AIS Online in Action: Week of 4/10

Here are just a few examples of the engaging learning experiences that transpired via AIS Online last week:

We're proud of the efforts of the Santoro family, including Carrie Santoro '92 and current fifth grader Maddie, who, between Facebook and Venmo donations, raised more than $10,000 in the past two weeks to purchase meals for frontline workers at local hospitals, medical centers, and more.
 

The Agnes Irwin School is joining in the effort to help medical professionals fight COVID-19 through 3D printing! We lent five of our 3D printers to local fabrication group Lower Merion PPE Fabricators, who are mass printing and assembling face shields for those combatting COVID-19 on the front lines. To date, the group has donated face shields to over 50 hospitals, medical practices, and several doctors, nurses and therapists.

Author and Broadway Star Visits with Lower School 

Broadway may be temporarily shut down — but the story of Lulu the Broadway mouse lives on! Lower schoolers met virtually with Jenna Gavigan, Broadway star and author of Lulu the Broadway Mouse and its sequel, The Show Must Go On. Ms. Gavigan shared her experiences and answered questions about what what inspires her work —  even gave students a special "sneak peek" into her plans for a third book!

A Creative Approach to Studying Infectious Diseases

In Mr. Miller's science classes, sixth graders are finishing up a project on various infectious diseases. The girls created digital brochures and made 2-3 minute video presentations about the disease. Some students got particularly creative — including Grace, who created her own "Bill Nye the Science Guy" intro!

9th Graders Answer: "What was your life like in 2020?"

"What was your life like in 2020?" Students in Mr. Slack's English I class are answering that very question in their Journal-Scrapbook projects as they hone their writing skills to chronicle this unusual point in history — and how it has shaped their world. This week, students addressed boredom and how it encourages creativity and self-sufficiency. They shared their personal experiences with classmates via Loom video, Google docs, photos, and more.

Middle School Hosts Virtual Assembly

They may not have access to their usual seats in the West-Wike Theatre, but nearly 120 middle schoolers, faculty, and staff still gathered for Monday's Middle School Assembly! Kate '24 brightened the proverbial room with a set of jokes, and students, faculty, and staff ended the assembly by reciting the Middle School Values Statement — a reminder of core principles and outcomes of our Middle School community.

Lower Schoolers Take On P.E. Challenge

As students engage in AIS Online classes, it's important that they balance academics with physical education and wellness. Michele Kane, Department Chair for Physical Education and Wellness, has been challenging Lower School students with a special Toss/Catch Challenge series to improve hand-eye coordination, handle multiple objects simultaneously, and add physical activity to the school day! Kindergartener Grace even created her own challenge!

Creating and Sharing "Shelfie" Learning Spaces

What does school look like when you cannot be in the classroom? Sometimes it involves overlooking the yard and blooming trees, a built-in bookcase desk full of treasures, or even the dining room table! Last week, upper schoolers shared "shelfies" to show us what their AIS Online learning spaces look like! 

More Scenes from AIS Online

A virtual meeting was the perfect location for Wednesday's 145-person, all-school meeting! Dr. Hill thanked teachers, administrators, and staff for their tremendous efforts in creating and teaching via AIS Online and the work they are doing remotely.
 

On Wednesday, the Lower School community hopped online for the Lower School Assembly, where they had a virtual "picnic" with Mrs. Elizardi!

 

Mrs. Willingham's 8th graders learned about key figures and early victories in the Women's Rights Movement and presented their findings with the class — while also doing social-emotional check-ins during this "new normal."
 

Kindergarteners needing an audience for their daily reading assignment should follow Carlota's example — read aloud to your stuffed animals!

We loved seeing these smiling faces gathered for "reading club" with Ms. Tobia on Tuesday, where they read aloud, held discussions, and learned vocabulary words!
 

Sra. Ortiz's 5th grade Parliament gathered on Tuesday to brainstorm for virtual Theme Day — and continued the valuable tradition of Parliament connections and bonding!
 

PreK students played "Will It Float" on Thursday to learn about buoyancy, where they used critical thinking skills to determine whether or not an item would float in water — then watched as their teachers put their predictions to the test!

Have you seen our lawn signs? The AIS community coordinated deliveries of signs of solidarity to each member of the senior class, from Haddonfield, NJ to Gilbertsville, PA. We love our Class of 2020!

 

No large social gatherings? No problem for our seniors, who dressed up and gathered virtually for our Senior Faux Prom last weekend!
 

Next year's student body president, Ayanna Dunlop, took over the AIS Instagram on Tuesday, while senior class president Cheney Williams took us along on Thursday. If you missed it, you can check out both (along with Waring Fleitas' takeover from last week) on our Instagram Day in the Life highlight reel.
 

After a day of AIS Online, it's important to stretch those limbs with Workout 3 and Workout 4 of AIS Athletics' Agnes Irwin Workout series!
 

We’ll be sharing weekly updates of the exciting project, classes, and creative exercises happening on AIS Online, so stay tuned!