Parent Handbook 2021-2022
Save the Date! August 30 - Classes Begin for Grades 6 - 12* August 31 - Classes Begin for Grades Pre-K - 5* September 6 - Labor Day, No School September 7 - Rosh Hashanah, No School September 9 - Lower School Academic Evening September 13 - Middle School Academic Evening September 23 - Upper School Academic Evening * Please note these start dates are in place to build in additional teaching days during warmer weather, to maximize outdoor teaching options during the pandemic. Depending on health and safety conditions and considerations, these start dates may shift one week later.
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 am sure you have a number of practical questions about life at Baldwin. With that in mind, I am excited to share this Parent Handbook, which covers major things you need to know to start your family’s Baldwin journey. We also have many online resources that you will become familiar with in the weeks and months ahead and will share any pandemic-related updates with our families via email, should they be necessary. 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
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Mission & Core Values 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, signage in our Lower School hallway and 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.
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The Baldwin School
School Policies Arrival
Illness
Lower School: School begins at 8:20 a.m. Parents and caregivers can drop off students between 8-8:20 a.m.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the School will review our sick policy before the start of the 2021-22 year and update it as necessary, per the latest guidance from public health officials. Below is our traditional preCOVID sick policy for your reference.
Middle and Upper School: School begins at 8:15 a.m. Please be advised there is no classroom supervision before 8 a.m.
Dismissal Times are staggered for a more efficient car pick-up system. The pick-up times are: q
Pre-K and Kindergarten - 2:45 p.m.
q
Grades 1 and 2 - 2:55 p.m.
q
Grades 3 and 4 - 3:05 p.m.
q
Grade 5 - 3:15 p.m.
q
Middle School - 3:30 p.m.
q
Upper School - 3:30 p.m.
Inclement Weather and Emergency Closings 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.
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.
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. Parent Handbook
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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 passwordprotected 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
Report cards
c
Links to SmartTuition and MyKidsSpending accounts
c
And more!
Weekly q 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
@baldwinschool @baldwinalumnae @marisaporges 4
The Baldwin School
@the.baldwin.school @thebaldwinschoolathletics @marisaporges
@baldwinschool @marisaporges
Connecting with Baldwin Monthly q
The 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
The Grade Page emails from your class parent representatives highlighting grade-specific happenings
Six Times Per Year q
The Polar Bear Post enewsletter from Baldwin’s Athletic Director
Twice per Year q
Echoes magazine for all members of the School community that summarizes key news articles and events
YouTube
baldwinschool
SmugMug
baldwinschool.smugmug.com
Alumnae Group ow.ly/cdGas
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Getting Started
So your daughter is officially a Baldwin girl!
What’s next?
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The Baldwin School
Getting Started HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL 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 Mid-summer, review textbook ordering and what summer work will need to be completed by your daughter(s) c Check out our online school store for Baldwin branded merchandise, school supplies, spirit gear and more! Visit www.baldwinschool.org/ schoolstore
For Middle and Upper School Students: c Fall
athletic practices begin mid-August. 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 midsummer. c Be on the lookout for information about our Lewars Academic PreSeason. 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.
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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
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The Baldwin School
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.
Holiday and Break Calendar 2021 SEPTEMBER 6
Labor Day
7
Rosh Hashanah
16
Yom Kippur
OCTOBER 11
Faculty & Staff In-Service Day
NOVEMBER 24-26
Thanksgiving Holiday
DECEMBER 17
Winter Vacation Begins
(Early Dismissal)
2022 JANUARY 10
Classes Resume
17
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FEBRUARY 18-21
Presidents’ Weekend
MARCH 25-April 3 Spring Vacation
School Closed
No Classes
Early Dismissal
APRIL 4
Faculty & Staff In-Service Day
5
Classes Resume
15
Good Friday
MAY 30
Memorial Day
Please visit the full calendar at www.baldwinschool.org/calendar for more details and class-specific events. Parent Handbook
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Low
M orr
e is Avenu
Middle Field
2 Upper Field
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6
5
1
Mo nt go me ry
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The Baldwin School
ECC Playground
Av en ue
Ra dn o
r R oad
Campus Map 1. The Residence 2. Schoolhouse
wer Field
3. Lower School
w Ne
4. Athletic Center
R lph Gu
Tennis Courts
d
oa
Tennis Courts
5. Art Wing 6. Passageway 7. Science Building
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8. Simpson Center
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9. Krumrine House Lower School Playground
Back Field
Traffic Patterns Lower School Student
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Drop Off d
’s
r he Fis
a Ro
ECC Student Drop Off Middle/Upper School Student Drop Off Parent Handbook
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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. Examples of BSPA events include: q Halloween q Book
Fair
Fair
q Father-Special
Person/ Daughter Dance q Parents Trivia Night
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The Baldwin School
q Mother-Special
Person/ Daughter Evening
q Community
Auction
and Dinner
Please note: photos taken pre-COVID
Parent Handbook
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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 host an educational sports symposium. Past symposia have featured speakers on issues such as nutrition, sports psychology and navigating the college recruiting process.
Please note: photos taken pre-COVID
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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 x264 | 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
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Stephanie Allen, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (610) 525-2700 x253 | stephanie.allen@baldwinschool.org
Wellness Center Kerrie Snead, Wellness Coordinator, (610) 525-2700 x390 | ksnead@baldwinschool.org Kim Elgart, Lower School Nurse, (610) 525-2700 x173 | kim.elgart@baldwinschool.org Diane Lacing, Middle School Nurse, (610) 525-2700 x174 | dlacing@baldwinschool.org Doreen Jones, Upper 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