Small Ensemble Concert

Thursday, March 14, 7 pm, Kurtz Center
Student musicians from Upper, Middle and Lower schools will perform in nine different vocal and instrumental ensembles. Vocal groups include the Chamber Singers, the Sixth Note, the Naturals, Girls a Cappella and the Quakers Dozen. Instrumental groups include the Upper School Brass Ensemble, the String Ensemble, an Upper School jazz group called the Oats, and the Percussion Ensemble. The concert is free and takes place in the Ball Theater.

Kick Off Great Day with a Jolt of Espresso and Some Conversation

March 15
Great Day to Be a Penn Charter Quaker is one week away! The $100,000 dollar-for-dollar match for gifts made on March 15 is back, and so is the Blue-Yellow Challenge. Check your child's color team and remind them to dress in their PC spirit wear. See details on all the matches and challenge opportunities on penncharter.com/greatday.

The Parent Community mini-meeting in the Kurtz Center lobby at 8:15 am features a pop-up espresso bar. Come enjoy a latte and friendly conversation and hear from OPCs about their post-Penn Charter experience. We hope you will join us in this interactive day of giving! Share. Participate. Give on March 15. It's a Great Day to Be a Quaker!

Service Opportunities

PreK-12 Cradles to Crayons Penn Charter Family Service Day

Saturday, April 6, 10 am - 12 pm, 4700 Wissahickon Ave.
Join PC families and welcome Cradles to Crayons to the neighborhood! Their Giving Tree Factory has moved to 4700 Wissahickon Ave., so we are now neighbors! We welcome all ages (pre-K to 12 families) to learn about the great work that Cradles to Crayons does, tour their new facility and participate in service together.

To kick off this event, we have a clothing drive to support Cradles to Crayons, March 15-April 5. Items accepted. Sign up.

Space is limited, so once you've signed up, please also register with Cradles to Crayons using this access code: a0RC000000aEi83. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sharon Ahram.

Parent Community Fundraising Event at Skirt

This is the week! March 9-13
Women's boutique Skirt will host a fundraiser March 9-13 at both their Rittenhouse and Bryn Mawr locations. PC is one of the area schools included: 10 percent of all parents' purchases will be donated to their school, and that donation doubles to 20 percent for the school that raises the most money. Parents will also receive a $25 gift card good for their next shopping trip. The money PC raises will benefit the Parent Community. Details.

Parent-to-Parent Workshops

New workshops added! In April, spend an evening with Melissa Parker learning to make florals for your next party and enjoying a jewelry trunk show. Also in April, Wilson Felter will teach us strategies to feel more competent and confident in having difficult conversations. There's still some room in next week's entertaining workshop, too! Sign up. Contact Jennifer Fiss with ideas. Supply fee request.

SwimAmerica Spring Lessons and PCAC Junior Team Swim Clinic

Registration is now open for SwimAmerica after-school lessons, and registration will open for the PCAC Junior Team Spring Clinic on March 4. Both programs will begin Monday, April 8 and end Wednesday, May 22. Swim lessons are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at either 3:30 or 4:00 pm. The PCAC Junior Team clinic is scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 3:30-4:30 pm.

Parents are responsible for picking up and changing their children for the 3:30 lesson and clinic. We are still able to pick up contracted After-School Program students who would like to take lessons. Students in ASP should register for 4:00 pm lessons. We will pick up ASP students at 3:45 for their lessons and walk them back to ASP once their lessons are over. The fee is $240. Details and registration. Questions? Email Kevin Berkoff.

The fee for the after-school PCAC Junior Team Spring Clinic is $275 and registration will be available online at www.pcacswim.com on March 4. If you are new to PCAC, please email coach Crystal Keelan to set up an evaluation before registering. All PCAC Junior spring clinic participants must register with USA Swimming through the club before they may participate (an additional $40 for clinic).

Middle School

Middle School Dance

Friday, March 8, 7-9 pm, Richard Fisher Middle School; $7
The spring dance is open to all Middle School students. Each student is able to bring up to two outside guests, and must contact Allen Vandegrift, assistant director of Middle School, with the guest's name, age and current school. The eighth grade leadership team has planned an awesome event and is excited for students to come! If you would like to provide snacks for students at the dance or contribute toward the purchase of food, please sign up.

Middle School Parent Pop-In

Friday, March 8, 7-9 pm, Timmons House
While your kids are at the Middle School Dance, come catch up with your fellow MS parents and celebrate the weekend by joining everyone for food and fun. Bring your favorite beverage and enjoy the provided light bites. RSVP to let us know you're coming!

Freedom from Chemical Dependency Week and Parent Program

Parent Program: Thursday, March 14, 6-7 pm, Middle School
March 11 marks the beginning of Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) Week in Middle School. Students in grades 6-8 will meet with a trained FCD educator in an assembly-style presentation with questions and answers, and seventh grade will have several small group meetings that will cover more material and go into more detail.

In addition, we welcome MS parents for a session with our FCD counselor on March 14 at 6 pm. FCD, our partner since 1998, will help parents understand recent trends with teen substance use, learn strategies to engage your children in healthy conversations about use and abuse, and answer any questions parents may have on the topic. Please join us!

MS Student-Led Parent-Advisor Conferences

Thursday, March 21
We will be devoting a full day to our student-led conferences in the Middle School. Your child will be working hard preparing materials, reflecting on his/her learning, and rehearsing the conference. Sign up for your conference.

Lacrosse Clinic for Girls in Grades K-8

See details below, under Lower School.

Lower School

Full-Day Child Care: March 21 (No School)

The After-School Program offers age-appropriate full-day child care for Lower School students on non-instructional days for the convenience of parents. On Thursday, March 21, (Lower School parent conferences), child care will be available for grades pre-K to 5, 8 am-6 pm. In order for a child to attend, the parent/guardian must complete the full-day child care contract. Please e-mail Kathy MacMurray with any questions.

Lacrosse Clinic for Girls in Grades K-8

Saturday, March 23, 3:30-5 pm; Perrott Field
The varsity girls lacrosse team will host a clinic for girls in grades K-8 that will be competitive and fun for all ages and levels of play. The coaching staff will run the clinic with the help of varsity players, and all proceeds will benefit the Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival. Details and registration. Contact Colleen Magarity with questions.

The varsity team will play a home game vs. Mount St. Joe's at 12 p.m. prior to the clinic for anyone that wants to come and watch!

Quaker Elite Futures Program

Saturdays, March 23-May 4, 2-3 pm, Penn Charter campus
The goal of Quaker Elite Futures is to expose boys and girls born between 2011 and 2013 to the game of soccer in a fun and educational environment. Each session will include technical skills training by a member of the Quaker Elite coaching staff and small-sided games. The cost of the six-week program is $120. Details and registration at quakerelitesoccer.com.

Chess Club (Grades 2-5)

Fridays, April 5-May 31, 7:15-8:05 am, Lower School After-School Room
Lower School is offering this year's final session of Chess Club for interested students in grades 2-5, taught by chess coach Ross Colby. Cost is $50 for eight weeks. Contact Charlie Kaesshaefer to reserve a space. This chess club will be part of a local independent school league, and participants can choose to play in tournaments once a month (usually on a Saturday). All levels welcome.

Lower School Squash Clinics

Tuesdays, April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21; 3:00-4:00 pm

Continuing our successful squash clinics, these sessions are suitable for any Lower School student, including those looking for their first taste of squash and those who already have experience through prior clinics, coaching or school. While the clinics are primarily aimed at grades 1-3, any interested fourth and fifth graders are also welcome to attend. Cost for the seven-session clinic is $190, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Clinics will be run by Director of Squash Damon Leedale-Brown, with assistance from some of our leading varsity squash players. Damon has experience at the very highest level of coaching and training in the sport and works with many of the top juniors in the U.S. For more details and to sign up, contact Damon Leedale-Brown. Please indicate your child's level of experience and grade.