The Agnes Irwin School Parents’ Council
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Meeting at 672 Conestoga and Zoom
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 the school’s mission and create the best possible environment for all Agnes Irwin students to grow and thrive.
Welcome – Nissa O’Mara – Parents’ Council President
· Great seeing so many of you at the recent faculty appreciation luncheons. Thanks to all the volunteers for making them happen
Division Updates
Lower School: Nissa for Jody Seibert
· Book Fair – Tomorrow 2/10 7:00 – 6:00! Fair kicks off with Donuts with Grown Ups, all class visits fair on Friday. Fair also open on Saturday 2/11 from 9-3
· Friday 2/10 All School free dress day for Eagles
· Valentine’s Day information in Elizabeth’s Friday email. If you send in Valentines you must give me to every girl in your class. It will also be a free dress and special snack will provided.
· 2/16 Lower School Bake Sale
· Spring Conferences are on 3/16 & 3/17. Pick -a-time will open soon
· Grandfriends Day 4/13 – registration coming soon
· Kindergarten Invention Convention - 3/21
· Women in STEAM - 4/1
· Notable women - 4/26
· Summer at AIS Camp Registration is open!
Middle School: Alice Bullitt
· Summer at AIS registration is open
· Friday 2/10 All School Free Dress Day for Eagles
· No School 2/17 & 2/20 for Presidents Weekend
· 5th Grade Field Trip - 2/24 – Penn museum
· 6th grade Field Trip - 2/27 - DaVinci Science Center in Allentown
· March 3rd & 4th – Newsies – 7th & 8th Grade Musical
· 3/16 & 3/17 Collaborative Conferences
Upper School – Maura Daniels
· No School 2/17 & 2/20 for Presidents’ Day
· SSP requests should have been submitted. Should know placement by Monday 2/13
· Disconnected Book Discussion 3/7 – registration due by 2/10
· 3/3 - 10th & 11th grade DC trip
· Conferences 3/16 & 3/17
· Freshman & Sophomore Dance at Haverford 3/17
· Prom 4/15
· Ring Day – Sophomores - 4/14
· Coating Ceremony – Juniors - 5/5
· Email regarding Fall Pre-Season went out. Pre-season starts 8/21
Treasurer Update – Nissa O’Mara for Jamie Rudenstein
· Checking Account: $71,969.41
· Savings Account: $56,026.79
· Look forward to raising a ton of money for the school with our spring fundraisers
Parents’ Council Events – Ann Thorkelson – PC Events Chair
· Book Fair
o Friday 2/10 7:00-6:00 & Saturday 2/11 9:00-3:00
o Donuts with Grown up kicking off fair on Friday morning
o All classes visit fair on Friday
o No cash from students – can set up an e-wallet, any remaining cash will be donated to school to buy books from the library
· BMFI Movie Night
o 3/7 – 7:00-9:15 Little Women (2019 version). Free to attend. Need to sign up ahead of time
· Family Skating Night
o 3/11 – 5:-30-7:30. Event is free but you need to rsvp online
· RaisE
o 4/21 – kickoff meeting 2/9 at 672. Raise Your Hat, Kick your Heels
· Mayfair – 5/19
o Pre-order Irwins Sweater by 2/16
2023-2024 Parents’ Relations Programming
Nissa O’Mara – President of Parents’ Council
Presented new Parents’ Relations Programming
· New Name – Agnes Irwin Parents’ Association
o Starting in the 2023-2024 School Year
o More inclusive name that encourages increased parent involvement
o Align AIS with peer schools
o Executive Committee will be called PAEC – Parents’ Association Executive Committee
· Mission Statement of the Parents Association
o
o The purpose of the Agnes Irwin Parents’ Association 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’ Association communicates with the school’s administration to ensure that all activities and financial contributions support the school’s mission and create the best possible environment for all Agnes Irwin students to grow and thrive.
· 2023-2024 Parents’ Association President: Jody Seibert P’18’21’25’31
· PC Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for
o Class Parents
o Event and Committee Chairs
o Parents’ Council Executive Committee
o New Parent Liaisons
o Email address for nominations pcnominations@agnesirwin.org
Allison Hough – Associate Director of Development and Director of Campaigns & Major Gifts
· As part of the Strategic Plan we updated the Agnes Irwin Core Values and our strategic commitments
· We commit to
o Intellectual Curiosity
o Personal Wellbeing
o Authentic Inclusivity
o Courageous Leadership
· As part of the strategic plan of fostering Trust and community we developed a new Parents Relations Program
Cathy Ferguson – Director of Parent Relations
· Adding more opportunities for parents to engage in more ways in the AIS community
· New Parent Special Interest Groups
o Opportunities to come together as a community based around a common shared interest
o School approved activities, meetups, volunteer days, virtual gatherings, etc.
· Ideas for Affinity Groups and Interests
· All present were asked to contribute ideas in the following categories
o Wellness
§ Walking, Running Club
§ Yoga
o Literature
§ Book Club
§ Community Reads
§ Knitting Circle/Needle point/ Mahjong
§ Little Free Library
o Athletics
§ Walking, Running, Hiking Club
§ Parent Child Round Robin, Tennis or Pickleball
§ Parent Booster Club
o Parent Outreach
§ Parents drop in and have lunch with their girls
§ Invite parents to assemblies and special events
§ Senior assemblies
§ Directory/list of places to volunteer
§ WhatsApp Groups for interest groups, can opt in for your interests
§ Parent Volunteer Club
o DEIB
§ World Heritage Fair
§ Movie Club
o Community Events
§ Coffee Drop in at lower school with kids, see classrooms
§ Current Event fundraisers (ex. Earthquake in Turkey)
§ Garden Club
§ Community Gathering once a month before assemblies
§ Cooking Class/ recipe exchange/AIS cookbook creation
§ Clothing Drives – Seasonal
§ Book Drive/ Book Swap
o Faculty Engagement
§ Parents come in and take over lunch duties/recess coverage
§ Picture of Junior at coating ceremony
§ Faculty Interview (The hoot?, more fun quick questions)
§ Support Faculty Passions outside of school
o Have More Ideas – email Cathy. Cferguson@agnesirwin.org
· Drop in after Drop – Tuesday 2/14 - 672 Conestoga 7:30-10:00
Coffee, catch up with friends and learn more about the new parent interest groups
