News You Can Use September 2008
Posted by msnl in : News You Can Use, September 2008 , trackbackWhat Happens After School?
Middle School students have a space of their own after school: the Sanctuary program meets from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. every day in the Balderston Commons in the Richard B. Fisher Middle School. Students who need to stay at school after 5:30, however, should plan to go to the Upper School lobby to wait for their ride. Students may not be in the Middle School building after supervising adults lock the building at 5:30. Parents, please do your best to make arrangements so that your child/ren are picked up at the close of Sanctuary, or plan to meet them in the Upper School. Thanks for helping us keep our students cared for and safe after the end of the academic day.
Fall Athletics in Middle School
Middle School athletics begin on Monday, Sept. 8. Before teams meet, students will receive a locker in our Activities Building, along with a school lock (and, of course, the combination). Teams in soccer and football, field hockey, tennis and cross country will take the fields to begin preparing for our friendly rivalries against Germantown Academy, Germantown Friends School, Malvern Prep, Springside and others.
We are delighted this year to announce new leadership in Middle School athletics at Penn Charter. Jim Phillips (Middle School mathematics teacher) will take on the added responsibility of Middle School athletic coordinator. Jim will work closely with Ed Foley, our new associate director of athletics for boys, and Tori Small, associate athletic director for girls. Together, Jim, Tori and Ed will help to support Middle School teams for kids, coaches and parents. Look for them at your child’s practices and games, and get ready to come cheer for Penn Charter.
Back-to-School Night
Parents, we invite you to Middle School on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7p.m. for Back-to-School Night. Join us for light refreshments, for a chance to meet each one of your child’s teachers, and for an overview of the exciting ideas and topics your son or daughter will be learning this year in Middle School. It’s a busy evening, and a favorite event of the fall. See you then!
Parent Advisor Conferences
The Parent Advisor Conferences for sixth, seventh and eighth grades are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10 in the Middle School. Parents can schedule their appointments beginning Monday, Sept. 22 by calling Diane Kane at 215-844-3460, ext. 107. Please note that Nov. 10 is a faculty workday and students will not attend classes.
New Faces, New Roles
Kevin Berkoff joins us in Middle School this year to teach seventh grade life science. Many of you may know Kevin in his capacity as director of the Penn Charter Aquatic Club and head Penn Charter swim coach. Kevin has a B.S. from the University of California at Berkley and a master’s from Arcadia University. An experienced outdoor education leader, Kevin will also teach an Upper School outdoor education elective and a section of Upper School physical education.
Amanda Dunlap will teach seventh and eighth grade Middle School math beginning in September. Amanda taught seventh grade math and AP Calculus at Penn Charter last year. She has a B.A. from Bucknell University, where she majored in math and math education. Amanda will continue to coach Middle School swimming and will be an advisor to seventh graders.
Ed Foley is in a new position as associate director of boys athletics. A graduate of Penn Charter, Ed has a B.S. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and comes to us as from a career in business. Ed has been a coach for both boys and girls sports with the St. Philip Neri CYO and, for 11 years, a head coach for the Philadelphia Little Quakers.
Hanne Gradinger will teach art in the Middle School. Hanne has a B.A. in studio art and ceramics from the University of Colorado and a master’s in art education from New York University. She taught visual arts last year at St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Delaware, and has also worked at the Fairmont Arts Center and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. Hanne is already familiar with Penn Charter, as she was a long-term art substitute in the Middle School. She is pleased to return to Penn Charter, to a Friends School, and to give up her long daily commute!
Heather Larrabee will be a part-time learning specialist in the Middle School beginning in September. Heather worked last year as the K-12 learning specialist at Baldwin School and previously served as a reading specialist at the National Presbyterian School in Washington, D.C. Heather has a B.A. from Trinity College and a master’s in education from Lesley College.