Folder   Article   Weblink   Product   Message Board   Calendar   Form   Document   Album   Podcast

January 14, 2011 Volume VI, Issue 16   Home Letter from Anne Dear Parents,   For a culture that values individualism so much, we give message after message to be a type of girl. Sharon Lamb and Lyn Mikel Brown Packaging Girlhood This coming week, we are fortunate to have the chance to hear the wise words of Lyn Mikel Brown as she talks about the impact of the media and society on our teenage girls. If you ever find yourself questioning whether your daughter seeks to be a “type” in order to be accepted, which we see in even the most independent girls at this age, just stand at the door to the Laura Thomas Buck '49 Pavilion at a Friday night dance and watch what each girl is wearing. Or, join your daughter’s followers of her Twitter feed and read the thematic messages that are full of specialized language adopted by her and her friends. I find that even the most rebellious girls, whether in behavior or dress, are drawing from some “type” to which they have been exposed, whether it be Lady Gaga or a throw-back to the days of Grace Slick and Janis Joplin. Of course, we each hope that this chance to mimic, to be accepted, and to not take seriously what the media portrays will help to build some sense of self so that each girl will emerge as her own adult self full of confidence in how she presents herself to the world. There are ways this coming week to be both an individual and a part of a group. On Monday, the Upper School presents a variety of opportunities to honor Dr. King with service to the greater community. As individuals, we can express ourselves by creating artistic bowls for the Empty Bowls project, which in turn brings us into the greater group of raising awareness and support for those who are hungry and in need. Similar ways to express ourselves can be found through writing letters to soldiers and making placemats for the soup bowls with the Lower School. Others can support specifically as a group with Art Sphere and Philabundance. During the winter sports Spirit Week, classes will demonstrate their spirit with a hallway decorating competition, followed by a class color day and a blue and gold day when the Volleyball team will entertain us with their winning dance. Finally, Friday night will be the kick-off for Arts Week, with the Impulse Arts Night, one of my favorite events of the year. Come hear good music, good poetry, good humor, and have some great snacks in the Moran Gallery, as it is transformed into a beautiful little nightclub. I look forward to seeing you there!   On a final note, please be sure to read the attached letter in the Downloads section concerning 2011 course selection for your daughter.  Anne Coming Up at AIS ... Thurs., Jan. 13-Mon., Jan. 17: Model UN Conference Sun., Jan. 16: Club AIS Volleyball Practice, 1:00-3:30 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion Mon., Jan. 17: No Classes, Martin Luther King Holiday Tues., Jan. 18- Fri., Jan. 21: Winter Sports Spirit Week       - Tues., Jan. 18-Wed., Jan. 19: Class Hallway Decorations       - Thurs., Jan. 20: Class Color Day       - Fri., Jan. 21: Blue and Gold Day, Spirit Assembly 8:05 A.M., West-Wike Theatre Tues., Jan. 18- Fri., Jan. 28: Art for Eburu Art Show and Sale, Moran Gallery Wed., Jan. 19: Junior Parents: Kaplan Test Prep- SAT/ACT practice test discussion, 6:30-8:00 P.M., Room 215 Thurs., Jan. 20: Lyn Mikel Brown Presentation for Parents and Community, 7:30 P.M., West-Wike Theatre Fri., Jan. 21: Impulse Arts Night, 7:30-9:30 P.M., Moran Gallery Sat., Jan. 22: SAT Testing Date, 8:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M., Off-Site Sun., Jan. 23: Club AIS Volleyball Practice, 1:00-3:30 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion Looking Ahead … Mon., Jan. 24- Fri., Jan. 28: Upper School Arts Week Fri., Jan. 28: Dance Motion, 7:00 P.M., West-Wike Theatre Sat., Jan. 29: Dance Motion, 7:00 P.M., West-Wike Theatre Sun., Jan. 30: Club AIS Volleyball Practice, 1:00-3:30 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion   Staff Appreciation Lunch: Request for Volunteers! When: January 19th Where: Upper School Lobby Why: This event allows the parents to express their appreciation to the faculty and staff for all of their hard work. How: We need Parents to cook, serve, set up, and break down this event. Contact Linda Means, meansfam@comcast.net and Debbie Karalis, debajk2@aol.com to volunteer. Check the website for additional information and recipes. Downloads Art for Eburu fundraiser French Department Book Collection for Haiti 2011 Course Selection Information   Announcements A Treat for Parents! Breakfast with CulinArt's Dietician Please stop by the Cafeteria at 8:30 A.M. on January 25 to have breakfast with Anna Bullit, CulinArt's dietician.   A Note from Philabundance Agnes Irwin donated 2,613 POUNDS of food from our Holiday can drive.  Well done girls!   Upcoming Events at AIS Lyn Mikel Brown "Cultivating Hardiness through Activism: SPARKing a Movement to Reclaim Girlhood" Thursday, January 20, 7:30 P.M. Brown, noted author, educator, and social critic, will return to Agnes Irwin to speak about a new movement to challenge the prevalence of sexualized references to girls in popular culture: television, magazines, movies, music videos, music lyrics, sports media, video games, the Internet and advertising. She will address how concerned youth and adults can collectively combat negative images of females in the media. Screening of Documentary Race to Nowhere Talk with Ken Ginsburg, MD, MSEd Tuesday, February 1, 7:00 P.M. Ginsburg, nationally recognized pediatrician and author, is prominently featured in Race to Nowhere, which has sparked conversation and action on behalf of a generation of stressed young people both nationally and internationally. We are fortunate to have Dr. Ginsburg join us at Agnes Irwin to talk about perfectionism and the way to authentic success for our children after the screening of the movie.   Both events will take place in the West-Wike Theatre.    Save the Date! Winterfest 2011 March 12th at Aronimink Golf Club Auction Meeting: January 18th after drop off in the US/MS Meeting room. Contact Lisa Hall, hall-lsl@comcast.net for additional information. Winterfest Committee Meeting: January 19th after drop off at Nika Smith’s home – 304 Durham Drive, Villanova. Any parent interested in volunteering for this wonderful event is welcome!!!