Spotlight September 2017

“THE ONE WHO CALLS YOU IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL DO IT” -1 THESSALONIANS 5:24

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Welcome to The Spotlight Welcome to a new school year! We hope the Spotlight will be a resource for you and your family. In it you will get a glimpse into some of the beautiful things that are happening across our four campuses. You will find important dates and reminders and, more than that, we hope you’ll gain a clearer vision of The City School as a pre-K through twelve family. Whatever grade your student is in, he or she is part of a larger community of learners, and we want to share life together as one school.

A Forty Year Vision Did you know this year is our fortieth anniversary? September 1978 was the first year that our Spruce Hill Campus opened its doors. Throughout those 40 years and across our many campuses, God has been faithful in bringing together a community of people with a shared mission.

Each August your teachers and administrators gather for our annual staff retreat. This is the first time each school year that our entire staff gets together. We meet the new members that God has brought to our community

and spend time catching up with old friends. As a community, we rejoice over what God has done through our history and pray for the year ahead. We talk about our long-term goals, new projects and priorities, and ways to continue (Continued on next page)

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bringing Jesus’ love and light to our students.

This year as we reflected on our first forty years, we spent time casting a vision for our next forty. We spent time in small groups talking about our hopes and dreams for our graduates, understanding how we budget and raise money, and beginning to brainstorm how we can build the most strongly aligned version of our curriculum to benefit our students. Whether you are a veteran City School family or just starting your journey here, we want you and your children to flourish academically, emotionally, spiritually, and in community.

Your teachers and staff are committed to seeking this flourishing alongside your

children and family. But ultimately we know that it is God who brings it to fruition.

Our school verse this year is from 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 24: “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

As we embark on another school year, we are reminded that it is God who called the families and staff who started our school. He is the one who faithfully walks beside us and provides us the strength, hope, and resources each day. And he is the one who will guide us as we boldly embark on our future.

Will you join us in praying for our students, teachers, and school community as we embark on this new year together?

Home & School Association Interested in giving back to The City School community? We could use your help.

There are many different ways to serve. Please contact Betty Handy, Home and School President, at homeandschool@cityschool.org.

Family Handbooks Each student will receive our updated handbook. Please read the entire handbook as a family to better understand The City School’s policies and procedures.

Like us on Facebook at: facebook.com/thecityschool BUSINESS OFFICE 860 N. 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130 | 215.769.5363 The City School is a pre-K through 12th grade Christian school serving over 360 students on four campuses across Philadelphia. Our mission is to train students’ minds, disciple their hearts, and bring light to the city—one child at a time.

Fa i r m o unt Grades Pre-k to 3 860 N. 24th Street Philadelphia, PA 19130 215.769.5366

Fairmount First Day of School - September 5 | Half Day Dismissal is at 12:15 pm. There is no extended care or busing.

Extended Day Program (EDP) & Busing Begins – September 6 HALF DAY - September 8 Aftercare is provided.

Welcome to our New Teachers: We are excited to welcome back our returning teachers and want to extend a warm welcome to our new staff and some returning staff in new positions: Ms. Bongiorni - Third Grade

Teacher

Mrs. Burroughs - Principal Mrs. Currie - Counselor Ms. Davila - Aftercare Director Ms. Dorsey - Long-Term

Substitute for Pre-K

Mrs. King - Academic Support Coordinator Ms. Stauffer - First Grade

Assistant & Spanish Teacher

All School Convocation – September 13 | 9:15 am Parents are welcome to join us at Woodland Presbyterian Church (401 S. 42nd Street).

Meet & Greet for Parenting Class – September 26 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm Join us at the Fairmount Campus to find out more about the class and meet the facilitators.

Parent’s Potluck – September 29 | 6:30 to 8:00 pm Join us at Spruce Hill as the Home & School Association hosts a Parent’s Potluck Chat and Chew. More info to come!

S pru ce Hill Grades k to 5 4115 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104 215.382.7839

Spruce Hill First Day of School - September 5 | Half Day Dismissal is at 12:15 pm. No aftercare.

Back to School Night September 5 | 6:30 pm Extended Day Program (EDP) Begins – September 6 HALF DAY - September 8 Fall Benchmarks - September 11 to October 5 Soccer Shots Begins - September 12 | 3:30 pm to 4:15 pm All School Convocation – September 13 | 9:15 am Parents are welcome to join us at Woodland Presbyterian Church (401 S. 42nd Street).

Meet & Greet for Parenting Class – September 26 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm Join us at the Fairmount Campus to find out more about the class and meet the facilitators.

Parent’s Potluck – September 29 | 6:30 to 8:00 pm Join us at Spruce Hill as Home & School hosts a Parent’s Potluck Chat and Chew. More info to come!

City School Students of all ages enjoyed participating in the Maranatha Summer camp at Spruce Hill. Some Rittenhouse students were counselors and many elementary students were campers.

Welcome to our New Teachers: We are excited to welcome back all our returning teachers and want to extend a warm welcome to our new staff and some returning staff in new positions: Mrs. Elliot - 4th Grade Ms. Hannan - Acting Principal Mrs. King - Academic Support Coordinator Mrs. Naussner - 5th Grade Long-

Term Sub

Wa ln u t Str e e t Grades 6 to 8 4501 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19139 215.382.7839

Walnut Street First Day of School - September 5 | Half Day Dismissal is at 12:00 pm. There is no extended care or busing.

Middle School Retreat – September 7 HALF DAY - September 8 Last year’s Walnut Street graduates left behind a legacy of kindness, curiosity, and passion. As the school year begins, we are excited to follow in their footsteps.

Welcome to our New Teachers: We are excited to welcome back all our returning teachers and want to extend a warm welcome to our new staff members: Mrs. Becker - Spanish Teacher Mrs. Cardillo - History Teacher Ms. Kolb - English Teacher

All School Convocation – September 13 | 9:15 am Parents are welcome to join us at Woodland Presbyterian Church (401 S. 42nd Street).

8th Grade Visit to Rittenhouse Campus - September 26 Meet & Greet for Parenting Class – September 26 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm Join us at the Fairmount Campus to find out more about the class and meet the facilitators.

Parent Meeting at Rittenouse– September 28 | 6:30 pm Parent’s Potluck – September 29 | 6:30 to 8:00 pm Join us at Spruce Hill as the Home & School Association hosts a Parent’s Potluck Chat and Chew. More info to come!

R i t t e n h ou se Grades 9 to 12 315 S. 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.731.1930

Rittenhouse

find out more about the class and meet the facilitators.

First Day of School & Summer Reading Assignments Due September 5 | Half Day

Parent’s Potluck – September 29 | 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Spruce Hill

Doors open at 7:50 am. 1st period class assignments will be posted in the Catacombs. Students must be in 1st period classes by 8:15 am. They will receive their schedules and locker assignments there.

Fall Retreat - September 7-8 Students and staff will go to Camp Conquest in Denver, PA for our annual fall retreat. We kick off the school year and build community as we welcome our new students. A retreat brochure and permission slip will be available later this month.

Picture Day - September 11 Order forms available at the front desk.

All School Convocation – September 13 | 9:15 am Parents are welcome to join us at Woodland Presbyterian Church (401 S. 42nd Street),

Senior Portrait Day - September 18 Order forms available at the front desk.

Home & School Association is hosting a Parent’s Potluck Chat and Chew. More info to come!

Uniforms - Students must have their uniforms from Flynn & O’Hara by the first day of school. Skirts may be hemmed no more than one inch above the knee in the front and back.

Physical Examinations

- State law requires that high

school students receive a physical examination. A current physical exam report must be on file in the school office. Students who plan to participate in sports must have a current exam on file to play or practice.

Welcome to our New Teachers: We are excited to welcome back all our returning teachers and want to extend a warm welcome to our new staff members and returning teachers in new positions:

Meet & Greet for Parenting Class – September 26 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Mr. Moore - Science

Join us at the Fairmount Campus to

Mrs. Taylor - Principal

Mrs. Owens - History