Summer Fun at George School

Parent Chat

Parents of accepted students are invited to join current George School parents on Zoom to ask questions and build community on Monday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET. We look forward to connecting with you!

Reach out to enrollment@georgeschool.org to get connected to the Parents and Guardian Association (PGA)!

Student Panel

Join current George School students for a Q & A about life at GS on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Watch the recording here.

DEIJ & Quakerism

George School is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community. Join Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Rachel Williams, Head of the Religions Department Tom Hoopes ’83, and current George School students for a conversation about how DEIJ and Quakerism are woven into community life at GS on Tuesday, March 28 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Watch the recording here.

Argo Cover Art Contest!

Hi everyone,

We hope you’ve been enjoying the Winter edition of Argo that’s been circulating around campus. We are very excited to announce that for the Spring edition of Argo, we will be having a COVER ART CONTEST! Any student is welcome to submit art, and it can be pieces you’ve made in class or on your own.

The theme is “spring,” however you wish to interpret that, and the visual art can be in any form–photography, graphic design, painting and drawing etc. The pieces will be voted on in our club meetings, and any pieces that don’t win the contest have the potential to be put inside the Spring edition. (For this reason, please do not include the word “Argo” in your art—we’ll add that text later.)

The deadline for writing submissions is this Monday, April 3. So if you would like to submit poetry, prose, or any other form of creative writing, please send them in by then. Please submit all writing in a Google Doc, shared with the editors’ email, and do NOT include your name anywhere in the document. All submissions (art or writing) can be sent to argo_editors@georgeschool.org

Friday, April 14 is the deadline for the cover art contest, as well as any other art submissions. When sending in art submissions, please leave the files as large, instead of compressing them in the email, to ensure maximum quality.

Thanks so much to everyone who has submitted for the Spring edition so far, and we look forward to seeing more work from the community. Happy creating!

Best,

The Argo Editors (Rhianna, Ally, Rachel, Maura, and Finn)

Parent listening session

The student-led listening session last month was a profound moment for our community, where students exhibited courage and sensitivity in sharing their thoughts and concerns about their George School experience.

As a follow-up to the student listening session, faculty and staff will be meeting to process together what students shared and to discern how to move forward in ways that will strengthen our community.

We invite all parents/guardians to attend a listening session for parents, which will be held on Wednesday, April 12 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. We encourage all parents/guardians who are able to attend in person to do so; for those too far from campus or unable to attend in person, there will be an option to attend virtually. More details will be shared here as the date approaches.

PGA Book Club

Please join fellow parents and guardians for a fun and vibrant discussion of Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – and Why by Hans Rosling on Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Email Erica Crenshaw at ericabcrenshaw@gmail.com to join the fun!

Passover

Passover, a festival of freedom and liberation, commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt. Passover 2023 begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 5 and ends the evening of Thursday, April 13. During this time, many of our students and community members will gather with family and loved ones for seders and connection. Learn more about Passover here.

To honor all members of our community:

Class absences due to religious holidays are excused, with parent/guardian communication to the attendance supervisor in advance.
Teachers, with the support of the student’s advisor, will work with any students who miss tests, projects, or papers due to a religious holiday to make up missed assignments.
Adults who need coverage during this time can meet with their department head or supervisor to discuss plans and/or alternate time off.
Teachers and students will work together to map out a plan for making up any missed assignments.
Students participating in extra-curricular activities will be excused from practices, rehearsals, and events during the observance of a religious holiday.
We honor and recognize the importance of prayer at certain times, and the meetinghouse is available as needed.

*George School acknowledges that our academic breaks follow a Christian-centered calendar. Due to the diverse makeup of our community, we recognize many holidays (that are not “days off” for GS) as deserving of special consideration. We desire to co-create a truly inclusive community and environment in which we can all observe and celebrate religious and cultural observances without hardship.

View a list of 2022-2023 Religious and Cultural Observances curated by students, faculty, and staff. If you would like to share more information about a religious or cultural observance that is important to you and your family, please contact Rachel Williams, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at rwilliams@georgeschool.org.

Guest Speaker: Jia Tolentino

Did you know this year celebrates the centennial anniversary of George School News, the first student-to-student newspaper at GS (first published in 1923)?

To commemorate this milestone, George School is excited to have Jia Tolentino, a staff writer at the New Yorker, as a guest speaker at Assembly on Friday, April 7.

Executive editors of Curious George, Max Forstein ‘23, Teresa Liang ‘23, and Sevde Guleryuz ‘23 will also join Jia on stage to have a “fireside chat” for 15-20 minutes, and there will also be an open Q&A for students to ask questions. Ankita Achanta ‘23 and Julia Franklin ‘23 will be available with handheld mics to bring to anyone with a question during the Assembly.

Additionally, all editors and rising editors of Curious George will participate in a private workshop and Q&A with Jia and Head of School Sam Houser in Sunnybanke during Arrangement 2 that morning.

Learn more about Jia:

Jia is a staff writer at the New Yorker, the author of the essay collection Trick Mirror, and a screenwriter. Formerly, she was the deputy editor at Jezebel and a contributing editor at the Hairpin. She grew up in Texas, received her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia, and got her MFA in fiction from the University of Michigan. In 2020, she received a Whiting Award as well as the Jeannette Haien Ballard Prize. Her work has also appeared in the New York Times Magazine and Pitchfork, among other places. She lives in Brooklyn.

Jia’s personal website

Jia’s latest The New Yorker articles

Vantage Points

Vantage Points, invites our global adult community of parents, guardians, and George School faculty and staff, together virtually to discuss various topics that impact our society.

Joined this year by neighboring Pennswood Village residents, attendees actively engage in discussions in an effort to broaden our perspectives and viewpoints. The community comes together in small group conversations around topics such as world literature, global economics, and international media and culture, and influences in education.

Upcoming sessions:

Saturday, April 15, 2:30-4:30 p.m. – Policing America (Register here!)

The final session for the school year will be held in-person at MDA Library. All George School community members and friends are invited! This discussion about Policing America will feature George School’s Director of Campus Safety, Mark Lomax.

A member of the George School community since November of 2021, Mark has extensive experience in law enforcement and mediation, including managing the Center for Police Leadership and Training for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and serving with the United Nations mission in Liberia.

Refreshments will be provided. Don’t miss this enriching and thought-provoking dialogue.

If you would like to receive a calendar invite, please email Erica Crenshaw.

Campus Safety

Charged with the care of young people in a residential school community, we are mindful of the efforts we must make to keep our community as safe as possible while preserving the beauty and value of our campus.

The following safety measures and practices are in place:

Campus camera network: We continue to expand our campus camera network. Cameras capture license plates upon entry to campus and footage of more remote areas of campus.

Building access security: We continue to expand our building entry system; prox cards are assigned to students, faculty and staff and are required to enter all classroom buildings and dormitories.

Experienced personnel:

- - Robert Kleimenhagen, Director of Physical Plant: Prior to joining George School, Robert served as Director of Facilities & Energy Management Operations for the Central Bucks School District, the Strategic Planning Manager for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and the Chief of Facilities Management for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
  - Mark Lomax, Director of Campus Safety: A retired Pennsylvania State Police Major, Mark has extensive experience in law enforcement and mediation, including managing the Center for Police Leadership and Training for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, serving with the United Nations mission in Liberia, and being appointed to the Attorney General’s task force on the Uvalde shooting.

Coordination with local officials: The school is in consistent communication with local county, state, and federal officials to discuss best practices and emergency preparedness.

Campus safety drills: Fire drills and lockdown drills are held on a regular basis.

Campus Safety presence: The school is staffed with Campus Safety Officers 24 hours, 7 days per week with additional staffing and enhanced presence during large events on campus.

Reminders

George School’s Emergency notification system is Omnilert. All parents, guardians, students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in Omnilert. In the event of an emergency you will be notified via Omnilert and instructed where to find updates and additional information (i.e., school website, social media channels). Please remember to keep your contact information updated via the portal, as this is the information that will be utilized by Omnilert to notify you.
Counseling support: Each individual processes crises and news of crises in their own way. Two student counselors are available to assist and support students who may be struggling. Parents/Guardians who feel that their student is struggling should contact their student advisor or Caroline Hedde, director of counseling services.

Pinning Ceremony

On Thursday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m., we will celebrate the Class of 2023, along with their advisors, members of the George School Board of Trustees, and faculty/staff at an inaugural George School Pinning Ceremony.

A semi-formal dinner will be followed by the pinning ceremony in the Main Dining Room, where members of the board will formally welcome seniors into the George School Alumni community with the gift of a George School “Mind the Light” pin.

If any seniors have a conflict and cannot attend, they should inform their advisor.

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2023 together this spring!

*Please note this event is for seniors, faculty, and staff only.

College Counseling

Throughout the spring, College Counseling will bring you programs on a wide range of topics related to college admission, and there’s more to come! Save the Dates:

Tuesday, April 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – The Testing Landscape with Compass Education Group (Zoom)
Thursday, April 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Unbranded College Fair at George School (in-person in the FAC!)
Wednesday, May 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Visual and Performing Arts Panel (Zoom)
Wednesday, May 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – College Athletics and the Recruitment Process, in partnership with the GS Athletic Department (Zoom)
Wednesday, May 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Celebrating HBCUs Student Panel (Zoom)

College Visits. As Accepted Student Days and other college events approach, seniors must submit a “College Visit Absence Request” via REACH at least two school days prior to the absence. This policy is noted on page 39 of the Community Handbook.

Requests for Scholarship Documents: Students needing documents sent to a scholarship organization must complete the Scholarship Documents Request Form. Requests must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the scholarship deadline to ensure a timely turnaround.

CulinArt Events

Friday, March 31: Dinner and a movie night featuring We Feed People with a menu of authentic Spanish cuisine.

Dance Eclectic

Dance students at George School present Dance Eclectic: Light of the Moon this weekend in Walton Auditorium! They will also be premiering original student choreography.

Performances are on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., and are free and open to the public. There will be a talk-back at the end of both performances.

Watch the livestream here.

Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan will be observed from the evening of Wednesday, March 22 to the evening of Friday, April 21.

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. (Source: Islamic Networks Group)

George School seeks to support our Muslim community members during Ramadan: Throughout the month, energy and concentration levels might be lower than usual for our Muslim community members. They may be juggling school and life obligations and extracurricular activities while fasting during Ramadan. Faculty, coaches, dorm parents, and staff will be mindful and understanding of their observance and support them as best as possible, with awareness of the following:

A designated prayer space is open on the second floor of the meetinghouse during the school day.
Students who feel the need to refrain from sports or PE during Ramadan should discuss their needs with their advisor, teachers and coaches, and visit the SHWC as needed.
Not all Muslims will fast during Ramadan, for various reasons. For example, younger children may only fast for part of the day, or not at all. It is best not to assume that all Muslim students and community members will be fasting.
Non-Muslim community members should refrain from comments regarding specific practices during Ramadan, as they can show a lack of understanding and sensitivity.
With thanks to Gayle Kowalewski and CulinArt, meals and snacks will be provided to our boarding students who plan to observe Ramadan.

Learn more about Ramadan.

Ask Admission

Director of Admission Kim Major p ’23 & ’26 hosts a Q & A session for newly enrolled students and their families.

Watch the recording here

Student Panel

Current George School students host a Q & A about life at GS.

Watch the recording here.

Ask Admission

Director of Admission Kim Major p ’23 & ’26 will be available for a Q & A session for newly enrolled students and their families on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Join here!

Meeting ID: 810 5986 2330
Passcode: 603095

Student Life

Learn more about weekend activities, residence life, clubs and organizations, and life at GS outside of the classroom.

Watch the recording here.

Athletics at GS

Learn more about our athletics program with Director of Athletics Kurt Ruch, coaches, and current students.

Watch the recording here.

Arts at GS

Listen to members of our arts faculty and current George School students host a discussion about visual and performing arts at George School.

Watch the recording here.

Academics at GS

Interested in learning more about the Signature Academic Program at George School and diving into the courses offered? Listen to faculty and current George School students present about academics at George School.

Watch the recording here.

Commencement Week 2023

We are looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2023 this May! Commencement and Senior Week activities are outlined on this page.

The Commencement ceremony itself is on Sunday, May 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year’s celebration will take place on campus. Please join us in congratulating the Class of 2023! 🎉⭐️🎓

Spring Break 2023: Information for boarding students and families

Information for boarding students and their families regarding Spring Break

The break begins at 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 16; Boarders return on Monday, March 27.
Classes resume on Tuesday, March 28.
School shuttles are available to Trenton Train Station, PHL Airport, EWR Airport, and JFK Airport. If you wish to ride a school shuttle, select “GS Shuttle” as your transportation type and provide your flight info (airline and flight number).
All students must stay with an adult host during break; no student is permitted to stay in a hotel/Airbnb without an adult host. If you need help finding a host, please speak with the Deans Office.
Any additional days of school missed preceding or following Spring Break will be considered unexcused absences. The only exception to this is international students traveling internationally (see next bullet point).
International students traveling internationally may leave a day early or a day late and may return a day early or a day late. This only applies to international students traveling internationally.

Call for Career Expo Volunteers!

The senior class will be participating in the Career Expo from May 3-5, and we are looking for volunteers to come speak with our students about their jobs and career areas.

The Career Expo is a chance for seniors to meet alums, parents/guardians, and retirees who want to share their career experience.

If you are interested, please fill out this form and someone will reach out to you soon!

PGA Meeting

Parents/Guardians: Please join the Parent and Guardian Association (PGA) for its final meeting of the school year on Monday, April 17 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the MDA Library Conference Room. Those unable to attend in person may join virtually via Zoom. The meeting link is on the Parent Portal.

Back-to-School

Get ready for the 2023-24 school year! Bookmark www.georgeschool.org/backtoschool, your planning hub for the 2023-24 school year, to refer to as you plan for the coming year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? Visit our Parent/Guardian FAQ page for more information about life at GS.

Who to Contact

Enrollment Process: George School Admission Team, 215.579.6547
Financial Aid: Mike Murray, Director of Financial Aid, 215.579.6550
Billing, Payments, or Insurance: Rose Rosenberg, Accounts Receivable Specialist, 215.579.6510
Registration: Registration Team
Transportation and Residential Life: Deans’ Office, 215.579.6589
Health and Wellness: Student Health and Wellness Center, 215.579.6715
General Questions: George School Admission Team, 215.579.6547

Work at George School Day Camp!

Work at George School Day Camp (GSDC) this summer! Play outside on our beautiful campus all while helping campers make core memories! We are looking for counselors and activity leaders in sports, dance/drama, nature and adventure. Camp is in session June 20 – Aug 11. Great pay, lunch included, and no nights or weekends!

Contact Mike Bailey or Coleen Ruch for more information or visit the GSDC website to learn more and to apply.

Course Selection

Course Selection for 2023-24 has begun! Returning students are working with their advisors to choose courses for next year, and to communicate changes to their 4-year course plans to the School Office. The deadline for submitting selections is Friday, March 10.

Grade Reports

2022–2023 GRADES AND COMMENTS SCHEDULE

Both grades* and comments are released midway through each term. End of term grades include comments as indicated below. All grades are released to the portal at 5:00 p.m. on the date indicated.

*Please note that grades are always course-to-date grade, incorporating work in previous mods as well as the current mod. For example, the midterm grade given during the second mod of a course will be based on work done in the first mod and the first three weeks of the second mod. Ultimately, a student’s transcript will show only the cumulative grade given at the end of each course’s final mod.

Term 5:

Midterm grades and comments: 03/05/23
End-of-term grades: 03/21/23

Term 6:

Midterm grades and comments: 04/16/23
End-of-term grades: 05/02/23

Term 7:

Midterm grades and comments: 05/21/23
End-of-term grades: 06/08/23; includes advisor comments

Student Volunteers Needed for CAS!

Dear George School Students,

Do you remember the moment you said “yes” to GS?! For so many, attending the Celebration for Accepted Students (CAS) IS that moment. Every year, the Admission Office works to create an exciting, special, fun-filled experience for our newly accepted students… and we need YOUR help to make the 2023 CAS our best event yet!

This year, there will be two CAS days: March 30 and April 4.

Families will come to campus and attend programming throughout the morning and afternoon to get a sense of what George School is all about. We will need high-energy, dynamic, positive student volunteers to help families navigate campus; answer questions about life at GS; run icebreakers and other games; and so much more. If you are interested in being a Student Volunteer, please fill out this form at your earliest convenience.

Thank you!
The Admission Team

Call for Parent Volunteers!

Attention Parents/Guardians: The Admission Team is looking for parent volunteers to help out with Celebration for Accepted Students (CAS) on March 30 and April 4.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact Admission Visit and Outreach Coordinator Deb Soufleris at dsoufleris@georgeschool.org.

Attendance Policy

Day Student Attendance Policy. If your child is ill, has a doctor’s appointment (doctor’s note required), late to class, or will miss a class or classes for any reason, parents/guardians must email Attendance Supervisor Laurie Moyer, or call 215.579.6593 , to notify her of the excused absence the day before or by 9:00 a.m. the morning of the absence. Your child must also check-in and out with Laurie in the Deans’ Office if they arrive late or leave early for the academic day.

Boarding Student Doctor Appointment Policy. Parents/guardians should let the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) know 24 hours in advance if their boarding student is leaving campus for a medical appointment with them. Students are required to sign out and back in through the SHWC. If the student has an off-campus appointment that requires the use of GS transportation, parents/guardians must give the SHWC 48 hours notice to secure transport. Contact Administrator of the SHWC Indira Rodrigo with questions.