The Agnes Irwin School Parents’ Council
Upper School Parent Coffee
Friday, September 23rd, 2022 • 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 the school’s mission and create the best possible environment for all Agnes Irwin students to grow and thrive.
Welcome and Opening Remarks – Joy Prince, Upper School Director
· Welcome to the new school year. It is so nice to be in person together!
· Joy introduced and acknowledged key people in the room who she wanted to thank for their work for our girls. They included; Cathy Ferguson – Director of parent relations, Maura Daniels -upper school coordinator and the upper school class parents (names listed below)
· Portrait of a Graduate – New initiative led by the Agnes Irwin academic leadership team in 2021-2022 academic year. The team helped to developed a list of attributes that we want to infuse into the life of our school community. (More info below from Elizabeth Rossini)
· What we do well in US: We know our students. Value getting to know students in our community and working together with parents and advisor teams.
Greeting from Elizabeth Rossini – Assistant Head of School
· The Agnes Irwin community prides itself on prioritizing care and learning together. AIS works hard on girls wellness as well as developing girls academic strengths
· Portrait of a Graduate – It is a visual representation of the characteristics that represent the schools promise to it’s students and families. It is grounded in and informed by it’s alumae. It’s introduction will guide the design and planning of academic and extracurricular experience the the Agnes Irwins students of today and tomorrow.
o It is compromised of 7 trans-disciplinary skills from pre-k – 12.
§ Balanced
§ Collaborative
§ Globally and Community Minded
§ Self Directed
§ Creative
§ Brave
§ Intellectually curious
o New initiative, we will see more about it as it rolls out. Can read about it in the latest AIS magazine starting on page 40. The issue is online at agnesirwin.org/news.
Upper School Overview
Joy Prince – Upper School Director
· Weekly Email – All parents should be receiving this email from Joy. It gives a glimpse of what’s happening in US and includes important dates and upcoming events.
· With Honors program – Different that an honors.
o It is a deeper dive in our academic program. Opportunity to self select to do additional faulty guided independent research in a particular class.
o It is above and beyond what is happening in the scope and context of that course.
o Students must apply through an application process
· SSP (Special Studies Program) – SSP is series of immersive, project-based learning opportunities that help students investigate the world beyond their immediate environment.
o SSP Global Travel is back. Details will be discussed in an evening program with Vanessa Pope (Director of Strategic Partnership and Experiential Learning) on October 6th where you can learn all the offerings and travel plans
· Ethical scholarship – New focus this year on how to cite sources properly. Not just in the humanities but in science as well. Part of our academic focus on getting girls ready for college.
· Procrastination – They noticed this was something the girls have been struggling with the past few years.
o The US faculty want to do a better job of infusing skills and scaffolding so the girls can work more efficiently on projects throughout the year
· Senior Assembly – New iteration. Seniors assemblies will be back in West Wike Theater.
o Students have ability to be more creative. Make use of the stage and the podium, make
it similar to a TED talk.
o They will wear their uniform and blazers.
· Juniors will get their blazers this spring
· Every student is assigned an advisor that they meet with 3x a cycle in small groups. During community time girls meet with their advisory groups or in assembly as an entire US
· Teachers are primary contact for anything in the classroom. Advisors are contacts for social-emotional issues
o Encourage self-advocacy with the girls. Have your daughter reach out to a teacher or advisor when they have an issue first before you intervene.
· Start with Why – encourage faculty to understand the Why of what they do.
Sarah Leonard - Dean of Students
· Student life – teenage girls manage two different social things. They want to fit in and they want to figure out who they are as an individual.
· Planned Absence Form: If you know your daughter will be absence – college visit, family reunion, etc.
o Best practices for girls to be proactive when they know they will miss school. They need to do the form at school.
o Parents needs to be in touch with US attendance to report the absence.
· Handbook – New Modification - Online Behavior and Honorable Conduct Online – conduct on social media outside of school is a private matter.
o Keep the phones out of the bedroom at night
o Partner with The Social Institute – proactive positive ways girls can manage social media
o 9th Grade – Phones need to be out of sight from 8:30-3:00
o 10-12th can have their phones with them. They need to be away during class. Asking that parents not call or text during the school day
o We are teaching girls skills and strategies to handle issues during the day without calling home that will make them feel more independent
· Advisor - Student Led Conferences – 10/27 & 10/28. Any issues with a specific teacher or class parents can reach out to that teacher.
o Spring Conference Dates: 3/16 & 3/17.
· Fall Ball – October 15th - 7:30-9:30 in the SLC. Girls can bring a date if they choose. Girls dates must bring their Student IDs. This is a student led event.
· Community Time – Every day. Student led assemblies and announcements. There are 60 different groups girls can join and participate in during flex time.
· Optional office hours are at the start and end of the day. It’s drop in, no appointments necessary.
Meg Scott - Director of College Counseling
· 13th year at AIS. Senior parent kick off night last week.
· College reps are coming back to campus.
o 90+ reps will be visiting. Girls make an appointment to meet with reps. These appointments are reserved for seniors.
· 10/3 – virtual evening required for all seniors. Model what it would be like to be in an admissions committee.
· 10/4 & 10/10 – financial aid workshop
· PSAT – Will be taken in an advisory cohort classroom. Need to be in uniform Seniors are on campus that day for a essay writing workshop.
· Juniors – mock ACT – offered online
· 10th grade – partner with the advisory program
· 11th Grade - Junior parent night on November 15th 7:00 in the SLC. College process has changed a lot in the past few years
o 10th grade parent night in March
o 9th Grade parent night in the spring
· College Counseling works within the wellness curriculum
o 9th grade - talk about myth busting of the college process
o In Junior year they take over wellness – challenge preconceived notions and various topics in the college related world
o Senior year – they meet once a cycle. Application workshop. Dedicated period working on college applications
Courtney Lubbe - Director of Athletics
· PE – fitness during morning office hours.
· 9th & 10th grade – Can apply participation in the musical for a PE credit once or for being a part of dance motion
· 11th & 12th - 2 athletic seasons are required, can waive one
· Independent athletic waiver. Can utilize that for PE credit
· Options outside of athletic teams include; Zumba, yoga, spin and cardio kickboxing
o Due to generosity of Parents’ Council more bikes were purchased. Now there will be less of a waitlist for spin classes.
· Girls can find something they enjoy and can take with her into her life that is not compulsory physical fitness
· 14 varsity sports – most have JV options. Cross country and track only have varsity options which is a league rule
· Sports Schedules – There are practices on days where there are no academic classes such as conference days. Some teams have mandatory practices over breaks. In the spring some sports have participation required over spring break
o Attendance requirement is stricter for practice and games in US athletics.
o Encourage your daughter to self advocate if there is an issue on her team.
· Team schedules are published on agnesirwin.org. In the drop down menu choose Athletics then Team Sports.
o Sign up for alerts. On AIS-ON choose “Athletics” then click on the link for “How to subscribe to athletic alerts”
Kim Polonsky – US Counselor/ 9th Grade Dean/ Department Chair – Learning Support Services
· Social -emotional health – dealing with covid. Isolation brought on by the pandemic affected girls social-emotional skills.
· Information is kept confidential unless there is a risk of harm.
· Will be conducting a Mental Health awareness series for parents
o 11/8 – Book Discussion at 672. The Sleep Deprived Teen: Why our teenagers are so tired, and how parents and schools can help them thrive by Lisa Lewis. More information and how to RSVP to event will be shared soon
o 2nd event will be regarding anxiety, 3rd about social media.
· Minds unlimited – Program run by girls. Mental health and awareness as their core focus. Pop up groups at lunch to deal with issues that arise
· Universal screening – to determine struggles and what supports we can put into place to support girls and their parents
· Student support. Help girls with learning issues or diagnoses and implement a learning plan
Supporting Agnes Irwin
Alison Houghton – Associate Director of Development & Director of Campaigns/Major Gifts
· Development is more than just raising money – includes a parent's relations program (way to get involved and volunteer).
· Annual fund – way to financially support the school
· 9/29 there will be an EITC (earned income tax credit) breakfast at 672. Different than giving to annual fund, EITC may have tax benefits – attend the breakfast to learn more.
· Oversee parents relations department. Special interest groups
· Alumni relations – networking opportunities, regional events. Help alumnae feel supported after they graduate
·
Agnes Irwin Parents’ Council
Nissa O’Mara – President of Parents’ Council
· Parents’ Council is run by a 11 member Executive Committee
· As a parent you are automatically a member of Parents’ Council
· Parents’ Council oversees the Class Parents and New Parent Liaison program. They run and oversee the RenAISsance used uniform shop
· One Parents’ Council meeting a month
o In September and January these meetings are Divisional coffees
o All meetings will be live-streamed and posted online afterwards
o Minutes will be sent out thru class parents
· Parents’ council section on AIS-ON has info about meetings and upcoming events
· Parent Volunteer Survey – please fill out to give school feedback
Events
Band, Bubbles and Beer – September 24 4:30-6:30
o Lower School Field
o Babysitting available for ages 4+, reservations required
o Listen to music, sip some Prosecco or beer and enjoy some delicious food from the common good pizza truck!
· Agnes Irwin Cup Golf Outing – October 12th
o Sunnybrook Golf Club
o 1:00 Shotgun start
o 5:00-7:00 cocktails ceremony and dinner. May attend even if not playing golf
· Spirit Fair – November 4th
· Owlidays – November 16th
o Cocktail Party and shopping event at Valley Forge Flowers
o Expanded shopping options throughout the day
· Spirit Week -November 7th -11th
o AIS/EA Day – November 11th at EA
o New spirit gear from lululemon and other vendors will be available for purchase this year
Maura Daniels – Upper School Coordinator
Class Breakouts with Grade Level Deans and Class Parents
· 9th Grade: Nimrit Kang & Brendan Howard
o Dean: Kim Polonsky
· 10th Grade: Carrie Grau & Kristin Vollmer
o Dean: Ali Monzo
· 11th Grade: Jennifer St. Amand, Samantha Clarke & Edna Bilirubin Messner
o Dean: Patrick Beasom
· 12th Grade: Leelee Kirkpatrick, Kitty McQuaid & Vanessa Halpert
o Dean: Lindsey Hurst
