The Agnes Irwin School Parents’ Council

Upper School Parent/Guardian Winter Coffee

Tuesday, January 18th – 9:00 AM

 

Welcome, AIS Highlights & Outlook for Spring – Joy Prince – Upper School Director

 

Weekly letter – Opportunity to share a glimpse what life is like in the upper school

  • Meets with senior student government once a month. They are trying to figure out a way to engage with the 9th & 10th grade to create more community. Looking for opportunities to connect with all the classes.

  • SSP – Special Studies Program – 3/22-3/24

  • 3 days of opportunity to take a deep dive into a non academic, non graded course right before spring break

  • Sample of options:

  •  Zero waste business building, 

  • Real Philly beyond the liberty bell 

  • Civil rights in the American south

  • Protesting for peace

  • Creature comforts – how animals can be used to alleviate medical symptoms. 

  • Second semester starts 1/18. Teacher Office hours take place twice a week.

  • Try to avoid contacting your daughters during active classroom time. We want students to be fully engaged and limit distractions.  

 

Student Community Update – Sarah Leonard – Dean of Students

  • Robust student leadership program is up and going. Girls are planning and running boards and organizations. 

  • They were able to have the  9th & 10th grade retreats in the fall and Halloween costume contest occurred. 

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  • The social institute – Promoting positive productive relationships with social media for middle and upper school. Curriculum is delivered through the wellness program. 

  • Some topics of lessons that have occurred:

  •  Finding common ground,Recognizing the science behind screen time and social media, Respecting healthy boundaries

  •  Understanding and mastering our mind and bodies reaction to stress, Preventing burn out to boost your productivity

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  • There is a parent toolkit, the link will be in the weekly message. 

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  • Flex Well Block –  Once in the 7 day cycle they stop all academic blocks and devote a time to wellness.  Series of workshops offered by current students, faculty and staff. Some offerings have been: Chess, music appreciation, organization, sensory walks, calm coloring and bracelet making. 

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  • Advisory led conferences – March - team approach to girls learning and co-curricular decisions. Check in at the end of the third quarter. Course selection for the next school year is set and established

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  • Spring Events to look forward to:

  • Hallway decorating competition,  flag football game leading up to the super bowl, Blazer ceremony -  Juniors, Ring ceremony - Sophomores, Washington D.C. trip for juniors, Senior Class 100th night  - 2/27

 

Student Health/Well Being – Kim Polonsky – Upper School Counselor/ 9th Grade Dean

  • American Academy of Pediatrics put out a study that the pandemic has caused an increase in the level of anxiety and depression in students across the country to a level of national emergency.

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  • AIS is trying to be proactive in regards to the rise in mental health needs. Offering pop up groups and accessibility to faculty staff for girls who are struggling.

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  •  February 9th -  showing  of the documentary “Angst” to  upper school as well as grades 7th & 8th. 

  • 45 minutes in an assembly format, followed by a student panel. Four girls will be sharing their experience of struggling with anxiety. 

  • Parent viewing on 2/16 (6:30-8:00) in person. Also followed by the student panel as well. It will conclude with Q&A session. 

 

Spring Athletics – Courtney Lubbe – AIS Director of Athletics 

  • Winter sports end 1/27-3/5.  

  • For the first time there is an Upper School Club indoor track program. Had first meet ever last week. 

  • JV & Varsity squash teams heading to nationals in a few weeks. 

  • Updated Spectator policy: Spectators are welcomed back to AIS for home teams, Haverford school is limiting spectators to two persons for swim meets. AIS is not permitting visiting team spectators at this time. 

  • Spring sports begin 2/28. Sign ups will begin by next week. There will also be a fitness offering and the return of Zumba 

  •  Crew starts mid February

  •  Crew & Lacrosse have required practices, games over spring break. 

  • Pre-season for Fall sports begins 8/22. Preseason attendance in full is required if your daughter wants to play a fall sport. 

 

Parents’ Council News, Nominations and Events – Nissa O’Mara – Parents’ Council President

  • Thank you for your support of our fall events. All our fall fundraisers did as well or better than the last time they were held in the fall of 2019

  • Nomination process – if you are interested in participating in any capacity, please self nominate or nominate a friend. We are looking for individuals to fill roles as class parents, event chairs and on the parents’ council executive committee

  • Email: Pcnominations@agnesirwin.org  

  • Descriptions of positions will be posted on the Parents’ council tab on AIS-ON

  • Feel free to reach out to nominations chair Mimi Greenly with questions

Family Skating Night (1/22) – Philadelphia Skating Club in Ardmore – 5:30-7:30

  • Free to attend but please register ahead of time

  • Fee for rentals

  • No food, drink or snacks allowed, everyone must be masked per skating club policy

Bryn Mawr Film Institute Movie Night – February 8th at 7:00: Screening of Mama Mia

  • Event is free to attend but you must register in advance to reserve your seats. Registration is capped at a little over 100 people, theater can hold 300 so you can be comfortably distanced

MS & US Staff Appreciation Lunch

  • Grab and go box lunch. If you would like to contribute to the cost of the lunches there is a link on the parents council tab. $20 covers the cost of one lunch. 

Raise  -  4/22 – 672 Conestoga

  • Planning Meeting: February 2nd at 672 at 6:45. Look for more information regarding this event in the PC monthly newsletter

 

Class Breakouts 

Sharon Mankovich – Parents’ Council Upper School Coordinator

 

Upper School Class Parents

  • 9th Grade: Sheryl Reidenbach, Shannon Davis

  • 10th Grade: Erin Hinckle, Rita Johnson-Greene

  • 11th Grade: Keely Morrissey, Sheri Perkins

  • 12th Grade: Catherine Twitmyer, Esther Sim