Dear Upper School Students and Parents,

I hope you have been enjoying a relaxing and fun summer! Many of us have been hard at work preparing for the school year. The Ansin Building is quiet for now, but I look forward to the energy, curiosity and talent our students and faculty will bring come September 7th! Once again, I have high expectations for our Upper School this year!

Below is much important information:

Advising groups:
Included in the August mailing are the advising lists for all of Upper School. These are created with great care and consideration of many factors. At this time, these groups have been finalized. All Upper School students will receive their academic schedules at the Open House September 2nd or on the first day of school.

Supply lists:
Supply lists went home in an earlier mailing. A clarification: all sixth graders will be taking Latin. Disregard the list for 6th grade French. The supply lists are on our website for your reference.

Open House:
Please join us on the afternoon of Thursday, September 2nd from 3 to 4pm for a brief Open House. All Upper School students are welcome to come, but we certainly hope that all sixth and seventh graders and students new to Applewild will be here. This will be a time for students to get their schedule, find their locker and cubby, meet their advisor and teachers, and locate all the classrooms, gyms, labs and studios where they will have classes this year. We will meet outside of the Ansin building. After a casual welcome, students will meet their advisors, get their schedules and have a look around campus with their advisors if need be. Parents are welcome to chat with faculty. We look forward to seeing you on that Thursday and know that you’ll meet some new friends and catch up with old ones.

New student buddies:
Students new to Applewild can expect a call before school starts from some returning students who will be their “buddies” for the first few weeks of school. Plan to meet these students at the Open House and be certain to ask them any questions you may have. They are prepared to be helpful to you in any way they can.

Opening of School:
School begins on Tuesday, September 7. After a brief all-school meeting, our eighth and ninth graders will depart for Washington D.C. For sixth and seventh grade, our first day will be spent getting to know the schedule, campus, students and faculty. Some classes will meet on the first day of school. Sixth and ninth graders should report to the lower wing of the Crocker building, and seventh and eighth graders should report to the second floor of the Ansin building by 8:00 that morning. Advisors will give out locker and cubby assignments and hand out and explain students’ class schedules. In addition, all Upper School students will receive an Applewild assignment book. We will also have some brief meetings Tuesday during which we will go over general expectations and procedures.

Orientation trips:
As you know, during the first weeks of school, the sixth through ninth grade students participate in orientation trips. As noted above, eighth and ninth grade will leave after our opening meeting on Tuesday, September 7. Seventh grade will leave Wednesday morning, September 8, and sixth graders go to Chewonki from September 14-17. These programs are intended to establish relationships among students and between students and faculty, present challenges, connect with curriculum, and build skills useful for adolescents. Details about the programs, permission slips and other information have been mailed to you. Please be sure you return all the necessary information promptly. As you know, a fee of between 275.00-300.00 will be charged to your Applewild account for the trip. Your fee will be prorated according to your Financial Aid award if you qualify. If this fee presents a hardship to your family, please contact me.

Communication:
The Friday e-velope will continue this year as a major mode of communication between School and home. However, we routinely send things specific to Upper School via email. Please make sure you let Jen Raterman know of any email addresses you would like us to use. Send them to jraterman@Applewild.org.

Extended Day: If you intend to make use of our Extended Day program, please respond promptly with your extended day contracts.

Health forms and participation:
Please remember: Students must have completed physical exam forms submitted to the health office before they can participate in our sports program.

The faculty and I are looking forward to the upcoming school year. We count on your cooperation and support to make it a superb one. Regular communication between home and school is essential for the success of our students. Your child’s advisor, teachers, and I are happy to speak with you as the year progresses, or if you have questions or concerns.

Don’t forget to do your summer reading and math; mostly, enjoy the quiet pace and time with your family! In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns please leave me a message at school, (extension 211), or send an email ehager@applewild.org and I’ll get back to you after the 25th of August. Enjoy your remaining vacation!

Sincerely,
Erica Reynolds Hager