Parent Handbook 2020-2021
Save the Date! ACADEMIC EVENINGS Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten – September 17, 6 p.m. Grades 1 - 5 – September 17, 7 p.m. Middle School – September 23, 7 p.m. Upper School – October 1, 6:30 p.m.
Welcome to Baldwin Congratulations on enrolling your daughter at Baldwin! We are thrilled that you have made the decision to become part of our community. At Baldwin, we live our mission each and every day, developing talented girls into confident young women with vision, global understanding and the competency to make significant and enduring contributions to the world. We view this as a shared endeavor, partnering with you in your daughter’s education. We promise to work as hard as you do to help her achieve her full potential. As you prepare your family to join our school, I’m sure you have a number of practical questions about life at Baldwin. With that in mind, I’m excited to share this Parent Handbook, which we hope covers everything you need to know to get started. We also have many online resources that you will become familiar with in the weeks and months ahead. The start of the school year is busy and there will be many opportunities to meet fellow new parents and members of the Baldwin community. You will find our school’s holiday and break calendar on page 10 in this booklet and will receive invitations to parent gatherings. On behalf of The Baldwin School, I welcome you to the Baldwin community. I look forward to getting to know your daughter and your family over the years to come. Go Bears! Marisa Porges ’96, PhD Head of School
Parent Handbook
1
Mission & Core Values | School Policies OUR MISSION The Baldwin School, an independent college preparatory school, develops talented girls into confident young women with vision, global understanding and the competency to make significant and enduring contributions to the world. The School nurtures our students’ passion for intellectual rigor in academics, creativity in the arts and competition in athletics, forming women capable of leading their generation while living balanced lives. At Baldwin, there are five core values that guide us in pursuing our mission.
LEARNING RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY COMPASSION HONESTY These words adorn banners that hang in the Passageway, the Lower School hallway and on plaques in classrooms and common spaces so that all members of our community are reminded of these important principles every time they traverse our campus.
SCHOOL POLICIES Dining Room The Dining Room is open from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are served daily. The School provides Pre-K and Kindergarten with a mid-morning snack. Pre-K and Kindergarten should bring their complete lunch from home. Grades 1 through 12 may bring or buy lunch. The Dining Room offers hot and cold entrees, a salad bar,
2
The Baldwin School
sandwiches, desserts and beverages. The monthly menu is posted in the Parent Portal. Baldwin’s Dining Room does not handle money. All purchases are billed to the student’s MyKidsSpending account. Please note: Baldwin is a nutfree campus. Please be careful to check ingredients of lunches sent from home.
Mission & Core Values | School Policies Arrival & Dismissal
Inclement Weather and Emergency Closings
Arrival
In case of a closing, an emergency or other significant event, the School uses an automated telephone, text and email alert system. The alert will contain pertinent information, such as the nature of the event and specific instructions for parents. It is important, therefore, that families keep the School informed whenever their contact information changes. The School will also post a notice on its website, Facebook page and on ABC, CBS and NBC news programs.
Middle and Upper School: School begins at 8:15 a.m. Please be advised there is no classroom supervision before 8 a.m.
If morning school buses pick up students late due to a public school district delay, students should wait for and ride their usual bus and they will be greeted warmly even if the school day has already begun.
Please visit the Parent Portal for division-specific guidelines about arrival and dismissal. Guidelines can be found under Resources, Student Handbooks. Lower School: School begins at 8:20 a.m. Parents and caregivers can arrive any time between 8-8:20 a.m. If you have an unusual situation that requires an earlier drop-off, care is provided in the Residence from 7:30-8 a.m. at no additional cost.
Dismissal
Times are staggered for a more efficient car pick-up system. The pick-up times are: q Pre-K - 2:35 p.m. q Kindergarten - 2:40 p.m. q Grades 1 and 2 - 2:45 p.m. q Grades 3 and 4 - 2:55 p.m. q Grade 5 - 3:05 p.m. q Middle School – 3:30 p.m. q Upper School – 3:30 p.m. Families with daughters in multiple grades should pick-up at the oldest daughter’s dismissal time. Lower School girls with a sister in Middle or Upper School may wait in the Lower School library under supervision, Monday through Thursday 3-3:30 p.m. After 3:30 p.m., remaining students will be sent to the Baldwin Buds after-school program. Middle and Upper School students may access the Anne Frank Library between 3:30 - 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If MS or US students need to remain on campus beyond 6 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on Fridays), they should report to the Residence Main Hall.
Illness A student should stay home from school for the following reasons: q Temperature > 100 0 F within the previous 24 hours q Vomiting within the previous 24 hours q Frequent cough that requires medication to suppress q Copious nasal secretions In the event of an illness, please contact the division office before 8:30 a.m. Please include your name, the student’s name and grade and the time of your call. If a student is absent for more than three consecutive days, she must provide a note from her physician upon her return. If a student is absent during the day, she may not attend after-school activities. Please avoid scheduling medical or dental appointments during the school day. If this cannot be avoided, please contact the division office to alert them of the appointment. Girls may not leave the School without parent permission and when leaving for an appointment during the day, must sign out in the division office before leaving and sign in when she returns. Parent Handbook
3
Cracking the Baldwin Code SOME TERMS AND LOCATIONS COMMONLY REFERENCED The Residence
Simpson Center
MPR
The original school building built in
The Simpson Center for the
The multi-purpose room in the
1890 by Frank Furness, which was
Performing Arts in Honor of Lois
Athletic Center, often used for
formerly The Bryn Mawr Hotel.
Goutman located behind the
larger meetings and gatherings.
Lower School.
Main Hall
Schoolhouse
The Residence. The Welsh
The building that houses the Middle
inscription above the fireplace
and Upper School classrooms,
means, “A Warm Welcome.”
located between the Residence and
Middle Field
Lower School.
Athletic field opposite the
Assembly Room
Athletic field facing the Residence.
Science Building.
Main reception room in
North Door
the Residence.
Entranceway to the Schoolhouse
Lower Field
facing the parking lot and car lane.
Athletic field located near
Furness Room
the Athletic Center, on the
A meeting room on the second
The School Store
corner of Morris Avenue and
floor of the Residence near the
The Baldwin School Store is
New Gulph Road.
Business Office.
located by the North Door of the Schoolhouse. Here you can buy
Passageway
Back Field
uniforms, athletic wear, stationery,
Athletic field situated behind the
The covered walkway that connects
snacks and gifts.
Athletic Center on the corner of
the Residence, Science Building and the Schoolhouse.
New Gulph Road and Fishers Road.
BSPA Baldwin School Parents’ Association.
4
Upper Field
The central reception area in
The Baldwin School
Connecting with Baldwin Baldwin has several publications and resources that will keep you informed of events, important dates, programs and new initiatives. Every Day q
The Parent Portal – a password-protected area on the Baldwin website that contains items such as: c The online family directory c Registration, medical and other required forms c The Student Handbooks c Teacher web pages to find important information about class activities, schedules, upcoming events, photos and more c Report cards c Links to SmartTuition and MyKidsSpending accounts c The monthly lunch menu c And more!
Weekly The Lower School Tunic Times enewsletter to Lower School families from the Lower School Director q The Lower School Thursday Folder containing flyers and other announcements q The All-School Bulletin enewsletter containing information important to all families q
@baldwinschool @baldwinalumnae @baldwinathletics @marisaporges
@the.baldwin.school @marisaporges @disco.at.baldwin
YouTube
baldwinschool
Monthly In the Middle enewsletter to Middle School families from the Middle School Director q The Upper Story enewsletter to Upper School families from the Upper School Director q Grade Page emails from your class parent representatives highlighting grade-specific happenings q
Six Times Per Year q
Polar Bear Post enewsletter from Baldwin’s Athletic Director
Twice per Year q
Echoes – a magazine for all members of the School community that summarizes key news articles and events
SmugMug
@baldwinschool @marisaporges
baldwinschool.smugmug.com
Alumnae Group ow.ly/cdGas
Parent Handbook
5
Getting Started
So your daughter is officially a Baldwin girl!
What’s next?
6
The Baldwin School
Getting Started HERE ARE SOME HANDY CHECKLISTS TO GET YOU STARTED. For All Students: Log in to the Parent Portal to access forms and billing information and to confirm your contact information c Complete all forms: a Physical Form a Dental form (Kindergarten and Grades 1, 3 and 7 only) a Parent Contact Form a Medication Permission Form a Transportation c Review what summer work will need to be completed by your daughter(s) c Schedule a uniform fitting appointment during the summer. c Student Orientation will be held September 2 and 3.
For Middle and Upper School Students: c Fall
athletic practices begin August 24. Exact times and locations will be provided by the coaches for each sport closer to the starting date. Additional forms and paperwork will be available in mid-summer. c Mark your calendars for the Lewars Academic Pre-Season (August 31 and September 1). This program serves as an orientation for new students, while offering an opportunity to meet faculty and returning students. c If not already completed, please contact Admissions to schedule the required placement testing. c Contact the division administrative assistant to schedule a meeting with the Division Director for course planning. Please note: allow two weeks after placement testing before scheduling your course planning meeting.
Parent Handbook
7
The School Store The School Store carries more than just Baldwin uniforms. It stocks pens, pencils, paper, folders, notebooks, calculators, padlocks, headphones, snacks, gifts, spirit gear and Baldwin-branded merchandise for students and adults. There is something for every member of the family in our store! Uniforms To order uniforms, there will be an electronic form available beginning in May or families can schedule an in-person appointment in the School Store in August. Please watch for an email this summer with a link to the online appointment scheduler. Please contact the School store at cforrest@baldwinschool.org for more information.
Summer Hours: Aug. 3 – 21 — By appointment only
School Year Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays — 8 a.m. – noon, 1 - 4 p.m. Tuesdays — 8 – 10 a.m., 1 - 4 p.m. Thursdays — 8 – 11 a.m., 1 - 4 p.m. Fridays — 8 a.m. – noon, 1 - 3:30 p.m. * Store is closed for all school holidays. Hours are subject to change for school events.
8
The Baldwin School
Dress Code Lower School
Middle School
Upper School
q
q
Blue uniform kilt (year round); blue and white cord kilt (spring and fall option) q White shirt with collar; white, gray or navy blue tank tops may be worn under collared shirt; white turtleneck or mock turtleneck shirt; blue and white Baldwin rugby shirt; shirts with logos sold by student organizations, School Store or Parents’ Association q Athletic shorts must be worn under kilt (may not be visible) q White, gray, black or navy blue leggings, tights or socks q Navy pants q Navy blue, gray or white sweater (white required for Baldwin Blue Days) q Baldwin monogrammed sweatshirt in navy blue, gray or white q Low-heeled shoes, boots or athletic shoes; sandals and opentoed shoes with a back; closedtoed shoes required for science labs; clogs are not permitted; slides should only be worn in the Athletic Center q Hair colors must be naturally occurring shades
q
Plaid tunic (Pre-K and Kindergarten) q Blue tunic with embroidered “B” (Grades 1 – 5) q Navy blue shorts with Baldwin logo (worn under tunic every day) q White shirt with collar q Navy blue or gray leggings or tights q Navy blue, gray or white knee socks or short socks q Navy blue or gray sweater or sweatshirt (no hoods) q Shoes with back, covering heel (no sparkles, characters or lights) q Baldwin book bag (Pre-K, Kindergarten and Grade 1 only) q Hair colors must be naturally occurring shades Required for Swimming q Bathing suit: one piece or surf shorts and top q Swimming cap* q Footwear: flip-flops or waterproof slippers q Supplies: towel*, brush, comb and waterproof carryall* q Goggles* *Available at the School Store Other q An old shirt is suitable to use as a smock for art
Dark blue kilt, light blue kilt (before Thanksgiving and after Spring Break) and plaid kilt q White shirt with collar q Athletic shorts to wear under kilt (may not be visible) q Plain (no patterns) gray, navy or black leggings, socks, stockings or tights; no athletic leggings. Socks below the ankle (of any color) q Navy pants q Navy blue, gray or white sweater or sweatshirt (white required for Baldwin Blue Days) q Low-heeled shoes made with a back q Sandals and open-toes shoes (must have backs; before Thanksgiving and after Spring Break only) q Boots q Hair colors must be naturally occurring shades
For more details on the dress code, please visit the Student Handbook on the Parent Portal.
Parent Handbook
9
Holiday and Break Calendar 2020 SEPTEMBER 28
Yom Kippur
OCTOBER 9
Faculty & Staff In-Service Day
12
Fall Break
NOVEMBER 25-27 Thanksgiving Holiday DECEMBER 18
Winter Vacation Begins (Early Dismissal)
2021 JANUARY 4
Classes Resume
18
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FEBRUARY 15
Presidents’ Day
MARCH 13
Community Auction and Dinner
26-
School Closed
April 4 Spring Vacation APRIL
No Classes
5
Faculty & Staff In-Service Day
MAY
Early Dismissal
1
Annual Alex Wake ’05 Memorial Run & Fun Walk
31
Please visit the full calendar at www.baldwinschool.org/calendar for more details and class-specific events. 10
The Baldwin School
Memorial Day
JUNE 10
Commencement
Traditions Over the course of the school year, Baldwin students enjoy many time-honored traditions. Below is just a sampling of some of the traditions our girls experience that hold a special place in the hearts of our students, parents, alumnae and faculty and staff.
Lower School
Middle School
Pre-K and Kindergarten Thanksgiving
Grade 6, 7 & 8 Tunic Wars with The
Assembly “Five Fat Turkeys� Song
Haverford School
Kindergarten Art Show
Grade 8 Moving Up Ceremony
Grade 1 French Cafe Grade 2 Holidays Around the World
Upper School
Grade 3 National Parks Project
Grade 9 Banner Day
Grade 4 Museum Showcase
Grade 10 Ring Day
Grade 5 Tea House
Grade 11 Marching-In Dinner Grade 12 Senior Tea
Parent Handbook
11
Low
M orr
e is Avenu
Middle Field
i m l
2 Upper Field
7
6
g b
1
a
f
k
j
p
5 h
e d
Mo nt go me ry
12
The Baldwin School
ECC Playground
Av en ue
c
Ra dn o
r R oad
Campus Map 1. The Residence a) Front Desk/Lobby b) Admissions c) Early Childhood Center d) ECC Drop-Off e) Baldwin Buds (2nd Floor) f) Dining Room g) Furness Room/Business Office (2nd Floor) h) Art Gallery (Ground Floor)
wer Field
w Ne R lph Gu
Tennis Courts
oa d
Tennis Courts
n o
3
q
4 8
s
r
2.
Schoolhouse i) Middle School Office (3rd Floor) j) Upper School Office (1st Floor) k) School Nurse l) School Store m) North Door
3.
Lower School n) Lower School Drop-Off o) Lower School Office p) Lower School Library
4.
Athletic Center q) Swimming Pool r) Multi-Purpose Room s) Gym (2nd Floor) t) Squash Courts
5. Art Wing
t
6. Passageway 7. Science Building
Lower School Playground
8. Simpson Center
Back Field
9. Krumrine House Traffic Patterns
9 d
’s
r he Fis
a Ro
Lower School Student Drop Off ECC Student Drop Off Middle/Upper School
Student Drop Off
Parent Handbook
13
Athletic Teams and Clubs Middle School Sports & A Sample of Clubs Basketball Cross country q Dance q Field hockey q Lacrosse q Soccer q Softball q Squash q Swimming q Tennis q Volleyball
Bears Read Climate Crew Club q Creative Writing q K-Pop q Mural Club q Not Your Grandma’s Knitting q STEM Club q Technology Student Association q Walking Club q Yoga
q
q
q
q
Upper School Sports & A Sample of Clubs Basketball Crew q Cross country q Dance q Diving q Field hockey q Golf q Indoor track q Lacrosse q Outdoor track & field q Soccer q Softball q Squash q Swimming q Tennis q Volleyball q q
14
The Baldwin School
Asian Students Association q Anime, Games, Comics q Black Student Union q Creative Writing q Diversity Club q Enviro Club q Girls Learn International q The Hourglass (School newspaper) q Maskers Theater Club q Model Congress and Model UN q Modern Science Club q Spectrum (LGBTQ+ students and their allies) q Technology Student Association q
Parent Groups
Baldwin School Parents’ Association The Baldwin School Parents’ Association (BSPA) is the main parent body of The Baldwin School. The BSPA is led by an Executive Board, which is elected at the end of each school year. The committee organizes community building and fundraising events to benefit our families, support our amazing faculty and staff and provide funding to further improve our School. All parents are automatically members of the BSPA and are welcome to attend and volunteer for any BSPA events. Events scheduled for 2020–2021 include: q Halloween q Book
Fair
Fair
q Father-Special
Person/ Daughter Dance q Parents Trivia Night
q Mother-Special
Person/ Daughter Evening
q Community
Auction
and Dinner
Parent Handbook
15
Parent Groups
BRAVA is Baldwin’s parent group that focuses on promoting the arts. It encompasses the fine and performing arts including theater, music and visual arts. The organization meets monthly to discuss and plan annual arts-related activities. Participation in BRAVA is voluntary. Committee members include parents, faculty and staff. BRAVA also assists the arts faculty with the Lower School Talent Show.
Blue Gray is Baldwin’s parent group that focuses on promoting and enhancing athletics. Blue Gray raises funds for athletics and provides a vehicle for interested parents to share ideas and volunteer at school events. Blue Gray host an educational sports symposium and assists with Homecoming activities. Past symposia have featured speakers on issues such as nutrition, sports psychology and navigating the college recruiting process. The Blue Gray Pancake Breakfast brings the community together at Homecoming before the Fall varsity teams compete. 16
The Baldwin School
Early Childhood Center and Lower School Quenby Frimet, Director of Lower School (610) 525-2700 x267 | quenby.frimet@baldwinschool.org Kelly Schonour, Assistant Director of Lower School | (610) 525-2700 x265 | kschonour@baldwinschool.org Caryn Sucharski, Lower School Administrative Assistant (610) 525-2700 x266 | csucharski@baldwinschool.org
Middle School Shauna Carter, Director of Middle School (610) 525-2700 x490 | shauna.carter@baldwinschool.org Tracy Stevens, Middle School Administrative Assistant (610) 525-2700 x242 | tstevens@baldwinschool.org
Upper School Christie Reed, Director of Upper School (610) 525-2700 x253 | creed@baldwinschool.org Susie Choitz, Upper School Administrative Assistant (610) 525-2700 x254 | susannah.choitz@baldwinschool.org
Athletics Office Meg Glascott-Birch, Director of Athletics (610) 525-2700 x270 | mbirch@baldwinschool.org Alison Schickfus, Assistant to the Director of Athletics (610) 525-2700 x478 | aschickfus@baldwinschool.org
Wellness Center Doreen Jones, School Nurse (610) 525-2700 x280 | djones@baldwinschool.org
Business Office (610) 525-2700 x432
Reception and Transportation Crystal Johnson (610) 525-2700 x0 | cjohnson@baldwinschool.org
701 MONTGOMERY AVENUE BRYN MAWR, PA 19010 (610) 525-2700
