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Letter from Anne |
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Dear Parents,
As we count down the last few hours before school is in session, I hope you enjoy the time to nap, go for a run, sit in the sun, finish reading that good summer book and maybe make one meal for the whole family that has the best in-season corn and tomatoes!
In some ways, though, the routine of school life can be welcomed at the end of summer. It is easier to plan, easier to predict each day’s needs, and to have a regular rhythm can be healthier. I know that the adults in the Agnes Irwin community thrive on the energy and enthusiasm your daughters bring back from the summer, and the faculty are poised to delve into the work of school, for which they have a passion.
Maurice Elias, PhD, Director of the Social and Emotional Learning Lab at Rutgers University, shares seven ideas to keep in mind during the transition from summer to school:
- Create a festive atmosphere for your daughter’s return to school, not a “get down to business” approach.
- Highlight all the good and exciting things that will happen during the year.
- Ask your daughter to share good memories from summer while also asking what she is looking forward to in the school year. Have your daughter share this with a friend who shares in return.
- Allow your daughter to have input into the “rules” surrounding school: homework, bedtime, digital use, number of activities, etc.
- Ask your daughter to reflect each day on what she is learning; encourage the use of a journal where she writes down three things she has learned each day.
- Give your daughter time to readjust to the school routine; allow her to be late, to forget things. Then, make it clear you expect her to be on board after the first week. Keep the focus positive: even if your daughter has a “bad” day, ask her what was the “best” part of the day. Keep things positive by always saying “best” and “look forward to most.” Also, remember that school is not just academics – ask about sports, clubs, friendly talks in the hallway, etc.
- Stay connected. Know your daughter’s advisor, teacher and coach.
Setting this tone, says Dr. Elias, will set a positive pathway for the school year as a whole.
And, to return to a concern from last year, let’s also pay attention to how much sleep your daughters get. A great study done by Dr. James Maas, of Cornell University’s Department of Psychology, states that “more sleep can lead to higher grades, better athletic performance and improved emotional and physical health.” Click here to read more about his research.
Welcome back to the fold and see you all soon!
- Anne |
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Coming Up at AIS... |
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Tues. 9/6 Orientation Programs
All New US Students & All Freshmen,
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Seniors, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room 215
Senior Luncheon, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Moran
Gallery
Wed. 9/7 First Day of Classes; All School Assembly, 8:30 a.m., Laura
Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion
Fri. 9/9 Upper School Picture Day – Barksdale Individual Photos; *All School Welcome Back Barbecue,
6 p.m., Upper School Fields
Sun. 9/11 New Parent Dinner, 5:30-7 p.m., Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion
Mon. 9/12 US Parent Coffee, 8-11 a.m., Assembly Room
Tues. 9/13 Class Photos; *AIS CONNECTS: Dr. Michael Fowlin
Presentation, 7:30 p.m., West-Wike
Theatre
Fri. 9/16 RenAISsance Sale, 7:30-10 a.m., Lower School Field; US Dance, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Laura Thomas
Buck ’49 Pavilion
Wed. 9/21 Upper School Parents’ Night, 7-9 p.m., Upper School Lobby |
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Welcoming New Faculty |
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The AIS community would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Upper School faculty members:
Carley Ross, Science, Grades 7 & 9
Jodie Bross, English, Grades 8 & 9
Laura Stott, Mathematics, Algebra
Mary Frances Bannard, Latin, MS/US |
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Announcements |
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Join Agnes Irwin teachers, students and families from all division for a fun-filled kickoff to the new year at the Back to School Barbecue on Fri. 9/9 at 6 p.m. on the Upper School Fields. There has been a Change of Time for the Fall Crew meeting. It will still be held on Sat. 9/10, but it will now begin at noon and end at 2 p.m. The AIS Shop will resume their regular schedule on Tues. 9/6, with hours from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday—Friday. For more information on this year’s Meal Plan program, monthly menus and a guide to making online payments, please visit the Dining Services website. Please visit the AIS Parents page for current forms and news. Make sure that all of your health documents, especially the Agnes Irwin Physical and Conditions & Allergies forms, are on file with the Middle School Nurse before the first day of school.
Save the date for the launch event of the new Center for the Advancement of Girls (CAG), which will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Friday, October 14 at 6 p.m. Look for your invitation arriving in the mail soon! For more information, please visit www.AdvancingGirls.org. |
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Connect with Agnes Irwin |
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For quick updates from The Agnes Irwin School community, become a fan of our Official Facebook Page at
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CORRECTION: The names of Kiley Mahoney (grade 8) and Kiera Mahoney (grade 3) were misspelled in the Head of School’s fall letter to parents. We apologize for the error. The corrected version of the Letter can be found here. |
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