AP & IB Exam Updates

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. The College Board has informed us that AP exams will be taking place this spring. The exams will be modified so that they can be administered online. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home (or wherever they are staying). Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place, and there will be two different testing dates for each AP subject. George School faculty remain committed to preparing students for these exams, and we entreat you to encourage your children to remain in partnership with their teachers through the examination period this spring. Learn more.

Important IB Update. The IBO has offered further details to the cancellation of the May 2020 exam session. The student will be awarded either a diploma or a course certificate which reflects their standard of work. The achievement will be based around the students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor, and quality control already built into the programs. According to IB, the final results will be calculated using vast historical assessment data and significant data analysis from previous exam sessions, individual school data, subject data, as well as comparative data of schools who have already completed uploading requirements and those who have not. It is imperative that students submit any outstanding Internal Assessments immediately. Please refer to the IB website FAQs for further details. Contact IB Coordinator Kim McGlynn at ibcoordinator@georgeschool.org with any questions.

Announcements

Student Items on Campus. We understand parents’ concerns about their child’s possessions on campus and are working diligently on establishing a plan to address the logistics of these returns. Updates to follow soon. Thank you for your patience and flexibility.

Academic Innovation at George School. English teacher Avery Stern and her students will take on the role of innovators and explorers in her virtual course about Literature and the Environment this spring. With activities such as journaling about their gardens and creating their own dystopias, Avery’s students have become pioneers in a field that straddles the boundary between science and the humanities. Read more.

Library Services. Students have access to the MDA Library’s digital resources (databases, ebooks) from our Research Resources page. Students can schedule research consultations and ask questions to librarians on Microsoft Teams. Access to the physical items in the library and the George School Archive is currently unavailable, and students should hold on to all materials until further notice.

Learning Center Support. The Learning Center remains fully committed to providing academic support for all GS students as we transition to a virtual learning environment. Students who already regularly meet in the Learning Center during the academic day will be able to during their usual arrangements according to our new schedule, or have a “walk-in” appointment.

Student Counseling Services. There will be virtual “drop-in” hours from 1:00-5:00 p.m. every weekday for students. Students have the option of communicating with Director of Counseling Services, Caroline Bruss, via audio, video, or chat through the Microsoft Teams platform. Students can schedule appointments through Microsoft Bookings. They can also speak one-on-one with Jennifer Udis, our Student Assistance Program (SAP) Counselor. They should send an email to judis@councilsepa.org if they would like to set up an appointment. More information on SAP resources can be found here.

Parents of the Class of 2021: Want to know what’s up with College Counseling? Make sure to check your e-mail for the latest updates. We look forward to continuing the journey we began, as your student thinks about their next steps after George School!

Athletics. The athletics department will provide students opportunities that can help them continue with fitness, relieve stress, and provide important breaks during the spring term. Each week they hope to post 2-3 videos that can cover 30-40 minute work-outs that do not require special equipment. They will also provide office hours each week and sports specific training regimens.

Resources

Looking for something? Visit our Parent Resources page and the Parent FAQs page for more information.

The Parent Plan-It is designed to inform parents about campus events and deadlines. It is published weekly on Fridays when school is in sesssion. It is a must-read resource for parents about important dates and school procedures. Please contact editor Katharine Sipio with comments, suggestions, and news at 215.579.6576 or by email at ksipio@georgeschool.org.