Postings Archive - The Pennington School

Archive - Pennington Postings

Final Postings of the year: This issue is the final Pennington Postings for the 2018-19 school year. Congratulations to the Class of 2019, and have a wonderful summer! Good luck to all underclassmen on exams next week.

Pennington Summer Programs: There is still time and space available for your children to join us this summer for a variety of fantastic summer programs including engineering and problem solving, drama, photography, outdoor adventure, basketball, soccer, and magic chemistry! Make this a summer of great experiences for your child. Check out these programs, and more on our website. Have a question? email Summer Programs at summerprograms@pennington.org

Textbook donations: Would you like to donate your used textbooks and paperback books to the School? If the books are currently used in the curriculum, we will gladly accept them; please do not send any others. Students may drop books off to Mrs. Iorio's office during the school day.

Exam week treat volunteers: Parent volunteers are needed to help serve treats to students following exams June 4-6, between 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parents for Pennington will provide the treats in the Student Center. Please click here to sign up.

The 2019 Scholarship Classic: The Twenty-Fourth Annual Scholarship Classic will take place at Bedens Brook on Monday, June 10, 2019. There are opportunities to participate in golf or tennis, sponsor, and donate prizes. For more information, please click here.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon: Parents for Pennington is celebrating our hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff with a special luncheon on Tuesday, June 11. Your help with set-up and clean-up will be greatly appreciated! Please click here to sign up.

Host Family Program 2019-20: The Pennington School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; instead, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. We hope that local parents will consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2019-20 school year! Full details of the program are available on the School website. If you have any questions, please contact Director of International Student Services Judy Rossi at 609-737-6147 or by email at jrossi@pennington.org.

Host families needed for French exchange program: We are looking for twelve families to host our French exchange students, who will arrive on Sunday, October 13, and depart on Saturday, October 26, 2019. This is the first part of our exchange program with Lycée Boussuet in Meaux, France. We will be traveling there during Spring Break 2020. If you are interested in hosting and would like more information, please contact Mme. Zema at pzema@pennington.org. Because this is an exchange program, priority for the trip to France will be given to students whose families host in October.

Upper School

Graduation rehearsal for underclassmen: Commencement is Saturday, June 1. This is a REQUIRED event for students in Grades 9-11. Rehearsal for underclassmen is today, Friday, May 31, at 8:00 a.m.

Commencement will be held tomorrow, Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Old Main. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. A luncheon for the graduates and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, will be removed.

Upper School exam schedule: Please click here to view the Upper School exam schedule for Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7, 2019.

2019-20 required School forms due July 1: Required School forms, including all medical forms, are due no later than July 1. You will submit forms through Magnus Health using your existing credentials. If your child's physical does not expire prior to the start of school, you will see this requirement marked "complete" in Magnus. Questions should be directed to Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at 609-737-6114.

Summer Global Leadership Seminar: The World Affairs Council's Summer Global Leadership Seminar, open to all rising ninth- through twelfth-graders, will be held July 8–12, 2019, in Philadelphia. This year's theme is the sociocultural, economic, and political roots of left-wing and right-wing populism around the world. Attendees will explore this complex and timely topic through debates, simulations, and other hands-on activities, which will culminate in a field trip to Washington, DC, to meet with policymakers and experts. The week's cost is $245 per student, and scholarships are available. Please email Kendra Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with any questions, and more information and registration can be found here.

Middle School

Schedule for last week of school: For the details of what to expect in the final week of school, click here. There is nothing about this week's schedule that is typical, so please pay close attention to each day's start and end times to ensure appropriate transportation arrangements can be made.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: Please click here to view the schedule of this weekend's activities.

Summer storage and shipping services: The Pennington School will be partnering with All Campus Storage to provide summer storage and shipping services to all interested students. All Campus Storage offers hassle-free summer storage and shipping service. With All Campus Storage, you don’t have to lift a finger: ACS picks up students’ items from their rooms, stores items over the summer, and has those items waiting for them in their new dorm rooms when they return in the fall. In addition, ACS can ship items to students’ homes or, in the case of graduating students, to their college dormitories, if desired.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888.769.3676 or visit the website www.dormroommovers.com/pennington.

May 24, 2019

General Information

2019 Pennington Classical Piano Competition today: We will be hosting an exclusive classical piano competition today, May 24, right here on campus. All performances are open to the public. The competition will be held in Campus Center Room 223. Competitors' performances will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the winner's encore performance and awards ceremony to follow at 7:00 p.m. Prizes will be Grand Prix ($250), Best Classical Era Award, and Best Romantic Era Award.

Textbook donations: Would you like to donate your used textbooks and paperback books to the School? If the books are currently used in the curriculum, we will gladly accept them; please do not send any others. Students may drop books off to Mrs. Iorio's office during the school day.

School-wide summer reading: The nation will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 2019. Our School-wide summer reading will focus on this historic event. The Upper School book, A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin, and the Middle School book, Team Moon by Catherine Thimmesh, will be available for purchase on campus. Students may use their MyKidsSpending (swipe card) accounts to purchase books on campus at a discount over most retailers.

Red Raiders Fathering Network on Tuesday, May 28, at 8:00 a.m. Please join Marc Celentana P '22 '24 at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St, Pennington) for a discussion about topics related to fatherhood. The emphasis will be on parenting issues from a father's perspective. The group is open to all fathers and father figures in the Pennington School community. Please contact Marc at mcelentana@gmail.com if you have any questions or are planning to attend.

End-of-Year PfP General Meeting on Thursday, May 30, from 8:15-9:30 a.m. You are invited to the Silva Gallery of Art for coffee and light breakfast fare while Parents for Pennington board members report on this year’s events and activities. It has been a fabulous and active year, and we are proud of what has been accomplished. New board members will be introduced. Kindly RSVP here so we can ensure we have the right amount of food.

The 2019 Scholarship Classic: The Twenty-Fourth Annual Scholarship Classic will take place at Bedens Brook on Monday, June 10, 2019. There are opportunities to participate in golf or tennis, sponsor, and donate prizes. For more information, please click here.

Exam week treat volunteers: Parent volunteers are needed to help serve treats to students following exams June 4-6, between 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parents for Pennington will provide the treats in the Student Center. Please click here to sign up.

Host Family Program 2019-20: The Pennington School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; instead, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. We hope that local parents will consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2019-20 school year! Full details of the program are available on the School website. If you have any questions, please contact Director of International Student Services Judy Rossi at 609 737-6147 or by email at jrossi@pennington.org.

Host families needed for French exchange program: We are looking for twelve families to host our French exchange students, who will arrive on Sunday, October 13, and depart on Saturday, October 26, 2019. This is the first part of our exchange program with Lycée Boussuet in Meaux, France. We will be traveling there during Spring Break 2020. If you are interested in hosting and would like more information, please contact Mme. Zema at pzema@pennington.org. Because this is an exchange program, priority for the trip to France will be given to students whose families host in October.

Upper School

End-of-the-year schedule: For a complete listing of end-of-year events, please click here.

Promenade/Prom this weekend: This year's prom is at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PfP will host Promenade beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the Campus Center Plaza. Parents are invited; light fare will be served on the Campus Center Plaza. Two photographers will be on campus to take candid photographs before the students board the buses. Please click here to sign up if you can help with set-up from 3:30 to 4:30 or with monitoring food and photo stations. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

All students must check in with Mr. Russo upon arrival and with their bus chaperone. Students will board the buses at 5:45 p.m.; please be prompt. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back.

Class of 2019 Horizon Fair: The Pennington School would like to invite the parents of the Class of 2019 to attend our annual Horizon Fair. Seniors will share their Horizon internship experiences in a wide range of categories such as the arts, business and finance, medicine, law, community service, education, STEM-related fields, and sports management and training. The fair will be held on Wednesday, May 29, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium.

Senior Week Schedule: Please click here to view the senior week schedule.

Graduation Rehearsal for Underclassmen: Reminder that Commencement is Saturday, June 1. This is a REQUIRED event for students in Grades 9-11. Rehearsal for underclassmen will be Friday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m.

Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Old Main. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. A set of five graduation invitations was sent to each senior family. Additional invitations can be picked up at Ms. Iorio's office. A luncheon for the graduates and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, will be removed.

Upper School exam schedule: Please click here to view the Upper School exam schedule for Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7, 2019.

2019-20 Required School Forms due July 1: Required School forms, including all medical forms, are due no later than July 1. You will submit forms through Magnus Health using your existing credentials. If your child's physical does not expire prior to the start of school, you will see this requirement marked "complete" in Magnus. Questions should be directed to Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at 609-737-6114.

Summer Global Leadership Seminar: The World Affairs Council's Summer Global Leadership Seminar, open to all rising ninth- through twelfth-graders, will be held July 8–12, 2019, in Philadelphia. This year's theme is the sociocultural, economic, and political roots of left-wing and right-wing populism around the world. Attendees will explore this complex and timely topic through debates, simulations, and other hands-on activities, which will culminate in a field trip to Washington, DC, to meet with policymakers and experts. The week's cost is $245 per student, and scholarships are available. Please email Kendra Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with any questions, and more information and registration can be found here.

Middle School

Last week of school schedule: It is that time of the year when things here at school are winding up while also winding down. Final projects, presentations, papers, assignments and assessments are requiring a tremendous amount of time and attention by students and faculty alike. Yet the light can surely be seen at the end of the 2018-19 tunnel. In just four and a half more days of classes and a couple of days of exams or final activities, and this year will come to an end.

Next week we will have our last community meeting of the year, the last physical life skills session, the last advisory time, and the last JP group activity. Students may participate in or simply watch the annual Chariot Races on Tuesday, May 28, after school and students will receive their Middle School Yearbook on Friday afternoon before they depart for the weekend. A week of "lasts," ending with reflections and memories.

For the details of what to expect in the final week of school, click here. There is nothing about this week’s schedule that is typical, so please pay close attention to each day’s start and end times to ensure appropriate transportation arrangements can be made.

Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child. There is a new day camp program for children ages 6-12 this year as well, run on our campus by KE Camps. School will be over soon--make plans for the summer now!

A variety of sports camps run by outside companies will also be offered on campus this summer. Overnight camps include Field Hockey, Track and Field, Girls' Lacrosse, Boys' Lacrosse, and Soccer. For more information about these programs, click here.

Red Raider Day Camp for children ages 6-12 during summer 2019: In an effort to provide the best summer day camp experience for your children, we have partnered with KE Camps to run the Red Raider Day Camp. Red Raider Day Camp will offer children ages 6 to 12 the opportunity to experience a variety of exciting and innovative programs within our familiar, beautiful, and convenient setting. Each week's schedule will include a combination of Arts & Crafts, Fun with Foods, STEM Challenge Activities, Team Building, Super Science, Group Games, Sports and Athletics, a variety of Enrichment Opportunities, a Weekly Community Service Project and Wacky Wednesday theme days. Please click here for more information!

Boarding

This weekend's activities: Please click here to view the schedule of this weekend's activities.

Summer storage and shipping services: The Pennington School will be partnering with All Campus Storage to provide summer storage and shipping services to all interested students. All Campus Storage offers hassle-free summer storage and shipping service. With All Campus Storage, you don’t have to lift a finger: ACS picks up students’ items from their rooms, stores items over the summer, and has those items waiting for them in their new dorm rooms when they return in the fall. In addition, ACS can ship items to students’ homes or, in the case of graduating students, to their college dormitories, if desired.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888.769.3676 or visit the website www.dormroommovers.com/pennington.

May 17, 2019

General Information

Alumni Weekend is here: Join the Pennington community for our All-School Barbecue and Alumni Weekend this weekend! There will be athletic games, bubble soccer, wipeout, a rock wall, music, food, and more! For a full schedule of events, please click here.

Pennington parent get-together on May 18: The Spanish Interest Group is hosting a Pennington parent get-together on Saturday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. at Despaña in Princeton. Join Parents for Pennington for a casual evening of tapas, wine, and conversation. Come and meet other Pennington parents. The event is open to all. Click here to see the flyer for details. Click here to sign up. For any questions, contact Ana Maria Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com.

Fundraising Night at Panera: Come support the Class of 2021 at Panera Bread in Ewing on May 22, 2019! See the attached flyer for details.

Private Music Lessons Program Student Recital: Please join us to hear talented music students perform in the Diane McLarty "Black Box" Theater on Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. You will hear performers from both the Middle School and Upper School playing a variety of instruments and singing solos and in various combinations. It will be a great celebration of the hard work happening in our music lessons program with a reception to follow.

School-wide summer reading: The nation will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 2019. Our School-wide summer reading will focus on this historic event. The Upper School book, A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin, and the Middle School book, Team Moon by Catherine Thimmesh, will be available for purchase on campus. Students may use their MyKidsSpending (swipe card) accounts to purchase books on campus at a discount over most retailers.

The 2019 Scholarship Classic: The Twenty-Fourth Annual Scholarship Classic will take place at Bedens Brook on Monday, June 10, 2019. There are opportunities to participate in golf or tennis, sponsor, and donate prizes. For more information, please click here.

Host Family Program 2019-20: The Pennington School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; instead, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. We hope that local parents will consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2019-20 school year! Full details of the program are available on the School website. If you have any questions, please contact Director of International Student Services Judy Rossi at 609 737-6147 or by email at jrossi@pennington.org.

Host families needed for French exchange program: We are looking for twelve families to host our French exchange students, who will arrive on Sunday, October 13, and depart on Saturday, October 26, 2019. This is the first part of our exchange program with Lycée Boussuet in Meaux, France. We will be traveling there during Spring Break 2020. If you are interested in hosting and would like more information, please contact Mme. Zema at pzema@pennington.org. Because this is an exchange program, priority for the trip to France will be given to students whose families host in October.

Upper School

Sophomore Retreat May 18-20: This is a reminder the overnight sophomore class retreat to Princeton-Blairstown Center is Saturday, May 18 – Monday, May 20. This is a required event for members of the sophomore class. The retreat is the capstone project for their work in the Character Development and Leadership program throughout the year. Sophomores will depart on Saturday, May 18, at 3:00 p.m. We ask that students be dropped off no later than 2:15 p.m. at the Campus Center. We plan to return to campus on Monday, May 20, at 3:00 p.m. Students will miss all of their classes on Monday but will return in time for their after-school activities. Students not participating in the retreat are expected to attend classes on Monday. A packing list and the required medical form are available on Schoology under the Class of 2021 group. Should you have any questions please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life, dean of students.

End-of-the-year schedule: For a complete listing of end-of-year events, please click here.

Class of 2020 senior formal portraits: Spencer Studios will be here Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, to take current juniors' formal senior portraits. School formal dress is required, and caps and gowns will be provided. These photos are required. Proofs will be sent home over the summer. There will be an opportunity to retake the photo in the fall, if desired. Students received a link to make an appointment. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio.

2019 Pennington Classical Piano Competition: Parents of students who are classical musicians interested in showcasing their talent and passion should look no further! We will be hosting an exclusive classical piano competition on May 24, right here on campus. All performances will be open to the public. Repertoire requirements include two contrasting works of classical music with a total duration of up to fifteen minutes. Students who wish to participate should email ddolan@pennington.org or cihan.sahin@pennington.org. The competition will be held in Campus Center Room 223 on Friday, May 24, 2019. Competitors' performances will be 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the winner's encore performance and awards ceremony to follow at 7:00 p.m. (Please note the time/date change!) Prizes will be Grand Prix ($250), Best Classical Era Award, and Best Romantic Era Award.

Prom and Promenade on May 25: This is the last week to reserve tickets for the prom! The Pennington School will host its prom at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:30 p.m.; please be prompt. After students reserve tickets, parents will be sent a link for payment.

Parents for Pennington (PfP) will host Promenade at the Campus Center and Plaza beginning at 4:45 p.m. Promenade is an opportunity to take photos of students before they board the buses that will take them to the prom. Light food and beverage will be served. PfP is looking for volunteers to help set up from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. and to monitor food and photo stations between 4:45 and 5:45 p.m. Click here to sign up.

RSVP for Senior/Parent Dinner deadline tomorrow: This is a friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior/Parent Dinner that will be held on May 31, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and the faculty. Siblings who are Pennington alumni or current Pennington students are also invited free of charge. Because of limited seating under the tent, however, we regret that we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is a $40 charge per extra guest. Please register for the dinner here by this Saturday, May 18.

Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Old Main. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. A set of five graduation invitations was sent to each senior family. Additional invitations can be picked up at Ms. Iorio's office. A luncheon for the graduates and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, will be removed.

Upper School exam schedule: Please click here to view the Upper School exam schedule for Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7, 2019.

Exam week treat volunteers: Parent volunteers are needed to help serve treats to students following exams on June 4-6, between 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parents for Pennington will provide the treats in the Student Center. Please click here to sign up.

2019-20 Required School Forms due July 1: Required School forms, including all medical forms, are due no later than July 1. You will submit forms through Magnus Health using your existing credentials. If your child's physical does not expire prior to the start of school, you will see this requirement marked "complete" in Magnus. Questions should be directed to Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at 609-737-6114.

Summer Global Leadership Seminar: The World Affairs Council's Summer Global Leadership Seminar, open to all rising ninth- through twelfth-graders, will be held July 8–12, 2019, in Philadelphia. This year's theme is the sociocultural, economic, and political roots of left-wing and right-wing populism around the world. Attendees will explore this complex and timely topic through debates, simulations, and other hands-on activities, which will culminate in a field trip to Washington, DC, to meet with policymakers and experts. The week's cost is $245 per student, and scholarships are available. Please email Kendra Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with any questions, and more information and registration can be found here.

Middle School

Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child. There is a new day camp program for children ages 6-12 this year as well, run on our campus by KE Camps. School will be over soon--make plans for the summer now!

Boarding

Summer storage and shipping services: The Pennington School will be partnering with All Campus Storage to provide summer storage and shipping services to all interested students. All Campus Storage offers hassle-free summer storage and shipping service. With All Campus Storage, you don’t have to lift a finger: ACS picks up students’ items from their rooms, stores items over the summer, and has those items waiting for them in their new dorm rooms when they return in the fall. In addition, ACS can ship items to students’ homes or, in the case of graduating students, to their college dormitories, if desired.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888.769.3676 or visit the website www.dormroommovers.com/pennington.

May 10, 2019

General Information

School-wide summer reading: The nation will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 2019. Our School-wide summer reading will focus on this historic event. The Upper School book, A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin, and the Middle School book, Team Moon by Catherine Thimmesh will be available for purchase on campus starting in mid-May. Students may use their MyKidsSpending (swipe card) accounts to purchase books on campus at a discount over most retailers.

Global Studies brings new exhibition to the Silva Gallery: The Power of Faces: Looking at the Global Refugee Crisis is a photographic portrait project created by Daniel Farber Huang P'21 and Theresa Menders P'21, designed to raise awareness and put faces to the more than 65 million refugees around the globe. The exhibition will run through June 1 with an artists' meet-and-greet set for May 14. Click here for more information.

Common Ground speaker on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at The Pennington School: George Scott, education specialist and therapist, will present "Suicide Can Touch Anyone: A Real Conversation about Suicide Prevention and Care" in Sparks Gymnasium. Princeton Common Ground and Scott will be joined by community resources including Good Grief, NAMI, Minding Your Mind Project, Attachment Trauma Network, and school counselors. Click here to see the flyer for details. The lecture is free, but tickets are required. Click here to get tickets.

All-School Chorus Concert on May 16: Don't miss the first All-School Chorus Concert on Thursday, May 16, in the Diane T. McLarty "Black Box" Theater at 7:30 p.m. The program includes songs from the Beatles, Hamilton, and The Greatest Showman, featuring a joyful collaboration of singers from the Upper School, Middle School, faculty, and staff! Celebrate new beginnings and the promises of spring with special "Senior Spotlight" moments from the Class of 2019.

Alumni Weekend is May 17-18: Join the Pennington community for our All-School Barbecue and Alumni Weekend! There will be athletic games, bubble soccer, wipeout, a rock wall, music, food, and more! For a full schedule of events, please click here.

Pennington parent get-together on May 18: The Spanish Interest Group is hosting a Pennington parent get-together on Saturday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. at Despaña in Princeton. Join Parents for Pennington for a casual evening of tapas, wine, and conversation. Come and meet other Pennington parents. The event is open to all. Click here to see the flyer for details. Click here to sign up. For any questions, contact Ana Maria Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com.

Fundraising Night at Panera: Come support the Class of 2021 at Panera Bread in Ewing on May 22, 2019! See the attached flyer for details.

Decorating committee needed for Senior/Parent Dinner: As Commencement approaches, we are looking for some creative and helpful volunteers to create a special atmosphere for the Upper School graduation festivities on Friday, May, 31. Please let us know if you are interested in helping with table decorations and other tent beautification efforts. Contact Jeannie Colalillo at jeanniecolalillo@gmail.com with questions. Click here to sign up.

Host families needed for French exchange program: We are looking for twelve families to host our French exchange students, who will arrive on Sunday, October 13, and depart on Saturday, October 26, 2019. This is the first part of our exchange program with Lycée Boussuet in Meaux, France. We will be traveling there during Spring Break 2020. If you are interested in hosting and would like more information, please contact Mme. Zema at pzema@pennington.org. Because this is an exchange program, priority for the trip to France will be given to students whose families host in October.

Upper School

End-of-the-year schedule: For a complete listing of end-of-year events, please click here.

Malawi project begins in September: Pennington is collaborating with a school in Malawi on six global STEM projects that will begin in September. Students interested in STEM and/or global learning should come hear the twenty-minute presentation on May 13 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum to learn about these projects. Pennington will be running a trip to Malawi in March 2020. Students must be involved in a project to go on the trip, but they do not have to go on the trip to be part of a project. This eight-minute Youtube video also describes the projects. If you have questions, please contact Susan Wirsig.

Schoolyard Ventures/UPenn Social Innovators Program: Interested in being a social innovator? We invite parents and students currently in Grades 9, 10, and 11 to attend an informational session about the Social Innovator Program on Wednesday, May 15, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. The Social Innovators Program allows students to learn about entrepreneurship and experience it firsthand while earning a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania. During the thirteen-week program, students learn how to launch ventures of their own that create value and have a positive impact on society. For more information about the program, please see the attached flyer.

Global Studies Certificate Program meeting for sophomores: Current sophomores in the Class of 2021 who have been accepted to the Global Studies Certificate Program need to attend one of two introductory meetings during extra help next week. Students can choose from either Thursday, May 16, or Friday, May 17. Both meetings will be held in the Wesley Forum from 3:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.

Sophomore Retreat coming: This is a reminder the overnight sophomore class retreat to Princeton-Blairstown Center is Saturday, May 18–Monday, May 20. This is a required event for members of the sophomore class. The retreat is the capstone project for their work in the Character Development and Leadership program throughout the year. If you have any questions, please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students.

Class of 2020 senior formal portraits: Spencer Studios will be here Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, to take current juniors' formal senior portraits. School formal dress is required, and caps and gowns will be provided. These photos are required. Proofs will be sent home over the summer. There will be an opportunity to retake the photo in the fall, if desired. Students received a link to make an appointment. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio.

2019 Pennington Classical Piano Competition: Parents of students who are classical musicians interested in showcasing their talent and passion should look no further! We will be hosting an exclusive classical piano competition on May 24, right here on campus. All performances will be open to the public. Repertoire requirements include two contrasting works of classical music with a total duration of up to fifteen minutes. Students who wish to participate should email ddolan@pennington.org or cihan.sahin@pennington.org. The competition will be held in Campus Center Room 223 on Friday, May 24, 2019. Competitors' performances will be 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the winner's encore performance and awards ceremony to follow at 7:00 p.m. (Please note the time/date change!) Prizes will be Grand Prix ($250), Best Classical Era Award, and Best Romantic Era Award

Prom and Promenade on May 25: Juniors and seniors are invited! The Pennington School will host its prom at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:30 p.m.; please be prompt. After students reserve tickets, parents will be sent a link for payment.

Parents for Pennington (PfP) will host Promenade at the Campus Center and Plaza beginning at 4:45 p.m. Promenade is an opportunity to take photos of students before they board the buses that will take them to the prom. Light food and beverage will be served. PfP is looking for volunteers to help set up from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. and to monitor food and photo stations between 4:45 and 5:45 p.m. Click here to sign up.

RSVP for Senior/Parent Dinner: This is a friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior/Parent Dinner that will be held on May 31, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and the faculty. Siblings who are Pennington alumni or current Pennington students are also invited free of charge. Because of limited seating under the tent, however, we regret that we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is a $40 charge per extra guest. Please register for the dinner here by May 18.

Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Old Main. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. A set of five graduation invitations was sent to each senior family. Additional invitations can be picked up at Ms. Iorio's office. A luncheon for the graduates and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, will be removed.

Upper School exam schedule: Please click here to view the Upper School exam schedule for Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7, 2019.

Exam week treat volunteers: Parent volunteers are needed to help serve treats to students following exams on June 4-6, between 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parents for Pennington will provide the treats in the Student Center. Please click here to sign up.

2019-20 Required School Forms due July 1: Required School forms, including all medical forms, are due no later than July 1. You will submit forms through Magnus Health using your existing credentials. If your child's physical does not expire prior to the start of school, you will see this requirement marked "complete" in Magnus. Questions should be directed to Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at 609-737-6114.

Summer Global Leadership Seminar: The World Affairs Council's Summer Global Leadership Seminar, open to all rising ninth- through twelfth-graders, will be held July 8–12, 2019, in Philadelphia. This year's theme is the sociocultural, economic, and political roots of left-wing and right-wing populism around the world. Attendees will explore this complex and timely topic through debates, simulations, and other hands-on activities, which will culminate in a field trip to Washington, DC, to meet with policymakers and experts. The week's cost is $245 per student, and scholarships are available. Please email Kendra Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with any questions, and more information and registration can be found here.

Middle School

Middle School polo shirt donations needed: Please consider donating any outgrown Pennington polo shirts, sport coats, or other Pennington apparel in good condition and put them in the box in Chelsi Meyerson's office. The funds raised from selling these polos are returned to the Middle School. Thank you!

Red Raider Day Camp for children ages 6-12 during summer 2019: In an effort to provide the best summer day camp experience for your children, we have partnered with KE Camps to run the Red Raider Day Camp. Red Raider Day Camp will offer children ages 6 to 12 the opportunity to experience a variety of exciting and innovative programs within our familiar, beautiful, and convenient setting. Each week's schedule will include a combination of Arts & Crafts, Fun with Foods, STEM Challenge Activities, Team Building, Super Science, Group Games, Sports and Athletics, a variety of Enrichment Opportunities, a Weekly Community Service Project and Wacky Wednesday theme days. Please click here for more information!

Boarding

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888.769.3676 or visit the website www.dormroommovers.com/pennington.

May 3, 2019

General Information

Global Studies brings new exhibition to the Silva Gallery: The Power of Faces: Looking at the Global Refugee Crisis is a photographic portrait project created by Daniel Farber Huang P'21 and Theresa Menders P'21, designed to raise awareness and put faces to the more than 65 million refugees around the globe. The exhibition will run through June 1 with an artists' meet-and-greet set for May 14. Click here for more information.

Common Ground speaker on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at The Pennington School: George Scott, education specialist and therapist, will present "Suicide Can Touch Anyone: A Real Conversation about Suicide Prevention and Care," in the Sparks Gymnasium. Princeton Common Ground and Scott will be joined by community resources including Good Grief, NAMI, Minding Your Mind Project, Attachment Trauma Network, and school counselors. Click here to see the flyer for details. The lecture is free, but tickets are required. Click here to get tickets.

Pennington parent get-together on May 18: The Spanish Interest Group is hosting a Pennington parent get-together on Saturday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. at Despaña in Princeton. Join Parents for Pennington for a casual evening of tapas, wine, and conversation. Come and meet other Pennington parents. The event is open to all. Click here to see the flyer for details. Click here to sign up. For any questions, contact Ana Maria Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com.

Fundraising Night at Panera: Come support the Class of 2021 at Panera Bread in Ewing on May 22, 2019! See the attached flyer for details.

The 2019 Scholarship Classic—now with Golf and Tennis! The twenty-fourth annual Scholarship Classic will take place at the Bedens Brook Club on Monday, June 10, 2019. There are opportunities to participate, sponsor, and donate prizes. Get more information and see our current sponsors here. For more information, please contact Jane Childrey '89 at jane.childrey@pennington.org or 609–737–6144, or Rob McClellan at rmcclellan@pennington.org or 609–737–6126.

Upper School

Malawi project begins next September: Pennington is collaborating with a school in Malawi on six global STEM projects that will begin next September. Students interested in STEM and/or global learning should come hear the twenty-minute presentation on May 13, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum to learn about these projects. Pennington will be running a trip to Malawi in March 2020. Students must be involved in a project to go on the trip, but they don't have to go on the trip to be part of a project. This eight-minute Youtube video also describes the projects. If you have questions, please contact Susan Wirsig.

Sophomore Retreat coming: This is a reminder the overnight sophomore class retreat to Princeton-Blairstown Center is Saturday, May 18 – Monday, May 20. This is a required event for members of the sophomore class. The retreat is the capstone project for their work in the Character Development and Leadership program throughout the year. Should you have any questions please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life, dean of students.

Class of 2020 Senior Formal Portraits: Spencer Studios will be here Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, to take your student's formal senior portrait. School formal dress is required and caps and gowns will be provided. These photos are required. Proofs will be sent home over the summer. There will be an opportunity to retake the photo in the fall. Students received a link to make an appointment. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio.

2019 Pennington Classical Piano Competition: Parents of students who are classical musicians interested in showcasing their talent and passion should look no further! We will be hosting an exclusive classical piano competition on May 24, right here on campus. All performances will be open to the public. Repertoire requirements include two contrasting works of classical music with a total duration of up to fifteen minutes. If you wish to participate, please email ddolan@pennington.org or cihan.sahin@pennington.org. The competition will be held in Campus Center Room 223 on Friday, May 24, 2019. Competitors' performances will be 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the winner's encore performance and awards ceremony to follow at 7:00 p.m. (Please note the time/date change!) Prizes include: Grand Prix ($250), Best Classical Era Award, and Best Romantic Era Award

Prom and Promenade on May 25: Juniors and Seniors are invited! The Pennington School will host its prom at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:30 p.m.; please be prompt. After students reserve tickets, parents will be sent a link for payment.
Parents for Pennington will host Promenade beginning at 4:30 p.m. Parents are invited; light fare will be served on the Campus Center Plaza. Two photographers will be on campus to take candid photographs before the students board the buses.

RSVP for Senior/Parent Dinner: This is a friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior/Parent Dinner that will be held on May 31, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and the faculty. Siblings who are Pennington alumni or current Pennington students are also invited free of charge. Because of limited seating under the tent, however, we regret that we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is a $40 charge per extra guest. Please register for the dinner here by May 18.

Upper School exam schedule: Please click here to view the Upper School exam schedule for Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7, 2019.

Middle School

Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child. There is a new day camp program for children ages 6-12 this year as well, run on our campus by KE Camps. School will be over soon--make plans for the summer now!

Red Raider Day Camp for children ages 6-12 during summer 2019: In an effort to provide the best summer day camp experience for your children, we have partnered with KE Camps to run the Red Raider Day Camp. Red Raider Day Camp will offer children ages 6 to 12 the opportunity to experience a variety of exciting and innovative programs within our familiar, beautiful, and convenient setting. Each week's schedule will include a combination of Arts & Crafts, Fun with Foods, STEM Challenge Activities, Team Building, Super Science, Group Games, Sports and Athletics, a variety of Enrichment Opportunities, a Weekly Community Service Project and Wacky Wednesday theme days. Please click here for more information!

Boarding

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888.769.3676 or visit the website www.dormroommovers.com/pennington.

This weekend's activities: Please click here for a schedule of this weekend's activities.

April

April 26, 2019

General Information

Common Ground speaker on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at The Pennington School: George Scott, education specialist and therapist, will present "Suicide Can Touch Anyone: A Real Conversation about Suicide Prevention and Care," in the Sparks Gymnasium. Princeton Common Ground and Scott will be joined by community resources including Good Grief, NAMI, Minding Your Mind Project, Attachment Trauma Network, and school counselors. Click here to see the flyer for details. The lecture is free, but tickets are required. Click here to get tickets.

Spanish Interest Group on Saturday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. at Despaña in Princeton: Join Parents for Pennington for an evening of tapas, wine, and conversation. Come and meet other Pennington parents. The event is open to all. For any questions, contact Ana Maria Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com.

Decorating committee needed for Senior/Parent Dinner: As Commencement approaches, we are looking for some creative and helpful volunteers to create a special atmosphere for the Upper School graduation festivities on Friday, May, 31. Please let us know if you are interested in helping with table decorations and other tent beautification efforts. Contact Jeannie Colalillo at jeanniecolalillo@gmail.com with questions. Click here to sign up.

Upper School

Applied Science Speaker Peter Ort P'19 '20 '24 today: Peter Ort presents “A Random Walk on the STEM Side of Wall Street” today, April 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. Ort co-founded and is a managing member of CurAlea Associates, an award-winning firm providing customized portfolio software and consulting services to hedge funds and other asset managers. Prior to CurAlea, he worked at Karsch Capital, a $3 billion hedge fund, and at Goldman Sachs in the Financial Institutions Group, Private Equity Group, and Hedge Fund Strategies Group. Ort graduated from Duke University and obtained J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from New York University. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Japan, grew up speaking Czech, and also speaks some German, Japanese, French, Spanish, and Italian. He is a member of the New York and New Jersey State Bars and is a member of the board or advisory board of several technology companies, including Ample (electric vehicle battery swapping), CarForce (connected car software and telematics), Smartleaf (automated portfolio management), HeroFi (automated marketing software), and MapText (mobile geospatial information system).

Could your child be the next Stephen Crane? The 2019 Pennington School Annual Stephen Crane Writing Contest is now underway. From now until April 29 the English Department will be accepting short stories, poems, and personal essays (dealing with a personal response to an experience, NOT academic in nature) from Upper School writers for consideration. Only one entry per category per entrant may be submitted, but students may submit in more than one category. Works may have been previously submitted for class or the literary magazine. Submissions should be copied and pasted in the appropriate category. Poems should be submitted here. Short stories here and essays here. For further details, contact Mr. Thompson or a member of the English Department.

Upper School Speaker on Friday, May 3:, Al Vernacchio will be speaking to all Upper School students by grade level on Friday, May 3. Vernacchio is a sexual health educator who teaches at Friends' Central School in Philadelphia. He was a Princeton Common Ground speaker in 2017, has held four TED Talks, and has been a guest on National Public Radio. In addition, he wrote the book For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Young People about Sexuality, Values, and Health. Vernacchio is a wonderful local resource and an expert in his field. He will be covering topics such as sexual health and healthy relationships, consent, and gender identity. This presentation is for students only, but if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Director of Counseling Services Stephanie DeSouza at sdesouza@pennington.org or 609-737-7118.

2019 Pennington Classical Piano Competition: Parents of students who are classical musicians interested in showcasing their talent and passion should look no further! We will be hosting an exclusive classical piano competition on May 5, right here on campus. All performances will be open to the public. Repertoire requirements include two contrasting works of classical music with a total duration of up to fifteen minutes. If you wish to participate, please email ddolan@pennington.org or cihan.sahin@pennington.org. The competition will be held in Campus Center Room 223 on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Competitors’ performances will be 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the winner’s encore performance and awards ceremony to follow at 6:00 p.m.
PRIZES INCLUDE:
Grand Prix ($250)
Best Classical Era Award
Best Romantic Era Award

Click here to view the flyer.

Malawi project begins next September: Pennington is collaborating with a school in Malawi on six global STEM projects that will begin next September. Students interested in STEM and/or global learning should come hear the twenty-minute presentation on May 13, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum to learn about these projects. Pennington will be running a trip to Malawi in March 2020. Students must be involved in a project to go on the trip, but they don’t have to go on the trip to be part of a project. This eight-minute Youtube video also describes the projects. If you have questions, please contact Susan Wirsig.

Sophomore Retreat coming: This is a reminder the overnight sophomore class retreat to Princeton-Blairstown Center is Saturday, May 18 – Monday, May 20. This is a required event for members of the sophomore class. The retreat is the capstone project for their work in the Character Development and Leadership program throughout the year. Thanks to the generosity of a Pennington family who funded the Sophomore Leadership and Character Development program, students will not be charged for this excursion. All travel, meals, lodging, and activities are covered in what we hope will be a transformative experience for the Class of 2021. Should you have any questions please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life, dean of students.

Class of 2020 Senior Formal Portraits: Spencer Studios will be here Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, to take your student’s formal senior portrait. School formal dress is required and caps and gowns will be provided. These photos are required. Proofs will be sent home over the summer. There will be an opportunity to retake the photo in the fall. Students received a link to make an appointment. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio.

Save the Date for the Prom: Juniors and Seniors are invited! The Pennington School will host its prom at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:30 p.m.; please be prompt.

Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Old Main. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. A set of five graduation invitations was sent to each senior family. Additional invitations can be picked up at Ms. Iorio's office. A luncheon for the graduates and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, will be removed. For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Upper School exam schedule: Please click here to view the Upper School exam schedule for Monday, June 3, through Friday, June 7, 2019.

2019-20 Required School Forms due July 1: Required School forms, including all medical forms, are due no later than July 1. You will submit forms through Magnus Health using your existing credentials. If your child’s physical does not expire prior to the start of school, you will see this requirement marked “complete” in Magnus. Questions should be directed to Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at 609-737-6114.

Middle School

Middle School Parent Webinar resources: In the Middle School Parent Coffee Webinar, teaching fellow Peter Secrest '13 dropped in to talk about resources for parents when talking about LGBTQ+ identities and issues with their children. The first was the "Genderbread Person" from It's Pronounced Metrosexual, and the second was the pamphlet "Our Children: Questions and Answers for Families of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender-Expansive and Queer Youth and Adults" from PFLAG. In addition to covering insightful ways about affirming LGBTQ+ identities, the pamphlet includes a glossary with many terms and vocabulary words that might come up in conversation. Please email Secrest at psecrest@pennington.org with any questions or ideas.

Middle School polo shirt donations needed: Please consider donating any outgrown Pennington polo shirts, sport coats, or other Pennington apparel in good condition and put them in the box in Chelsi Meyerson's office. The funds raised from selling these polos are returned to the Middle School. Thank you!

Boarding

This weekend's activities: Please click here for a schedule of this weekend's activities.

April 19, 2019

General Information

School closed today, Friday, April 19, and Monday, April 22: School is closed for Good Friday today, and on Monday, April 22, for Kingswood Day, the annual tradition of a Headmaster's surprise day off.

Red Raiders Fathering Network, Tuesday, April 23, at 8:00 a.m.: Please join Marc Celentana P '22 '24 at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St, Pennington) for a discussion about important topics related to fatherhood. The emphasis will be on parenting issues from a father's perspective. The group is open to all fathers and father figures in the Pennington School community. Please contact Marc at mcelentana@gmail.com if you have any questions or are planning to attend.

New Cervone Center parent networking group: On Wednesday, April 24, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art, come socialize and meet other parents who have children in the Cervone Center for Learning. The focus of this group is to connect and share experiences or ideas that will help along their journey. If you can't attend but are still interested, please email Anne DiDomenico at acdidomenico@comcast.net. Click here if you plan to attend.

Upper School Coffee--College Guidance Overview: On Friday, April 26, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art, please join Parents for Pennington for an informative morning with Director of College Guidance Scott Doughty and Associate Director of College Guidance Melanie Litzinger. They will discuss their backgrounds and their team's role on campus. Mr. Doughty will also provide insight into testing requirements (SAT vs. ACT, SAT Subject Tests, the meaning of "test optional") and application options (Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, Early Action, and Regular Decision), as well as the relationship between the student and counselor. Time will be allowed for parents to ask questions, too! Click here if you plan to attend.

Upper School

Upper School Speaker on Friday, May 3:, Al Vernacchio will be speaking to all Upper School students by grade level on Friday, May 3. Vernacchio is a sexual health educator who teaches at Friends' Central School in Philadelphia. He was a Princeton Common Ground speaker in 2017, has held four TED Talks, and has been a guest on National Public Radio. In addition, he wrote the book For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Young People about Sexuality, Values, and Health. Vernacchio is a wonderful local resource and an expert in his field. He will be covering topics such as sexual health and healthy relationships, consent, and gender identity. This presentation is for students only, but if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Director of Counseling Services Stephanie DeSouza at sdesouza@pennington.org or 609-737-7118.

Save The Date for Prom: Juniors and Seniors are invited! The Pennington School will host its prom at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:30 p.m., please be prompt. Students will receive a link to reserve tickets next week.

Sophomore Retreat coming up: This is a reminder the overnight sophomore class retreat to Princeton-Blairstown Center is Saturday, May 18 – Monday, May 20. This is a required event for members of the sophomore class. The retreat is the capstone project for their work in the Character Development and Leadership program throughout the year. Thanks to the generosity of a Pennington family who funded the Sophomore Leadership and Character Development program, students will not be charged for this excursion. All travel, meals, lodging, and activities are covered in what we hope will be a transformative experience for the Class of 2021. Should you have any questions please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life, dean of students.

Class of 2020 Senior Formal Portraits: Spencer Studios will be here Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21 to take your student’s formal senior portrait. School formal dress is required and caps and gowns will be provided. These photos are required. Proofs will be sent home over the summer. There will be an opportunity to retake the photo in the fall. Students received a link to make an appointment. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio.

2019-20 Required School Forms due July 1: Required School forms, including all medical forms, are due no later than July 1. You will submit forms through Magnus Health using your existing credentials. If your child’s physical does not expire prior to the start of school, you will see this requirement marked “complete” in Magnus. Questions should be directed to Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at 609-737-6114.

Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Old Main. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. A set of five graduation invitations was sent to each senior family. Additional invitations can be picked up at Ms. Iorio's office. A luncheon for the graduates and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, will be removed. For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Could your child be the next Stephen Crane? The 2019 Pennington School Annual Stephen Crane Writing Contest is now underway. From now until April 29 the English Department will be accepting short stories, poems, and personal essays (dealing with a personal response to an experience, NOT academic in nature) from Upper School writers for consideration. Only one entry per category per entrant may be submitted, but students may submit in more than one category. Works may have been previously submitted for class or the literary magazine. Submissions should be copied and pasted in the appropriate category. Poems should be submitted here. Short stories here and essays here. For further details, contact Mr. Thompson or a member of the English Department.

Middle School

Boarding

This weekend's activities: For a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

April 5, 2019

General Information

Mini Maker Faire returns to Pennington! The Pennington School invites you, your families, and your friends to attend the second annual Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire on Sunday, April 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A gathering of tech enthusiasts, inventors, Makers, engineers, Pennington students, and commercial exhibitors, the Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire offers you an opportunity to see creativity and innovation at its best.

Some Makers who will be in attendance at the event include Craig Trader's Chaos Machine, STEAM Works Studio, Hyperspace Gaming and Amazing Escape Room. There will be more than forty different activities and exhibits for kids and adults of all ages, including robot programming, catapult building, playing in a virtual world, and more.

Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, these Makers find the Maker Faire a venue to show inventions, experiments, and projects. Find out more at https://mercerbucks.makerfaire.com/!

Tickets are free but are required to attend. Please click here to register for free tickets for your family! https://mercerbucksminimakerfaire2019.eventbrite.c...

Upper School

Global Studies speakers today: All are invited to a special Global Studies Speaker Series panel discussion on "Tiananmen Square: 30 Years Later" at 3:05 p.m. today, April 5, in the Wesley Forum. Please join us!

Reminder about absences, early and late dismissals: This is a reminder to parents to call the School to report absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals. Students who drive to school are not permitted to leave school in their cars during the school day without permission from a parent and the Dean of Students. Students need to sign out with the Dean of Students Office to leave school for any reason during the school day as well as sign in to school if they are late for any reason. Please refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for more details. If you have any questions regarding this policy, you may contact Chad Bridges assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students.

Save the Date for Prom: Juniors and seniors are invited! The Pennington School will host its prom at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:30 p.m., so please be prompt. Students will receive a link to reserve tickets next week.

Sophomore Retreat coming up: This is a reminder the overnight sophomore class retreat to Princeton-Blairstown Center is Saturday, May 18 – Monday, May 20. This is a required event for members of the sophomore class. The retreat is the capstone project for their work in the Character Development and Leadership Program throughout the year. Thanks to the generosity of a Pennington family who funded the Sophomore Leadership and Character Development Program, students will not be charged for this excursion. All travel, meals, lodging, and activities are covered in what we hope will be a transformative experience for the Class of 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students.

End-of-the-year letter/schedule for Class of 2019 parents: Please click here to read a letter from Chad Bridges, dean of students, about the end of the year for the Class of 2019. Click here to view the end-of-the-year schedule for seniors.

Parents of seniors: Yearbook ads are available. Please click here to read the letter from the Penseman editors/staff about the placing an advertisement in the yearbook. Click here to download the advertisement form.

College Admissions Panel on April 15: The College Guidance Office invites you to attend our annual College Admissions Panel for all freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their parents/guardians. The program will take place on Monday, April 15, in the Wesley Forum at 6:30 p.m. The panel discussion will include professionals from various colleges and universities. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org or 609-737-6130. The registration deadline is Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

Pennington Summer Programs

Public Speaking for credit over the summer: Do you have a current freshman or sophomore who has yet to take Public Speaking? Don't let your student miss the chance to earn academic credit this summer and make his or her schedule a bit easier during the 2019-20 school year. Public Speaking is required to graduate, and students can take it this summer! The week-long class is available several times throughout the summer. Spaces go quickly for this class, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Art Portfolio Bootcamp: High school art students who would like to begin assembling an art portfolio for college and impress their art teacher with five finished pieces of artwork at the start of the school year should consider signing up for Portfolio Bootcamp! Click here for dates and more information.

Other sports camps: A variety of sports camps run by outside companies will be offered on campus this summer. Overnight camps include Field Hockey, Track and Field, Boys' Lacrosse, Girls' Lacrosse and Soccer. For more information about these programs, click here.

Middle School

Attendance reminders from the Middle School Dean of Students: Parents, if your child will be absent for a day, or for an illness, please contact Mrs. Meyerson by phone at 609-737-6134 or via email. If your child will be absent for more than one day due to a family event, athletic contest unrelated to Pennington, or travel, please contact Ms. Houston to discuss the absence. Ms. Houston will then contact Class Deans, advisors, and teachers to let them know of any extended absences. Students are welcome to discuss absences in person with teachers, once the office is notified. Thank you for your cooperation.

Middle School Parent Coffee Videoconference: On Wednesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m., Head of Middle School Todd Paige will host the final Parent Coffee meeting of the year via videoconference for Middle School parents. Those who join will hear about the many upcoming spring and end-of-the-year events, including graduation. Mr. Paige will also facilitate a discussion about what is important for students to learn today and the role that grading practices have on learning and student achievement. Parents will be able to submit questions and comments as they arise throughout the session. The parent perspective will play an important role in the discussion. More information about the videoconference and how to gain access will be sent to all parents via Schoology.

Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Get a head start on summer planning! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child.

Parents for Pennington

Common Ground speaker April 9: Princeton Common Ground presents Dr. Paul Foxman's parent education lecture on "A Worried Child" at the Lawrenceville School on Tuesday, April 9. Foxman will educate parents on identifying anxiety and helping children and teens thrive using strategies that work. This is a popular event, and seating is nearing capacity. The event is free and open to the public, but a ticket is necessary. Click here for details and tickets.

Chinese Dumpling Making April 11: Love dumplings? Learn how to make them on your own. Join the Chinese Interest Group on Thursday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. at 309 Hale Street, Pennington, for a lesson in making authentic Chinese dumplings. Tasting afterward guaranteed. Please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com for questions. Please click here to sign up for this event.

Decorating committee for Senior/Parent Dinner: As Commencement approaches, we are looking for some creative and helpful volunteers to create a special atmosphere for the graduation festivities on Friday May, 31. Please let us know if you are interested in helping with table decorations and other tent beautification efforts. Contact Jeannie Colalillo at jeanniecolalillo@gmail.com with questions. Click here to sign up.

New Cervone Center parent networking group: On Wednesday, April 24, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art, come socialize and meet other parents who have children in the Cervone Center for Learning. The focus of this group is to connect and share experiences or ideas that will help along their journey. If you can't attend but are still interested, please email Anne DiDomenico at acdidomenico@comcast.net. Click here if you plan to attend.

Upper School Coffee - College Guidance Overview: On Friday, April 26, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art, please join us for an informative morning with Director of College Guidance Scott Doughty and Associate Director of College Guidance Melanie Litzinger. They will share their backgrounds and their team's role on campus. Mr. Doughty will also provide insight into testing requirements (SAT vs. ACT, SAT Subject Tests, meaning of "test optional") and application options (Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, Early Action, and Regular Decision), as well as into the relationship between the student and counselor. Time will be allowed for parents to ask questions, too! Click here if you plan to attend.

Parents for Pennington (PfP) needs you: PfP is looking for parents to fill three Executive Board positions and one to serve as a liaison to Princeton Common Ground for the 2019-20 school year. PfP strives to provide various programs and activities to enhance the entire Pennington School community. If you would like to be part of an enthusiastic group that wants to strengthen school spirit, please volunteer your time by taking a position. Each Executive Board position is preferably a two-year term. You will need to attend Board meetings on the first Tuesday of each month and assist at PfP events and activities. Below are the three Executive Board descriptions. If you are interested, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

Boarding Representative: The Boarding Representative serves as a liaison between PfP and the appropriate School administrators for the boarding students. The Representative shall coordinate some activities, events, and programs for the boarders as well as communication with their parents.

Vice President-Hospitality and Parent Outreach: This VP will coordinate and oversee some of the programs that focus on parent involvement such as informational coffees, specific club activities, and other social events. In addition, the VP will assist the president and fill in for the president in that person's absence.

Communications Coordinator: The Communications Coordinator takes care of all communications to the Pennington parent community; helps create evites, sign-ups, and announcements; and works with Pennington's Communications Department.

The Princeton Common Ground Liaison will attend Common Ground meetings and report back to PfP. If you are interested in being the Common Ground liaison, please contact Melissa Weng at weng178@gmail.com.

April 12, 2019

General Information

Mini Maker Faire this weekend: This Sunday, April 14, The Pennington School is hosting the second annual Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire on its campus. Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, people who enjoy learning and demonstrating what they do come to Maker Faire to share their work with you. Tickets are free but required for admission. Register for the event on EventBrite. We hope to see you there Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Parking is free, and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Pennington parent presents medical service work: All are invited to hear an exciting presentation from one of our own changemakers. Parnini Kunta P'21 will speak about her family's medical service work, which they undertake every summer in India. Please join us today, April 12, at 3:05 p.m. in the Wesley Forum.

Spring Concert April 17: Come listen to several of the student ensembles from The Pennington School at their Spring Concert next Wednesday, April 17, at 7:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. You will hear the Orchestra, Jazz Band, Pennington Singers, and possibly even the Middle School Instrumental Ensemble! There will be something for everybody, with classical music composed by Beethoven to Stravinsky, pop music from groups spanning the Beatles to Lady Gaga, and familiar tunes heard in places from the ballet stage to video games. This and more... hope to see you there!

Grandparent and VIP Day April 18: We are excited to welcome grandparents and very important people (VIP) to Grandparent and VIP Day on Thursday, April 18! For a schedule of events, please click here.

Science of climate change event April 16: Organizing Action on Sustainability In Schools (OASIS)* is sponsoring an event for area parents interested in learning more about the science of climate change. It will be presented by an organization called C-Change Conversations, which has put together a primer that presents clear scientific information that is also nuanced and non-partisan. The talk is being held on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart (1128 Great Rd., Princeton) and is free. Please see the attached flyer and click here to register!

*OASIS is a consortium of twenty-seven central New Jersey schools working together to build and support sustainability initiatives in schools. The Pennington School is a member school.

Upper School

College Admissions Panel on April 15: The College Guidance Office invites you to attend our annual College Admissions Panel for all freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their parents/guardians on Monday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. The panel discussion will include professionals from various colleges and universities. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org or 609-737-6130. *Please note that the program location has been moved to the Stainton Lecture Center

RSVP for Senior/Parent Dinner: This is a friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior/Parent Dinner that will be held on May 31, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and the faculty. Siblings who are Pennington alumni or current Pennington students are also invited free of charge. Because of limited seating under the tent, however, we regret that we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is a $40 charge per extra guest. Please register for the dinner here by May 18.

Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Old Main. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. A set of five graduation invitations were sent to each senior family. Additional invitations can be picked up at Ms. Iorio's office. A luncheon for the graduates and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, will be removed. For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Parents of seniors: Yearbook ads are available. Please click here to read the letter from the Penseman editors/staff about the placing an advertisement in the yearbook. Click here to download the advertisement form. Ads are due April 17.

Could your child be the next Stephen Crane? The 2019 Pennington School Annual Stephen Crane Writing Contest is now under way. From now until April 29 the English Department will be accepting short stories, poems, and personal essays (dealing with a personal response to an experience, NOT academic in nature) from Upper School writers for consideration. Only one entry per category per entrant may be submitted, but students may submit in more than one category. Works may have been previously submitted for class or the literary magazine. Submissions should be copied and pasted in the appropriate category. Poems should be submitted here. Short stories here and essays here. For further details, contact Mr. Thompson or a member of the English Department.

Save the Date for Prom: Juniors and seniors are invited! The Pennington School will host its prom at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the venue from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:30 p.m., so please be prompt. Students received a link to reserve tickets this week.

Sophomore Retreat coming up: This is a reminder that the overnight sophomore class retreat to Princeton-Blairstown Center is Saturday, May 18 – Monday, May 20. This is a required event for members of the sophomore class. The retreat is the capstone project for their work in the Character Development and Leadership Program throughout the year. Thanks to the generosity of a Pennington family who funded the Sophomore Leadership and Character Development Program, students will not be charged for this excursion. All travel, meals, lodging, and activities are covered in what we hope will be a transformative experience for the Class of 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students.

Middle School

Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Get a head start on summer planning! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child.

Parents for Pennington

Decorating committee needed for Senior/Parent Dinner: As Commencement approaches, we are looking for some creative and helpful volunteers to create a special atmosphere for the graduation festivities on Friday, May, 31. Please let us know if you are interested in helping with table decorations and other tent beautification efforts. Contact Jeannie Colalillo at jeanniecolalillo@gmail.com with questions. Click here to sign up.

New Cervone Center parent networking group: On Wednesday, April 24, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art, come socialize and meet other parents who have children in the Cervone Center for Learning. The focus of this group is to connect and share experiences or ideas that will help along their journey. If you can't attend but are still interested, please email Anne DiDomenico at acdidomenico@comcast.net. Click here if you plan to attend.

Upper School Coffee--College Guidance Overview: On Friday, April 26, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art, please join us for an informative morning with Director of College Guidance Scott Doughty and Associate Director of College Guidance Melanie Litzinger. They will discuss their backgrounds and their team's role on campus. Mr. Doughty will also provide insight into testing requirements (SAT vs. ACT, SAT Subject Tests, meaning of "test optional") and application options (Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, Early Action, and Regular Decision), as well as into the relationship between the student and counselor. Time will be allowed for parents to ask questions, too! Click here if you plan to attend.

Parents for Pennington (PfP) needs you: PfP is looking for parents to fill three Executive Board positions and one to serve as a liaison to Princeton Common Ground for the 2019-20 school year. PfP strives to provide various programs and activities to enhance the entire Pennington School community. If you would like to be part of an enthusiastic group that wants to strengthen school spirit, please volunteer your time by taking a position. Each Executive Board position is preferably a two-year term. You will need to attend Board meetings on the first Tuesday of each month and assist at PfP events and activities. Below are the descriptions of three Executive Board positions and that of Common Ground liaison. If you are interested, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

Vice President-Hospitality and Parent Outreach: This VP will coordinate and oversee some of the programs that focus on parent involvement such as informational coffees, specific club activities, and other social events. In addition, the VP will assist the president and fill in for the president in that person's absence.

March

March 29, 2019

General Information

Day schedule changes next week: In support of our Admission Revisit Days next week, the schedules for Wednesday, April 3, and Friday, April 5, are changing. On Wednesday, April 3, the School will follow a Day 1 schedule (and not Day 3, as previously assigned). On Friday, April 5, the School will follow a Day 3 schedule (and not Day 1); as well, the first class of the day (Period 3) on Friday will start at 8:00 a.m. (not 8:40 a.m.)

Join the senior class in battling childhood cancer: The senior class will host its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon for Upper Schoolers and its second annual Mini-Mini-Thon for Middle Schoolers. Upper School Mini-Thon will take place on Saturday, April 6, 5:00 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $25. Middle School Mini-Mini-Thon will take place on Friday, April 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Registration fees should be paid in cash or by check, payable to The Pennington School, and turned in to Mr. Russo or Sydney Gibbard. Middle Schoolers can also pay their fee to Mrs. Meyerson. Help us make a difference in the lives of thousands. We dance for the kids who can't! Register your student now at: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuse...

Maker Faire returns to Pennington! The Pennington School invites you, your families, and your friends to attend the second annual Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire on Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A gathering of tech enthusiasts, inventors, Makers, engineers, Pennington students, and commercial exhibitors, the Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire offers you an opportunity to see creativity and innovation at its best.

Some Makers who will be in attendance at the event include Craig Trader's Chaos Machine, STEAM Works Studio, Hyperspace Gaming and Amazing Escape Room. There will be over 40 different activities and exhibits for kids and adults of all ages, including robot programming, catapult building, playing in a virtual world, and more.

Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these makers to show inventions, experiments, and projects. Find out more at https://mercerbucks.makerfaire.com/!

Tickets are free but are required to attend. Please click here to register for free tickets for your family! https://mercerbucksminimakerfaire2019.eventbrite.c...

Upper School

Applied Science/Global Studies speakers today: Today, Friday, March 29, from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, alumnae Anita Dam '11 and Alison Cuccia '07 will present "Health for All: Using Science to Promote Well-Being at Home and Worldwide." All are welcome to attend the talk! Anita Dam '11 received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Johns Hopkins University in 2015, double-majoring in History of Science, Medicine and Technology and Classics. She graduated this past May with her Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Since pursuing a career in Global (Public) Health, she has conducted field research in Bangladesh, India, and Uganda; she has also been the sexual reproductive health and rights and HIV linkages intern at the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, she is the family planning workforce and communications fellow in the Global Health Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Alison Cuccia '07 is currently a senior research associate at Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute®. She works on the policy studies team and helps develop, manage, execute, and communicate policy relevant research. This research helps inform tobacco control policies and evaluate impact of policies on behavior and health outcomes. Her projects have surrounding topic areas such as JUUL and e-cigarettes, low-nicotine cigarettes, and tobacco product access. Cuccia has been at Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute since December 2017. Previously, she worked at the Army Public Health Center for four years and evaluated programs aimed to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco-free environments on U.S. Army installations. She received her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University, followed by a Master of Science in Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2013.

Parents of seniors: Yearbook ads are available. Please click here to read the letter from the Penseman editors/staff about the placing an advertisement in the yearbook. Click here to download the advertisement form.

College Admissions Panel on April 15: The College Guidance Office invites you to attend our annual College Admissions Panel for all freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their parents/guardians. The program will take place on Monday, April 15, in the Wesley Forum at 6:30 p.m. The panel discussion will include professionals from various colleges and universities. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org or 609-737-6130. The registration deadline is Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

Mini-Thon food donations needed: Parents of seniors: As you may know, the Class of 2019 is hosting its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon on Saturday, April 6, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. We thank you for the generosity you have shown the last two years in donating refreshments to our highly successful event. This year, once again, we welcome donations of food and drink; you may offer to provide the item itself or donate cash for the purpose of purchasing it. You can pledge a donation by clicking on this link and signing up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4ca5a82aa5fc1.... If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Russo, senior class dean, at jrusso@pennington.org. The seniors thank you for your continued support of this and all class activities!

Pennington Summer Programs

Art Portfolio Bootcamp: High school art students who would like to begin assembling an art portfolio for college and impress their art teacher with five finished pieces of artwork at the start of the school year should consider signing up for Portfolio Bootcamp! Click here for dates and more information.

Other sports camps: A variety of sports camps run by outside companies will be offered on campus this summer. Overnight camps include Field Hockey, Track and Field, Boys' Lacrosse, Girls' Lacrosse and Soccer. For more information about these programs, click here.

Middle School

Middle School Parent Coffee Videoconference: On Wednesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m., Head of Middle School Todd Paige will host the final Parent Coffee meeting of the year via videoconference for Middle School parents. Those who join will hear about the many upcoming spring and end-of-the-year events, including graduation. Mr. Paige will also facilitate a discussion about what is important for students to learn today and the role that grading practices have on learning and student achievement. Parents will be able to submit questions and comments as they arise throughout the session. The parent perspective will play an important role in the discussion. More information about the videoconference and how to gain access will be sent out to all parents in the next couple of weeks via Pennington Postings and Schoology. Until then, mark your calendars.

Parents for Pennington

Princeton Common Ground speaker on Tuesday, April 9: Common Ground presents Dr. Paul Foxman's parent education lecture on "A Worried Child" at the Lawrenceville School. The event is free and open to public, but a ticket is recommended. Click here for details and tickets.

Chinese dumpling lessons on Thursday, April 11: Love dumplings? You can learn to make your own! Join the Chinese Interest Group on April 11 at 10:30 a.m. at 309 Hale Street, Pennington, for a lesson in making authentic Chinese dumplings. Tasting afterwards guaranteed. Please RSVP to Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

March 22, 2019

General Information

School closed Monday, March 25: The School will be closed on Monday, March 25, for faculty/staff professional development. Classes resume on Tuesday, March 26. We hope you enjoyed Spring Break!

Upper School

Parents of seniors: Yearbook ads are now available. Please click here to read the letter from the Penseman editors/staff about the placing an advertisement in the yearbook. Click here to download the advertisement form.

Applied Science/Global Studies speakers on March 29: On Friday, March 29 from 3:00-3:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, alumnae Anita Dam '11 and Alison Cuccia '07 will present "Health for all: Using science to promote well-being at home and worldwide." Anita Dam '11 received her Bachelor of Arts at Johns Hopkins University in 2015, double majoring in History of Science, Medicine & Technology and Classics. She graduated this past May with her Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Since pursuing a career in Global (Public) Health, she has conducted field research in Bangladesh, India, and Uganda, and interned at the World Health Organization (WHO) as the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV Linkages Intern. Currently, she is the Family Planning Workforce & Communications Fellow in the Global Health Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Alison Cuccia '07 is currently a senior research associate at Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute®. She works on the policy studies team, and helps develop, manage, execute, and communicate policy relevant research. This research helps inform tobacco control policies and evaluate impact of policies on behavior and health outcomes. Her projects have surrounding topic areas such as JUUL and e-cigarettes, low nicotine cigarettes, and tobacco product access. Cuccia has been at Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute since December 2017. Previously, she worked at the Army Public Health Center for four years, and evaluated programs aimed to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco-free environments on Army installations. She received her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University, followed by a Master of Science in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2013.

Mini-Thon food donations needed: Parents of seniors: As you may know, the Class of 2019 is hosting its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon on Saturday, April 6, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. We thank you for the generosity you have shown the last two years in donating refreshments to our highly successful event. This year, once again, we welcome donations of food and drink; you may offer to provide the item itself or donate cash for the purpose of purchasing it. You can pledge a donation by clicking on this link and signing up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4ca5a82aa5fc1.... If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Russo, senior class dean, at jrusso@pennington.org. The seniors thank you for your continued support of this and all class activities!

Pennington Summer Programs

Middle School

Spring practices begin Tuesday, March 26: Spring is in the air! All student athletes and actors should be prepared for their first practice upon return from spring break. Track and field, boys' and girls' lacrosse, and the cast of the Middle School Play should have everything they need for a productive first day.

Middle School Parent Coffee Videoconference: On Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m., Head of Middle School Todd Paige will host the final Parent Coffee meeting of the year via videoconference for Middle School parents. Those who join will hear about the many upcoming spring and end-of-the-year events, including graduation. Mr. Paige will also facilitate a discussion about what is important for students to learn today and the role that grading practices have on learning and student achievement. Parents will be able to submit questions and comments as they arise throughout the session. The parent perspective will play an important role in the discussion. More information about the videoconference and how to gain access will be sent out to all parents in the next couple of weeks via Pennington Postings and Schoology. Until then, mark your calendars.

Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Get a head start on summer planning! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child.

March 1, 2019

General Information

Re-enrollment contracts due today, March 1: This year, re-enrollment contracts are available online only. You should have received a notification from the Business Office two weeks ago that the re-enrollment documents are available on your Veracross Parent Portal. Please complete the online enrollment contract, and submit your deposit, as soon as possible. It is important to honor the March 1 deadline, which will allow us to make accurate enrollment decisions for prospective students who are applying to The Pennington School for the first time. Demand continues to soar for Pennington, so you must return your contract and deposit by March 1 in order to secure your child's place in the School. After March 1, we cannot guarantee your child's spot for next year. If you have any questions regarding your contract please contact the Business Office at dmitchell@pennington.org. If you have any issues logging into the Veracross Parent Portal please contact the technology office at helpdesk@pennington.org.

Reminder: Parent/Advisor conferences are March 7. Please click here to read the letter from Scott Peeler, dean of academic affairs, and Todd Paige, head of Middle School, about the Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences on Thursday, March 7, 2019, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Fritzsche to be Applied Science speaker today: Today at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Philip Fritzsche P '23 '25 will discuss how he helps people gain access to high-quality, affordable medicine. Fritzsche is an executive who works in business development with Sandoz US Inc., based in Princeton. He believes that working in different geographic locations in a diverse environment, building long-lasting, trustworthy personal relationships with business partners makes the difference. Fritzsche has worked in various functions of the pharmaceutical industry like procurement, supply chain, and external supply management for more than twenty years, always with focus on external relationships.

Tickets for the 2019 Winter Musical: Godspell tickets are almost sold out. Purchase your tickets at http://tps.booktix.com. Performances will be held in the Lecture Center in Stainton Hall today, March 1, and Saturday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 2. Thank you for supporting Pennington Drama!

One town/one book: Please join with the town of Pennington and the greater Pennington community as together we participate in "Small Town Big Read." Members of the Pennington School community (students, faculty, and staff) are invited and encouraged to join in reading the book True Grit by Charles Portis, now on display in Meckler Library. The novel is the engrossing tale of a 14-year-old girl whose grit is tested after her father's murder in the American west of the 1870s and was the inspiration for two major motion pictures. The "Small Town... NEA Big Read" will kick off today at the library. On Sunday, March 3, there will be a roping demonstration by Pennington senior Brett Bokman at The Pennington School at 1:30 p.m., followed by a talk in the Wesley Forum by renowned Portis scholar Jay Jennings. Additional events will take place during the month of March; please see the attached calendar or check out https://www.penningtonlibrary.org/. Members of the Pennington School True Grit book club will gather around an outdoor fire for an informal book discussion the week of March 25. Please sign up on Google Forms if you would like to take part and read True Grit together.

PfP thanks attendees of Red & Black Bash: Parents for Pennington would like to thank everybody who joined us for this year's unforgettable Red & Black Bash. This celebration of our extraordinary community would not have been possible without the generous support of our attendees, donors, and bidders, and we appreciate you all! Check out Dr. Hawkey's Instagram feed (@doc.hawk) to see a few pictures of the event. If you weren't able to make it to the event, or if you're still thinking of an auction item as "the one that got away," please watch your email for information about our post-auction sale starting Monday, March 4. A few amazing items remain available for bidding at a variety of price points so everyone still has a chance to walk away with a win.

Join the senior class in battling childhood cancer: The senior class will host its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon for Upper Schoolers and its second annual Mini-Mini-Thon for Middle Schoolers. Upper School Mini-Thon will take place on Saturday, April 6, 5:00 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $25. Middle School Mini-Mini-Thon will take place on Friday, April 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Registration fees should be paid in cash or by check, payable to The Pennington School, and turned in to Mr. Russo or Sydney Gibbard. Middle Schoolers can also pay their fee to Mrs. Meyerson. Everyone who signs up for either event by March 8 will be guaranteed a free Mini-Thon T-shirt. Help us make a difference in the lives of thousands. We dance for the kids who can't! Register your student now at: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuse...

Upper School

Parents of seniors: Yearbook ads are now available. Please click here to read the letter from the Penseman editors/staff about the placing an advertisement in the yearbook. Click here to download the advertisement form.

Mini-Thon food donations needed: Parents of seniors: As you may know, the Class of 2019 is hosting its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon on Saturday, April 6, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. We thank you for the generosity you have shown the last two years in donating refreshments to our highly successful event. This year, once again, we welcome donations of food and drink; you may offer to provide the item itself or donate cash for the purpose of purchasing it. You can pledge a donation by clicking on this link and signing up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4ca5a82aa5fc1.... If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Russo, senior class dean, at jrusso@pennington.org. The seniors thank you for your continued support of this and all class activities!

Pennington Summer Programs

Public Speaking for credit over the summer: Do you have a current freshman or sophomore who has yet to take Public Speaking? Don't let your student miss the chance to earn academic credit this summer and make his or her schedule a bit easier during the 2019-20 school year. Public Speaking is required to graduate, and students can take it this summer! The week-long class is available several times throughout the summer. Spaces go quickly for this class, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Summer College Guidance Seminar: Want to get a head start on the college application process? Attention parents of current sophomores: students can learn about the common application, begin writing their essay, and even visit colleges during the Summer College Guidance Seminar. This week-long class takes the place of the once-per-week college counseling class that meets during the spring of junior year. Don't miss this chance to get started on applying to college, and free up your student's schedule! This class fills up quickly, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Middle School

Pennington Summer Programs early-bird savings end today: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Get a head start on summer planning! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child. Register before today, March 1, to receive a 15% discount with coupon code Early2019 at checkout.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: For a list of this week's activities, please click here.

February

February 22, 2019

General Information

Re-enrollment contracts due March 1: This year, re-enrollment contracts are available online only. You should have received a notification from the Business Office last Friday that the re-enrollment documents are available on your Veracross Parent Portal. Please complete the online enrollment contract, and submit your deposit, as soon as possible. It is important to honor the March 1 deadline, which will allow us to make accurate enrollment decisions for prospective students who are applying to The Pennington School for the first time. Demand continues to soar for Pennington, so you must return your contract and deposit by March 1 in order to secure your child's place in the School. After March 1, we cannot guarantee your child's spot for next year. If you have any questions regarding your contract please contact the Business Office at dmitchell@pennington.org. If you have any issues logging into the Veracross Parent Portal please contact the technology office at helpdesk@pennington.org.

New text message notification feature: On Wednesday, February 20, we tested the text feature available through Veracross to announce school closings. Parents AND students should have received a text message. Parents who did not receive the message are encouraged to update their information in the Veracross Parent Portal.

Dress down for Haiti today: There will be a dress down day today to raise funds for supplies to be used in Haiti. In an average year, the Pennington School trip to Haiti sees over 1,000 people in the clinics it runs. Often, we find ourselves running out of supplies because we were not able to bring enough. Please help ensure everyone is helped as best we can by participating in this very worthy cause. Donate $5 and dress down (appropriately, of course). There will be trip members collecting money in the dining hall and the lobbies of Yen and Stainton starting at 7:30 a.m. this morning. Please contact Mr. Thompson if you have any questions.

Saturday, February 23, Red and Black Bash: Cure your winter blahs with a dose of Hollywood glamour! Join us at the Red & Black Bash on Saturday night. Come as you are, or have fun with the Hollywood theme -- the choice is yours. Don't miss out on music, food, and fun with your favorite Pennington parents and staff. Click here to buy your tickets and join the party, and don't forget to check out the fantastic items we have available in the live and silent auctions. Click here to preview the items up for bid. But remember, if you want to purchase a live auction item, you'll need to be at the Bash to win!

Red Raiders Fathering Network to meet: On Tuesday, February 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St., Pennington) the Red Raider Fathering Network will meet. The topic for the February meeting is Motivating Teens. To stimulate thoughts around the topic, you are encouraged to read: http://understandingteenagers.com.au/blog/the-7-se.... If you do not have time to read the article, no worries. Your personal successes and challenges around this topic will surely permit valuable contribution to the group conversation. Please note that the format of the meeting is open forum -- conversational and casual. With meetings every 4th Tuesday from 8:00 to 9:00 am, this group is open to all fathers and father figures in The Pennington School community who are interested in building interaction and knowledge of parenting issues. You are encouraged, but not required, to indicate planned attendance by contacting the group facilitator Marc Celentana (P'22 & '24) at mcelentana@gmail.com or by telephone at 609-649-2075.

Spring Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a spring activity or sport, state guidelines require you to complete a Health History Update before he or she can begin practicing. This form does not require a doctor's signature and must be completed on the Magnus portal. The form has been updated to an electronic version for the spring. Log in to answer the questions and electronically sign the document. The spring Health History Update is due no later than Monday, February 25. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at healthcenter@pennington.org.

Tickets for the 2019 Winter Musical: Godspell tickets are on sale now at http://tps.booktix.co m/ Performances will be held in the Lecture Center in Stainton Hall from Wednesday, February 27 - Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 2. Thank you for supporting Pennington Drama!

Parent/Advisor conferences on March 7: Please click here to read the letter from Scott Peeler, dean of academic affairs, and Todd Paige, head of Middle School, about the Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences on Thursday, March 7, 2019, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Join the senior class in battling childhood cancer: The senior class will host its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon for Upper Schoolers and its second annual Mini-Mini-Thon for Middle Schoolers. Upper School Mini-Thon will take place on Saturday, April 6, 5:00 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $25. Middle School Mini-Mini-Thon will take place on Friday, April 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Registration fees should be paid in cash or by check, payable to The Pennington School, and turned in to Mr. Russo or Sydney Gibbard. Middle Schoolers can also pay their fee to Mrs. Meyerson. Everyone who signs up for either event by March 8 will be guaranteed a free Mini-THON T-shirt. Help us make a difference in the lives of thousands. We dance for the kids who can't! Register your student now at: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuse...

Guatemala turtle conservation summer trip: Pennington is offering an opportunity to volunteer with turtle conservation in beautiful Sipacate, Guatemala, a quiet beach town directly east of Guatemala City. Students will be accommodated in dormitory housing and will help with such activities as beach patrols, relocating eggs to hatcheries to protect them from predators, building hatcheries, and releasing hatchlings. Trip dates: June 16-26, 2019, and estimated cost is $1,700. Please email Kendra Sisserson if you are interested in more information on this trip. All students in classes of 2020 – 2023 are invited to apply here. Email Dr. Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with any questions. There will be an informational meeting for PARENTS of students interested in the Guatemala trip described above planned for Wednesday, February 27, at 6:30 P.M. in Ms. Vesnaver's classroom, Stainton 106.

Fritzsche to be Applied Science speaker: On Friday, March 1, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Philip Fritzsche P '23 '25 will discuss how he helps people gain access to high-quality, affordable medicine. Fritzsche is an executive who works in business development with Sandoz US Inc., based in Princeton. He believes that working in different geographic locations in a diverse environment, building long-lasting, trustworthy personal relationships with business partners makes the difference. Fritzsche has worked in various functions of the pharmaceutical industry like procurement, supply chain, and external supply management for more than twenty years, always with focus on external relationships.

Upper School

Global Studies speakers today: Today, Friday, February 22, Marah Garry Walsh '82 P'19 will share her experiences leading service trips around the world.

NCAA Athletic Recruitment Process Session: On Sunday, February 24, at 6:30 p.m., Dean Bridges and Scott M. Doughty will discuss the NCAA Athletic Recruitment Process. The session is to be held in the Wesley Forum. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org or 609-737-6130.

Mini-Thon food donations needed: Parents of seniors: As you may know, the Class of 2019 is hosting its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon on Saturday, April 6, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. We thank you for the generosity you have shown the last two years in donating refreshments to our highly successful event. This year, once again, we welcome donations of food and drink; you may offer to provide the item itself or donate cash for the purpose of purchasing it. You can pledge a donation by clicking on this link and signing up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4ca5a82aa5fc1.... If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Russo, senior class dean, at jrusso@pennington.org. The seniors thank you for your continued support of this and all class activities!

Summer 2019 China trip: For the fourth year, The Pennington School has an opportunity for five students to travel to China from June 12-23, 2019. All students from the classes of 2019-2022 are invited to apply! This opportunity is fully funded by a grant; students will only need to cover personal costs. Students will fly to Beijing and spend a few days there, then travel via high-speed train to Shanghai before departing from Hong Kong. They'll experience the culture of China through hands-on experiences and will travel to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and other notable sites, including enjoying VIP tours of businesses in each city. Applications are here and are due by Tuesday, February 26. Email Dr. Sisserson with questions.

Pennington Summer Programs

Middle School

Register for Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Get a head start on summer planning! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child. Register before March 1 to receive a 15% discount with coupon code Early2019 at checkout.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: For a list of this week's activities, please click here.

February 15, 2019

General Information

School closed for Presidents Day: School will be closed on Monday, February 18, 2019, for a long winter weekend in observance of Presidents Day.

Re-enrollment portal opens today: This year, re-enrollment contracts will be available online only. You will receive a notification from the Business Office today that the re-enrollment documents are available on your Parent Portal. Please complete the online enrollment contract, and submit your deposit, as soon as possible. It is important to honor the March 1 deadline, which will allow us to make accurate enrollment decisions for prospective students who are applying to The Pennington School for the first time. Director of Admission and Financial Aid Sharon Jarboe reported we set yet another record this year for applications to The Pennington School. Demand continues to soar for Pennington, so you must return your contract and deposit by March 1 in order to secure your child's place in the School. After March 1, we cannot guarantee your child's spot for next year. If you have any questions regarding your contract please contact the Business Office at dmitchell@pennington.org. If you have any issues logging into the Veracross Parent Portal please contact the technology office at helpdesk@pennington.org.

A message from Dr. Hawkey: As you may notice in the re-enrollment portal, the Semester 1 exam week for grades 8-12 does not appear on the major dates calendar for next school year. We are in the process of revising our midyear cumulative assessments. Our goals in revising our approach to these major assessments are to carefully consider the needs of the academic disciplines while being mindful of the student experience at that time of year. We will share further details with you when this work has been completed.

Godspell Tickets on sale for students: Pennington Drama will present the beloved musical, Godspell, February 27 - March 2 at 7:30 p.m. and March 2 at 2:00 p.m. in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. Tickets are $5* for students/children, $10* for adults, and $25* for all front/center row seats (Drama London Trip Fundraiser). During the student presale period, Pennington students may purchase one ticket through their student account now through Tuesday, February 19, at 8:00 a.m., either through the Booktix website (use code GodspellStudents) or in person during lunch periods. General ticket sales will begin February 19 at 8:00 a.m. with no ticket limit. Please use the link http://tps.booktix.com/ to purchase advance tickets. Tickets will be sold at the door on show nights, as well. (*Please note there is an additional processing fee.)

Join the senior class in battling childhood cancer: The senior class will host its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon for Upper Schoolers and its second annual Mini-Mini-Thon for Middle Schoolers. Upper School Mini-Thon will take place on Saturday, April 6, 5:00 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $25. Middle School Mini-Mini-Thon will take place on Friday, April 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Registration fees should be paid in cash or by check, payable to The Pennington School, and turned in to Mr. Russo or Sydney Gibbard. Middle Schoolers can also pay their fee to Mrs. Meyerson. Everyone who signs up for either event by March 8 will be guaranteed a free Mini-THON T-shirt. Help us make a difference in the lives of thousands. We dance for the kids who can't! Register your student now at: https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=2352

Guatemala turtle conservation summer trip: Pennington is offering an opportunity to volunteer with turtle conservation in beautiful Sipacate, Guatemala, a quiet beach town directly east of Guatemala City. Students will be accommodated in dormitory housing and will help with such activities as beach patrols, relocating eggs to hatcheries to protect them from predators, building hatcheries, and releasing hatchlings. Trip dates: June 16-26, 2019, and estimated cost is $1,700. Please email Kendra Sisserson if you are interested in more information on this trip. All students in classes of 2020 – 2023 are invited to apply here. A parent meeting will be planned for the last week of February; stay tuned for details. Email Dr. Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with any questions.

Pennington students launch composting: Following a few years of dedicated interest and effort by students, The Pennington School has started composting kitchen food waste! Led by the Green Team, Middle and Upper School advisories will be transporting a few buckets of kitchen scraps to our compost site at the end of each day. We are hoping to slowly expand the program to include all compostable waste produced in the Dining Hall, but in the meantime, we're excited to get the green wagons rolling with the help of the entire school community!

Junior Proctors' annual blood drive: The Junior Proctor-sponsored American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place on Wednesday, February 20, in Sparks Gymnasium from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Periods 1-4). Students can sign up with a Junior Proctor during lunch, by contacting Mrs. Paige (spaige@pennington.org) or Mr. Moore (jamoore@pennington.org), or by registering on the American Red Cross Blood Drive website with "PenningtonSchool" as the sponsor code. Parents are also invited to donate. Students need to be at least 16 (with parental consent) or 17 to participate.

Fritzsche to be Applied Science speaker: On Friday, March 1, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Philip Fritzsche P '23 '25 will discuss how he helps people gain access to high-quality, affordable medicine. Fritzsche is an executive who works in business development with Sandoz US Inc., based in Princeton. He believes that working in different geographic locations in a diverse environment, building long-lasting, trustworthy personal relationships with business partners makes the difference. Fritzsche has worked in various functions of the pharmaceutical industry like procurement, supply chain, and external supply management for more than twenty years, always with focus on external relationships.

Upper School

Global Studies speakers today and Feb. 22: Today, Friday, February 15, we will welcome Shiqin Cao and Linhdan Nguyen, who will present their recent work on intersectionality and cross-cultural identity. On Friday, February 22, Marah Garry Walsh '82 P'19 will share her experiences leading service trips around the world.

Sophomore certificate program applications due: It's application season for Pennington's signature certificate programs! The Applied Science and Global Studies certificate programs offer curated activities designed to help juniors and seniors deeply explore their interests in STEM and in global perspectives. Programs include coursework, extracurricular events, and targeted Horizon programs through which students can investigate ways in which these interests could play out in careers and opportunities in their adult lives. Members of the Class of 2021 must apply in February 2019; successful completion of the program is recognized with certificates awarded at graduation. For more information, please email Susan Wirsig (Applied Science) or Kendra Sisserson (Global Studies).

The application schedule: Tuesday, February 19: Applications due; Friday, March 1: AS/GS accepted students announced

Summer 2019 China trip meeting scheduled: There will be an informational meeting for parents and students interested in the china trip on Thursday, February 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Meckler Library. This opportunity is fully funded by a grant; students will only need to cover personal costs. For the fourth year, The Pennington School has opportunity for five students to travel to China from June 12-23, 2019. All students from the classes of 2019-2022 are invited to apply! Students will fly to Beijing and spend a few days there, then travel via high-speed train to Shanghai before departing from Hong Kong. They'll experience the culture of China through hands-on experiences and will travel to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and other notable sites, including enjoying VIP tours of businesses in each city. Applications are here and are due by Tuesday, February 26. Email Dr. Sisserson with questions.

Driver's education classes to begin: The spring session of driver's education classes (for grades 10-12) will begin Sunday, February 24, and run for 10 weeks. Classes are held on Sundays, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., in Stainton 111. Email Mr. Liwosz if your child is interested in participating. The fee is $200. Checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and brought to the first class.

Mini-Thon food donations needed: Parents of seniors: As you may know, the Class of 2019 is hosting its third annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon on Saturday, April 6, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. We thank you for the generosity you have shown the last two years in donating refreshments to our highly successful event. This year, once again, we welcome donations of food and drink; you may offer to provide the item itself or donate cash for the purpose of purchasing it. You can pledge a donation by clicking on this link and signing up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4ca5a82aa5fc1-minithon1. If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Russo, senior class dean, at jrusso@pennington.org. The seniors thank you for your continued support of this and all class activities!

Sophomore retreat scheduled: Sophomore parents—please click here to read the letter from Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students, regarding the overnight sophomore retreat scheduled for May 18-20.

Pennington Summer Programs

Middle School

Sixth- and Seventh-Grade Parent Coffee Feb. 21: On Thursday, February 21, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., join Todd Paige in the Silva Gallery for a gathering to hear about what's been going on in sixth and seventh grades and what is yet to come. Aside from an information exchange and an opportunity connect on School life, Susie Paige, Middle School counselor, will discuss the recent sex education program that the sixth and seventh grade received in January. Mrs. Paige will use the HiTops programs as a launching pad to discuss the importance of having these types of difficult and uncomfortable conversations with our kids, especially in the age of the internet and social media. Please join us.

A reading for Middle School parents: "Why Girls Beat Boys at School and Lose to Them in the Office." In an opinion piece in The New York Times last week, the author offers some thoughts on the distinct differences between genders concerning school success and professional success. Although there are questions to be asked and any number of other factors at play, I believe it offers some good insight and worthwhile consideration. Perhaps what frustrates us about our boys and what we praise our girls for in school requires a major shift in our thinking. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/opinion/sunday/girls-school-confidence.html

Register for Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Get a head start on summer planning! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child. Register before March 1 to receive a 15% discount with coupon code Early2019 at checkout.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: For a list of this week's activities, please click here.

February 8, 2019

General Information

Spring Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a spring activity or sport, state guidelines require you to complete a Health History Update before he or she can begin practicing. This form does not require a doctor's signature and must be completed on the Magnus portal. The form has been updated to an electronic version for the spring. Log in to answer the questions and electronically sign the document. The spring Health History Update is due no later than Monday, February 25. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Stacey Claffey, director of health services, at healthcenter@pennington.org.

Junior Proctors' annual blood drive: The Junior Proctor-sponsored American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place on Wednesday, February 20, in Sparks Gymnasium from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Periods 1-4). Students can sign up with a Junior Proctor during lunch, by contacting Mrs. Paige (spaige@pennington.org) or Mr. Moore (jamoore@pennington.org), or by registering on the American Red Cross Blood Drive website with "PenningtonSchool" as the sponsor code. Parents are also invited to donate. Students need to be at least 16 (with parental consent) or 17 to participate.

The Red & Black Bash website is now live! Visit bidpal.net/redandblackbash19 to purchase tickets and find information about Parents for Pennington's red carpet fundraiser. Check back next week to preview auction items. Donations can be dropped off at the Wesley Alumni House from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. We'd appreciate having all items by Friday, February 15, so we can get them prepared for the Bash.

Fritzsche to be Applied Science speaker: On Friday, March 1, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Philip Fritzsche P '23 '25 will discuss how he helps people gain access to high-quality, affordable medicine. Fritzsche is an executive who works in business development with Sandoz US Inc., based in Princeton. He believes that working in different geographic locations in a diverse environment, building long-lasting, trustworthy personal relationships with business partners makes the difference. Fritzsche has worked in various functions of the pharmaceutical industry like procurement, supply chain, and external supply management for more than twenty years, always with focus on external relationships.

Upper School

Dodgeball for Haiti is Saturday: This Saturday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m., is the School's annual dodgeball tournament to raise funds to help those in need after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Students are invited to come out and play in a fun and serious dodgeball competition. There is a $30 registration fee for each six-person team, and faculty are welcome to participate. It is a double-elimination tournament, so each team is guaranteed at least two games. Email Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Reminder: CCL College info session Sunday: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will give a comprehensive overview of the process on Sunday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum.

Feb 11 Coffee with Dean Peeler: Scott Peeler, dean of academic affairs, will discuss course selections on Monday, February 11, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art. What's the difference between an AP and an Honors class? Will taking all AP classes ensure my child gets into a good college? What choices do children have as freshmen or sophomores in their course selection? Should my child take an extra elective or have a free period? If any of these questions sound familiar, Mr. Peeler will present and answer questions related to course selection and scheduling. We hope you can join us for this informative discussion. Click here to sign up.

Driver's education classes to begin: The spring session of driver's education classes (for grades 10-12) will begin Sunday, February 24, and run for 10 weeks. Classes are held on Sundays, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., in Stainton 111. Email Mr. Liwosz if your child is interested in participating. The fee is $200. Checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and brought to the first class.

Summer 2019 China trip: For the fourth year, The Pennington School is again providing a fully funded opportunity for five students to travel to China for ten days in summer 2019. All students from the classes of 2019-2022 are invited to apply! Students will fly to Beijing and spend a few days there, then travel via high-speed train to Shanghai before departing from Hong Kong. They'll experience the culture of China through hands-on experiences and will travel to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and other notable sites, including enjoying VIP tours of businesses in each city. Applications are here and are due by Tuesday, February 26. Email Dr. Sisserson with questions.

Sophomore parents take note: It's application season for Pennington's signature certificate programs! The Applied Science and Global Studies certificate programs offer curated activities designed to help juniors and seniors deeply explore their interests in STEM and in global perspectives. Programs include coursework, extracurricular events, and targeted Horizon programs through which students can investigate ways in which these interests could play out in careers and opportunities in their adult lives. Members of the Class of 2021 must apply in February 2019; successful completion of the program is recognized with certificates awarded at graduation. For more information, please email Susan Wirsig (Applied Science) or Kendra Sisserson (Global Studies).

The application schedule:

Monday, January 28: Applications available
Tuesday, February 19: Applications due
Friday, March 1: AS/GS accepted students announced

Pennington Summer Programs

Middle School

Boarding

This weekend's activities: For a list of this week's activities, please click here.

February 1, 2019

General Information

School closed Monday, February 4: School will be closed for students on Monday, February 4, for a Professional Development Day. Classes resume on Tuesday, February 5.

Applied Science speaker postponed: The presentation by Philip Fritzsche P'23 '25, previously announced for today,
has been postponed to Friday, March 1, at 3:00 p.m. Details will be provided closer to the date.

Feb 6, PfP Coffee: Landscape architect presentation. Come to the Wesley Forum (Yen buiding) on Wednesday, February 6, from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. to see the exciting vision of the future Pennington campus. The School's landscape architects will have representatives on hand to review current thinking and their proposals for the campus and outdoor spaces for students. There will be an opportunity to see concepts and a model. Click here to sign up.

Bash volunteer meeting change: Because of the landscape architect meeting on Wednesday, February 6, the Bash meeting has been moved to Thursday, February 7, at 8:15 a.m. in the Dining Hall.

Message from PfP: Show your Pennington School spirit! Support the Red and Black Bash! The Red and Black Bash is less than a month away, and we are getting so excited for this year's event. We have some wonderful auction items for this year's Bash, but we need your help to make the night a success! Every donation makes a difference—no matter the size. We would love to have 100% parent participation, so please consider helping us out by clicking here.

Junior Proctors' annual blood drive: The Junior Proctor-sponsored American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place on Wednesday, February 20, in the Sparks Gymnasium from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Periods 1-4). Students can sign up with a Junior Proctor during lunch, by contacting Mrs. Paige (spaige@pennington.org), Mr. Moore (jamoore@pennington .org), or by registering on the American Red Cross Blood Drive website. Parents are also invited to donate. Students need to be at least 16 (with parental consent) or 17 to participate.

Save the date for Grandparents Day: Grandparents are invited to join their grandchildren at Pennington on Thursday, April 18! Grandparents Day is an annual tradition when grandparents experience a typical day at The Pennington School. If you would like to view the schedule or register now, click here. We will send another reminder as the event gets closer. Please contact Wendy Ward at wendy.ward@pennington.org or 609-737-6121 with any questions.

PJC weekly challah sale: The Pennington Jewish Community will be selling challah again each week. Please place orders by noon on Wednesdays by clicking here. As usual, the challah you order will be available to pick up each Friday at 3:00 p.m. in Meckler 109. Thank you for your continued support.

Upper School

Cervone Center for Learning College Information Session: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will give a comprehensive overview of the process on Sunday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. If you are interested in attending this presentation, please contact Jennifer Roberts by phone at 609-737–6130 or by email at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org. The registration deadline is Thursday, February 7.

Dodgeball for Haiti is here: Since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010, The Pennington School has sponsored an annual dodgeball tournament to raise funds to help those in need. In addition to supporting a good cause, the tournament has become a highlight of the school year. This year, the tournament will be held on Saturday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. Students are invited to come out and play in a fun and serious dodgeball competition. There is a $30 registration fee for each six-person team, and faculty are welcome to participate. It is a double-elimination tournament, so each team is guaranteed at least two games. Please submit registration, money, and team roster to Mr. Thompson by Wednesday, February 6, and contact Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Driver's education classes: The spring session of driver's education classes (for grades 10-12) will begin Sunday, February 24, and run for 10 weeks. Classes are held on Sundays, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., in Stainton 111. Email Mr. Liwosz if your child is interested in participating. The fee is $200. Checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and brought to the first class.

Guatemala turtle conservation summer trip: The Island School summer trip is on hiatus for June 2019 but will return in 2020. This year, Pennington is offering an opportunity to volunteer with a turtle conservation group in beautiful Sipacate, Guatemala, a quiet beach town directly east of Guatemala City. Students will be accommodated in dormitory housing and will help with such activities as beach patrols, relocating eggs to hatcheries to protect them from predators, building hatcheries, and releasing hatchlings. We're holding a student interest meeting after school on Wednesday, February 6 in Ms. Vesnaver's room, Stainton 206. Depending on interest, will hold a parent meeting in mid-February. Please get in touch with Kendra Sisserson if you are interested in more information on this trip.

Notice for sophomore parents: It's application season for Pennington's signature certificate programs! The Applied Science and Global Studies certificate programs offer curated activities designed to help juniors and seniors deeply explore their interests in STEM and in global perspectives. Programs include coursework, extracurricular events, and targeted Horizon programs through which students can investigate ways in which these interests could play out in careers and opportunities in their adult lives. Members of the Class of 2021 must apply in February 2019; successful completion of the program is recognized with certificates awarded at graduation. For more information, please email Susan Wirsig (Applied Science) or Kenrda Sisserson (Global Studies).

The application schedule:

Monday, January 28: Applications available
Tuesday, February 19: Applications due
Friday, March 1: AS/GS accepted students announced

Pennington Summer Programs

Middle School

Fowlin returns to Pennington: Dr. Michael "Mykee" Fowlin, a poet, psychologist, and performer, will give a presentation to the Middle School on Wednesday, February 6. Fowlin has been a guest presenter at Pennington since 1999. In his powerful presentation, he brings to light the stressors and issues that sometimes accompany adolescence. Fowlin portrays four very different teen characters to help illustrate that you cannot and should not make assumptions about people based on how they dress, their grades, religious beliefs, or the color of their skin. He challenges students to stop wearing their masks, to be their authentic selves, and be inclusive of others. Fowlin uses humor and thoughtful ways to communicate with students. Please click here to learn more about this program. Feel free to contact Susie Paige at spaige@pennigton.org or 609-737-6327 with any questions.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: For a list of this week's activities, please click here.

January

January 25, 2019

General Information

Fowlin returns to Pennington: Dr. Michael "Mykee" Fowlin, psychologist, poet, and performer, will give a presentation to Upper School students on Monday, January 28, and to Middle School students on Wednesday, February 6. Fowlin is a longstanding guest presenter at Pennington. Through his powerful and fun presentation, he shares the importance of inclusivity and being our authentic selves. Please click here to learn more about this program. Feel free to contact Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling services, with questions at sdesouza@pennington.org or 609-737-6118.

Applied Science speaker postponed: The previously announced presentation by Philip Fritzsche P'23 '25 has been postponed from February 1 to Friday, March 1, at 3:00 p.m. Details will be provided closer to the date.

PJC weekly challah sale: The Pennington Jewish Community will be selling challah again each week. Please place orders by noon on Wednesdays by clicking here. As usual, the challah you order will be available to pick up each Friday at 3:00 p.m. in Meckler 109. Thank you for your continued support.

Upper School

Cotillion tomorrow: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 26, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on campus. The theme this year is Great Gatsby/Roaring 20s. The dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students. Important Note: Students and guests attending should arrive no later than 7:45 p.m. and must remain at the Cotillion until they plan to leave for the evening; once they leave the Cotillion, they may not return.

Upper School exams: The Upper School exam period ends today with math exams in the morning. The full exam schedule is attached here.

Dodgeball for Haiti is here: Since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010, The Pennington School has sponsored an annual dodgeball tournament to raise funds to help those in need. In addition to supporting a good cause, the tournament has become a highlight of the school year. This year, the tournament will be held on Saturday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. Come out and play in a fun and serious dodgeball competition. There is a $30 registration fee for each six-person team, and faculty are welcome to participate. It is a double-elimination tournament, so each team is guaranteed at least two games. Please submit your registration, money, and team roster to Mr. Thompson by Wednesday, February, 5, and contact Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Cervone Center for Learning College Information Session: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will give a comprehensive overview of the process on Sunday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. If you are interested in attending this presentation, please contact Jennifer Roberts by phone at 609-737–6130 or by email at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org. The registration deadline is Thursday, February 7.

Monday, January 28: Applications available

Tuesday, February 19: Applications due

Friday, March 1: AS/GS accepted students announced

Pennington Summer Programs

Middle School

Grade 8 Parent Coffee—The Upper School Experience: On Wednesday, January 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, eighth-grade parents and their children are encouraged to attend this special Parent Coffee. Join Todd Paige and his Upper School colleagues Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster of community life, and Scott Peeler, dean of academic affairs, to learn about the opportunities that lie ahead in the Upper School while also understanding many of the similarities and differences of Middle and Upper School life. Parents and students will have a chance to learn details about the academic program, as well as about many of the nonacademic options that exist, such as clubs, athletics, leadership opportunities, and more.

The Podcast Project—Learning by Doing: Throughout exam week, sixth- and seventh-grade students learned about podcasts by creating their own. In small groups, most of which consisted of two sixth- and two seventh-graders, students identified a person or organization that, in their minds, made or is making a difference—a difference that is worth sharing with others. The people and/or organizations that were chosen are as follows:

LeBron James
Serena Williams
Tarana Burke
Elon Musk
Jackie Robinson
Jane Goodall
Michelle Obama
Colin Kaepernick
Ellen DeGeneres
Roger Federer
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Amnesty International

Once each group identified a difference-maker, they got busy researching the person or organization. Then, with the help of three special experts, groups learned how to take the information they gathered and use that information to tell a story. The first special guest was Margaret Koval, host of the podcast "She Roars" and director of special projects at Princeton University. Students also Skyped with Matthew McLean, who works at the company The Podcast Host in Scotland. Koval pushed students to not just deliver the news, stating a list of facts and information, but also to ask the question "why?" in order to delve deeper into the content and perhaps discover something unexpected that might enhance the story. McLean talked about the tremendous opportunity students had to tell their story and how the story can have an incredibly meaningful impact on listeners, even if there are only a few people who tune in. Lastly, our very own Suzanne Houston took students through a process that would help them bring their stories alive through the use of language and voice.

As scripts were being finalized, students learned to critique podcasts so that they would be able to critique their own to make them better. Then, lots of rehearsing took place. The students listened to one another to make sure the story they wanted to tell and the emotion they wanted to portray was clear. Finally, to complement their stories, students added music and sound.

This experience ends today, Friday, January 25, as groups complete the recording process and have the opportunity to watch live performances from a few of their peers. It is the hope of the faculty that this experience will not end for those that don't want it to end. Any individuals who would like to create their own podcast for enjoyment, or to enter into one of two contests early this spring, will be able to do so.

Two final pieces of information:

Information about the students' podcasting experience will be posted on The Podcast Host website in coming weeks.
With student permission, podcasts will be made available to the Pennington community in the coming weeks.

Selected podcasts for parents and students:

Raising a Teen? 8 Great Parenting Podcasts for Parents of Teens

How to Wrap Advice as a Gift a Teenager Might Open

Also, ask your child for access to the LibGuide containing great resources, including some of the most listened to podcasts today.

Middle School ski trip: Please do not forget to complete forms for the Middle School ski trip and and return them to chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org by the end of the day today, Friday, January 25.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

Parents for Pennington

Donations for Red and Black Bash: Calling for donations for the Red and Black Bash on Saturday, February 23! Click here to see how you can contribute.

Red and Black Bash volunteer meetings: Weekly Bash volunteer meetings have begun. The meetings are Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. in the Dining Hall. Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents, and there are many ways to get involved. So please come and help create a fun and successful auction for our community! If you can't attend but still want to volunteer, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com or Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com.

January 18, 2019

General Information

PJC weekly challah sale: The Pennington Jewish Community will be selling challah again each week. Please place orders by noon on Wednesdays by clicking here. As usual, the challah you order will be available to pick up each Friday at 3:00 p.m. in Meckler 109. Thank you for your continued support.

Dodgeball for Haiti is here: Since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010, The Pennington School has sponsored an annual dodgeball tournament to raise funds to help those in need. In addition to supporting a good cause, the tournament has become a highlight of the school year. This year, the tournament will be held on Friday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. Come out and play in a fun and serious dodgeball competition. There is a $30 registration fee for each six-person team, and faculty are welcome to participate. It is a double elimination tournament, so each team is guaranteed at least two games. Please submit your registration, money, and team roster to Mr. Thompson by Wednesday, February, 5. Please contact Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Applied Science speaker postponed: The previously announced presentation by Philip Fritzsche P'23 '25 has been postponed from February 1 to Friday, March 1, at 3:00 p.m. Details will be provided closer to the date.

Global Studies speakers needed: The Global Studies Certificate Program students would love to hear from YOU for the Global Studies Speaker Series. The GSCP's series offers short, practical talks designed to show our students the many ways they will draw upon their global citizenship in their adult lives. If you work in a global context, volunteer with an international organization, or enjoy a hobby that lends itself to exploring the world or its cultures, please consider sharing your story with the Pennington Global Studies students. Talks are held on Friday afternoons from 3:05 to 3:30 p.m., and fit between school and after-school activities. Please email Director of Global Studies Kendra Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org if you're willing to speak. Thank you!

Upper School

Save the date for Cotillion: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 26, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on campus. The theme this year is Great Gatsby/Roaring 20s. The dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend; dates/guests are optional. Tickets are $50.00 and can be reserved only by students. After students complete the form, parents will receive a link to pay for the ticket(s). Students and guests attending should arrive no later than 7:45 p.m. and must remain at the Cotillion until they plan to leave for the evening; once they leave the Cotillion, they may not return. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the dean of students.

Upper School exams: The Upper School exam period begins today with an exam in the morning and review for the next day's exam in the afternoon; the last exam is on Friday, January 25. The full exam and review schedule is attached here.

Cervone Center for Learning college info session: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will be giving a comprehensive overview of the process on Sunday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. If you are interested in attending this presentation, please contact Jennifer Roberts by phone at 609-737–6130 or by email at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org. The registration deadline is Thursday, February 7.

Pennington Summer Programs
Public Speaking for credit over the summer: Do you have a current freshman or sophomore who has yet to take Public Speaking? Don't let your student miss the chance to earn academic credit this summer and make his or her schedule a bit easier during the 2019-20 school year. Public Speaking is required to graduate, and students can take it this summer! The week-long class is available several times throughout the summer. Spaces go quickly for this class, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Summer College Guidance Seminar: Want to get a head start on the college application process? Attention parents of current sophomores: students can learn about the common application, begin writing their essay, and even visit colleges during the Summer College Guidance Seminar. This week-long class takes the place of the once-per-week college counseling class that meets during the spring of junior year. Don't miss this chance to get started on applying to college, and free up your student's schedule! This class fills up quickly, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Middle School

Middle School ski trip: Please do not forget to complete forms for the Middle School ski trip and and return them to chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org by Friday, January 25.

Register for Pennington Summer Programs: Registration is open for Pennington Summer Programs! Get a head start on summer planning! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 24 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child. Register before March 1 to receive a 15% discount with coupon code Early2019 at checkout.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

Parents for Pennington

Donations for Red and Black Bash: Calling for donations for the Red and Black Bash on S aturday, February 23. Click here to see how you can contribute.

Red and Black Bash volunteer meetings: Weekly Bash volunteer meetings have begun. The meetings are Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. in the Dining Hall. Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents, and there are many ways to get involved. So please come and help create a fun and successful auction for our community. If you can't attend but still want to volunteer, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com or Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com.

Red Raiders Fathering Network: On January 22 at 8:00 a.m. at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St., Pennington) the Red Raider Fathering Network will take place. To stimulate thoughts around the topic of motivating teens, you are encouraged to read: http://understandingteenagers.com.au/blog/the-7-secrets-of-motivating-teenagers/. If you do not have time to read the article, no worries. Your personal successes and challenges around this topic will surely permit valuable contribution to the group conversation. Please note that the format of the meeting is open forum––conversational and casual. You are encouraged, but not required, to indicate planned attendance by contacting the group facilitator, Marc Celentana P'22 '24, at mcelentana@gmail.com or by telephone at 609-649-2075.

January 11, 2019

General Information

Applied Science speaker today: A speaker will deliver a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Series today, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum. Janet Celentana will discuss a physical therapist's perspective on improving one's quality of life.

Tesla String Quartet returns: The renowned Tesla String Quartet will be returning to the School as musicians-in-residence January 14-16. They will be presenting a performance at Pennington on Monday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m. in Meckler Library, to which the School community is invited. For more information on the event, click here.

Applied Science Speaker Series: On Friday, February 1, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Philip Fritzsche P '23 '25 will discuss how he helps people gain access to high-quality, affordable medicine. Fritzsche is an executive who works in business development with Sandoz US Inc., based in Princeton. He believes that working in different geographic locations in a diverse environment, building long-lasting, trustworthy personal relationships with business partners makes the difference. Fritzsche has worked in various functions of the pharmaceutical industry like procurement, supply chain, and external supply management for more than twenty years, always with focus on external relationships.

The PJC weekly challah sale: The Pennington Jewish Community will be selling challah again each week. Please place orders by noon on Wednesdays by clicking here. As usual, the challah you order will be available to pick up each Friday at 3:00 p.m. in Meckler 109. Thank you for your continued support.

Global Studies speakers needed: The Global Studies Certificate Program students would love to hear from YOU for the Global Studies Speaker Series. The GSCP's series offers short, practical talks designed to show our students the many ways they will draw upon their global citizenship in their adult lives. If you work in a global context, volunteer with an international organization, or enjoy a hobby that lends itself to exploring the world or its cultures, please consider sharing your story with the Pennington Global Studies students. Talks are held on Friday afternoons from 3:05 to 3:30 p.m., and fit between school and after-school activities. Please email Director of Global Studies Kendra Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org if you're willing to speak. Thank you!

Upper School

Upper School exams: The Upper School exam period will begin on Thursday, January 17, with a half-day of classes and half-day of review, and will end on Friday, January 25. The full exam and review schedule is attached here.

College Guidance Junior Parent Night: The College Guidance Office will host its annual Junior Parent Night on Sunday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. The intent is to briefly discuss the college application process and to introduce Naviance. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at 609-737-6130 or jennifer.roberts@pennington.org.

Save the date for Cotillion: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 26, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on campus. The theme this year is Great Gatsby/Roaring 20s. The dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend; dates/guests are optional. Tickets are $50.00 and can only be reserved by students. After completing the form, parents will receive a link to pay for the ticket(s). Students and guests attending should arrive no later than 7:45 p.m. and must remain at the Cotillion until they plan to leave for the evening; once they leave the Cotillion, they may not return. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the dean of students.

Middle School

Middle School ski trip: Please look out for an email today from Head of Middle School Todd D. Paige about the Middle School ski trip on Friday, February 8. The email will also contain forms to be completed and returned to chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org by Friday, January 25.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

Parents for Pennington

Red and Black Bash volunteer meetings: Weekly Bash volunteer meetings start on Wednesday, January 16, at 8:15 a.m. in the Dining Hall. Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents, and there are many ways to get involved. So please come and help create a fun and successful auction for our community. If you can't attend but still want to volunteer, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com or Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com.

Donations for Red and Black Bash: Calling for donations for the Red and Black Bash on February 23! Click h ere to see how you can contribute.

January 4, 2019

General Information

School closed Monday, January 7: The School will be closed on Monday, January 7, for faculty professional development. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 8. We hope you enjoyed Winter Break!

Applied Science speaker: An upcoming speaker will deliver a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. On Friday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Janet Celentana '22 '24 will discuss how to improve one's quality of life from a physical therapist's perspective.

Tesla String Quartet returns: The renowned Tesla String Quartet will be returning to the School as musicians-in-residence January 14-16. They will be performing a special chamber concert at Pennington on Monday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Meckler Library, to which the School community is invited and welcome. For more information on the group, click here.

Global Studies speakers needed: The Global Studies Certificate Program students would love to hear from YOU for the Global Studies Speaker Series. The GSCP's series offers short, practical talks designed to show our students the many ways they will draw upon their global citizenship in their adult lives. If you work in a global context, volunteer with an international organization, or enjoy a hobby that lends itself to exploring the world or its cultures, please consider sharing your story with the Pennington Global Studies students. Talks are held on Friday afternoons from 3:05 to 3:30 p.m., and fit between school and after-school activities. Please write Kendra Sisserson at ksisserson@pennington.org directly if you're willing to speak in 2019. Thank you!

Upper School

Upper School exams: The Upper School exam period will begin on Thursday, January 17, with a half-day of classes and half-day of review, and will end on Friday, January 25. The full exam and review schedule is attached here.

Junior Parent Night: The College Guidance Office will host its annual Junior Parent Night on Sunday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. The intent is to briefly discuss the college application process and to introduce Naviance. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at 609-737-6130 or jennifer.roberts@pennington.org. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 10.

Upper School Cotillion: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 26 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on campus. The theme this year is Great Gatsby/Roaring 20s. The dress is semi-formal and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend (dates/guests are optional). Tickets are $50.00 and can only be reserved by students. After completing the form, parents will receive a link to pay for the ticket(s). Students and guests attending should arrive no later than 7:45 p.m. and must remain at the cotillion until they plan to leave for the evening; once they leave Cotillion, they may not return. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students.

December 14, 2018

General Information

Last Postings issue until the new year: With Winter Break approaching, this will be the last issue of Pennington Postings until Friday, January 4, 2019. Happy New Year to all members of the Pennington community! Classes resume on Tuesday, January 8.

Applied Science speaker today: Two upcoming speakers will deliver presentations as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. Today, December 14, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, nurse Anisa Talwani will discuss her role as an expert in emergency room and trauma nursing in Trenton. On Friday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Janet Celentana will discuss a physical therapist's perspective on improving one's quality of life.

Tesla String Quartet returns: The renowned Tesla String Quartet will be returning to the School as musicians-in-residence January 14-16. They will be presenting a performance at Pennington on Monday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Meckler Library, to which the School community is invited. For more information on the group, click here.

Upper School

Upper School exams: The Upper School exam period will begin on Thursday, January 17, with a half-day of classes and half-day of review, and will end on Friday, January 25. The full exam and review schedule is attached here.

Junior Parent Night: The College Guidance Office will host its annual Junior Parent Night on Sunday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. The intent is to briefly discuss the college application process and to introduce Naviance. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at 609-737-6130 or jennifer.roberts@pennington.org. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 10.

Save the date for Cotillion: The Pennington School's Winter Cotillion will be held on Saturday, January 26, in Sparks Gymnasium from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The dress is semi-formal; dates are optional. Tickets are $50.00. Outside guests must complete a Guest Permission Form. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

December 7, 2018

General Information

Book Fair fundraiser: This year, we are hosting our first-ever book fair at Barnes & Noble in the MarketFair mall on Monday, December 10. B & N gives the School a percentage of total sales, based on volume, which we will use to purchase books for all of our guests at the HomeFront Holiday Party. Please consider doing some holiday shopping at B & N on December 10, and don't forget to mention that your purchase should go to the Pennington book fair. Students from the freshman class are organizing this event and they and Dr. Hawkey himself will be wrapping gifts from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Our wonderful InTouch singers will also perform at 7:00 p.m.! Click here for more information and we hope to see you there!

Bash Meeting next week: Parents for Pennington will hold a Red and Black Bash meeting on Wednesday, December 12, at 8:15 a.m. in the dining hall. Come and join other Pennington parents who are planning a fun time at the Bash fundraiser! If you can't make it but want to be involved, please contact Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com or Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

Human Rights event: On Monday, December 10, our partners at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia will sponsor a special event for students honoring 70 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All Pennington students are invited; we will take a bus from Pennington at 4:30 p.m. and will return at 8:45 p.m.There is no cost for Pennington students, but there is a cap on how many students we can take. If your student is interested, please submit this interest form ASAP. Please contact Kendra Sisserson (ksisserson@pennington.org) if you have any questions.

Art Club collecting art supplies: The Art Club is collecting art supplies for the HomeFront party. Please bring in any new art supplies, including crayons, color pencils, markers, sketchbooks, paint brushes, paints, paper pads, rulers, pencil sets, and more, to Ms. Hall's classroom, CC201. There will be a large wrapped box in the hallway for these donations. We are collecting art supplies until Wednesday, December 12.

Upcoming Applied Science speakers: Two upcoming speakers will deliver presentations as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. On Friday, December 14, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, nurse Anisa Talwani will discuss her role as an expert in emergency room and trauma nursing in Trenton. On Friday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Janet Celentana will discuss a physical therapist's perspective on improving quality of life.

HomeFront Holiday Party information: The Peer Leaders are asking parents to mark Saturday, December 15, on their calendars for the 25th Annual Homefront Holiday Party. The Peer Leaders are currently hosting a Toy Drive, and ask that students bring in specific gifts depending on their ages/grades to make the holiday season one to remember for the children of HomeFront:

Middle school- 0-3 years old
Freshmen- 3-6 years old
Sophomores- 6-10 years old
Juniors- 10-14 years old
Seniors- 14-18 years old
Faculty- adults

The Toy Drive is a very important element to the HomeFront Holiday Party; our mission is for every child to be able to receive a present and to pick out a present for their parents. Any questions can be directed to emily.moini@pennington.org.

The Giving Tree: Each year we also ask for your donations of gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats to be distributed to the families whom HomeFront supports. As you are out shopping this holiday season, please consider purchasing some of these items. Sizes ranging from infant to adult are appropriate.

Donations may be hung on the "Giving Trees" located in the Campus Center, the Yen lobby, and the Middle School lobby in Stainton Hall through Friday, December 14. Thank you for your contribution to this worthy cause. If you have questions, please call Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or e-mail at tlambdin@pennington.org.

Tesla String Quartet returns: The acclaimed Tesla String Quartet will be returning for a performance at Pennington on Monday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Meckler Library. For more information on the group, click here.

Upper School

An important attendance reminder: Please call the School to report all absences, tardies, and early departures. Students must sign in and out with the Dean of Students Office. Students are expected to be in school and to schedule personal business at a time that does not conflict with school. However, The Pennington School recognizes that exceptional circumstances may occasionally arise regarding student absences beyond those covered by the attendance policy in the Student/Parent Handbook. Planned absences must be approved by the School in advance in order to be considered excused absences. Family vacations should not be scheduled while school is in session, and such absences will not be approved. Students are also prohibited from leaving early for or returning late from school vacations. Students may see Mrs. Iorio for a Planned Absence form.

Save the date-Cotillion: The Pennington School's Winter Cotillion will be held on Saturday, January 26, in Sparks Gymnasium. The dress is semi-formal; dates are optional. Tickets are $50.00 and will go on sale next week.

Tri-M Music Honor applications due today: Juniors and Seniors involved in music at Pennington--please fill out the Google form found here to apply to the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Applications are due today, December 7. Contact Dr. Dolan or Mr. Horan for more information.

Spring Break trips filling up: Spring Break trips to London and Spain are full, and but there are still other opportunities to travel with The Pennington School. Deadlines are approaching and trips are filling, so please visit the Global Studies Travel Opportunities page today!

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

November

November 30, 2018

General Information

Global Studies speaker today: The Global Studies speaker for Friday, November 30, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum is our very own Rafer Friedman '19. He'll share his experience volunteering with Syrian refugees in Baltimore last summer. Light refreshments will be served.

Art Club collecting art supplies: The Art Club is collecting art supplies for the HomeFront Holiday Party. Please bring in any new art supplies, including crayons, colored pencils, markers, sketchbooks, paint brushes, paints, paper pads, rulers, pencil sets, and more, to Ms. Hall's classroom, CC201. There will be a large wrapped box in the hallway for these donations. We are collecting art supplies until Wednesday, December 12.

Upcoming Applied Science speakers: Two upcoming speakers will deliver presentations as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. On Friday, December 14, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Nurse Anisa Talwani will discuss her role as an expert in Emergency Room and trauma nursing in Trenton. On Friday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. in the Yen Forum, Janet Celentana will discuss a physical therapist's perspective on improving quality of life.

HomeFront Holiday Party information: The Peer Leaders are asking parents to mark Saturday, December 15, on their calendars for the 25th Annual HomeFront Holiday Party. The Peer Leaders are currently hosting a Toy Drive and ask that students bring in specific gifts depending on their ages/grades to make the holiday season one to remember for the children of HomeFront:

Middle School: 0-3 years old
Freshmen: 3-6 years old
Sophomores: 6-10 years old
Juniors: 10-14 years old
Seniors: 14-18 years old
Faculty: adults

The Toy Drive is a very important element of the HomeFront Holiday Party; our mission is for every child to be able to receive a present and to pick out a present for his or her parents. Any questions can be directed to emily.moini@pennington.org.

Donations may be hung on the "Giving Trees" located in the Campus Center, the Yen lobby, and the Middle School lobby in Stainton Hall through Friday, December 14. Thank you for your contribution to this worthy cause. If you have questions, please call Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or email her at tlambdin@pennington.org.

Strategic Planning this Monday: Please join Kevin Graham of Lookout Management Inc. for one of two "town hall" information sessions to review the results of the recently completed Strategic Planning Survey. Surveys were completed by students, parents, faculty, alumni, and staff late last spring, and the results will help determine priorities, both programmatic and financial, for the next five to ten years—and beyond—at Pennington. There will be two sessions to review parent survey results on Monday, December 3; the first will take place at 8:15 a.m., and the second will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Both will take place in the Conference Room of Wesley Alumni House. Please email Rob McClellan to indicate which of the two sessions you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you on December 3.

Courageous Conversations: Parents for Pennington invites you to join Susie Paige and Stephanie DeSouza on Thursday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss peer pressure and how to equip our children to handle it. A significant number of students indicated in the recent School-wide survey that peer pressure is a challenge. The articles below provide interesting reading material relevant to the topic:

http://time.com/4929170/inside-teen-teenage-brain/

http://www.institute4learning.com/resources/articl...

The discussion will take place at 309 Hale Street, Pennington. Light refreshments will be served. Please click here to sign up.

Upper School

Financial Aid Workshop: The College Guidance Office will host a Financial Aid Workshop on Sunday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Yen Humanities Building. Bradley W. Wood of the College Funding Coach will be the presenter. Wood is a Certified College Funding Specialist with a primary goal of providing financial wellness education and guidance for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. He teaches parents how to pay for their children's college education without sacrificing their ability to plan for their own retirement. This presentation is designed for parents of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts today at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org or 609-737-6130. Please see attached flyer for additional details.

Annual Chanukah Party: The PJC is happy to invite you to attend our annual Chanukah party on Wednesday, December 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art. Join us as we celebrate this joyous festival. We are proud to announce that this year, we will be joined by Rabbi Stewart Pollack of the Har Sinai congregation. There will be lots of holiday foods, games, and music. We will light the menorah and share a wonderful, festive time.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

November 23, 2018

General Information

Donations for HomeFront Holiday Party: On Saturday, December 15, The Pennington School will host the 25th annual HomeFront Holiday Party and visit with Santa. After Thanksgiving break, the Peer Leaders will host a toy drive, asking students to bring in specific gifts depending on their ages/grades to make the holiday season one to remember for the families of HomeFront. Our guests will have the opportunity to "shop" for gifts for their family members, which are wrapped at the party for them to take home. Students can bring in gifts for the age groups specified below:

Middle School: 0-3 years old
Freshmen: 3-6 years old
Sophomores: 6-10 years old
Juniors: 10-14 years old
Seniors: 14-18 years old
Faculty/Adults: adults

Take advantage of Black Friday deals and stock up on your gifts over break! Any questions can be directed to emily.moini@pennington.org or thomson.estabrook@pennington.org.

Donations may be hung on the "Giving Trees" located in the Campus Center, the Yen lobby, and the Middle School lobby in Stainton Hall starting on Monday, November 26, through Friday, December 14. Thank you for your contribution to this worthy cause. If you have questions, please call Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or e-mail at tlambdin@pennington.org.

SAVE THE DATE: Strategic Planning Parent Survey Results: Please join Kevin Graham of Lookout Management Inc. for one of two "town hall" information sessions to review the results of the recently completed Strategic Planning Survey. Surveys were completed by students, parents, faculty, alumni, and staff late last spring, and the results will help determine priorities, both programmatic and financial, for the next five to ten years—and beyond—at Pennington. There will be two sessions to review parent survey results on Monday, December 3; the first will take place at 8:15 a.m. and the second will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Both will be held in the Wesley Forum of the Yen building. Please email Rob McClellan to indicate which of the two sessions you plan to attend.

Calling for Red & Black Bash volunteers: This year's theme is Hollywood Nights: Lights, Camera, Auction. The annual Bash is Parents for Pennington's one and only fundraiser to benefit the students, faculty, and parents of The Pennington School. To help create a wonderful party and successful auction, please click here to volunteer.

Red Raiders Fathering Network: On Tuesday, November 27, at 8:00 a.m., please join Marc Celentana at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St, Pennington) for a discussion about important topics related to fatherhood. The emphasis will be on parenting issues from a father's perspective. The group is open to all fathers and father figures in the Pennington School community. Please contact Marc at mcelentana@gmail.com if you have any questions or are planning to attend.

Parent Coffee in November: There will be a PfP Parent Coffee on Thursday, November 29, at 8:15 a.m. in the Wesley forum. We will be discussing social media and its impact on our children. Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling, will present the social and emotional implications, and Ken Coakley, director of technology, will assist parents in understanding the digital world. We hope you can join us! Click here to sign up.

Chinese Interest Group invitation: All are invited to join the Chinese Interest Group for lunch on Friday, November 30, at 12:00 p.m. at an authentic Chinese restaurant! The Hot Wok Café is situated at 217 Clarksville Road in West Windsor Township. This is a great opportunity to learn more about authentic Chinese dishes on the menu. Participants will cover the costs of their own lunches. If you have questions, contact Jennifer Wang at yunfeng.wang@gmail.com. Please click here to sign up.

Courageous Conversations: Parents for Pennington invites you to join Susie Paige and Stephanie DeSouza on Thursday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss peer pressure and how to equip our children to handle it. The articles below provide interesting reading material relevant to the topic:

Contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com with any questions. Please click here to sign up.

Upper School

College Financial Aid Workshop: The College Guidance Office will host a College Financial Aid Workshop on Sunday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. College Funding Coach's Bradley Wood will be the presenter. Bradley W. Wood is a certified college funding specialist with a primary goal of providing financial wellness education and guidance for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. He teaches parents how to pay for their children's college education without sacrificing their ability to plan for their own retirement. This presentation is designed for parents of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org or 609-737-6130. The registration deadline is Thursday, November 29, 2018. Please see attached flyer for additional details.

Varsity Jackets available through the Campus Store: Please see Mrs. Moore in the Campus Store if you would like to order a Varsity jacket. Varsity jackets are customized according to the School guidelines and usually take 8-10 weeks to be completed. Once a completed order form is submitted to the Campus Store, an email will be sent to the Parent/Guardian with payment instructions. Please stop in the Campus Store for an order form and help with placement and design. Mrs. Moore can be reached at Jmoore@pennington.org. to answer any questions you may have.

November 16, 2018

General Information

Parent/Teacher Conference portal to reopen: Because of the weather-related cancellation of last night's Parent/Teacher Conferences, the School is reopening the registration portal on Virtual Paragon at 8:00 a.m. today so that those scheduled for last night can reschedule for tonight or tomorrow. Click here to gain access to Virtual Paragon.

Tuition payments due ASAP: Tuition payments were due on November 1. Please be sure to log into Veracross to check any balances due on your School account.

Donations for HomeFront Holiday Party: On Saturday, December 15, The Pennington School will host the 25th annual HomeFront Holiday Party and visit with Santa. After Thanksgiving break, the Peer Leaders will host a toy drive, asking students to bring in specific gifts depending on their ages/grades to make the holiday season one to remember for the families of HomeFront. Our guests will have the opportunity to "shop" for gifts for their family members, which are wrapped at the party for them to take home. Students can bring in gifts for the age groups specified below:

Middle School: 0-3 years old
Freshmen: 3-6 years old
Sophomores: 6-10 years old
Juniors: 10-14 years old
Seniors: 14-18 years old
Faculty/Adults: adults

Take advantage of Black Friday deals and stock up on your gifts over break! Any questions can be directed to emily.moini@pennington.org or thomson.estabrook@pennington.org.

The Giving Tree: Each year we also ask for your donations of gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats to be distributed to the families whom HomeFront supports. As you are out shopping this holiday season, please consider purchasing some of these items. Sizes ranging from infant to adult are appropriate.

Donations may be hung on the "Giving Trees" located in the Campus Center, the Yen lobby, and the Middle School lobby in Stainton Hall starting on Monday, November 26, through Friday, December 14. Thank you for your contribution to this worthy cause. If you have questions, please call Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or e-mail at tlambdin@pennington.org.

Poinsettia pick up: The pick-up date for the poinsettias is Wednesday, November 28, in the basement of the Campus Center outside of the Black Box theatre after 1:00 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE: Strategic Planning Parent Survey Results: Please join Kevin Graham of Lookout Management Inc. for one of two "town hall" information sessions to review the results of the recently completed Strategic Planning Survey. Surveys were completed by students, parents, faculty, alumni, and staff late last spring, and the results will help determine priorities, both programmatic and financial, for the next five to ten years—and beyond—at Pennington. There will be two sessions to review parent survey results on Monday, December 3; the first will take place at 8:15 a.m. and the second will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Both will be held in the Wesley Forum of the Yen Building. Please email Rob McClellan to indicate which of the two sessions you plan to attend.

Calling for Red & Black Bash volunteers: This year's theme is Hollywood Nights: Lights, Camera, Auction. The Bash is Parents for Pennington's one and only fundraiser to benefit the students, faculty, and parents of The Pennington School. To help create a wonderful party and successful auction, please click here to volunteer.

Red Raiders Fathering Network: On Tuesday, November 27, at 8:00 a.m., please join Marc Celentana at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St, Pennington) for a discussion about important topics related to fatherhood. The emphasis will be on parenting issues from a father's perspective. The group is open to all fathers and father figures in the Pennington School community. Please contact Marc at mcelentana@gmail.com if you have any questions or are planning to attend.

Parent Coffee in November: There will be a PfP Parent Coffee on Thursday, November 29, at 8:15 a.m. in the Wesley Forum. We will be discussing social media and its impact on our children. Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling, will present the social and emotional implications, and Ken Coakley, director of technology, will assist parents in understanding the digital world. We hope you can join us! Click here to sign up.

Chinese Interest Group invitation: All are invited to join the Chinese Interest Group for lunch on Friday, November 30, at 12:00 p.m. at an authentic Chinese restaurant! The Hot Wok Café is situated at 217 Clarksville Road in West Windsor Township. This is a great opportunity to learn more about authentic Chinese dishes on the menu. Participants will cover the costs of their own lunches. If you have questions, contact Jennifer Wang at yunfeng.wang@gmail.com. Please click here to sign up.

Contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com with any questions. Please click here to sign up.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Everyone at The Pennington School wishes you a very happy holiday. Enjoy your fall break! School offices are open on Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 20 and then closed for the remainder of next week. Classes resume on Monday, November 26.

Upper School

College Financial Aid Workshop: The College Guidance Office will host a Financial Aid Workshop on Sunday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. College Funding Coach's Bradley Wood will be the presenter. Bradley W. Wood is a certified college funding specialist with a primary goal of providing financial wellness education and guidance for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. He teaches parents how to pay for their children's college education without sacrificing their ability to plan for their own retirement. This presentation is designed for parents of juniors, sophomores and freshmen. To register, contact Jennifer Roberts at jennifer.roberts@pennington.org or 609-737-6130. The registration deadline is Thursday, November 29, 2018. Please see attached flyer for additional details.

November 9, 2018

General Information

Parent/Teacher conference information: The Parent/Teacher conference scheduling portal, Virtual Paragon, is currently open and will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13. Conferences will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, November 15 and 16, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 17. Please see the attached letter for all pertinent instructions.

Health History Update due today: If your children will be participating in a winter activity or sport, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update formbefore they can begin practicing. The due date for this form is today, November 9. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents may log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a or Mrs. Meyerson in the Middle School office. Updates are due prior to the start of winter practices; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Stacey Claffey.

Tuition payments were due on November 1. Please be sure to log into Veracross to check any balances due on your School account.

Applied Science speaker today: Kara Bickham will be delivering a presentation about using clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines today, November 9, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. The event is part of the Applied Science Speaker Series. Dr. Bickham is a pediatric infectious disease subspecialist. She currently works at Merck Pharmaceuticals developing new vaccines. Her job includes designing and conducting clinical trials to evaluate investigational vaccines in people. As part of her job, she works with national health authorities such as the FDA, CDC, and WHO to get feedback on the scope of the vaccine programs and individual study designs. She earned a bachelor of science from Texas Christian University, and a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She did an internship and residency in pediatrics at New York Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical School, followed by a fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at Weill Cornell, and a post-doc in immunology at Rockefeller University. Before joining Merck, she conducted bench research at Rockefeller University and Columbia University and also worked as a general pediatrician.

Fall Concert Monday: The Fall Concert will be Monday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Come hear the Upper School Orchestra, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Pennington Singers. Hear music made famous by Michael Jackson, The Beatles, the band War, the films "Rocky" and "The Greatest Showman," the Broadway show "Once on This Island," Brahms, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and even some tunes by our very own Mr. Horan! Admission is free.

SAVE THE DATE: Strategic Planning Parent Survey Results: Please join Kevin Graham of Lookout Management Inc. for one of two "town hall" information sessions to review the results of the recently completed Strategic Planning Survey. Surveys were completed by students, parents, faculty, alumni, and staff late last spring, and the results will help determine priorities, both programmatic and financial, for the next five to ten years—and beyond—at Pennington. There will be two sessions to review parent survey results on Monday, December 3; the first will take place at 8:15 a.m. and the second will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Both will be held in the Wesley Forum of the Yen building. Please email Rob McClellan to indicate which of the two sessions you plan to attend.

Human Rights event in December: On December 10, our partners at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia will sponsor a special event for students, honoring 70 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All Pennington students are invited; we will take a bus from Pennington at 4:30 p.m. and will return at 8:45 p.m. There is no cost for Pennington students, but there is a cap on how many students we can take; if your child is interested, please submit this interest form no later than Tuesday, November 12. Please contact Kendra Sisserson (ksisserson@pennington.org) if you have any questions.

New swipe card payment system for students: Over the Thanksgiving break, The Pennington School will implement a new retail system for the Snack Bar and Campus Store. Students will make purchases through an account associated with their student ID card, using a swipe system. Parents will receive an email over the break from My Kids Spending (MKS) with instructions for setting up and managing their student's MKS account, which will be conveniently accessible through the Veracross parent portal. There is also a MyKidsSpending app available to help you and your student manage the MKS account using iOS and Android devices.

The School will transfer any Campus Store balances from student tuition accounts to the MKS account over the Thanksgiving break. If preferred, students will be able to continue to pay cash for items in the Snack Bar and Campus Store.

Over the next couple of months the School will expand the system to allow day students to pay for extra meals in the dining hall (dinner).

More details will be shared in next week's Pennington Postings.

Diwali celebration planned: The Indian Interest Club of Parents for Pennington invites the entire School community to celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 14, at 3:15 p.m. in the small gym. All students and parents are invited to try on Indian clothing, experience mendhi (hand-drawn henna tattoos), sweets and snacks, and a special Bollywood dance class! Come and enjoy this joyful festival! Please contact Simi Mehra (simmiechatha@hotmail.com) or Ana Shah (amfshah@yahoo.com) if you have any questions or would like to help.

Save the date for Courageous Conversations: Parents for Pennington invites you to join Susie Paige and Stephanie DeSouza on Thursday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss peer pressure and how to equip our children to handle it. A few articles about the topic will be distributed closer to the date. Please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com with any questions.

Upper School

Spring Break travel opportunities: Spring Break trips to London and Spain are full, but there are still other opportunities to travel with The Pennington School. Deadlines are approaching, and trips are filling, so please visit the Global Studies Travel Opportunities website today!

Middle School

Paige's Page on Balance, from Head of Middle School Todd Paige: "I recently read a quote by Betsy Jacobson, co-founder at ForAffect, which pushed me into some significant reflection about balance.

'Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices,' she said.

If you are like me, you may need to sit with that a moment. Once I got a handle on what she was suggesting, I immediately started thinking about my own life. My role as a father, a husband, and a professional among others. I began assessing how well I thought I was balancing all my responsibilities and how Betsy would assess me on my efforts. In my older and wiser years, I can say I am better than I was yet there is certainly room to grow.

I then moved on from my analysis of myself and thought about the teachers and the students I see each day. Do we offer the kind of balanced approach that we believe in so strongly? Think about the classes, the school day, after-school Pennington activities, after-school non-Pennington activities, homework, family time, and much, much more. Is offering our children a balanced life a goal, or is it a luxury we cannot afford at a competitive independent school if we want our children to have every opportunity down the road?

At that point, I could not stop assessing everything, and I mean everything, through a 'balance' lens. When Reverend Twitchell spoke to the Middle School community during Chapel right after the shooting at the Pittsburgh synagogue, I wondered if society's balance (or imbalance) was in some part responsible for what happened. While voting Tuesday, not to mention hearing all the noise leading up to voting day, I wondered about how our balance (or imbalance) has affected the direction our politics have taken and the way in which we interact with one another and our opposing views.

As parents of school-aged children, we often do whatever we can to make sure our children take advantage of every opportunity available to them. Heaven forbid they decline an invitation to participate, to lead, to play, to...you name it. As parents, we are more willing than not to rearrange our lives to make sure our kids get what they want or what we think they might need. Heaven forbid we say no. Yes, if we woke up earlier we could do something we would not otherwise be able to do. Same thing if we stayed up later...if we skipped lunch or dinner... if we walked or drove faster, if we shortened conversations, if we completed things to cross them off our list instead of thinking about them more thoughtfully, more fully. However, at what cost?

I think Betsy Jacobson has offered something worthy of our consideration. How would our children benefit if we spent more time building better boundaries with them rather than trying to find more ways to fit more in? What if the choices we made for ourselves and for our children helped us enjoy the experiences more, rather than simply getting through them? Wanting balance in our lives is easy. Creating balance, for our children's sake, is worth the effort."

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here. Day students are welcome to join us for paintball on Sunday!

November 2, 2018

General Information

Parent/Teacher Conference portal open: The portal for scheduling individual Parent/Teacher Conferences opens today, November 2, at 12:00 p.m., and will remain open until Tuesday, November 13, at 5:00 p.m. These conferences will be held on Thursday and Friday evening, November 15 and 16, and Saturday morning, November 17. Please see the attached letter for all pertinent instructions.

Health History Update due no later than Nov. 9: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form before he or she can begin practicing. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents may log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a or Mrs. Meyerson in the Middle School office. Updates are due prior to the start of winter practices; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Stacey Claffey.

Artist's Reception tonight: All are welcome to meet André Terrel Jackson '09 at a reception for the artist tonight, November 2, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art. Pride and Prejudice, now on view in the Gallery, is an exhibition of multi-media work created by alumnus Jackson as he pursues a dialogue and creates a narrative about the intersection of race, gender, and sexual identity. Click here for more information.

Fall Play 2019 information: The Dining Room will be performed in the Diane T. McLarty "Black Box" Theater from Wednesday, November 7, through Saturday, November 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Friday, November 9, at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available at: http://tps.booktix.com/. If the performance you wish to see is sold out, please email tickets@pennington.org to have your name placed on the Waiting List. Make sure to indicate the performance date, time, and the number of seats you would like.

Poinsettia sale: The French Club is selling poinsettias! Proceeds benefit the Haiti Service Trip in March. (The funds will be used to purchase medical supplies.) Place your order and pay for your order by using this form. Delivery will be the first week of December. Merci beaucoup! Questions may be directed to Mme. Zema at pzema@pennington.org.

Diwali celebration planned: The Indian Interest Club of Parents for Pennington invites the entire School community to celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 14, at 3:15 p.m. in the small gym. All students and parents are invited to try on Indian clothing, experience mendhi (hand-drawn henna tattoos), sweets and snacks, and a special Bollywood dance class! Come and enjoy this joyful festival! Please contact Simi Mehra (simmiechatha@hotmail.com) or Ana Shah (amfshah@yahoo.com) if you have any questions or would like to help.

Calling for Red & Black Bash volunteers: This year's theme is Hollywood Nights: Lights, Camera, Auction. The Bash is the one and only fundraiser to benefit the students, faculty, and parents of The Pennington School. To help create a wonderful party and successful auction, please click here to volunteer.

Upper School

Haiti trip applications due today: A gentle reminder that applications for the trip to Haiti are due today, Friday, November 2. The list of those going on the trip will be determined before we leave for Thanksgiving Break. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org.

Senior and underclass photo information: Senior yearbook formal portraits will be taken by Spencer Studios on Thursday and Friday, November 8 and 9, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For the formal portraits, girls should wear a blouse and jacket or other dress clothes; boys should wear a coat and tie or other suitable clothing and should be clean-shaven. Cap and gown portraits also will be taken (caps and gowns go over the clothing you wear for your sitting). Girls also may have poses taken in drapes if they wish (please wear a tank top beneath your outfit if doing the drape pose). There is a $15.00 sitting fee that covers both the casual and formal sittings, due at the time of your first sitting. You may charge the sitting fee to your student account if desired. If you are doing retakes, there is no additional charge. Proofs will be sent to your school or home address within three weeks. If you have any questions, please call the studio at your convenience.

Underclassman photo retakes will be offered November 8 and 9. Underclassmen should email Mr. Ross at mross@pennington.org to schedule a retake. If your student missed having a yearbook portrait taken, he or she should plan on having a photo taken on November 8 and notify Mr. Ross.

Dominican Republic Spring Break trip: During the first week of Spring Break, March 9 through 16, The Pennington School will send a group of students to Monti Cristi in the Dominican Republic. This is a service trip where high school students teach English to elementary students. Applications are due by November 9, and notification of acceptance will be on November 21. If a student or parent is looking for more information, please contact Miss Kane (maria.kane@pennington.org) or Mr. Bendorf (brenden.bendorf@pennington.org) with any questions.

Spring Break travel opportunities: Spring Break trips to London and Spain are full, but there are still other opportunities to travel with The Pennington School. Deadlines are approaching, and trips are filling, so please visit the Global Studies Travel Opportunities website today!

Middle School

Parent/Teacher Conferences November 15-17: Please see the instructions for signing up via the portal and the letter from Head of Middle School Todd Paige under General Information.

Underclassman photo retakes November 8 and 9: Middle School students who desire a retake should email Mr. Ross at mross@pennington.org to schedule a retake. If your student missed having a yearbook portrait taken, he or she should plan on having a photo taken on November 8 and notify Mr. Ross.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

October

October 26, 2018

General Information

Applied Science speaker today: On Friday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Charles Brumlik, Ph.D., will deliver a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Series. Dr. Brumlik holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Texas A&M University and a law degree from New York Law School. He worked both as a scientist and as an attorney in academia, government labs, nonprofits, startups, a law firm, ExxonMobil, and Honeywell. Dr. Brumlik now runs Nanobiz LLC, an international consulting firm catering to the world's largest science companies and their B2B (business to business) customers in a broad range of industries including aerospace, biomedical, chemicals, cosmetics, electronics, energy, food and beverage, manufacturing, and telecommunications. He will explore different traditional and non-traditional career paths that combine science with other disciplines. Questions are welcome. Coming November 9: Kara Bickham, M.D. on clinical trials of vaccines.

Ethnic food event for parents this evening: The Multicultural Gourmet Group and the Hispanic Interest Group invite you to the first dinner this year to taste delicious ethnic food and meet other parents from the School. Please join us tonight, Friday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. at 309 Hale Street, Pennington. Please sign up to attend and/or bring a dish from Spain, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean. If you are making a dish, please share the recipe! Contact marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com if you have any questions or are looking for ideas and inspiration. Click here to sign up.

Run for the Cure this Sunday: Join the fight against breast cancer and run or walk in the annual Run for the Cure 5k on Sunday, October 28, at 8:00 a.m. Register online here; same-day registration is $30. Click here to read a letter from the Peer Leaders.

Parent/Teacher Conferences in November: Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday and Friday evening, November 15 and 16, and Saturday morning, November 17. Next Friday, November 2, a letter from Middle School Head Todd Paige and Dean of Academic Affairs Scott Peeler will explain how to sign up for these individual appointments with your child's teachers. The portal to sign up for conferences will open early in the week of November 5 and will close on Tuesday, November 13.

Poinsettia sale: The French Club is selling poinsettias! Proceeds benefit the Haiti service trip in March (the funds will be used to purchase medical supplies). Place your order and pay for your order by using this form. Delivery will be the first week of December. Merci beaucoup! Questions may be directed to Mme. Zema pzema@pennington.org.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form before they can begin practicing. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents may log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a or Mrs. Meyerson in the Middle School office. Updates are due prior to the start of winter practices; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Stacey Claffey.

Fall Play 2019 information: "The Dining Room" will be performed in the Diane T. McLarty Black Box Theater from Wednesday, November 7, through Saturday, November 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Friday, November 9, at 3:30pm. THERE IS A NEW PURCHASING POLICY FOR STUDENTS: In order to help students support their friends in the production, we are reserving a special pre-sale period (Monday, October 29, at 8:00 a.m. through Thursday, November 1, at 9:00 p.m.) just for student purchases. Students must use the pre-sale code "DiningStudents" at the following link: http://tps.booktix.com/ Make sure to choose "Pre-Sale Student Account" for the ticket price when checking out; your student's account will be charged $5 for the cost of the ticket. There is a one ticket limit per student; any tickets purchased over the pre-sale limit will be voided.

Artist's Reception for Pride and Prejudice: All are welcome to meet André Terrel Jackson '09 at a reception for the artist on Friday, November 2, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art. Pride and Prejudice, now on view in the Gallery, is an exhibition of multi-media work created by Jackson '09 as he pursues a dialogue and creates a narrative about the intersection of race, gender, and sexual identity. Click here for more information.

Princeton Common Ground speaker Oct. 30: Princeton Common Ground will host a speaker, Charles H. Vogl, on Tuesday, October 30, at the Hun School. Princeton Common Ground presents several innovative speakers for parents each year that are intended to inspire, invigorate, and inform. Common Ground hosts lectures, panel discussions, and interactive experiences designed to promote open discussion of relevant topics and foster community among participants. This upcoming lecture is The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles H. Vogl. Click here to view the flyer; questions can be directed to Melissa Weng at weng178@gmail.com. The event is free and open to all parents and educators, but pre-registration is required. Click here for event tickets.

PfP fathering group begins: Parents for Pennington is pleased to announce the creation of the Red Raiders Fathering Network. Meeting the last Tuesday of the month from8:00 to 9:00 a.m., this group is open to all fathers and father figures in the Pennington School community who are interested in building interaction and knowledge of parenting issues. The group's aim is not only to discuss and address important topics related to fatherhood and the children involved, but also to bring together like-minded people and develop strong bonds. Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St., Pennington). Any questions, please feel free to contact Marc Celentana at mcelentana@gmail.com or by telephone at 609–649–2075. Please click here to sign up.

Applied Science Speaker Nov. 9: On Friday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Kara Bickham will be delivering a presentation on using clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. Dr. Bickham is a pediatric infectious diseases subspecialist. She currently works at Merck Pharmaceuticals developing new vaccines. Her job includes designing and conducting clinical trials to evaluate investigational vaccines in people. As part of her job, she works with national health authorities, such as the FDA, CDC, and WHO to get feedback on the scope of the vaccine programs and individual study designs. She earned a bachelor of science from Texas Christian University, and a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She did an internship and residency in pediatrics at New York Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical School, followed by a fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at Weill Cornell, and a post-doc in immunology at Rockefeller University. Before joining Merck, she conducted bench research at Rockefeller University and Columbia University and also worked as a general pediatrician.

Diwali celebration planned: The Indian Interest Group is organizing a School-wide event to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali. This event will take place on Wednesday, November 14, at the School. If you are interested in helping out with this event, please contact Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Ana Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com.

Save the date for Courageous Conversations: Parents for Pennington invites you to join Susie Paige and Stephanie DeSouza on Thursday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss peer pressure and how to equip our children to handle it. A few articles about the topic will be distributed closer to the date. Please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com with any questions.

Upper School

Social Innovators Program information: The Social Innovators Program allows students in grades 10, 11, and 12 to learn about entrepreneurship and experience it first-hand while earning a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania. During the thirteen-week program, students learn how to launch ventures of their own that create value and a positive impact on society. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Haiti applications due: A gentle reminder that applications for the trip to Haiti are due Friday, November 2. Those going on the trip will be determined before we leave for Thanksgiving break. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org.

Girls in STEM dinner Nov. 6: The Girls in STEM club will be hosting a dinner that focuses on medicine on Tuesday, November 6, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Meckler Library. Seven medical practitioners (two pediatricians, a nurse, a dermatologist, an anesthesiologist, a physiotherapist, and a radiation oncologist) will share their work with you over dinner, conversation, and a Q&A panel. There is no cost for this event, but students must reserve their spot at the dinner table by emailing swirsig@pennington.org. Space is limited.

Middle School

New Jersey Center for the Book: This afternoon, Friday, October 26, one sixth-grade and seven seventh-grade students have been invited to Rutgers University to be recognized for their poetry. The event will showcase the work of NJ students in finding their voice through the use of poetry, and provide a forum to have their work read and respected. Students being recognized are Sanjana Padmanabhan, Nicolette Kirikian, Teagan Walsh, Samantha Lambdin, Garrett Hardt, Praslin Hayes, Hunter Shaffer and Alice-Mithali Singh. We wish them luck!

Letters About Literature: Letters About Literature is a reading and writing contest for students in grades 4 through 12. Students are asked to read a book, poem, or speech and write to the author, living or dead, about how the book affected them personally. Letters are judged on state and national levels. Tens of thousands of students from across the country enter Letters About Literature each year. This past Tuesday during Community Meeting, Mrs. Fitzpatrick invited Middle School students to participate in this year's Letters About Literature contest. Interested students should get in touch with either Mrs. Fitzpatrick or Mrs. Shaffer for further details.

National Writing Day update: Last Friday, English classes celebrated and took part in the 10th Annual National Day on Writing. Ms. Shaffer, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, and Ms. Houston each took time in their English classes to acknowledge the beauty and importance of writing while also getting students to think about and perform their own written work. Some students discussed the influence of author Jacqueline Woodson while others shared responses to prompts such as why and when do you write, what's one thing you wish you could write about, who you would want to read this writing, and what would you want them to learn from you? Some students took part in a Stop and Jot activity, others created writer's self portraits which launched into memory chains, while others grappled with the equation Writing = Hope x Change and what it meant to them. All in all it was a great day to honor the craft of writing and the place it has in our lives and in society.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

October 19, 2018

General Information

Homecoming tomorrow! Don't miss the day's athletic events and Homecoming Row (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) including the Bird Feeder (12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and Nina's Waffle Truck (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.). The campus store will be open 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be a special performance by the Pennington Singers in the Tom Liwosz Turf parking lot at 2:20 p.m.

Open House this Sunday: Prospective families are invited to attend our annual Open House on Sunday, October 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register here!

Applied Science speaker Oct. 26: On Friday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Charles Brumlik, Ph.D., will deliver a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Series. Dr. Brumlik holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Texas A&M University and a law degree from New York Law School. He worked both as a scientist and as an attorney in academia, government labs, nonprofits, startups, a law firm, ExxonMobil, and Honeywell. Dr. Brumlik now runs Nanobiz LLC, an international consulting firm catering to the world's largest science companies and their B2B (business to business) customers in a broad range of industries including aerospace, biomedical, chemicals, cosmetics, electronics, energy, food and beverage, manufacturing, and telecommunications. He will explore different traditional and non-traditional career paths that combine science with other disciplines. Questions are welcome. Coming November 9: Kara Bickham, M.D. on clinical trials of vaccines.

Poinsettia sale: The French Club is selling poinsettias! Proceeds benefit the Haiti Service Trip in March (the funds will be used to purchase medical supplies). Place your order and pay for your order by using this form. Delivery will be the first week of December. Merci beaucoup! Questions may be directed to Mme. Zema pzema@pennington.org.

Run for the Cure Oct. 28: Join the fight against breast cancer and run or walk in the annual Run for the Cure 5k on Sunday, October 28, at 8:00 a.m. Register online at www.raceforum.com/run-for-the-cure or fill out a registration form at Homecoming. Early registration through October 25 (guaranteed a t-shirt!) is $25, same-day registration is $30. Click here to read a letter from the Peer Leaders.

Alumnus returns as guest artist in the Silva Gallery: Pride and Prejudice, now on view in the Silva Gallery of Art, is an exhibition of multimedia work created by André Terrel Jackson '09. Jackson returns to campus after earning an M.F.A degree in fibers from Savanah College of Art and Design. The show offers insight into the intersection of race, gender, and sexual orientation by presenting visual representations of personal and interpersonal experiences. André is excited to share his art and his journey with our students, and will be hosting gallery talks as well as an art marking workshop for students. Click here for more information.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form before they can begin practicing. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents may log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a or Mrs. Meyerson in the Middle School office. Updates are due prior to the start of winter practices; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Stacey Claffey.

Media Lab offered for projects: Students who need a place to work on their video, photos, or media presentation can go to the Pennington Media Lab to work on media projects, Monday through Thursday, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. The lab includes a computer room, where the workstations are ready with Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, and the rest of the Adobe Creative Suite. There is also a 500-square-foot flexible studio space that is perfect for video recording, photo shoots, and small performances. Students may come down to the lower level of the Campus Center and see Mr. Vogel for help with their projects.

Welcome the Parents Committee: The Pennington Fund Parents Committee assists the Office of Alumni and Development with fundraising initiatives throughout the school year. Please welcome our new committee members for the 2018–19 fiscal year: Parents of current students with the classes they represent: 2019: Linda Sichel, Rachel Garry; 2020: Mary Peters, Danielle DiMarco, Anne Sneed; 2021: Swati Navani, Moira Brunk; 2022: Marc Celentana, Loredana Cromarty, Gabrielle Shamsey; 2023: Alice Koesterich, Danielle DeLellis; 2024: Marc Celentana, Gabrielle Shamsey; and 2025: Katherine Birkenstock. They are joined by these parents of alumni: Beth Van Marter P'13, Delores MacKenzie P'13, and Peter Egbert P'16.

Ethnic food event Oct. 26: The Multicultural Gourmet Group and the Hispanic Interest Group invite you to the first event to taste delicious ethnic food and meet parents from the School. The event will be on Friday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. at 309 Hale Street, Pennington. Please sign up to attend and/or bring a dish from Spain, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean. If you are making a dish, please share the recipe! Please contact marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com if you have any questions or are looking for ideas and inspiration. Click here to sign up.

PfP fathering group begins: Parents for Pennington is pleased to announce the creation of the Red Raiders Fathering Network. Meeting the last Tuesday of the month from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., this group is open to all fathers and father figures in the Pennington School community who are interested in building interaction and knowledge of parenting issues. The group's aim is not only to discuss and address important topics related to fatherhood and the children involved, but also to bring together like-minded people and develop strong bonds. Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Sourland Coffee (250 S. Main St., Pennington). Any questions, please feel free to contact Marc Celentana at mcelentana@gmail.com or by telephone at 609–649–2075. Please click here to sign up.

Diwali celebration planned: The Indian Interest Group is organizing a School-wide event to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali. This event will take place on Wednesday, November 14, at the School.If you are interested in helping out with this event, please contact Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Ana Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com.

Upper School

College Guidance seminar on Monday: On Monday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, the College Guidance Office will host a seminar titled Emerging Trends in Higher Education. Cornell B. LeSane II, vice-president for enrollment and dean of admission at Allegheny College, will be our presenter. This event is designed for juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and parents. The registration deadline is today, Friday, October 19. Please contact Jennifer Roberts in the College Guidance Office at 609-737-6130 or at Jennifer.roberts@pennington.org.

Spring Break trip meeting Oct. 23: During the first week of Spring Break, March 9–16, The Pennington School will send a group of students to Monti Cristi in the Dominican Republic. This is a service trip on which Upper School students teach English to elementary students. There is an informational meeting for any students interested in participating—and their parents—on Tuesday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. in Yen 206. All of those planning to apply for the trip should be in attendance. If for some reason you are unable to attend, please contact trip chaperones Maria Kane or Brenden Bendorf with any questions.

Girls in STEM dinner Nov. 6: The Girls in STEM club will be hosting a dinner that focuses on Medicine on Tuesday, November 6, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Meckler Library. Seven medical practitioners (two pediatricians, a nurse, a dermatologist, an anesthesiologist, a physiotherapist, and a radiation oncologist) will share their work with you over dinner, conversation, and a Q&A panel. There is no cost for this event, but students must reserve their spot at the dinner table by emailing swirsig@pennington.org. Space is limited.

Middle School

Virtual exchange with students from Chile: This year, Middle School Spanish students in levels 1 and 1B will be "meeting" other Middle School English students from El Instituto Abdón Cifuentes in San Felipe, Chile as part of a virtual exchange. Each Pennington student is being paired with a Chilean student and they will "meet up" during class once a month, with the exception of December through March, when schools in Chile are on summer holiday. During their meetups, students will discuss topics such as who they are and what they are like. They will also share information about their hobbies, families, respective schools, and favorite foods, among other things. This will be a great opportunity for our students to practice their Spanish in an authentic context and to learn about life in another area of the world. We hope that their conversations will ultimately transcend the classroom and that they will continue to chat beyond this year. Some of the students have already initiated connections through social media. All of the students are really excited for this adventure and we look forward to a great exchange.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

October 12, 2018

General Information

Spirit Week, Homecoming Weekend invitation from the Headmaster: Please read the attached letter from Headmaster William Hawkey, inviting students and parents to participate in Spirit week, October 15 through October 19, and Homecoming weekend, October 19 and October 20.

Red and Black Bash meeting October 16: Save the date of Tuesday, October 16, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery for the first Red and Black Bash volunteer meeting. It's time to get started on this year's party and auction, which is happening on February 23, 2019, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. The theme is Lights! Camera! Auction! Hollywood Nights. Parents for Pennington needs volunteers to obtain auction donations (parent and business solicitations, faculty donations), and help with data entry and website management, decorations, menu, advertisements, catalog, 50/50 raffle, check in, check out, set up, runners for evening of event, spotters for live auction, and break down, among other things. Join us to plan a wonderful party and fundraiser to benefit The Pennington School.

Applied Science Speaker October 26: On Friday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Charles Brumlik, Ph.D., will deliver a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Series. Dr. Brumlik holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Texas A&M University and a law degree from New York Law School. He worked both as a scientist and as an attorney in academia, government labs, nonprofits, startups, a law firm, ExxonMobil, and Honeywell. Dr. Brumlik now runs Nanobiz LLC, an international consulting firm catering to the world's largest science companies and their B2B (business to business) customers in a broad range of industries including aerospace, biomedical, chemicals, cosmetics, electronics, energy, food and beverage, manufacturing, and telecommunications. He will explore different traditional and non-traditional career paths that combine science with other disciplines. Questions are welcome.

Princeton Common Ground speaker October 30: Princeton Common Ground will host a speaker, Charles H. Vogl, on Tuesday, October 30, at the Hun School. Princeton Common Ground presents several innovative speakers for parents each year that are intended to inspire, invigorate, and inform. Common Ground hosts lectures, panel discussions, and interactive experiences designed to promote open discussion of relevant topics and foster community among participants. This upcoming lecture is The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles H. Vogl. Click here to view the flyer; questions can be directed to Melissa Weng at weng178@gmail.com. The event is free and open to all parents and educators, but pre-registration is required. Click here for event tickets.

Upper School

Haiti trip meeting October 17: Once again, The Pennington School is planning to send a group of students to Haiti in March 2019. We will be providing services to the remote churches and schools served by Harmony Ministries and the trip has proven to be a life-changing experience in the lives of those who have participated. It will be open to ten Upper Schoolers. The cost will be approximately $2,750 and we will depart on Monday, March 11, and return on Sunday, March 17. If your child is interested in pursuing a career in medicine or early education, or wants to give a hand where it is certainly needed, consider applying for the trip. We will have an informational meeting for those interested and their parents or guardians on Wednesday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum in the Yen building. All those planning to apply for the trip should plan to attend with a parent or guardian. Please contact Blair Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Emerging Trends in Higher Education: On Monday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, the College Guidance Office will host a seminar titled Emerging Trends in Higher Education. Mr. Cornell B. LeSane II, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission at Allegheny College, will be our presenter. This event is designed for juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and parents. The registration deadline is Friday, October 19.

Middle School

A virtual exchange with students from Chile: This year, Middle School Spanish students in levels 1 and 1B will be 'meeting' other Middle School English students from El Instituto Abdón Cifuentes in San Felipe, Chile as part of a 'virtual' exchange. Each Pennington student is being paired with a Chilean student and they will 'meet up' during class once a month, with the exception of December through March, when schools in Chile are on summer holiday. During their "meetups" students will discuss topics such as who they are and what they are like. They will also share information about their hobbies, families, respective schools, and favorite foods, among other things. This will be a great opportunity for our students to practice their Spanish in an authentic context and to learn about life in another area of the world. We hope that their conversations will ultimately transcend the classroom and that they will continue to chat beyond this year. Some of the students have already initiated connections through social media. All of the students are really excited for this adventure and we look forward to a great "exchange."

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

October 5, 2018

General Information

Red and Black Bash meeting October 16: Save the date of Tuesday, October 16, at 8:15 a.m. for the first Red and Black Bash volunteer meeting. It's time to get started on this year's party and auction, which is happening on February 23, 2019, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. The theme is Lights! Camera! Auction! Hollywood Nights. Parents for Pennington needs volunteers to obtain auction donations (parent and business solicitations, faculty donations), and work on data entry and website management, decorations, menu, advertisements, catalog, 50/50 raffle, check in, check out, set up, runners for evening of event, spotters for live auction, and break down, among other things. Join us to plan a wonderful party and fundraiser to benefit The Pennington School.

Multicultural Gourmet Group meeting: On Friday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. at 309 Hale Street, Pennington, come taste wonderful food from Spanish-speaking countries (Spain, Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean). The Multicultural Gourmet Group is combining efforts with the Hispanic Interest Group for a feast to remember. Bring your favorite dish from a Spanish-speaking country and share the recipe! Sign up will follow in next week's Pennington Postings.

Princeton Common Ground speaker October 30: Princeton Common Ground will host a speaker, Charles H. Vogl, on Tuesday, October 30 at the Hun School. Princeton Common Ground presents several innovative speakers for parents each year that are intended to inspire, invigorate, and inform. Common Ground host slectures, panel discussions, and interactive experiences designed to promote open discussion of relevant topics and foster community among participants. This upcoming lecture is The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles H. Vogl. Click here to view the flyer; questions can be directed to Melissa Weng at weng178@gmail.com. The event is free and open to all parents and educators, but pre-registration is required. Click here for event tickets.

Open House lawn signs: Please help the Admission team promote Pennington's Open House on October 21! Our new Open House signs are the must-have lawn ornament for this fall '18 season! If you are willing to place a lawn sign either in your front yard or near a key intersection, please stop by the Office of Admission to pick one up. Thank you!

Upper School

Back-to-School Night recap: If you missed Upper School Back-to-School Night on September 28, you can view the materials that were included in all parents' folders here.

Attention parents of juniors--important information!: Your son or daughter will take the PSAT/NMSQT (the preliminary SAT) examination on Wednesday, October 10, at 8:00 a.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. This test will provide practice for the SAT, which most juniors will take for the first time in March. The PSAT can help with the college planning process because the results can be used to predict performance on the SAT. In addition, the scores from the PSAT are used to determine who will be chosen for National Merit recognition and scholarship aid. The cost of this test is $25.00; charged to your child's Campus Store account. Other college-planning and counseling-related activities for juniors are already under way! Please see the attached letter from the College Guidance Office for important details.

Haiti trip meeting October 17: Once again, The Pennington School is planning to send a group of students to Haiti in March 2019. We will be providing services to the remote churches and schools served by Harmony Ministries and the trip has proven to be a life-changing experience in the lives of those who have participated. It will be open to ten Upper Schoolers. The cost will be approximately $2,750 and we will depart on Monday, March 11, and return on Sunday, March 17. If your child is interested in pursuing a career in medicine or early education, or wants to give a hand where it is certainly needed, consider applying for the trip. We will have an informational meeting for those interested and their parents or guardians on Wednesday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum in the Yen building. All those planning to apply for the trip should plan to attend with a parent or guardian. Please contact Blair Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Grades 10, 11, and 12 Parent Party October 12: Please join your fellow Pennington parents for a casual get-together over food and drinks at The Pennington School, in the Kenneth Kai Tai Yen Humanities building on Friday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. Click here to respond and to sign up to bring an appetizer or dessert to share.

Spring Break language trips information: Improve your language proficiency level and embrace the culture of your language of study by traveling this Spring break to Spain, Italy, and Austria. Check the eligibility requirements and submit your application. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until each trip is filled.

Italy: For Latin students levels I-V and Art Students recommended by Ms. Hall - Florence, Siena, Rome, Sorento, Pompeii, Naples, Capri and Amalfi, March 11 through 21. Cost is $3,700; contact Ms. Morris and Ms. Hall and submit your application here.
Austria: For German students level II and higher - Salzburg, March 16 through 23. Cost is $3,100; contact Mr. Chase and submit your application here.
Spanish trip to Spain is full. Questions, see Dr. Castro.

Middle School

Humanities classes to connect with students in Kenya: On Thursday, October 11, the sixth-grade Humanities classes will be connecting across the globe with a school in Kenya. This will be the first of two live video conferences this year and the commencement of a cultural connection. After introductions on Thursday, both classrooms will begin creating art pieces that represent their cultures to exchange with one another. The trade of artistic presents will create the foundation for a second conference later in the year. All Humanities students will need to report to school by 7:45 a.m. on October 11 to be ready for their 8:00 a.m. conference.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

September

September 28, 2018

General Information

Applied Science Speaker October 5: On Friday, October 5, from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Kenneth Simons will be delivering a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Series. Simons is a graduate of Tulane and St. John's universities; he also served in the U.S. Army as a captain. He is a high-level executive/entrepreneur whose career focus is in team building, community building, and the construction industry. Currently, he is division president for the largest publicly owned home-building company in the United States. Simons is also an inventor. He developed the VeloChair after he was diagnosed with Ossification Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, or OPLL, in his early 50s. A lifelong runner and downhill skier, he could no longer bear weight on his legs for an extended period of time. He found that most current mobility devices did not promote user activity, which prompted him to create the VeloChair and restore his sense of independence. In his talk, Simons will talk about the process of developing, designing, and patenting his invention and he will give students a chance to try out the VeloChair.

Open House lawn signs: Please help the Admission team promote Open House on October 21! Our new Open House lawn signs are the must-have lawn ornament for this fall '18 season! If you are willing to place a lawn sign either in your front yard or near a key intersection, please stop by the Office of Admission to pick one up! Thank you!

Admission fee waiver announcement: Do you have a child who will be applying to Pennington for the 2019-20 school year? The Office of Admission is offering application fee waivers for all sibling applicants! To receive your fee waiver code, please email Jenny Chase at jchase@pennington.org with your child's name, current school, and the grade to which your child will be applying. We are looking forward to working with you and your children this year! --The Admission Team

Upper School

Upper School Back-to-School Night tonight!: Parents and guardians of Upper School students are invited to the annual Upper School Back-to-School Night tonight, Friday, September 28. Parents for Pennington, the Pennington School parents association, will provide a picnic supper in the dining hall from 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., followed by the Headmaster's welcome at 6:30 p.m. and classroom visits from 7:05 to 9:30 p.m. If you arrive late, please go to the Campus Center to pick up your child's schedule. For more information, please click here to read a letter from Dean Peeler. Please note that your children (other than ninth-graders, who are participating in Freshman Fun Night) should not be on campus. For this evening's schedule and a map of the campus, please click here.

Attention parents of juniors--important information!: Juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT (the preliminary SAT) examination on Wednesday, October 10, at 8:00 a.m. in Sparks Gymnasium (large gym). This test will provide practice for the SAT, which most juniors will take for the first time in March 2019. The PSAT can help with the college planning process, because the results can be used to predict performance on the SAT. In addition, the scores from the PSAT are used in determining who will be chosen for National Merit recognition and scholarship aid. The cost of this test is $25.00, which will be charged to your child's Campus Store account. Other college-planning and counseling-related activities for juniors are already under way! Please see the attached letter from the College Guidance Office for important details.

London trip application due: The Drama and History London Spring Break 2019 trip application is due Friday, October 5. Students interested in applying should contact Ms. Suzanne Houston at suzanne.houston@pennington.org for the application.

An opportunity to host a student from France in October! The Pennington School will host a group of French students arriving Sunday, October 14, and staying through Saturday, October 27. Our TPS students were hosted in Meaux, France during Spring Break last year. Some of the students who went to France last year graduated, so we are looking for homes for one boy and four girls. The students will attend school each day and spend time with their American families in the evenings and over Homecoming weekend. Contact Madame Zema at pzema@pennington.org for more details.

Driver Education now offered: Driver Education (for grades 10-12) will be offered in the fall and spring. The fall session will begin this Sunday, September 30, and run for 10 weeks. Classes are 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Stainton 111. Email Mr. Liwosz if your child is interested in participating at tliwosz@pennington.org. The fee is $200. Checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and brought to the first class.

Sophomore Character Development and Leadership Program: Click here to read more about The Pennington School's Sophomore Character Development and Leadership Program and the overnight retreat for the Class of 2021.

Grade 9 Parent Party October 5: Grade 9 parents are invited to attend the Parent Potluck Party at Corson House, the on-campus home of Dr. William and Karen Hawkey, on Friday, October 5, at 6:00 p.m. Click here to respond and to sign up to bring a dish to share. Any questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Spring Break Language trips information: Improve your language proficiency level and embrace the culture of your language of study by traveling this Spring Break to Spain, Italy, or Austria. Check the eligibility requirements and submit your application. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the trip is filled; links to each application are

Spain: For Spanish students level II and higher - Madrid, Toledo, Avila, Segovia, and Salamanca, March 8 through 20. Cost is $2,500; contact Dr. Castro and submit your application here.
Italy: For Latin students levels I-V and Art Students recommended by Ms. Hall - Florence, Siena, Rome, Sorento, Pompeii, Naples, Capri and Amalfi, March 11 through 21. Cost is $3,700; contact Ms. Morris and Ms. Hall and submit your application here.
Austria: For German students level II and higher - Salzburg, March 16 through 23. Cost is $3,100; contact Mr. Chase and submit your application here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

September 21, 2018

General Information

Welcome Letter from PfP: On Tuesday, September 18, Parents for Pennington emailed a Welcome Letter updating parents about news and upcoming events. To see the letter, click here.

Applied Science Speaker Series in October: On Friday, October 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Kenneth Simons will be delivering a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. Simons is a graduate of Tulane and St. John's University. He also served in the U.S. Army as a captain. He is a high-level executive/entrepreneur whose career focus is in team building, community building, and construction industries. Currently, he is division president for the largest publicly owned home-building company in the United States. Simons is also an inventor. He developed VeloChair after he was diagnosed with Ossification Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, or OPLL, in his early 50s. A lifelong runner and downhill skier, he could no longer bear weight on his legs for an extended period of time. He found that most current mobility devices did not promote user activity, which prompted him to create the VeloChair and restore his sense of independence. In his talk, Simons will talk about the process of developing, designing, and patenting his invention and give students a chance to try out the VeloChair.

Admission fee waiver announcement: Do you have a child who will be applying to Pennington for the 2019-20 school year? The Office of Admission is offering application fee waivers for all sibling applicants! To receive your fee waiver code, please email Jenny Chase at jchase@pennington.org with your child's name, current school, and the grade to which they will be applying. We are looking forward to working with you and your children this year! --The Admission Team

Upper School

Back-to-School Night (Upper School): Parents and guardians of Upper School students are invited to the annual Upper School Back-to-School Night on Friday, September 28. The Pennington School parents association (Parents for Pennington) will provide a picnic supper in the dining hall from 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., followed by the Headmaster's welcome at 6:30 p.m. and classroom visits from 7:05 to 9:30 p.m. If you arrive late, please go to the Campus Center to pick up your child's schedule. For more information, please click here to read a letter from Dean Peeler. Please note that your children, other than ninth-graders participating in Freshman Fun Night, should not be on campus.

Attention parents of juniors--important information!: Your son or daughter will take the PSAT/NMSQT (the preliminary SAT) examination on Wednesday, October 10, at 8:00 a.m. in the large gymnasium. This test will provide practice for the SAT, which most juniors will take for the first time during the spring semester of their junior year during the month of March. The PSAT can help with the college planning process, because the results can be used to predict performance on the SAT. In addition, the scores from the PSAT are used in determining who will be chosen for National Merit recognition and scholarship aid. The cost of this test is $25.00. Your son or daughter's Campus Store account will be charged this amount. Other college-planning and counseling-related activities for juniors are already under way! Please see the attached letter from the College Guidance Office for important details.

Driver Education now offered: Driver Education (for grades 10-12) will be offered in the fall and spring. The fall session will begin on Sunday, September 30, and run for 10 weeks. Classes are 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Stainton 111. Email Mr. Liwosz if your child is interested in participating at tliwosz@pennington.org. The fee is $200. Checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and brought to the first class.

Sophomore Character Development and Leadership Program: Click here to read more about The Pennington School's Sophomore Character Development and Leadership Program and retreat for the Class of 2021.

Freshman Fun Night Sept. 28: The Peer Leaders are hosting Freshman Fun Night on Friday, September 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. to correspond with Upper School Back-to-School Night. This (mandatory) event is an opportunity for freshmen to continue to get to know each other through a student-led evening of fun and games. Dinner will be provided in the small gym starting at 6:00 p.m. Freshmen should dress comfortably...sneakers a must. Details will be communicated to the freshmen through their Peer Leaders. The senior Peer Leaders are looking forward to hosting this Pennington tradition for the class of 2022! The event will take place in Sparks Gymnasium and the Small Gym.

London Spring Break trip meeting Sept. 26: An informational meeting for all parents and their students who are interested in traveling to London and Canterbury during Spring Break will be held on Wednesday, September 26, at 6:00 p.m. in the McLarty Black Box Theater. The trip will include visits to multiple museums and historical sites throughout the city, attending theatrical performances in some of London's most famous theatres, theatre workshops, and other fun adventures. Most important, students will be cast in or work on our production of Shakespeare's Henry V, which we will perform in both London and Canterbury. The cost for the 10-day trip is approximately $3,500. Students should attend the meeting with their parents. Application information will be provided at the meeting.

Grade 9 Parent Coffee Sept. 27: Grade 9 parents and guardians are invited to join Parents for Pennington on Thursday, September 27, at 8:15 a.m. in the Wesley Forum, Yen Building, for a parent coffee. Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling services, will share ideas and strategies on making the transition to high school smooth and successful for everyone. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share any challenges you may be experiencing. Please respond by clicking here.

Grade 9 Parent Party October 5: Grade 9 parents are invited to attend the Parent Party at Corson House, the on-campus home of Dr. William and Karen Hawkey, on Friday, October 5, at 6:00 p.m. Click here to respond and to sign up to bring a dish to share. Any questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Grades 10, 11, and 12 Parent Party October 12: Please join your fellow Pennington parents for a casual get-together over food and drinks at The Pennington School, in the Kenneth Kai Tai Yen Humanities Building on Friday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. Click here to respond and to sign up to bring an appetizer or dessert to share.

Spring Break Language Trips information: Improve your language proficiency level and embrace the culture of your language of study by traveling this Spring break to Spain, Italy, and Austria. Check the eligibility requirements and submit your application. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the trip is filled.

Spain: For Spanish students level II and higher - Madrid, Toledo, Avila, Segovia, and Salamanca, March 8 through 20. Cost is $2,500; contact Dr. Castro and submit your application here.
Italy: For Latin students levels I-V and Art Students recommended by Ms. Hall - Florence, Siena, Rome, Sorento, Pompeii, Naples, Capri and Amalfi, March 11 through 21. Cost is $3,700; contact Ms. Morris and Ms. Hall and submit your application here.
Austria: For German students level II and higher - Salzburg, March 16 through 23. Cost is $3,100; contact Mr. Chase and submit your application here.

Middle School

Middle School Retreat information, documents: The annual Middle School Retreat will be taking place October 3 through October 5 for eighth-graders and October 4 through October 5 for sixth- and- seventh-graders. Please click below to view several informational letters and documents regarding the retreat:

New opportunity with Eye to Eye: We are excited to announce a new opportunity for Middle School students! The Pennington chapter of Eye to Eye is pleased to invite Middle School students to become Eye to Eye mentees. Eye to Eye is a national mentoring movement that pairs mentors with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD with similar mentees. Our chapter will pair Upper School and Middle School students, when they will create art projects focused around self-advocacy, metacognition, and goal-setting. The attached flyer contains additional details. Please contact Faculty Advisor Adrienne Papa apapa@pennington.org for additional information.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

September 14, 2018

General Information

Important test call today: On Friday, September 14, at approximately 3:30 p.m. we will be conducting a test of our emergency notification system, One Call Now. We typically use this system to notify parents and employees of school closings due to inclement weather; however on occasion we will use it to notify you of changes to School-wide events or if an emergency situation exists on campus.

If you do not receive a call by 5:00 p.m. today or if you would like to add a number to this system, please e-mail Maureen Iorio, sssistant to the dean of students. Please include your student's name and grade and the phone numbers you would like to add. Please do not call the number back to report any changes; all changes must be received in writing.

Campus Security and Visitor Procedure: Parents should note that building doors on campus remain locked, so anyone coming to campus should check in with the security officer on duty before heading to their appointment. Security vehicles are usually stationed near the Campus Center plaza.

Admission fee waiver announcement: Do you have a child who will be applying to Pennington for the 2019-20 school year? The Office of Admission is offering application fee waivers for all sibling applicants! To receive your fee waiver code, please email Jenny Chase at jchase@pennington.org with your child's name, current school, and the grade to which they will be applying. We are looking forward to working with you and your children this year! --The Admission Team

Applied Science Speaker Series in October: On Friday, October 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Kenneth Simons will be delivering a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. Simons is a graduate of Tulane and St. John's University. He also served in the U.S. Army as a Captain. He is a high level executive/entrepreneur whose career focus is in team building, community building, and construction industries. Currently, he is Division President for the largest publicly owned home building company in the United States. Simons is also an inventor. He developed VeloChair after he was diagnosed with Ossification Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, or OPLL, in his early 50s. A lifelong runner and downhill skier, he could no longer bear weight on his legs for an extended period of time. He found that most current mobility devices did not promote user activity, which prompted him to create the VeloChair and restore his sense of independence. In his talk, Simons will talk about the process of developing, designing, and patenting his invention and give students a chance to try out the VeloChair.

An Innovative, Creative Field Trip to the World Makerfaire in NYC: On Sunday, September 23, there will be a field trip to the World Makerfaire at the New York Hall of Science, Corona in New York City, Queens. The bus will depart from Pennington at 8:30 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m. Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. A short video to describe a Maker Faire is here. The cost is $30 for day students; free for boarders (covered by your residential fees). Cost includes round-trip transportation by bus and admission to the event; students may want to bring spending money for food and souvenirs. Please email Mrs. Wirsig by September 17 by 8:00 a.m. to indicate your interest in attending the trip. Seats are limited.

New York theatre trip in October: This year's New York theatre trip to see Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2018: The Band's Visit will be held on Saturday, October 13. Students, faculty, parents, and siblings are invited to attend. We will leave campus at 10:45 a.m., see a 2:00 p.m. matinee of this unique and unexpected musical, eat dinner and sightsee in small groups, and return to campus around 9:30 p.m. The cost of the show ticket and bus transportation is $65 per person. Boarders receive a $20 credit on their ticket cost, and will receive dinner money. Reservations for the trip can be made by contacting Ms. S. Houston at suzanne.houston@pennington.org. Payment will be charged to your Pennington School account through the Business Office in late October.

Writing Center opportunities: The Writing Center will be open starting Thursday, September 13. We are open Monday through Thursday, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., in the Library E-Classroom, along with Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the library Reading Room. Our goal is to help students with their writing for any class, or college essays, etc., and at any stage in the writing process, from outlining to final revisions. Middle School and Upper School students are welcome! Contact Mr. Aubry or Mr. Walsh if you have any questions.

Upper School

Back-to-School Night (Upper School): Parents and guardians of Upper School students are invited to the annual Upper School Back-to-School Night on Friday, September 28. The Pennington School parents association (Parents for Pennington) will provide a picnic supper in the dining hall from 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., followed by the Headmaster's welcome at 6:30 p.m. and classroom visits from 7:05 to 9:30 p.m. If you arrive late, please go to the Campus Center to pick up your child's schedule. For more information, please click here to read a letter from Dean Peeler. Please note that your children, other than ninth-graders participating in Freshman Fun Night, should not be on campus.

Math Extra Help: Math Extra Helps meets in Stainton Hall every Tuesday night from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be two math teachers present to help with all levels of math. It is an opportunity to do homework, prepare for a quiz or test, and for students to get clarification and reinforcement on topics in their course.

Grade 9 Parent Coffee Sept. 27: Grade 9 parents and guardians are invited to join Parents for Pennington on Thursday, September 27, at 8:15 a.m. in the Wesley Forum, Yen Building, for a parent coffee. Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling services, will share ideas and strategies on making the transition to high school smooth and successful for everyone. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share any challenges you may be experiencing. Please respond by clicking here.

Global Gateway Weekend Sept. 29–30: Upper School students are invited to the overnight Global Gateway Weekend event, September 29–30, 2018. (This event is rescheduled from the rained-out May 2018 dates.) For Global Studies students, this event is not required, but it is recommended as an introduction to Global Studies. It meets the Global Experience requirement. We will leave on a passenger coach at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, and will return by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 30. The cost is $75, which includes lodging and meals at the Global Village. Please contact Dr. Sisserson with any questions!

Located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, the Heifer Global Village is a camp composed of replica homesteads from around the world, with authentic features like outdoor water pumps, animal pens, dirt floors, thatched roofs, communal cookfires. These homes represent impoverished areas around the globe where Heifer International works to eradicate hunger and poverty, and the Gateway Weekend is designed to help participants delve into the causes and effects of these global issues. In this role-playing simulation, students will become "citizens" of a particular house for the evening and must work together to prepare their own meals, keep their houses, care for their animals and crops, and spend the night in their homestead.

Important Deadlines: 1. Please complete this sign-up sheet by September 17, and 2. Please print, complete, and return this waiver by September 21.

For more details, please click this link.

Middle School

Access to music on iPads: Students are entering this year with their iPads having "restricted access" to apps and other online resources needed for classes and for learning only. Access to apps and other online resources that are not needed for academics have been removed or blocked from use. Getting used to this restricted access is requiring a bit of a transition for students and for faculty.

As teachers identify online resources needed for their classes, those resources will be taken out of the restricted status and made available to students. Bamboo, LearningAllyLink, and Snap and Learn have all been made available in the past few days for those students that may want or need them. The question that keeps coming up from students is, "What about music?" Since we have no problem with students listening to music during study hall time while they work or take a break from their day, we have taken access to music off of restricted status. Students will now be able to access music accounts like Apple Music and Spotify on their iPad if they so choose.

We have discovered something worth mentioning with regard to music access. For those students getting their music through Apple Music, songs with explicit lyrics will continue to be blocked and will not be accessible through their iPads. Songs with explicit lyrics through Spotify, on the other hand, can NOT be blocked. I am mentioning this with the hope that parents will have an opportunity to discuss their child's music selections, especially if their child is quite upset about their music being blocked.

If parents have questions about online or app access, please don't hesitate to reach out to me, tpaige@pennington.org. We will be going through this together.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here. Day students are welcome to join us for the trip to Point Pleasant on Saturday!

September 7, 2018

General Information

Convocation tonight!: The ceremonies officially opening the school year will begin tonight at 7:00 p.m. It is a required event for students (who should be in School formal dress), and parents are encouraged to attend, as well. Upper School students should report to Tom Liwosz Turf Field at 6:15 p.m., and Middle School students should report there at 6:30 p.m. Class photos will be taken at that time. Mr. Bridges will then direct the procession of students into Convocation.

Campus Security: We are pleased to let parents know that, in our ongoing efforts to upgrade campus security with the counsel of Stonegate Associates, we have hired another full-time security officer. We welcome Steve Friedman to the security team, which includes Neal Blackwell and Pete Young. New parents should note that building doors on campus remain locked, so anyone coming to campus should check in with the security officer on duty before heading to their appointment. Security vehicles are usually stationed near the Campus Center plaza.

Temporary Administrative Offices: Due to ongoing construction work in Old Main, which is expected to be completed by the end of December, most administrators who work in Old Main have moved to temporary offices. The Headmaster's office is now located in Modular #1, next to the Burd Street parking lot. The offices of the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Dean of Faculty, the Registrar, and the School mailroom can be found in Modular #2. The Business Office and the Communications and Marketing Office are still in Old Main, but have moved to higher floors, and you must use the entrance opposite the Health Center for access to those offices. The Business Office is located on the second floor (above the "B" floor, where the office was located before), and the Communications Office is on the third floor. Please note that these offices also remain locked, so we recommend that parents make appointments before coming to campus to see an administrator.

Campus Construction Updates:

Dining Hall: The expansion of the Dining Hall is in full swing, and we expect this work to be completed in mid-October. We are adding 1,600 square feet to this space to allow for a better flow through the room, and more space for students. And, most exciting, we are adding air conditioning—so when warm temperatures return in the spring, we will be ready.
Campus Store and Snack Bar: The Campus Store and Snack Bar are still undergoing renovations, so school supplies and other items are available for purchase on a very limited basis. We expect both to be open by the end of the week of September 17.

Parents for Pennington General Meeting Sept. 13: Please join PfP for our first general meeting Thursday, September 13, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art. Dr. Hawkey and Mr. Bridges will be joining us to discuss exciting plans for this school year. You will also hear about our great upcoming activities, clubs, and volunteer opportunities.

Late arrivals/early dismissals: Students arriving late or leaving early for any reason must sign in or out with either Mrs. Meyerson in the Middle School or Mrs. Iorio in the Upper School. Parents are asked to call the School to report absences, tardiness, or early dismissal.

Private music lessons offered: Music lessons are available for all instruments/voice types, experience levels, and styles. Scheduling is already under way, so get this formand payment to the Business Office as soon as possible to secure your slot.

Upper School

Senior parents program Sept. 16: The College Guidance Office invites you to attend Pennington's annual College Planning Program for senior parents/guardians. The program will take place on Sunday, September 16, 2018, in the Wesley Forum at 6:30 p.m. Please call or email Jennifer Roberts at 609–737–6130 or jennifer.roberts@pennington.org to let us know if you will be attending. The program will address what seniors and their parents can expect in the exciting year ahead!

A special note about campus parking: Student parking on campus is a senior privilege. Beginning Tuesday, September 11, seniors who have registered a car may park on campus in the designated senior parking lot closest to the Tom Liwosz Turf Field (the former gravel lot).

Sophomores and juniors who drive to school should register their cars with Mrs. Iorio and park along Green Street. (Please do not block the driveways or mailboxes.)

Important Deadlines: 1. Please complete this sign-up sheet by September 17, and 2. Please print, complete, and return this waiver by September 21.

For more details, please click this link.

Middle School

Grade 6 Family Potluck Party September 14: Sixth-grade families are invited to attend the Potluck Party at Corson House, the home of Dr. William Hawkey and Karen Hawkey, on Friday, September 14, starting at 6:00 p.m. Please click here to view the invitation; questions can be directed to Michelle Meinhart atmichellecyrol@yahoo.com.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of this weekend's activities, please click here.

2017-18

June

June 1, 2018

June 1, 2018

General Information

Final Postings of the year: This will be the final issue of Pennington Postings for the 2017-18 school year. Congratulations to the Class of 2018, and have a wonderful summer!

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon June 8: Please show your support for the hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff by either donating cookies (click here) or volunteering your time to help with the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8.

Parent volunteers needed for exam week: Volunteers are needed to help serve treats to students following exams from Tuesday, June 5, through Thursday, June 7, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Parents for Pennington will provide the treats in the Student Center. Please click here to sign up.

HIP hosts still needed: The Pennington School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; instead, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. We hope that local parents will consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2018-19 school year! Full details of the program are available on the School website. If you have any questions, please contact Director of International Student Services Judy Rossi at 609-737-6147 or by email at jrossi@pennington.org.

Upper School

Exam Week schedule available: Please click here for the Upper School Exam Week schedule, Monday, June 4, through Friday, June 8.

Sign up for Global Summer Seminar now: Registration is now open for the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia's annual Summer Global Leadership Seminar, to be held July 9 through July 13 in Philadelphia. This year's topic is "Islam, Politics, and the Changing Middle East." The cost is $225, and scholarships are available. Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, students will explore the rise of political Islam and its impact on the Middle East region through role-plays, interactive workshops, and guest lectures. On Friday, students will travel to Washington, DC, for a full day of tours and meetings with foreign policy officials and diplomats. For more information, contact Dr. Sisserson or Eric Bumbaca, Associate Director of Student Programs at WACPHILA.

Middle School

MS exam schedule available: Please see the attached special schedule for Middle School Exams Monday, June 4, through Thursday, June 7.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

May

May 25, 2018

General Information

Spring Fling today: On Friday, May 25, we celebrate Spring Fling on campus from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be games, prizes, fundraisers, and entertainment as we prepare to finish the 2017-18 school year. The day will be an all-School free dress-down day with T-shirts provided for all students at no charge. We hope that students will remain on campus and take part in all the festivities!

The School's celebration of Holi, also known as the festival of colors, will take place on campus during Spring Fling to celebrate the arrival of spring.

The Pennington Project next week: For their Horizon project, nine seniors compiled stories from members of the School community about overcoming challenges and prepared a documentary theater performance. Performances of "The Pennington Project" will be held on Tuesday, May 29, at 11:30 a.m. and Thursday, May 31, at 1:00 p.m.in the Wesley Forum. For more information, please contact Ms. S. Houston at s uzanne.houston@pennington.org.

Tennis Round Robin in June: Kick off the end of the school year by joining us for the Scholarship Tennis Round Robin on Saturday, June 16, at 10:00 a.m. Prizes for first and second place will be awarded. All participants will be entered into a drawing for two U.S. Open tickets. To register, contact Jane Childrey at jane.childrey@pennington.org or 609-737-6144.

Indian cooking demonstration June 1: Come to 309 Hale Street, Pennington, on Friday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m. to learn how to make authentic Indian food to enjoy afterwards. For more information, please contact Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

End-of-year PfP General Meeting May 31: Come to the Silva Gallery of Art on Thursday, May 31, from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. and enjoy coffee and light breakfast fare while Parents for Pennington board members give a summary of this year's events and activities. It has been a fabulous and active year, and we are proud of what has been accomplished! We will discuss the Bash, go over financials, and vote on the new board members. To sign up click here.

Tennis, anyone? Please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com if you would like to join the Parents for Pennington Tennis Group for a friendly game of tennis on Wednesday or Thursday mornings after drop-off.

Host International Program information: The Pennington School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; instead, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. We hope that local parents will consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2018-19 school year! Full details of the program are available on the School website. If you have any questions, please contact Director of International Student Services Judy Rossi at 609-737-6147 or by email at jrossi@pennington.org.

Upper School

Exam Week schedule available: Please click here for the Upper School Exam Week schedule, Monday, June 4, through Friday, June 8.

Important schedule note for next Friday: On Friday, June 1, please note the day will begin at 8:00 a.m. with underclassmen graduation rehearsal.

Promenade this Saturday: Prom is tomorrow! And so is Promenade! Come and gather at The Pennington School on Saturday, May 26, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to send our students off to the Prom. Parents for Pennington will have a photographer available for candid photos of family and friends, as well as refreshments. Parents are welcome to stay and socialize after the buses depart at 5:15 p.m. Any parent wishing to help, please contact Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com.

Senior baby pictures sought by May 30 for slideshow: At the Senior/Parent Dinner following Baccalaureate, we have traditionally projected a slideshow of students' time at Pennington. This year, we seek digital photographs of the Class of 2018 in their early years to add to the slideshow. Those parents willing and able to send an image of their child as an infant or toddler in time for the Senior Dinner are encouraged to submit a .JPG or .PNG image to Senior Class Dean John Bouton by Tuesday, May 30. We'll do everything we're able to include it in the Senior Slideshow. Email the photo to jbouton@pennington.org. Thanks!

Senior Parents—Please read: For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Middle School

MS exam schedule available: Please see the attached special schedule for Middle School Exams Monday, June 4, through Thursday, June 7.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Summer storage available: We are pleased to announce that, beginning this year, The Pennington School will be partnering with All Campus Storage to provide summer storage and shipping services to all interested students. In the past, the School has provided limited summer storage in dormitory basements. However, because of rapidly increasing volume and fire code regulations, we are no longer able to offer storage. All Campus Storage provides a convenient replacement to the dorm basements and self-storage options that parents and students have used in the past.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website at www.dormroommovers.com/pennington or by clicking here.

May 18, 2018

General Information

All-School Barbecue tomorrow, rain or shine: The All-School Barbecue Saturday, May 19, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., will take place, rain or shine. If it is raining, the bands and bubble soccer will be moved to the gym.

Alumni Weekend is here: Alumni Weekend is Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19, with wonderful speakers, sporting activities, and Nina's Waffles and Ice Cream Truck! The games will take place rain or shine, so come out for all the fun! Parents are welcome. You can see the full schedule of events here: https://www.pennington.org/community/alumni/alumni....

Tennis Round Robin Saturday: We welcome everyone to sign up to participate in the Tennis Round Robin on Saturday morning, May 19, at 10 a.m. All participants will be put in a drawing to win two tickets to the US Open. Here is the link to register: https://www.pennington.org/community/alumni/alumni....

Indian festival of Holi May 20: All students and families are welcome to participate in Holi, also known as the festival of colors, on Sunday, May 20, at 1:30 p.m. on O'Hanlon Green to celebrate the arrival of spring. Come and enjoy this beautiful festival by throwing colored powder and water on your friends and family. Color packets, water soakers, music, and Indian snacks will be available. Please click here to register; questions can be directed to Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Ana Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com. Note: The colors do not wash out, so please dress accordingly. Free white T-shirts will be given to the first fifty students who register.

Spring Fling May 25: On Friday, May 25, we will celebrate Spring Fling on campus from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. We will have games, prizes, fundraisers, and entertainment as we prepare to finish the 2017‒18 school year. Friday will be an all-School free dress-down day with T-shirts provided for all students at no charge. We hope that students will remain on campus and take part in all of the festivities.

Promenade on Saturday, May 26, 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Prom is here! And so is Promenade! Come and gather at The Pennington School to send our students off to the Prom. Parents for Pennington will have a photographer there to take candid photos of family and friends. We will have refreshments available for all. Parents are welcome to stay and socialize after the buses depart at 5:00.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, June 8: Please show your support for the hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff by either donating cookies (click here) or volunteering your time to help with the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in helping with set-up, serving, and/or clean-up, please contact Michelle Meinhart at michellecyrol@yahoo.com.

Upper School

Attention Class of 2019 parents: Spencer Studios will be on campus Monday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 22, to take formal senior portraits of next year's seniors in Wesley Forum. Formal School dress should be worn; cap and gown will be provided. Wednesday, May 23, and Thursday, May 24, students can schedule a casual portrait to be taken outdoors around campus. Proofs will be mailed to your home over the summer. Questions can be directed to Mr. Ross or Ms. Arrieta. These photos are optional. Students will also have the opportunity to take portraits or for retakes in the fall.

Exam Week schedule available: Please see the attached special schedule for Upper School Exam Week, which will take place between Monday, June 4, and Friday, June 8.

Summer algebra opportunity: Your student has an opportunity to get back into the swing of Algebra after their exploration of a year of Geometry. Review concepts from Algebra I and get a head start on Algebra II. Enroll now for Getting Ready for Algebra II! Click here for more information and a link to enroll.

Summer reading skills seminar: Does your student want to sharpen his or her reading skills? Use the summer reading assignment or any literature read this summer to improve critical skills and get ready for the school year. Students will practice note-taking, annotating text, essay-writing skills, and reading critically. Click here for more information and a link to enroll.

Middle School

MS exam schedule available: Please see the attached special schedule for Middle School Exams Monday, June 4, through Thursday, June 7.

Algebra I summer opportunity: Keep the momentum going for your student! Make math fun! Your children will review concepts they already learned and get a head start on new ideas. Summer can be a long time without keeping up with mathematical concepts. Enroll now in Getting Ready for Algebra I. Click here for a link to enroll.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

May 11, 2018

General Information

Applied Science speaker today: Orthopedic surgeon Marc Lamb will be speaking as part of the Applied Science Speaker Series today, May 11, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. Dr. Lamb is an associate staff member of the Princeton Medical Center and serves as an orthopedic consultant to the Lawrenceville School.

Indian festival of Holi May 20: All students and families are welcome to participate in Holi, also known as the festival of colors, on Sunday, May 20, at 1:30 p.m. on O'Hanlon Green to celebrate the arrival of spring. Come and enjoy this beautiful festival by throwing colored powder and water on your friends and family. Color packets, water soakers, music, and Indian snacks will be available. Please click here to register; questions can be directed to Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Ana Shah at amfshah@yahoo.com. Note: The colors do not wash out, so please dress accordingly. Free white T-shirts will be given to the first fifty students who register.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon June 8: Please show your support for the hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff by either donating cookies or volunteering your time to help for the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, June 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Click here to donate cookies. If you are interested in helping with set-up, serving, and/or clean-up, please contact Michelle Meinhart at michellecyrol@yahoo.com.

Upper School

Exam Week schedule available: Please see the attached special schedule for Upper School Exam Week, which will take place between Monday, June 4, and Friday, June 8.

Prom payment due today: The Pennington School will host its prom at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Juniors, seniors, and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the Constitution Center from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.;please be prompt. Students received a link to reserve tickets. Tickets are $125 per person, and payment is due immediately. Parents should use Veracross for payment. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the dean of students.

Dress down day for freshmen today! The freshman class will enjoy a FREE dress-down day today, May 11! Thank you to the winner of this prize from the Red and Black Bash and for the generous support of Parents for Pennington!

More time for Chorus next year: The Arts Department is pleased to announce that in the fall of 2018, Upper School Chorus will be afforded more time as an after-school activity. Our aim is to provide the best student experience possible. Chorus will be offered during the fall season and spring season with a break during the winter season, as the winter choral opportunity is the Upper School Musical. Students may participate in both the fall and spring seasons, or choose one season only. Chorus members will receive two (2) activity credits for each season in which they participate. This change in Chorus will not have an impact on the Pennington Singers program, which will continue to meet on Sunday evenings, year-round, for those who are selected to this group. Those who participate in Chorus during the season will have the opportunity to perform in events such as our concerts, Lesson and Carols service, School functions, and Commencement activities. Additionally, the increased rehearsal time will allow for sectionals and many new special opportunities for the Chorus. If you have any questions, please email Dolores Eaton, chair of the Arts Department, at deaton@pennington.org.

Senior Parents—Please read: A friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior/Parent Dinner that will be held on Friday, June 1, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and faculty. Siblings who are current students or alumni of Pennington are also invited. Because of limited seating under the tent, we regret that we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is a $40 charge per extra guest. To register, click here. For additional tickets, please click here or contact Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or tlambdin@pennington.org.

Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, on the lawn of Old Main, and a light luncheon for seniors and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. Additional graduation invitations are available for pick-up at Mrs. Iorio's office. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, will be removed.

If you are in need of additional graduation announcements to send to family and friends, please contact Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, or ask your student to pick them up.

For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Middle School

MS exam schedule available: Please see the attached special schedule for Middle School Exams Monday, June 4, through Thursday, June 7.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website here.

May 4, 2018

General Information

Tesla String Quartet performing tonight: The awardwinning Tesla String Quartet will hold a performance for the public tonight, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. Please click here for more information on the Quartet.

Please complete parent survey: Please complete the strategic planning survey by clicking here. We need your input, and all responses are completely anonymous. If you have already taken the survey, we appreciate your quick response!

Upper School

Prom payment due immediately: The Pennington School will host its prom at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, May 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Juniors, seniors, and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the Constitution Center from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.; please be prompt.

Students received a link to reserve tickets. Tickets are $125 per person and payment is due immediately. Please make checks payable to The Pennington School and drop off to the Dean of Students Office. If you would like to mail your payment,please send it to the attention of Maureen Iorio.

If your child is bringing a guest from another school, he or she must complete a Prom Guest Permission Form, available in the Dean of Students Office. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the dean of students.

More time for Chorus next year: The Arts Department is pleased to announce that in the fall of 2018, Upper School Chorus will be afforded more time as an after-school activity. Our aim is to provide the best student experience possible. Chorus will be offered during the fall season and spring season with a break during the winter season, as the winter choral opportunity is the Upper School Musical. Students may participate in both the fall and spring seasons, or choose one season only. Chorus members will receive two (2) activity credits for each season in which they participate. This change in Chorus will not have an impact on the Pennington Singers program, which will continue to meet on Sunday evenings, year-round, for those that are selected to this group. Those who participate in Chorus during the season will have the opportunity to perform in events such as our concerts, lesson and carols, school functions, and Commencement activities. Additionally, the increased rehearsal time will allow for sectionals and many new special opportunities for the chorus. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dolores Eaton, Chair of the Arts Department, at deaton@pennington.org.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website here.

April

April 27, 2018

General Information

Help support Girls' Lacrosse by this Sunday: The Pennington Girls' Lacrosse team is selling very warm and cozy sherpa pullovers to benefit the team. All orders must be placed by Sunday, April 29. To order, please click here; ask any girls' lacrosse player or coach to help you figure out what size may be right for you. All shipments will be sent to Coach Wendy Morris, who will distribute the pullovers.

Tesla String Quartet coming to Pennington in May: The award-winning Tesla String Quartet will be the ensemble-in-residence at Pennington Tuesday, May 1, through Friday, May 4. Events include many performances and classroom discussions with students throughout the week, and a performance for the public on Friday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. Please click here for more information on the Quartet.

Faculty Appreciation Luncheon June 8: Please show your support for the hardworking and dedicated faculty by either donating cookies or volunteering your time to help for the Faculty Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, June 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Click here to donate cookies. If you are interested in helping with set-up, serving, and/or clean-up, please contact Michelle Meinhart at michellecyrol@yahoo.com.

Upper School

Sophomore Class Retreat Sunday! Students will depart on Sunday, April 29. We ask that students be dropped off no later than 7:15 a.m. at the Campus Center, where we will have breakfast provided prior to our departure. We plan to return to campus on Monday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m. Students will miss all of their classes on Monday but will return in time for their after-school activities. Students not participating in the retreat are expected to attend classes on Monday.

As a reminder, there is no cost for participation, and chaperones will be in attendance for the duration of the excursion. High ropes courses, a night hike, and a sophomore class talent show are just some of the activities that we have planned. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students. Click here for a packing list.

Upper School Parent Coffee May 3: Please join us for an informative morning with Scott Doughty, director of college guidance, in the Silva Gallery of Art on Thursday, May 3, at 8:15 a.m. Mr. Doughty will share his background and his group's role on campus. He will also provide insight into the testing requirements (SAT vs. ACT, SAT Subject Tests, the meaning of "test optional," and more); application options (Early Decision vs. Restrictive Early Action vs. Early Action and Regular Decision); and the relationship between the student and counselor. Time will be allowed for parents to ask questions. Click here if you plan to attend.

There's still time for submissions! The Stephen Crane Writing Competition is still accepting submissions! There are three categories in the competition--poetry, short stories (original fiction of 5-7 pages), and personal essays (works designed to inform or entertain the reader, express an opinion, or relate an important experience or event that served to change the author). It is open to all Upper School students and is judged by members of the English Department and the advisor to the literary magazine. Students may submit only one work in any category, but may submit works in more than one category. Works may have been submitted previously for a class assignment, the literary magazine, or other purpose. Submissions should be free from errors in grammar and punctuation. Poems should be sent to poetry@pennington.org, short stories to shortstory@pennington.org, and essays to essay@pennington.org. Submissions will be accepted until Monday, April 30. Any questions can be directed to Blair Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org or to any member of the English Department.

Only a few spots left for Global Gateway Weekend: Global Gateway Weekend, Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, only has a few spots left; ALL Upper School students are invited for this unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a cross-cultural experience that's unlike any other.

Would you like your student to have a better understanding of the impacts of world poverty, and the efforts around the world to eradicate it?
Are you the parent of a freshman who is considering applying for the Global Studies program as a sophomore?
Is your son or daughter curious about cultures and lifestyles that are vastly different from his or her own?

Located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, the Heifer Global Village is a camp comprised of replica homesteads from around the world, with authentic features like outdoor water pumps, animal pens, dirt floors, thatched roofs, communal cookfires. These homes represent lifestyles in areas around the globe where Heifer International works to eradicate hunger and poverty. The Global Gateway Weekend is designed to help participants delve into the causes and effects of these global issues. In this unique role-playing simulation, students will become "citizens" of a particular house for the evening and must work together to prepare their own meals, keep their houses, care for their animals and crops, and spend the night in their homestead. The cost is $50 per student; please sign up here by Monday, April 30. A packing list will be provided.

Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, on the lawn of Old Main, and a light luncheon for seniors and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. Additional graduation invitations are available for pick-up at Mrs. Iorio's office. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 will be removed.

Graduation announcements are available in the Dean of Students Office, and caps and gowns have been delivered to the Campus Store. Remind your senior to pick up these items before they leave for the Horizon program.

For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Summer storage available: We are pleased to announce that, beginning this year, The Pennington School will be partnering with All Campus Storage to provide summer storage and shipping services to all interested students. In the past, the School has provided limited summer storage in dormitory basements. However, because of rapidly increasing volume and fire code regulations, we are no longer able to offer storage. All Campus Storage provides a convenient replacement to the dorm basements and self-storage options that parents and students have used in the past.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration
Door-to-door pick-up and delivery
Each item insured against damage or loss
Free packing materials available on campus
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website here.

April 20, 2018

General Information

Spring Concert this Sunday! The Music program is delighted to present this year's Spring Concert on Sunday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Come hear the Upper School Orchestra, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Pennington Singers. It's a fun evening with a lot of great music and a reception to follow on the Plaza.

NASA Astronaut, TV actor speaking next Thursday: The Applied Science Speaker Series is welcoming NASA astronaut, Columbia professor, and Big Bang Theory actor Dr. Michael Massimino on Thursday, April 26, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in Wesley Forum. Because this is expected to be a very popular Applied Science talk, participants will need to register to attend. Please register your name by clicking here. Seating is limited; if you are interested, please be sure to register ASAP!

Tesla String Quartet coming to Pennington in May: The award-winning Tesla String Quartet will be the ensemble-in-residence at Pennington Tuesday, May 1, through Friday, May 4. Events include many performances and classroom discussions with students throughout the week, and a performance for the public on Friday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. Please click here to read an article on our website about the event.

Upper School

Kindly RSVP for Sophomore Class Retreat: We are pleased to announce that we were able to reschedule our Sophomore Class Retreat for later this month. All students will depart on Sunday, April 29, at 8:00 a.m. We ask that students be dropped off no later than 7:15 a.m.at the Campus Center, where we will have breakfast provided prior to our departure. We plan to return to campus on Monday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m. Students will miss all of their classes on Monday but will return in time for their after-school activities. Students not participating in the retreat are expected to attend classes on Monday.

We ask that you please confirm your child's participation in this Sophomore Retreat by clicking here. More information about the retreat, including a packing list, will be sent closer to the event. A reminder: There is no cost for participation, and chaperones will be in attendance for the duration of the excursion. High ropes courses, a night hike, and a sophomore class talent show are just some of the activities that we have planned. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students.

Stephen Crane Writing Contest: The Pennington School's Annual Stephen Crane Writing Contest is now under way. From now until Monday, April 30, the English Department will be accepting short stories, poems, and personal essays (dealing with a personal response to an experience, NOT academic in nature) for consideration. Only one entry per category per entrant may be submitted. You may use works previously submitted for class or the literary magazine. Poems should be emailed to poetry@pennington.org; short stories to shortstory@pennington.org; and essays to essay@pennington.org. For further details, students may see Mr. Thompson or their English teacher.

Juniors and seniors are invited to prom! The Pennington School will host its prom at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, May 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the Constitution Center from The Pennington School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.; please be prompt.

Parents for Pennington will host Promenade from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Campus Center Plaza. A photographer will be present to take candid photos. Students received a link to reserve tickets. Tickets are $125 per person, and payment is due immediately. Payment will be accepted through Veracross.

If your child is bringing a guest from another school, he or she must complete a Prom Guest Permission Form, available in the Dean of Students Office. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the dean.

Habitat for Humanity seeking team members: Habitat for Humanity is seeking young adults ages sixteen to twenty-one for their Learn and Build Global Village trip in Bangalore, India, June 28 through July 8. Team members will help with all aspects of building homes for local families, and will spend evenings exploring local cultural sites, attending lectures about systemic barriers to economic prosperity around the world, and learning about local history, architecture, Mehandhi and Rangoli art, and Bangalore's growing social scene. Volunteers will be housed in a hotel near the build site. If your student is interested in this opportunity, please click here to visit the School website and learn more.

University of Illinois Center for Global Studies summer course: Each summer, the University of Illinois Center for Global Studies invites high school students and recent graduates to join them for a special one-week summer course in Sustainable Futures, Global Health, or International Law and Social Justice. These courses are designed to provide an interdisciplinary foundation in global studies and are taught by University of Illinois faculty. In addition to attending class, students will meet with academic advisors to discuss their college plans and will live in dorms and enjoy a full roster of social activities designed to introduce them to life on a college campus. Students will receive a Center for Global Studies Global Leadership Certificate at the conclusion of their week. Program dates are July 15 through July 20; learn more here! Application deadline is Tuesday, May 15.

Global Studies opportunity in May: Pennington's Global Studies students are invited to a special weekend Global Gateway event Saturday, May 19, through Sunday, May 20. All Global Studies students are invited; this event meets the Global Experience requirement. Located in Sharpsburg, MD, the Heifer Global Village is a camp composed of replica homesteads from around the world, with authentic features like outdoor water pumps, animal pens, dirt floors, thatched roofs, and communal cookfires. For more information, visit the School website. The cost is $50 per student; sign up here by Monday, April 30, and contact Dr. Sisserson at Kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with questions.

Senior Parents—Please read: A friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior/Parent Dinner that will be held on Friday, June 1, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and faculty. Siblings who are current students or alumni of Pennington are also invited. Because of limited seating under the tent, we regret we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is a $40 charge per extra guest. To register, click here. For additional tickets, please click here or contact Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or tlambdin@pennington.org.

Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, on the lawn of Old Main, and a light luncheon for seniors and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. Additional graduation invitations are available for pick-up at Mrs. Iorio's office. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, will be removed.

For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Parents/Guardians of graduating international students: Please encourage your children to see Mrs. Judy Rossi, director of international student services, to discuss the transfer of their I-20 to the college they will attend in the fall. Your children should have received a form from the college about the transfer. If you have questions regarding this process, please contact Judy Rossi.

Summer storage information update: We are pleased to announce that, beginning this year, The Pennington School will be partnering with All Campus Storage to provide summer storage and shipping services to all interested students. In the past, the School has provided limited summer storage in dormitory basements. However, because of rapidly increasing volume and fire code regulations, we are no longer able to offer storage. All Campus Storage provides a convenient replacement to the dorm basements and self-storage options that parents and students have used in the past.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration

Door-to-door pick-up and delivery

Each item insured against damage or loss

Free packing materials available on campus

24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website here.

April 13, 2018

General Information

Grandparents Day is next week! We want to remind parents that Grandparents Day at Pennington is next Thursday, April 19! Grandparents Day is an annual tradition when grandparents experience a typical day at The Pennington School. Questions may be directed to Wendy Ward by phone at 609-737-6121 or by email at wendy.ward@pennington.org. For a schedule or to register, please click here.

Mini-THON food donations needed by tomorrow: The Class of 2019 is hosting its second annual 4-Diamonds Mini-THON this Saturday, April 14, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. Those interested in donating food or drinks can sign up by clicking here. Parents are also welcome to donate money, which will allow us to purchase food and other items for the event. Online donations can also be made directly to 4-Diamonds through your child's Donor Drive page or by clicking here. Thank you so much for your support.

Upper School

Kindly RSVP for Sophomore Class Retreat: We are pleased to announce that we were able to reschedule our Sophomore Class Retreat for later this month. All students will depart on Sunday, April 29, at 8:00 a.m. We ask that students be dropped off no later than 7:15 a.m. at the Campus Center, where we will have breakfast provided prior to our departure. We plan to return to campus on Monday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m. Students will miss all of their classes on Monday but will return in time for their after-school activities. Students not participating in the retreat are expected to attend classes on Monday.

We ask that you please confirm your child's participation in this Sophomore Retreat by clicking here. More information about the retreat, including a packing list, will be sent as we get closer to the event. As a reminder, there is no cost for participation, and chaperones will be in attendance for the duration of the excursion. High ropes courses, a night hike, and a sophomore class talent show are just some of the activities that we have planned. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students.

Global Studies opportunity in May: Pennington's Global Studies students are invited to a special weekend Gateway event Saturday, May 19, through Sunday, May 20. All Global Studies students are invited' this event meets the Global Experience requirement. Located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, the Heifer Global Village is a camp comprised of replica homesteads from around the world, with authentic features like outdoor water pumps, animal pens, dirt floors, thatched roofs, and communal cookfires. For more information, visit our website. The cost is $50 per student; sign up here by Monday, April 30, and contact Dr. Sisserson at Kendra.sisseron@pennington.org with questions.

Senior Parents—Please read: A friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior/Parent Dinner that will be held on Friday, June 1, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening, under the tent on O'Hanlon Lawn, is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and faculty. Siblings who are current students or alumni of Pennington are also invited. Because of limited seating under the tent, we regret we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is a $40 charge per extra guest. To register, click here. For additional tickets, please click here or contact Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or tlambdin@pennington.org.

Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, on the lawn of Old Main, and a light luncheon for seniors and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony. No tickets are necessary for Commencement as there is open seating. Additional graduation invitations are available for pick-up at Mrs. Iorio's office. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 will be removed.

For a complete listing of end-of-year events please click here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are welcome to join us for laser tag and bowling on Saturday!

Parents/Guardians of graduating international students: Please encourage your children to see Mrs. Judy Rossi, Director of International Student Services, to discuss the transfer of their I-20 to the college they will attend in the fall. Your children should have received a form from the college about the transfer. If you have questions regarding this process, please contact Judy Rossi.

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration

Door-to-door pick-up and delivery

Each item insured against damage or loss

Free packing materials available on campus

24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website here.

April 6, 2018

General Information

Pennington School Parent Survey today: The Pennington School values your input about the direction of the School. On the morning of Friday, April 6, an email will be sent to parents along with links to an important survey. We appreciate your views and your perspective and want to hear from you. This is similar to a survey your child will take next week during advisory.

If you did not receive the email but would like to participate in the survey, please contact Rob McClellan, Director of Donor and Volunteer Relations, at rmcclellan@pennington.org or by phone at 609-737-6126. Thank you for taking the time to give us your input.

Maker Faire this Sunday! On Sunday, April 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., The Pennington School is hosting the area's inaugural Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire. Many of the exhibits will have hands-on activities for adults and children. Play in a virtual world, program a social robot, design a Chaos machine, draw with a 3D pen, make a catapult and an LED card, and more! University of Pennsylvania engineers and Princeton Makers will be exhibiting alongside Pennington students, inventors, and children's STEM organizations. The event is FREE, but a ticket is required; get your ticket today by clicking here.

Applied Science speaker today: On Friday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Software Engineer Ben Leib will be delivering a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. Leib is a staff software engineer at Twitter; this is a required event for Applied Science students, and all others are welcome.

Jonathan Mooney presentation Monday: The Pennington School, in partnership with Cambridge School, is proud to host Jonathan Mooney to speak on Monday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Cambridge School. Please join us as he discusses his life as a writer and learning activist. Mooney is a dyslexic writer, speaker, and do-gooder who did not learn to read until he was twelve years old. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are free, but you must register by clicking here.

Grandparents Day coming soon! We want to remind parents to invite their children's grandparents to join their grandchildren at Pennington on Thursday, April 19! Grandparents Day is an annual tradition when grandparents experience a typical day at The Pennington School. Please ask grandparents to register by Thursday, April 12. They may contact Wendy Ward by phone at 609-737-6121 or by email at wendy.ward@pennington.org. For a schedule or to register, please click here.

Update to Veracross Parent Portal: An update has been added to the Parent Portal granting access to the Behavior Detail Report. You can view this report under the "Links" tab in Veracross. For a complete description of the School's conduct expectations and consequences please refer to the page 25 "Discipline and Conduct" in the Student/Parent Handbook.

Questions regarding Upper School behavior reports should be directed to Chad Bridges, Assistant Headmaster for Community Life and Dean of Students, and questions regarding Middle School behavior reports should be directed to Lisa Houston, Middle School Dean of Students, not the faculty member issuing the infraction.

A notice from the Health Center: According to N.J.S.A. 18A: 40-41.10, schools must distribute the Opioid Use and Misuse Educational Fact Sheet to all students and parents and obtain a signed acknowledgment. Please view the fact sheet in Magnus and sign the acknowledgment electronically. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Karen Rossi, APN, at krossi@pennington.org or call 609-737-6114.

Junior Class accepting Bird Feeder donations: The Class of 2019 will soon be taking over Pennington's mobile concession stand, the Bird Feeder! We will open for business for the first time on Sunday, April 8, during the Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire. At a recent class meeting, we encouraged juniors to bring in a case of soda, sports drink, juice, or water to begin selling that day, and to build an inventory to sell at future events this spring and next fall. We will also accept nonperishable food items, such as chips and candy. Donations can be delivered to the World Languages office (Yen 301) April 3 through April 6 (no sign-up necessary). Contact Class Dean Jerry Russo with questions at jrusso@pennington.org. Thank you so much for your support.

Mini-THON food donations requested: The Class of 2019 is hosting its second annual 4-Diamonds Mini-THON on Saturday, April 14, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. Those interested in donating food or drinks can sign up by clicking here. Parents are also welcome to donate money, which will allow us to purchase food and other items for the event. Nonperishable food items can be delivered to the World Languages office (Yen 301) during the week of April 9 through April 13. Those who sign up to bring a perishable item will be contacted directly by Class Dean Jerry Russo. Online donations can also be made directly to 4-Diamonds through your child's Donor Drive page or by clicking here. Thank you so much for your support.

Upper School

Sophomore Class Retreat has a new date: We are pleased to announce that we were able to reschedule our Sophomore Class Retreat for later this month. All students will depart on Sunday, April 29, at 8:00 a.m. We ask that students be dropped off no later than 7:15 a.m. at the Campus Center, where we will have breakfast provided prior to our departure. We plan to return to campus on Monday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m. Students will miss all of their classes on Monday but will return in time for their after-school activities. Students not participating in the retreat are expected to attend classes on Monday.

We ask that you please confirm your child's participation in this Sophomore Retreat by clicking here. More information about the retreat, including a packing list, will be sent as we get closer to the event. As a reminder, there is no cost for participation, and chaperones will be in attendance for the duration of the excursion. High ropes courses, a night hike, and a sophomore class talent show are just some of the activities that we have planned. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students.

Senior parents – last call for yearbook ads: The yearbook staff has been working diligently on the 2018 edition of the Penseman, which will be distributed in June. Over the years, parents have taken the opportunity to buy an advertisement in the yearbook, either for their business, to honor their Pennington student, or to honor the graduating class. The proceeds from these ads help cover the portion of production costs not covered by the School's subsidy. Please click here for more information, and click here to review an ad contract with options listed. Ads should be submitted to pensemanads@pennington.org immediately to make it into the yearbook. Questions can be directed to Yearbook Advisor Mr. Ross at the same email address.

Stephen Crane Writing Contest: The Pennington School's Annual Stephen Crane Writing Contest is now under way. From now until Monday, April 30, the English Department will be accepting short stories, poems, and personal essays (dealing with a personal response to an experience, NOT academic in nature) for consideration. Only one entry per category per entrant may be submitted. You may use works previously submitted for class or the literary magazine. Poems should be emailed topoetry@pennington.org; short stories to shortstory@pennington.org; and essays to essay@pennington.org. For further details, your student may see Mr. Thompson or his or her English teacher.

Summer Programs—Public Speaking Update: Summer Public Speaking is open to current freshmen and sophomores who have yet to take Public Speaking. Public Speakingis required to graduate, and students can take it this summer while earning credit! The week-long class is available several times throughout the summer. Due to high demand, another session has been added to the week of June 25, and there are still a few spaces open for that week. The week of July 9 is full, and there is limited space for the week of July 16. Click here for dates and more information.

Summer College Guidance Seminar--space still available! Current sophomores--get a head start on the college application process! Learn about the common application, begin writing your essay, and even visit colleges during the Summer College Guidance Seminar. This week-long class takes the place of the once-per-week College Counseling class that meets during the spring of junior year. Don't miss this chance to get started on applying to college and free up your schedule! There are limited spaces left, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Attention high school art students: Would you like to begin assembling an art portfolio for college, impressing your art teacher with five finished pieces of artwork at the start of the school year? Sign up for Portfolio Bootcamp over the summer! Click here for dates and more information.

Middle School

Registration is open for Middle School camps! Camps for Middle School students begin on June 25 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here to check out the choices.

Boarding

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration

Door-to-door pick-up and delivery

Each item insured against damage or loss

Free packing materials available on campus

24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website here.

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Day students are welcome to join us for the Jeopardy Game Show in the Campus Center on Friday night and for the Maker Faire on Sunday!

Parents for Pennington

PfP positions available: The Parents for Pennington Executive Board has two positions available for the 2018-19 school year. Each position is a two-year term, and monthly meetings must be attended. Assistance at board events and activities is expected of all board members, as well. Available positions are:

Recording Secretary: The Recording Secretary will keep minutes of meetings, general and special, of the Association and of the Executive Board, and prepare a transcript of the meeting minutes within thirty days of the meeting. The Secretary will also distribute the minutes to each member of the Executive Board, and minutes should be available upon request by members of the Association and available for review at the next general meeting.

Boarding Representative: The Boarding Representative will serve as liaison between Parents for Pennington and the appropriate School administrator. The Representative shall communicate needs within the School and provide opportunities for activities, events, and programs consistent with the purposes of Parents for Pennington.

If interested, please contact Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com.

March

March 30, 2018

General Information

Maker Faire next Sunday! The Pennington School is hosting the area's first Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire on Sunday, April 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for makers, engineers, artists, and inventors to share their work with the surrounding community. Visit the Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire website for more information. Tickets for this event are free; get them here. Contact Sue Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org with questions.

Update to Veracross Parent Portal: An update has been added to the Parent Portal granting access to the Behavior Detail Report. You can view this report under the "Links" tab in Veracross. For a complete description of the School's conduct expectations and consequences please refer to the page 25 "Discipline and Conduct" in the Student/Parent Handbook.

Questions regarding Upper School behavior reports should be directed to Chad Bridges, Assistant Headmaster for Community Life, Dean of Students and questions regarding Middle School behavior reports should be directed to Lisa Houston, Middle School Dean of Students, not the faculty member issuing the infraction.

Access road safety concern: Reminder to parents dropping students off in the morning--please do not use the access road behind Stainton Hall to drop off your child. Stopping along the access road or in the turf parking lot is a safety concern. Please pull in the main entrance and follow Security's direction. Thank you!

Applied Science speaker next week: On Friday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Software Engineer Ben Leib will be delivering a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Program. Leib is a staff software engineer at Twitter; this is a required Applied Science event, and all others are welcome.

Jonathan Mooney presentation April 9: The Pennington School, in partnership with Cambridge School, is proud to host Jonathan Mooney to speak on Monday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Cambridge School. Please join us as he discusses his life as a writer and learning activist. Mooney is a dyslexic writer, speaker, and do-gooder who did not learn to read until he was twelve-years-old. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are free but you must register by clicking here.

Junior Class accepting Bird Feeder donations: The Class of 2019 will soon be taking over Pennington's mobile concession stand, the Bird Feeder! We will open for business for the first time on Sunday, April 8, during the Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire. At a recent class meeting, we encouraged juniors to bring in a case of soda, sports drink, juice, or water to begin selling that day, and to build an inventory to sell at future events this spring and next fall. We will also accept non-perishable food items, such as chips and candy. Donations can be delivered to the World Languages office (Yen 301) April 3 through April 6 (no sign-up necessary). Contact Class Dean, Jerry Russo with questions at jrusso@pennington.org. Thank you so much for your support.

Mini-THON food donations requested: The Class of 2019 is hosting its second annual 4-Diamonds Mini-THON on Saturday, April 14, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. Those interested in donating food or drinks can sign up by clicking here. Parents are also welcome to donate money, which will allow us to purchase food and other items for the event. Non-perishable food items can be delivered to the World Languages office (Yen 301) during the week of April 9 through April 13. Those who sign up to bring a perishable item will be contacted directly by Class Dean, Jerry Russo. Online donations can also be made directly to 4-Diamonds through your child's Donor Drive page or by clicking here. Thank you so much for your support.

Upper School

Congratulations Class of 2018 Parents! Please click here for important information from Chad Bridges, Assistant Headmaster for Community Life, regarding important information as we approach the end of the year! A page for senior parents information has been set up on the website; visit this page by clicking here.

Summer Programs—Public Speaking Update: Summer Public Speaking is open to current freshman and sophomores who have yet to take Public Speaking. Public Speaking is required to graduate and you can take it this summer while earning credit! The week-long class is available several times throughout the summer. Due to high demand, another session has been added to the week of June 25 and there are still a few spaces open for that week. The week of July 9 is full and there is limited space for the week of July 16. Click here for dates and more information.

College Guidance--space still available! Current Sophomores--get a head start on the College Application Process! Learn about the common application, begin writing your essay, and even visit colleges during the Summer College Guidance Seminar. This week-long class takes the place of the once per week College Counseling Class that meets during the spring of junior year. Don't miss this chance to get started on applying to college and free up your schedule! There are limited spaces left, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Middle School

Food donations needed for Mini Mini-THON: Mini Mini-THON is an event hosted at The Pennington School by the Junior Class for the middle-schoolers. The event raises money for pediatric cancer through an organization called Four Diamonds. The event will take place Friday, April 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Click here to donate food and water.

Boarding

Service Features for Storage and Shipping

Online registration

Door-to-door pick-up and delivery

Each item insured against damage or loss

Free packing materials available on campus

24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up, please contact All Campus Storage directly at 888-769-3676 or visit their website here.

March 9, 2018

General Information

Final reminder: Family conferences with advisors are scheduled for this evening for all students in grades 6-11 (grade 12 conferences are optional). You can check or download your schedule in Veracross.

Student exhibition and celebration in Silva Gallery: Seniors with a focus and passion in the visual arts will celebrated on Friday March 9, in the Silva Gallery between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Stop by to congratulate our visual artists with a final exhibition of their work. Click here for more information, including a list of the students participating in the show.

A notice from the Health Center: According to N.J.S.A. 18A: 40-41.10, schools must distribute the Opioid Use and Misuse Educational Fact Sheet to all students and parents and obtain a signed acknowledgment. Please view the fact sheet in Magnus and sign the acknowledgment electronically. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Karen Rossi, APN, at krossi@pennington.org or call 609-737-6114.

Health History Updates due now! If your child will be participating in a spring activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to December 19, 2017, the State of New Jersey requires you to complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. You can complete this requirement in your Magnus account, or students can hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main. Updates must be received prior to a student's participation at the start of the season. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi by email krossi@pennington.org or by phone at 609-737-6114.

*If your physical EXPIRES before Monday, March 5, you will need to turn in a new physical prior to participating. You can check your child's last physical date on Magnus or by contacting the Health Center.

The Media Lab is Open! Is your child planning a video for an assignment or class project? The Media Lab in the lower level of the Campus Center is available to help make a more professional video. The lab consists of an editing room complete with Final Cut Pro and the Adobe Creative Suite (including Lightroom and Photoshop for photographers). There is also a 500 square foot studio that is suitable for video production, voice-overs, photography, and small performances. The lab is open weekdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and other hours by arrangement.

Save the Date for our Mini Maker Faire! The Pennington School is hosting the MercerBucks Mini Maker Faire on Sunday, April 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects. There will be many hands-on activities for adults, teens, and children. Learn more by visiting the website here.

Meet Jonathan Mooney on April 9: Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic writer, speaker, and do-gooder who did not learn to read until he was twelve years old. Mooney graduated from Brown University with an honors degree in English. A recipient of the Truman Fellowship for graduate study in creative writing and disability studies, he is the author of "The Short Bus" and co-author of "Learning Outside the Lines." A dynamic and engaging speaker, Mooney will inspire you with his insight about learning disabilities. You can read more about him on his website.

The Pennington School is co-hosting this event with Cambridge School; please join us on Monday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at 100 Straube Center Boulevard (near the Pennington post office). Tickets are free but are required to attend. Click here to register.

Mini-THON for cancer awareness in April: All students are welcome to join the junior class in battling childhood cancer as they host the second annual 4-Diamonds Mini-THON, and the first ever Mini-Mini-THON for Middle-Schoolers.

The Upper School Mini-THON will take place Saturday, April 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The cost to attend is $25. The Middle School Mini-Mini-THON will take place Friday, April 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Both events will take place in the gym; registration fees should be paid in cash or by check, payable to The Pennington School, and turned in to Mr. Russo or Sydney Gibbard '19. Everyone who signs up for either event by March 16 will be guaranteed a free Mini-THON T-shirt. Help make a difference in the lives of thousands. Students can register now by clicking here.

Upper School

College Admissions Panel April 16: On Monday, April 16, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., a College Admissions Panel will be held for students and parents in grades 9 through 11. The panel discussion will include professionals from various colleges and universities, including:

Tierney Gallagher, Assistant Director of Admissions at Lehigh University
Kate R. Jacobson, Associate Dean of Admission at Franklin & Marshall College
Ryan M. Jannos, Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Villanova University
Gregory Moyer, Director of Admissions Recruitment at Dickinson College
Mark Swenson, Admissions Counselor at University of Wisconsin-Madison

The event will take place in the Wesley Forum. Kindly RSVP to Sharon Carbelli at Sharon.carabelli@pennington.org or 609-737-6130 by Thursday, April 12.

Parents of juniors—food donations needed: As you know, the Class of 2019 is hosting its second annual 4-Diamonds Mini-THON on Saturday, April 14, to support the fight against pediatric cancer. We thank you for the generosity you showed last year in donating refreshments to our highly successful event. This year, once again, we welcome donations of food and drink; you may offer to provide the item itself or donate cash for the purpose of purchasing it. An online form listing our needs more specifically will soon be available on your child's Class of 2019 Schoology page. We expect it to include items like pizza, chicken wings, sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, dessert, soft drinks and bottled water. In the meantime, those interested in helping in this way can contact Class Dean, Jerry Russo at jrusso@pennington.org. The juniors thank you in advance for your continued support of this and all class activities!

Senior parents – do you want to purchase a yearbook ad? The yearbook staff has been working diligently on the 2018 edition of the Penseman, which will be distributed in June. Over the years, parents have taken the opportunity to buy an advertisement in the yearbook, either for their business, to honor their Pennington student, or to honor the graduating class. The proceeds from these ads help cover the portion of production costs not covered by the School's subsidy. Please click here for more information, and click here to review an ad contract with options listed. Ads should be submitted to pensemanads@pennington.org no later than Tuesday, March 20. Questions can be directed to Yearbook Advisor Mr. Ross at the same email.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

March 2, 2018

General Information

Seussical the Musical ends tomorrow: Pennington School Drama will present its winter musical, Seussical the Musical, tonight, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow, March 3, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. The show is sold out but some tickets may become available on a waiting list. If you are want to join the waiting list, email tickets@pennington.org and include the performance date and time, as well as how many seats you need. We hope to see you there!

Parent/Advisor/Advisee Conferences next week: Advisory conferences will be held on Friday, March 9, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Please see the attached letter for important details about what to expect in these meetings, and about how to sign up for a time slot with your child's advisor.

Health History Update needed! If your child will be participating in a spring activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to December 19, 2017, the State of New Jersey requires you to complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. You can complete this requirement in your Magnus account, or students can hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main. Updates must be received prior to a student's participation at the start of the season. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi by email krossi@pennington.org or by phone at 609-737-6114.

Save the Date for our Mini Maker Faire! The Pennington School is hosting the MercerBucks Mini Maker Faire on Sunday, April 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects. There will be many hands-on activities for adults, teens, and children. Learn more by visiting the website here: https://mercerbucks.makerfaire.com/

Meet Jonathan Mooney on April 9: Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic writer, speaker, and do-gooder who did not lean to read until he was twelve years old. Mooney graduated from Brown University with an honors degree in English. A recipient of the Truman Fellowship for graduate study in creative writing and disability studies, he is the author of "The Short Bus" and co-author of "Learning Outside the Lines." A dynamic and engaging speaker, Mooney will inspire you with his insight about learning disabilities. You can read more about him on his website: https://www.jonathanmooney.com/.

The Pennington School is co-hosting this event with Cambridge School; please join us on April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at 100 Straube Center Boulevard (near the Pennington post office).

Mini-THON for cancer awareness in April: Every day, forty-three children are diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, twelve percent of all pediatric cancer patients do not survive. Join the junior class in battling childhood cancer as they host the second annual 4-Diamonds Mini-THON, and the first ever Mini-Mini-THON for Middle-Schoolers.

Upper School

Middle School

Faculty to go back to school: This past week marks the beginning of a fourteen-week program for four Middle School faculty members. Bernie Gurick, Jamie Moore, Ronnie Vesnaver, and Lisa Fitzpatrick are taking part in Harvard's Graduate School of Education program "Teach for Understanding (TfU): Educating for the Unknown." They will go through this program with thirty-six other educators from around the world. These teachers will work and study together and will work collaboratively with others online. They will share their experience with the community at the appropriate time. Wish them luck!

Teaching for Understanding is an approach to curriculum design that goes beyond the simple relay of information to help students develop transferable knowledge and skills that they can apply in situations they have never encountered before.

World Math Day March 7: World Math Day is Wednesday, March 7! What is it, you ask? World Math Day is a forty-eight-hour period of time when an estimated four million students from around the world compete in one-minute games testing arithmetic and numeracy skills. The objective of the day is to have fun with math and take part in some friendly, global competition. In addition, the more correct answers made, the more money will be donated to UNICEF to support education efforts for children and schools in Zimbabwe.

During community meeting this past Tuesday, Ms. Cohen presented this event to the entire Middle School to prepare them for what is to come. Mr. Paige demonstrated the game as he competed with someone from the UK, a loss from which he has not yet recovered. Due to our involvement with World Math Day, No Tech Tuesday will be moved to No Tech Thursday next week. #WMD2018

Spring athletics and play information: Middle School Track and Field and Boys' Lacrosse will begin on Monday, March 12. Sign-up sheets are available for students at the Middle School Office.

Middle School Play auditions for Peter Pan and Wendy are on Tuesday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 7. Eighth-graders are to learn and perform a monologue from the play, posted on their class Schoology page. Sixth- and seventh-graders can arrive at 3:30 p.m. on their assigned day to work with a group on a selection from the show for their audition. Health History Update forms are due for anyone participating in a spring sport or the play.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

Parents for Pennington

Princeton Common Ground speaker April 10: Save the date: On Tuesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m., Princeton Common Ground will welcome Dr. Michael Thompson as part of a series of lectures intended to inspire, invigorate, and inform the community. The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Find Success in School and Life is an interactive lecture for parents. The event will be held at Princeton Day School in the McAneny Theater. A reservation link will be available here after March 6; for questions, email Trusha Shah at trushashah2003@gmail.com or Melissa Weng at weng178@gmail.com.

A very big THANK-YOU: To all parents and faculty who were involved in and supported the Red & Black BASH Auction, thank you! Thanks to our three generous sponsors, Borden Perlman, the Evans Family and Ingrid Hibben, and the Chinese Parents Association. Thank you to those individuals who volunteered a tremendous amount of time and energy to the auction. Also, thank you to donors and winning bidders for your support. Thank you to faculty and staff who were wonderfully helpful and without whom we couldn't have done this. We have all made this auction a tremendous success and an evening to gather together and celebrate The Pennington School.—Parents For Pennington

February

February 23, 2018

General Information

Red & Black BASH tomorrow evening: Last chance to donate or buy tickets! Parents for Pennington is hosting its annual Red & Black Bash tomorrow, February 24. Click here to visit the auction website and for more information. Click on "Purchase tickets" if you plan on attending; click on "View item" to view current donations. Today is the last day to drop off donations; members from PfP will be on campus by Buck Hall today gathering donations during drop-off or you can deliver your donation to Wesley Alumni House. We hope to see you at the BASH!

Seussical the Musical next week: Pennington School Drama will present its winter musical, Seussical the Musical, on Wednesday, February 28, through Friday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. For ticket information, please click here. We hope to see you there!

Girls in STEM Dinner next week: On Tuesday, February 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the School will host a Girls in STEM dinner for girls in grades 8 through 12. The evening will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and begin with a keynote speaker, followed by dinner with an entrepreneur at a round table. The evening will conclude with a Q&A panel. The keynote speaker is Rebecca Rescate, a serial entrepreneur who has pitched two innovations on Shark Tank. There is no cost for this event; space is limited. Priority will be given to Applied Science students. If interested, please email swirsig@pennington.org to reserve your daughter's spot.

Student exhibition, celebration in Silva Gallery: Seniors with a focus and passion in the visual arts will celebrated on Friday March 9, in the Silva Gallery between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Stop by to congratulate our visual artists with a final exhibition of their work. Click here for more information, including a list of the students participating in the show.

Parent/Advisor/Advisee Conferences March 9: Advisory conferences will be held on Friday, March 9, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Please see the attached letter for important details about what to expect in these meetings, and about how to sign up for a time slot with your child's advisor.

Business Office now using Veracross: The Business Office is pleased to announce that it has converted to Veracross, the system that you use for information on your student's schedule, academic records, and report cards. Parents should already be familiar with Veracross and have login information. Once you log into your Veracross account, click the "my invoice" button to view your statement(s) in real time.

When viewing your statement, due to the conversion, all payments made before December 15, 2017, are showing in the activity area. All payments made after December 15, 2017, should appear at the bottom in the payment section of the statement. If you are enrolled in the monthly payment plan with TMS/Afford, please continue to make your monthly payment with them. February should be your last monthly payment. For the remainder of the academic year, your payment options are as follows:

Credit/debit card – Afford (fee)
E-check – Veracross (no fee)
Mailing a check to the School, with Attn: Business Office

If you have questions or need assistance, contact the Business Office at 609-737-6119.

Calling all Makers! The Pennington School is hosting the area's first Maker Faire on Sunday, April 8. The Maker Faire is for Mercer and Bucks counties, and it is a great opportunity for makers, engineers, artists, and inventors to share their work with the surrounding community. There is no cost to exhibit at the Maker Faire. See the attached flyer for more information, and please share the flyer with others who may be interested! Contact Sue Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org with questions. The deadline to apply as an exhibitor is Wednesday, February 28.

Upper School

Global Studies, Applied Science applications due today: Applied Science and Global Studies applications are due Friday, February 23. Sophomores interested in applying for the Applied Science Certificate Program and/or the Global Studies Certificate Program must complete those applications by February 23. If you are the parent of a student in the Class of 2020, you should have received an email with details and links to the applications. The links to the applications are also available on the Global Studies and Applied Science pages on the School website.

Sophomore Leadership Retreat – Kindly RSVP by tomorrow: Please confirm your child's participation in the Sophomore Leadership Retreat on Saturday, March 10, through Monday, March 12, at the Princeton-Blairstown Center by clicking here. Your sophomores are very much looking forward to this experience with their classmates, as are we. Of the utmost importance, we ask that you confirm your child's ability to attend this retreat; we are charged per person and are required to provide a total number of participants by Saturday, February 24. As mentioned in prior communications, a Pennington parent made a generous donation to the Sophomore Leadership and Character Development program, and the funds for the retreat are coming from this gift. Students will not be charged for this excursion unless there is a last-minute cancellation. Please refer to the letter emailed on January 25 for complete details.

Public Speaking for credit over the summer: Are you the parent of a current freshman or sophomore who has yet to take Public Speaking? Don't miss your child's chance to earn academic credit this summer and make his or her schedule a bit easier during the 2018-19 school year. Public Speaking is required to graduate, and students can take it this summer! The week-long class is available several times throughout the summer. Spaces go quickly for this class, so register as soon as possible. (The first session of public speaking has already filled up.) Click here for dates and more information.

Want to get a head start on the college application process? Current sophomores can learn about the common application, begin writing their essays, and even visit colleges during the Summer College Guidance Seminar. This week-long class takes the place of the once-per-week college counseling class that meets during the spring of junior year. Don't miss this chance for sophomores to get started on applying to college, and free up their junior-year schedule! This class filled quickly last summer, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Portfolio Bootcamp for Upper School art students: Students who would like to begin assembling an art portfolio for college, impressing their art teacher with five finished pieces of artwork at the start of the school year, should sign up for Portfolio Bootcamp! Click here for dates and more information.

Sports camps this summer: A variety of sports camps run by outside companies will be offered on campus this summer. Overnight camps include Field Hockey, Track and Field, Lacrosse, and Soccer. Day camps include Soccer and Baseball. For more information about these programs, click here.

Middle School

Paige's Pages update: If you had an issue accessing the article from last week's Paige's Page, please find the new link here.

Back by popular demand – Pennington Summer Programs! Are you eagerly anticipating the long, hot days of summer? We are! We are offering many great camps and summer academic courses. Camps for Middle School students begin on June 25 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child.

A variety of sports camps run by outside companies will be offered on campus this summer. Overnight camps include Field Hockey, Track and Field, Lacrosse, and Soccer. Day camps include Soccer and Baseball. For more information about these programs, click here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are welcome to join us for events tonight and tomorrow!

Parents for Pennington

Princeton Common Ground speaker April 10: Save the date: On Tuesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m., Princeton Common Ground will welcome Dr. Thompson as part of a series of lectures intended to inspire, invigorate, and inform the community. "The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Find Success in School and Life" is an interactive lecture for parents. The event will be held at Princeton Day School in the McAneny Theater. A reservation link will be available March 6; for questions, email Trusha Shah at trushashah2003@gmail.com or Melissa Weng at weng178@gmail.com.

February 16, 2018

General Information

Red & Black Bash February 24: Parents for Pennington is hosting its annual Red & Black Bash on Saturday, February 24. Click here to visit the auction website and for more information. Click on "Purchase tickets" if you plan on attending; click on "View item" to view current donations. Be sure to check back for additions!

Seussical the Musical coming end of February: Pennington School Drama will present its winter musical, Seussical the Musical, on Wednesday, February 28, through Friday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. For ticket information, please click here. We hope to see you there!

Health History Update needed! If your child will be participating in a spring activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to December 19, 2017, the State of New Jersey requires you to complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. You can complete this requirement in your Magnus account, or students can hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main. Updates must be received prior to a student's participation at the start of the season. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi by email krossi@pennington.org or by phone at 609-737-6114.

Credit/debit card – Afford (fee)
E-check – Veracross (no fee)
Mailing a check to the School, with Attn: Business Office

If you have questions or need assistance, contact the Business Office at 609-737-6119.

Girls in STEM Dinner February 27: On Tuesday, February 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the School will host a Girls in STEM dinner for girls in grades 8 through 12. The evening will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and begin with a keynote speaker, followed by dinner with an entrepreneur at a round table. The evening will conclude with a Q&A panel. The keynote speaker is Rebecca Rescate, a serial entrepreneur who has pitched two innovations on Shark Tank. There is no cost for this event; space is limited. Priority will be given to Applied Science students. If interested, please email swirsig@pennington.org to reserve your daughter's spot.

Upper School

Peer Leadership Parents Night February 22: Parents of students in the Class of 2021: The Peer Leaders would like to invite you to their annual Peer Leadership Parents Night for freshmen and their parents on Thursday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. The evening will begin in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. This is a required event for freshmen; we hope that a parent or guardian for each freshman will also attend.

Global Studies, Applied Science applications due: Applied Science and Global Studies applications are due Friday, February 23. Sophomores interested in applying for the Applied Science Certificate Program and/or the Global Studies Certificate Program must complete those applications by February 23. If you are the parent of a student in the Class of 2020, you should have received an email with details and links to the applications. The links to the applications are also available on the Global Studies and Applied Science pages on the School website.

Sophomore Leadership Retreat – Kindly RSVP: Please confirm your child's participation in the Sophomore Leadership Retreat on Saturday, March 10, through Monday, March 12, at the Princeton-Blairstown Center by clicking here. Your sophomores are very much looking forward to this experience with their classmates, as are we. Of the utmost importance, we ask that you confirm your child's ability to attend this retreat; we are charged per person and are required to provide a total number of participants by Saturday, February 24. As mentioned in prior communications, a Pennington parent made a generous donation to the Sophomore Leadership and Character Development program, and the funds for the retreat are coming from this gift. Students will not be charged for this excursion unless there is a last-minute cancellation. Please refer to the letter emailed on January 25 for complete details.

Middle School

Middle School celebrates Kindness Week: The Middle School celebrated Kindness Week this week! The goal was simple--spread kind words and actions all week! Click here to view a short video of the week; click here to view an article posted on Pennington's website.

Permission to keep sick children home: Being the good, conscientious parents that we all are, we never want our children to miss a day of school. In addition, children themselves often do not want to miss school, knowing they are apt to miss something and will have to play catch-up. Given the severity and duration of this year's flu season, please do not feel guilty and keep your children home if they are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. It is more important that all students are healthy in school both for their own benefit and for the protection of others. Missing school is never easy and always feels daunting at that moment, yet those moments will pass and we will all catch up. Working toward getting our School flu-free will help to stop passing it on from one person to the next.

The opportunities of being in between seasons: With the winter athletic season now over and the spring season yet to begin, after-school time becomes an opportunity. Extra-help time is a great way to either seek out some needed support in specific classes or to work toward a mastery of skills and knowledge above and beyond what class may have offered. The Middle School faculty is here and ready to meet students' needs. Those who do not choose to use extra help on a given afternoon can take advantage of a 3:15 p.m. pick-up to get home and enjoy some downtime or get an earlier jump on assignments. Whatever the need may be, a free afternoon allows for wonderful personal and academic opportunities.

Paige's Pages: Please see below for this week's Paige's Pages:

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are welcome to join us for karaoke tonight!

February 9, 2018

General Information

Credit/debit card – Afford (fee)
E-check – Veracross (no fee)

If you have questions or need assistance, contact the Business Office at 609-737-6119.

Applied Science speaker today: On Friday, February 9, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, Tara Seymour will deliver a presentation as part of the Applied Science Speaker Series. Currently working on her master's degree in microbiology and immunology at New York Medical College, Seymour has taught a Movement and the Molecular course at Wake Forest College that looked at various scientific processes we may see under a microscope. All are welcome to attend.

Support Pennington Girls' Lacrosse: Please support the Girls' Lacrosse team by purchasing a discount card for deals at local restaurants and businesses in Pennington and hundreds of stores, restaurants, and services nationwide – for just $20! Use the card just once and it pays for itself. Vendors include Cugino's Italian Market, Pennington Bagel, Soccer Post, and more. Please see a Pennington Girls' Lacrosse player, Coach Morris (wmorris@pennington.org), or Coach Fermo (deborah.fermo@pennington.org) for more information.

Upper School

Peer Leadership Parents Night February 22: Parents of students in the Class of 2021: The Peer Leaders would like to invite you to their annual Peer Leadership Parents Night for freshmen and their parents on Thursday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. The evening will begin in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. This is a required event for freshmen; we hope that a parent or guardian for each freshman will also attend.

Middle School

Important event/activity information: Middle School winter athletics end today, February 9. Odyssey of the Mind will continue until the competition in March. Please be aware that although there may be occasional special events or club meetings planned during this month, starting Monday, February 12, Middle School students will not be supervised after school. These weeks provide a necessary break between seasons for the students to return home and rest.

Spring Play auditions will be held the week of March 5. Spring athletics will begin Monday, March 12.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

February 2, 2018

General Information

Dodgeball for Haiti tonight: Since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010, the School has sponsored an annual dodgeball tournament to raise funds to benefit those in need. In addition to supporting a good cause, the tournament has become a highlight of the school year. This year, the tournament will be held tonight, Friday, February 2. Please contact Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org with questions.

Girls in STEM Dinner February 27: On Tuesday, February 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the School will host a Girls in STEM Dinner for girls in Grades 8 through 12. The evening will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and begin with a keynote speaker, followed by dinner with an entrepreneur at a round table. The evening will conclude with a Q&A panel. The keynote speaker is Rebecca Rescate, a serial entrepreneur who has pitched two innovations on Shark Tank. There is no cost for this event; space is limited. Priority will be given to Applied Science students. If interested, please email swirsig@pennington.org to reserve your spot.

Calling all makers! The Pennington School is hosting the area's first Maker Faire on Sunday, April 8. The Maker Faire is for Mercer and Bucks counties, and it is a great opportunity for makers, engineers, artists, and inventors to share their work with the surrounding community. There is no cost to exhibit at the Maker Faire. See the attached flyer for more information, and please share the flyer with others who may be interested! Please contact Sue Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org with questions. The deadline to apply as an exhibitor is Wednesday, February 28.

Upper School

Speak Sobriety presentation February 7: Stephen Hill from Speak Sobriety will be presenting to Upper School students on Wednesday, February 7. He will share his personal struggles with substance abuse, while highlighting the benefits of living substance free. Stephen addresses the every day pressures and temptation that students experience and offers guidance for students on how best to navigate these situations through good decision making. He will cover gateway drugs, poor decision making when under the influence, social media, stigma, peer pressure, anxiety, and depression throughout his talk. Please contact Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling, at sdesouza@pennington.org.

Cervone Center for Learning college session February 11: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will be giving a comprehensive overview of the process next Sunday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum.

Sophomore Leadership Retreat – Please RSVP: Please confirm your child's participation in the Sophomore Leadership Retreat Saturday, March 10, through Monday, March 12, at the Princeton-Blairstown Center by clicking here. Your sophomores are very much looking forward to this experience with their classmates, as are we. Of the utmost importance, we ask that you confirm your child's ability to attend this retreat; we are charged per person and are required to provide a total number of participants by Saturday, February 24. As mentioned in prior communications, a Pennington parent made a generous donation to the Sophomore Leadership and Character Development program, and the funds for the retreat are coming from this gift. Students will not be charged for this excursion unless there is a last-minute cancellation. Please refer to the letter emailed on January 25 for complete details.

Driver Education spring session beginning: The Driver Education spring session will begin Sunday, February 25. The class will meet a total of ten times on Sunday evenings (except during Spring Break and on Easter) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $175; checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and handed to the instructor at the first class. Please email Mr. Liwosz at tliwosz@pennington.org if you would like to enroll in this course.

Public Speaking for credit over the summer: Are you a current freshman or sophomore who has yet to take Public Speaking? Don't miss your chance to earn academic credit this summer and make your schedule a bit easier during the 2018-19 school year. Public Speaking is required to graduate, and you can take it this summer! The week-long class is available several times throughout the summer. Spaces go quickly for this class, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Want to get a head start on the college application process? Attention current sophomores--learn about the common application, begin writing your essay, and even visit colleges during the Summer College Guidance Seminar. This week-long class takes the place of the once-per-week college counseling class that meets during the spring of junior year. Don't miss this chance to get started on applying to college, and free up your schedule! This class filled quickly last summer, so register as soon as possible. Click here for dates and more information.

Sports camps this summer: A variety of sports camps run by outside companies will be offered on campus this summer. Overnight camps include Field Hockey, Track and Field, and Soccer. Day camps include Soccer and Baseball. For more information about these programs, click here.

Middle School

A variety of sports camps run by outside companies will be offered on campus this summer. Overnight camps include Field Hockey, Track and Field, and Soccer. Day camps include Soccer and Baseball. For more information about these programs, click here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are welcome to join us at the Silverball Museum!

Latest News

This week's top headlines: Click each headline below to read the School's latest news:

January

January 26, 2018

General Information

Dodgeball for Haiti February 2: Since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010, the School has sponsored an annual dodgeball tournament to raise funds to benefit those in need. This year, the tournament will be held on Friday, February 2, after the girls' basketball team celebrates its senior night. There is a $30 registration fee for each six-person team. It is a double elimination tournament, so each team is guaranteed at least two games. Teams should submit their registration to Mr. Thompson with their money and a team roster by Wednesday, January 31. Please contact Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org with questions.

Calling all Makers! The Pennington School is hosting the area's first mini MakerFaire on Sunday, April 8. The MakerFaire is a great opportunity for Makers, Engineers, Artists, and Inventors to share their work with the surrounding Mercer and Bucks County communities. There is no cost to exhibit at the MakerFaire. See the attached flyer for more information, and please share the flyer with others who may be interested! Contact Sue Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org with any questions. The deadline to apply as an exhibitor is February 28.

Upper School

Global Studies speaker today: The School's third Global Studies speaker, Rich Brown, will give a presentation on Friday, January 26, about migration in Guatemala and how migrants regularly risk their lives, and sometimes lose them, to reach the U.S. from Central America. Click here for more information.

Bahamas trip almost full: The roster for the Sustainability, Environment, and Human Ecology trip to the Island School in Eleuthera, Bahamas, from June 16 through June 23 is nearly complete. Any students who have expressed definite interest are currently on the go list for the trip. However, students who only expressed potential interest need to provide a firm commitment to Dr. Andrews by Wednesday, January 31. Please reach out to Dr. Andrews at margo.andrews@pennington.org or Dr. Sisserson at Kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with questions.

World Read Aloud Day February 1: The entire Upper School will join the Middle School in celebrating World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) during English classes on Thursday, February 1. WRAD's goal is to bring people around the globe together to read and share stories, promoting universal literacy. Students should expect to learn more from their English teachers in advance of this initiative in order to gain awareness of the vitality of reading for pleasure, enrichment, knowledge, and skills. It promises to be a spirited celebration of the power of stories, reading, and literacy as essential components of the human experience.

Cervone Center for Learning College Guidance Session on February 11: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will be giving a comprehensive overview of the process on Sunday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum.

Driver Education spring session beginning: The Driver Education spring session will begin Sunday, February 25. The class will meet a total of ten times on Sunday evenings (except during Spring Break and on Easter) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $175; checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and handed to the instructor at the first class. Please email Mr. Liwosz at tliwosz@pennington.org if you would like to enroll in this course.

Middle School

Eighth-grade student/parent coffee January 31: On Wednesday, January 31, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, eighth-grade parents and students are invited to an evening information session about the Upper School experience. Following an introduction for the entire group, parents will then have an opportunity to hear from Chad Bridges, Assistant Headmaster for Community Life, and Scott Peeler, Dean of Academic Affairs, while students meet with Upper-Schoolers to hear about their experience. Both students and parents will learn about everything from course offerings to clubs and activities, schedule, and other daily logistics, and some of the many similarities and differences from the middle school perspective. This evening will certainly be informative and give everyone something to get excited about.

World Read Aloud Day February 1: The entire Middle School will celebrate World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) during English classes on Thursday, February 1. The Middle School Book Club encourages all Middle School students to bring their favorite books and read passages to their classmates. WRAD's goal is to bring people around the globe together to read and share stories, promoting universal literacy.

Sixth- and seventh-grade global reflection: This past exam week, the sixth- and seventh-grade students took part in a global issues opportunity. Students learned about an issue, conducted independent research, and found ways to take action. Presentations were given last Friday, and the Middle School faculty and Head of Middle School Todd Paige are proud of the depth of interest and knowledge all of the students had for their issues. A breakdown of issues investigated were:

Physical and mental health issues including PTSD, drug addiction, certain types of cancers, health insurance, and mental illness
Poverty, hunger, education, and animal-rights issues: world hunger; hunger in Africa and India; poverty in Haiti, the U.S., and the DR Congo; influences of political instability on economies; education quality in Third World countries and for girls; and animal rights
Human rights issues including treatment of immigrants, violence against women (#metoo movement), racism, women's rights, and the rights of people under government corruption
Environmental issues including coral reef damage; access to clean drinking water in Africa, Uganda, and Ethiopia; littered plastics and other trash impacts on oceans; air quality; and food waste

Tide Pod Challenge – very concerning trend: There is a new and dangerous trend among young people—eating Tide laundry detergent Pods and posting the experience on social media. What started as a post from an individual trying to get some laughs has turned into a disturbing competition. Although most students know not to eat pods of laundry detergent, there is clearly a wave of students looking to get in on the experience. Parents need to be aware of this trend and openly speak with their children about its dangers. Here is a link to a CBS report explaining more details.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students—if you would like to attend bowling or laser tag, please email Ms. Marino at kmarino@pennington.org.

Parents for Pennington

Courageous Conversations meeting February 1: Please join the Courageous Conversations group for a discussion about diversity in private schools on Thursday, February 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Marlynne Marlow, 309 Hale St., Pennington, NJ. To sign up, please click: Courageous Conversations sign-up. Contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com for more information. The following articles will serve as a good starting point for discussion:

January 19, 2018

General Information

Photo package exchange requests due today: School photo packages were recently mailed to families. Anyone who wishes to exchange their photo package for a new package of unretouched photos (matching the original proofs) should contact Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org by today, January 19.

Next STEM speaker January 26: John van Stekelenborg P '18, Director of Methods and Analysis in the Medical Safety Department of Johnson & Johnson, will speak at the School on Friday, January 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. He will discuss his career path from physics to chemistry to medicines, as well as a few more detours.

Mini-THON for cancer awareness in April: Every day, forty-three children are diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, twelve percent of all pediatric cancer patients do not survive. Join the junior class in battling childhood cancer as they host the second annual 4-Diamonds Mini-Thon, and the first ever Mini-Mini-Thon for middle-schoolers.

The Upper School Mini-THON will take place Saturday, April 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The cost to attend is $25. The Middle School Mini-Mini-THON will take place Friday, April 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Both events will take place in the gym; registration fees should be paid in cash or by check, payable to The Pennington School, and turned in to Mr. Russo or Sydney Gibbard '19. Everyone who signs up for either event by March 16 will be guaranteed a free Mini-THON t-shirt. Help make a difference in the lives of thousands. Register now by clicking here.

Upper School

Cotillion tomorrow night: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 20, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Students must arrive no later than 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $65.00 per person and will be billed to your School account on Monday. Please visit Afford to pay for your child's ticket(s). Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the dean of students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Junior Parent Night January 21: On Sunday, January 21, at 6:30 p.m. the College Guidance Office will host its annual Junior Parent Night in the Wesley Forum. The intent is to briefly discuss the college application process and to introduce Naviance. If you missed yesterday's registration deadline but want to attend, email Sharon Carabelli at sharon.carabelli@pennington.org or call her at 609-737-6130.

Cervone Center for Learning College Guidance Session: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will be giving a comprehensive overview of the process on Sunday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum.

Middle School

Eighth-grade student/parent event January 31: On Wednesday, January 31, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, eighth-grade parents and students are invited to an evening information session about the Upper School experience. Following an introduction for the entire group, parents will then have an opportunity to hear from Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life, and Scott Peeler, dean of academic affairs, while students meet with Upper Schoolers to hear about their experiences. Both students and parents will learn about everything from course offerings to clubs and activities, schedule, and other daily logistics, and some of the many similarities and differences from the Middle School perspective. This evening will certainly be informative and give everyone something to get excited about.

WHYY opportunities for Middle Schoolers: Two opportunities are available to Middle School students over Spring Break and the summer from Philadelphia public media outlet WHYY. Starting March 26, WHYY Spring Break is a five-day introduction to journalism. Students will learn how to be both in front of and behind the camera, creating original news stories, and getting hands-on experience in interviewing, writing, shooting, and editing video, and more. Click here for more information.

Starting August 6, WHYY's Middle School Filmmakers program covers all aspects of filmmaking: story creation, screenwriting, casting, location scouting, shooting, and editing. Students will work in teams as they produce original films in and around WHYY's Independence Mall studios. For more information, click here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are invited for Bingo tonight!

Parents for Pennington

January 12, 2018

General Information

Photo package information: School photos were recently delivered to families who purchased portrait packages (by mail to your home or picked up by your child at school). Any families who wish to exchange their photo package for a new package of unretouched photos (matching the original proofs) should contact Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org by Friday, January 19. No need to return the photos you already received.

Back by popular demand – Pennington Summer Programs! Are you eagerly anticipating the long, hot days of summer? We are! We are offering many great camps and summer academic courses. Camps for Middle School students begin on June 25 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child.

Academic camps for Upper School students include Public Speaking (carries academic credit) and College Guidance (does not carry credit). Click here for more information and to register your child. Register early as spots fill up quickly! Also, several sports camps will be running on campus by outside companies – click here for more information on those camps.

Upper School

Save the date – Cotillion January 20: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 20, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend; dates are optional. Tickets are $65.00 per person and are on sale now. Students must reserve a ticket by clicking here. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Junior Parent Night January 21: On Sunday, January 21, at 6:30 p.m. the College Guidance Office will host its annual Junior Parent Night in the Wesley Forum. The intent is to briefly discuss the college application process and to introduce Naviance. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 18. To register, email Sharon Carabelli at sharon.carabelli@pennington.org or call her at 609-737-6130.

Bahamas trip almost full: The roster for the Sustainability, Environment, and Human Ecology trip to the Island School in Eleuthera, Bahamas, from June 16 to June 23 is nearly complete. Any students who have expressed interest need to submit a firm commitment to Dr. Andrews by Wednesday, January 31. Please contact Dr. Andrews at margo.andrews@pennington.org or Dr. Sisserson at Kendra.sisserson@pennington.org with questions.

Driver Education spring session beginning: The Driver Education spring session will begin Sunday, February 25. The class will meet a total of ten times on Sunday evenings (except during spring break and on Easter) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $175; checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and handed to the instructor at the first class. Please email Mr. Liwosz at tliwosz@pennington.org if you would like to enroll in this course.

Several Global Studies opportunities available: Several Global Studies opportunities are currently available for students, including Reach Cambridge in England, the National Student Leadership Conference, and the American Foreign Service Association essay contest. Please click here for more details, and even more global opportunities.

Back by popular demand – Summer Public Speaking! Is your child interested in earning academic credit for summer study? Consider the Summer Public Speaking class! Summer Public Speaking provides students the opportunity to earn .25 required graduation credit hours in one week. Classes will be offered the week of June 25, the week of July 9, and the week of July 16. Instructors will be Ms. Suzanne Houston and Ms. Susie Paige. Register early as spots fill up quickly! Click here for more information and to register your child.

Middle School

Sixth-grade field trip information: The sixth-graders will be taking a field trip to the Franklin Institute on Wednesday, January 17. The museum has a very exciting visiting exhibit that includes the Terra Cotta Warriors from China. Right now, the sixth grade is embarking on a unit about China in Humanities class, and the site of excavation will be one of the topics of discussion. In addition, the sixth-graders will be viewing a movie about the history of China in the museum's IMAX theater. Students will also have the opportunity to explore some of the permanent exhibits. Some important items for the day to remember include: prompt arrival at 9:00 a.m. (buses will depart quickly) and a bag lunch for the day (no glass bottles, please). Students will return in time for the 2:30 p.m. dismissal.

Leadership conference opportunity: The Junior National Student Leadership Conference invites current sixth- through eighth-graders to an exciting summer camp experience. Campers will live in dorms at American University as they explore STEM, leadership, or government through real-world simulations, field trips, and behind-the-scenes tours. The organization offers scholarships based on need. Click here for more information.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are invited to join us on Saturday for the basketball game!

Parents for Pennington

Multicultural gourmet dinner January 24: It is time for the Multicultural Gourmet Group to taste some more delicious recipes from around the globe. Parents for Pennington is seeking a host for its next gourmet adventure. Marlynne Marlow will help with compiling the menu and dividing recipes among the attendees, if needed. Please contact her for information at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

Courageous Conversations group meeting January 31: Please save the date for the Courageous Conversations group's first discussion about diversity in private school. More information and articles will follow shortly. Please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com if you are interested in joining this discussion group.

Auction items needed for Red & Black Bash: The planning and preparation for the Red & Black Bash, to be held Saturday, February 24, are underway! Parents for Pennington (PfP) is working hard to obtain items for the silent and live auctions, as well as ads for the catalog and online. Please click here to view an auction item donation form. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well, and additional volunteers are needed; please contact Lori Washton with volunteering interest or questions at lori44q@aol.com.

Parents for Pennington seeking grade baskets: The parents association is seeking items for grade baskets to be auctioned off at the annual Red & Black Bash on Saturday, February 24. Parents from each grade are asked to select an item they want to contribute to each themed basket. Please click the link below to view the theme for the grade(s) of your child/children:

January 5, 2018

General Information

Join us Monday, January 8, at 3:00: Special speaker! Dr. Michael Massimino is a former NASA astronaut, an actor on the television series The Big Bang Theory, host of the television show The Planets, and a published author of the book Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe. Currently a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, Dr. Massimino is coming to speak at Pennington this Monday, January 8, at 3:00 in the Wesley Forum.

Dr. Massimino attended Columbia University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering in 1984. He then earned his Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Science degree in technology and public policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He continued his education at MIT, earning a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering in 1992. Massimino, a very entertaining speaker, will talk about his career until 3:30 p.m. and then welcome questions from the audience.

All Applied Science students are required to attend this lecture, but the entire Pennington community is welcome and encouraged to attend. Please join us for this special event!

Back by popular demand – Pennington Summer Programs! Are you eagerly anticipating the long, hot days of summer? We are! We are offering many great camps and summer academic courses. Camps for Middle School students begin on June 25 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child.

Academic camps for Upper School students include Public Speaking (carries academic credit) and College Guidance (does not carry credit). Click here for more information and to register your child. Register early, because spots fill up quickly! Also, several sports camps will be run on campus by outside companies; click here for more information on those camps.

Red & Black Bash committee meeting Tuesday: Parents for Pennington (PfP) is having their first regular meeting regarding the Red & Black Bash Disco Party and Auction on Tuesday, January 9, at 8:15 a.m. in the Dining Hall. Any new volunteers, please come; additional help is always welcome. Current volunteers, please come and give updates! Please contact Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com to RSVP or with questions.

Upper School

Upper School Exam schedule: Please click here to view the exam week schedule starting Thursday, January 11.

Save the date – Cotillion January 20: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 20, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend; dates are optional. Tickets are $65.00 per person and are on sale now. Students must reserve a ticket by clicking here. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Junior Parent Night January 21: On Sunday, January 21, at 6:30 p.m. the College Guidance Office will host their annual Junior Parent Night in the Wesley Forum. The intent is to briefly discuss the college application process and to introduce Naviance. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 18. To register, email Sharon Carabelli at sharon.carabelli@pennington.org or call her at 609-737-6130.

Middle School

Middle School Exam schedule updated: Please click here to view the updated exam week schedule starting Thursday, January 11.

Sixth- and seventh-graders to investigate global issues: While students in grades 8 through 12 will be taking semester exams starting next week (see Middle School Exam Week Schedule above), grades 6 and 7 will take part in a research/action project called "Why Should We Care?" On Tuesday, January 9, during community meeting, students will be presented with a list of global issues. From that list, students will decide which issue they feel concerned about and want to learn more about. Topics include but are not limited to: Human Rights, Poverty/Hunger, Water, Pollution, Energy, Waste, and Education. Through a guided research process, students will gather as much information as they can in order to best understand their topic. Students will then be expected to use that information to make a presentation and take an action step toward making a positive impact. In the end, each student should be able to answer the question, "Why Should We Care?" Mr. Paige, Mrs. Alito, and the rest of the Middle School faculty look forward to going through this process with these students and seeing what they discover.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

If day students would like to go ice skating or indoor rock climbing, please email Ms. Marino at kmarino@pennington.org.

Parents for Pennington

Chinese Painting Demonstration January 10: The Chinese Interest Group is hosting a Chinese artist to demonstrate and teach Chinese painting techniques on Wednesday, January 10, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at RoboAha STEAM Center at the Hopewell Crossing Shopping Center. Click here to sign up; materials will be provided. Contact Jennifer Wang at yunfeng.wang@gmail.com or Melissa Weng at weng178@gmail.com for more information.

Multicultural gourmet dinner January 24: It is time for the Multicultural Gourmet Group to taste some more delicious recipes from around the globe. The Parents Association is seeking a host for their next gourmet adventure. Marlynne Marlow will help with compiling the menu and dividing recipes among the attendees, if needed. Please contact her for information at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

The Courageous Conversations group meeting January 31: Please save the date for the Courageous Conversations group's first discussion about diversity in private school. More information and articles will follow shortly. Please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com if you are interested in joining this discussion group.

Latest News

This week's top headlines: Click each headline below to read the School's latest news:

Join us Monday, January 8, at 3:00: Special speaker!

December

December 29, 2017

General Information

Important message for parents dropping off students: Drivers of day students: please do not drop off students behind Stainton Hall. This has been backing up traffic and could cause a potential accident. We appreciate your cooperation.

Auction items needed for Red and Black Bash: The planning and preparation for the Red and Black Bash, to be held Saturday, February 24, are underway! The Parents Association is working hard to obtain items for the silent and live auctions, as well as ads for the catalog and online. Please click here to view an auction item donation form. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well, and additional volunteers are needed; please contact Lori Washton with volunteering interest or questions at lori44q@aol.com.

Back by popular demand – Pennington Summer Programs! Are you eagerly anticipating the long, hot days of summer? We are! We are offering many great camps and summer academic courses. Camps for Middle School students begin on June 25 and include one-week and two-week sessions. Offerings this year include great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more! Click here for more information and to register your child.

Academic camps for Upper School students include Public Speaking and College Guidance. Click here for more information and to register your child. Register early as spots fill up quickly! Also, several sports camps will be running on campus by outside companies – click here for more information on those camps.

Upper School

Upper School Exam schedule: Please click here to view the exam week schedule starting Thursday, January 11.

Save the date – Cotillion January 20: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 20, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend; dates are optional. Tickets will go on sale after Winter Break. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the dean of students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Junior Parent Night January 21: On Sunday, January 21, at 6:30 p.m. the College Guidance Office will host their annual Junior Parent Night in the Wesley Forum. The intent is to briefly discuss the college application process and to introduce Naviance. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 18. Please register with Sharon Carabelli by emailing sharon.carabelli@pennington.org.

Cervone Center for Learning College Guidance session: The college guidance process for students with accommodation needs is similar to the typical college guidance process. However, parents of students with learning differences and/or ADHD often have questions about how the process may differ for their child. Robbi Uzupis, the college guidance counselor for the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning, will be giving a comprehensive overview of the process on Sunday, February 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum.

Middle School

Middle School Exam schedule: Please click here to view the exam week schedule starting Thursday, January 11.

Latest News

This week's top headlines: Click each headline below to read the School's latest news:

Four Middle School students score high on math exam

The Pennington School, Princeton University collaborate for event

Lessons and Carols held December 11

Pennington celebrates Chanukah

Coach Chad Bridges named Coach of the Year

School hosts annual HomeFront Holiday Party

December 8, 2017

General Information

STEM speaker today in Wesley Forum: Scott Gibbard P '19 '21 will be speaking today, December 8, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum as part of the STEM Speaker Series. Gibbard, who has an engineering degree in engineering physics from the University of Toronto, a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the Institute for Aerospace Studies, and an M.B.A. degree from Cornell University, will be discussing the intersection of business and STEM. This is a required event for students in the Applied Science Certificate Program; everyone is welcome to attend.

Podcasts for prospective families available: If you have friends who are considering Pennington or other independent schools, they may be interested in the Office of Admission's new podcast series Admission Insight. This podcast is designed to give families insight into the independent school world and application process. Search "Admission Insight" in iTunes or the Podcasts app on your smartphone, or click here, and take a listen!

Israel trip cancelled: Because of low enrollment in the Israel trip planned for June 2018, and an unforeseen increase in costs, there was an unfortunate need to cancel the trip. The School is committed to offering this trip to our students again next year. Thank you for your understanding. Please contact Stephanie DeSouza with any questions at sdesouza@pennington.org.

Upper School

Chanukah celebration December 13: The Pennington Jewish Community is thrilled to announce the annual Upper School Chanukah party. All Upper School students, faculty, staff, and parents are welcome to attend on Wednesday, December 13, at 10:00 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art in the Campus Center. Join the celebration of this joyous holiday with food, games, lighting of the menorah, music, and fun!

Global opportunity with Rustic Pathways: Each summer, Rustic Pathways hosts a group of promising high school change-makers for an exciting, fully-funded opportunity to explore a global issue on location. This year's experience will take place June 16 through July 2 and is open to fifteen-to eighteen-year-olds. It will investigate the history of race, civil rights, and collective action in America. Click here to apply and here for more information; the deadline for applying for this free opportunity is Monday, January 1, 2018.

Upper School Exam Schedule: Please click here to view the exam week schedule starting Thursday, January 11.

Save the date--Cotillion January 20: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 20, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend; dates are optional. Tickets will go on sale after Winter Break. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Middle School

Middle School Exam Schedule: Please click here to view the exam week schedule starting Thursday, January 11.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are invited to come ice-skating with our boarders!

Latest News

This week's top headlines: Click each headline below to read the School's latest news:

Ibrahima Diop '18 named Player of the Year

Students video conference with school in Jordan

Girls' Cross Country named Prep Team of the Year

Lauren Brown '15 and Alana Cook '15 capture NCAA National Championships

Students tapped for national honor societies

Carly Rice scores her 1,000th point

December 1, 2017

General Information

Poinsettia pick-up on Tuesday: If you ordered poinsettias from the French Club, please pick them up on Tuesday, December 5, after 1:00 p.m. in the Campus Center lower level, outside the McLarty "Black Box" Theater. Send cash or checks made out to The Pennington School to Pat Zema ASAP if you have not already done so!

Girls' Lacrosse fundraiser ends Tuesday: The Pennington Girls' Lacrosse spring training holiday fundraiser ends on Tuesday, December 5, at midnight. Please order by that time holiday wreaths, centerpieces, and mantelpiece displays for friends and family. Click here to order, and enter code PE17356 at the bottom of the billing page; Alpine Farms will ship directly to your list of recipients. Questions can be directed to Wendy Morris at wmorris@pennington.org.

Give the Gift of Giving and Shine like Rudolph: The HomeFront Holiday Party, on Saturday, December 9, is a twenty-four-year-old Pennington tradition in which Pennington students host guests from HomeFront, a local organization serving those in need in Mercer County. The annual Holiday Party offers our neighbors from HomeFront a luncheon hosted by Pennington students and staff, a visit with Santa, arts and crafts, a deejay, and more. A highlight of the party is Santa's Workshop, where our HomeFront guests, parents and children alike, have the opportunity to select a gift to give. In our toy shop, we are honored to offer parents the dignity of choice as they shop, and children have the opportunity to choose a gift for their parents. Join the Peer Leaders and share the joy that comes from providing a stress-free environment, one filled with love and care, and one which unites us as one community. Students can sign up to volunteer to work during the party; more information will be found in the Voice.

We expect close to 400 guests, the majority of whom are children, and therefore the number of donated items needed to fill Santa's Toy Shop is significant in order to ensure that EVERY guest receives a gift. The "ticket" for the dress-down day today, Friday, December 1, is a new, unwrapped toy. Please consider including items for the HomeFront Holiday Party on your shopping list. Additional gifts, along with hats and gloves and/or personal hygiene items, will be accepted anytime. Items may be dropped off in the Horizon/Global Studies office. Unfortunately, the need is greater than ever this year. Please help us reach our goal so that we can extend the gift of giving to others less fortunate than ourselves.

See any Peer Leader, Ms. O'Connell, or Mr. Ritter if you have any questions. We request the Pennington School community to bring in the following:

Middle School: Gifts for infants-age 4 (Examples: toy blocks, baby books, stuffed animals, clothing)
Grade 9: Gifts for children ages 5-7 (Examples: dolls, stuffed animals, action figures, Hot Wheels)
Grade 10: Gifts for children ages 8-11 (Examples: Legos, Nerf guns, board games, Easy Bake ovens, remote control cars, scooters)
Grade 11: Gifts for children ages 12-14 (Examples: makeup kits, string bracelet sets, ship/car model kits)
Grade 12: Gifts for children ages 15-18 (Examples: clothing, jewelry, watches, makeup kits, sweatshirts)
Adults: Gifts for adults (Examples: candles, perfume, jewelry, soaps, body wash)

Gifts good for essentially any age: clothing, games, sports equipment, art supplies, books, starter instruments (ukulele, starter guitar, beginner drum set).

THANK YOU! #Shineyourlight -- The 2017-18 Peer Leaders

You can still donate to the Giving Trees: On Saturday, December 9, the School will host the annual HomeFront holiday party and visit with Santa. Each year, we ask for your donations of gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats to be distributed to the families that HomeFront supports. As you are out shopping this holiday season, please consider purchasing some of these items. Sizes ranging from infant to adult are appropriate. Donations may be hung on the "Giving Trees" located in the Student Center, the Yen Lobby, and the Middle School Lobby in Stainton Hall through Friday, December 8. Thank you for considering a contribution to this worthy cause. Questions can be directed to Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or tlambdin@pennington.org.

Pennington School to host first Mini Maker Faire: The Pennington School invites you to participate in the first annual Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire on Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors, the Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire offers you an opportunity to show what you make and to share your knowledge.

Currently, we are looking for Makers who want to show their work at the event. If you are someone who invents, designs, creates, or builds things, consider applying to be an exhibitor at the Mercer Bucks Mini Maker Faire. To apply for space at the Faire, please complete the form here. There is no cost to exhibit your work at the Faire, unless your creations are for sale (handmade goods, DIY kits, etc). For this, there is a cost of $100 per booth, payable to Maker Media.

Makers will be chosen by a committee which is looking for dynamic, interactive exhibits that will collectively give visitors a diverse experience at the Faire. The Call for Makers will be open until February 15, 2018, but don't wait to submit your plan for consideration. And please share the news about this local Mini Maker Faire with your friends! Questions can be directed to Susan Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org.

Upper School

Dominican Republic trip meeting Monday: There is a parent information session for the Spring Break Dominican Republic trip on Monday, December 4, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. Please email Jessica.douglass@pennington.org if your child is interested, but you are unable to attend the information session.

Applications for global opportunity due Tuesday: The Kennedy-Lunar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES) program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provides scholarships for high school students to gain the perspective of Muslim cultures firsthand. Applications are due online Tuesday, December 5. Click here for more details.

Save the date – Cotillion January 20: The Pennington School's Cotillion is set for Saturday, January 20, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Dress is semiformal, and light dinner fare will be served. All Upper School students are invited to attend; dates are optional. Tickets will go on sale after Winter Break. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Middle School

Sixth-grade global video conference Tuesday: With the help of Creative Communications, an international, cultural educational organization, the sixth-grade Humanities classes are embarking on a learning journey that will better allow them to understand students in a school across the world in the country of Jordan. With the hopes of knowing our world neighbors better and expanding our understanding of global citizenship, the sixth-graders will take part in their first introductory video conference with the class in Jordan on Tuesday, December 5. Due to the differences in time zones, the video conference will need to begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. If students can arrive that day by 7:45 a.m., that would be ideal. Mrs. Shaffer and the sixth-grade class are excited to begin what will be a multi-week collaboration and cultural exchange.

Hour of Code December 7: On Thursday, December 7, Middle School students will have an opportunity to take part in an Hour of Code in lieu of their study hall time. Members of the Upper School Applied Science program will lead interested Middle-Schoolers through a series of coding activities during their time together. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code," to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with one-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. More information about the Hour of Code can be seen here.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

November

November 24, 2017

General Information

We expect close to 400 guests, the majority of whom are children, and therefore the number of donated items needed to fill Santa's Toy Shop is significant in order to ensure that EVERY guest receives a gift. We plan to hold a dress-down day and the "ticket" for dressing down will be a new, unwrapped toy, so please consider including items for the HomeFront Holiday Party on your shopping list. The dress-down day is slated for Friday, December 1, but additional gifts, along with hats and gloves and/or personal hygiene items, will be accepted anytime after we return from Thanksgiving Break. Items may be dropped off in the Horizon/Global Studies office. Unfortunately, the need is greater than ever this year. Please help us reach our goal so that we can extend the gift of giving to others less fortunate than ourselves.

See any Peer Leader, Ms. O'Connell, or Mr. Ritter if you have any questions. We request the Pennington School community to bring in the following:

Middle School: Gifts for infants-age 4 (Examples: toy blocks, baby books, stuffed animals, clothing)
Grade 9: Gifts for children ages 5-7 (Examples: dolls, stuffed animals, action figures, Hot Wheels)
Grade 10: Gifts for children ages 8-11 (Examples: Legos, Nerf guns, board games, Easy Bake ovens, remote control cars, scooters)
Grade 11: Gifts for children ages 12-14 (Examples: makeup kits, string bracelet sets, ship/car model kits)
Grade 12: Gifts for children ages 15-18 (Examples: clothing, jewelry, watches, makeup kits, sweatshirts)
Adults: Gifts for adults (Examples: candles, perfume, jewelry, soaps, body wash)

Gifts good for essentially any age: clothing, games, sports equipment, art supplies, books, starter instruments (ukulele, starter guitar, beginner drum set).

THANK YOU! #Shineyourlight -- The 2017-18 Peer Leaders

Giving Tree Donations: On Saturday, December 9, the School will host the annual HomeFront Holiday Party and visit with Santa. Each year, we ask for your donations of gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats to be distributed to the families that HomeFront supports. As you are out shopping this holiday season, please consider purchasing some of these items. Sizes ranging from infant to adult are appropriate. Donations may be hung on the "Giving Trees" located in the Student Center, the Yen Lobby, and the Middle School Lobby in Stainton Hall starting Monday, November 27, through Friday, December 8. Thank you for considering contributions to this worthy cause. Questions can be directed to Tina Lambdin at 609-737-6111 or tlambdin@pennington.org.

Underclassman photo retakes: Spencer Studios will return to campus for underclassman photo retakes on Thursday, November 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students should email Chelsi Meyerson at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org for Middle School or Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org for Upper School if they would like to make an appointment to retake their photo. Questions regarding ordering photos should be directed to Spencer Studios at spencer@bee.net.

Poinsettia pick-up December 5: If you ordered poinsettias, please pick them up on Tuesday, December 5, after 1:00 p.m. in the Campus Center basement outside the McLarty Theater. Send money or checks made out to The Pennington School to Pat Zema ASAP if you have not already!

Music Lessons Program accepting new students: As we enter the winter season, the Music Lessons Program is accepting new students. Develop your individual excellence with singing lessons, or find your inner muse by learning a new instrument or perfecting an old one! Contact Dr. Dolan at ddolan@pennington.org for more information, and click here to register.

An important security reminder for parents visiting campus: If you need to visit a campus building during the school day (to drop off an item for your child, or to visit the business office, for example), we kindly ask that you enter the School campus through the main entrance at 112 W. Delaware Avenue. Please check in with security personnel in the golf cart or black van located by the end of the driveway. They will provide you with a temporary access card to swipe into the Middle School office or Upper School office. If security personnel are unavailable when you arrive, please contact either Chelsi Meyerson (Middle School) at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org or Maureen Iorio (Upper School) at miorio@pennington.org or call 609-737-1838. They will then give you access to the building.

Pennington continues to be a warm and welcoming community, which cares deeply about keeping its students safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to Chad Bridges, assistant headmaster for community life and dean of students, at cbridges@pennington.org.

Upper School

YES Abroad program Global Studies opportunity: The Kennedy-Lunar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES) program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provides scholarships for high school students to gain the perspective of Muslim cultures firsthand. Applications are due online Tuesday, December 5. Click here for more details.

November 10, 2017

General Information

Fall Concert this Sunday: The Music Program is delighted to present this year's Fall Concert on Sunday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Come hear the Middle School Singers along with the Upper School Orchestra, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Pennington Singers. It's a fun evening with a lot of great music and a reception in the Campus Center to follow. In lieu of an admission fee, we invite each family to bring a reusable shopping bag with items for a Thanksgiving meal to contribute to the Food Drive for Arm in Arm. A list of acceptable items can be found here.

Consider a donation of food before Nov. 13: The Pennington School has a longstanding commitment to help those less fortunate during the holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving. Last year, we donated more than 1,000 pounds of groceries to Arm in Arm of Trenton in November. The tradition of giving to others informs some of our deepest convictions. This year, we will continue our partnership with Arm in Arm. The focus of our food collection will be to provide their clients with all the ingredients needed for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, including staple items to carry them through the holidays. Click here to view a list of acceptable food items. Drop-offs are welcome in the Campus Center, the last day to drop off food being Monday, November 13.

Portal to schedule parent-teacher conferences closing Tuesday, Nov. 14: Parents and guardians wishing to attend the parent-teacher conferences on the evenings of Thursday, November 16, Friday, November 17, or the morning of Saturday, November 18, please note: The portal for the online scheduling service is now open and will close next Tuesday, November 14, at 5:00 p.m. Please sign up for conferences as early as possible during this period; click here to view a letter containing full instructions.

Underclassmen photo retakes: Spencer Studios will return to campus for underclassmen photo retakes on Thursday, November 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students should email Chelsi Meyerson at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org for Middle School or Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org for Upper School if they would like to make an appointment to retake their photo. Questions regarding ordering photos should be directed to Spencer Studios at spencer@bee.net.

Upper School

Global studies opportunities available: Several new opportunities for global studies are available for all Upper School student participation, including the Global Citizens Initiative, Cambridge Immerse, Envision, and The School for Ethics and Global Leadership. Click here for more information on all opportunities.

Parent Coffee November 16: Please join us on Thursday, November 16, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery for the next parent coffee, Stress Management and Teens: Helping Your Teen Deal with Stress. You will hear concrete ideas on stress reduction techniques from two Princeton-area psychologists, Karen Cohen, Psy.D., and Lori Washton, Ph.D. Click here to RSVP.

Meeting for Dominican Republic trip Nov. 16: There will be an informational meeting for the Spring Break Dominican Republic trip on Thursday, November 16, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum (before Parent/Teacher conferences). Please email Jessica.douglass@pennington.org if your child is interested but is unable to attend the information session.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. There are opportunities for day students to join us during this Community Weekend.

November 3, 2017

General Information

Portal to schedule Parent-Teacher Conferences now open: Parents and guardians wishing to attend the Parent-Teacher Conferences on the evenings of Thursday, November 16; Friday, November 17; or Saturday, November 18, please note: The portal for the online scheduling service is now open and will close on Tuesday, November 14, at 5:00 p.m. Please sign up for conferences as early as possible during this period; click here to view a letter containing full instructions.

Fall Concert Nov. 12: The Music Program is delighted to present this year's Fall Concert on Sunday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Come hear the Middle School Singers, along with the Upper School Orchestra, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Pennington Singers. It's a fun evening with a lot of great music and a reception in the Campus Center to follow. In lieu of an admission fee, we invite each family to bring a reusable shopping bag with items for a Thanksgiving meal to contribute to the Food Drive for Arm in Arm. A list of acceptable items can be found here.

Consider a donation of food before Nov. 13: The Pennington School has a longstanding commitment to help those less fortunate during the holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving. Last year, we donated more than 1,000 pounds of groceries to Arm in Arm of Trenton in November. The tradition of giving to others informs some of our deepest convictions. This year, we will continue our partnership with Arm in Arm. The focus of our food collection will be to provide their clients with all the ingredients needed for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, including staple items to carry them through the holidays. Click here to view a list of acceptable food items. Drop-offs are welcome in the Campus Center; the last day to drop off food is Monday, November 13.

Flu shot offered on campus: As a service to our community, our Health Center will be offering the flu vaccine to all students. The 2017-18 flu vaccine will protect against the flu viruses identified by the Centers for Disease Control. The virus is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy noses, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting, but there have also been some cases of severe illness and death associated with this virus. To order the flu vaccine for your child, please complete the attached form and email it to healthcenter@pennington.org. If you have any questions regarding the flu vaccine, please call the Health Center directly at 609-737-6114.

Upper School

Important message for sophomore parents: Parents of sophomores -- please click here to view a letter from Dean of Students Chad Bridges regarding the Sophomore Character Development and Leadership program.

Haiti trip applications due today: Students interested in going on the trip to Haiti are reminded that a printed copy of their application is due today, November 3. Please return completed applications to either Mr. Thompson or Ms. Uzupis, and remember to complete them thoughtfully. Trip members will be selected and all applicants will be notified of selections before Thanksgiving Break. Questions can be directed to Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org.

Sophomore Parent Night November 5: Members of the College Guidance Office are hosting a Sophomore Parent Night on Sunday, November 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be an overview of the college admissions process and how it pertains to the School. Counselors will discuss standardized testing, course selection, the college guidance timeline, and other topics.

Grade Reports: Next week, parents will have access to their child's first-quarter grade reports. There will be a notice posted on Schoology when the reports are available to view in Veracross.

Girls in STEM Dinner November 7: "Anyone Can Make a Difference When They Are Driven by Purpose" is a mentoring/networking opportunity with women working in STEM fields. Enjoy a keynote speaker, dinner, and Q&A panel with six distinguished female guests who are working in a STEM field on Tuesday, November 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pennington girls in grades 9-12 are invited, with priority given to Applied Science students. Register by email to Susan Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org; limited to 50 students. Applied Science students: This dinner will count two hours toward your outside-school-hours requirement.

Dress Code Reminders: At Monday's Community Meeting students were treated to a "What Not to Wear" fashion show. We are finding there are a few misconceptions, and we hope you will take some time to review the dress code with your child found on page 51 of the Student/Parent Handbook.

Hooded sweatshirts (hoodies) are not permitted at all, not even as outerwear.
The following shoes are not in dress code: Converse sneakers, athletic sneakers, Timberland or workboot-style boots.
Earbuds/headphones are not to be worn during the academic day. Students may use them while studying quietly, but they are not to be worn as they are walking from class to class. They will be confiscated.
Shirts must have sleeves and collars and be buttoned up to the second button. They may not be worn open like a jacket with a t-shirt underneath. Scarves do not replace a collared shirt. Turtlenecks are permitted.
Denim of any kind is not permitted (jackets, shirts, jeans or skirts).
Leggings are not permitted.
Three-quarter-zip pullovers are not to be worn as turtlenecks. They may be worn as outerwear, but students must have a collared shirt on underneath.
Hats of any type may not be worn in any building anytime. Winter hats may be worn for warmth but must removed in the building.
Senior privileges have ended. Gentlemen are expected to be clean-shaven.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 9, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form before they can begin practicing. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due immediately; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Middle School

Quarter 1 report tips: Next week, parents will have access to their child's first-quarter grade reports. There will be a notice posted on Schoology when the reports are available to view in Veracross. These reports include grades for each class, plus written feedback from each teacher. Students will review reports with their advisor next Thursday. As you digest the information, please keep the following in mind:

Find a quiet moment to sit down and review the report away from your child.
Make note of any patterns that support what your child has achieved thus far; reasons that might justify successes as well as challenges.
When sharing and discussing the report with your child, make sure the focus is on the feedback teachers have provided and NOT the grade itself.
Help your child use the feedback this report provides to set/reset goals, adjust approaches, and strategies, to best ensure growth in the second half of the semester.

If there is anything in the report that seems off or inaccurate, encourage your child to speak with his/her teacher and/or advisor directly for clarification, explanation, or correction. These reports can offer excellent talking points for the upcoming Parent-Teacher conferences later this month.

Paige's Pages: Please see below for this week's Paige's Pages:

With our first academic reports coming out, this article may offer some relevant perspective.
Seth Godin is a bit of a mentor of mine. I read his wisdom every morning. I thought this article might be good for us all.
When social media and homework compete for a student's attention

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 30, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Meyerson, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due November 15; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are invited to participate in some great events!

October

October 27, 2017

General Information

Portal to schedule parent-teacher conferences opens Nov. 2: Parents and guardians wishing to attend the parent-teacher conferences on the evenings of Thursday, November 16; Friday, November 17; or Saturday, November 18, please note: The portal for the online scheduling service will open on Thursday, November 2, at 8:00 a.m. and close on Tuesday, November 14, at 5:00 p.m. Please sign up for conferences as early as possible during that period; click here to view a letter containing full instructions. You will also receive a letter with full instructions for using the conference portal later today from Dean of Academic Affairs Scott Peeler and Head of Middle School Todd Paige.

Reduced-term music lessons available: Is your child looking to get ready for musical auditions? Thinking of trying a new instrument? The private music lessons program is offering a three-lesson trial rate of $200. If you would like to continue past the three lessons, you can sign up for a season of lessons at our regular rates. Just use the form here and mention that you would like to take advantage of the $200 trial rate. Contact Dr. Dolan at ddolan@pennington.org, the coordinator of private music lessons, with any questions.

Flu shot offered on campus: As a service to our community, the Health Center will be offering the flu vaccine to all students. The 2017-18 flu vaccine will protect against the flu viruses identified by the Centers for Disease Control. The virus is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy noses, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting, but there have also been some cases of severe illness and death associated with this virus. To order the flu vaccine for your child, please complete the attached form and email it to healthcenter@pennington.org. If you have any questions regarding the flu vaccine, please call the Health Center directly at 609-737-6114.

Poinsettia sale to raise money for Haiti: The French Club is now selling poinsettias! Orders must be in by the end of October for delivery in the first week of December. Email any French Club member or Madame Zema at pzema@pennington.org for an order form, or click here. Profits benefit the children of Haiti and will be given to the service trip that will be traveling there over Spring Break.

Upper School

Global Studies students – TedTalks coming Oct. 28: TedTalks are coming to Princeton this Saturday, October 28. Featuring local change agents and innovators, these inspiring speakers will share their ideas for changing the world and inspire participants to take action, too. This event can earn six hours of credit toward the Global Experience requirement for students in the Global Studies Certificate Program. Contact Dr. Sisserson at Kendra.sisserson@pennington.org if you need transportation from Pennington. Tickets and more information can be found here.

Haiti trip reminder: Students interested in going on the trip to Haiti are reminded that a printed copy of their application is due next Friday, November 3. Please return completed applications to either Mr. Thompson or Ms. Uzupis, and remember to complete them thoughtfully. Trip members will be selected and all applicants will be notified of selections before Thanksgiving Break. Questions can be directed to Mr. Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org.

2018 travel opportunities filling fast: Some trips are already waitlisted. If you are considering a Global Studies trip for your child, please contact individual trip leaders or Dr. Sisserson at Kendra.sisserson@pennington.org soon. More information can be found here.

Health History Update due today: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 9, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log in to Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due today, October 27; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Girls in STEM Dinner November 7: "Anyone Can Make a Difference When They Are Driven by Purpose" is a mentoring/networking opportunity with women working in STEM fields. Enjoy a keynote speaker, dinner, and Q&A panel with six distinguished female guests who are working in a STEM field on Tuesday, November 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pennington girls in grades 9-12 are invited, with priority given to students in the Applied Science Certificate Program. Register by email to Susan Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org; limited to 50 students. Applied Science students – this dinner will count two hours toward your outside-school-hours requirement.

Middle School

Middle School Parents Night Out Nov. 2: On Thursday, November 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hopewell Valley Vineyard, Middle School parents and faculty will have the opportunity to gather together for good cheer and great company for a celebration of the first quarter of the school year. While each of us may travel a unique path on this educational and developmental parenting journey with our children, we are going through this journey together, even though it may not always feel that way. As parents, we must stick together. Invitations for this evening have already been sent out; if you did not receive one in your email, please contact Chelsi Meyerson at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 30, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log in to Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Meyerson, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due November 15; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

October 20, 2017

General Information

Eighth annual Run for the Cure this Sunday: The Peer Leaders are hosting their eighth annual Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 22, at 8:00 a.m. The run raises money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the fight against breast cancer. Please register by clicking here. If you are unable to attend the run, donations are greatly appreciated. Hope to see you there! Please view an informational flyer from the Peer Leaders by clicking here.

Upper School

Grades 10, 11, 12 Parent Party tomorrow: Please join your fellow Pennington parents for a casual get-together over food and drinks in the Wesley Forum on Saturday, October 21, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Please note, we are in need of more food donations. Questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Parent Coffee October 26: Please join us on Thursday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. for the next Upper School Parent Coffee, Navigating Social Media: Insights and Ideas for Parents. Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling services, and Ken Coakley, director of technology, will share practical information to help parents understand the technology behind social media and offer strategies for handling the potential "social" pitfalls that may arise as a result of its use.

Prior to attending, we recommend reading the article "How Does Technology Affect Teens Health and Well-being" as it may facilitate a meaningful discussion next week. Click here to read the article.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 9, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due October 27; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Middle School

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 30, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Meyerson, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due November 15; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are invited to join us for two of our frightfully exciting outings this weekend!

October 13, 2017

General Information

REMINDER—Campus buildings are locked: As part of our effort to continually improve our campus security, all campus buildings are locked. We kindly ask that all parents and visitors enter the School campus through the main entrance at 112 W. Delaware Avenue and check in with security personnel in the golf cart located at the T of the main driveway if you need access to one of the buildings.

All-School Pep Rally tonight! On Friday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m., an All-School Pep Rally will be held in Sparks Gymnasium. Immediately following the Pep Rally, we will gather on Tom Liwosz Turf Field to crown this year's Homecoming King and Queen! The Homecoming Court consists of seniors Callie Bouton, Kathleen Horsley, Olivia Mahony, Feven negussie, Vivian Lei, Blake Botelho, Matt Paragamian, Nick Psomaras, Sidney Spencer, and Ryan Totaro. Middle School students should be picked up immediately following the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen.

An Upper School Homecoming Dance will be held in the Small Gym afterward from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Homecoming tomorrow, October 14! We would like to invite all Pennington parents to participate in Homecoming this Saturday, October 14, starting at 10:00 a.m. Join the fun in cheering on our athletic teams, sampling the flavors of Homecoming Row, climbing the rock wall, enjoying a hot dog from the Bird Feeder or a treat from Nina's Waffles and Ice Cream, and taking a tour of the newly renovated library. Homecoming is a family event intended for our students, parents, past parents, faculty, staff, and alumni. We hope to see you!

Reminder to RSVP: The Pennington School is hosting a Champagne Fete on Friday, October 27, at 6:00 p.m. on campus to which all parents are invited. Kindly respond by October 14 by emailing wendy.ward@pennington.org.

You are invited! Parents are welcome to tour the newly renovated Meckler Library on Saturday, October 14, at 1:00 p.m. during Homecoming. Stay afterward for a conversation with CFO Graeme McWhirter about the construction projects and the future of the campus. The Archives team will invite everyone into to the new Archives and Special Collections Room for a discussion about the School's history at 2:15 p.m.

Eighth annual Run for the Cure October 22: The Peer Leaders are hosting their eighth annual Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 22, at 8:00 a.m. The run raises money for the Susan G. Komen foundation and its fight against breast cancer. Please register by clicking here. If you are unable to attend the run, donations are greatly appreciated. Hope to see you there!

STEM Speakers Series on campus this fall: There will be four guest speakers on campus this fall for the new STEM Speaker Series. These are required events for students in the Applied Science Certificate Program, and others are welcome. All presentations will be held in the Wesley Forum from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Friday, October 20: Lisa Espinoza, M.D. P'23 – Practicing Medicine and Opening Your Own Practice
Friday, October 27: Carrie Vinch '83 P'19) – Using Engineering to Solve Environmental Problems
Friday, November 10: Ali Shokoufandeh P'19 – The World of Coding in Higher Education
Friday, December 8: Scott Gibbard P'19 '21) – The Intersection of Business and STEM Fields

Parent clubs and groups hosting events: Please see below for upcoming events hosted by several parent clubs/groups:

Indian Interest Group: Open to anyone who would like to learn more about the meaning of Diwali, the festival of lights in India. You are invited to enjoy a variety of sweets served during the celebration of Diwali on Friday, October 20, at 8:30 a.m. in the Wesley Alumni House. Click here to sign up. For more information, contact Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Sukanya Mahadevan at shishya_arts@yahoo.com.
Tennis: Those with interest in tennis can meet on the School courts Wednesday and Saturday mornings. To be included on the mailing list, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.
Multicultural Gourmet Club: If you love to cook and want to learn about different cultural foods, join the Multicultural Gourmet Club. You will try new recipes from around the globe and share your creations. To be included on the mailing list, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

Parents Association to vote on new name: On Friday, October 20, at 8:15 a.m., the Parents Association will hold a general meeting to vote on a name change from The Pennington School Parents Association to Parents for Pennington. If you wish to vote, the meeting will be held in the dining hall.

Upper School

Class of 2018 parents – help feed the Bird! Senior parents are asked to help stock the Bird Feeder by donating snacks and beverages that students can sell during sporting events and Homecoming. Chips, pretzels, candy, soft drinks, and bottles of water are greatly appreciated. All proceeds from the Bird Feeder benefit the senior class. Donations can be dropped off in Yen 108, with Security Officer Pete Young on the campus plaza, or delivered to Tom Liwosz Turf Field on the day of the game. Your support is appreciated!

China trip information meeting October 17: There will be an information session about the Spring Break trip to China with Mr. Anderson on Tuesday, October 17, at 3:15 p.m. in the Wesley Forum. If you are interested but cannot attend the info session, please email jack.anderson@pennington.org. Xiexie!

Haiti trip information meeting October 19: Once again, the School is planning to send a group of students to Haiti next year to provide services to the remote churches and schools served by Harmony Ministries March 19 through March 25. The trip has proven to be a life-changing milestone in the lives of those who have participated. It will be open to ten Upper School students with first preference being given to those selected for last year's trip. The cost will be approximately $2,000. If you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine or early education, or want to give a hand where it is certainly needed, consider applying for the trip. An information meeting for those interested and their parents will be held on Thursday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Yen 304. All those planning to apply for the trip need to attend. Contact Blair Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org with questions.

Senior portraits Oct. 19 and Oct. 20: Spencer Studios will be on campus on Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20, for senior portraits. Seniors can sign up for an appointment for a casual and/or formal portrait with Mrs. Iorio. Any senior who did not take a portrait in the spring, or who would like to retake his or her photo, should be sure to sign up. School formal dress is required for formal portraits, and males are required to wear a jacket. A cap and gown will be provided. Proofs will be sent to your home address within three weeks. Questions can be directed to Spencer Studios at 610-429-4467.

Grades 10, 11, 12 Parent Party October 21: Please join your fellow Pennington parents for a casual get-together over food and drink in the Wesley Forum on Saturday, October 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Please note, we are in need of more food donations. Questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Parent Coffee October 26: Please join us on Thursday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. for the next Upper School Parent Coffee, Navigating Social Media: Insights and Ideas for Parents. Director of Counseling Services Stephanie DeSouza and Director of Technology Ken Coakley will be sharing practical information to assist parents in understanding the technology behind social media and strategies for handling the potential social pitfalls that arise as results of its use.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 9, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due October 27; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Middle School

Progress Reports: Now that the first month of school is under our belts, parents may begin to receive "Progress Reports" from their child's teachers. Progress Reports are a good thing; they offer feedback that celebrates recent accomplishments and communicate when students fall short of expectations. Progress Reports are not cause for alarm but should act as a catalyst for conversation and future planning. The intention is to use these reports as conversation pieces to better understand what didn't go well and why, or why something did go well, while also using that understanding to benefit the student in the future.

Elevate Education returns for students October 18: This coming Wednesday, October 18, Elevate Education will return to Pennington to work with sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders on critical study skills. Sixth-graders will take part in a program on note-taking; seventh-graders will learn to use mnemonics; eighth-graders will learn strategies to help them ace their exams. There will be a parent information session from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. See email for more details.

Parents Night Out November 2: Join other Middle School parents at Hopewell Valley Vineyards on Thursday, November 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Questions can be directed to Michelle Meinhart at michellecyrol@yahoo.com.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 30, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Meyerson, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due November 15; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director of Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Paige's Pages: Please see below for this week's Paige's Pages:

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

October 6, 2017

General Information

Locked doors and visitor information: In an effort to continue to improve our campus security through the year, we want to let parents know that beginning Monday, October 9, doors to all campus buildings will be locked throughout the day. Students will be able to gain access to the buildings by using their student ID cards. Students who have not yet received or might have misplaced their cards should see Mrs. Iorio for a new card. Should a student forget his or her card on particular day, he or she will be able to use a temporary card and should come the Dean of Students Office located on the first floor of Old Main to get one. Middle School students will have access to School buildings from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Upper School students will have access to School buildings from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. so these students can leave some of their belongings while participating in after-school activities.

Visitors will report to a centralized location on campus to receive temporary ID cards. Any Upper School parents who need to come to campus for any reason should call or email Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org, and any Middle School parents should contact Chelsi Meyerson at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org. Please know that we are working to make the School as secure a place as we can, and we appreciate your understanding and patience as we institute some of these new policies and procedures.

Save the date – Homecoming Happenings! Homecoming will take place this year on Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14. Please see below for specific Homecoming events:

Spirit Week! Monday, October 9, through Friday, October 13. Students dress in different themes each day. Be sure to check The Voice in the coming week for the most up-to-date spirit day announcements. On Friday, October 13, we will hold a Red and Black Dress Down Day. Day students are welcome to stay on campus for dinner in the dining hall that evening, after which the entire School community is invited to participate in the Pep Rally.
Pep Rally – Sparks Gymnasium: Friday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. All students are invited to attend. Festivities will include performances by many of our teams, cheerleaders, and clubs. Following the Pep Rally, students will head to the turf field for the announcement of this year's Homecoming King and Queen.
Upper School Dance – Small Gym: Friday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m. Immediately following the announcement of Homecoming King and Queen, there will be an Upper School Dance in the small gymnasium. The dance will end at 10:00 p.m., after which all students should immediately be picked up.
Homecoming Row: Saturday, October 14, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We encourage everyone to stop by Homecoming Row, where students, clubs, and activities will be raising money and selling wonderful food and great Pennington Pride hats, shirts, and keepsakes. Make sure to stop by the Bird Feeder to help support the Class of 2018.
Athletic events: Saturday, October 14. Be sure to visit our website for a complete list of games for the day!
Meckler Library celebration: Saturday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m. Please join us in celebration of the renovated Meckler Library and the new Pennington School Archives and Special Collections Room. Stay after the celebration for a presentation by Chief Financial Officer J. Graeme McWhirter at 1:30 p.m. about the process of the transformation and what the future holds for The Pennington School campus. A discussion will follow. At 2:15 p.m. there will be a conversation with the Archives team, who will be describing some of the treasures of Pennington's 179-year history.

2017-18 Student Travel Opportunities: Please click here for a list of 2017-18 student travel opportunities. Financial assistance is available for those students who qualify. If you would like to be considered, contact your trip leader or Sharon Jarboe, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, at sjarboe@pennington.org.

Parent Clubs and Groups hosting events: Please see below for upcoming events hosted by several parent clubs/groups:

Chinese Tea Ceremony: On Thursday, October 12, anyone interested in tasting different teas and enjoying Chinese refreshments is invited to Wesley House at 8:30 a.m. Click here to sign up. For more information, please contact Jennifer Wang at yunfeng.wang@gmail.com.
Book Club: Anyone interested in joining the Parents Book Club is invited to the first meeting on Friday, October 13, at 8:30 a.m. at Sourland Coffee, 250 Main St. in Pennington. Bring book suggestions. For more information, contact Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Sukanya Mahadevan at shishya_arts@yahoo.com.
Indian Interest Group: Open to anyone who would like to learn more about the meaning of Diwali, the festival of lights, in India. You are invited to enjoy a variety of sweets served during the celebration of Diwali on Friday, October 20, at 8:30 a.m. in Wesley House. Click here to sign up. For more information, contact Simi Mehra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Sukanya Mahadevan at shishya_arts@yahoo.com.

New York Theatre Trip December 2: This year's New York theatre trip to Once On This Island will be held on Saturday, December 2. Students, faculty, parents, and siblings are invited to attend. The trip will leave campus at 10:45 a.m. for a 2:00 p.m. matinee of this inventive and relevant musical. Dinner and sightseeing in small groups will follow, with a return to campus at 9:30 p.m. The cost of the show ticket and bus transportation per person is $85. Boarders receive a $20 credit on their ticket cost, and will receive dinner money. Please note--the trip is now run by Ms. Suzanne Houston. Reservations can be made with Ms. Houston at Suzanne.houston@pennington.org. Payment will be charged to your School account through the Business Office in November.

Upper School

Senior portraits Oct. 19 and Oct. 20: Spencer Studios will be on campus on Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20, for senior portraits. Seniors will sign up for an appointment for a casual and/or formal portrait with Mrs. Iorio. Any senior who did not take a portrait in the spring, or would like to retake his or her photo, should be sure to sign up. School formal dress is required for formal portraits; males are required to wear a jacket. A cap and gown will be provided. Proofs will be sent to your home address within three weeks. Questions can be directed to Spencer Studios at 610-429-4467.

Grades 10, 11, 12 Parent Party October 21: Please join your fellow Pennington parents for a casual get-together over food and drinks in the Wesley Forum on Saturday, October 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 9, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due October 27; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Middle School

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a winter activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to August 30, state guidelines require you to a complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Parents should log into Magnus to complete this requirement. If you are unable to upload the form on your own, students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Meyerson, or parents can email the update to krossi@pennington.org. Updates are due November 15; if you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Director Health Services Karen Rossi at 609-737-6114.

Boarding

Boardingware Update: Parents and guardians of boarding students should have received an invitation this week from Boardingware. All requests to leave campus must be submitted and approved through Boardingware beginning this weekend. If you did not receive the invitation or are having trouble setting up your account, please email Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org.

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

September

September 29, 2017

General Information

Opening of School survey: Your feedback is very important to us, and we hope that you will take a few minutes to help us gather some very useful information about the opening of School. Clicking here will take you to a survey regarding your experience during the opening of school, with respect to forms, iPads, book purchases, LAUNCH, and Orientation Day. The survey is anonymous, and no personal information will be collected. We are grateful for your assistance and participation!

Online Student/Parent Directory now available in Veracross: We are delighted to announce that the online version of our Student/Parent Directory is now available in your parent portal in Veracross. Simply log in as usual, and you will see a button for the directory on the righthand side of your screen. Although we printed a paper version for your convenience this year, please note that a new, online directory always contains the most up-to-date information, as email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses change all year long. If you find any of your own information is listed incorrectly, please update your profile in Veracross and the directory will be updated after the Registrar's office reviews the change.

You can search students or parents by first name or last name, and you can view all students by grade. We hope you will find this new online directory very useful. Please note that this directory is to facilitate noncommercial communication among students and The Pennington School and their parents only. Any other use of the information contained in the directory is strictly prohibited.

Underclassman yearbook photos next week: Spencer Studios will be on campus Monday, October 2, and Tuesday, October 3, to take yearbook photos of students in grades 6-11. Upper School students will go during a set period with their English class; Middle School students will go during a set period with a Middle School faculty member on Tuesday. Proofs will be sent to your home address within three weeks. Questions can be directed to Spencer Studios at 610-429-4467.

Princeton Common Ground speaker October 5: A free talk is being presented on Thursday, October 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Stuart Country Day School for parents. Dr. Wendy Mogel will be speaking to parents about the rough waters of child-rearing, adding a measure of joy and humor to the voyage. Drawing on insights from her thirty-five-year career in clinical psychology, she will unravel the paradox of good-intentioned, devoted parenting gone astray. Registration is required for this free talk; please click here to register.

Save the date: Homecoming Happenings! Homecoming will take place this year on Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14. Please see below for specific Homecoming events:

Spirit Week! Monday, October 9, through Friday, October 13. Students dress in different themes each day. Be sure to check The Voice in the coming week for the most up-to-date spirit day announcements. On Friday, October 13, we will hold a Red and Black Dress Down Day. Day students are welcome to stay on campus for dinner in the dining hall that evening, after which the entire School community is invited to participate in the Pep Rally.
Pep Rally – Sparks Gymnasium: Friday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. All students are invited to attend. Festivities will include performances by many of our teams, cheerleaders, and clubs. Following the Pep Rally, students will head to the turf field for the announcement of this year's Homecoming King and Queen.
Upper School Dance – Small Gym: Friday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m. Immediately following the announcement of Homecoming King and Queen, there will be an Upper School Dance in the small gymnasium. The dance will end at 10:00 p.m., after which all day students should immediately be picked up.
Homecoming Row: Saturday, October 14, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. We encourage everyone to stop by Homecoming Row, where students, clubs, and activities will be raising money and selling wonderful food and great Pennington Pride hats, shirts, and keepsakes. Make sure to stop by the Bird Feeder to help support the Class of 2018.
Athletic events: Saturday, October 14. Be sure to visit our website for a complete list of games for the day!

Help promote Open House with lawn signs: Please help the Admission Team promote Open House, which takes place on Sunday, October 15. New Open House lawn signs, featuring the watercolor rendering of Old Main by Carrie Bouton, are the must-have lawn ornament for the fall season. If you would like to place a lawn sign either in your front yard or near a key intersection, please stop by the Office of Admission to pick one up!

Admission fee waiver announcement: Do you have a child who will be applying to Pennington for the 2018-19 school year? The Office of Admission is offering application fee waivers for all sibling applicants. To receive your fee waiver code, please email Jenny Chase at jchase@pennington.org with your child's name, current school, and the grade to which they will be applying. We are looking forward to working with you and your children this year! –-The Admission Team

Parents Association clubs and events: Please see below for a new club, a new interest group, and one event for parents:

Book Club: Love to read? Join fellow bookworms in TPSPA's Book Club. For more information, please contact Simi Mekra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com, or Sukanya Mahadevan at shishya_arts@yahoo.com.
Indian Interest Group: If you are interested in learning more about Indian culture and traditions, please contact Simi Mekra at simmiechatha@hotmail.com or Sukanya Mahadevan at shishya_arts@yahoo.com
Chinese Tea Ceremony: If you are interested in tasting different teas and enjoying Chinese refreshments, join TPSPA on Thursday, October 12, at 8:30 a.m. in the Wesley Alumni House for a Chinese tea ceremony. Please click here to sign up.

Upper School

Senior portraits Oct. 19 and Oct. 20: Spencer Studios will be on campus on Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20, for senior portraits. Seniors will sign up for appointments for casual and formal portraits with Mrs. Iorio. Any senior who did not take a portrait in the spring, or would like to retake his or her photo, should be sure to sign up. School formal dress is required for formal portraits, with males required to wear a jacket. A cap and gown will be provided. Proofs will be sent to your home address within three weeks. Questions can be directed to Spencer Studios at 610-429-4467.

Deadline for College Guidance event October 5: On Sunday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum, the College Guidance Office will host a seminar entitled "Emerging Trends in Higher Education." Dr. Robert J. Massa, senior vice president for enrollment and institutional planning at Drew University, will be the presenter. This presentation is designed for juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and their parents. To register, contact Sharon Carabelli at sharon.carabelli@pennington.org or 609-737-6130. The registration deadline is Thursday, October 5.

Grade 9 Parent Party October 6: Grade 9 parents are invited to attend the Parent Party at the home of Dr. Bill Hawkey and Karen Hawkey on Friday, October 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Please click here to view the invitation; questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Middle School

Grade 7 Parent Party: The Koesterich family and the Parents Association would like to invite Grade 7 parents to a potluck social. Click here to RSVP. Please note, there is a sign-up for potluck items. Once you RSVP "yes," a new screen will appear that says, "To-Do Items." Select potluck items and enter your food contribution.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

September 22, 2017

General Information

Help promote Open House with lawn signs: Please help the Admission team promote the School's Open House, which takes place on Sunday, October 15. New Open House lawn signs, featuring the watercolor rendering of Old Main by Carrie Bouton, are the must-have lawn ornament for the fall season. If you would like to place a lawn sign, either in your front yard or near a key intersection, please stop by the Office of Admission to pick one up!

Admission fee waiver announcement: Do you have a child who will be applying to Pennington for the 2018-19 school year? The Office of Admission is offering application fee waivers for all sibling applicants. To receive your fee waiver code, please email Jenny Chase at jchase@pennington.org with your child's name, current school, and the grade to which he or she will be applying. We are looking forward to working with you and your children this year! –The Admission Team

Multicultural Gourmet Club offered to parents: If you love to cook and want to learn about different cultural foods, join the Multicultural Gourmet Club. You will try new recipes from around the globe and share your creations. To be included on the mailing list, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.

Several groups available to parents: Three new groups are now available in which parents can participate: a Tennis Group, a Hispanic/Latino Interest Group, and a Chinese Interest Group. Parents are welcome to contact Marlynne Marlow if they would like to start any other clubs or multicultural interest groups.

Tennis: Those with interest in tennis can meet on the School courts Wednesday and Saturday mornings. To be included on the mailing list, please contact Marlynne Marlow at marlynnemarlow@hotmail.com.
Hispanic/Latino Interest: To learn more about the Hispanic/Latino culture, contact Johanna Gonzalez at vangonz@gmail.com
Chinese Interest: To become more knowledgeable about Chinese culture and traditions, such as a Chinese tea ceremony, Chinese painting and calligraphy, and more, please contact Jennifer Wang at yunfeng.wang@gmail.com.

Upper School

Back-to-School Night September 28: On Thursday, September 28, the School will host its annual Upper School Back-to-School Night for parents. This evening begins with the Parents Association dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Dining Hall. To view a more detailed schedule of the night and a letter from Dean of Academic Affairs Scott Peeler, please click here.

Freshman Fun Night September 28: The Peer Leaders are hosting Freshman Fun Night on Thursday, September 28, to correspond with Upper School Back-to-School Night. This mandatory event is an opportunity for freshmen to continue to get to know each other through a student-led evening of fun and games. There will be no homework for freshmen that evening, and dinner will be provided. Freshmen should dress comfortably; sneakers are a must. Details will be communicated to the freshmen through their Peer Leaders. The senior Peer Leaders are looking forward to hosting this Pennington tradition for the Class of 2021!

Grade 9 Parent Party October 6: Grade 9 parents are invited to attend the Parent Party at the home of Dr. Bill Hawkey and Karen Hawkey on Friday, October 6. Please click here to view the invitation; questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Middle School

Grade 8 Parent and Student Party tomorrow: A party for Grade 8 families will be hosted in the Gray family's home on Saturday, September 23. Contact Michelle Meinhart at michellecyrol@yahoo.com if you did not receive an invitation.

Middle School Parent Coffee next week: The first of four Middle School Parent Coffees will be held next Thursday, September 28, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art. This gathering is for all Middle School parents and will begin with a brief discussion from Physical Life Skills trainers Susie Paige, Lisa Houston, and Aaron Twitchell. There will also be a conversation about the opening-of-school experience, communication expectations and guidelines, and School security. Head of Middle School Todd Paige will provide details about the upcoming Retreat and other events, and he will begin an ongoing discussion about technology use in the classroom. The goal for these discussions is to empower all adults to establish healthy technology habits and minimize negative consequences for students. Breakfast refreshments will be available.

Paige's Pages a new addition: Bimonthly, I hope to offer parents a handful of articles, blogs, posts, and anything else that comes my way that has some relevance to educating and parenting kids today and in the future. Pick and choose what may resonate with you, and feel free to engage in dialog with one another about those topics that spark your interest or test your perspective. Also, please share your thoughts with me as we work together to help us all become our very best selves. Please click any headline below to view. –Todd Paige, Head of Middle School

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here.

September 15, 2017

General Information

One Call Now test today: On Friday, September 15, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the School will be conducting a test of our emergency notification system, One Call Now. This system is typically used to notify parents and employees by voice mail of School closings due to inclement weather; however, on occasion it will be used to notify parents of changes to School-wide events or if an emergency situation exists on campus.

If you do not receive a call by 5:00 p.m. or if you would like to add a number to this system, please email Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org. Please include your student's name and grade and the phone numbers you would like to add. Please do not call the number back to report any changes; all changes must be received in writing.

Admission fee waiver announcement: Do you have a child who will be applying to Pennington for the 2018-19 school year? The Office of Admission is offering application fee waivers for all sibling applicants. To receive your fee waiver code, please email Jenny Chase at jchase@pennington.org with your child's name, current school, and the grade to which he or she will be applying. We are looking forward to working with you and your children this year! –the Admission team

World Maker Faire Field Trip Sept. 24: Pennington students are invited to attend the World Maker Faire on Sunday, September 24 in New York City. The Faire is a festival of invention, creativity, resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. A bus will depart Pennington at 8:30 a.m. and return at 6:30 p.m. The price is $32 for day students, and is free for boarders. Please email Mrs. Wirsig at swirsig@pennington.org by 8:00 a.m. on September 18 to indicate your interest in attending the trip. Seats are limited.

View updates and news stories on website: For updated information, calendars, and featured news stories, we invite all parents to visit our website to get the latest on the School. We also invite you to follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Upper School

Back-to-School Night Sept. 28: On Thursday, September 28, the School will host its annual Upper School Back-to-School Night for parents. This evening begins with a dinner hosted by the Parents Association at 5:30 p.m. in the Dining Hall. To view a more detailed schedule of the night and a letter from Dean of Academic Affairs Scott Peeler, please click here.

Grade 9 Parent Coffee Sept. 22: Grade 9 parents and guardians are invited to join the Parents Association on Friday, September 22 at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery for a parent coffee. Stephanie DeSouza, director of counseling services, will share ideas and strategies on making the transition to high school smooth and successful for everyone. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share any challenges you may be experiencing. Please respond by clicking here.

France trip deposits due Sept. 22: Your student is invited to experience the language and culture of France with a homestay experience March 16 through March 24, 2018. The trip is open to students of French in ninth- through twelfth-grade at an estimated cost of $2,600. A deposit of $1,000 is due by Friday, September 22 to reserve a space on the trip. Interested? Email Dr. Henry at marissa.henry@pennington.org.

Driver Education offered this fall: Driver Education for grades 10-12 will be offered this fall. The session will begin on Sunday, September 24, and run for 10 weeks. Classes are on Sunday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Yen 306. Email Mr. Liwosz if you are interested in participating at tliwosz@pennington.org. The fee is $200; checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and brought to the first class.

Middle School

Middle School Back-to-School Night Sept. 19: Parents of Middle School students are invited to Middle School Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner hosted by the Parents Association. For a more detailed schedule of events, please click here.

Physical Life Skills meets every Wednesday: A reminder to Middle School students and parents: Physical Life Skills meets every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. This trimester, the eighth-grade boys are doing Zumba, the sixth- and seventh-grade boys are doing Inspire Performance Academy, and the eighth-grade girls are doing yoga. All three of these activities require a change of clothes, with sneakers for the boys. The sixth- and seventh-grade girls are doing swimming, which requires a swimsuit, towel, and optional goggles. Please remind your students to bring their change of clothing and equipment each Wednesday.

Club and Fall Athletic information: Information on Middle School Clubs and Fall Athletics is posted via specific Schoology groups. (For example, Middle School Cross Country or Middle School Book Club.) You can access this information through your child's Schoology account. Students will see new information posted by advisors or coaches in the updated format on their home page, or by visiting the specific group page in their group drop down.

Visit the website for Middle School news: For the latest information and featured Middle School news stories, please visit our Middle School page on the website! We also invite you to follow up on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Elevate Education will be back on campus: On the evening of Wednesday, October 18, all Middle School parents will have an opportunity to hear from Elevate Education, Inc., about the work they completed with students this past Wednesday, September 13. Elevate has worked with all Middle School students for a number of years and these sessions have proved to offer students valuable strategies to be more efficient, more focused, and better managers of their time. More details will follow in future weeks.

Boarding

This weekend's activities: To view a list of activities for this weekend, please click here. Day students are welcome to join many of our activities; please view the flyer each week for details!

September 8, 2017

General Information

Welcome back to Pennington! We hope you had a fabulous summer! Every Friday morning, parents will receive an email called Pennington Postings. The Postings contains important information and reminders about upcoming School events; it is the best way to find out what will be happening in the week ahead. To prevent the Postings from disappearing into your spam filter, we suggest adding penningtonpostings@pennington.org to your list of contacts and approved senders.

Convocation tonight: Convocation, observing the beginning of the one hundred and eightieth academic year, will take place tonight, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. on O'Hanlon Green. Upper School students should arrive by 6:15 p.m. and Middle School students by 6:30 p.m.; they should report to Liwosz Turf Field for class photos.

Boarding news: We will be adding a new Postings section especially for parents of boarding students; watch for it next week! In the meantime, click here for this weekend's schedule of activities--and remember that day students are welcome to join them, as well!

Parents Association meeting next Thursday: Join the Parents Association for the first General Meeting next Thursday, September 14, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery. The Executive Board will introduce themselves and their roles; review this year's agenda and calendar; and discuss planned activities such as coffees, clubs, the Bash, and others. Light breakfast will be served.

Important note when browsing the website: For all parent information, please visit the website at www.pennington.org, go to the Community tab and then to Parents. You can bookmark this page for easy access.

Music lessons available: Music lessons are available for all instruments and voice-types, experience levels, and styles. Scheduling is already underway, so return this form to the business office as soon as possible to secure your slot.

Upper School

College Guidance Senior Parent Night September 17: The College Guidance Office invites senior parents to their annual Senior Parent Night on Sunday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Forum in the Yen Building. College Guidance will discuss important information about the year ahead and how parents can best support their students in completing their college applications and deciding where to enroll. Parents are highly encouraged to attend if they are able.

Driver Education offered this fall: Driver Education for grades 10-12 will be offered in the fall. The session will begin on Sunday, September 24, and run for 10 weeks. Classes are from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Yen 306. Email Mr. Liwosz if you are interested in participating at tliwosz@pennington.org. The fee is $200; checks should be made payable to Princeton Driving School and brought to the first class.

Middle School

Grade 6 Parent Party September 15: Grade 6 parents are invited to attend the Parent Party at the home of Dr. Bill Hawkey and Karen Hawkey on Friday, September 15. Please click here to view the invitation; questions can be directed to Michelle Meinhart at michellecyrol@yahoo.com.

2016-17

June

June 2, 2017

June 2, 2017

General Information

Final Postings of the year: This will be the final issue of Pennington Postings for the 2016-17 school year. Congratulations to the Class of 2017, and have a wonderful summer!

Exam schedule starting today: Please click here to view the exam schedule for Friday, June 2, through Thursday, June 8.

End-of-year letter from the Parents Association: The Parents Association wishes to thank all parents who helped make this past year a success. Click here to read a letter from the Parents Association.

Cookies needed for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunch: At our annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon, there will be a cookie buffet. Each attendee will be invited to select an assortment of cookies to take home as a favor. Please volunteer to bake your best cookies as a thank-you for all that these special people do for our children. Please deliver plated cookies to the Campus Center on Friday, June 9, between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Let us know what cookies you will donate by signing up here.

Scholarship Golf Classic June 12: The Twenty-Second Annual Scholarship Golf Classic will take place at The Bedens Brook Club on Monday, June 12. Proceeds from the Classic benefit the Page and Otto Marx Challenge, supporting financial aid for local students. Please join us for a spectacular silent auction at the awards luncheon; click here to register. For more information, please contact Jane Childrey '89 at jane.childrey@pennington.org or 609-737-6144, or Rob McClellan at rmcclellan@pennington.org or 609-737-6126.

Required School forms due July 1: Required School forms, including general permission and medical forms, are due no later than Saturday, July 1. You should have received an email from Magnus Health with your temporary password on May 3. Magnus Health is a leader in student health care management and offers electronic signatures as well as mobile form submissions and parents access from any mobile device. If you did not receive an email from Magnus, or have any questions regarding our School forms, please contact Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org, or Chelsi Meyerson, assistant to the Head of Middle School, at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org.

Seeking host families for students from Spain: We are currently seeking Pennington families willing to host students from Spain from September 17 through 30. Preference will be given to students of Spanish, but anyone can host. Take part in this amazing experience where you get to know a person from a different culture, share with them the American culture, and have the opportunity to visit in Spain during the spring of 2019. Interested families may contact Dr. Castro at lcastro@pennington.org.

Global Studies trips announced for next year: The Global Studies office is pleased to announce its School trips for the 2017-18 school year. Click here to view a list of trips with details and contact information. Please email individual trip leaders for further information.

Interested in becoming a host family next year? The School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students make the transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; rather, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. Please consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2017-18 school year! Full details of the program are available by clicking here; questions can be directed to Director of International Student Services Judy Rossi at jrossi@pennington.org or 609-737-6147.

Upper School

Commencement tomorrow: Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, June 3, on the lawn of Old Main, and a light luncheon for seniors and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony. Seniors will arrive on campus no later than 9:15 a.m. for a photo on the gym steps at 9:30 a.m. No tickets are necessary for Commencement, as there is open seating. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. will be removed.

Global Leadership Seminar opportunity: The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia will be hosting its annual Global Leadership Seminar for high school students at Temple University in Philadelphia, from Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14. The theme this year is U.S. Foreign Policy in the Trump Era, and the week concludes with a field trip to Washington, DC, where students will meet with diplomats and foreign policy officials. The cost is $195 for the week. Space is quite limited. More information and registration is available here. If students are interested, a bus will travel to and from The Pennington School each day at a cost of $75 for the week. If you have questions, or would like to sign up for the Pennington bus, please contact Dr. Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org.

Middle School

Middle School--June 2, 2017

Summer camp slots still available: Your child can spend a week this summer with some of his or her favorite Pennington teachers and coaches!

Students can improve their skills at Coach Carter's boys' lacrosse camp.
Learn about music technology with Dr. Dolan's DJ Camp.
Improve your Drawing and Painting skills with Ms. Hall.
Learn about acting and production in Drama Workshop with Pennington alumnus Peter Secrest.
Build and create with Mrs. Wirsig in Engineering and Problem Solving.
Improve your basketball skills with Coach Eckerson in girls' basketball camp.
Improve soccer skills with Coach Murphy in girls' soccer.
Ms. DeFelice will show you lots of tricks in Magic Chemistry.
Mr. Payne will offer many exciting trips in Outdoor Adventure.
Mrs. Kalkus will show you why balls bounce and Frisbees fly in Physics of Sports.
Learn about all different types of science with Ms. DeFelice in Science-a-Palooza.
Work on your stroke and turns in swimming camp with Coach Ward.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick can help improve your writing skills in Writer's Workshop.

May

May 26, 2017

General Information

Half-day schedule today: The Headmaster has called for a half-day schedule today, May 26. Happy Prom and happy Memorial Day weekend! Please check the Voice and Schoology for the exact schedule. Classes today will end at 11:35 a.m., and lunch will be served following the last class.

Chariot Races next Tuesday: The Pennington Latin Club's Seventh Annual Chariot Races will take place next Tuesday, May 30, at 3:15 p.m. Chariots may be dropped off that morning on the Campus Center Plaza; prizes will be awarded in various categories. Parents are invited!

Horizon Fair next Wednesday: Seniors from the Class of 2017 will share their Horizon internship experiences in a wide range of categories on Wednesday, May 31, at 3:00 p.m. Categories include Architecture and Engineering, Arts and History, Business and Culinary, Communications and Media, Community Services and Nonprofit, Education, Law, Marketing and Development, Medicine and Health Care, Sports Management and Training, and various categories of STEM.

Exam schedule for beginning of June: Please click here to view the exam schedule for Friday, June 2, through Thursday, June 8.

Last Parents Association meeting next Thursday: Please join the Parents Association next Thursday, June 1, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery for the final General Meeting of the School year. The Parents Association will present the School with their end of year gift, introduce the 2017-18 slate of officers, and recap the year. Breakfast will be served following the meeting as a thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and donors—all are welcome! Kindly RSVP here.

Tent-decorating volunteers needed: The Parents Association is seeking volunteers to help decorate the tent for the Senior/Parent Dinner that follows Baccalaureate on June 2. Click here to sign up.

Interested in becoming a host family next year? The School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; rather, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. Please consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2017-18 school year! Full details of the program are available by clicking here; questions can be asked of Director of International Student Services Judy Rossi at jrossi@pennington.org or 609-737-6147.

Upper School

Prom is tonight! Please click here to read an important message from the Dean of Students. All prom tickets must be paid for today. Click here to log in to your student's account to make a payment.

Senior Class Lock-In information: Plans for the Senior Class Lock-In have been announced. Please click here for more information.

Senior Week schedule of events: Please click here to view the schedule of events for Senior Week.

Notes for Class of 2017 parents: A friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior Parent Dinner on June 2, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on Heritage Field is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and the faculty. Siblings who are current students or alumni of Pennington are also invited. Because of limited seating under the tent, we regret that we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is $40 charge per extra guest. To register for the Senior/Parent Dinner, click here; for additional tickets, click here or contact Tina Lambdin at 609–737–6111 or tlambdin@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Commencement information: Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, on the lawn of Old Main, and a light luncheon for seniors and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony. No tickets are necessary for Commencement, as there is open seating. Additional graduation invitations are available for pick-up in Mrs. Iorio's office. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, will be removed.

Middle School

Summer camp slots still available: Spend a week this summer with some of your favorite Pennington teachers and coaches!

Students can improve their skills at Coach Carter's boys' lacrosse camp.
Learn about music technology with Dr. Dolan's DJ Camp.
Improve your Drawing and Painting skills with Ms. Hall.
Learn about acting and production in Drama Workshop with Pennington alumnus Peter Secrest.
Build and create with Mrs. Wirsig in Engineering and Problem Solving.
Improve your basketball skills with Coach Eckerson in girls' basketball camp.
Improve soccer skills with Coach Murphy in girls' soccer.
Ms. DeFelice will show you lots of tricks in Magic Chemistry.
Mr. Payne will offer many exciting trips in Outdoor Adventure.
Mrs. Kalkus will show you why balls bounce and Frisbees fly in Physics of Sports.
Learn about all different types of science with Ms. DeFelice in Science-a-Palooza.
Work on your stroke and turns in swimming camp with Coach Ward.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick can help improve your writing skills in Writer's Workshop.

May 19, 2017

General Information

All School Barbecue tomorrow: Join the whole school for bubble soccer, volleyball, food, and fun on O'Hanlon Green before the Coffeehouse tomorrow, May 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

New art exhibit opening tomorrow: The Silva Gallery is proud to open its newest exhibit by alumnus Matthew Pandolfe '07 tomorrow, May 20, between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. There will be a reception for the artist from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Silva Gallery, with plenty of great food, company, and incredible fashion photography. Click here for more information about the exhibit.

Student/Faculty pottery for sale at Pennington Day: Senior Marjorie Long has spearheaded an Empty Bowls Project to raise money for T.A.S.K. through the sale of pottery made by Pennington students and faculty. To support her efforts, please stop by the Pennington School tent at Pennington Day tomorrow, May 20. Marjorie has created many of the beautiful bowls, cups, vases, and more, all of which are food safe.

Women's self-defense class next Thursday: On Thursday, May 25, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., there will be a women's self-defense class in the big gym. This class is open to any woman associated with the School – students, faculty, and parents are welcome to attend. It is important for every woman to know how to defend herself; this class will teach basic self-defense. The class will be instructed by Songham Taekwondo sixth-degree Black Belt Master Susan Winter from Princeton Martial Arts Center, and third-degree Black Belt Ariana Colner '22. Please contact ariana.colner@pennington.org to sign up or with any questions.

Half-day schedule next Friday: The Headmaster has called for a half-day schedule on Friday, May 26. Happy Prom and happy Memorial Day weekend! Please check the Voice and Schoology for the exact schedule for Friday, May 26. Classes on Friday will end at 11:35 a.m. and lunch will be served following the last class.

Chariot Races on May 30: The Pennington Latin Club's Seventh Annual Chariot Races will take place on Tuesday, May 30 at 3:15 p.m. Chariots may be dropped off that morning on the Campus Center Plaza; prizes will be awarded in various categories. Parents are invited!

Exam schedule for beginning of June: Please click here to view the exam schedule for Friday, June 2, through Thursday, June 8.

Tent decorating volunteers needed: The Parents Association is seeking volunteers to help decorate the tent for the Senior/Parent Dinner that follows Baccalaureate on June 2. Click here to sign up.

Parents Association meeting/appreciation breakfast: Please join the Parents Association on Thursday, June 1, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery for the final General Meeting of the School year. The Parents Association will present the School with their end of year gift, introduce the 2017-18 slate of officers, and recap the year. Breakfast will be served following the meeting as a thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and donors—all are welcome! Kindly RSVP here.

Interested in becoming a host family next year? The School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; rather, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. Please consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2017-18 school year! Full details of the program are available by clicking here; questions can be directed to Director of International Services Judy Rossi at jrossi@pennington.org or 609-737-6147.

Upper School

Last Freshman Fun Night tonight: The senior Peer Leaders are excited to share a final Freshman Fun Night with the freshman class tonight, May 19, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. The Peer Leaders have organized a night of fun and games, including Pennington's own version of Quidditch. Freshmen are asked to dress comfortably, wear sneakers (weather permitting we are outside) and bring a wooden broom if possible! Meet on the turf.

Promenade on campus before Prom: Join us on Friday, May 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for this on-campus event on O'Hanlon Green. This is an opportunity for parents and students to gather and take photos before students board buses to attend the Junior/Senior Prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. The Parents Association has organized food and photographers with whom students can have photos taken with their friends. Families are invited to remain for a parents party from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. after the students have boarded the buses.

One spot left in summer Public Speaking class: Responding to student and parent interest, a second section of the summer Public Speaking class has been added during the week of July 17. There is currently one spot still available. Students who take the class during the summer receive credit for the quarter class usually taken during sophomore year at Pennington. Please click here to see the page about the class, which includes a link to the registration site.

World Affairs Council in July: The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia will be hosting their annual Global Leadership Seminar for high school students from Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14, at Temple University. The theme this year is U.S. Foreign Policy in the Trump Era, and the week concludes with a field trip to Washington D.C., where students will meet with diplomats and foreign policy officials. The cost is $195 for the week; space is limited, please click here for more information and registration. Also, a bus is available for transportation to and from Pennington each day at a cost of $75 for the week. To sign up for the bus, or any questions, please contact Kendra Sisserson at Kendra.sisserson@pennington.org.

Middle School

Attention parents of eighth-grade students (rising ninth-grade students): Come join us for the Red Raiders Welcome and Brunch on Saturday, May, 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a morning of getting to know your new Upper School classmates and their families. Parents and students will learn about Upper School summer reading, technology, the dress code, business matters, course selection, and Upper School athletics!

Summer camp slots still available: Spend a week this summer with some of your favorite Pennington teachers and coaches!

Students can improve their skills at Coach Carter's boys' lacrosse camp.
Learn about music technology with Dr. Dolan's DJ Camp.
Improve your Drawing and Painting skills with Ms. Hall.
Learn about acting and production in Drama Workshop with Pennington Alumnus Peter Seacrest.
Build and create with Mrs. Wirsig in Engineering and Problem Solving.
Improve your basketball skills with Coach Eckerson in girls' basketball camp.
Improve soccer skills with Coach Murphy in girls' soccer.
Mrs. Defelice will show you lots of tricks in Magic Chemistry.
Mr. Payne will offer many exciting trips in Outdoor Adventure.
Mrs. Kalkus will show you why balls bounce and Frisbees fly in Physics of Sports.
Learn about all different types of science with Mrs. Defelice in Science-a-Palooza.
Work on your stroke and turns in swimming camp with Coach Ward.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick can help improve your writing skills in Writer's Workshop.

May 12, 2017

General Information

Middle School Play ends this weekend: The Middle School Play, Ivan and the Firebird, will be performed through Saturday, May 13, in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. Tickets may be purchased by clicking here. Tickets are $5 for students and adults. There is an additional processing fee of $1.50 per ticket. Waiting list requests should be sent to tickets@pennington.org.

Parents Book Club next Thursday: The Parents Association will hold its next book club in the evening on Thursday, May 18. Suggestions for the next book to read are welcome, but in the meantime, participants will read The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. Email Annie Michaelson ASAP with book suggestions at tpspa@pennington.org. Please click here to RSVP.

Tennis Round Robin with prizes May 20: Want US Open tickets? Participate in the Scholarship Tennis Round Robin on Saturday, May 20, at 10:00 a.m.! All participants can participate in a raffle drawing for two (2) US Open tickets. There will be prizes for first and second place, along with contests for best Pennington spirit outfit; best outfit; best grunt; and best John McEnroe hair and headband. Click here to register or contact Director of Alumni Affairs Jane Childrey at jane.childrey@pennington.org.Contributions of any size will be accepted during this event. There is no minimum contribution. Proceeds from the Pennington Scholarship Round Robin benefit the Page and Otto Marx Challenge, which supports financial aid for disadvantaged youth.

All School Barbecue next Saturday: Join the whole school for bubble soccer, volleyball, food, and fun on O'Hanlon Green before the Coffeehouse on Saturday, May 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Come meet the new Parents Association officers: The Parents Association is thrilled to introduce the slate for next year's officers. We hope you will join us at our last general meeting and thank-you breakfast of the year on Thursday, June 1, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery to meet the new leadership, recap the year, and present the School with our end-of-year gift. Kindly RSVP here.

Required School forms due July 1: Required School forms, including general permission and medical forms, are due no later than Saturday, July 1. You should have received an email from Magnus Health with your temporary password on Wednesday, May 3. Magnus Health is a leader in student health care management and offers electronic signatures as well as mobile form submissions and parents access from any mobile device. If you did not receive an email from Magnus, or have any questions regarding our School forms, please contact Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org, or Chelsi Meyerson, assistant to the Head of Middle School at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org.

Upper School

Prom tickets must be purchased by tonight!The Pennington School will host its prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday, May 26, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by tonight, May 12. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the museum from the School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.; students are asked to be prompt. Tickets are $100 per person and will be charged to your School account. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Class of 2018 parents, take note about portraits: Spencer Studios will be on campus next week to take your child's senior portrait. Current juniors are encouraged to take a photo this spring (retakes, if desired, will be offered in the fall). Students need to make two appointments with Mrs. Iorio: a casual portrait on May 15 or 16 and a formal portrait (studio style shots, including optional cap and gown) on May 18 or 19.

Notes for Class of 2017 parents: A friendly reminder for senior parents to please register for the Senior Parent Dinner on June 2, following the Baccalaureate service. The dinner on Friday evening under the tent on Heritage Field is a special celebration for seniors, their parents, and the faculty. Siblings who are current students or alumni of Pennington are also invited. Because of limited seating under the tent, we regret that we can accommodate only a few additional guests on a first come, first served basis. There is $40 charge per extra guest. To register for the Senior/Parent Dinner, click here; for additional tickets, click here or contact Tina Lambdin at 609–737–6111 or tlambdin@pennington.org if you have any questions.

Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, on the lawn of Old Main, and a light luncheon for seniors and their guests will immediately follow the ceremony. No tickets are necessary for Commencement, as there is open seating. Additional graduation invitations are available for pick-up in Mrs. Iorio's office. Please note that only the School administration has the right to reserve seating at Commencement. All other reserved seating signs that are placed before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, will be removed.

Global Leadership Seminar opportunity:The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia will be hosting its annual Global Leadership Seminar for high school students at Temple University in Philadelphia, from Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14. The theme this year is U.S. Foreign Policy in the Trump Era, and the week concludes with a field trip to Washington, DC, where students will meet with diplomats and foreign policy officials. The cost is $195 for the week. Space is quite limited. More information and registration is available here. If students are interested, a bus will travel to and from The Pennington School each day at a cost of $75 for the week. If you have questions, or would like to sign up for the Pennington bus, please contact Dr. Sisserson at kendra.sisserson@pennington.org.

Additional summer Public Speaking class offered: Responding to student and parent interest, a second section of the summer Public Speaking class has been added during the week of July 17. Students who take the class during the summer receive credit for the quarter class usually taken during sophomore year at Pennington. Please click here to see the page about the class, which includes a link to the registration site.

Calling oncurrent Junior Class parentsto help stock the Bird Feeder by donating snacks and beverages that we can sell on Pennington Day (Saturday, May 20). Chips, candy, soft drinks, Gatorade, and bottles of water are greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off in Yen 108. Please contact Mrs. Reddy (areddy@pennington.org) or Mr. Bouton (jbouton@pennington.org) with any questions! The Class of 2018 thanks you!

Promenade on campus before the Prom: Join us on Friday, May 26, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. for this on-campus event on O'Hanlon Green. This is an opportunity for parents and students to gather and take photos before students board buses to attend the Junior/Senior Prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. The Parents Association has organized food and photographers with whom students can have photos taken with their friends. Families are invited to remain for a parents party from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. after the students have boarded the buses.

Middle School

Attention parents of eighth-grade students (rising ninth-grade students): Come join us for the Red Raiders Welcome and Brunch on Saturday, May, 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a morning of getting to know your new Upper School classmates and their families. Parents and students will learn about Upper School summer reading, technology, the dress code, business matters, course selection, and Upper School athletics!

Please register online or by email at admiss@pennington.org by Monday, May 15. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Admission Office at 609–737–6128.

No-Tech Tuesdays begun: As you may have heard from your child or through Schoology this past week, the Middle School started instituting No-Tech Tuesdays. What this means is that, once students arrive to School in the morning and any other times outside the classroom throughout that day, no technology is to be used. Classes are the only time technology can be accessed.

We decided to do this perhaps for obvious reasons. We want time for students to interact with one another or spend time by themselves without looking at or focusing their attention on a screen. We have seen wonderful adjustments so far. People who were never interacting are now interacting. Students are playing card games together as opposed to video games in isolation of one another. We look forward to seeing what further adjustments No-Tech Tuesdays will organically provide our kids from now until the end of the year. We hope you join us in embracing this opportunity for your child and our students.

Middle School polo shirt donations needed: Please consider donating any outgrown Pennington polo shirts in good condition and put them in the box in Chelsi Meyerson's office. The funds raised from selling these polos are returned to the Middle School. Thank you!

May 5, 2017

General Information

Thank you to the Parents Association: The Parents Association played a pivotal role in the success of our recent Community Day. Their support and assistance with the food trucks deserves plenty of thanks! Click here to view a photo of the food trucks on campus serving students.

Middle School Play next week: The Middle School Play, Ivan and the Firebird, will be performed Thursday, May 11, through Saturday, May 13, in the Stainton Hall Lecture Center. Tickets may be purchased starting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 8, by clicking here. Tickets are $5 for students and adults. There is an additional processing fee of $1.50 per ticket. Waiting list requests should be sent to tickets@pennington.org.

Raising self-esteem in kids presentation next week: Please join us next Friday, May 12, at 8:30 a.m. for an empowering and insightful presentation on building self-esteem in our children. The Parents Association has partnered with HiTops, a local organization dedicated to raising physically and emotionally healthy children and adolescents. The program, "Risk Proof Your Kids: Learning to Raise Self-Esteem in Kids," will provide commonsense strategies for parents to employ to boost self-esteem in their children and teens. Results from recent studies will be shared explaining the link between teen risk-taking and self-esteem. Please click here to RSVP. More information can be found here.

Parents Book Club May 18: The Parents Association will hold its next book club in the evening on Thursday, May 18. Suggestions for the next book to read are welcome, but in the meantime, participants will read The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. Email Annie Michaelson ASAP with book suggestions at tpspa@pennington.org. Please click here to RSVP.

2017 Scholarship Golf Classic date announced: The twenty-second annual Scholarship Golf Classic will take place on Monday, June 12, at The Bedens Brook Club. Proceeds from the Classic benefit the Page and Otto Marx Challenge, supporting financial aid for local students. Opportunities to sponsor, donate prizes, and volunteer are available. Please click here for more information and to see a list of current sponsors. Questions can be directed to Jane Childrey '89 at jane.childrey@pennington.org or 609-737-6144 or Rob McClellan at rmcclellan@pennington.org or 609-737-6126.

2017-18 TPSPA Slate of Officers

President: Lori Washton P '20, first year of two-year term
Co-Vice President: Michele Cano P '19 '21, second year of two-year term
Co-Vice President: Marlynne Marlow P '20, first year of two-year term
Upper School Representative: Karin Eckerson P '19 '21, first year of two-year term
Middle School Representative: Michele Meinhart P '23, first year of two-year term
Financial Liaison: Tina Borden P '21, first year of two-year term
Corresponding Secretary: Anne DiDomenico P '20, first year of two-year term
Recording Secretary: Tom Mavis P '16 '18, second year of two-year term
Boarding Representative: Maryann Levinson P '19, first year of two-year term

Upper School

Prom tickets must be purchased by next Friday! The Pennington School will host its prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday, May 26, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by next Friday, May 12. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the museum from the School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.; students are asked to be prompt. Tickets are $100 per person and will be charged to your School account. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio, assistant to the Dean of Students, at miorio@pennington.org.

Freshman Fun Night rescheduled: Due to the threat of inclement weather, Freshman Fun Night has been rescheduled to Friday, May 19.

Tuxedo company on campus next week: ChazMaTazz Formal Wear will be on campus Tuesday, May 9, and Wednesday, May 10. Students may rent a tuxedo for the prom; the company will deliver it here to the School and pick it up after the prom. Please bring a form of payment with you (check or credit card). Boarders who need to charge to their account must see Mrs. Iorio first.

Class of 2018 parents, take note about portraits: Spencer Studios will be on campus the week of May 15 to take your child's senior portrait. Current juniors are encouraged to take a photo this spring (retakes, if desired, will be offered in the fall). Students need to make two appointments with Mrs. Iorio: a casual portrait on May 15 or 16 and a formal portrait (studio style shots, including optional cap and gown) on May 18 or 19.

Promenade on campus before Prom: Join us on Friday, May 26, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. for this on-campus event on O'Hanlon Green. This is an opportunity for parents and students to gather and take photos before students board buses to attend the Junior/Senior Prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. The Parents Association has organized food and photographers with whom students can have photos taken with their friends. Families are invited to remain for a parents party from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. after the students have boarded the buses.

Middle School

Important! Correction to recent parent letter: In a recent letter sent out to Middle School parents regarding the show 13 Reasons Why, the date for the parents meeting was incorrect. The correct date is Wednesday, May 10, at 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Silva Gallery. Please click here to view the full, updated letter.

Update from the Head of Middle School: Since my invitation to talk with parents, I have had one coffee, one lunch, and a dinner. I am grateful for the time these folks have given and the thoughts and perspective that have been shared. It is my sincere hope that more parents will set aside a bit of time to talk about their hopes, dreams, and fears about their child's future and how Pennington can prepare them for what lies ahead. Here are some snippets of the conversations that have taken place thus far:

Children are growing up in a world where one's safety is uncertain. Being part of families who have immigrated to the United States or families of color, incidences of terrorism and cyber threats, and any number of other situations can cause doubt about our humanity and physical and emotional safety. What can schools and parents do to prepare our students with the skills and mindset to live in and improve this kind of world?

Are we (parents and schools) preparing our kids for their futures if we set up systems that nearly guarantee their success at every turn? Are we protecting them from life's challenges instead of preparing them for the challenges their futures will undoubtedly provide them?

Collaboration, working together, and working with different kinds of personalities and talents are important skillsl for the future. Is there a balance that needs to be drawn between relying on the wisdom of the group and building individual accountabilities?

Technology is a powerful and necessary tool and one that our students will need to master in order to interact professionally and socially with their world. Should STEM-type courses begin to take the place of the traditional stand-alone courses of English, science, social studies, language, and math?

Could we provide an opportunity for kids to get together with peers from around the world for a summer camp of leadership, understanding, connection, appreciation, problem solving and more? Could this be a summer camp opportunity right here at Pennington?

I know there are many more thoughts out there about how we can best prepare our kids for their futures, and I sincerely hope that those thoughts make their way to me. In addition to meeting with parents, I have also been able to meet with a group of eager faculty members who also think about how to best prepare students for their futures. This group, "Reimagining Pennington," will continue to meet in order to shape meaningful change in how we do what we do on behalf of kids.—Todd Paige

To schedule a time to speak with Todd Paige, please email Chelsi Meyerson at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org, or email your thoughts directly to him at tpaige@pennington.org.

Middle School polo donations needed: Please consider donating any outgrown Pennington polos in good condition and put them in the box in Chelsi Meyerson's office. The funds raised from selling these polos are returned to the Middle School. Thank you!

April

April 28, 2017

General Information

Family Night Out at the Trenton Thunder tomorrow! Please join us tomorrow, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Arm & Hammer Stadium in Trenton to watch the Trenton Thunder take on the Erie Seawolves. The School is hosting a Family Night Out on the Picnic Area for an evening at the Thunder. Join students, families, faculty, and staff for a great night out at the ballpark. Tickets are $30 per person and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, reserved seating at the picnic tables, and fireworks at the conclusion of the game. For families of four or more, the price will be $25 per person.

Car wash tomorrow: The Class of 2019 will be hosting their annual Car Wash tomorrow, April 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the lower parking lot. The price for a wash remains just $7. All proceeds benefit the class.

"Landfill Harmonic" film/discussion this Sunday: You are invited to view Landfill Harmonic: A Symphony of the Human Spirit on Sunday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m. in the Kenneth Kai Tai Yen Humanities Building. The film follows the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan musical group that plays instruments made entirely out of garbage. As this group turns its inspiring spectacle of trash into music around the world, we follow the lives of a garbage picker, a music teacher, and a group of children from a Paraguayan slum. This is a beautiful story about the transformative power of music, which also highlights two vital issues of our time: poverty and waste. Click here for more details.

Important information about School forms: All required School forms, including general permission and medical forms, are due no later than July 1. You will need to submit them through Magnus Health, which offers electronic signature as well as mobile form submission and parent access from any mobile device. You will receive an email from Magnus with your username and temporary password the first week in May. If you do not receive an email from Magnus by May 5, please contact Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org.

All required forms will be reviewed by the School; you will receive an email notification over the summer if we require additional information regarding your child. Questions may be directed to Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org for Upper School or Chelsi Meyerson for Middle School at 609–737–6134 or chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org.

Spring Play ends tomorrow: The Spring Play, Out of the Box, will be performed through Saturday, April 29, in the Diane P. McLarty"Black Box" Theatre. Tickets are sold out; to be placed on the waiting list, please email tickets@pennington.org.

Parent Book Club in May: The Parents Association will hold its next book club in the evening on Thursday, May 18. Suggestions for the next book to read are welcome, but in the meantime, participants will read The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. Email Annie Michaelson ASAP with book suggestions at tpspa@pennington.org. Please click here to RSVP.

Tent decorating volunteers needed: The Parents Association is seeking volunteers to help decorate the tent for the Baccalaureate and Senior/Parent Dinner. Click here to sign up.

Learn more about being a host family: The School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; rather, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. Please consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2017-18 school year! Full details of the program are available by clicking here; questions can be directed to Director of International Services Judy Rossi at jrossi@pennington.org or 609-737-6147.

Upper School

One more day to donate to the Bird Feeder: We are asking current junior (rising senior) parents to help stock the Bird Feeder by donating snacks and beverages. Chips, pretzels, candy, soft drinks, and bottles of water are greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off in Yen 108 by tomorrow, April 29, for Spring Fling! The class of 2018 thanks you!

Last Freshman Fun Night: The senior Peer Leaders are excited to share a final Freshman Fun Night with the freshman class on Friday, May 5, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Peer Leaders have organized a night of fun and games, including Pennington's own version of Quidditch. Freshmen are asked to dress comfortably (weather permitting we are outside) and bring a wooden broom if possible! Meet on the turf.

The deadline to purchase tickets to Prom is approaching! All tickets to Prom must be purchased by Friday, May 12. Juniors and Seniors are invited! The Pennington School will host its prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, PA on Friday, May 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the Museum from the School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.; students are asked to be prompt. The Parents Association will host Promenade from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Campus Center Plaza. A photographer will be present to take photos.

Students received a link to complete their prom reservation. Tickets are $100 per person and will be charged to your school account. Payment is due immediately and should be paid for by logging into your account on afford.com. Questions may be direction to Assistant to the Dean of Students Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org.

Class of 2018 parents take note about portraits: Spencer Studios will be on campus the week of May 15 to take your child's senior portrait. Current juniors are encouraged to take a photo this spring (re-takes will be offered in the fall). Students need to make two appointments with Mrs. Iorio – a casual portrait on May 15 or 16 and a formal portrait (cap and gown) on May 18 or 19.

Promenade on campus before Prom: Join us on Friday, May 26, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. for this on-campus event on O'Hanlon Green. This is an opportunity for parents and students to gather and take photos before students board buses to attend the Junior/Senior Prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. The Parents Association has organized food and photographers with whom students can have photos taken with their friends. Families are invited to remain for a parent party from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. after the students have boarded the buses.

Middle School

Middle School polo donations needed: Please consider donating any outgrown Pennington polos in good condition to the box in Chelsi Meyerson's office. The funds raised from selling these polos are returned to the Middle School. Thank you!

April 21, 2017

General Information

Third quarter grades posted: Third quarter grades were posted this week and can be viewed by logging into NetClassroom.

Spring Concert this Sunday: The Spring Concert is this Sunday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Come hear the Middle School Singers and Instrumental Ensemble, along with the Upper School Orchestra, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Pennington Singers. It's a fun evening with a lot of great music!

Spring Play next week: The Spring Play, Out of the Box, will be performed next Thursday, April 27, through Saturday, April 29, in the Diane P. McLarty"Black Box" Theatre. Tickets may be purchased by clicking here. All tickets are $5 and seating is general admission.

Parent Coffee with Dr. Matt Bellace next Tuesday: Dr. Matt Bellace, a clinical neuropsychologist, will be speaking at a Parent Coffee next Tuesday, April 25, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Art Gallery on the developing brain and decision making in young people. RSVP to Director of Counseling Services Stephanie DeSouza at sdesouza@pennington.org or 609-737-6118.

Contributions still needed for Food Festival next Friday: The School's annual Diversity Days Food Festival is rapidly approaching and we need your help to make it a success! The festival will take place next Friday, April 28, and contributions are still needed. This is a wonderful tradition that allows us to celebrate the many different cultures and ethnicities present on campus. Please consider bringing in food that represents your culture or identity to share with the Pennington community. Contact Ms. Stern-Leaphart at sstern-leaphart@pennington.org by Monday, April 24, if you are interested in participating or have any questions.

Family Night Out at the Trenton Thunder next weekend: Please join us on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Arm & Hammer Stadium in Trenton to watch the Trenton Thunder take on the Erie Seawolves. The School is hosting a Family Night Out on the Picnic Area for an evening at the Thunder. Join students, families, faculty, and staff for a great night out at the ballpark. Tickets are $30 per person and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, reserved seating at the picnic tables, and fireworks at the conclusion of the game. For families of four or more, the price will be $25 per person. Click here to reserve your tickets!

Parent Walking Club in April and May: The Parents Association is excited to extend an invitation to their Walking Club, to be held on April 28 and May 12 at 8:15 am. in Rosedale Park.

Interested in becoming a host family next year? The School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; rather, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. Please consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2017-18 school year! Full details of the program are available by clicking here; questions can be directed to Director of International Services Judy Rossi at jrossi@pennington.org or 609-737-6147.

Save the date – Promenade in May: Promenade will be held on Friday, May 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on O'Hanlon Green. This is an opportunity for parents and students to gather and take photos before the students board buses to attend their Junior/Senior Prom. There will be food and photographers.

Interested in volunteering? The Parents Association is hosting several end of the year volunteering opportunities, including:

Promenade: Please contact Lori Washton to volunteer or help on Friday, May 26, at lori44q@aol.com.
Senior Tent Decorating: Please contact Anne DiDomenico to volunteer for this opportunity on Friday, June 2, at acdidomenico@comcast.net.
Faculty & Staff Thank You Lunch: Please contact Karin Eckerson to volunteer or help on Friday, June 9, at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com. A sign up sheet to bake cookies will go out in May.

Upper School

Are you in need of a car wash? The Class of 2019 will be hosting their annual Car Wash on Saturday, April 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the lower parking lot. The price for a wash remains just $7. All proceeds benefit the class.

Help stock the Bird Feeder before Spring Fling: We are asking current junior (rising senior) parents to help stock the Bird Feeder by donating snacks and beverages that can be sold during sporting events. Chips, pretzels, candy, soft drinks, and bottles of water are greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off in Yen 108 before next Saturday, April 29, for Spring Fling! Please contact Alyssia Reddy at areddy@pennington.org with any questions. The class of 2018 thanks you!

A message from the Sophomore Class Dean:

Dear Sophomore Parents:

As you may have heard by now, our 4-Diamonds Mini-THON, held on Saturday night, April 8, was a resounding success!! We have raised over $19,000 to date to help fight pediatric cancer, and the event itself was full of energy and excitement.

First, on behalf of the Class of 2019, we cannot express enough how much we appreciate your support of the event. To have so many of you make donations of funds or food, or both, not only helped us increase our final fundraising total; it also sent a universal message of support for your kids and the School and helped foster a sense of unity and spirit for our class.

Second, I want you to know what a terrific job your kids did in planning and promoting the Mini-THON and then leading all of the participants throughout the event on Saturday. It started with Sydney Gibbard, who first brought the idea to us; it then continued with Student Government members planning and executing the event. And, while there were enthusiastic participants from all four classes at the Mini-THON, the sophomores owned it, and their presence was palpable.

To see underclassmen taking control, leading line dances, organizing raffles, and getting a group of more than 100 students to respond to their leadership was amazing. Often, the kids are the ones who teach us. Last Saturday night was one of those times.

So, once again, thank you, not only for your support of the Mini-THON, but for all that you do.

—Jerry Russo, Class Dean, Class of 2019

Juniors and Seniors invited to Prom! The Pennington School will host its prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, PA on Friday, May 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the Museum from the School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.; students are asked to be prompt. The Parents Association will host Promenade from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Campus Center Plaza. A photographer will be present to take photos.

Students received a link to complete their prom reservation. Tickets are $100 per person and will be charged to you school account. Payment is due immediately and should be paid for by logging into your account on afford.com. Questions may be direction to Assistant to the Dean of Students Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org.

New program offered for rising ninth- and ten^th-graders: English teacher Erin O'Connell will teach two separate sessions of a Summer Reading Skills Seminar during the weeks of July 17 and July 24. The class will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and will allow students to use any literature they read this summer to improve their skills and get ready for the upcoming year. This class is designed for students who will be entering their freshman or sophomore year. Small class sizes and the personal attention for which Pennington teachers are known will help all students get more out of their English classes next year. Click here to find out more information and to register.

Middle School

Summer camp slots still available! Lots of great camps for Middle School students, run by Pennington faculty, are available on campus this summer. Camps begin June 26, and one-week sessions run through the first week of August. There are great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more. Click here for more information and to register your child. Also, several sports camps will be run on campus by outside companies – click here for more information on those camps.

April 14, 2017

General Information

School closed today and Monday: Classes are not in session, and all offices will be closed today in observance of Good Friday and on Monday, April 17, for Kingswood Day.

Grandparents Day next Friday: Grandparents should have received a letter invitation to attend Grandparents Day, which will be held next Friday, April 21. If your child's grandparents did not receive their invitation or need to be added to the list, please contact Wendy Ward at wendy.ward@pennington.org or 609-737-6121. For more information, please click here.

Interested in becoming a host family next year? The School's Host International Program (HIP) matches international students with families of current Pennington day students. The program is designed to help students transition to life at a boarding school in the United States, and it allows local students to experience other cultures and perspectives. International students who participate in the program do not live with their host families; rather, they and their hosts participate in various activities together when school is in session. Please consider taking part in this wonderful opportunity for the 2017-18 school year! Full details of the program are available by clicking here; questions can be directed to Director of International Services Judy Rossi at jrossi@pennington.org or 609-737-6147.

Parents clubs in April and May: Spring is here! The Parents Association is excited to share upcoming events and programs with you, including Walking Club, to be held on April 28 and May 12 at 8:15 am. in Rosedale Park, and Book Club, reading The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman, April 20 at 8:15 a.m. in the Parents Association Room in Old Main. Click here to sign up for either club.

Paint & Sip event next Thursday: Please respond! The Parents Association is hosting a Paint & Sip at the Painters Loft on Thursday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. The price is $35 per person, which includes food and drinks, and a 16 x 20 canvas with step-by-step instructions. Click here to RSVP by tonight. Questions can be directed to Karin Eckerson at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Spring Concert on April 23: The Spring Concert is Sunday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. in Sparks Gymnasium. Come hear the Middle School Singers and Instrumental Ensemble, along with the Upper School Orchestra, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Pennington Singers. It's a fun evening with a lot of great music!

Spring Play coming at the end of April: The Spring Play, Out of the Box, will be performed Thursday, April 27, through Saturday, April 29, in the Diane P. McLarty "Black Box" Theater. Tickets may be purchased starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, by clicking here. All tickets are $5, and seating is general admission.

Food needed for festival on April 28: The School's annual Diversity Days Food Festival will take place on Friday, April 28, and we need your help to make it happen! The festival is a wonderful tradition that allows everyone to celebrate the many different cultures and ethnicities that are present on campus. Please consider bringing in food that represents your culture or identity to share with the Pennington community! Contact Ms. Stern-Leaphart at sstern-leaphart@pennington.org by Monday, April 24, if you are interested in participating or have any questions.

Parents Coffee with Dr. Matt Bellace April 25: Dr. Matt Bellace, a clinical neuropsychologist, will be speaking at a Parents Coffee on Tuesday, April 25, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery on how the developing brain can have an impact on behavior and decision-making in young people. Parenting during this time of constant change can present challenges—we hope you will join the discussion and leave with a better understanding of how brain chemistry sometimes causes your child to do and say the darndest things! Kindly RSVP to Director of Counseling Services Stephanie DeSouza at sdesouza@pennington.org or 609-737-6118.

Family Night Out at the Trenton Thunder April 29: Please join us on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Arm & Hammer Stadium in Trenton to watch the Trenton Thunder take on the Erie Seawolves. The School is hosting a Family Night Out on the picnic area for an evening at the Thunder. Join students, families, faculty, and staff for a great night out at the ballpark. Tickets are $30 per person and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, reserved seating at the picnic tables, and fireworks at the conclusion of the game. For families of four or more, the price is $25 per person. Click here to reserve your tickets!

Raising self-esteem in kids presentation in May: Please join us on Friday, May 12, at 8:30 a.m. for an empowering and insightful presentation on building self-esteem in our children. The Parents Association has partnered with HiTops, a local organization dedicated to raising physically and emotionally healthy children and adolescents, to present the program "Risk-Proof Your Kids: Learning to Raise Self-esteem in Kids." The event will provide common sense strategies for parents to employ to boost self-esteem in their children/teens, and results from recent studies will be shared explaining the link between teen risk-taking and self-esteem. We hope you can join us for this important topic!

Interested in volunteering? The Parents Association is hosting several end-of-the-year volunteering opportunities, including:

Promenade: Please contact Lori Washton to volunteer or help on Friday, May 26, at lori44q@aol.com.
Senior Tent Decorating: Please contact Anne DiDomenico to volunteer for this opportunity on Friday, June 2, at acdidomenico@comcast.net.
Faculty and Staff Thank-You Lunch: Please contact Karin Eckerson to volunteer or help on Friday, June 9, at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com.

Upper School

Juniors and seniors invited to the prom! The Pennington School will host its prom at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday, May 26, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Students and their guests are required to ride a coach bus to the Museum from the School and back. We will board the buses at 5:15 p.m.; students are asked to be prompt. The Parents Association will host Promenade from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Campus Center Plaza. A photographer will be present to take photos.

Students received a link to complete their prom reservation. Tickets are $100 per person and will be charged to your School account. Payment is due immediately and should be paid for by logging into your account on afford.com. Questions may be directed to Assistant to the Dean of Students Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org.

End-of-Year Schedule of Events for seniors: On March 27, Dean of Students Chad Bridges emailed parents a note regarding the Class of 2017 End-Of-Year Schedule of Events. If you have questions regarding any of these events, please contact his office.

Middle School

ERB schedule for next week: A detailed schedule for the administration of the CTPIV test can be viewed here. Two important things to remember about taking these tests: With Monday now declared as Kingswood Day, students will begin testing the first day back after a four-day weekend. It will be important for all students to get a good night's sleep Monday night before arriving at school on Tuesday. Also, calculators may be used on the last two of the three math sections on Thursday. Each student should remember to bring in a basic calculator on that day. Students will not be allowed to share if they forget, nor will they be allowed to use their iPad, phone, or any other device.

Message from the Head of Middle School: Two weeks ago, approximately forty parents attended one of two Parents Coffees. As you are aware, these coffees are intended both to inform parents as to what has been taking place in their children's lives here at Pennington and to share all that is important in the Middle School experience. For those who were unable to attend, the agenda can be accessed here.

While on sabbatical, I had the luxury of taking the time to think about what we do here at Pennington while also conducting some informal research on what a wide variety of other schools are doing from around the world. This very naturally led to the question, What should we be doing on behalf of our students to best prepare them for the world of which they will soon become an integral part? In helping plan programs and opportunities for our kids, I wondered whether I was asking the right questions that would help me make the right kinds of decisions for our kids.

With that said, I am extending a very important invitation. I am interested in meeting with any parent (virtually anytime and anywhere, for coffee or a drink, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, here at School or down the street), who is interested in speaking with me about the future of education. More than any other time in my twenty-five-year career, I believe that parents and educators must join forces to share in the realities and the responsibilities of what the future holds if we are to help our children be prepared for it.

So, from now through the summer, if you would like to spend some time with me engaging in this kind of discussion, I'm in. Please contact Chelsi Meyerson at chelsi.meyerson@pennington.org so she can find a time for us to chat. I look forward to what will result. –Todd Paige

April 7, 2017

General Information

Reminder--Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences tonight: The School will be hosting Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences tonight, April 7, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Sophomore Mini-THON tomorrow night: The Sophomore Class is hosting the School's first-ever 4-Diamonds Mini-THON to raise money toward pediatric cancer research tomorrow, April 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The event is for students in grades 9 through 12 and will follow a lock-in format, including dancing, dodge ball, various competitions, and food. Students wishing to participate can register and start raising donations right away by clicking here. Once a student has registered, the cost to attend is $20, payable by cash or check. Students may bring a friend from another school by filling out a Guest Permission Form. Sophomore parents interested in helping with the event or those with questions may contact Sydney Gibbard at Sydney.gibbard@pennington.org or Mr. Russo at jrusso@pennington.org.

Sophomores seeking food and drink donations: For its upcoming 4-Diamonds MiniTHON tomorrow, April 8, the sophomore class is welcoming donations of food and drink. Those interested in helping in this way can sign up by clicking here. Please contact Class Dean Jerry Russo at jrusso@pennington.org with questions. The sophomores thank you, in advance, for your support!

Carson Kressley to speak April 11: On Tuesday, April 11, we welcome Emmy Award-winning TV personality, style expert, fashion designer, and New York Times bestselling author Carson Kressley for our final Stephen Crane Lecture of the academic year. An ardent philanthropic supporter of many causes, Kressley uses his celebrity to advance concerns such as the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and AIDS WALK. Kressley will speak to the full School community in the Sparks Gymnasium from 9:45 to 10:55 a.m. All are welcome!

Grandparents Day on April 21: Grandparents should have received a letter invitation to attend Grandparents Day, which will be held on Friday, April 21. If your child's grandparents did not receive their invitation or need to be added to the list, please contact Wendy Ward at wendy.ward@pennington.org or 609-737-6121. For more information, please click here.

Parent clubs in April and May: Spring is finally here! The Parents Association is excited to share upcoming events and programs with you, including: Walking Club: To be held on April 13, April 28, and May 12 at 8:15 a.m. in Rosedale Park. Book Club: The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman, April 20 at 8:15 a.m. in the Parents Association Room in Buck Hall. Click here to sign up for either club.

Paint & Sip event April 20: The Parents Association is hosting a Paint & Sip at the Painters Loft on Thursday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. The price is $35 per person, which includes food and drinks. Click here to RSVP.

Parents Coffee with Dr. Matt Bellace April 25: Dr. Matt Bellace, a clinical neuropsychologist, will be speaking at a Parents Coffee on Tuesday, April 25, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Art Gallery on how the developing brain impacts behavior and decision-making in young people. Parenting during this time of constant change can present challenges; we hope you will join the discussion and leave with a better understanding of how brain chemistry sometimes causes your child to do and say the darndest things! RSVP to Director of Counseling Services Stephanie DeSouza at sdesouza@pennington.org or 609-737-6118.

Family Night Out at the Trenton Thunder April 29: Please join us on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Arm & Hammer Stadium in Trenton to watch the Trenton Thunder take on the Erie Seawolves. The School is hosting a Family Night Out on the Picnic Area at the Thunder. Join students, families, faculty, and staff for a great night out at the ballpark. Tickets are $30 per person and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, reserved seating at the picnic tables, and fireworks at the conclusion of the game. For families of four or more, the price will be $25 per person. Click here to reserve your tickets!

Raising self-esteem in kids presentation in May: Please join us on Friday, May 12, at 8:30 a.m. for an empowering and insightful presentation on building self-esteem in our children. The Parents Association has partnered with HiTops, a local organization dedicated to raising physically and emotionally healthy children and adolescents, to present the program "Risk Proof Your Kids: Learning to Raise Self-Esteem in Kids." The event will provide commonsense strategies for parents to employ to boost self-esteem in their children/teens, and results from recent studies will be shared explaining the link between teen risk-taking and self-esteem. We hope you can join us for this important topic!

Interested in volunteering? The Parents Association is hosting several end-of-the-year volunteering opportunities, including:

Promenade: Please contact Lori Washton to volunteer or help on Friday, May 26, at lori44q@aol.com.
Senior Tent Decorating: Please contact Anne DiDomenico to volunteer for this opportunity on Friday, June 2, at acdidomenico@comcast.net.
Faculty and Staff Thank You Lunch: Please contact Karin Eckerson to volunteer or help on Friday, June 9, at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com

Upper School

Submissions wanted for Stephen Crane Writing Contest: The English Department is now accepting submissions for the 2017 Stephen Crane Writing Contest. The contest is open to all Upper School students and is judged by members of the English Department and the advisor to the literary magazine. A Pennington alumnus, Crane is an important figure in American letters and an early exponent of literary realism, achieving acclaim as a writer of fiction, a poet, and a journalist. The contest seeks to celebrate his career and his connection to the School, and the gifted writers who follow in his path.

The competition includes three categories: poetry, short stories (original fiction of five to seven pages), and personal essays (works designed to inform or entertain the reader, express an opinion, or relate to an important experience or event that served to change the author). Students may submit only one work in any category but may submit works in more than one category. Works may have been submitted previously for a class assignment, the literary magazine, or other purpose. Submissions should be free from errors in grammar and punctuation. Poems should be sent to poetry@pennington.org, short stories to shortstory@pennington.org, and essays to essay@pennington.org. Submissions will be accepted until Thursday, April 13. Questions can be directed to Blair Thompson at bthompson@pennington.org, or any member of the English Department.

Senior parents – have you purchased a yearbook ad? The yearbook staff has been working diligently on the 2017 edition of the Penseman, which will be distributed in June. Over the years, parents have taken the opportunity to buy an advertisement in the yearbook, either for their business, to honor their Pennington student, or to honor the graduating class. The proceeds from these ads help cover the portion of production costs not covered by the School's subsidy. Please click here for more information, and click here to review an ad contract with options listed. Ads should be submitted to pensemanads@pennington.org. Questions can be directed to Yearbook Advisor Mr. Ross at the same email.

Middle School

Message from the Head of Middle School: The faculty and I look forward to seeing you all this evening for our spring conferences. As you know, this specific conference is different from the one in the fall. Your child will be at the center of the discussion!

Tonight, advisors are responsible for facilitating a discussion that will help each student reflect on his or her year and use that reflection to make a plan for the final quarter. Although students will be at the center of the discussion, parents and the advisor will also be able to share their perspectives to ensure a complete picture. The ultimate objective of this conference is to gain a mutual understanding and appreciation for the progress that has been made to date and for what can still happen in order to end this academic year in the best way possible.

Eighth-grade students, parents, and advisors will use this year's progress to help determine the courses that will best support the students' needs for the first year in Upper School. The schedule that gets created this evening is by no means a finished product; in fact, it may be only the beginning of an ongoing discussion.

Aside from discussing progress and planning for the future, sixth- and seventh-grade students and parents will need to decide which language to take next year. Seventh-graders will choose between Spanish, French, and German, or to continue with Latin. Sixth-graders will choose to stay with Latin or may decide to enroll in Spanish. This is the first time we have offered Spanish to seventh-graders and to incoming sixth-graders. Information on the decision-making process in this change will be communicated in a letter in the coming weeks.

We consistently believe that having the student's voice be at the center of these conversations is clarifying and meaningful. We look forward to engaging in them with you. –Todd Paige, Head of Middle School

Calling all Middle School golfers: Thanks to Gill St. Bernards, Pennington Athletic Director Jerry Eure, and other independent school area athletic directors, Middle School students in grades five through eight are now able to take part in a spring golf event. Interested Pennington boys and girls will have the opportunity to play on the afternoons of Monday, April 10, and Monday, May 8. Each match will take place at Trump National in Bedminster, NJ, and follow PGA Junior Team format—9-holes, best ball-alternate shot. Please contact Mr. Paige at tpaige@pennington.org if your child is interested in participating.

March

March 31, 2017

General Information

Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences April 7: The School will be hosting Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences on Friday, April 7, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The focus of these conferences will be to talk about overall progress and, for grades 8-11, to begin the process of selecting a course of study for next year. For parents of seniors, these conferences are optional. Please click here for more information.

Trivia Night cancelled tomorrow: Because of low attendance, Parents Trivia Night scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, has been cancelled.

Sophomores raising money to fight pediatric cancer: The Sophomore Class will be hosting the School's first-ever 4-Diamonds Mini-THON to raise money toward pediatric cancer research on April 8, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The event is for students in grades 9 through 12 and will follow a lock-in format, including dancing, dodge ball, various competitions, and food. Students wishing to participate can register and start raising donations right away by clicking here. Once a student has registered, the cost to attend is $20, payable by cash or check. Students may bring a friend from another school by filling out a Guest Permission Form. Sophomore parents interested in helping with the event or those with questions may contact Sydney Gibbard at Sydney.gibbard@pennington.org or Mr. Russo at jrusso@pennington.org.

Sophomores seeking food and drink donations: For its upcoming 4-Diamonds MiniTHON on April 8, the sophomore class is welcoming donations of food and drink. Those interested in helping in this way can sign up by clicking here. Please contact Class Dean Jerry Russo at jrusso@pennington.org with questions. The sophomores thank you, in advance, for your support!

Spring highlights from the Parents Association: Spring is finally here! The Parents Association is excited to share upcoming events and programs with you, including:

Walking Club: To be held on April 13, April 28, and May 12 at 8:15 am. in Rosedale Park. Click here to sign up.
Book Club: The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman, April 20 at 8:15 a.m. in the Parents Association Room in Buck Hall. Click here to sign up.
TPSPA Paint and Sip at the Painters Loft: On Thursday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m., join the Parents Association for a paint and sip event. The price is $35 per person, which includes food and drinks. Click here to RSVP.
HiTops Parent Seminar: On Friday, May 12, at 8:30 a.m., a Raising Self-Esteem in Kids seminar will be held.
Promenade will be held on Friday, May 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on O'Hanlon Green. This is an opportunity for parents and students to gather and take photos before the students board buses to attend their Junior/Senior Prom. There will be food and photographers.

Parents Association seeking new members: The Parents Association is seeking candidates who are interested in serving as Executive Board members. Positions available are Middle School Representative, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary. If you would like more information regarding the responsibilities of any of the aforementioned positions, or if you would like to be considered for one, please email Annie Michaelson at anniemichaelson@yahoo.com by Friday, April 14. All terms are two years, and candidates for consideration must be in good financial standing with the School and have a child enrolled for the entire length of their term.

Parents Coffee with Dr. Matt Bellace April 25: Dr. Matt Bellace, a clinical neuropsychologist, will be speaking at a Parents Coffee on Tuesday, April 25, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Art Gallery. His subject will be how the developing brain impacts behavior and decision making in young people. Parenting during this time of constant change can present challenges—we hope you will join the discussion and leave with a better understanding of how brain chemistry sometimes causes your child to do and say the darndest things! Kindly RSVP to Director of Counseling Services Stephanie DeSouza at sdesouza@pennington.org or 609-737-6118.

Family Night Out at the Trenton Thunder April 29: Please join us on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Arm & Hammer Stadium in Trenton to watch the Trenton Thunder take on the Erie Seawolves. The School is hosting a Family Night Out on the Picnic Area that evening. Join students, families, faculty, and staff for a great night out at the ballpark. Tickets are $30 per person and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, reserved seating at the picnic tables, and fireworks at the conclusion of the game. For families of four or more, the price will be $25 per person. Click here to reserve your tickets!

Interested in volunteering? The Parents Association is hosting several end-of-the-year volunteering opportunities, including:

Promenade: Please contact Lori Washton to volunteer or help on Friday, May 26, at lori44q@aol.com
Senior Tent Decorating: Please contact Anne DiDomenico to volunteer for this opportunity on Friday, June 2, at acdidomenico@comcast.net
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Lunch: Please contact Karin Eckerson to volunteer or help on Friday, June 9, at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com

Upper School

Senior parents: Have you purchased a yearbook ad? The yearbook staff has been working diligently on the 2017 edition of the Penseman, which will be distributed in June. Over the years, parents have taken the opportunity to buy an advertisement in the yearbook, either for their business, to honor their Pennington student, or to honor the graduating class. The proceeds from these ads help cover the portion of production costs not covered by the School's subsidy. Please click here for more information, and click here to review an ad contract with options listed. Ads should be submitted to pensemanads@pennington.org. Questions can be directed to Yearbook Advisor Mr. Ross at the same email.

New program offered for rising nin^th- and tenth-graders: English teacher Erin O'Connell will teach two separate sessions of a Summer Reading Skills Seminar during the weeks of July 17 and July 24. The class will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and will allow students to use any literature they read this summer to improve their skills and get ready for the upcoming year. This class is designed for students who will be entering their freshman or sophomore year. Small class sizes and the personal attention for which Pennington teachers are known will help all students get more out of their English classes next year. Click here to find out more information and to register.

Middle School

Summer camp slots still available! Lots of great camps for Middle School students, run by Pennington faculty, are available on campus this summer. Camps begin June 26, and one-week sessions run through the first week of August. There are great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more. Click here for more information and to register your child. Also, several sports camps will be run on campus by outside companies; click here for more information on those camps.

March 24, 2017

General Information

Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope everyone enjoyed a restful vacation, and we look forward to seeing students back on campus on Tuesday.

New exhibit in Silva Gallery next week: Throughout history, visual artists have been inspired to capture the complex, as well as the sublime, qualities of nature and its life forms. Scientists have done the same via observational recording, classification, counting, and analysis. The School's Arts and Science departments are excited to co-host Art & Science Collaborations' 17^th annual international exhibit, Science Inspires Art: Biodiversity/Extinction, which will open on Tuesday, March 28, in the Silva Gallery. Click here for details.

Battle of the Brains Trivia Night April 1: The Parents Association invites you to their Battle of the Brains Trivia Night on Saturday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. The event will be held at Wildflowers Restaurant in Pennington; the price is $35 per person. Kindly RSVP by clicking here. If you are interested in helping, or have any questions, please email Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com.

Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences April 7: The Pennington School will be hosting Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences on Friday, April 7, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The focus of these conferences will be to talk about overall progress and, for grades 8-11, to begin the process of selecting a course of study for next year. For parents of seniors, these conferences are optional. Please click here for more information.

Spring highlights from the Parents Association: Spring is finally here! The Parents Association is excited to share upcoming events and programs with you, including:

Walking Club: To be held on April 13, April 28, and May 12 at 8:15 am. in Rosedale Park. Click here to sign up.
Book Club: To be held April 20 at 8:15 a.m. in the Parents Association Room in Buck Hall. Click here to sign up.
TPSPA Paint & Sip at the Painters Loft: On Thursday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m., join the Parents Association for a paint and sip event. The price is $35 per person, which includes food and drinks. Click here to RSVP.
HiTops Parent Seminar: On Friday, May 12, at 8:30 a.m., a Raising Self-Esteem in Kids seminar will be held.
Promenade will be held on Friday, May 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on O'Hanlon Green. This is an opportunity for parents and students to gather and take photos before the students board buses to attend their Junior/Senior Prom. There will be food and photographers.

Parents Association seeking new members: The Parents Association is seeking candidates who are interested in serving as Executive Board members. Positions available include: Middle School Representative, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary. If you would like more information regarding the responsibilities of any of the aforementioned positions, or if you would like to be considered for one, please email Annie Michaelson at anniemichaelson@yahoo.com by Friday, April 14. All terms are two years and candidates for consideration must be in good financial standing with the School and have a child enrolled for the entire length of their term.

Family Night Out at the Trenton Thunder April 29: Please join us on Saturday, April 29, at the Arm & Hammer Stadium in Trenton to watch the Trenton Thunder take on the Erie Seawolves. The School is hosting a Family Night Out on the Picnic Area for an evening at the Thunder. Join students, families, faculty, and staff for a great night out at the ballpark. Tickets are $30 per person and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, reserved seating at the picnic tables, and fireworks at the conclusion of the game. For families of four or more, the price will be $25 per person. Please reserve your tickets via email with Maureen Iorio at miorio@pennington.org. We will see you at the ballpark!

Interested in volunteering? The Parents Association is hosting several end of the year volunteering opportunities, including:

Promenade: Please contact Lori Washton to volunteer or help on Friday, May 26, at lori44q@aol.com.
Senior Tent Decorating: Please contact Anne DiDomenico to volunteer for this opportunity on Friday, June 2, at acdidomenico@comcast.net.
Faculty & Staff Thank You Lunch: Please contact Karin Eckerson to volunteer or help on Friday, June 9, at Karin.eckerson@gmail.com

Herb plants still on sale: Students who took the Spring Break trip to Colorado are holding an herb sale to raise money for the supplies required to build a new greenhouse at the Montezuma School to Farm Project in Southwest Colorado. They are offering six varieties of potted herbs; each pot is $5. Place your order by clicking here. Plants will be delivered after Spring Break. The students thank you for your support!

Calling all electric guitars: The Arts Department is developing a new guitar class for next year's seventh-grade exploratory music curriculum, but it needs your help! This class will have a Pennington twist in that it will be an ELECTRIC guitar class. The department has a few in stock, but we need many more. Electric guitars in all conditions will be accepted; music technology students are standing by, ready to fix your guitar and put it in the hands of a seventh-grader. Questions can be directed to Dr. Dolan at ddolan@pennington.org.

Upper School

New program offered for rising 9^th and 10^th graders: English teacher Erin O'Connell will teach two separate sessions of a Summer Reading Skills Seminar during the weeks of July 17 and July 24. The class will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and will allow students to use any literature they read this summer to improve their skills and get ready for the upcoming year. This class is designed for students who will be entering their freshman or sophomore year. Small class sizes and the personal attention for which Pennington teachers are known will help all students get more out of their English classes next year. Click here to find out more information and to register.

Middle School

A message from the Head of Middle School: With a couple of months back in the saddle here in Middle School, I felt it was time to get re-acquainted with you all. So much has been going on with your children since you last had an opportunity to meet with Lisa Houston that it is time to sit down and debrief together. With that said, I invite you to join me for one of the two upcoming Parents Coffees. The first is on Wednesday, March 29, at the usual morning time slot, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The second is an evening session from Thursday, March 30, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I would like to discuss the students' use of technology, social media, etc., and how we can best guide them at home and at school. I also would like to share my musings from sabbatical, focusing on what education may look like in the future. Look for an email that we will be sending and RSVP for either the morning or evening event. –Todd Paige, Head of Middle School

Summer camp slots still available! Lots of great camps for Middle School students, run by Pennington faculty, are available on campus this summer. Camps begin June 26 and one-week sessions run through the first week of August. There are great choices for scientists, athletes, artists, and more. Click here for more information and to register your child. Also, several sports camps will be run on campus by outside companies – click here for more information on those camps.

March 3, 2017

General Information

We have a new website! The School recently launched its new website, and a new Postings platform came hand in hand with that change. Thank you for your patience as we work out the inevitable kinks that come with the new system! Also, there will be no Postings for the next two weeks until Friday, March 24; enjoy your Spring Break!

Health History Update needed: If your child will be participating in a spring activity or sport and his or her physical was completed prior to February 13, state guidelines require you to complete a Health History Update form. This form does not require a doctor's signature. Students may hand-deliver the form to Mrs. Iorio in Old Main 104a, or parents can email the update to miorio@pennington.org. Updates are due prior to participation.

Education organization visiting campus: GiftedandTalented.com, a Stanford University-developed online education organization offering advanced K-12 courses, will be visiting the School during the week of March 6. They will be interacting with students during the day to facilitate hands on math and science activities, and on the evening of Thursday, March 9, they will give an informal presentation to parents and teachers on the supplemental online courses that they offer.

Spring Mini Camp training sessions over Spring Break: Inspire Performance Academy will be hosting two Spring Mini Camp sessions over Spring Break. Dates are Monday, March 13, through Wednesday, March 15, and Monday, March 20, through Wednesday, March 22. The cost of training is $35 per day, or $85 for all three days. Click here for more information; questions can be directed to info@perseverance.com or 609-802-2754.

Students selling herbs to raise money for School to Farm Program: Students taking the Spring Break trip to Colorado are holding an herb sale to raise money for the supplies required for the greenhouse program at the Montezuma School to Farm Program in that state. They are offering six varieties of potted herbs, each pot is $5. Place your order by clicking here. Plants will be delivered after Spring Break. The students thank you for your support!

Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences April 7: The Pennington School will be hosting Parent-Advisor-Advisee Conferences on Friday, April 7, 2017, from 5:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The focus of these conferences will be to talk about overall progress and, for grades 8-11, to begin the process of selecting a course of study for next year. For parents of seniors, these conferences are optional. Please click here for more information.

Parents Association hosting two clubs: TPSPA will be hosting two parents clubs this spring. The first, a book club, will meet the third Thursday of the month, and a walking club will meet the second and fourth Friday of the month. Both will meet at 8:15 a.m. Please sign up by clicking here.

Save the Dates – Upcoming parents event April 1: The Parents Association is planning to host an "April Fools Parents Night Out" on April 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. The price will be $35 per person and the location is TBD. If you are interested in helping, or have any questions, please email Lori Washton at lori44q@aol.com.

Grandparents Day April 21! Save the date – Grandparents Day will be held on Friday, April 21, this year. An invitation will be mailed to grandparents shortly. To be sure we have an updated address for your child's grandparents, please contact Wendy Ward by email at wendy.ward@pennington.org or by phone at 609-737-6121.

Upper School

Parents Coffee to be held March 9: The Parents Association will hold an Upper School Parents Coffee on Thursday, March 9, at 8:15 a.m. in the Silva Gallery of Art. Dean of Academic Affairs Scott Peeler will be present to discuss 2017-18 course selection. Questions can be directed to Michele Cano at michelecano4@gmail.com.

Senior parents – have you purchased a yearbook ad? The yearbook staff has been working diligently on the 2017 edition of the Penseman, which will be distributed in June. Over the years, parents have taken the opportunity to buy an advertisement in the yearbook, either for their business, to honor their Pennington student, or to honor the graduating class. The proceeds from these ads help cover the portion of production costs not covered by the School's subsidy. Please click here for more information, and click here to review an ad contract with options listed. Ads should be submitted to pensemanads@pennington.org no later than Friday, March 10. Questions can be directed to Yearbook Advisor Mr. Ross at the same email.

Middle School

A message from the Head of Middle School: With a couple months back in the saddle here in Middle School, I felt it was time to get re-acquainted with you all. So much has been going on with your children since you last had an opportunity to meet with Lisa Houston that it is time to sit down and debrief together. With that said, I invite you to join me for one of the two upcoming Parents Coffees. The first is on Wednesday, March 29, at the usual morning time slot, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The second is an evening session from Thursday, March 30, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I would like to discuss the students' use of technology, social media, etc., and how we can best guide them at home and at school. I also would like to share my musings from sabbatical, focusing on what education may look like in the future. Look for an email that we will be sending to RSVP for either the morning or evening event. –Todd Paige, Head of Middle School

Play auditions to be held March 7 and 8: Middle School Play auditions will be held on Tuesday, March 7, and Wednesday, March 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in room 102 Stainton. This year's show, Ivan and the Firebird, is a theatrical take on a Russian folktale. Eighth-graders should prepare one of three monologues from the show. Sixth- and seventh-graders will audition in groups, using scenes from the show. Seniors Carolyn McWhirter and Scott Meggitt are this year's directors; questions can be addressed to Ms. Houston at lhouston@pennington.org.

Dodgeball for Middle School on March 10: On Friday, March 10, during period 5 from 10:40 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a dodgeball tournament will be held for Middle Schoolers. Pick-up time will be at noon; students may also stay for a brief lunch, as the dining hall will be open. Students should leave campus by 1:00 p.m. that day.

Middle School athletics beginning after Spring Break: Middle School athletics will begin after Spring Break on March 28. Offerings for the spring are Boys' Lacrosse, Girls' Lacrosse (club), and Coed Track and Field. Students will sign up during Community Meeting before break. Please be sure to fill out a new Health History Update; this form must be delivered to Mrs. Meyerson before Tuesday, March 28.

Important note before Spring Break: Students should check their cubbies, lockers, and the lost and found before leaving for Spring Break to take home any important items.