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Letter from Anne |
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Dear Parents,
When you read this e-news, I will have been at the NAIS Conference for a few days, attending sessions on topics such as: the future of today’s classroom, stress and anxiety in girls’ lives, team-teaching, honoring teachers’ voices, addressing bullying – going beyond a policy, and more. It is also a time for me to network with colleagues, building a community of sharing and mentoring.
Let me share with you, for this week, a quote I recently read in an article in Independent School magazine:
“he who should inspire and lead his race must be defended from traveling with souls of other men, from living, breathing, reading, and writing in the daily, time-worn yoke of their opinions.” Emerson
William Deresiewicz, in a speech to a West Point plebe class, interpreted this Emerson quote as “Leadership defining a new direction, not simply putting yourself at the front of the herd that’s heading toward a cliff.” I found this concept valuable. So often, when we think of leadership in high school, we think of someone who embraces the status quo and adeptly leads us because of their strong organizational skills, their support of our goals, and their willingness to create comfort within our group. So often, a student is elected mostly because they make their classmates feel comfortable – thus the cliché of the “popularity vote. “ But, if we think as Emerson does, we should really be voting into office people who will challenge us to think, who will push us to achieve beyond the status quo, to move out of our comfort zones. We want to be “inspired,” and in order for this to happen, we need a leader who will not simply “travel with souls of other men.” Yes, we want a leader who will actively listen, who will be thoughtful in response, but we also should strive to elect leaders who will have the courage to make decisions that can move us positively forward. So, as we move into the season of future leadership at AIS, have a conversation with your daughter about what she really wants in her leaders, and how she can vote to make that happen. Talk to her about her own aspirations, and how she might be the type of leader, whether in an elected position, or as a representative, or as a student who simply raises questions among her peers, who can make a difference by advocating new ideas, new practices, and fresh voices. Leadership is more than a title. Leadership is a way of life that demands courage, energy, and a willingness to move mountains, and I know that every AIS girl has this capacity – I see it every day. Anne
P.S. The March 8th Upper School Visiting Day is designed as an informal opportunity for adult relatives, such as grandparents, and adult friends to share in the Agnes Irwin experience. They will have the chance for a short time to see our classrooms in action. Please note, this event is not for students' minor siblings and/or significant others.
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Coming Up at AIS ... |
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Sat., Feb. 26: Eastern Swimming Conference Championships, All Day, Off-Campus Sat., Feb. 26: Mandatory CREW Meeting for Spring Crew, 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M., Boathouse Row #14
Sun., Feb. 27: Club AIS Volleyball Practice, 1:00-3:30 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion
Sun., Feb. 27: Empty Bowls Supper, 5:00-7:00 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion
Mon., Feb. 28: Spring Sports start
Tues., Mar. 1:100th Night Dinner for Class of 2011, 5:30-7:00 P.M., US Cafeteria
Wed., Mar. 2: 9th and 10th Grade Parent College Night, 7:30-9:00 P.M., West-Wike Theatre
Thurs., Mar. 3- Sat., Mar. 5: Robotics Competition at Trenton, All Day, Sun National Bank Center, Trenton, NJ
Sun., Mar. 6: Club AIS Volleyball Practice, 1:00-3:30 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion
Sun., Mar. 6: Crew Chili Bingo Night, 6:30-8:30 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion
Looking Ahead …
Mon., Mar. 7: Challenge Success Survey Grade 10, US Library, 8:30-9:40 A.M.
Tues., Mar. 8: Upper School Special Visitors' Day, 9:30 A.M.-12:35 P.M.
Wed., Mar. 9: Challenge Success Survey Grade 11, US Library, 10:00-11:30 A.M.
Thurs., Mar. 10: 10th grade Field Trip to Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C., All Day
Thurs., Mar. 10: Challenge Success Survey Grade 12, US Library, 8:30-9:45 A.M.
Fri., Mar. 11: Challenge Success Survey Grade 9, US Library, 8:30-9:45 A.M.
Sat., Mar. 12: SAT Testing Date, Off-Site, 8:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
Sun., Mar. 13: Day Light Savings Spring Forward
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Announcements |
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Meet the College Counselors!
Parents of the Class of 2013 and 2014 are invited to come meet the Upper School College Counselors and learn about the AIS college counseling program. For full information, please see the flyer in the 'Downloads' section.
Challenge Success Parent Survey
The Agnes Irwin School has contracted with Challenge Success, a Stanford University-based research project to broaden the vision of success for today’s youth, to conduct a survey of our students in grades 7-12. The purpose of this survey, organized by our Center for the Advancement of Girls, is to get a precise picture of how our girls are faring, using the Challenge Success principles as guidelines. For more information, please see the Letter to Parents and Consent Form in the 'Downloads' section.
AP Chemistry Announcement
Parents of 12th graders in AP Chemistry- Dr. Katz has scheduled two early morning classes on Monday, March 7 and Monday, March 21, starting at 7:30 A.M. We advise you of this for your planning purposes.
MealPayPlus – Cafeteria Online
As a reminder to all, you can sign up at www13.mealpayplus.com for managing your child’s cafeteria experience. Registering on this site, you can create an auto-email notification when your child’s cafeteria balance hits a designated point. You can also monitor what your child eats. You will have the option of using a credit card to pay online or you can simply register and pay with a check or cash at the cafeteria register. To help you register on the site, we have provided step by step instructions under the Parent Portal of our website. There you will find a section in the left column called Cafeteria Information. To register you will need your student’s ID. This is the same 6 digit number your student uses to login to our website. If you need assistance locating it or have any questions, please contact James Jones at 610-526-1677 or TechHelp@agnesirwin.org.
AIS Crew Chili- Bingo Night
Sunday, March 6: AIS Crew's annual Chili Bingo Night is taking place 6:30-8:30 P.M. in the Laura Thomas Buck '49 Pavilion. Please see the flyer in 'Downloads' for more information!
AIS Spring Crew Mandatory Meeting
Saturday, February 26
If your daughter plans on rowing this spring, please attend a mandatory informational crew meeting on Saturday, February 26, 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M., at Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club, Boathouse Row #14. Girls are required to come as well to prep equipment.
Softball Car Wash
The Varsity softball team will be having a car wash before the Empty Bowls Supper this Sunday. Stop by the Middle/Upper School parking lot anytime between 3:00 and 5:30 P.M. to support the Varsity softball players. No charge - donations will be accepted. All donations go to off-set costs of their spring break trip to Florida. |
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