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A Note from Mr. Ryan
A Note from Mr. Ryan
Dear Upper School Families,
What a wonderful start to the school year. We are fully into our first full week of school and students are engaged in all areas of our program. I’ve had the privilege to pop into a good number of our classes and, in each of those spaces, students are engaged in learning and connecting with their teachers and each other. Our fall athletic teams have already started competing - representing Shipley well in the gym and on the field. Additionally, on Monday, we held our annual Activities Fair, staffed and run by student leaders representing over 60 clubs, activities, and affinity spaces. It is amazing to see the energy that our students bring in each of these areas, and I can't wait to see all that they accomplish this year.
At yesterday’s Gator Congregation, our History Department Chair, Dr. Kate Gillin, told the story of her experience during the tragedy of 9/11. Her words were engaging as students seemed to hang on her every word. Dr. Gillin expressed the value of self-sacrifice and of remembering, and encouraged students to remember that history is indeed alive. We are grateful for her words and look forward to hearing from other students and faculty over the school year.
As a reminder, a letter was sent out yesterday outlining and clarifying adjustments to our attendance system. Safety provides the foundation of all that we do here in the Upper School, and our partnership is essential for the success of our systems. If you have any questions regarding that note, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Yours in partnership,
Kris
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
COURSE ADD / DROP
Ends Friday, October 3
Students are required to attend all major and minor courses for at least one full rotation (through a green and blue week schedule) before requesting any changes. Potential changes should be discussed with the course instructor first and then shared with Ms. Lein. Seniors must also include their College Counselor in this process. Reminder: All athletic inquiries must go through the Athletic Department (sjackson@shipleyschool.org).
ATTENDANCE PROTOCOL
Parents/caregivers must excuse students by emailing USattendance@shipleyschool.org and including the following in the email:
*Student’s first and last name
*Reason for absence.
If a student will be late please indicate the time the student will be arriving at school. If a student is leaving early please indicate the time the student will be leaving school.
KEYCARDS/IDS
This week, we’ve worked to re-issue and issue school IDs for students. From a safety, accountability, and access standpoint, it’s imperative that students always wear their school-issued IDs visibly on their person. We appreciate your partnership in helping ensure your students bring and wear their IDs each day.
COLLEGE COUNSELING EVENTS
In an effort to shorten the college section of the update and keep the many college-related events in one place, the College Counseling Office has created a College Counseling Events link to compile all events, on campus, off campus and virtual, in one place. Please note the location and audience of each event. If an event requires a registration, the link is included in the description of the event. Reminder: College visits during the school day are open to juniors and seniors only. Seniors, with permission from their teachers, may miss part of class to attend college visits. Juniors may attend if they have a free period. Please contact the college counseling office (collegecounseling@shipleyschool.org) if you have any questions.
OAKS TO ACORNS ASSEMBLY
Friday, September 19
8:30 am - Pre Oaks to Acorns Coffee in Avery Silverman Dining Hall
9:25 am - Assembly in Yarnall
Senior parents are invited to attend this assembly. This is a Shipley tradition where the Senior, Mighty Oaks, present a gift to their Little Acorns.
SAVE THE DATE - BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Thursday, September 25
6:15 - 6:45 pm - Social Gathering in Piltch Commons
7:00 - 9:00 pm in Upper School
Parents and guardians are invited to attend Back to School Night to meet teachers and learn more about the Upper School program. More information to follow.
US GLOBAL PROGRAMS
Salamanca, Spain
June 2026
Shipley’s Global Programs, in collaboration with La Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, will offer a two-week Spanish language immersion trip to Salamanca, Spain, in June 2026. In addition to partaking in sociocultural activities such as flamenco dancing, cooking lessons, and day trips to Toledo and Madrid, students will live with local host families and take language classes at La Universidad Pontífica, which has been rated the third-best university in Spain. Click here to view the preliminary itinerary. More information will be provided on Back to School Night on Thursday, September 25th but please know that interested families will be required to attend a more detailed information session in the coming weeks. If you are interested in this trip please contact, Raquel Bejar-Massey, the Modern Language Department Chair, rbejarmassey@shipleyschool.org.
China
June 2026
The Shipley School and DENO International Education Consultant are partnering on the China Youth Exchange Trip, a 10-day in June of 2026 for Upper School students. Departing and returning from JFK Airport, this journey includes visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, cultural immersion through calligraphy, handcraft workshops, temple visits, and guided tours of the Bund, Shanghai Tower, Great Wall, Forbidden City, and more. With 24/7 bilingual support, carefully planned logistics, and an official certificate of participation, students will gain safe, transformative experiences that spark global awareness, friendship, and cultural understanding. Click here to see a preliminary itinerary. More detailed information will be provided on Back to School Night on Thursday, September 25th. If you are interested, please be sure to contact Mr. Christopher Armstrong at carmstrong@shipleyschool.org or Dr. Ding at Sding@shipleyschool.org.
TWO WEEKS AT-A-GLANCE
Recent Instagram Posts - Follow Along to See What's Happening at Shipley!
Recent Instagram Posts - Follow Along to See What's Happening at Shipley!
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