Weekly Update - Upper School

Dear Shipley Families,

 

This week we gathered together during Gator Congregation to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our students and their contributions to our community. Students and faculty “shouted out” each other for their good work in the arts and on the athletic fields. Celebrating successes is one way that we work to ingrain the importance of expressing gratitude, a key value of Our House. More and more, we will be centering and lifting up student voices in these gatherings so that they can both contribute to and have ownership over the building up of our community.

 

Looking forward to next week, we are excited to welcome all of you to Back to School Night, on Thursday 9/28, where you will have an opportunity to hear from your child’s teachers. Please note that this is an in-person event and that we will begin the evening with a social gathering at 6:15 in the Piltch Commons. The act of gathering together has gained increasing significance in the wake of the pandemic. We have made community building a top priority for our team this year and are therefore excited to spend time with you next Thursday. If you have any questions or concerns about the event after reading the information below, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

Yours in partnership,

 

Kris Ryan

Calendar Highlights

Weekly Announcements

We are very excited to have our first spirit week next week to build enthusiasm for Super Saturday on Saturday, September 30th. Each day has its own dress theme, which are listed below, and there will be activities throughout the week. Students and colleagues enjoy participating and there will be a special prize for the Homeroom that has the highest spirit dress participation across the entire week. Here are the themes:

 

Tuesday 9/26- Denim/Blue Day (dress in blue and/or denim)

Wednesday 9/27- Formal Day (dress in a formal, fancy outfit)

Thursday 9/28- Wacky Hat Day (wear a wacky hat)

Friday 9/29- Swamp Day (dress in Shipley gear/spirit/blue/green clothes)

Parents and guardians are invited to attend Back to School Night to meet teachers and learn more about the Upper School program. Below is the schedule that will be followed for the evening.  A copy of your student’s course schedule will be available during the social gathering in Piltch Commons. Course schedules will be available in Piltch Commons until 7:30 pm.

 

 

Students are able to add / drop minor courses through Friday, October 6, 2023. Any potential changes should be discussed with their instructor first and then with Ms. Lein.

 

Please note: Changes to athletic sign-ups (sports and PE classes) should go through the Athletic Coordinator for the Upper School, Sergio Jackson at sjackson1@shipleyschool.org and the Assistant Athletic Director, Katelyn Taylor at ktaylor@shipleyschool.org.

 

The deadline for seniors to submit their portraits is October 1.  Seniors should upload their photos and fill out the questions on this form. If seniors are not getting photos professionally taken and would like for one of the yearbook editors to take them for you, please have them reach out to one of the yearbook editors.  Alternatively,  the school can use the pictures taken by Mr. Tassoni. In addition, the seniors are going to use time after this Friday’s All School Assembly to gather in the quad to take their class photo.  We will email out to all families next month regarding senior ads.

International College Panel (Virtual) Hosted by Germantown Friends School
Saturday, September 30

To join, use this link with Passcode: GFS1845

 

Information about this year’s PSAT administration was emailed to all sophomores and juniors as well as their parents and guardians. Additional information about the new digital test is available from College Board. If you have questions, please reach out to the College Counseling Office.

 

We have partnered with Compass Education Group, a nationally recognized tutoring and test prep company, to offer comprehensive online classes for SAT and ACT test prep classes throughout the year. Please review the Shipley offerings to learn more about this great partnership. Families may use the code GOGATORS to receive a 10% discount on test prep services and will be billed through their Shipley accounts for ease of payment. Shipley will continue to offer financial aid for test prep to students who receive tuition assistance.

 

Please reach out to the college counseling office if you have any questions about Compass, test prep, or testing in general.

 

If your student requires emergency medication (such as an EpiPen or Inhaler), please send a spare in their sports bag daily.  The nurse’s office does not pass emergency meds to sports. Emergency medications turned into the office will be sent on class trips and service trips throughout the school year.

All School Items

TEST OF EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TONIGHT
Thursday, September 21
7:00 pm
Please remember that we will be conducting a test of our emergency alert system this evening.

As a reminder, the School continues to follow CDC’s guidelines for confirmed COVID cases.  Anyone with a confirmed case stays home for days 1-5 and wears a mask while indoors for days 6-10. Day 0 is the first day of symptoms (or when first tested positive, depending on which comes first). If you have a confirmed COVID case, please reach out to your Divisional Nurse (Mandy Schauerman for the Upper Campus and Megan Scheri for the Lower Campus).

Save the date for our first (free!) delicious community breakfast! These events are a wonderful way to see old friends, meet new people, and learn more about the community. Each breakfast will feature guests from different departments at Shipley; this month will include a welcome from our Head of School, Michael Turner, introducing our new Head of Middle School, Chantra Reinman, and our new Director of DEI, Rebekah Adens. Director of Philanthropy Josie Burri and Director of Community Engagement Meredith Turner will discuss how families can get involved and support the community.

 

Join Shipley Blooms Crew as we update the seasonal planters around campus to celebrate autumn and the start of the school year. All experience levels are welcome! To RSVP please fill out this form. For questions contact Sarah Sterling at ssterling@shipleyschool.org

ALL SCHOOL ASSEMBLY: OAKS TO ACORNS
Friday, September 22
9:20 - 10:10 a.m.
Yarnall Gymnasium
Shipley’s first All School Assembly of the year will feature the Oaks to Acorns Ceremony, where our Mighty Oaks (seniors) will present their Little Acorns (PreK, K and 1st graders) with a special gift. We welcome PreK, Kindergarten, Grade 1, and senior families to join for the Assembly and a coffee beforehand. Please note that Yarnall doors will open for guests at 9:00 am.

 

Shipley’s annual Super Saturday is right around the corner! Join us on Saturday, September 30 for this day-long celebration which will include a carnival, free community barbecue, athletic events, and more. Learn more about this event. Please be aware there are other community events going on in the surrounding neighborhood, however there is plenty of parking at the Lower School lot.

Last year, nearly 60 Shipley community members redirected their PA state tax payments to Shipley to help support our needs-based tuition assistance program. Learn how you can do the same through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program at one of these virtual info sessions. Click on any of the dates to register.

Questions? Please contact Josie Burri or visit our website.

Please join us in the planning of the 50th Annual Secret Gardens tour, which will take place on May 15, 2024! All are welcome, and there are many roles to fill with varying levels of time commitment. Please contact Josie Burri with any questions and/or if you need a virtual option to participate.