MIDDLE SCHOOL SPIRIT
Friday, September 12
4:00 pm, Farm Fields
Mrs. Corgan is organizing students to meet at the Farm Fields (1305 Waverly Rd., Gladwyne) tomorrow at 4: 00 pm to help cheer on our Varsity Boys Soccer team as they take on Westtown. Parents may join or drop off/pick up, and we will also have vans shuttling students to the game from 3:30 – 4:00. If your student would like a ride there, please have them email lcorgan@shipleyschool.org to reserve a spot and meet at the Athletic Circle after school. Please note: there will not be a shuttle back to Shipley; students may be picked up directly at the Farm Fields.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT COFFEE GATHERING
Monday, September 15
8:15 am, Avery Silverman Dining Room
Join fellow Middle School parents and guardians for a relaxed morning of coffee, pastries, and conversation. Come to mingle, connect with fellow parents, and build community as we kick off the school year together!

Please note that this event is not the same as the monthly MS Coffee and Conversation; that event will be held on September 25.

6TH GRADE OVERNIGHT TRIP VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION
Monday, September 15
7:00 pm

●   For all 6th-grade parents/guardians about the 6th-grade overnight trip to Virginia.

●   Here is the Teams link for this event.

VIRTUAL SHIPLEYNET TRAINING SESSIONS FOR MS PARENTS
Tuesday, September 16
6:30-7:30 pm

Thursday, September 18
2:00-3:00 pm

Friday, September 19
10:30-11:30 am
Middle School parents are invited to learn the ins and outs of ShipleyNet with Annie Griffin. Here is the Teams link for all of the sessions.

FIRE DRILL
Wednesday, September 17
10:00 am

MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Thursday, September 25
8:15 am, Beechwood
We are excited to offer this year’s Parent Coffee and Conversations: a series of thematically-driven conversations with Chantra Reinman and special guest- presenters. All parents/guardians are invited to attend, either in person or via Teams.

The topic for September 25 is “An Orientation: Welcome to 2025-2026,” where we will discuss, among other topics, how to navigate the MS with your child.  Click here for more details, including the dates for and topics of each session.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SEED EVENT
Monday, September 29
7:00 pm, Doc Morinelli Theater in the Piltch Commons

All Middle School parents and guardians are invited to join us for our annual MS SEED event. This evening will provide a deeper look into the SEED curriculum across grades, including an overview of each grade's goals/objectives and how we approach teaching SEED in the Middle School. We’ll also share how our work is grounded in restorative practices and Shipley Circles, fostering a supportive and reflective classroom environment. Whether you're new to SEED or returning, this is a great opportunity to understand the goals and format of the program and how it supports student growth and wellbeing. If you have any questions, please email Blair Atkins.

THE LEARNING CHILD SPEAKER SERIES: MEMORY AND ATTENTION
Friday, November 7
8:15 am, Beechwood
Titled The Learning Child, this speaker series focuses on topics and trends in education that have an impact on learning, and is presented by the Head of Middle School and/or professionals who have been invited to speak. Following each presentation is an opportunity for an informal panel discussion and/or Q&A session in order to engage in further conversation.

November’s session will focus on memory and attention, including their relationship to learning and how to use the latest neurological research findings to best support our children.

Here is more information about this year’s Learning Child Speaker Series.

AFTER SCHOOL AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

All after school and co-curricular activities will begin the week of September 22. We have added four new activities: MS Yearbook, MS Model United Nations, Reading Club & Word Masters Challenge, and Student Leadership!

Click here for a viewing of all activities, including information on how to sign up.

WHERE TO GO AFTER SCHOOL

Dismissal from the last period is at 3:15. If your child needs to stay after school for reasons other than partaking in after school or co-curricular activities, there are two places for them to wait for you.  Please make arrangements directly with your child.

LARC (Learning and Research Center)

More commonly understood as the library, this is the place to go for quiet work.  The LARC is an open space surrounded by various offices, including Admissions and the Head of School. It is supervised the following times:

●   Mondays - Fridays: 3:15 - 4:00

●   Mondays and Wednesdays: Academic Recovery with Mrs. Griffin 3:15 - 4:00

●   Green Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays: 3:30 - 5:00

●   Blue Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 3:30 - 5:00

Piltch Commons

Students refer to this as either the dining center or the Commons.  This is the place to go for “hanging out” with friends, though students have been known to get homework done there as well.  Light refreshments are available at a cost. The Commons is supervised everyday from 3:30 - 5:45.

NEW GATOR LUNCH GROUP

Mrs. Fick is hosting a lunch group. Brand new and new-ish Middle School students, come join Mrs. Fick and other members of the Student Support Team for casual lunch get-togethers on Blue Thursdays in September.  This is an opportunity to meet other students who understand what it feels like to be new to the Shipley Middle School and to get to know the adults who are here to support you.

Students are welcome to pop in to the lunches to chat and chew about being new.

SOFTBALL CLINIC
Saturday October 11

(Rain Date: Sunday October 12)

12:00 -2:00 PM, Softball Field / Batting Cages on Upper Campus

Open to 5th-8th grade students

Join the Shipley Softball coaching staff and current Varsity Players for the afternoon of an all-skills Softball Clinic focused on hitting, fielding, and base running. We encourage players of all skill levels to attend, and look forward to getting on the field together. The cost is $60 for the session. Shipley students will be billed through the business office.

Sign up here!

APPROPRIATE USE OF CELL PHONE, SMARTWATCHES, AND LAPTOPS

●“Off and away”: during the hours of 8:05 - 3:15, cell phones should be kept in students’ backpacks.

●   The same “off and away” policy for phones applies to smartwatches.

●   We are disabling iMessaging on school laptops.

ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION
If your child will be late to or absent from school, please email msattendance@shipleyschool.org.

LATE ARRIVALS

Students who arrive school after 8:05 AM must report to the front desk first.

SIGN OUT PROCEDURE
If you need to pick up your child before 3:15 pm:

●   Please inform your child and their advisor ahead of time.

●   Email msattendance@shipleyschool.org.

●   Students are required to come to the front desk at the time they’re being picked up.

●   Students may not leave campus before 3:15 without signing out at the Middle School front desk.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF INFORMATION

●   Please drive extra slowly when dropping off or picking up your children.

●   Use parking brakes as an additional safety precaution.

●   Remind your child to exit the vehicle from the right side of the car.

●   Let your children know which of the three pick up locations you will use:

●       Middle School Circle (entrance is from Yarrow Street);

●       The Commons (entrance is from Montgomery Avenue);

●       Athletic car circle at Yarnall Gym (entrance is from Merion Avenue).