Dear Parents,
The Agnes Irwin School is a thriving, bustling community. Girls are flourishing. Ideas, initiatives, and plans are being put into action and followed through with a passion and desire to act in ways that best support girls’ learning. Sometimes these programs are internally driven, and in the case of what I would like to share with you today, sometimes these ideas are seeded by you, our parent community.
As a result of conversations I have had over the past three years with many of you, the Lower School will be launching an after school enrichment program after Spring Break. The program will offer courses taught each day by both outside companies and our own teachers for all grade levels. Sample offerings include fencing, knitting, nature club and softball. We are so excited to be able to provide this option to our families and hope that you feel the same. More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks with registration to be completed before Spring Break, but I wanted you to have the information now as you are thinking about your child’s spring activities schedule.
As well, I have had the opportunity to be engaged in several conversations this year with many of you who are wondering about technology safety with young children. Specifically, how do we as parents begin to have the conversations about Internet safety with our children now, in preparation for the accessibility and accompanying challenges that will occur as they get older? In response, a three part series on the Internet and your daughter have been planned for this spring. Mark your calendars for March 8 from 7:00-8:30 pm, when Stephanie Newberg will be presenting on Internet safety and cyberbullying. Stephanie is a therapist who has presented to our Middle and Upper School parents in the past, and is known for her public presentations around the area. The second lecture will occur in April and feature our own Lower School parent Kevin Steele. Kevin is an assistant district attorney with Montgomery County, and his department has put together a phenomenal set of workshops on how to protect our children when they use technology—and what happens when we don’t. Finally, in early May, Michelle Burns and Sarah Kinder will be sharing the ways in which we teach your daughters, beginning at an early age, how to be vigilant and safe online. Parents who attend all three sessions will receive a special gift to help them continue their own education after the series is over, but even if you are only able to make one of the lectures, I promise you it will be worth your time.
First, though, we have a long weekend to enjoy. I hope that you have some wonder-filled family time over the next few days. See you Tuesday!
Donna