Editor's Note: A version of this email was sent to parents in each of the Lower School grades.
I hope you and your families are well.
I am excited to reach out to you today with details about the following: in-person orientation; the hybrid model for families interested in 100 percent distance learning; introductions to new teachers; and the much-anticipated cohort class lists.
Orientation Logistics
We are looking forward to welcoming Lower School students to campus for their classroom tours on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020.
Your child's cohort teacher will send a Sign-Up Genius next week with more detail and so that you can select a 30-minute time slot between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Instructions for Orientation
At Home Families will:
At School Families will:
Three-Step Arrival (Note: For families with siblings, follow the plans for the youngest child.) At your screening location, teachers will:
Students who do not have a verified "green" entry badge for orientation will need to see the school nurse at the Lower School front field to be screened.
When considering offering families the option for 100 percent distance learning, we worked to maintain these key elements:
Here is our plan for Lower School Distance Learning in the hybrid model.
A note about orientation for families selecting distance learning: If your family is interested in 100 percent distance learning, contact your cohort teacher directly to discuss how your child will participate in classroom tours.
Our hiring season has been extensive this summer. There were shifts in a few of our part-time faculty to full-time positions and changes in grade placement. The process of hiring our teacher-support team continues and, once we finalize those hires, we will share that information with parents.
Al San Valentin will continue with us as a pre-K assistant with Caroline Studdy. Al has a BFA in Studio Art and holds an MA in Art Education.
Jake Ernst will continue with us as a first grade lead teacher. Jake has a degree in Early Childhood Studies and will complete his master's in Early Childhood Education and Pennsylvania Level 1 Teaching Certification early this fall.
Joe Maguire will join us as a member of the second grade team. Joe earned a bachelor's in Elementary Education and a master's in Curriculum and Development. He has a teaching certification in elementary education and middle school math. Joe also coaches the PC girls varsity basketball team.
Joel Eckel will move to third grade and has been teaching at PC for 16 years. He has a bachelor's in English and a master's in Elementary Education.
Leticia Carter is transitioning from a part-time assistant librarian to a full-time librarian. She received her BA in Sociology and recently earned a MS in Library Science.
Tamara Southerling will join our learning support team as Lower School Learning Specialist. She has a PhD in School Psychology, a Pennsylvania certification as a School Psychologist/Educational Specialist II, is a licensed psychologist, and holds an MA in Counseling Psychology.
Charlie Kaesshafer has rejoined us this year as our Assistant Director of Lower School. He has been with us for over 53 years and we are lucky to have him support us in this role again. Homeroom/Cohort Class
This year more than ever, teachers paid close attention to friendships and working relationships both on- and off-screen to create balanced cohorts. We thank families for your class placement feedback early this spring and your continued partnership.
[Editor's Note: Class cohort lists were deleted from this archived email.]
Best, Marcy Sosa Acting Director of Lower School |