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Letter from Anne |
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Dear Parents,
Wasn’t spring break wonderful? Time to think, relax, and recharge. For me, it was a time to catch up on reading.
There seem to be more and more articles being published on the need for sleep. One tidbit I gleaned from a Twitter post is that most cell phone plans allow an application that can block calls on your daughter’s cell phone during her sleep time at night. You can actually have an automatic reply appear, by voice or text, stating that she is unavailable during specific hours. You can also customize the blocking to allow calls from parents only. Why not turn that cell access off from 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M., ensuring some non-electronically disturbed shut-eye?
We all know our generation of parents is accused of being “helicopter parents,” which has become the focus once again with the emergence of the “Tiger Mom.” However, there are other ways of looking at this. As your daughter moves through Upper School and on to college, you will find your role as a parent changing. As Stephen Emerson, president of Haverford College wrote:
“I know my role, and my place relative to my daughter's life is changing. Each day takes her farther down the road. I've come to realize I am not growing distant from her as she acquires her independence but that we are realigning. Before, when we were on a clear grown-up/child path, I probably - yes - hovered above. Now I find myself at her side. It is a remarkable change. And as our journeys continue, we parents will see our position relative to our children shift yet again. We will be behind them, and they will be leading us.”
I then read a summary of findings from Dr. Robert Root-Bernstein, professor of Physiology at Michigan State University. He and his wife have done studies on the cross-section of art and science. Their research confirms that visual thinking training improves science and engineering ability. Their 2008 research found that four years of art classes in high school increased SAT scores by 100 points, but four years of science courses, without accompanying art courses, increased scores by 67 points. Now that’s food for thought! The combination of the two appears to be powerful.
Finally, I hope you were able to join us at Episcopal Academy on Thursday night for the 6-Pack concert. As always, the Bel Cantos wowed us with their beautiful harmonies and dynamic stage presence. Congratulations also go to the US Chorus and Bel Cantos for a wonderful concert at Haverford before spring break. The Hallelujah Chorus moved us all with its energy and the power of the combined choruses’ voices. Click here to view a clip from that concert!
Anne
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Annual Fund |
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The school will be mailing its “Printer’s Proof” of the Annual Report in late April. This draft lists all gifts and pledges made to the Agnes Irwin Annual Fund as of April 15, 2011. Please make your gift today to ensure you are listed with your daughter’s class in the upcoming mailing. For questions, please contact Brooke Record at 610.526.1674 or brecord@agnesirwin.org. Thank you for your support of the 2010-2011 Annual Fund. |
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Coming Up at AIS ... |
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Thurs., April 7-Sat., April 9: US Robotics Competition, Licouras Center at Temple University, All Day
Sat., April 9: ACT Test Date, 8:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., Off-site
Sat., April 9: Lacrosse Clinics, 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., Upper School fields
Sat., April 9: Prom, 8:00 P.M.-12:00 A.M., National Constitution Center
Looking Ahead ...
Sun., April 10: Club AIS Volleyball Practice, 1:00-3:00 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck '49 Pavilion
Mon.-Fri., April 11-15: Spanish Week
Mon., April 11: Upper School Choral Ensemble, 7:30-10:00 P.M., Church Farm School
Tues., April 12: Main Line College Fair, 6:00-9:00 P.M., Villanova University
Thurs., April 14: Sophomore Day
Sophomore Breakfast: 8:25-9:30 A.M.
Thurs., April 14: French Students (Grades 11 & 12) trip to Philadelphia Museum of Art, 9:00 A.M.- 2:30 P.M.
Sat., April 16: Lacrosse Clinics, 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., Upper School Field
Sun., April 17: Club AIS Volleyball Practice, 1:00-3:30 P.M., Laura Thomas Buck '49 Pavilion
Sun., April 17: Bio and Chem SAT II Review, 3:30-5:30 P.M., US Science Wing
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Announcements |
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French Field Trip
All French students in grades eleven and twelve will visit the French Impressionist collection in the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Thursday, April 14. There will be a guided tour of the works by Renoir, Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Pissaro, Manet and Degas followed by an authentic French lunch at A la Maison Bistro in Ardmore. Students will leave AIS by chartered bus at 9:10 A.M. and return to school by 2:45 P.M. Mmes Barnett and Davis will accompany the group.
Science Review Sessions
Morning sessions for AP Biology from 7:30-8:00 A.M. in Room 259 have begun! They will continue every Tuesday (12, 19, 26) and Thursday morning (14, 21, 28) through April. Bagels will be provided. Attendance is strongly encouraged. Handouts will be available for those students who are unable to attend.
Please note the new time for the Chemistry and Biology SAT Review Session—Sunday, April 17 from 3:30 – 5:30 P.M.
Please note the exam is Saturday, May 7.
Choral Concert Information
Upper School Choir concert with The Church Farm School – Monday, April 11 – 7:30 P.M. The School at Church Farm 1001 E. Lincoln Hwy. - Exton, PA 19341 The concert will take place in the chapel across from the main campus. Please park in the main lot and walk through the UNDERPASS at Lincoln Highway and proceed up the small hill to the chapel. Contact Murray Savar for more information. msavar@agnesirwin.org
AIS Golf Outing The Agnes Irwin Golf Outing, that was rained out in September, will now be held on Monday April 18, 2011 at Gulph Mills Golf Club. Please contact Peter Hill, phill@mhhco.com, or Beth Coyne, familycoyne@comcast.net, if you are interested in participating in this event. Additional information can be found on the AIS Golf web page.
Bring a Friend to School!
“Bring a Friend to School” days at Agnes Irwin will take place from April 18-29, 2011.
“Bring a Friend to School” is a special program for current AIS students in 1st through 9th grades to invite girls who are a part of their sports teams, summer camps, churches, synagogues or neighborhoods to spend a day with them at Agnes Irwin. Please see the link in the 'Downloads' section.
Congratulations French Students!
Sixteen Agnes Irwin juniors and seniors recently passed the DELF French proficiency exam at the DELF Testing Center at Rosemont College and received diplomas from the French Ministry of Education. Dr. Marilyn Conwell, Director of the DELF Testing Center, commented that she had never met so many talented linguists from one school. Congratulations to: Kate Alden, Emily Cyr, Sarah Frick, Mary Hahm, Hannah Maicher, Chiru Murage, Kui Murage, Meghan Price, Sara Price, Mary Beth Smith, Kate Tocci, Fifi Yeung, Rayna Aivazoglou, Melissa Schantz (level A-2); and Briana Chen and Lindley Smith (level B-2).
Upcoming College Counseling Events
Tuesday, April 12 – FOR JUNIORS: Main Line College Fair, Villanova University Pavilion, 6:30 – 9:00 P.M. Parking is extremely limited, so parents please drop off/pick up your junior.
Tuesday, April 19 – FOR JUNIORS (required) AND JUNIOR PARENTS (recommended): College Selection Panel, West-Wike Theatre, 7:30 – 9:00 P.M.
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