The Agnes Irwin School Parents’ Council
Upper School Parent Coffee
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 – 8:30 a.m.
The purpose of the Agnes Irwin Parents’ Council is to foster a positive spirit within the Agnes Irwin community, and to provide financial support for education facilities, opportunities, and enrichment. The Agnes Irwin Parents’ council communicates with the school’s administration to ensure that all activities and financial contributions support he school’s mission and create the best possible environment for all Agnes Irwin students to grow and thrive.
Welcome – Sally Keidel – Head of School
· AIS is looking forward to a return to normalcy for some events that weren’t able to happen last year. These changes were made after working with our consulting Physicians who believe the social emotional connection of children is of the utmost importance. It is important for our girls to have lunch together, going thru the owl café line and collaborate on the school musical.
· The theme for this school year is focusing on the core value of character.
· Our interim accreditation visit occurred before the COVID shutdown and we are accredited for another 5 years.
· This is a year of strategic planing. We want to involve the entire community in the process. Strategic planning, opportunities to partake in that process will be forthcoming. This is your chance to give your opinion on what the next 5-7 years at AIS will look like.
Camille Seals – Assistant Head of School for Academics and Inclusion Excellence
· Camille oversees the scope and sequence of K-12 academic offerings. She also supports our DEIB team (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) and robotics team
· New this year they will be implementing Core Days. These days will happen four times a year. They will be a day to do a deep dive into our core values.
o First core day is Wednesday, September 22nd. This day will be a focus on character. What does it mean to you? What are those traits you are working on in your life. Feedback is welcome after every core day.
o March’s core day will take place on international women’s day
· Upcoming Speakers
o Tuesday, September 21st 7:00-9:00, West Wike Theater– Jeff Selingo
§ In person and live-streamed as a webinar
§ Open to all families in grades 9-12
§ Registration link was sent out from the communications office
o Center for Advance of Girls (CAG) Speaker Series
§ 10/27 -6:30-8:00 - Dr. Michelle Borba – Author - “Thrivers: The surprising reason why some kids struggle and others shine” 7 key characteristics kids need to thrive in the world.
§ Jessica Leahy – Author - “The Gift of Failure”. How failure can be part of the learning process
§ Julie Lythcott-Haims – Author – “How to raise an Adult” – April 2022
· Sharon Rudnicki Writing Center will be hosting special guests beginning in November with Nan Wolf then poet Sarah Kay in February.
· Textile and design studio that Parents’ Council has supported has launched and is furnished. Sophia Miller in the art department is teaching a design class in there
Joy Prince - Upper School Director
· As the new upper school director she came in wanting to find out what does the upper school do well. In the upper school the staff supports the girls, mentors them and engages them. The center of our teaching and learning is our students.
· We want to ensure that by the time she fills out that college application she is ready to tell her authentic story of her Agnes Irwin journey. We help the student share their story.
Sarah Leonard – Dean of Students
· She work with advisor programs, all student initiates come through her.
· Two new initiatives this year with Joy Prince.
o New conference model.
§ Advisor -student – guardian model
§ Shifting away from subject teacher/parent model. Instead of having multiple conferences in one night you will have one longer conference at a time (modality to be determined; virtual versus in person).
§ 10/8 longer conference model will begin. It will be 20 or 25 minutes. Scheduled thru pick a time. You will only have to schedule one conference time as oppose to multiple.
§ Formal written comments from subject teacher and option to set up a conference if needed at the end of every quarter. This is not meant to replace subject teacher communication. Please reach out to teachers as needed.
§ The first conference is really about goal setting. Second advisor conference at the end of the 3rd quarter (on calendar)
o Social Institute
§ Providing curriculum to middle school and upper school wellness programs surrounding social media. Focusing on productive and positive social media and device use for girls.
§ Girls need more support in the use of social media and how to foster positive relationships. Parent toolkit will be made available as well.
· Seniors are able to petition for the privilege to come late or leave early if they have a free period the first or last period of the day only. Change from last year.
· Interims - Comments can be sent out at any point before the end of the quarter. Can be positive as well. They will come to your email. Interims come from a teacher but go out to all members of your daughters team.
Meg Scott – Director of College Counseling
· Partnered with smart track college funding. They work with families with an eye on how to report their financial status on forms for college.
o 10/12 7:00 PM– parents only initial presentation about their programming, parents can opt in at their leisure
· Senior parent kick off night was 9/14 – taped, will get a link
· 11th grade
o Mailer coming to parents. Because of COVID, timing of communication has shifted earlier.
o College counseling takes over wellness programming in January
o Parent night – 11/9
o 10/13 – 10th & 11th grade PSAT
· 10th grade parent night in March
· 9th grade path to college evening. Both students and parents together.
o Later in spring. They do a session about myth busting for college for students. What they have heard versus what is real
· 9th & 10th grade - a lot happens behind the scenes in the wellness curriculum. Identity searching, personal discovery. Personality traits to match with majors and careers
· College representatives are back both virtually and on campus
Courtney Lubbe – Athletic Director
· Wellness is built into academic schedule
· PE: We now have a spin studio in basement. It will be offered as an elective in winter and in the future.
· Athletics:
o We are already 4 weeks into fall season and mostly back to normal
o Spectators back on campus. They are permitted at home and away games.
§ Some away games spectators may not be permitted to attend and athletics will send notice
§ Additionally bathrooms may not be available to spectators at away games
o Indoor sports are allowing spectators
§ You need to be masked at all times regardless of vaccination status
§ You must practice physical distancing as well
§ At AIS you will need to fill out a screening form to attend an indoor game. Available in lobby as you arrive.
o Anticipate a lot more schedule changes than normal due to COVID and personnel shortage
o We are hosting AIS/EA day this year! Friday 11/12, spectators welcome!
o Encourage your daughter to take ownership of this experience. They really want to hear from her first, have her approach coach with that conversation.
o A survey is sent out to students in advance of winter and spring sports to indicate their interest. They also have interest meetings with coaches.
o Winter sports
§ Swimming & Diving, Winter Crew, Basketball and Squash
o Spring sports
§ Lacrosse, Golf, Softball, Track and Spring Crew
Nissa O’Mara – Parents’ Council President
· Parents Council holds monthly meetings on the second Thursday of the month. They will be held in person with a livestream option. Link to livestream will be sent out in advance by class parents
· There are no meetings in December or May. Check AIS-ON under the Parents’ Council tab for the full schedule of meetings
· Meetings will be recorded and posted on AIS-ON
· RenAISsance Used Uniform store is up and running. It will be open from 8:00-8:30 during every Parents’ Council meeting.
o Please donate your gently used, clean, non-stained uniforms. They can be left in the bin outside the door to the renAISsance store. We are in need of upper school kilts!
o We need volunteers to help staff the store. Please email Nissa (nissa_omara@hotmail.com) if you would like to help.
· We are back to in person events this year! This means we need parent volunteers to help. It is a great way to get involved and meet other parents.
· You should receive a monthly Parents’ Council newsletter to keep you up to date on the latest news and upcoming events. Please reach out if you don’t receive it
· Please follow our social media accounts on Facebook (Agnes Irwin Parents’ Council) and Instagram (@aisparentscouncil)
Beth Yocum – Parents’ Council Events Coordinator
Band, Bubbles & Beer
· Saturday, October 2nd, 4:00-6:00 – The Lower School Field
· Adults Only Event
· Rain date 10/3
· The Bluegrass band “Under the Oak” will be entertainment.
· Event is free to attend with options to purchase a wristband for Food or Food and Drink. May preorder wristbands or purchase at the event.
· Information about on site babysitting coming soon
Agnes Irwin Cup
· Wednesday, October 13th – Sunnybrook Golf Club
· Tickets now available on AIS-On for foursomes or individual. Individuals will placed in a foursome
· Not a golf player? Tickets are also available for post golf cocktails and dinner.
Spirit Week
· Week long event leading up to AIS/EA day.
· Kicking off with Spirit Fair
o Friday, November 5th, 3:00-5:30 – The Lower School Field
o Fun bounce houses, DJ Howard, Chick-fil-A, and a silent auction
· Spirit week events include the Pep Rally and pasta dinner
· Spirit gear will be on sale throughout the week leading up to AIS/EA day. Girls will have the opportunity to purchase during their lunch and at spirit fair
Owlidays
· Wednesday November 17th
· Eagle Village Shops. Ticket gets you 20% off at most stores throughout Eagle Village
· Wednesday evening cocktail party at Valley Forge Flowers. Meet up with friends and get started on holiday shopping!
Sharon Mankovich – Upper School Parent Coordinator
Introduced class parents, deans and separated groups into breakouts.
· 9th Grade:
o Class Parents: Shannon Davis, Sheryl Reidenbach
o Class Dean: Kim Polonsky
· 10th Grade:
o Class Parents: Erin Hinckle, Rita Johnson-Greene
o Class Dean: Patrick Beasom
· 11th Grade:
o Class Parents: Keely Morrissey, Sheri Perkins
o Class Dean: Lindsey Hurst
· 12th Grade:
o Class Parents: Esther Sim. Catherine Twitmyer
o Class Deans: Tricia Colclaser, Sarah Leonard
AIS Upper School Key Dates
(Blue = Parents’ Council Events)
September
20-21 9th Grade Pocono Valley Retreat
21 College Counseling – An Evening with Jeff Selingo 7-9 PM (Classes of ’22,’23 and parents
23-24 10th Grade Pocono Valley Retreat
30 Back to School Night
October
2 Band, Bubbles and Beer
7 Virtual College Case Study Night (REQUIRED for Seniors, Parents welcome) 7 PM
8 Upper School Conferences – NO CLASSES
11 Fall Weekend – NO CLASSES
12 Smart Track College Funding Webinar (PARENTS ONLY) 7 PM
13 PSATs – 10th and 11th Grade
Day of Service – 9th Grade
College Application Writing Day – 12th Grade
AIS Golf Outing (Sunnybrook Golf Club)
14 RenAISsance Sale
November
5 Spirit Fair
8-12 Spirit Week
12 AIS/EA Day at AIS
17 Owlidays
24-26 Thanksgiving Break – NO CLASSES
29 In Service Day – NO CLASSES
December
12 Gingerbread House Pickup (12/14 Submission)
17 Holiday Assemble/Winter Break Begins
Future Big Dates to Think About:
· 10th Grade – Ring Day
· 11th Grade – Coating Ceremony/Junior Prom
· 12th Grade – Prom (April 23rd)/ Graduation
