.
DEAR NEW UPPER SCHOOL FAMILIES, It is my pleasure to welcome you and your family to the Friends’ Central Upper School community! As you begin your transition to FCS Upper School, this guidebook, containing important information on everything from school schedules and Meeting for Worship to clubs, arts, and athletics, will be a useful resource in getting to know our school and our program. I encourage you to read it and keep it handy. Additionally, I welcome you to be in touch with me about any questions you may have as you begin your journey here at Friends’ Central. I look forward to meeting you and to seeing you on campus for some of our many exciting events and programs. Warm regards,
Beth D. Johnson Upper School Principal
HELPFUL CONTACTS Beth Johnson Upper School Principal bjohnson@friendscentral.org 610.645.5051 Bill Kennedy Upper School Assistant Principal wkennedy@friendscentral.org 610.645.5101 Tom MacFarlane Upper School Dean of Students tmacfarlane@friendscentral.org 610.645.5080 Heather Tomes Upper School Student Affairs Coordinator htomes@friendscentral.org 610.645.5102
GRADE DEANS Alex McDonnell Grade 9 Dean amcdonnell@friendscentral.org Frank Fisher Grade 10 Dean ffisher@friendscentral.org Tom Macfarlane (semester one) Jeanette Kelleher (semester two) Grade 11 Deans tmacfarlane@friendscentral.org jkelleher@friendscentral.org Laurie Novo Grade 12 Dean lnovo@friendscentral.org 2
FAST FACTS
NEW PARENT CHECKLIST
w Homeroom begins at 8:25 am, first class begins at 8:30 am
q Submit Health Forms q Summer Reading (Books & Assignments) q Mark Important Fall Dates q Review Technology Requirements q Transportation Plans q Lunch Plan q C heck Emails for Preseason
wM onday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday classes
end at 3:10 pm
w Friday classes end at 2:35 pm w Homework posted by 5:30 pm on Veracross wW eekly School E-Newsletter - Just the FaCtS
Emailed on Fridays
w Call the Upper School Attendance Line
at 610.645.5136 if your child will be staying home
w Snow closing number 345 w Bus pick-up is from 3:10-3:25 pm w Back-to-School Info:
friendscentral.org/backtoschool2019
Athletics Participation Information
q R eview Contact Information in Veracross (myfcs.org)
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CONTENTS Upcoming Events.............................................................1 Letter from the Principal & Helpful Contacts..................2 Fast Facts & New Parent Checklist..................................3 Orientation Day, Information, & Communication.............5 Arrival & Departure Procedures & Transportation..........6 Health Services & Dining Services...................................7 City Avenue Campus Map.................................................8 Academics.......................................................................9 Grades & Report Cards..................................................10 Support Services...........................................................10 Technology.....................................................................11 Extracurricular Activities & Service Learning...............11 Our Quaker Culture........................................................13 Arts................................................................................14 Athletics........................................................................15 How to Get Involved.......................................................16 Other Helpful Information.............................................16 Friends’ Central School Giving......................................17 Helpful Resources & Links.............................................18 4
ORIENTATION DAYS ORIENTATION DAY I To make the transition into the school year as smooth as possible, we welcome all new students, including all grade 9 students to the Welcoming Program on Thursday, August 29 (for a detailed schedule, visit friendscentral.org/ backtoschool2019). New students will connect with classmates, peer mentors, and a variety of Upper School students, advisors, and administrators. They will spend the time learning about the school culture, technology platforms, academic offerings, athletics and art opportunities, and what to expect in the first few weeks of school. ORIENTATION DAY II All Upper School students are required to attend school on Tuesday, September 3 to go through their schedule and meet their teachers. The schedule is as follows: w All grade 9 & 12 students: 8:30 am-1:30 pm w All grade 10 & 11 students: 10 am-1:30 pm
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 in to the Admission and Enrollment portals. If you are not new to the School, the credentials you used previously 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 use to reset your password. VERACROSS - ONLINE PORTAL FOR ACADEMIC INFORMATION As an FCS parent/guardian, you can access the Veracross Parent Portal to view your child’s schedule, attendance records, conference sign-ups, and report cards. Veracross is where all Upper School teachers post students’ homework assignments, so you can use your Veracross Parent Portal to view your child’s current and upcoming assignments. Veracross also contains the School directory and allows you to search for families that live nearby. 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. 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, lunch menus, and information on what is happening at FCS. There is also the Back-to-School page, friendscentral.org/backtoschool2019, for important information you need before school starts.
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ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE PROCEDURES ARRIVAL wS chool begins at 8:25 am. Students should arrive at school between 7:30 am and 8:25 am so they can prepare for the day. Homeroom begins promptly at 8:25 am and ends at 8:30 am. w If you plan to drive your student to school, the car line
travels around the curve of the City Avenue driveway. Parents/guardians pull over to let students out and then continue along the driveway.
LATE ARRIVAL If students arrive late, they must sign in at the kiosk in the US Office with a written excuse from a parent/guardian. DEPARTURE wO n Mondays through Thursdays, classes end at 3:10 pm. On Fridays, classes end at 2:35 pm. Each Tuesday from 2:35-3:10 pm, there is a common time when students may meet with teachers or hold club meetings. There may also be some Upper School programming at this time. wA t the end of the day, the parking lot driveways are reserved
for buses from 2:45 until 3:25 pm. We realize that parents/ guardians want to pick up their children, but we ask that you wait until at least 3:25 pm to arrive in your car. 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 3:25 pm, a staff member will direct
you to form lines in the parking lot until the buses are clear.
EARLY DISMISSAL A parent/guardian must call the attendance line at 610.645.5136, or email Heather Tomes in the US Office at htomes@friendscentral.org with the details of early dismissal. When it is time to leave, your child must go to the US Office to sign out at the kiosk. Students may not leave campus early without permission from a parent/guardian.
TRANSPORTATION Friends’ Central students get to school in many different ways, including private vehicles, FCS school buses, and SEPTA. Friends’ Central partners with Phillytrans to provide for-fee Route Service to both campuses, an Inter-campus Shuttle Service, and a free shuttle service to the Overbrook train station. Buses are staffed with experienced and safe
drivers who meet all of the current state and federal requirements. If you are interested in FCS busing, please see the website for registration. If you have any questions, please contact JB Bowie, Transportation Manager, at 610.247.3520 or jbbowie@friendscentral.org. wF CS Route Service Buses: Morning routes are designed
to pick up in local communities and deliver students to school with ample time for the morning bell. Afternoon departure time from the City Avenue campus is promptly at 3:20 pm. We also offer a late bus to the Overbrook train station departing at 5:40 pm. There is a fee for FCS Busing, and families are asked to sign up on a semester or annual basis. As routes are established and finalized, parents will receive written confirmation of busing information.
w I nter-Campus Shuttles: Morning and afternoon shuttle
service runs between the City Avenue and Lower School campuses. In the morning, a shuttle leaves the Lower School campus for City Avenue at 8:05 am. In the afternoon, a shuttle departs from City Avenue for the Lower School at 3:20 pm. There is a fee for this service.
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: A free bus service is available to
transport students between the Overbrook train station, the 63rd and Malvern Bus Depot and the City Avenue campus. The School District of Philadelphia provides monthly TransPasses for eligible US students. TransPasses may be collected from Saroj Gupta at the front desk of the Main Building. 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) wA lthough 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. wD riving to School: Upper School students of legal age with a
valid driver’s license may drive to Friends’ Central. There is limited on-campus parking. Seniors (and juniors after Spring Break) can apply for an on-campus parking permit. After registering and submitting payment online, students must contact READ DeSabato (redesabato@friendscentral.org) to obtain their pass before parking on campus. 6
CONTACTS & RESOURCES wU pper School Office: 610.645.5102 wA bsentee Line: 610.645.5136 wT ransportation: JB Bowie,
jbbowie@friendscentral.org, 610.247.3520
wS tudent Affairs Coordinator: Heather Tomes,
htomes@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5102
wS chool Nurse: Penny Rosenblum,
prosenblum@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5084
HEALTH SERVICES Our campus has a full-time nurse overseeing the health of our student body. The City Avenue campus also has a certified athletic trainer. Students and parents are encouraged to contact the nurse with questions about managing illness, allergies, or medication at school. All health forms can be found on the homepage of our website in the top navigation bar under Quick Links. 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 also 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 received the form in an email, please contact Upper School Nurse Penny Rosenblum at prosenblum@friendscentral.org. A Physician’s Report of Physical Examination Form 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. 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 7
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. If there is information you would like to share, or if you have any questions, please contact Middle and Upper School Nurse Penny Rosenblum at prosenblum@friendscentral.org or 610.645.5084. Open communication will help us give your child the best care possible. ILLNESS OR UNPLANNED ABSENCES A parent or guardian must call the Upper School Office on the day of the absence. If a student is ill for more than one day, a parent or guardian must call each day to inform the School of the student’s absence. Students who are ill are encouraged to stay home for the entire day. To maintain the healthiest environment possible, the School does not recommend that students with a fever or strong symptoms come on campus during the time of their illness. If the student is absent for more than one day due to an illness, the School may require a doctor’s note in order for the student to return to school.
DINING SERVICES Students may bring a lunch from home or purchase lunch items à la carte or through a meal plan contract. Allergen information about the food will be on displayed on an allergen board located at the entrance of the Dining Hall. This board is updated 30 minutes prior to service to assure accuracy. No peanuts or tree nuts will be used in any of the foods produced. Prepackaged Kind Bars and prepackaged peanut butter sandwiches are available, and sunbutter (sunflower) will be offered as a replacement for peanut butter. All students will receive a student ID card allowing them to purchase food with the debit system that can be replenished with cash, check, or via a credit card, online or in the Dining Hall. This year, we have started accepting credit cards at the register. Please visit friendscentral.org/aux_programs for more information about dining services. Our new dining services partner, Flik, will continue to expand our commitment to local sourcing and organic produce in the upcoming school year.
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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. B us Pick-up & Drop-off (Buses only between 2:45 & 3:25 pm)
5. M iddle School
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ACADEMICS Friends’ Central’s Upper School curriculum provides an exceptional college-preparatory program in an atmosphere that sets the highest of academic and personal standards. Classrooms promote independent thought, the courage to voice individual opinions, and the expectation that students will listen to and value one another’s opinions. Cooperative discussions, one-on-one conferences with faculty, and individual work encourage students to think and perform independently and to solve problems in innovative ways. SCHEDULE & CLASSES The Upper School academic year is divided into 2 semesters. The students have a six-day class schedule - A Day through F Day - that rotates across the days of the week. Wednesday is W Day, which always stays the same with all class blocks meeting on that day. The letter days appear on the School’s printed calendar and on Veracross. CURRICULUM Students, in collaboration with their parents/guardians and advisors, should use the Upper School Curriculum Planner as a guide for choosing courses for the following academic year. Students should keep in mind the anticipated path of study through senior year, as well as prerequisite and graduation requirements. The curriculum planner, which includes detailed course descriptions, can be found on the website at bit.ly/USplanner2019-2020. ADD/DROP POLICY Students can add courses until September 27 and drop courses until October 18 without a penalty. See the Curriculum Planner for a more detailed description of the policy. ADVISORY When students enter the Upper School, their homeroom teachers serve as their advisors. These advisors typically continue with the same homerooms through their four years of Upper School. The advisors monitor student progress, provide counsel when necessary, help with course selection, and communicate with parents/guardians on a regular basis. If there is a non-academic issue that parents/guardians would like to discuss, your child’s advisor is the person to contact. STUDY HALLS & FREE BLOCKS Grade 9 and 10 students are assigned to study hall; any remaining non-class time (such as community blocks) they are free to manage on their own. Grade 11 and 12 students 9
are not assigned a study hall, so students in good standing may elect to meet and work independently at various locations on campus. HOMEWORK Most teachers create weekly (or longer) assignment schedules to help students anticipate and manage academic expectations within the larger framework of their lives. Student homework assignments may be in a variety of ways, such as a hard copy, a Google doc, a Veracross link, or a combination. Parents can see student homework assignments on their Veracross Parent Portal. All homework assignments must be posted on Veracross before 5:30 pm. Teachers use Google Classroom (GC) to manage student workflow. GC is where teachers will put texts and documents to be used in class and with homework. GC is also where students often submit their assignments. TESTS AND QUIZZES The Upper School uses a rotating system of testing days, which is clearly marked on Veracross, to schedule tests and due dates for major assignments. Quizzes may be given on any day. WORK MANAGEMENT All students have their own Friends’ Central email address, Google Drive, and Veracross account to manage their academic responsibilities. wV eracross: Veracross is where teachers post
homework assignments. Students can use Veracross to see different views (weekly vs. monthly) of assignments that are approaching. Parents may also access these assignments.
wF CS email: Students should check email daily for any
timely messages from teachers. Each student’s email account will be through Gmail, but the address itself will be an @friendscentral.org address that is managed by our Technology department.
wG oogle Classroom (GC): Google Classroom is where
teachers attach relevant resources that students will need to complete homework. The detailed explanation of assignments and documents to complete assignments are stored here. Teachers will use Google Classroom to post information for the class, and GC is where the students often submit their work.
wG 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
SUPPORT SERVICES
We are on a semester schedule, so families receive report cards in late January and at the end of the school year in June. Letter grades and narrative comments are given on the Upper School report cards. Students are given letter grades, A-F, for tests and homework performance. They are also graded in participation, work habits, and citizenship with an O/S/U scale. Every fall, we have face-to-face parent/ guardian-advisor conferences to enable advisors to share observations about the beginning of the school year and to allow parents/guardians to help us know their child better. Conference Day for 2019 is scheduled for Friday, November 8. You will be able to sign up electronically on Veracross for your conference a few weeks before the Conference Day.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES The Support Services Team, directed by Frederick Pratt, supports students and teachers in a comprehensive and thoughtful way. There are a variety of supports in place for students’ learning, social, and emotional needs. The Upper School learning specialists, Rachel Slaughter (rslaughter@friendscentral.org) and Jill MacDougall (jmacdougall@friendscentral.org), are available to meet both with individuals and with small groups of students who demonstrate similar needs. The Upper School shares a school psychologist, Frederick Pratt (fpratt@friendscentral.org), with the Middle School. Heather Tomes also serves as school counselor (htomes@friendscentral.org). Frederick and Heather provide short-term individual counseling and participate in teacher team meetings designed to highlight student needs. The counselors work collaboratively with faculty members to help identify strategies which will enhance a student’s experience. Teachers and advisors also offer a great deal of support to students in all aspects of their school life. 10
International students are additionally supported by English Language Learning Specialist Katy Oh (koh@friendscentral.org), who meets with students two days a week. COLLEGE COUNSELING Friends’ Central School provides highly personalized, expert college admission counseling to students and their families. Our two full-time counselors, Grant Calder and Ryan Keaton, have extensive experience working in independent school college counseling and selective college admissions. The first point of contact for parents/guardians and students is Mary Lynne Jeschke, Upper School College Counseling Administrative Assistant. Our emphasis is on counseling rather than placement – educating and advocating throughout the process, with a focus on each student’s talents, interests, and needs. The goal of this student-centered approach is for each member of the class to have the best possible college search experience and for students to find schools where they will continue to flourish beyond their years at Friends’ Central.
TECHNOLOGY In September, grade nine students will be issued Chromebooks, the leasing cost of which will be spread across FACTS tuition payments. Students in grades 10-12 are asked to bring their own device – laptop (PC/Mac/ Chromebook) or iPad with keyboard. Students can opt into the Chromebook leasing program and obtain a managed and insured Chromebook from the School. (More information about this program will be shared later in the summer.) CELL PHONE USE Being mindful of Community, and in an effort to focus on a “be here now” culture, students may not speak on their cell phones without the express permission of a teacher. Outside of class and meetings, students may use their phones to text. Phones must be turned off and put away during Meeting for Worship and other gatherings. Earbuds or headphones may only be used in a supervised class with permission of a teacher. Students are encouraged to use their devices wisely and safely while on campus. In the classroom, device use is up to the discretion of the teacher.
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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & SERVICE LEARNING A fundamental principle of Quaker pedagogy is educating the whole child. To that end, Friends’ Central offers many opportunities for students to expand and deepen their education beyond the classroom. We encourage students to involve themselves in these activities, which offer wonderful opportunities to make friends, discover and develop talents, encourage leadership skills, and serve the FCS community and others. Students will hear more about specific clubs and opportunities early in the school year. CLUBS Clubs are a large part of the dynamic culture of the Upper School, and students are strongly encouraged to participate during their four years at FCS. At the beginning of the school year, Student Council will organize a club fair so that clubs may promote their activities and solicit membership. Interested students can contact any of the club sponsors to find out meeting times and other information. Students can form a new club at any time by stopping by the Dean of Students’ office. For the full list of clubs, please visit the website. If you have any questions please contact Tom MacFarlane, Dean of Students, tmacfarlane@friendscentral.org. SERVICE Community service at Friends’ Central School is part of the School’s identity, culture, and tradition. We believe that caring for our school, local, and global communities serves the guiding testimonies of stewardship, community, peace, and integrity. The program teaches a real world understanding of issues of social justice. As we educate students who will face the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century, it is important that we cultivate an understanding of real world problems so they will be able to affect social change. Service work creates strong individual and institutional relationships, which in turn strengthen our community and each student’s sense of self-worth.The Upper School program includes a required community service component with Upper School students and faculty spending five full days a year at agencies and organizations throughout the greater Philadelphia region. If you have questions about the Upper School service program, please contact Debbie Skapik, at dskapik@friendscentral.org.
CONTACTS & RESOURCES w Upper School Office: 610.645.5102 wD irector of Support Services: Frederick Pratt,
fpratt@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5134 wE nglish Language Learning Specialist: Katy Oh, koh@friendscentral.org, 610.658.5659 wU pper School College Counseling Administrative Assistant: Mary Lynne Jeschke, mjeschke@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5133
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OUR QUAKER CULTURE At Friends’ Central, School life and curriculum are steeped in Quaker values. At every level, we promote a commitment to learning through inquiry, reflection, action, and discovery an approach that stems from the Quaker belief in Continuing Revelation. A simple concept, Continuing Revelation is a foundation upon which the Quaker faith rests. It is the belief that, rather than limit spiritual study to a fixed canon, learning should be an ongoing and never-ending process. Continuing Revelation thus calls Quaker educators and students to a life of ongoing, joy-filled discovery. 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. Teachers are respectful and nurturing of students, and students are respectful of each other and their teachers. QUAKERISM COURSEWORK To ensure that students have a shared understanding of Quakerism and its importance in daily school life, students in grade 9 take a Quakerism course. This rotation course informs students about the foundations of the Quaker faith and practice. The grade 9 class explores silent worship, Spirit, mindfulness, identity, and social justice awareness and education through the lens of Quaker testimonies, 13
principles, and practices. Students who come to the school after the 9th grade year have a 6-session cohort experience led by our Quakerism Coordinator, Robyn Richmond (rrichmond@friendscentral.org), to orient them and to support their understanding of spiritual life in a Quaker school. 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 take part in Meeting for Worship and how the silence and stillness can help them in other aspects of their lives. The Upper School has Meeting for Worship every Wednesday at 9:50 am. Some Meetings are held with the entire student body, while others are held with smaller groups, such as grades or advisories. Parents are welcome to attend Meeting for Worship! MEETING FOR BUSINESS On occasion, the Upper School will meet in a different format known as Meeting for Business to discuss issues of importance to the community. Such meetings are clerked by students with the guidance of their teachers.
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; serves on the diversity committees of each division; and supports student clubs centered on equity work. He also provides support for a Parents Education Series and related affinity groups.
ARTS The Friends’ Central Arts Department provides diverse courses and extracurricular activities encompassing visual and performing arts. Classes explore different approaches to artmaking, as well as an assortment of mediums and styles. Visual arts offerings range from applied arts to fine arts. Music offerings provide opportunities for students to listen to, create, and/or perform music depending on their personal interests. Our drama program includes both modern and classical instruction, and all students are invited to participate either onstage or behind the scenes in any of the three plays produced each year. VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM Visual arts students are offered a variety of curricular courses that explore different approaches to artmaking in an array of mediums and styles. In all courses, students are encouraged to discover their individual artistic voice, further the acquisition of skills, and hone critical thinking during the process of creation. The Student Art Gallery in Shallcross Hall offers a continuous, regularly changing exhibition of student work. Contact Hilary Takiff Weiss, Art Department Chair, with any questions at htakiffweiss@friendscentral.org. DRAMA PROGRAM The Friends’ Central Upper School drama program is dedicated to bringing a variety of theatrical offerings to our students and to the community at large. On our “main stage,” two productions are offered each year, alternating between musical theater productions and plays. An additional play, open to grade 9 and 10 actors, is produced each May. FCS is
honored to offer all theatre and concert performances free of charge in hopes the entire community will benefit from the talent and creativity of our students. Contact Terry Guerin with any questions at tguerin@friendscentral.org. MUSIC PROGRAM Performance opportunities abound in Upper School. The music department’s instrumental concerts in the winter and spring range from full orchestra to chamber ensembles and a jazz band. Selections incorporate a cross-section of musical styles, genres, and periods. If you would like more information about our instrumental music program, please contact Carl Bradley at cbradley@friendscentral.org. Open to all students in grades 9-12, the Upper School Chorus performs in two concerts annually, plus additional school assemblies and events. Chorus members learn the basics of healthy vocal production, music reading skills, and working together as an ensemble. Students are encouraged to consider how their unique personalities and musical gifts enhance the ensemble as a community. The Upper School Chorus sings repertoire from a variety of genres and languages, enabling students to experience a broad range of musical styles. Students may also audition to join the Grace Notes (open to sopranos and altos in grades 9 & 10), Spicetones (sopranos and altos in grades 11 & 12), and Foxtones (tenors and basses in grades 9-12) vocal groups. If you have any questions, please contact Michele Zuckman at mzuckman@friendscentral.org. CONTACTS & RESOURCES w Dean of Students: Tom MacFarlane,
tmacfarlane@friendscentral.org
w Service: Debbie Skapik, dskapik@friendscentral.org wQ uakerism Coordinator: Robyn Richmond,
rrichmond@friendscentral.org wC oordinator of Equity and Justice Education: Dwight Dunston ’06, ddunston@friendscentral.org wV isual Arts/Art Department Chair: Hilary Takiff Weiss ’96 htakiffweiss@friendscentral.org w Drama: Terry Guerin, tguerin@friendscentral.org w I nstrumental Music: Carl Bradley,
cbradley@friendscentral.org
wV ocal Music: Michele Zuckman,
mzuckman@friendscentral.org 14
ATHLETICS & WELLNESS
CONTACTS & RESOURCES
Friends’ Central School student-athletes are guided by the mission of the School and its Quaker values. Athletics at every level promotes community and a shared responsibility for both the growth of the individual and the development of the team. Each student-athlete understands, in practices and in games, that how you lead matters and sportsmanship is held in high regard. If you have any questions about Athletics and Wellness, please contact Michelle Crowley, Director of Athletics and Wellness, at mcrowley@friendscentral.org.
mcrowley@friendscentral.org wA thletics Schedules: friendscentral.org/teams_schedules
PHYSICAL EDUCATION In the Upper School, students are required to participate on an athletic team or in the performing arts during six (out of a total of 12 possible) seasons while in the Upper School. Two of these seasons must be completed by the end of sophomore year. During seasons when students are not participating in athletics or the performing arts, they will be enrolled in physical education, which will require a student to attend Monday through Friday, three times a week at set times, either during the school day or after school. As an alternative to Physical Education students may choose an Independent Athletic Credit, if they qualify, or co-curricular opportunities, such as lifeguarding. Please see the Upper School Curriculum Planner, bit.ly/USplanner2019-2020, for more information​.
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wA thletics & Wellness: Michelle Crowley,
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 Upper School, please feel free to reach out to your HSA division co-chairs, Jodi Miller at davidjodi@comcast.net or Osaru Anyumba at osaruanyumba@gmail.com with any questions you may have. Jodi and Osaru are experienced parent volunteers who are here to help as you transition to the Upper School and/or to FCS. 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 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. PARENTS OF STUDENTS OF COLOR (PSOC) For parents of students of color, our PSOC 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 the FCS community as part of a unified whole. Questions about PSOC? Please contact Lisa Solomon at lisasolo2123@yahoo.com. Please save the date for our first meeting on Monday, October 7 at 7 pm.
CONTACTS & RESOURCES wU pper School Home and School Association Co-Chairs:
Jodi Miller, davidjodi@comcast.net Osaru Anyumba, osaruanyumba@gmail.com wP arents of Students of Color Co-Clerk: Lisa Solomon, lisasolo2123@yahoo.com wH SA Coordinator: Andrea Nuneviller, anuneviller@friendscentral.org
email in the event of a 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 weather-related changes in transportation, if your child uses public school bus service. PERMISSION FORMS All permission forms are completed electronically using the Informed K12 online system. Each form will be sent to parents as an email with a link to the online document that requires an electronic signature. .
Don’t forget the Welcome Cookout sponsored by PSOC on Sunday, September 22 at 1 pm. Want to help out? Contact Andrea Nuneviller at anuneviller@friendscentral.org or Dwight Dunston at ddunston@friendscentral.org.
OTHER HELPFUL INFO INCLEMENT WEATHER & SCHOOL CLOSINGS In the event of a 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. You will also receive an alert by text and 16
FRIENDS’ CENTRAL SCHOOL GIVING Annual gifts to the Friends’ Central Fund are 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, retain outstanding faculty, and maintain two beautiful campuses. Last year, over 75% of parents made a gift to the Friends’ Central Fund. Participation at all levels
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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 610.645.4499.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
HELPFUL LINKS
w Athletics & Wellness
w Athletic Schedules
Michelle Crowley, mcrowley@friendscentral.org w Dining Services
Chris Mazzeo, chris.mazzeo@compass-usa.com w Drama
Terry Guerin, tguerin@friendscentral.org w Student Affairs Coordinator
Heather Tomes, htomes@friendscentral.org
w Director of Support Services
Frederick Pratt, fpratt@friendscentral.org w English Language Learning Specialist
Katy Oh, koh@friendscentral.org w Upper School College Counseling Assistant
Mary Lynne Jeschke, mjeschke@friendscentral.org w Instrumental Music
Carl Bradley, cbradley@friendscentral.org
w Vocal Music
Michele Zuckman, mzuckman@friendscentral.org
w Home & School Coordinator
Andrea Nuneviller, anuneviller@friendscentral.org w Coordinator of Equity and Justice Education
Dwight Dunston ’06, ddunston@friendscentral.org
friendscentral.org/teams_schedules w Back-to-School Page
friendscentral.org/backtoschool2019 w FCS 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 friendscentral.org/ parentupdates
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 and School Association, FCS Parent Group w School Mascot - The Phoenix w School Colors - Blue and Gray
w Service Coordinator
Debbie Skapik, dskapik@friendscentral.org
w Quakerism Coordinator
Robyn Richmond, rrichmond@friendscentral.org
w School Nurse
Penny Rosenblum, prosenblum@friendscentral.org, 610.645.5084 w Transportation Coordinator
JB Bowie, jbbowie@friendscentral.org
w Technology - parenthelp@friendscentral.org w Absentee Line - 610.645.5136
Booklet designed by FCS alumnus Josh Weinstein ’18
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