| August 17, 2022
Dear Middle School families,
Welcome to Middle School and our annual summer letter. This letter is full of information regarding our start of school and additional suggestions and preparations for our families to make the beginning of the year as smooth as possible. After reading all the information included in this packet, if you still have some questions, please email me directly. Also, please pay particular attention to Mrs. Giovinazzo’s famous checklist. It will help you complete all the necessary documents we require prior to the first day of school. If for any reason we missed something or you have specific questions, please send us an email, and we will respond as soon as we are able.
We hope that everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing summer. Much of the time we spent during the past three months involved reflecting on the past year and preparing for the year ahead. The overall focus this year will include building trust, creating belonging and understanding expectations. In the simplest terms, we want the boys feeling connected to the school, taking responsibility for their actions and finding joy in their daily lives on campus.
The process of building trust with our students involves the steps of listening, interacting and enhancing our relationships. From the moment the boys arrive in a few weeks, our teachers will get to know them as academics, artists, athletes and advisees. We want them to see us as adults who listen, direct and care about their education and growth as individuals destined to do great things. The simple act of taking an interest in their lives helps us make those valuable connections that help students recognize us as adults who care about their success and well being. When the boys feel they have an adult advocate in the building, it also creates a greater sense of belonging.
This year as in years past, we want every student to feel connected to the school in a manner that feels most like home. Many boys instinctually feel this unique comfort and sometimes, to our minor frustration, treat school like they might treat their own bedroom. However, we strive to change most boys to all boys that feel a level of comfort akin to what they feel in their own home. To belong to a school like Haverford is more than just being accepted through the admission process and welcomed to campus each and every day. To belong means being heard, feeling connected, and experiencing a sense of safety and love. To have this level of belonging within a school assists us in creating an environment where the boys meet and exceed our expectations.
The past few years many of our boys suffered through physical and emotional trauma. We compensated for much of their struggles by showing a level of grace that in the short term was wise but over the past few months, created some unrealistic expectations. Our work this year will focus on the social and emotional lives of our students and will emphasize that sense of belonging in school by building relationships but also by teaching the value of meeting expectations. Haverford understands boys and the best practices in education. We have systems in place to help our students meet expectations and thrive in a loving and caring environment. Most students understand that we expect them to come to school prepared for the day, on time, in dress code, with homework accomplished, a smile on their faces and joy in their hearts. However, we also know that this can be a challenge for some of our students. Therefore, in building trust and a sense of belonging in school, we will also be focused on meeting expectations. If all goes as planned, the boys will surpass our requirements and be truly exceptional in all aspects of school life. Here is to a great year! We are thrilled and ready to welcome the boys back to campus.
This year, we start school with four new teachers in the middle school. Please welcome Mrs. Amy Rottura, Ms. Cheryl Joloza, Ms. Anna DeLamater, and Ms. Megan Kane. Mrs. Rottura will take over for Tracy Nelson as our Dean of Students while teaching the history labs in Form I and Form II. Amy comes to us from St Edmond's Academy in Wilmington, DE where she was also the Dean of Students and taught history. We are lucky to have her. Ms. Joloza will teach Form I science and coach our robotics team. Ms. Joloza taught science in our Lower School the past many years and we welcome her into the new building with great enthusiasm. Ms. DeLamater will be working in our Learning Center and teaching a section of Form II and Form I English. Anna returns to Haverford after teaching across the county the past 20 years and assisting in the Upper School the past two years. We are excited to have her back full time. Finally, some of you may remember Ms. Kane from last year's who 6th grade math. She will return to room 110 and teach all the boys in 6th grade. We are so happy to have her with us full time this year as she was a blessing for us in her first assignment last spring. Welcome to all our new teachers. We are fortunate to have great additions to our already wonderful faculty.
Below is a list of our Middle School teachers and their responsibilities.
Sixth Grade: Mrs. Price (Sixth Grade English), Mr. Suter (Sixth Grade History), Mrs. Suter (Sixth Grade Reading), Mrs. Jacob (Sixth Grade Science), Mrs. Kettering-Goens (Spanish), Ms. Faralli (Latin), Ms. Monroy (Chinese) Ms. Kane (Sixth Grade Math), Mr. Newman (MS Librarian), Mr. Pankratz (MS Art), Ms. Lee (MS Art), Mr. Stroud (MS Music), Ms. Hallman (MS Drama), Mr. Isdaner (Physical Education) and Mrs. Rottura (Dean of Students)
Form I: Mr. Walker (Form I English), Mrs. Odeh (Form I History), Mr. Romero (Math), Ms. Tkac (Math and Math Support), Ms. Monroy (Chinese), Ms. Faralli (Latin), Mrs. Kettering-Goens (Spanish), Mr. Stroud (MS Music), Mr. Pankratz (MS Art), Ms. Lee (MS Art), Mr. Potter (Physical Education), Ms. Joloza (Form I Science), Mr. Masso (STEAM Instruction) Ms. Hallman (MS Drama), Ms. DeLamater (English and the Enrichment & Learning Center) and Mrs. Rottura (History Lab and Dean of Students)
Form II: Ms. Canty (Form II English), Mrs. Brown (Form II History), Mr. Grossman (Form II Science), Mr. Masso (STEAM Instruction), Mr. Pankratz (MS Art), Ms. Lee (MS Art), Mr. Meyer (Math), Ms. Tkac (Math), Ms. Hallman (MS Drama), Mr. Stroud (MS Music), Ms. Faralli (Latin), Dr. Reich (Spanish), Mr. Rosko (Physical Education), Ms. DeLamater (English and the Enrichment & Learning Center) and Mrs. Rottura (History Lab and Dean of Students)
Specialty Teachers:
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Nurse: Mrs. Teresa McCarthy
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Spanish: Mrs. Kettering-Goens
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Learning Center: Mrs. Suter,
Ms. DeLamater, and Ms. Tkac
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Physical Ed.: Mr. Potter, Mr. Isdaner, and Mr. Rosko
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Middle School Athletic Director: Mr. Potter
Assistant to the Middle School Head: Mrs. Giovinazzo
Middle School Dean of Students: Mrs. Rottura
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Responsible Use Policy (RUP) and Parent Field Trip Permission Form
Please fill out and return this form to Mrs. Giovinazzo by Sept. 7.
The RUP is for you and your son to fill out together. Please read it carefully as it has changed over the years. It covers what our expectations are for using the technology we provide at Haverford. We continue to improve the computers, software, and peripherals, and we want the boys to act responsibly when using them.
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Books
We provide books for all our students in Middle School. It will be their responsibility to take care of the books they receive this year and to return them at the end of the year in good condition. Because of the expense of providing books to everyone, we will charge families to replace lost or damaged books. We will still ask for the boys to be responsible with their books and the weight of their backpacks. Once in school, all boys are not permitted to carry book bags.
Even though we will collect most books at the end of the year, there will be specific locations for names and ID numbers to be placed in each book. Any book that is given to the boys to keep should have their last name in bold print on the inside and outside of that book.
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Opening Day
The school year begins on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 8:15 a.m. Please be sure to drop your son off in the Centennial Hall parking lot at the appropriate time. Just like last year, please do not stop in the circle to drop off or pick up. It is not safe and causes problems with traffic flow. All boys arriving before 8a.m. will proceed directly to the dining hall. All middle school students must be dropped off at the Railroad Avenue entrance.
Your son will need to bring all his summer reading books, journals, assignments and supplies to school on the first day, especially a pen, paper and notebook. Supply lists are available HERE.
A sheet with your son’s homeroom, locker and advisor name is included below:
Individual class schedules for your son are not included in this packet and will be distributed the first day of school. Your son should report to his homeroom at 8 a.m. or when he arrives at school to meet with his advisor and pick up his individual class schedule. Students who arrive at school after 8:15 a.m. are considered tardy. Continued lateness to school will result in assistance in cleaning the dining hall after lunch.
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Daily Schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)
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Homeroom (We may start choir after the second week of school)
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Community Period/Lunch/Recess
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School Program (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)
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The Morning break will take place in the school building. Boys are welcome to bring a snack from home. The dining hall is closed to Middle School at this time.
On Wednesday, we will start school at 8:45 a.m. The only change to our schedule is the elimination of our Community Period (10:40 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.) on Wednesday. All morning classes will still be a full hour and the boys will have morning break. Lunch and recess will start at 11:20 a.m.
The 2022–23 Daily Rotation Calendar can be found HERE. Again, the boys receive their daily schedules on the first day of school.
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Advisor System
The Middle School Advisory Program will change in size this year as well as programming to better accommodate our sections. The size of advisor groups will range between nine and 11 students per advisor. This low ratio allows for greater communication at home and a better opportunity for the advisors to know each boy. Most advisors teach the boys they have in the homeroom. Advisor groups will meet every morning before classes, every afternoon before sports, and at least once per week. Advisors are also your son’s homeroom teacher and therefore will see them more often each day. The function of an advisor is to serve as an adult mentor and advocate. The advisor is able to provide a formal, though not exclusive, link between school and home. It will also allow for open dialog between the student and advisor about peer friendships, diversity, equity, inclusion, organization, decision-making, self-reflection, teambuilding, and community service.
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House System
This year, we will bring back our House System in October. House combines an advisor group from each grade and is designed to connect older and younger students through activities. This vertical integration helps everyone in getting to know each other and bringing some brotherhood to the Middle School. Form II students are elected to House Council to assist in organizing and running the activities during House periods. More information will be sent to parents in September.
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Activities
This year, we are having clubs and activity groups during lunch hours to lower the number of students in the dining hall. Last year’s activities were board games, Model UN, INK, Sci Fi Club, Student Council, MS Newspaper, Chess Club, Art Studio, Minecraft, Reading Olympics and Take it Apart Club to name a few. Later in September, we will send home all the clubs and activities the teachers will run this year.
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Student ID Cards
ID cards are issued to every student. These cards are a very important part of the boys’ school life. They are the “key” for the boys to be able to enter campus buildings. Students MUST use their ID card to enter buildings instead of using the doorbell. Student ID cards MUST be visible at all times, either on a lanyard or belt clip.
All ID cards must have a photo on them. Students who attended Haverford last year as fifth graders will receive new cards on the first day of school. Most of these have Lower School pictures on them. New students to Haverford will also receive their cards on the first day of school. Students who need a picture put on their ID or those who want a new photo to replace their Lower School picture will be informed of “Photo Make-up Days” that will be scheduled during September.
Students who lose their cards must pay a $20.00 replacement fee. Broken cards are replaced at no charge. The students must bring the broken card to Mrs. Giovinazzo and fill out a request for a replacement form. A new card will be issued.
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Controlled Access
Our controlled access system provides greater safety for all our boys at Haverford. All buildings require the boys to use their ID’s to gain access to the buildings. This year, we are asking parents to remain outside of our buildings at all times. In person appointments will be made through Mrs. Giovinazzo on an as needed basis. We highly encourage meetings to be done virtually this year for the safety of our students and faculty.
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Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and lunch are served every day in the dining hall. Breakfast is pay as you go and students are welcome to bring cash or use their school ID as a debit card. Boys are not permitted to buy breakfast after 8:10 a.m. For lunch, we encourage boys to use the Meal Plan. Middle School lunch has two sessions this year. First lunch is from 11:20 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and the second lunch is from 11:45 a.m. - 12:10 a.m. Boys who are not at lunch will attend recess or clubs. All clubs start at 11:20 a.m. and all students attending clubs will attend the first lunch. More information about breakfast and lunch programs can be found in the menu and meal plan section on the website.
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Mid-morning Break
Every day, we will have a mid-morning break for our students. They are welcome to bring a snack to school. This year, the dining hall will be closed to Middle School students during mid-morning break.
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Communication/Phone Calls
Please be sure to communicate any concerns you have as soon as possible and encourage your son to do the same with his teachers. If you need to communicate with your son during the school day, please call Mrs. Giovinazzo at extension 1228 as early as possible. Mrs. G. will be sure to pass any message along to your son’s homeroom teacher. Because of sports, we cannot guarantee any messages will reach your son after 2:15 p.m. unless, of course, it is an emergency. Finally, if you call Mrs. Giovinazzo and you get her voicemail, please leave a detailed message and your telephone number if she needs to call you back.
Boys are permitted to use the assigned student phone in the school office in case of an emergency, but they must ask for permission to do so. The school phone should not be used for problems like forgetting a lunch, homework, sports equipment, or where to be picked up after school. These problems do not qualify as an emergency. Boys must wipe down the phone after each use. If a boy is caught using his cell phone for any reason during the school day (7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.) it will be taken from him. It will be returned after he has spoken to either Dr. Greytok or Mrs. Rottura. If it is his second offense, we will ask the parents to keep his phone at home for a designated period of time.
Boys are not permitted to call home for forgotten homework. Please remind your sons of this as we try to teach them responsibility and organization.
We will continue to post the Middle School “Weekly” newsletter on the middle school website once school begins. The “Weekly” provides up-to-date information about Middle School events and the rare changes to our calendar. Please refer to our “Important Dates for Middle School Families” handout included in this mailing to see the full list of events already scheduled for this year.
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Cell Phone Policy
We appreciate that many of our students have cell phones. There are rare occasions when a teacher or the school may request the boys bring it to class or use it during academic hours. However, this is not standard school policy. Cell phone use during the academic day is a distraction from engagement and learning in the classroom and creates the potential for poor decisions. We highly encourage you to discuss with your son the proper use of his phone outside of school and that it may not be used in school without the permission of a teacher. Please do not text or call your son’s phone during the school day. If you need to reach him, please call Mrs. Giovinazzo.
Boys are welcome to bring their phones to school, but from their arrival on campus to their dismissal at 3:15 p.m., we require that all phones be away, turned off, and secured in a backpack or in the homeroom. Any student caught using or handling their cell phone for any reason during the school day will have it confiscated until the end of the day and may face disciplinary action. Repeat offenders will receive detention and will not be able to bring their phones to school. This policy is also enforced on school related activities and trips unless otherwise noted.
Any student who is caught using their cell phone without permission during a class will lose their phone, receive detention and will not be allowed to bring their phone to campus for a designated period of time.
We want our boys engaged in the classroom and engaged in learning. There are times when technology helps in this regard, and we will take full advantage of those times. This year we are highly focused on maximizing our engagement and minimizing our interaction with technology unless necessary for our teaching and learning. We want to teach the boys to use technology properly and set them up for success in high school rather than failure. Please contact Dr. Greytok, jgreytok@haverford.org, if you have any questions. These expectations will be clearly explained to your son the first day of school and need to be reinforced at home.
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Attendance: Absences, Lateness, and Homework
We expect all middle school boys to be in their homeroom no later than 8:15 a.m. Any boy arriving at homeroom after 8:15 a.m. is marked late. Students must leave the dining hall on time. Boys are not permitted to buy breakfast after 8:10 a.m. Any parent whose son is consistently late to school will hear from us. Any student who is dropped off on time but late to class will be asked to assist in cleaning the dining hall after lunch. If your son is absent, late, or will be leaving early from school, please call Mrs. Giovinazzo as soon as possible. The Middle School Attendance number is extension 1968. All homework assignments and handouts are available on the school website. The boys will be taught how to access this information and we will send home a specific sheet for the parents in one of our early emails.
PLEASE READ OUR NEW ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR THIS YEAR!
Attendance Policy
When in-person learning is happening, students who are feeling well and do not meet the exclusion criteria for being on campus, are expected to be present in person at school. In the event of illness, a student should remain home until they meet the criteria outlined by our Health Office to return to school.
Short Term Absences
During short term absences (up to 5 consecutive days for a Middle School student), the priority should be on the student resting and recuperating. Parents/guardians must call Mrs. Giovinazzo and alert her to their son's absence. During a short term absence
- Teachers will not be expected to record classes or set up remote learning.
- Academic/missed work will be made up at home and when the student returns to school, although teachers may provide some activities or work via email or Canvas for the student to complete IF they are feeling well enough.
- The teachers and the ELC will work with the student when they return to school to create a plan to complete any necessary make-up work or assessments.
Extended Absences
If a student is planning or recommended for a longer absence (longer than 5 consecutive days in the Middle School) for medical reasons (e.g., surgery, medical intervention/treatment), a family should reach out to Dr. Greytok to discuss learning options during extended absences.
Learning plans for extended absences will not be generated for students who will be missing school for extended holiday breaks or family trips/vacations outside of scheduled school breaks. We strongly encourage families to schedule trips and vacations that align with our school breaks, but understand that there are occasionally times when this is not possible. In the event that a student will be missing school due to an extended weekend or holiday break or a trip/vacation during non-school break times, students will be expected to make up missed work/assessments upon their return to school.
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Transportation
By bus: If your son is new to Haverford and you would like him to be transported by your school district’s bus, please contact the Lower School Assistant, Mrs. Teresa Touey, at extension 1232. Boys who used the school district busing to and from Haverford last year will automatically be enrolled on the same busing lists this year.
By car: All Middle School students arriving by car are expected to be dropped off and picked up at the Railroad Avenue entrance to the school. Middle school students should be dropped off by the old bus stop prior to entering the circle by Centennial Hall. Please do your best to arrive at school between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. as to not interfere with our Lower School drop off.
In the afternoon, please pick up your son at the Railroad Avenue entrance to the school. Middle school boys are not to be picked up before 3:30 p.m. Please do not arrive to pick up your son before 3:30 p.m., as he will not be ready. This also puts great stress on the Lower School pickup. By 3:30 p.m. most of the lower school boys are gathered and the pickup area is free and clear. If you don’t like waiting in traffic, don’t pick up before 3:30 p.m. If you are picking up both a lower and middle school boy, please make sure the lower school knows your son will be waiting for his older brother.
PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PICK UP SYSTEM IF YOU MUST ARRIVE TO COLLECT YOUR SON BEFORE 3:30 p.m. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
If you arrive from Railroad Avenue before 3:30 p.m., please make your first left into the Blue Lot. You may park in the lower school lot and wait for your son. If you proceed through the pick-up line, a member of our security team will send you to the parking lot to wait until 3:30 p.m. so you do not interfere with lower school pick-up. If you have to pick up your lower school son, please wait until 3:30 p.m. to collect both boys at the same time.
FOR THE RESPECT OF OUR BUSES AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR BOYS, PLEASE NEVER STOP IN THE CIRCLE TO PICK UP OR DROP OFF YOUR SON. UNLESS YOUR SON HAS A GAME OR ACTIVITY AFTER SCHOOL, ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE PICKED UP BY 3:45 P.M. EVERYDAY.
Students who are on campus after 3:45 p.m. will be dismissed from the pick up area back into the middle school building.
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Supplies
The first day of school can be a very nervous time. Please make sure your son has a pen, pencil, and notebook for the first day of school. A supply list for your son’s specific grade can be found HERE. All of the items on the supply list can be purchased at almost any office supply store or online.
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Dress Code
The Middle School Dress Code requires a jacket (sports coat, blazer), an oxford style dress shirt (plain or striped), a necktie, “creasable” pants (please no cargos or painters pants), and school shoes (see below). No sneakers or boots please. The boys are permitted to wear dress shorts from Sept. 8 – Oct. 31 and again after Spring Break. Please put your son’s name on the inside label of his clothes and please have your son in long pants for the first day of school.
School shoes must be appropriate for school use and not gym class or running in the halls. School shoes are not sneakers. There are a number of expensive brand name shoes that are on the market that we consider sneakers and not school shoes. They look nice and are expensive but they are not considered appropriate school shoes. Please refrain from Nike, Puma, Converse, Vans, and Reebok sneaker shoes.
Boys must wear a black or brown shoe to school. Mrs. Rottura and I are all available for questions. Bucks, Sperry’s and Merrell’s are all appropriate and come in many sizes, and styles. They also come in brown or black. They are comfortable, can be inexpensive and do not require polishing.
For our student’s safety, we require all shoes to have a closed toe and closed back. No sandals, or flip flops please. Finally, there are also a number of suede, fur lined slippers that are also not school shoes. Please refrain from sending your son to school wearing anything but an appropriate school shoe. If you have any questions regarding our dress code, please contact Mrs. Rottura or Dr. Greytok.
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Gym Clothes
The Physical Education classes require a uniform which may be purchased in the school store or through the School website; the uniform consists of gold or black shorts and a maroon gym shirt.
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Lockers
We have lockers in our building as well as in our gym for the boys. The boys will be assigned a specific locker in both the Middle School building and the Middle School locker room. All materials your son brings to school should be stored in his backpack and placed in his school locker. Unlike the gym lockers, the school lockers do not have a lock built into the door. Therefore, if you and your son plan to store irreplaceable items in his locker, please purchase a lock he will use.
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Athletic Information
We plan on offering a full sports program this year for the boys. Fall sports will include cross country, football, golf, soccer, water polo, and intramural volleyball. Boys will select their fall sport the first or second day of school. Sports practices will begin on Monday, Sept. 12 and will end in time for the boys to catch buses at 3:30 p.m. and make their way home in cars at the same time.
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Middle School Events
The Middle School Calendar is updated weekly with events. Please check it regularly throughout the year for updates, changes and additional information. Every Thursday, in our weekly newsletter, we will make sure the information for the remainder of the month is accurate.
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Online Directory and Grades
As we did last year, we are making parent directories and student grades available online through the My Backpack section of haverford.org. Instructions that include logins and passwords will be mailed and e-mailed out prior to the start of school; if you successfully went into My Backpack last year; your process is the same. If you have any questions, please contact our helpdesk here at school.
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Parents Night
At this time, we are planning to have Parents Night on campus this year. We hope you are available to attend Middle School Parents Night on Wednesday, Sept. 22. More details to come as we get closer to the date.
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Meal Plan Sale Extended
The Meal Plan sale has been extended until Wednesday, Aug. 31! If you wish to sign up for the meal plan, please complete and submit this meal plan form with your payment to The Haverford School.
If you wish to pay with a credit card, please stop into the Business Office in person. If you have any questions please reach out to Kim Sprangers at ksprangers@haverford.org.
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Fords Store - Back to School Sale
The Fords Store is having a 15% off everything sale from Aug. 31-Sept. 7. The sale will be available in store and online. Use the promo code: Sep15 when you visit FordsStore.com to save online.
Opening week store hours:
Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 7 (regular hours) 9-11 a.m. and from 2:30-5 p.m.
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Final Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and all the information. We will continue to send letters every Thursday at 4 p.m. starting on Sept. 1. If we missed something in this letter, please let us know. We look forward to welcoming your son on Wednesday, Sept. 7 for the first day of school and are thrilled to have you and your family as a part of our community this year.
Sincerely,
Jay Greytok
Head of Middle School
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