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February 17, 2012 Volume VII, Issue 22   Home Letter from Anne Dear Parents, I have recently been reading about children who are shy and/or introverted. Though the dictionary will equate these terms as synonyms, introversion is not necessarily the same as shyness (See article here). A wonderful way to describe introversion is found in an analogy drawn by Susan Cain in The New York Times. She refers to the animal kingdom, “where 15 percent to 20 percent of many species are watchful, slow-to-warm-up types who stick to the sidelines (sometimes called ‘sitters’) while the other 80 percent are ‘rovers’ who sally forth without paying much attention to their surroundings.” I am sure you can guess where this is headed! The “sitters” are introverts (though studies show that some extroverts are also sitters). Sitters are “careful and astute, and tend to learn by observing rather than acting.” They observe more than their peers. They are less impulsive and spend more time considering before leaping. Introverts “tend to digest information more thoroughly, stay on task, and work accurately.” They earn a larger number of National Merit Scholarship finals and more Phi Beta Kappa, even though their IQ scores are no higher than the “rovers.” Psychologist Gregory Feist “found that many of the most creative people… are introverts who are comfortable working in solitary conditions in which they can focus attention inward.” Think Steve Wozniak, Charles Darwin, Larry Page, Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt and even J.K Rowling. Susan Cain shares that a mother with a “sitter” daughter asked, “That is all very nice, but how will it help [my daughter] in the tough real world?’” Susan replies by citing the value of sensitivity and empathy in leadership. Sitters are more willing to listen to other people and to implement the ideas of others. In fact, Professor Grant of the Wharton School suggests that leaders who are introverts “lead teams of pro-active workers who take initiative” better than extroverted leaders do. So, the next time your introverted daughter is encouraged to force herself into extroversion, take a step back and think carefully about the strengths she has in being a “sitter.” The world is made up of all kinds of people and needs this variety to effectively run. The “sitter” may bring a perspective to the table that is thoughtful, measured and empathetic while the rest of us “sally forth” to take a leap without looking. Grades will be mailed over the SSP/C21 program. Enjoy the long weekend, and may all of your daughters’ programs be educational, fun and enriching! - Anne Coming Up at AIS... Mon. 2/20 NO CLASSES - Presidents' Day Tues. 2/21 SSP/C21/Senior Caricatures Begin   Tues. 2/28 100th Night Dinner for Seniors   Wed. 2/29 Michael Blanche Presentation for US Parents, 7-9 p.m., West-Wike Theatre   Fri. 3/2 - Sat. 3/3  Middle School Musical, 7-9 p.m., West-Wike Theatre   Sun. 3/4 AIS Crew Team's Chili Bingo Night, 6-8 p.m., LTB '49 Pavilion (Click here for more details!)   Mon. 3/5  Grade 10 Field Trip to Washington, D.C.; Bioethics Field Trip to Mutter Museum   Wed. 3/7  US No Homework Night ** Winter Sports Recognition Event, 6:30-9 p.m., West-Wike Theatre   Tues. 3/13 Grades 9 & 10 Parents' College Night, 7:30-9 p.m., West-Wike Theatre   Thurs. 3/15 Grade 9 English Field Trip to Lantern Theatre   Fri. 3/16 - Sat. 3/17 Dance Motion, 7-9 p.m., West-Wike Theatre   Tues. 3/19 AIS/Haverford/Baldwin US Concert, 7:30-9:30 p.m., The Haverford School's Centennial Hall    Fri. 3/23 - Tues. 4/3 NO CLASSES - Spring Break!   Wed. 4/18  College Selection Panel for Juniors & Parents, 7:30-9 p.m., West-Wike Theatre Please click on the events to view all committee meeting dates & information: Winterfest– Sat. 3/10; RSVP deadline extended to Mon. 3/5 - Fewer than 60 seats remain! Click to preview auction items.   Upper School Mother's Tea - Wed. 3/14 click here for more information.   Place nominations for 2012-2013 Parents’ Council positions by clicking here. The 100th Night Dinner will be held on Tues. 2/28 from 5:30-6:45 p.m. to celebrate and honor the Class of 2012. The Alumnae Board hosts this event to welcome the students into the Alumnae Association and mark 100 days until graduation. Students and faculty are encouraged to wear their class color (orange) that day. Downloads February Dining Services Menu Summer STEM Programs Prom Letter from US Dean Upper School Uniform Code SAVE THE DATE for an important presentation on Wed. 2/29 from 7-9 p.m. in the West-Wike Theatre with Mr. A. Michael Blanche, Alcohol Prevention Specialist. All Upper School parents and their daughters are invited, and light refreshments will be served. Please be on the lookout for further communications next week! The International Relations class and World Affairs Club will attend the World Affairs Council program - "Arab Spring…One Year Later" - with Trudy Rubin and Marwan Bishara on Wed. 2/22 in Philadelphia. Join The Coalition for Youth of Lower Merion and Narberth for Transitions: A Discussion on Body Image and Technology on Sun. 3/11 from 3-5 p.m. at Lower Merion High School. Please see flyer for details.   Please visit the AIS Parents page to view current forms, news and notes.   College Counseling Event All Ninth and Tenth Grade Parents are encouraged to attend Parents’ Night on Tues. 3/13 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the West-Wike Theatre. Please see the flyer for details.   Connect With Agnes Irwin       For quick updates from The Agnes Irwin School community, become a fan of our Official Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter @AgnesIrwin and watch all of our school videos on the AIS YouTube channel.   Catch Up On Your eNews