Health Forms
The GFS Health Form is required annually for all new students and for returning students entering grades 4, 6-12. The Health Form must be completed and returned to Marie Larkin, School Nurse, by August 1. Students will not be allowed to come to the first day of school or participate in any school activities, including athletic practices or pre-season choir , until medical forms are received by the school. We recommend that you photocopy the medical form for your own records prior to sending in to the school. In addition to the GFS form, all new students must complete the Pennsylvania Department of Health Certificate of Immunization.
This year's new, simplified health form contains three pages. Your health care provider must complete pages one and two. A parent or guardian must complete page three. Completion of all parts of this form is essential to provide us with updated health information, emergency telephone numbers and a parental consent to initiate emergency medical care.
Most physicians need several weeks to schedule appointments and to process forms. This form must be completed and submitted every year with information that is up-to-date. If your insurance will not cover an exam at this time, your health care provider can still complete the form as long as the physical exam took place less than 1 year ago.
If your child is restricted from participating in any form of school activity or sports program, a letter from your physician is required. This letter should include diagnosis and duration of medical condition.
Your cooperation in returning the forms promptly is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Marie Larkin, the School Nurse at (215) 951-2308 or mariel@gfsnet.org. Fax: (215) 754-1024
The
Middle School and
Upper School Athletic Consent forms are due August 10. Your child(ren) will not be allowed to participate in athletics if this form is not sent in.
Middle School and Upper School books can be purchased online with
MBS Direct.On a daily basis the cafeteria menu includes choices such as a full salad bar, homemade soups, bagels, sandwiches, yogurt, fruits and fruit salad, as well as hot and cold entrees.
Mealpay Plus
Mealpay Plus is a debit account that students can use to purchase food in both the school cafeteria and Hargroves snack bar. Families create an online account with Mealpay Plus for each student, and make a prepayment into that account. Students use a finger-scan each time they make a purchase, and the amount is automatically deducted from the online account. To get started, visit the Mealpay Plus. Select "New User Registration", then "K-12 Schools". Follow the registration instructions from there. Use the GFS student ID number for each child, which has been sent to parents in an email. (If you need the student ID number, call your division's administrative assistant.)
GFS operates morning and afternoon shuttle buses to specific locations in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs. There are also transportation options provided by the Philadelphia School District and suburban districts. All forms and additional information can found in the K-12 section in the righthand column of this page. Please refer to the link below for additional information. Forms may be brought to the front desk of the Main Building, or mailed to: Transportation Department, Germantown Friends School, 31 W. Coulter St., Philadelphia, PA 19144.
To contact Transportation, please email transportation@gfsnet.org
or call 215-951-2339.
Shuttle Driver Information
Lloyd Hall and 25th & Pennsylvania- Sam Pugh 267-246-4005
Rittenhouse Square and 5th & Bainbridge- Wendell Outterbridge 215-651-2046
Blue Bell (Wings Field 1501 Narcissa Rd., Blue Bell)- Tami Dean 215-651-2836
Parents coming to campus for evening events will find parking:
- in the Hargroves lot, but enter from Germantown Ave. You can use the walkway next to the Admission building to walk toward Coulter Street;
- in the Germantown Avenue Lot across from the Hargroves Center, also entered from Germantown Ave. or the unit block of East Coulter Street;
- in the Pennsbury-Greene Lot, using the driveway on Coulter Street;
- Street parking on Coulter and on Greene Streets.
For large evening events, additional parking will be available in the Wachovia Bank lot on School House Lane, and at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (entrance on School House Lane).
There is no parking in the Commons which is directly next to the Main Building. There is no parking in the driveways around the Meeting.
All of these areas will be patrolled by security officers. Again, we thank you for your patience and good humor as the new building takes shape. If you have questions, please contact your child’s principal or GFS Director of Security and Operations Deborah Mateffy at 215-951-6900.
The safety of the members of the GFS community and the protection of our property are very important to us. GFS Safety and Security personnel are contracted through U.S. Security Associates, Inc. They are on duty from before school starts in the morning until after the last event finishes at night and during weekends. There is 24-hour security coverage.
Our Safety and Security personnel serve as crossing guards on Coulter Street, make daytime patrols of the campus with particular emphasis on the parking lots and playgrounds, provide security for train riders at Queen Lane station, and patrol the corners of Coulter and Germantown, and Coulter and Greene Streets. They are on duty at the playing fields in the fall and spring sports seasons, and at the gyms in the winter. Safety and Security personnel patrol the campus in the evenings, opening and closing buildings and monitoring campus use. GFS security personnel carry radios and can be in touch with authorities immediately.
We ask all members of the GFS community to be a part of our safety and security efforts by being vigilant and by reporting unusual or suspicious situations or incidents to the switchboard (215-951-2300) as soon as possible. Parents may reach security officers on the radio phone (215-951-2335); please identify yourself and speak clearly. Parents should address concerns to the Director of Security and Operations, or to their child's principal.
Deborah D. Mateffy
Director of Security and Operations
215-951-6900
The After School programs (ASP) at Germantown Friends School are designed to provide afternoon care for children in grades K-8. ASP provides children time in the afternoon to unwind and play with friends after a long day in school. We also encourage students to participate in physical activities as well as our other programs like computers, homework time and arts and crafts.
Click here for more information, rates and forms.Tuition and Financial Aid information for continuing students can be found in the Admissions section of the website, or download this year's Tuition Schedule in the righthand column of this page.
To submit your online application for financial aid, visit the FAST website.