Student ParkingCalendar Highlights for Upper School, August & September 2009Athletics Schedule Fall 2009Coach Contact InformationLetter to Parents of Seniors• See the All School Information section for morning drop-off and parking information.
Friday, September 4
9:30 a.m. - Noon Orientation for new students in the Hargroves Center
Tuesday, September 8
8:20 a.m. Grades 9 -12 meet in the Loeb Center for opening assembly with Dick Wade
9:00 - Noon Grades 9-12 class meetings and homeroom and book distribution. Time will be provided to purchase school supplies and athletic equipment from the GFS Shop.
Noon Dismissal, followed by sports practices and games; check Athletics website for schedules.
Wednesday, September 9
8:10 a.m. Homerooms
8:20 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. Regular classes
Return to topAfternoon Dismissal and Sports InformationUpper School classes end at 3:20 p.m. and sports begin at 4:00 p.m. In the fall and spring, sports are held at field (Midvale Avenue near Wissahickon). Students take buses from the main campus to field at 2:45 p.m. and 3:25 p.m. In addition, a GFS bus runs several times during the afternoon to the Queen Lane SEPTA R8 train station. The GFS Mt. Airy-Chestnut Hill $5.00 bus leaves from the main campus Monday through Friday, pay as you ride. During the winter season, sports take place on campus except for squash; a bus runs to the Germantown Cricket Club for squash players and to the Queen Lane station.
Return to topSchool SuppliesStudents should come prepared with note-taking supplies and a backpack or bookbag to carry materials on the first day of school. Teachers will tell students what they need for each particular course. Most items are available at the GFS Shop. Course books will be distributed on Tuesday, September 8. Note that charging privileges at the GFS Shop and will change on October 1st. See the
Browser’s Book Store section of the GFS website for the list of course books.
Return to topStudent ParkingAll vehicles driven by students to campus must be registered with security.
Click here to download Student Parking registration formThere are a limited number of spaces available in the Holsey Temple lot. There are a limited number of spaces on street parking spots in the vicinity. Philadelphia Parking Authority enforces parking regulations along Germantown Avenue. Students are not permitted to drive and/or park in any lot that is designated for faculty and staff during school hours. Only early dismissal athletes may move their vehicles into lots prior to leaving for their sporting event. Further information is available from the Director of Security and Operations.
Return to topCalendar Highlights for the Upper School, August & September 2009• This information is subject to change. Consult the
web calendar on the home page of the GFS website for up-to-date information.
Monday – Friday 8/24 to 8/28: Varsity Practices MS/US Skills Enhancement Hargroves 204/206 10:15 AM to 3:15 PM
Saturday, August 29: 8:30 AM Choir Camp Departs
Sunday, August 30: 8:00 PM Choir Camp Returns
Monday – Friday 8/31 to 9/4 Varsity Practices MS/US Skills Enhancement Hargroves 204/206 10:15 AM to 3:15 PM
Wednesday, September 2: Captains’ Leadership Workshop 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Thursday, September 3: Student Leadership Workshop Yarnall 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday, September 4: US New Student Orientation Hargroves Center 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Monday, September 7: Labor Day V/JV Practices TBA
Tuesday, September 8: First Day of Classes (Gr. 1-12) - School ends at Noon
MS/US Opening Assembly Loeb Center 8:20 AM
MS/US Book Distribution Smith Gym 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
US Sports Practices 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Wednesday, September 9: First Full Day of Classes (K-12)
US Assembly - Art Caplan - Brave New World Loeb Center 10:05 AM to 10:50 AM
Saturday, September 12: Field Hockey Playday at Germantown Academy 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Science Building Dedication 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sunday, September 13: Senior Tea at the Wades’ house 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday, September 14: MS/US Photo Day Little Gym 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM Parents’ Annual Giving Meeting Hargroves 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Parents’ Association Meeting Yarnall 7:45 PM to 9:30 PM
Wednesday, September 16: Parents’ Meeting For Worship Social Room 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM
Thursday, September 17: US New Parents Dinner Cafeteria 5:45 PM to 7:30 PM
US Back to School Night I Poley/Yarnall/West Room/M-314 7:45 PM to 10:00 PM
Friday, September 18: Rosh Hashonah Eve
Saturday, September 19: Rosh Hashona
Sunday, September 20: Eid-al-Fitr (end of Ramadan)
Rosh Hashona
Wednesday, September 23: US Back to School Night II Poley & Classrooms 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Thursday, September 24: 9th Grade Community Service Day 10:05 AM to 2:35 PM
Friday, September 25: Gershwin Birthday party Browsers 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM US SAC cookout Common 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Saturday, September 26: Soccer Centennial Celebration at Field 12:00 PM
Sunday, September 27: Yom Kippur Eve
Monday, September 28: Yom Kippur
Wednesday-Sunday 9/30 to 10/4: College Visiting
• Remember to check the
Athletics section of the school website for up-to-date schedules.
Return to topAthletics Schedule Fall 2009Dear Parents and Athletes,
Below are the starting dates and times for the fall sports. These practices are mandatory for all 9th-12th grade fall athletes. All athletes planning on playing a fall sport should attend these practices. Coaches should be informed in advance of unavoidable absences.
Thank you,
Katie Bergstrom
• Please visit www,germantownfriends.org/athletics and use the “TEAM SCHEDULES” link for updated schedule information, and check the online GFS Hotline for any changes and the most updated information.
Field HockeyMonday 8/24 9:00-12:00 noon and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8/25 9:00-12:00 noon and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8/26 V/JV scrimmage vs. Girls High AWAY 9:00 a.m.
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday 8/27 V/JV scrimmage vs. Northeast AWAY 10:00 a.m.
Friday 8/28 9:00-12:00 noon and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8/29 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Monday 8/31 9:00-12:00 noon and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/1 V/JV scrimmage vs. St. Hubert’s HOME 3:45/5:15
Wednesday 9/2 Captain’s Leadership Workshop 11:30am-2:00pm @ GCC
3:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 9/3 V/JV game vs. Penn Charter HOME 3:45/5:15
Friday 9/4 9:00-12:00 noon
Monday 9/7 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/8 (opening day of school) Practice 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9/9 (1st full day of classes) V/JV game vs. Springside AWAY 3:45/5:15
Girls’ Tennis Monday 8/24- Wednesday 8/26 9:00-12:00 noon and 4:30-7:00 p.m.
Thursday 8/27 9:00-12:00 noon and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday 8/28 9:00-12:00 noon
Monday 8/31 US Open trip to NYC, depart fields at 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday 9/1 4:30-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9/2 Varsity scrimmage v. Springside HOME 10:00 a.m.
JV practice 10:00 a.m.
Captain’s Leadership Workshop 11:30am-2:00pm @ GCC
Practice 4:30-7:00 p.m.
Thursday 9/3 Varsity v. Penn Charter AWAY 3:45 p.m.
JV v. Penn Charter HOME 3:45 p.m.
Friday 9/4 9:00-12:00 noon
Monday 9/7 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/8 (opening day of school) Practice 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (picnic and playday)
Wednesday 9/9 (1st full day of classes) Varsity v. Germantown Academy AWAY 3:45 p.m.
JV v. Germantown Academy HOME 3:45 p.m.
Girls’ SoccerMonday 8/24- Wednesday 8/26 9:00-12:00 noon and 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Thursday 8/27 9:00-12:00 noon and 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Friday 8/28 9:00-12:00 noon
Monday 8/31 9:00-12:00 noon and 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9/1 Varsity/JV scrimmage v. Notre Dame HOME 3:30
Wednesday 9/2 Captain’s Leadership Workshop 11:30am-2:00pm @ GCC
4:00-6:30 p.m.
Thursday 9/3 9:00-12:00 noon
Varsity scrimmage vs. Penn Charter AWAY 3:45
Friday 9/4 9:00-12:00 noon
Monday 9/7 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9/8 (opening day of school) Practice 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9/9 (1st full day of classes) V/JV game vs. Springside AWAY both at 3:45
Boys’ SoccerAugust 19-21 4:00 - 6:00 pm Optional Captain’s Practices
Monday 8/24 - Wednesday 8/26 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday 8/27 Varsity & JV practice 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Friday 8/28 Varsity & JV practice 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Varsity Scrimmage v. Calvary Christian AWAY 3:30 p.m.
JV practice 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Monday 8/31 Varsity & JV practice 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/1 Varsity & JV practice 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9/2 Captain’s Leadership Workshop 11:30am-2:00pm @ GCC
Varsity v. Germantown Academy HOME 3:00 p.m.
JV v. Germantown Academy HOME 4:45 p.m.
Thursday 9/3 Varsity & JV practice 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. and 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Friday 9/4 Varsity v. Episcopal Academy AWAY 3:45 p.m.
JV Practice 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Monday 9/7 Varsity & JV practice 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/8 (opening day of school) Varsity, JV & 3rd Team practice 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
(Opening ½ Day of School 8:20 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Wednesday 9/9 (1st full day of classes) Varsity v. Central 3:45 p.m.
JV & 3rd Team practice 3:45 - 5:30 p.m.
Boys’ Cross CountrySunday 8/23 – Friday 8/28 Team Camp: Hawk Harrier XC Camp (Darlington, MD)
Monday 8/31 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/1 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9/2 Captain’s Leadership Workshop 11:30am-2:00pm @ GCC
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday 9/3 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9/4 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday 9/7 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/8 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
(Opening ½ Day of School 8:20 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Wednesday 9/9 (1st full day of classes) 3:45-5:30 p.m.
Girls’ Cross CountryMonday 8/17- Saturday 8/22 Running Works Cross Country Camp in Poconos
www.runningworks.com
Questions- contact Jeff Hayes
Monday 8/24- Wednesday 8/26 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday 8/27 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday 8/28 tba
Saturday 8/29 XC Meet tba
Monday 8/31 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/1 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9/2 Captain’s Leadership Workshop 11:30am-2:00pm @ GCC
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday 9/3 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Friday 9/4 McAlpin Invitational @ Episcopal Academy 3:30 p.m.
Monday 9/7 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9/8 (opening day of school) 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9/9 (1st full day of classes) 3:45-5:30 p.m.
Return to topCoach Contact InformationQuestions: Please call the following coaches for information
Girls’ Soccer Sam McIlvain 347-721-5079, smcilvain@gfsnet.org
Field Hockey Katie Bergstrom at 215-292-9684, katieb@gfsnet.org
Girls’ Tennis Jessica L. Smith at 267-909-8275, MunkerJ@aol.com
Girls’ Cross Country Jeff Hayes at 215-327-8697, jeffrey.hayes.architect@gmail.com
Boys’ Soccer Matt Zipin at 215-844-0209 or 267-441-9510, mattz@gfsnet.org
Boys’ Cross Country Rob Hewitt 267-738-1275, rhewitt@gfsnet.org
All students should be prepared for sports on the first day of school, Tuesday 9/8/09.
Practice times and places are subject to change due to weather.
Please check the school website (www.germantownfriends.org)
under “hotline” for updated changes.
Katie Bergstrom Brandon Jones
Cell: 215-651-6334 Cell: 215-651-7648
katieb@gfsnet.org bjones@gfsnet.org
Return to top Let me introduce myself. I am Elissa Sunshine, and as many of you already know, I am senior grade advisor at GFS and member of the art department faculty.
Though I have served as grade advisor for many years, I really believe my strongest qualification for this position is that I’ve survived three biological children and two stepchildren going through senior year – and I’m still here to tell about it and still smiling! I have known and taught many of your children since their freshman year, and very much look forward to working with them again as their 12th grade advisor.
As fall approaches and your children head back to school as seniors, along with the excitement comes the responsibility of being leaders. In Roget’s International Thesaurus the following words are listed under Senior: chief, elder, superior and student. I have seen your children serve as leaders in all areas of school life; on student councils, on the playing fields, in the classroom and in the arts. As elders they will also be called upon to be responsible and supportive classmates for each other. With this responsibility, your children will continue to need toy and the school to help set realistic goals.
For the first time, they will have the opportunity and responsibility of senior off-campus privilege starting after the first quarter, November 16. With permission of both parents, seniors who are in good academic standing and have demonstrated appropriate behavior outside the classroom are allowed to leave campus any time except during classes and other required activities. Giving your son or daughter permission to leave school during the day is a decision each family must reach together. You will be receiving more detailed information about the nature of this privilege with an off-campus consent form early in November. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding off-campus privilege.
Senior year is challenging, filled with highs and lows. We should keep in mind our common goal; for your children to learn, to be self-advocates and to mature into productive young men and women while making a positive impact on the community. We must be realistic, sensitive, and responsible adults in supporting them through this year.
Later in August I will be posting a letter to your children welcoming them as seniors. I look forward to meeting and working with you this year. Please, always feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at 215-951-2327.
September 13 Senior Tea at Wade’s house (an event for 4:00-6:00 p.m.
September 17 Back to School/ College Night I 7:45 p.m.
September 23 Back to School Night II 7:30 p.m.