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2019-20 ACADEMIC YEAR
lancaster country day school
Find out what’s happening and when:
www.lancastercountryday.org/calendar
PARENTS: WELCOME TO THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR Lancaster Country Day School is distinctive in the region because of our demanding college preparatory education and the close, mentoring relationships our faculty has with students. Our shared commitment to the education and growth of your children has defined and animated the LCDS community for generations.
Academic Parents’ Nights give parents the opportunity to meet the faculty and hear about the curriculum and plans each teacher has for the school year.
august
This booklet offers a quick summary of important school information, resources, and programs available to you and your child, and it outlines all the ways parents can participate in school life. For a more detailed account of LCDS policies, please read the LCDS Handbook, which can be found on CORE. (See Page 6 for an explanation of CORE.) We are thrilled you have chosen LCDS and we welcome you. All of you are invited to join us in the dining commons for refreshments at 8:15 a.m. on the first day of school, August 21, and to watch our opening procession at 9:30 a.m. Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable school year.
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MS/US PARENTS’ NIGHT 6:30 P.M.
september
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LS PARENTS’ NIGHT 6:30 P.M.
september
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ALL-SCHOOL PICNIC 5:30 P.M.
Steven D. Lisk, Head of School Parent Guide | 3
COMMUNICATION
This chapter outlines all the ways the school will communicate with you during the school year. In general, your everyday resource tool is CORE, a password-protected web portal for parents and students. It’s essential that you sign-up for push notifications from CORE or log in at least once a week. LCDS Announcements | email
Parents receive the LCDS Announcements email every Friday. It lists information and reminders for upcoming school events, sports news, as well as student extracurricular achievement news.
Athletics | email, website, Twitter @LCDSsports www.lancastercountryday.org/Athletics
Look for regular emails from Athletic Director Zac Kraft regarding sports news and season updates, in addition to sports news in the LCDS Announcements email. Once your student joins a team, you’ll be able to access practice and game schedules, directions to away games, team records, rosters and all kinds of important in- and out-of-season information. On the athletics web page (in bold above), you can find the athletics calendar and information about registration, the Cougar Club (the Athletic Department booster club), eligibility, etc.
Calendar | website
www.lancastercountryday.org/Calendar
The LCDS community calendar contains all major school events except for the athletics schedule. From it, you can sync event details with Apple Calendar or Outlook. On the LCDS home page, click on the “What’s Happening” flag on the right to access it.
College Counseling | email, face-to-face, direct mail, phone
www.lancastercountryday.org/Academics/College-Counseling
Information concerning college counseling meetings, programs, scholarships, summer programs and more is sent to Upper School and Middle School parents by counselors Linda Campbell, Michelle O’Donnell or Genevieve Munson. Summer program information and scholarship announcements are posted on the school website in the College Counseling section, which also contains other helpful information and links.
We are happy to share news about your child’s extracurricular achievements with the wider LCDS community. We broadcast this information on the TV monitor in the front lobby, in Friday’s Announcements email and on the Cougar News website.
… Please email your child’s achievement to Assistant Director of Communications Michael Schwartz at schwartzm@ lancastercountryday.org.
Parent Guide | 5
Connections | print magazine
Connections is a print magazine mailed to families that combines stories about alumni with school news.
Connect5 | email, text, voicemail
Connect5 is an automated phone/SMS/email contact system that will notify parents and employees in the event of an out-of-the-ordinary situation that will affect your schedule or your child’s. If you would like to change the way you are notified, please contact SIS Administrator Beth Otto.
CORE | website
The Cougar Online Resources portal, or CORE, is a password-protected and individualized one-stop web portal for parents and students to find all the information that’s important to them. Within CORE, you will find Academic Details, Recent Activity Stream, Resources and My BackPack. For a video tutorial about CORE, visit www.lancastercountryday.org/COREvideo. To log in:
Community Groups
This is a news feed with division updates and announcements. Get to it from the drop-down menu in the upper right called “Groups.” My BackPack
Here you will find your child’s schedule (for Middle and Upper School), trimester report cards, tuition and lunch account details and the online student directory. All of your contact information can be edited and updated here as well. To get to it, click on “Resources” and then click on the My BackPack icon. Notifications
You can choose to be notified of any CORE messages by email or text. This will alert you to any changes to your child’s academics, athletics and any school announcement. To turn on notifications, click on your name in the upper-right corner of CORE and select “Settings.” Recent Activity Stream
This is the home or default page when you log in to CORE. On it, you will receive information feeds related specifically to your child’s courses, division, sports and teachers. You cannot unsubscribe to any of these, but you can choose how you’re notified. See Notifications, above. Resources
This is the place to find the student handbook, medical forms, course selection guide and My BackPack. Get to it by logging into CORE and then clicking on “Resources” in the upper-left corner. Go to www.lancastercountryday.org Find the “LOGIN” button in the upper right-hand corner and click it. Type in your I.D. and password. 6 | Parent Guide
Student Academic Details
To see your child’s academic course information, including assignments, daily grades and curriculum information, click on his or her name under the red navigation bar.
Cougar News | email, website
Mobile | website
Cougar News is a website with news features, slideshows and videos about our school. New content is emailed biweekly. Parents and Upper School students receive the email digest automatically unless they opt out.
Our site is optimized for smartphones and tablets, providing quick access to news, calendars, and passwordprotected directories.
www.news.lancastercountryday.org
Delays and Closures | news media
In addition to sending a Connect5 message (see Page 6) and posting information on the website and social media, we contact the following media outlets for school closings and delays: Radio
WIOV, WARM103, WLAN, WHP580, WLPA, WQZA, WEEU and WITF Television
WGAL8, ABC27, CBS21, and 69News
FundFest | emails, direct mail and more
Prior to April’s benefit auction, FundFest, we share a number of ways to support the event and get involved.
Lower School News | email, CORE
The Head of Lower School uses emails, trimester news-letters and frequent updates to the LS Parent Group in CORE to communicate important information and community highlights.
Middle School News | email, CORE
The Head of Middle School uses emails and frequent updates to the Middle School pages on CORE to communicate important information and community highlights.
www.lancastercountryday.org
Social Media | online facebook.com/lancastercountryday LCDSCHOOL Lancaster Country Day School Fans www.oldschoollanehills.nextdoor.com LancasterCountryDay @LCDSchool Lancaster Country Day School
The Excellence Fund | email, direct mail, phone and more
The school’s annual fund comprises donations from parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff and friends. These gifts support the day-to-day operations of LCDS.
Upper School News | email, CORE
The Head of Upper School uses emails and frequent updates to the Upper School pages on CORE to communicate important information and community highlights.
Parent Guide | 7
GETTING READY
Health Forms
Health forms can be found in CORE, on Resources. Click on the icon “Health Forms.” They can be turned in to school nurse Heidi Caputo or to Beth Otto. • Medical Emergency Form • ASP Forms • Request for Administration of Medications
• Preschool Health Packet • Jr. Kindergarten Health Packet • Kindergarten Health Packet
• Dental Form • Physical Examination Form (Grades 6, 11 and all new out-of-state students)
Dress Code
Please see the LCDS Handbook or CORE for more details. Lower School
Preschool and junior kindergarten: Children should dress neatly and suitably for play. Grades K-5 should wear an LCDS plaid jumper or khaki bottom. The top can be a white or maroon polo shirt or turtleneck, maroon sweater or LCDS sweatshirt; maroon, black or gray LCDS fleece vest, jacket or pullover. For grades K-3, girls may wear maroon socks or tights and boys must wear a belt. Middle School
All students will wear white collared shirts with sleeves. All students may wear khaki bottoms or kilts worn at the natural waistline. Students may wear LCDS or plain sweatshirts over their collared shirts. Upper School
Upper School students are expected to dress appropriately and use discretion. On certain celebration days, students dress up in Cougar Classy: an informal dress or skirt that is mid-thigh or longer, or full-length trousers not made of denim, and a top that is a dress shirt. A jacket is acceptable but not required.
COUGAR STORE The LCDS Cougar Bookstore carries all of your essential uniform needs, from polo shirts and sweatshirts to socks and tights. We’re also a resource for students when they need school supplies. Stop in and see our many lines of LCDS spirit wear and accessories. (See Page 25 for hours and more information.)
Summer Reading
www.lancastercountryday.org/SummerReading
Summer reading assignments for all grades can be found on our website beginning June 1.
Parent Guide | 9
Dining Hall Meal Plans
www.lancastercountryday.org/Dining-Services
Though PS, JK and K students must pack their lunches, LCDS offers hot and cold lunch options every day for students in grades 1-12. Students may pay for food with cash or a debit account. Visit the website above for more information about dining services, including pricing and the weekly menu.
Tuition and Cafeteria/Bookstore Debit Account Payments
Tuition and cafeteria/bookstore debit account payments may be made online by logging into CORE and selecting the My Backpack option. Payment options include e-check and credit cards. Although the online payment option is preferred, checks and cash are also accepted at the business office.
Transportation
If you make arrangements on any day that differ from the transportation arrangements we have in writing, you must send us written instructions on the day of the change. In addition, please call Lynn Arnold at the Lower School Office to be sure we have received the written note from your child. We will not accept verbal instructions without the written note for confirmation. By Bus www.lancastercountryday.org/Transportation
On the first day of school, please send a note addressed to your child’s Lower School teacher with the following: the name of the school district from which the bus operates, the bus number, name or letter, the time that the bus will arrive at the school and the time the bus will return for the afternoon pick-up.
10 | Parent Guide
Students whose school district boundary falls within a 10-mile radius of LCDS will be furnished the same transportation provided for public school students. Please call your school district for arrangements and questions. Berks County/Northern Lancaster
Families who live in the Berks County/Northern Lancaster County area and need bus information can contact Andrèa Gerace at 610-223-1603 or antgerace@comcast.net. Dauphin and York
Families who live in the Hershey-Hummelstown area and York-Wrightsville area can contact John Ford at 717-397-0685 or fordj@lancastercountryday.org. By Car
On the first day of school, please send a note addressed to your child’s Lower School teacher with the following: the name(s) of the driver(s), the driving schedules and telephone numbers of all drivers, as well as your work number where we can reach you in an emergency. At pick-up and drop-off, please be considerate of other drivers and follow the very few requests that we ask of you. It is essential that you inform grandparents and others who are not the daily drivers about these guidelines. Please see the LCDS Handbook for more details on pick-up and drop-off procedure.
Before School Care
For students in kindergarten through fifth grade, beforeschool care is available at no charge from 7:30-7:55 a.m. Students should not arrive at school prior to 7:30 a.m. unless meeting with a faculty member. There is no before-school care on days with a snow delay.
After School Program Lower School
For grades preschool-5, LCDS offers the AfterSchool Program (ASP) on any full school day except before a break. The program is staffed by LCDS faculty and is in session from 2:30 (for preschool and JK)/3-5:30 p.m. Call the Lower School office for arrangements. Middle School
For Middle After School Hours (MASH), students will be supervised in the MS/US library until 5:15 p.m. daily. All other students are not permitted in the building unsupervised after 3:15 and may not leave campus unattended. If Middle School students must wait beyond 3:15 for parent pick-up, they must inform the Middle School office and report to the library for study time.
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION Lateness
Continual tardiness will result in a disciplinary response. Upper School students who are repeatedly tardy to classes may expect loss of points, work duty or more serious consequences depending on the circumstances.
Early Departure
If a student needs to be excused early, parents must tell the appropriate division office no later than 8:30 a.m. Students are responsible for all work missed. Doctor and dentist appointments should be scheduled outside of the school day.
School Absences
Parents should report an absence to the appropriate division office no later than 8:30 a.m. An email from a parent explaining the absence or tardiness is required. Excused Absences
Absences due to illness, family emergencies, medical appointments, religious observances or significant family milestones will be considered excused. Refer to the LCDS Handbook for more specific information. Students are responsible for the material missed and will be permitted to make up work. Seniors and juniors will also be allowed a limited number of approved absences for college visitations. Unexcused Absences
When students miss school due to reasons that do not fit the above, these absences will be recorded as unexcused. A student in this situation might not be allowed to make up missed work and could receive zeros for skipped work. This will be at the discretion of the individual teachers. Lower and Middle school students who accrue 10 unexcused absences in one trimester will be required to make arrangements for parent-paid tutoring based on the recommendation of the division head. Unexcused Class Absences
Leaving campus or missing class during school hours without permission is a violation of the standards of student conduct. Upper School students who do not follow this policy should expect to appear before the Honor Committee. Students in the Lower and Middle Schools should expect disciplinary action from their division head.
Parent Guide | 11
Absence Request Forms
Students who will miss school due to a planned absence must submit an Absence Request Form at least two academic days before the absence. These forms are available in the Middle School or Upper School offices.
Illness
Any students with a fever, diarrhea, undiagnosed rash or sore, vomiting or discharge from the eyes, ears or nose indicating an infection may not attend school. If a student becomes ill at school, the parent or guardian will be notified and asked to pick up the student. Minor injuries and illnesses are attended to by the school nurse in the school’s infirmary.
Medication Policy
The nurse may administer prescribed medication with the specific written instruction of the prescribing physician or dentist and with the permission of the parent. Students may NOT carry any medication on their person or in their backpacks during school hours without written permission from the prescribing physician provided to the school nurse. A request for a long-term medication must be updated at the beginning of each school year.
Peanut and Tree Nut Policy
The dining hall has a peanut-free table. In addition, please avoid sending in classroom snacks that are made with peanuts, peanut oil or tree nuts. Some children in our Lower School have severe allergic reactions to these foods.
12 | Parent Guide
Lockers
At the beginning of the year, each student is issued an open hall locker, which should be kept neat and clean. Musical instruments should be stored in the music department’s lockers and athletic equipment in athletic lockers. The property of each student should be respected by others, however money and valuables should not be openly displayed in lockers. Valuables can be kept safe in one of the school offices if they must be brought to school.
Lost and Found
Lower and Middle School students have a hamper in front of the Middle/Upper School library, a bin near the Buckwalter Gymnasium, in the dining commons, and a storage bench in the infirmary hallway. Upper School items are in the Dean of Students’ office or in the storage benches around school. All unclaimed lost and found items will be donated to charity on the last day of each trimester.
Service Learning
Lancaster Country Day encourages all students to pursue service opportunities. In Lower and Middle School, service to the community is woven into the curriculum by grade. In Upper School, students can pursue service opportunities at both the local and international levels. Upper School students can work closely with the Community Service Coordinator to develop 50-hour local service projects worthy of the Outstanding Community Service Designation.
Technology
Acceptable Use Policy
In order to use LCDS technology resources, students must agree to the Acceptable Use Policy, which is in the LCDS Handbook. Parents are encouraged to regularly monitor students’ online activity and social media use. iPad Program www.lancastercountryday.org/iPadProgram
All students in grades 7-12 receive an iPad so they can learn within a one-to-one computing environment. The goal of this program is to enhance the curriculum, as well as to develop each student’s technology and information-literacy skills.
Phone Policy Lower School
Phones must be turned off and kept in lockers during the day. Middle School
Phones may be carried with students but must be turned off. Emergency calls should be made in MS office. Upper School
Phones may be carried by students but not used during classes or student activities. Students can check calls or messages between classes, at break or during lunch.
SERVICE LEARNING For more Service Learning information, contact Community Service Coordinator Chelsea Pomponio at pomponioc@ lancastercountryday.org.
Should you need to contact your LS/MS child during the day, please contact the administrative assistant for your child’s division.
College Counseling
College advisors work to help students identify colleges and universities that are best suited for their talents, interests, aspirations and needs. The college counseling advisors provide programs and educational materials related to college consideration starting in Middle School. The formal process begins junior year, when each student is assigned a college advisor. The advisors are actively involved in many facets of the application process and provide support for both students and parents. Student surveys and family conferences identify goals, interests and strengths, and the thorough discussions continue as students visit colleges, take SAT and ACT tests and complete applications. For more information, contact Linda Campbell at campbelll@lancastercountryday.org, Michelle O’Donnell at odonnellm@lancastercountryday.org, or Genevieve Munson at munsong@lancastercountryday.org. Parent Guide | 13
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ACADEMIC
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19 US New Parent Orientation 20 US Orientation for All 9th Graders and Students New to LCDS in Grades 10-12 21 First Day of School
2 Labor Day 4 LS Parents’ Night 6 All-School Picnic
26 LS Grandfriends’ Day (1/2 Day LS) 27 Thanksgiving Break (11/27–12/2)
october 9 Yom Kippur 17 Parent Conferences 18 LS Parent Conferences (No LS) MS/US Classes in Session 25 Halloween Festival 28 Professional Day
december 3 Classes Resume 18 Winter Break (12/23–1/3)
january 6 Classes Resume 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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9 MS Grandparents’ Day (1/2 Day MS) 10 Good Friday/Easter Monday (4/10-4/13) 18 FundFest 24 Professional Day
23 Senior Graduation 25 Memorial Day 28 PS/JK Final Day Fifth Grade Bridging 29 Grades K-5 Final Day
6 Spring Break (3/6–3/16) 17 Classes Resume 26 LS/MS/US Parent Conferences 27 LS Parent Conferences (No LS) MS/US Classes in Session
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GETTING INVOLVED
Lancaster Country Day School’s dedicated parents help the school thrive. We want parents to feel welcome to offer their time and talents. Read about the many opportunities for parents to volunteer and make a difference in the school. Admission PAN
Parent Admission Network (PAN) was established to serve as a simple but strategically crucial means of increasing the school’s admission traffic. PAN members are encouraged to speak knowledgeably with their colleagues, friends and family about LCDS. PAN members will be offered the opportunity to participate in focus groups aimed at improving the admission process. Parents are encouraged to share what they hear about LCDS while they are out in the community. Please stop in and offer feedback and information. Contact Ruby Dhillon at dhillonr@lancastercountryday.org to sign up for any of the admission volunteer opportunities.
Athletics
LCDS is committed to building an athletic department that supports the overarching mission of the school: to promote students’ intellectual, creative, physical and emotional development. A quality experience is most readily achieved through a focus on three core values: sportsmanship, character and striving for excellence.
Booster Clubs
www.lancastercountryday.org/CougarClub www.lancastercountryday.org/ProjectArts
The Cougar Club and Project Arts booster clubs support the school’s athletics and arts programs, respectively.
Field trips play an integral part in the LCDS experience because they supplement and reinforce the curriculum. november
5-8 GRADE 8 Echo Hill
november
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Refreshing Mountain
november
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GRADE 6 Outdoor School
Parent Guide | 17
Development
The Excellence Fund, Country Day’s annual fundraising effort, receives overwhelming support from every corner of our community, with close to three-quarters of school families donating to it. Chaired by one or more LCDS parents and driven by parent volunteers from all divisions, The Excellence Fund underwrites those programs that define our school experience. Benefactors Committee
Volunteers who ask parents to support the school at the leadership level of $1,908 and above. EITC/OSTC Chair and Ambassadors
Help to inform others about the Pennsylvania tax programs and serve as a resource for interested families. The Excellence Fund
The Excellence Fund’s strength lies in its squad of volunteers. They can help in the office, as class representatives, by making calls during our parent phone-a-thons or by reaching out to new parents about the need for annual giving. Senior Parent Gift Chairs
Parents in the senior class help raise money for a farewell gift that is also the opening bid at Children’s Challenge, the auction-style fundraiser held at FundFest in April.
Environmental Education
www.lancastercountryday.org/Green
One of Country Day’s stated goals is to teach our students the many aspects of sustainability. Parents can volunteer throughout the year for student-led green projects and in September for Take a Child Outside Week, a national event typically held the last week in the month. Watch the Friday Announcements email for volunteer opportunities.
International Fair
To volunteer for the International Fair, contact Heather Woodbridge at woodbridgeh@lancastercountryday.org.
Field Trips
Field trips play an integral part in the LCDS experience because they supplement and reinforce the curriculum. In the Lower School, teachers make every effort to accommodate parents who wish to accompany their child on at least one field trip during the school year. In Middle School, students go on overnight field trips. (See Page 17 for dates.) In Upper School, each grade goes on day-long field trips in the fall.
Global Programs
www.lancastercountryday.org/globalprograms
LCDS Global Programs include a robust, experientiallearning travel program and a diverse international student community. In all three divisions, global education is woven into the curriculum with Middle School and Upper School students given the opportunity to participate in exchange programs with our Global Partner Schools around the world, and to extend learning on our travel courses and special-interest trips. International students from around the world enhance our school community and our LCDS families have the opportunity to host international students in their homes. For more information on Global Programs, contact Heather Woodbridge at woodbridgeh@lancastercountryday.org.
Grandfriends’ Day
Mark your calendars for Lower School Grandfriends’ Day, Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Middle School Grandfriends’ Day, Thursday, April 9.
Parent Guide | 19
Halloween Festival
To volunteer for the Halloween Festival, contact Betsy Heim at heimb@lancastercountryday.org.
Parents Association
All parents are considered members of the Parents Association. Throughout the year there are numerous opportunities to get involved in the school. For more information about any item listed below, contact the 2019-2020 president, Vinitha Amanullah, at hamdala@ msn.com. All-School Picnic
Help with the planning and direction of the September picnic that marks the beginning of the school year. Barnes & Noble Book Fair
The Barnes & Noble Book Fair is a fall event that provides an opportunity for LCDS friends and families to purchase new books whose sale benefits the LCDS libraries. Class/Division Support
Class parents are appointed for each LS grade to work with teachers in planning activities related to curriculum studies, field trips and holidays. They also help new parents get acquainted and feel welcome in the school. We invite anyone who wants to serve as a class parent. Let us know if you’re interested and we’ll add you to this year’s list. This committee also works closely with school staff to provide assistance for service learning projects.
Fundraising — Keepsake Greetings, Wrapping Paper, Holiday Plant Sale and Gift Card Sale
These four events represent the bulk of our fundraising activity and the proceeds support Parents Association events throughout the year. In August, we kick off with our Wrapping Paper sale. Each November we sell holiday plants and gift cards for local restaurants to help simplify your holiday shopping. Keepsake Greetings are delivered to students in May. Iron Hill Social
Held in the fall and spring, this is a great place to get together after school sports, theater rehearsals, etc., while also supporting the Parents Association. Teacher Appreciation Day
This is a day set aside to say thank you to the LCDS faculty and staff. A sit-down lunch is served and volunteers are needed to plan the event, proctor classes, set up, serve and clean up. Used Book Sale
Plans and coordinates biennial Used Book Fair events.
Summer Programs
www.lancastercountryday.org/summer
Summer Programs comprises nine weeks of full- and half-day camps, classes and for-credit courses that run from June 10-August 9. Individual offerings are open to students of certain ages. For example, Babysitting 101 is open to ages 11-15, while Test Prep Boot Camp is for Upper Schoolers or rising freshmen. The full summer catalog is online at the address above.
Parent Guide | 21
SUPPORT
Since its founding in 1908, LCDS has thrived because of the generosity of families, alumni and friends who believe in our mission and who are committed to our future. There are many ways to support our school. Charitable contributions and fundraising events are crucial in providing excellent programs, equipment and facilities for our students and faculty. Endowment Gifts
Lancaster Country Day School is fortunate to have an endowment of more than $25 million. The principal is protected so that every year a portion of the endowment’s interest revenue may be designated to support scholarships, programs and faculty salaries. LCDS is grateful to members of the community who invest in existing endowed funds, those who create new funds within their lifetimes and others who create funds through estate provisions.
The Excellence Fund
The Excellence Fund is the annual effort that benefits every aspect of the LCDS experience, including arts, athletics, technology, and, of course, academics. The Excellence Fund affects every student and helps ensure the vibrancy and vigor that define LCDS. All parents are asked to support The Excellence Fund every year. For more information, please contact Corinne Topper, director of parent engagement and annual giving, at 717-397-8126 or topperc@ lancastercountryday.org. Benefactors’ Circle Centennial Society Shippen Society
Additional Giving Levels $20,000+ $10,000 – 19,999
Bell Tower Society Maroon & Gray Society
Founders’ Society
$5,000 – 9,999
Spirit Society
Labyrinth Society
$3,000 – 4,999
Friends
1908 Society
$1,000-1,907 $500 – 999 $100 – 499 $1 – 99
$1,908 – 2,999
Parent Guide | 23
Pennsylvania EITC and OSTC
Pennsylvania recognizes Country Day as an approved scholarship organization within the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These programs allow companies and individuals to make significant contributions to LCDS and to receive up to 90 percent tax credits in return. Both businesses and families with a Pennsylvania tax liability are eligible to participate. Last year, corporate partners gave LCDS more than $750,000. Corporate gifts range from $1,000 to more than $50,000. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website, or contact Corinne Topper at 717-397-8126 or topperc@lancastercountryday.org. FUNDFEST Mark your calendars now for this year’s auction and gala, which will be held Saturday, April 18. To support FundFest, the school solicits both auction items as well as personal and corporate sponsorships.
‌ For more information, contact Sherry Vernet at 717-431-1615.
24 | Parent Guide
Planned Gifts
Have you included LCDS in your estate plans? There are a variety of giving strategies that help you provide for LCDS while also advancing your own personal objectives. Our Heritage Society recognizes individuals who have made provisions for Lancaster Country Day School.
Capital Gifts
LCDS capital gifts support an ambitious campus master plan that addresses every area of student life. The first phase of this $11 million effort was completed in the fall of 2016 and the proceeds were used to renovate our Lower School, air condition our arts and science spaces, build a new parking lot, and add a new entrance off of President Avenue. Phase II was completed in fall 2017 with our 28,000-square-foot Physical Education & Athletic Center, which freed up existing space for academic, co-curricular and administrative use. Future capital projects will likely support our performing arts program and enhance learning spaces with a particular emphasis on science. To learn more, contact Shelby LaMar at 717-397-7240 or lamars@lancastercountryday.org.
RESOURCES Telephone Directory 717-392-2916
Mailing Address
Lancaster Country Day School 725 Hamilton Road Lancaster, PA 17603
Development and Business Office Hours Academic Year
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Summer
Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. During school breaks, office hours might be modified.
School Day Arrival
Students may start to arrive at 7:50 a.m. The school day starts at 8:10 a.m. for all grades. Departure
Morning preschool and JK ends at 11:30 a.m. Full-day preschool and JK ends at 2:30 p.m. Kindergarten through Grade 12 ends at 3 p.m.
Dining Commons
The dining commons is open from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Snack 10-10:30 a.m. Lower School 11 a.m. Middle School 11:40 a.m. Upper School 1:05 p.m.
Cougar Store Academic Year
Monday-Friday 7:45-8:30 a.m. and 2:40-3:15 p.m. Call 717-392-2916, ext. 251 for additional available hours during the school day. Closed during school breaks and summer. The store reopens the week prior to the start of school.
Libraries Lower School Library
Hours are 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Middle and Upper School Library
Hours are 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Middle After School Hours (MASH) 3:30-5:15 p.m.
The Lab
All students are expected to meet the curricular standards established as the normal course of study. The Lab provides students with additional support beyond the regular assistance given by classroom teachers. Country Day employs three learning specialists, one in each division. For more information, please contact Rachel Schmalhofer at schmalhoferr@lancastercountryday.org.
Music Lessons
Our adjunct music faculty teaches private lessons during the school day for an additional fee. A brochure is sent in the all-school mailing in August. For more information, please contact Linda Krick at krickl@lancastercountryday.org.
NEED TECHNOLOGY HELP?
For help logging into CORE, the website portal for parents and students, please contact Beth Otto at 717-392-2916, ext. 271 or ottob@lancastercountryday.org. Parent Guide | 25
USEFUL CONTACTS Office of the Head of School Steve D. Lisk Head of School 717-392-2916, ext. 225 lisks@lancastercountryday.org
Todd K. Trout, Ph.D. Assistant Head of School 717-392-2916, ext. 286 troutt@lancastercountryday.org Sasha Shand Assistant to the Head of School & Assistant Head of School 717-392-2916, ext. 224 shands@lancastercountryday.org
Receptionist
June Charles Receptionist 717-392-2916 charlesj@lancastercountryday.org
Lower School
Caroline Badri Head of Lower School 717-392-2916, ext. 526 badric@lancastercountryday.org Lynn W. Arnold Lower School Administrative Assistant 717-392-2916, ext. 239 arnoldl@lancastercountryday.org
Middle School
Meg Reed Head of Middle School 717-392-2916, ext. 538 reedm@lancastercountryday.org Gail D. Clauss Middle School Administrative Assistant 717-392-5263, ext. 243 claussg@lancastercountryday.org
Upper School
Jenny Gabriel Head of Upper School 717-392-2916, ext. 234 gabrielj@lancastercountryday.org Lindsay Deibler-Wallace Assistant Head of Upper School 717-392-2916, ext. 299 wallacel@lancastercountryday.org Rob Umble Dean of Students/Counselor 717-392-2916, ext. 226 umbler@lancastercountryday.org Starleisha Gingrich Upper School Administrative Assistant/Registrar 717-392-5853, ext. 235 gingrichs@lancastercountryday.org
The Lab
Rachel Schmalhofer Director of Learning Services 717-392-2916, ext. 483 schmalhoferr@lancastercountryday.org
If you have an urgent problem that requires immediate attention on a school day between 3:10-5:30 p.m., call the administrator on duty at 717-419-5492. After School Program Direct Line 717-327-1915 26 | Parent Guide
Health Services
Heidi W. Caputo R.N. School Nurse 717-393-1241 caputoh@lancastercountryday.org Rita Foster IU-13 Guidance Counselor 717-392-2916, ext. 260 fosterr@lancastercountryday.org
College Guidance
Linda Campbell Director of College Guidance 717-392-2916, ext. 236 campbelll@lancastercountryday.org Michelle O’Donnell Assistant Director of College Guidance 717-392-2916, ext. 258 odonnellm@lancastercountryday.org Genevieve Munson College Counselor 717-392-2916, ext. 485 munsong@lancastercountryday.org
Business Office
John Ford Business Manager 717-392-2916, ext. 223 fordj@lancastercountryday.org Angela Hershey Staff Accountant 717-392-2916, ext. 222 hersheya@lancastercountryday.org Martha Venti Accountant 717-392-2916, ext. 267 ventim@lancastercountryday.org
Athletics
Zac Kraft Director of Athletics 717-392-2916, ext. 252 kraftz@lancastercountryday.org Hilary Waltman Assistant Athletic Director 717-392-2916, ext. 253 waltmanh@lancastercountryday.org
Admission
Sandi Abraham Director of Admission 717-392-2916, ext. 227 abrahams@lancastercountryday.org Ruby Dhillon Assistant Director of Admission 717-392-2916, ext. 228 dhillonr@lancastercountryday.org Helen Najarian Chinese Student Liaison 717-392-2916, ext. 247 najarianh@lancastercountryday.org
Development
Shelby LaMar Chief Advancement Officer 717-397-7240 lamars@lancastercountryday.org Corinne Topper Director of Parent Engagement and Annual Giving 717-397-8126 topperc@lancastercountryday.org Sherry Vernet Special Events Coordinator 717-431-1615 vernets@lancastercountryday.org Parent Guide | 27
The spark that kindles the mind and heart illuminates a lifetime. [ Fax mentis et cordis incendium gloriae. ]