News You Can Use November 2008
Posted by msnl in : News You Can Use, November 2008Parent-Advisor Conferences: November 10
Rebecca Tatum, Director of Middle School
I invite you to join us in the Middle School at Penn Charter on Monday, Nov. 10, for a meeting with your child’s advisor. This meeting, which follows closely after the mid-trimester grading period, is an important time for to discuss your child’s experience thus far in the school year.
Your child’s advisor is a key figure in his or her Middle School experience. An advisor provides academic and social guidance; he or she is a regular adult presence, someone who helps your child to do everything from organize a locker to study for a math test, resolve a conflict to plan a school event. As you may already know, an advisor is also a point person for you. \I invite you to use this upcoming conference to share your experience of your child’s year, to brainstorm strategies for your child’s work to come, and to build a strong base for future communication. If you have not yet scheduled your meeting, please contact Diane Kane in the Middle School office at 215-844-3460 x107 to set up a convenient time.
This year, we offer a new program designed to provide additional insight into Middle School life. Throughout the day, Penn Charter experts – our Learning Support team, directors of Libraries, Athletics, and Middle School – will offer brief presentations in Balderston Commons. These mini-workshops will cover study skills such as organization and test preparation; research using Internet and Penn Charter’s extensive databases (including ProQuest and Lexis-Nexis); winning and learning in sports; and social decision-making and conflict resolution. Please look for a future e-mail detailing workshop times.
The fall has brought us a strong start to the school year, and I look forward to working with you to build on that success.
Sixth Grade Service
Hannah Jacoby-Rupp, Sixth Grade Class Advisor
Service learning is an integral part of each grade at Penn Charter, and the sixth grade is no exception. With our unique schedule, sixth graders are able to embark on service projects several times each trimester. The goal of sixth grade service is to not only assist a group in need, but to gain greater understanding and knowledge through the process. We stress that service is not merely a one time thing, but rather, an opportunity to build relationships with organizations and individuals.
The sixth grade kicked off our service learning this year in late September when students traveled to three different service locations: Awbury Arboretum, St.Martin de Porres Interparochial School and Episcopal Community Services’ St. Barnabas Mission. At Awbury, students learned about particular plant life and harvested vegetables from the Penn Charter garden. In addition, students learned about the importance of preserving green space in urban areas. Students at St. Martin de Porres worked side by side with teachers in the elementary grades, participating and and assisting teachers with math exercises and a physical education class. Sixth graders also enjoyed the opportunity to read aloud to first graders. The third group was particularly moved by their experience at St. Barnabas. As St. Barnabas serves as a shelter, our students were struck by the presence of children there and have since felt compelled to act by providing resources for those struggling families. Sixth graders performed whatever services were need by the parish. The morning was truly inspirational for many of our students.
After participating in a thoughtful and moving Meeting for Worship in McMichael Park, students returned to the Penn Charter campus to provide service to our community by weeding and tending to facilities. The day was a tremendous success in many respects. Through their experiences, our students gained an even greater appreciation of the Penn Charter community and the resources that are available to them here. Even more notable was the fact that our students gained a greater understanding of the world around them and a strong desire to be a part of the larger community of Philadelphia.
We look forward to many more days of service in the year ahead, with these and other organizations.
7th Grade Camping Trip
Bus to Bloomsburg
Alice Bateman, 7th Grade Advisor
Writer Henry Miller once wrote, “One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.” Our memorable seventh grade camping trip from September 24-26 was just that. The entire seventh grade class made the journey of Bloomsburg to the small rural town of Millville, Pennsylvania. Over the three-day-trip, the PC
students were transformed into rugged individuals, brave adventurers, hilarious performers, and unified classmates. How did such a transformation take place?
On the first day of our arrival, Quest, the team building organization, helped us to begin thinking differently about our journey. Outside we formed a circle for the first time as the class of 2014. We created secret handshakes, completed oversized complex puzzles, hoisted each other through a tangled web, and solved some challenging engineering issues around balloons, straws, and string.
There was also down-time—time that is sometimes absent from the programmed Middle School day. It would not surprise you to hear that dynamite soccer games erupted with Mr. Roche and Mr. Fiorile leading the pack. Lauren Flemming initiated some serious volleyball games, and Gavin Hatfield shared funny nicknames and stories as he played Frisbee with friends. Gymnastic tricks were demonstrated, card games taught to each other, and hilarious skits with props were created.
The next day was our big day: travels to Bloomsburg University to the Quest headquarters to tackle new challenges. At the bottom of a hill there lies one of the tallest climbing walls I have ever seen. This scene could
definitely scare the faint-hearted. There is an interesting concept, however, about this climbing wall. It is set up to be a team belay, which translates to mean that all students are responsible for the safety of the classmate who is attempting to climb. This additional component adds seriousness to the phrase “teamwork.” With encouragement and support, many students were able to exceed their goals while rock climbing. The indoor facet of the day was a conflict resolution workshop led by Becca Tatum and Elizabeth Coombs. Here, students explored our theme of peace and social responsibility.
Later that evening, by a blazing bonfire, we had a powerful Meeting for Worship. With the stars above us and memories of our time together, students shared their experiences, ideas, and dreams. It became clear that evening that this was no ordinary “school trip,” but rather a time of self-discovery, new friendships, and understanding what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Middle School Sports
Jim Phillips, Middle School Athletic Coordinator
As fall begins, Middle School trips are completed and we enter the heart of the Middle School athletic season. We have 135 Middle School students participating in fall sports. The athletes are working hard and the coaches are pushing them to improve as the season continues, giving every individual an opportunity, while instilling the team values that are so important in athletics
We have multiple coaches in just about every sport, which is an exciting improvement that benefits all of the student athletes. We look at athletics as co-curricular here at Penn Charter. The playing fields are an extension of the school day for our kids: as many life lessons are learned on the playing fields as are learned in our classrooms.
Penn Charter school spirit is high on the playing fields. With the support of our parents and administration, Spirit Games have been a tremendous success. As a further boost for our young athletes, we are making an effort to offer every team the opportunity to play on a varsity field and experience a “varsity-level” playing space.
As the season is winding down we hope that everyone will get out to support their classmates, students, and children one last time. And, as the weather begins to change, we expect that the Middle School students will close out their season with the class and competitiveness that is typical of a Penn Charter athlete.
Student Life Committee Update
Josh Oberfeld, SLC Advisor and 6th grade teacher
The Student Life Committee (formally the Religious Life Committee) is a committee of students who take on leadership responsibilities for the Middle School, help think of and set up service opportunities, and who are in charge of helping to uplift Quaker values and ideals in the division. Thus far, the SLC has been working on preparing for a Meeting for Business and organizing a Middle School (7-8th Grade) dance.
A Quaker Meeting for Business is a forum for issues and concerns that affect a community. In the Middle School, this works as a process by which the community reflects upon a stated issue and attempts to come to a consensus on how to deal with the concern or topic. It is also a scheduled time for any type of business and/or announcements to be addressed. MFB ends with quiet reflection similar to the regular Meeting for Worship.
This fall, the issue the SLC members are working on is Penn Charter’s year-long theme of Peace. The SLC started the process of preparing for MFB by creating a guiding question. The formed question is:
What can the Middle School community here at Penn Charter do to promote, lift up, and/or increase Peace on a local level, a national level, and a global one?
In order to produce ideas about what the Middle School can do to work on the theme, the SLC visited each homeroom to ask this question and obtain some ideas. The ideas gathered will be then be brought to the entire Middle School. The Meeting for Business structure will be used as a way to generate even more ideas and organize previous ones. With the ideas that are raised, the SLC will then sift through all the suggestions, connect commonalities/themes, and then decide on how to take action with the next steps.
The dance has been organized and will be run by members of this committee. It will include students from other middle schools and will be held on Nov 7, from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $5, and the money raised from the dance will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer research.
News You Can Use September 2008
Posted by msnl in : News You Can Use, September 2008What 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.
News You Can Use May 2008
Posted by msnl in : News You Can Use, May 2008Study Sheets, Review Week, and Final Exams
The end of the year is upon us! Read on for some helpful study and organization tips, courtesy of Learning Specialist Dana Toedtman. Meanwhile, here are some helpful dates:
Monday, May 19 - Two weeks ‘til exams! Teachers in all core classes hand out study sheets. Research shows that students should focus on finishing the year strong, since recent material also counts (often more heavily) for the final exam. Support your child in finishing any last assignments while beginning to organize for finals.
Tuesday, May 27- Friday, May 30 - Review week begins. Students will follow an alternating Yellow Monday/Blue Monday schedule (matching Upper School), so that all of their classes will meet every day. This week is dedicated to review and includes special ‘office hours’ for each subject.
Monday, June 2- Thursday, June 5 - Final exams are held during two blocks each day: from 8:10 to 10am, and from 10:30 to 12:20pm. Students will receive the exam schedule during the week of May 12.
Thursday, June 5 - Middle School Closing Assembly - Congratulations and celebrations for our eighth graders and to all middle schoolers for a job well done!
Survival Suggestions for Final Exam Preparation
With the arrival of daylight savings time, we “spring” forward, reminding ourselves as we lose an hour how precious TIME is! Looking ahead, we see that final exams will soon be upon us. How can we help students optimize the remaining time in the 3rd trimester?
Lately there have been news reports and research on the need for managing distractions, particularly “disconnecting” from too much technology. While we are aware of the merits of information technology, students readily admit to various levels of “techno-addiction.” Now, in addition to ADD, we have IAD (Internet Addiction Disorder). Begin now to help students “unplug” gradually. Talk with them about balancing, or removing, unnecessary distractions.
“It takes time to adjust to going off-line,” says executive coach Andrea Bauer. Encourage your students to connect to themselves, not just the computer. Studies show that heavy, “info-centric” multitasking has an effect on our cognitive life and takes us 50 percent longer to learn information. Help students to take the time to slow down, focus and think!
The best advice for promoting student success and lessening stress is thoughtful, advance preparation. The following are some helpful suggestions from the experts for things parents can do to help at home during the final weeks of school.
Ask your child to assess his/her current standing in each class. A simple way to do this is an easy metacognitive analysis with which most students are familiar. Have them simply ask themselves “What is going well?” “What is not?” and “What do I need to do? The last answer might include going to seek extra help, doing more frequent nightly review, or taking better class notes.
Suggest that students begin to collect and organize the year’s work. Remind students to find and save old tests and quizzes, worksheets, lab reports, handouts, class notes, etc. Organize and clip them together by course and trimester; then chapter or unit (theme). In school, all Middle School students will receive developmentally appropriate instruction for exam preparation and test-taking strategies.
Approximately two weeks prior to final exams, students will receive review sheets for each subject. At this time, each student should begin a plan of review, especially for those areas that need improvement. At the same time, they should set some realistic goals and specific action steps so they can literally check and measure their progress. It is beneficial for students to keep focused by studying “actively.” To promote “active review,” students can re-read sections, “boil-down” or summarize their notes, highlight key points and details, study out loud, alone or with a friend, and ask themselves questions for clarification. If anything is confusing, students should ask for assistance from a teacher or friend.
Then, the week before exams, it is suggested that students refine a plan and begin daily review, parallel to the reviews that are happening every day in classes. Short reviews over an extended period of time provide the best results. Building confidence is important for avoiding a panic or last-minute stress. Sufficient sleep, exercise, and good, healthful eating cannot be underscored enough.
Students need the help of their parents because it is a proven fact that the home environment is a critical factor for student success. Providing encouragement, a positive attitude and appropriate conditions at exam time are all important. Communication is key. Know and, perhaps, post your child’s exam schedule and encourage realistic study times that fit into the family’s schedule. Minimize distractions. Help with a plan and the pacing. Be assured that this is a challenging time for everyone; with planning and careful preparation, the results will be as satisfying as possible for all.
Dana Toedtman
Learning Specialist
Teens and Stress: How To Make It To The End Of The Year?
Stress happens every day and is a normal part of life. Teenagers may experience more stress when they perceive a situation as difficult, painful, confusing or dangerous and they do not have the resources to cope. Due to fewer life experiences, teens do not have the same amount of perspective as adults when trying to cope with stress. Many people believe it is a specific event, circumstance or situation that causes stress in our lives, but rather it is the way we choose to deal with and respond to these life events that creates stress.
During the final weeks of the school year, Middle School students are asked to create and present final projects for both classmates and parents, finish all work in each of their classes, begin to review, study and then take exams, perform in and attend various concerts and shows, complete athletic seasons, think about and begin to plan for next year, switch gears into a summer mode, and continue to attend to all the other family and non-school responsibilities. Any one of the above could create a stressful reaction from a student. Chances are that many, if not most, of our students are trying to manage multiple events from the list above. Some students will progress through the end of the year without displaying any changes in behavior, while others will show signs of stress and overload. What should you look for? First, listen carefully to your children and watch for changes in their behavior. Some common physical and emotional reactions to stressful events include: headaches, stomach aches, irritability, feeling pressured, disrupted sleep, changes in eating, sadness, withdrawal, avoidance, self-doubt and anxiety.
Some ideas for how parents can help teenagers better manage their reactions to stressful situations:
Encourage your teenager to talk to you about what he or she is going through. Be willing to really listen and not judge or try to fix the situation. Work with them to resolve their own problems, help them build their own resiliency.
Offer reassurance, encouragement and support
Continue to provide and enforce rules and routines. Structure, stability and predictability will create a calming effect when teenagers feel stressed.
Encourage your child to continue to participate in their regularly scheduled activities, but do not overload. You may need to help your child prioritize.
Most important, your child is watching you Model effective stress management and coping skills in your own life.
What teenagers can do to help reduce and manage their own levels of stress:
Exercise and eat regularly, sleep between 7-9 hours each night, and avoid excess caffeine which can increase the feelings of stress, anxiety and irritability.
Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more manageable and attainable tasks.
Decrease negative self-talk; challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts such as: “I can learn the material.” “I will do well on my exams.”
Learn to feel good about doing a competent or “good enough” job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others.
Take a break from the stressful situation; listen to music, take a walk, get a snack, play with a pet, talk with family and friends – place a time limit on the breaks so they do not become avoidance techniques.
This is a very hectic time of year for everyone. Hopefully, some of these ideas will help everyone in the household successfully move through the final weeks of school. If you would like further information or want to talk about a specific situation, please contact Elizabeth Coombs, school counselor, at ext. 205 or by e-mail at ecoombs@penncharter.com.
Elizabeth Coombs
School Counselor
8th Grade Health Teacher
E-mail System Switch
Students 6th through 12th grade are provided e-mail accounts which are used in accordance with the school's network acceptable use policy to support the academic program. Recognizing that the current Penn Charter WebMail system was running out of both speed and capacity, we started a process this year to identify a new e-mail system. Along with solving present speed and capacity issues, we felt the new system should position the school for success in the future as new means of electronic communication come into educational use.
After completing an extensive research and hands-on testing schedule, we found Google Apps to be the e-mail choice that best meets the goals we have for a new e-mail system. In addition to being much more responsive than WebMail, Google Apps accounts will have one-hundred times more space than WebMail e-mail accounts and offer advanced features to support school work. The school's e-mail system will be switching from WebMail to Google Apps this summer.Some key things for parents and students to know… E-mail addresses will stay the same (ex. wpenn@penncharter.com)
As they do with their lockers, current 6th – 12th grade students will need to move material they wish to keep out of the webmail.penncharter.com system before summer break. Students can get help with this task from their divisional technology coordinator. Material left in the webmail system after this June will be deleted.
When the switch is completed over the Summer, students going to the Penn Charter e-mail webpage will be redirected to a new location. They will be able log into the new system with the same username and password they were issued at the beginning of this school year.
E-mail lessons will be available to students needing help with the new system.
As in the past, e-mail accounts of current seniors will be removed from the system in July.
Announcements about this will be made in Middle and Upper School assemblies and advisories before the end of this school year.
We are excited to be making these improvements to the school's e-mail system. Please contact me with any questions about this e-mail system switch.
Michael Moulton
Director of Technology
Dress Code Trial Week
This year, our students and faculty have engaged in a collaborative decision-making process designed to examine our student dress code in Middle School. Faculty leaders organized and clerked a student committee of about 20 members representing a wide cross-section of the student body. As students discussed their expectations and hopes for our dress code, faculty embarked on a similar process. Our mutual goal was, simply, to agree on standards of dress that support our learning environment and reflect our strong sense of community life in Middle School.
In the past month, we finished updating the Middle School dress code to incorporate input from all members of the division – our students, faculty, administration, and parents. As a concluding step in our process, we will try this new system for a weeklong trial May 19-23, the last regular week of classes in Middle School. We have also discussed the question of expectations and enforcement – the consequences attached to a dress code violation. During this trial week, we intend to ‘test drive’ both systems, to collect feedback, and to be prepared to start the coming school year with a collective and renewed expectation, stemming from the hard work we’ve done this year!
A copy of the dress code was mailed home in early May, along with a cover letter explaining the process. Please feel free to contact Director of Middle School Rebecca Tatum with any questions or feedback.
Varsity Camps: Ages 5-18; Cost from $180 - $280; Evening and Day Sessions
Enroll your child before it’s too late in one or more of Penn Charter’s Varsity Camps, designed for the more serious athlete who is ready to excel in a particular sport. Advanced, intermediate and beginners will be challenged in this program by our experienced varsity coaches and their assistants. Basic fundamental skills will be reinforced, as well as advanced skills, techniques and strategies. Our program provides opportunities for every player to help realize his or her potential as an individual athlete and team member. We strive to develop sportsmanship, cooperation, dedication, leadership and responsibility. Conditioning, fitness and nutrition will be explored along with motivation and how to get “the edge.”
Softball: June 9-12 (5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.) ages 10-15, Doc Mittica
Boys Lacrosse: June 9-12 (5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.) ages 9-15, Pat McDonough
Tennis (Kids): June 9-13 (9 a.m.– noon) ages 5-17, Rose Weinstein
Tennis (Adult): June 9-12 (6 p.m.-8 p.m.) ages 18 +, Rose Weinstein
Field Hockey: June 16-19 (5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.) ages 8-16, Natasha Pronga
Squash: June 23-27 (9 a.m.- noon) ages 8-15 , Geoff Shields
Soccer: June 23-26 (5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.) ages 9-18, Bobby DiBenedetto
Basketball: June 30-July 3 (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) ages 9-15, Jim Phillips and Diana Caramanico
For more information, e-mail summercamps@penncharter.com or call 215-844-3460 ext. 364. Visit our Web site at www.penncharter.com to download an application.
Looking Ahead to 2008-09: New Faces in Middle School
Amanda Dunlap will teach Middle School math beginning in September. Dunlap has taught 7th grade math and AP Calculus at Penn Charter this year. She has a B.A. from Bucknell University, where she majored in math and math education. Dunlap will continue to coach Middle School swimming.
Heather Larrabee will be a part-time learning specialist in the Middle School beginning in September. Larrabee currently works as the K-12 learning specialist at Baldwin, and also served as a reading specialist at the National Presbyterian School in Washington, D.C. Larrabee has a B.A. from Trinity College and a master’s in education from Lesley College.
French Trip
The Middle School French, Spanish and Latin students, along with their French and Spanish teachers, spent their spring break visiting France. For some this was the first flight overseas. For others, the challenge was using their language skills to hear and function within the culture.
We landed at Charles De Gaulle in Paris on a cold and windy day. Our second flight took us to Marseilles, in the south of France, where we met our guide and the sun shinning brightly on the Mediterranean. While in Arles, we visited many sites depicted in Van Gogh paintings, viewed the Roman ruins, and watched as townsmen released the bulls for the Corida. In Montpellier, many of us went to Easter Sunday Mass. Some had a guided tour of the old city. Our use of public transportation included the tramway, buses, the metro, and, finally, the TGV. We went from the south back to Paris on the TGV in three hours. We were amazed with everything, but the view from l'Arc de Triomphe was most memorable. It was a good spring break for us all. We thank the William Penn Charter School for supporting this unforgettable experience.
Elizabeth Pago-Taylor
Middle School French and Spanish Teacher
Middle School Track Coach
News You Can Use March 2008
Posted by msnl in : News You Can Use, March 2008Winter Intramurals Recap
During the winter trimester, each of the intramural houses competed in various activities such as the Great Alaskan Shootout, dodgeball, handball, floor hockey and crab soccer. The games were spirited, with a good underlying theme of sportsmanship. In the winter we also do great work with service both on and off campus. It also has afforded our students the opportunity to work with fellow students from other grades as they signed up for various service projects. Here is the listing of some of the assigned service sites and projects:
Historic Rittenhouse: This is a local park that needed clean up and attention and it is right down the street, across Lincoln Drive on Wissahickon Ave.
Greene Street Tree Lab: This is a small nursery that grows and donates trees to different sections of the city. It is located in a lot right next to Greene Street Friends School.
Chaminoux Stable: This is a working horse stable that runs a "work to ride" program in which inner city youth get a chance to learn equestrian sports. The students get to learn about the program and help with maintenance of the facilities.
Hassel Home: We have been going to Hassel for the last few years and working with the elderly residents there. This is a personal care home across the street on School House Lane.
Students also helped prepare materials for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, finished some painting projects and attended to in-house needs here at PC as well. It was a great trimester of service!
We look forward to our spring intramurals and getting outside!
Patrick McDonough
Middle School Athletic Director, Science Teacher, 6th and 8th Grade
Cambodia Explorations, Continued…
Along with our K-12 counterparts, we in Middle School have spent time this year learning about the stories and lives of students in Cambodia. We look forward to continuing our exploration in April, when Anne Caramanico, Penn Charter Overseer and traveler, visits Penn Charter to talk about her work in supporting the Caramanico School in Cambodia. We also look forward to a presentation from students from the Project 20/20 group, which has been working all year on studies in partnership with the Cloud Forest School in Monteverde, Costa Rica. This group has worked to raise funds toward Cambodian school projects connected with Penn Charter.
When we connect to other cultures and other schools, our world gets a little smaller. Thanks in advance to Ms. Caramanico for helping to bring Cambodia a little closer to Penn Charter; we look forward to continuing our learning.
Dragon Boating - New Friends, New Experiences
Penn Charter middle schoolers have an exciting opportunity this spring – to pilot a dragon boat as a part of a four-school joint effort with neighborhood schools Henry School, Anna Lane Lingelbach School, Wissahickon Charter School and William Penn Charter School. Funded by a grant from the Chestnut Hill Health Foundation and organized by Philadelphia dragon boat crew members and teachers, this spring activity will bring together students from four schools for weeks of regular practice on dry land and then on the water. Penn Charter’s boat will have room for 20 students and is open to students in spring sports and the spring play. Encourage your son or daughter to sign up now, before the seats all fill! 
Team members will practice twice a week, first to learn the basic strokes and rhythms of paddling, and then to get out on the Schuylkill River. The spring’s work will culminate in a four-school Healthy Dragon Festival, planned for early June. We look forward to building new partnerships with our school neighbors, and hope to start a dragon boating tradition which will train Penn Charter boaters for years to come.
Middle School Day of Service
Get ready for the second annual Middle School Day of Service, dedicated in honor of Darryl J. Ford and held on Friday, April 18. Middle schoolers will head out for a morning of service in area community organizations, then return to Penn Charter for lunch, an invited speaker, and a service fair featuring the many options presented throughout the year by our eighth grade assembly leaders. Look for these service options and links to various organizations to be posted soon on our Middle School blog.
We are excited to involve our students in planning the Day of Service. See “In the Classroom” for a longer article on our upcoming Meeting for Business, in which students will thresh out ideas about the local service organizations they’d like to support. As the day approaches, stay tuned for more details about how you can get involved and support your son or daughter in this important ‘day on.’ Middle School students have already logged hundreds of hours of service this year. In a school where service is already central to our learning and life in community, we look forward to a day where collective service learning is the goal.
Field Biology – Summer 2007, Summer 2008
As we begin to think ahead to summer, consider encouraging your son or daughter to take his or her learning outside! This summer, we offer an exciting Field Biology course for Middle School students, based in the woods, streams and rivers near Penn Charter. Sign ups are open now, for all middle schoolers!
I spent the first three weeks of last summer teaching Field Biology. Like this summer’s course, this course was open to any students from grades 6-8, and met from 8:30-11:30 in the morning. So often throughout the year, my students get caught up in the grind of earning high marks rather than appreciating their education for the sake of learning. This course gave the students the opportunity to learn for the sake of learning and not for a grade. It was a fun experience for all of us. We spent the first few mornings going over proper techniques for collecting insects and plants. Then the students were given the necessary materials to head out into the field. On a daily basis we traveled to various locations and gathered both plant and insect collections. We spent time at Fort Washington State Park, Valley Green in Fairmount Park, and the Wissahickon Park and watershed. Students created Rickor mounts of collected insects and made a book of pressed plants. Students learned how to properly use a dichotomous key when identifying plants as well as how to use an insect book to identify the specimens they collected. Each plant in their book was identified by its scientific name as well as its common name.
My students had a fantastic time making their insect collections. Once they were collected and pinned in the mount, the students then identified the insect or butterfly by scientific name and common name. As I look back at the summer that was, I reminded myself why being an educator is so important to me. To see my students’ enthusiasm, hard work, and drive to learn enables me to go to work every day with a tremendous sense of pride. I look forward to continuing this valuable learning opportunity for years to come.
Jeffrey Humble
Middle School Science Coordinator, Teacher 7th and 8th Grade Science
Freedom from Chemical Dependency
During the week of March 10, a Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) instructor returned to PC to conduct FCD’s alcohol, tobacco and other drug education program for our students. FCD works with schools all over this country (including many of our peer institutions) to provide important information about health issues. Although FCD worked most closely with our seventh grade students, all middle schoolers had an opportunity to learn from the instructor and have their questions answered.
All Middle and Upper School parents were invited to a well-attended Community program with our FCD instructor on Thursday, March 13. This event is always informative for parents, and we hope you were able to attend.
News You Can Use January 2008
Posted by msnl in : News You Can Use, January 2008What if It Snows? Penn Charter Snow Policy
Check the website at www.penncharter.com for the most up-to-date information on school closings. On the radio, closings are indicated only by the listing of number 122 on KYW News Radio 1060 AM. It is our policy that, once opened, the school will remain open for the entire academic day. School personnel will supervise all students until appropriate transportation home is arranged. If snow is falling and school is in session, students are not to call home to request that parents pick them up from school. However, if parents feel it necessary to pick up their child/ren because of weather conditions, they may. If a student must leave school because of weather conditions, the following procedures must be followed:
A student will be dismissed to ride home with a parent or another student only if there has been direct contact between the divisional office and a parent or guardian in one of these ways: A student’s parent has completed the Permission to Dismiss in Inclement Weather form, which is kept on file in the Middle School office. The student’s parent calls the divisional office and talks with the Middle School director or administrative assistant A student’s parent signs the student out at the divisional office.
Students who are riding home with a parent, or another student listed on their inclement weather form, must sign out in the divisional office. Students riding public school or Penn Charter buses do not need to sign out as their attendance is taken when boarding the bus. Students may not take other students away from school unless the latter have verbal or written permission on their inclement weather forms.
Due to the volume of incoming and outgoing calls on these days, please be patient as you try to reach the office. Thanks!
What Happens After School?
Middle School students have a space of their own this year: the after-school Sanctuary program meets from 3:15 to 5 p.m. every day in the Balderston Commons, in the Richard B. Fisher Middle School. When Sanctuary closes, we try to keep space available in the Middle School building until the late buses leave at 5:30 p.m. Students who need to stay at school after 5:30 p.m., 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 p.m.
Parents, please do your best to make arrangements so that your child/ren are picked up by 5:30 p.m, or plan to meet them in the Upper School by entering Penn Charter at the front drive, from School House Lane. Thanks for helping us keep our students cared for and safe after the end of the academic day!
Small Ensemble Concert: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008
On any given day, groups of students can be heard singing or playing music early in the morning before the start of school. These devoted musicians have been rising early to actually nag their parents or older siblings to get to school early so that they can prepare for a special event called the Small Ensemble Concert. This year, due to the overwhelming success of last year’s concert, there will be two such events. The first will take place on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m., and the second on Thursday April 10, also at 7 p.m. Thanks to our gracious host, the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd, both concerts will take place in the sanctuary, the entrance of which is located on The Oak Road, behind Penn Charter.
The performing groups will include the Middle School and Upper School String Ensembles, The Chamber Singers, The Girls’ A Cappella Choir, The Boys’ A Cappella Choir, The Sharped Flats and the Quakers Dozen. These special musical events have grown as a result of increased interest by students and parents, and the increased support of faculty and administrators for venues beyond the main concert events. The previously mentioned ensembles will perform a stunning array of musical styles, including classical, jazz and pop. The concert will run roughly one hour and will be followed by refreshments in the church’s reception room. Last year, we enjoyed a full house. We look forward to seeing you there.
Independent School Jazz Ensemble Festival: Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Middle and Upper School Jazz Bands will attend the Twelfth Annual Independent School Jazz Ensemble Festival, on Thursday, March 13, 2008. The approximate performance start time will be between 5:00 – 7:00 P.M, but details will be announced soon. This event was started by Penn Charter, and hosted by other schools such as Abington Friends School, Springside/CHA, and Westtown School. The jazz festival will provide a fun, rewarding experience for our students to perform on stage in front of a wonderful audience of parents and other jazz ensembles. There will be no adjudication of the groups, but participation awards will be presented in a ceremony at the conclusion of the festival. Please join us for a night of great jazz!
Calling All Actors and Actresses for the Middle School Play
The Middle School Play, Ten-Minute Theatre, will consist of a series of dramatic and comedic scenes from author David S. Raine. Come and watch the tooth fairy trying to find a replacement, people carpooling to work when they come across a bad accident, a writer who isn't sure if she is writing the story or if the story is writing her, and many more entertaining scenarios. The cast can range from as few as six actors or up to 25. Performance dates are Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m., and Friday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Middle School Grandparents and Special Friends Visiting Day
Mark your calendars! Middle School Grandparents and Special Friends Visiting Day is Monday, March 17, 2008. Penn Charter’s annual family visiting day is a wonderful opportunity for students to invite grandparents or a special friend to share in their school life. Guests will accompany students to class, attend Meeting for Worship with their student and the rest of the Middle School community, and hear administrators and teachers talk about our exciting Middle School experience.
Grandparents are encouraged to attend and, in cases where that is not possible, we welcome special guests such as aunts, uncles, friends and parents.
Tentative Schedule of Events:
8:00 – 8:30: Registration and Continental Breakfast in the Rosen Atrium
8:30 – 9:45: Class visits
9:45 – 10:30: Middle School Meeting for Worship
10:30 – 11:00: Program hosted by Head of School Darryl J. Ford and Director of Middle School Rebecca Tatum.
Invitations will go out to all grandparents in the next few weeks. If you would like your child’s grandparent(s) to receive an invite, but aren’t sure if we have their address, please contact Stephanie Ball at x112 or sball@penncharter.com. We want to give out-of-town relatives plenty of notice. Visiting Day is purposely scheduled on a Monday so that any grandparents who live far away can make a weekend of their visit. We hope to see you on March 17!
Stephanie W. Ball
Director of Parent Relations and Stewardship
LS/MS Parent Annual Giving
News You Can Use November 2007
Posted by msnl in : November 2007 Edition, News You Can UseMath and Writing Centers Math Counts If your son or daughter enjoys challenging logic and math problems, encourage him or her to give Math Counts a try. Practices are held Tuesdays during flex block, and yellow Thursdays during study hall. Students may come solely for the purpose of working on fun math problems, or with the intent of trying out for the school team in January. Eight students make the team and compete in February against students from the Philadelphia area. If you have any questions about our Math Counts program, please feel free to e-mail me at jketler@penncharter.com. Jennifer Ketler “I give [you] sanctuary!” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame Holiday Gift Suggestion Drive Slowly
Penn Charter students may get extra support or enrichment work at the Math Center and Writing Center. Located next to each other in the main building across from the Health Office, the centers are open for students who choose to drop in, set an appointment, or establish a standing time to work with either a PC faculty member or an Upper School peer tutor. Director of the Math Center Bob Gordon can be reached at rgordon@penncharter.com or at ext. 213. Reach Director of the Writing Center Cheryl Irving at x 209 or cirving@penncharter.com. A good model for Middle School students who establish standing appointments at either center is to work with a teacher during one week and then with a peer tutor the next week. On Thursdays students can visit Middle School room 211 for Math Center help with Bill Goulding; the Middle School outpost of the Writing Center meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and yellow Fridays in room 213 with Elizabeth Jones. Call Bob Gordon or Cheryl Irving to learn more about these important support services and how your child might use them.
Math Counts has started up again! Each year, we gather a group of students from grades six through eight, practice with challenging math and logic problems, and field a team of eight to compete for local honors. Penn Charter’s students have been triumphant in multiple years past; earlier teams earned back-to-back wins at the city competition held at Temple University.
Middle School Math Coordinator
The After School Sanctuary for Middle School students is open Monday through Thursday from 3:15 to 5 p.m. in the Balderston Commons. In an effort to give students a gathering place after classes have ended but before they go home, the sanctuary is open and is proctored by Penn Charter faculty member, Liz Jones. Our expectation is that Middle School students will gather their books, purchase a snack if needed, and then report to the Commons by 3:15 p.m. for quiet study or peaceful relaxation. Parents can pick up students who have signed in by visiting the Commons. Middle School students who remain at school after sports end are also asked to join their peers in the Commons. Please encourage your child/ren to be in this designated area in order to make your pick-up process smooth and give them a place to gather and get work done after school. Questions or concerns? E-mail or call Rebecca Tatum (rtatum@penncharter.com, extension 122) or Liz Jones (mejones@penncharter.com, extension 320).
Many parents wish to show their appreciation of PC faculty and staff by giving them gifts around the holiday season. Although faculty and staff are very appreciative of such gestures, we respectfully ask that, if it is your inclination to present a gift, give it to a favorite charity in honor of that special teacher or staff member. This year, Penn Charter is excited to be working on several K-12 initiatives related to work in Cambodia. Through the organizations American Assistance for Cambodia and the Rural School Project, Penn Charter will support ongoing work at two schools connected to PC families: the Caramanico School, in the Ratanakiri Province, Kaun Mom District, and the Snyder Family School, in Takeo Province, Bati District. There are several possible initiatives: $4,000 will fund the salary for a trained English or computer teacher for two years, $150 will support a bookcase of books and, as a larger goal, $7,500 will fund the creation of a vegetable garden for two years, with $2,000 to support each additional year. Please consider honoring our community efforts through your support of these programs, as a way to appreciate our fine teachers.
We would like to remind parents to drive slowly, very slowly, through all school parking lots. We are working with student drivers to teach them how to avoid accidents with students and adults walking in school parking lots, and we would ask that parents be careful as well.