Friday, September 1, 2017 | Volume IV • Issue 1
All-School News
Welcome back!
We are thrilled to welcome all new and returning students to the 2017-2018 school year! We hope you all had a wonderful summer.
Just the FaCtS is our weekly parent e-newsletter, and we hope you find it to be a valuable communication tool for your family. We encourage you to read it weekly for important information regarding all-school and divisional announcements, news, and events. If you have any questions regarding Just the FaCtS or any other communications initiatives at Friends' Central, or if you have any ideas or suggestions that you'd like to share with us, please feel free to email the Communications Office at communications@friendscentral.org.
Labor Day Weekend
Friday, Sept. 1 - No Classes
Monday, Sept. 4 - School Closed
First Full Day of Classes for All Students
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Parents for Diversity at a Cookout - Sept. 17
1 pm lunch, 1:45 program, 2:15 pool & gyms open & games on the lawn
Pool Patio behind Shimada on the City Avenue Campus
Parents for Diversity would like to welcome you and your family to a beginning of the year cookout celebration and info session. Parents for Diversity looks to build bridges across the various divisions and build relationships between the school and parent body to support and honor the many kinds of experiences families have here at FCS. If you would like to attend, please fill out this form by Sept 10. Grill items and beverages will be provided; we would love for you to bring your favorite side dish or a dessert!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dwight Dunston at ddunston@friendscentral.org or 610-645-5035.
Support US Service Committee's Hurricane Harvey Relief Collection
The FCS Upper School Service Committee is collecting materials for Hurricane Harvey relief. We will be assembling flood relief buckets for UMCOR. The list of materials for the buckets can be found here. We will be collecting materials until Sept. 22, assembling the kits, and then driving them to a distribution center. Students can bring materials from this list to their homerooms or directly to the Service Committee collection corner in FCC 101.
Health Forms, Supply Lists, Required Books and iPad Apps
For these and more important back-to-school info, please visit the back-to-school info page on our website. All students must have a current physical form by the first day of school.
2017-2018 School Calendar
Print calendars were mailed home to all parents in mid-August. If you did not receive a calendar or if you have any issues with your calendar, please email the Communications Office.
Register Online for Auxiliary Programs
Online registration for transportation, dining services, Extended Day, LS after-school clubs, and music lessons is available on our website here.
Save the Dates - Visiting Author Sarah Maas and Screenagers
An Afternoon With Sarah J. Maas - Sept. 16 in Shimada
Please join us for an afternoon with Sarah Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series, as well as a USA Today and international bestselling author. Doors open at 1 pm, talk begins at 2 pm. Event starts early so fans can come take pictures in the photo booth, record a video message for or write a letter to Sarah, and play games and trivia! All copies of her latest book Tower of Dawn will be pre-signed by Sarah. Find out more and reserve your space at childrensbookworld.net.
Mark your calendar! Screenagers coming to FCS - Oct 5. 7 pm in Shallcross Hall
Friends' Central at the Philadelphia Union!
Come with FCS to see the Philadelphia Union play the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 pm, then come support our Varsity boys' and girls' soccer teams as they play Shipley on Talen Energy Field on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 4 pm and 6 pm. We plan on having most, if not all, of the Middle and Upper Schools attend on Oct. 3 - pregame and halftime activities for MS and JV soccer teams to be included!
Tickets are $40 with a $3 fee. Transportation to and from the game will be available for those who are interested. We are in the process of planning an FCS tailgate before the game - a great One FCS opportunity! If you have any questions, please email Michelle Crowley. Let's make this a standing FCS tradition! Click here to register through 9/24.
Become a Volunteer!
Volunteering is a great way to get to know the School and to model the value of helping in a community. Each division has many ways for parents to volunteer that benefit our children and the School. Please take some time to complete a survey to see which opportunities work for you.
Lower School Volunteer Survey
Middle School Volunteer Survey
Upper School Volunteer Survey
Shallcross Renovation Underway - MS/US Dining Hall now in Rex Gym
The renovation of Shallcross Hall on our City Avenue campus has begun (see photo in MS section below). Our Middle & Upper School Dining Hall is now located in Rex Gym. More info on Shallcross Reimagined can be found here. We look forward to sharing more highlights with you soon!
Lower School News
Lower School Parent Welcome Coffee
Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 8 am
Join us for Winged Wonders!
Free Science program for Lower School children and their families. On Saturday, September 16, from 9-11 am, Friends' Central will host the Monarch Butterfly Program Winged Wonders at the Lower School Campus. Butterfly enthusiast Ann Ward offers her unique butterfly program that teaches children about Monarch migration and the wonders of exploration. Butterfly tag & release, art projects, face painting, and a snack will be offered at this free community program.
Reserve your space here!
Register for Extended Day, Clubs, and Private Music Lessons!
Visit www.friendscentral.org/aux_programs to register for Extended Day, After-School Clubs, and private music lessons. Please note the EDP discount if attending FCS-run clubs. For a sneak peek at our Lower School instrumental program, check out a video here.
Lower School Curriculum Night
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Lower School Picture Day
Wednesday, Sept. 20
Lower School Absence Line
Please call the LS absence line 610.645.5138 if your child will be absent from school. Please contact Pat DeSabato with any pick-up/drop-off changes during the day.
Meeting For Worship & Welcome Gathering
Sunday, September 10 - 2-4 pm
All Lower School Families are invited to attend the Welcome Gathering on Sunday Sept. 10. Join for a brief talk about Meeting for Worship at Friends' Central School before we settle into silent worship. This will be followed by popsicles and play on the lower playground!
Become a Volunteer!
Home and School Association Volunteer Meeting, Wednesday, Sept 13, 8:15am
Come learn about all the exciting ways to get involved at the Lower School from volunteering at the FCS Pumpkin Fair, to helping with service projects, to assisting in the library. Committee chairs will be there to talk about all the HSA events throughout the year and how you can help. If you are unable to make the meeting please complete the volunteer survey.
Mark your Calendar! It's Coming! Pumpkin Fair 2017
Sunday, Oct. 22, noon-4
The renovation of Shallcross Hall on our City Avenue campus has begun!
Middle School News
Message from Alexa Quinn
Welcome back! The Middle School faculty spent this week preparing for the arrival of your children, and we welcomed new students and families for Orientation Day on Thursday. For those families who attended Orientation Day and would like to review the information I covered, you can access my presentation here and a full handbook of information for new families here. The handbook has significantly more detail and includes things like a list of fall sports being offered. Click here for Alexa's full message.
Middle School Picture Day
Wednesday, Sept. 6
Middle School Curriculum Night
Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7 pm
MS Absence Line
Please call the MS absence line 610.645.5137 if your child will be absent from school.
Middle School Athletics - Message from Michelle Crowley
Click here for a message from Michelle Crowley, Director of Athletics & Wellness, regarding athletics in the Middle School, including a list of fall sports offerings.
Upper School News
Upper School Picture Day (Grades 10-12)
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Upper School Screen on the Green
Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:45 pm
Upper School Curriculum Nights
Grs. 9 & 10 Parents: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 pm
Grs. 11 & 12 Parents: Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 pm
US Absence Line
Please call the US absence line 610.645.5136 if your child will be absent from school.
Upper School Athletics & Wellness Info and Requirements
Click here for a message from Michelle Crowley, Director of Athletics & Wellness, regarding athletics and wellness in the Upper School, including athletics and wellness requirements and offerings.
SAVE THE DATE
Friday., Sept. 1 - No Classes
Monday, Sept. 4 - School Closed
Classes Begin for All Students
Tuesday, Sept. 5
News
Friends' Central Welcomes New Faculty & Staff
We are thrilled to welcome new faculty, administration, and staff members to FCS. Read More
Community News
This summer, MS and US music teacher Michele Zuckman participated in a recording of a chamber choir piece as part of a Mural Arts Philadelphia "sound installation" which will be open to the public at the Free Library of Philadelphia beginning Sept 24. Details here.
Transitioning from Summer to School - Click here for a helpful article on helping your family transition from summer to school.
Just the FaCtS is published each Friday by the Friends' Central Communications Office.
If you have any feedback or suggestions, feel free to email us at jtf@friendscentral.org.
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Lower School Campus | 228 Old Gulph Road | Wynnewood, PA 19096 | 610.642.7575
Middle/Upper School Campus | 1101 City Ave. | Wynnewood, PA 19096 | 610.649.7440