AIS US Parents Coffee Meeting Minutes
September 11, 2019
AGENDA:
Dr. Wendy Hill, Head of School
Welcome back; looking forward to many special events for 150th
Founder’s Weekend (9/20-22)
Founder’s Festival (9/20): BBQ, games, Agnes Irwin the Musical
Ready, Set, Go (9/21): celebrating girls in action, includes morning yoga, Varsity games vs.
Baldwin
150th Convocation (9/22): features alumnae speaker Ann Klotz (’78). Convocation is required
for all girls; email sent 9/11 with full details
Discovering Your Purpose Conference (CAG)
Girls in 7-12, parent and educators encouraged to attend
Development of Core Values over the past year: Excellence, Character, Community, Respect
Encourage parents to reinforce values at home
Thanks to Parents’ Council, many renovations and additions were made to the Upper School
over the summer, including projectors and work on the STEAM initiative
Camille Seals, Assistant Head of School for Academic and Inclusive Excellence
• Joined AIS from Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, OH
• Proud graduate of all girls school and college
• Looking forward to building connections and meeting girls
• Happy to join a community that encourages women to purpose driven lives
• Responsibilities include working with programming team on academic program, working with
CAG, supporting equity, inclusion and diversity initiative, supporting the iTeam
Lisa Webster, Director of the Upper School
Great start to the year - Seniors welcomed girls at each entrance, waked PK and K girls to all
school assembly
New schedule working well so far
• Blue and Gold weeks implemented: Every other week activities, clubs, etc.; Last 2
periods reversed to mitigate effect of sports early dismissal; Specific Blue and Gold
calendar will be shared with parents and students
• First US Seminar block today - topic is 9/11, includes talk by History Dept; documentary film,
small group discussions
• Theme for the Year: Core Values
• Vaping Crisis will be a focus of early wellness curriculum, speaker coming to address topic as
well
• Picture Day next week
• SpeakUp (10/23) - required for all 9th grade girls; all US students (and parent) encouraged to
attend
Courtney Lubbe, Athletic Director
Responsibilities include PE, Wellness and Athletics
Fall sports off to a great start - AIS sports participation far exceeds the national average
Sign Up for Calendar Alerts via AIS website to get updates about game and practice changes,
cancellations, etc.
Major renovation to fitness center over the summer, thanks to donation from Parents’ Council
Sylvia Molta, Glabal SSP
• Each Upper School girl must complete Global SSP requirement. Options include:
• AIS Spring or Summer SSP
• AIS sponsored exchange (options to Australia and Equador)
• Semester abroad
• Independent SSP (must apply)
AIS Programs for 2019-2020
Spring - France (language immersion); Civil Rights Focus (in GA/AL/TN); Immigration Focus
(partner with two other girls schools); Art Theme (Ireland)
Summer - Marine Biology Focus (Chicoteague Island); China; Habitat for Humanity (in NC or
SC); Tanzania (service and cultural studies)
4Global SSP brochure will be out next week; info will also be distributed during and assembly
on 10/3 and at Global SSP Parent Information Night on 10/15
Sarah Leonard, Dean of Students
Most important aspect of Dean’s job is to endure social and emotional well-being of the girls;
this is supported by the Advisory Program, as well
Changes to US Handbook (HB available on AIS-ON)
• Attendance: School authorized absences include any absence from class for a school
team, group or program; all other absences are considered unexcused - if a girl
accrues 7 unexcused absences from a single class, Sarah will contact parents
• Food and Beverage Policy: No outside vendor food or beverage (i.e.: Starbucks) is
allowed after 8:30am; the SLC will be open beginning at 7am and after school from
3:15-4 for girls to purchase drinks and snacks
Meg Scott and Sarah Quin, College Counseling
New team in the College Counselling Office - Sarah Quin joins with a background in
independent school counseling and experience in College Admissions offices, Amanda
Bennincasa joins as new office assistant
Kristen Paulson and Joanna Stott, Development Office
Many exciting things planned for the 150th
Support of the Annual Fund supports faculty and administration
Class captains will be reaching out - once you make a contribution, you will not be asked again
for the year
Kim Polonski, Upper School Counsellor
Door is always open for girls; also interacts with them via the Wellness curriculum
Parents should feel free to reach out if there is ever anything they want Kim to know
Developing series of parent workshops - will be soliciting parent feedback on topics
Sara Glaser, Parents’ Council President
Thanks to all speakers
Thanks to parent community for involvement and support
9/24 12-2PM Vineyard Vines event - 10%off; 10% donated back to AIS
Parents’ Council information is available on AIS-ON under Parents’ Council tab
Please follow us on FB and line us on Instagram
Erin Hinckle, PC Events Coordinator
Fall Events: Golf Outing (10/2); HayFair(11/1); Owlidays (11/13)
Grade level break out groups led by Class Parents
