Parents' Council 2020-2021 Information
 

Middle School Parent Coffee

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Virtual Zoom Meeting

 

Welcome, Opening Remarks, Sally Keidel, Head of School

We have done extensive amounts of work to prepare the reopening plan, and safe spaces for the students and faculty.  Proud of our team who creatively planned to make this the best year that we can for our girls.  

 

Yesterday it was wonderful to see the 5th and 8th graders, and we are excited to welcome the 6th and 7th grades back soon

  • We are looking at a plan to bring 6th and 7th back next week.  
  • Working through details and specifics to make sure technology and protocols are in place to make sure that it is a seamless experience for everyone

 

How we are making these decisions:

  • Sally, and the Covid response team, arelooking at local data and numbers daily to ensure faculty, staff, and student safety
  • Watching Test Positivity and Population-adjusted Case Rate/Case Counts daily, as well as the case count per 100,000
  • We know our space best, and how these numbers affect how we can use our space to safely spread out also comes into account

 

Covid Testing – this topic is not off the table.  We are aware that some schools have administered testing, and other larger schools have not.  We are continuing to discuss this with our medical expert about how we should approach this, we will share any decisions.  

 

We need to be flexible and fluid with this every-changing situation

 

Middle School Overview, Advancements, Schedule and What You Can Expect

 

Cintra Horn, Director of Middle School

Sesquicentennial Plus One

  • This time last year we were celebrating our 150th year.  We spent the year looking back on our history, and our founder, and revisit our Core Values
  • Yesterday the 6th and 7th grades had an assembly all about Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • How did she live, Learn, Lead, and Leave a Legacy, like Agnes Irwin did

 

Returning to Campus

  • Options for Families
  • In-Person, or Virtual. 
      • Virtual does not have to be in a strict 6 week section.  If you have needs for virtual that are different than that, please reach out to Cintra, happy to remain flexible to help support families best.  
  • Cohoroting by grade level
    • Each grade has their own entrance, and the girls stay with their grade only all day
  • Moving through the building/safety protocols
    • Directional hallways
  • Home/School connection
    • More important than ever, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  We want to hear from you and hear what is going on.  Especially for virtual learners – we need to hear feedback on technical issues, as well as anything we can do to make it easier and better.  
  • Food Services
    • See AIS-On for Nutrislice App and ordering directions
    • Balances from last year are being worked on for refunds. 

 

Reminder that the virtual parents night videos expire on Thursday, 9/24.  

 

Middle School Overview, Advancements, Schedule and What You Can Expect

 

Jennifer White, 5th and 6th grade Dean

Also teaches 5th grade science, and one section of 6th grade science

 

As Dean, I oversee the discipline for the grade, as well as the school experience for the girl.  

  • Teamed up with Corey Willingham, the 6th and 7th grade Dean to plan special events and experiences for the girls

 

5th and 6th grades are relocated to the Lower School building this year as part of the Covid Safety plan

  • More important than ever to make these girls feel like middle schoolers, instead of lower schoolers, especially for the 5th grade.  
  • Expectations of 5th and 6th are still Middle School expectations, even though they are in the Lower School building.  
  • 5th and 6th are both completely separate from the rest of the Lower School, and from each other.  
  • Communications to and from parents should still go through Heather Kolodner in the Middle School office.  
  • Loraine Lampe is the 5th and 6th grade nurse this year.  

 

Uniform changes

  • Page 13 in the student handbook clarifies the uniform code
  • Navy is to be solid navy, no patterned or heathered navy 
  • White is to be solid white, no patterned, heathered, or creamy colors
  • No sweatpants this year
  • Athletic sneakers is the only option for footwear.  
  • Mask is a new addition, please find a well fitted mask so the girls are both comfortable and safe.  

 

Phones – 5th and 6th do not need phones at school 

 

Car line 

  • Located for 5th and 6th at the Lower School
  • We have a smaller window of time to dismiss the girls since this building is handling 8 grades to dismiss, please follow the timing as best as you can.  
  • 6th grade dismissal is closer to the Buck (Lower School gymnasium).  

 

Corey Willingham, 6th and 7th grade Dean

Also teaches US History to 8th grade, and has taught 7th in the past as well.  

 

Thank you to parents and the students, the 8th grade handled being back on campus, all of the new rules, and the mask wearing really well.  It is clear everyone is investing in wanting to do things right so that we can stay on campus.  

 

Uniforms

  • Please review with daughter, Jen White covered the new changes

 

Chromebooks

  • Please have your daughter arrive to school with the Chromebook fully charged.  Even though the girls are in-person, there is still a fair amount of work done on the Chromebook to include the virtual learners as well.  A partial charge will not last the day.  
  • This year girls should bring their chargers with them to school, the charging garage is not available for use.
  • If you are having technical difficulties, please reach out to us to let us know so that we can alert the tech team. 

 

Programming, student culture and life

  • We are thinking hard and creatively for this year
  • Field trips – trying to bring in outside voices and experiences for them since we can not venture out.  

 

Lauren Wray, Assistant Athletic Director

Coaches Upper School Varsity Lacrosse, and the PE teacher for 5th and 6th grades this year.  Also, the current point person for Middle School athletics since Cindy Bell retired.  

 

Middle School Athletics will look different this year

  • In August, a decision was made that there will be no Inter-scholastic athletic competitions this year.  
    • No Middle School games against outside competition
  • Committed to have an athletic experience for the girls, it is essential for physical and mental well being
  • In-house fall Intramural
    • Girl will have a choice to participate in any fall sport that they would like to
    • Sports consist of
    • Soccer
    • Field Hockey
    • Volleyball
    • Tennis
    • Cross Country
  • Cohorted by grade, and socially distanced practices
  • 6th may either choose a study hall or a sport
  • 7th may either choose a sport, or Fitness, or and Independent sport.
  • 3-3:30 every day
  • No cuts for sport
  • The intramural teams will focus on skill development, learning, and having fun.  
  • Asking that the girls stick to one sport for the entire season, they have this week to try a few out, but after this week, they must stick with what they choose.  
  • Last day of fall Middle School athletics is 11/5
  • Remote learners are having virtual training sessions with a coach, and another coach is doing the live practice with on campus learners.  

 

Uniforms for Middle School Athletics

  • Recommendation from the CDC on social distancing means there will be no locker rooms this year for the girls to change.  
  • Asking middle school students to ear their PE uniform under their kilt and polo, so all they have to do is remove the polo and kilt, and head to practice
  • We are flexible, if your daughter wants to practice in her polo, that is acceptable too.  

 

Required forms

  • Updated physical forms
    • We are flexible on the timing of these since doctors’ offices are back logged.  
    • The nurse and athletic trainer will be reaching out to those who do not have a physical on file
  • Cardiac arrest and concussion protocols are online on AIS-On.  Please review and sign the acknowledgement form.  

 

Dismissal from sports

  • We have a shortened time for athletics, so coaches are trying to get in as much as they can.  
  • Students at practice will be walked back to their grade specific dismissal area
    • 6th at the Buck, Lower School
    • 7th at the Dorrance entrance
    • 8th at the Upper School loop
  • Pickup times will be closer to 3:40 to allow for travel time between practice and dismissal spots.

 

Susan Maroto, School Counselor

Taking time to learn the new faces, as well as seeing returning students.  

 

AIS-On learners – will be sending out a zoom link to have a virtual introduction

 

Please do not be alarmed if I recommend counseling for your daughter.  It is good for your daughter to have another neutral adult to hear them work things out.  Especially for verbal processors, this helps them go through everything that is going on. 

  • By recommending that your daughter sees an outside counselor, that gives the time to build a trusting relationship with someone.  This way if down the line there are any issues that arise, they have someone that knows them well and their background.
  • I have a list of therapists in the area and can help you select one if you would like assistance in finding one. 

 

Parents please do not hesitate to reach out.  This year of all years it is so important to us that we support our girls

  • Calls regarding your daughter are welcome
  • Calls regarding other girls are welcome as well.  If you know something that is going on with another girl, please let us know.  
  • May be done anonymously if that helps

 

Alison Monzo, Center for the Advancement of Girls

Also an advisor for 10th grade

 

The CAG exists to serve girls across all three divisions.  

  • Programming looks different in all three since it is based on age group
  • Collaboration for programming between Ali, and the grade deans

 

Building that the girls have the capacity to lead, even if it is not an elected position

  • Forged a committee with deans and other faculty and staff for a Middle School leadership program.  
  • This MS leadership program will be launched fall 2021 and will be accessible to all students. 

 

The CAG started a newsletter last year for everyone to be looped in with what is happening.  It is highlighted in the regular weekly newsletter and in divisional updates.  

 

Last week’s announcement was our speaker series that we have lined up for this year: 

  • Terese Lund, Ph.D. and Angela DeSilva Mousseau, Ph.D., October 2nd 6:30-8 pm
  • Parenting Toward Purpose: Research and Practical Tips on Fostering Purpose in Girls

 

A Closer Look at the AIS Parents’ Council and Events

 

Nissa O’Mara, Parents’ Council President

Welcome to Parents’ Council, if you are a parent at the school, you are automatically a part of Parents’ Council

 

Parents’ Council also has an 11-member Executive Committee

  • This committee oversees the class parents, and organizes Parents’ Council meetings 

 

Parents’ Council meetings typically happen on the second Thursday of the month.  

  • Full schedule is listed under the Parents’ Council tab on AIS-On.

 

We host several events throughout the year, both fundraisers and community builders

  • This year events will look different.  If you have any fun virtual events that you have participated in, please pass the idea along.  

 

We welcome anyone that would like to get involved.  Nominations occur every spring, and we are looking for volunteers for events and class parents.  

 

Please follow us on social media: 

  *   Instagram: @AISParentsCouncil (https://www.instagram.com/aisparentscouncil/)

  *   Facebook: Agnes Irwin Parents' Council https://www.facebook.com/AgnesIrwinParentsCouncil/