And the Great Pumpkin Winner is…

Posted on October 19th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia School

Congratulations to Callahan! Our Great Pumpkin weighed in at 122 pounds, and Callahan’s estimation of 111 pounds came the closest to the actual weight without going over! Callahan wins a gift bag with some treats as well as a gift certificate for a free Encore class for the 2018-19 school year.

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Posted in: LS Birches, The Birches

AC Connects with Boston Area Alumni

Posted on October 19th, 2018 by Amelia Fitzsimmons

Each year, members of the Alumni Office travel around the country to reconnect and reminisce with AC alumni.  This year’s first stop was Boston!

On Tuesday evening,Head of School Mick Gee, Karen Higman, and Kayla Himelein enjoyed catching up with alumni and friends at the Union Club of Boston. Among the distinguished guests was former Head of Upper School, John Harrison. Alumni and friends reconnected with former classmates and shared stories of their time at AC over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Regardless of background or graduation year, many of their stories revolved around the shared experiences they had with beloved faculty and the personalized care and attention they received as students at AC.

Mick Gee and Kieran Draper P’19, Current Trustee, also spoke to the group about the progress of the school as we come out of the Impact Initiative Campaign and the establishment of AC’s new Centers for Impact. Thanks to the support of AC alumni, parents, students, faculty, and staff, AC exceeded its $4 million campaign goal and is now able to provide students with enhanced access to innovative and authentic learning opportunities.

Save the Date
Thursday, December 20th
Annual Alumni Holiday Reception (Rochester, NY)

We hope to see YOU at an upcoming alumni reception or event soon!

 

 

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Posted in: Alumni News, The Birches, US Birches

New AC Mission Statement

Posted on October 19th, 2018 by cnickels

Last year, as AC began the regularly scheduled re-accreditation process through New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), it became evident that our mission was no longer representative of the impactful work we do everyday and why we exist as a school. Since AC’s last mission statement was launched, our programming and curriculum has expanded and evolved to meet a new set of needs in our ever-changing world. While we continue to take pride in our academic preparation for college, we also focus on helping students develop the skills and experiences needed to make a positive and lasting impact in a technology-driven, global society.

Signage on campus celebrates the new AC mission

“The mission guides us internally as we evolve and change to meet the needs of the students and families who walk through our doors,” said long-time AC faculty member Tony Tepedino and re-accreditation co-leader. “If [the mission] doesn’t align, then we are not able to provide a clear and unified vision and program for the families who place their trust in us as an institution.”

“We haven’t lost the original mission of the school,” said Head of School Mick Gee.

“In fact, it is because of our dedication to a student-centered education and AC’s core values that we have continued to adapt and evolve as an institution to meet the changing needs of the world and the way we prepare our students for life outside these walls. The lessons our students learn here at AC extend beyond the walls of our classrooms, and it is our responsibility to prepare them for the world they will inherit.

 

 

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Posted in: Eighth Grade, Eleventh Grade, Fifth Grade, First Grade, Fourth Grade, Highlights, Kindergarten, Lower School, LS Birches, Middle School, MS Birches, Ninth Grade, Nursery, Pre-Primary School, PreKindergarten, Second Grade, Seventh Grade, Sixth Grade, Tenth Grade, The Birches, Third Grade, Twelfth Grade, Uncategorized, Upper School, US Birches

Buy Your Tickets Now! 2018 Upper School Musical

Posted on October 19th, 2018 by cnickels
Allendale Columbia’s Upper School presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised).

This show is a fresh approach to the beloved 1967 comic strip by Charles Schultz. Sally Brown joins Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, and Snoopy in this charming revue of vignettes and songs. Two new songs, “Beethoven Day” and “My New Philosophy”, have been added to the twelve numbers from the original version, which include “My Blanket and Me”, “The Baseball Game”, “Little Known Facts”, “Suppertime”, and “Happiness”.

Show Dates & Times:
Friday, November 16th, 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 17th, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 18th, 2 p.m.


Save $2 by buying online before the show!

 

 

At each performance, we will be collecting handmade quilts and blankets to be donated to Project Linus, an organization whose mission is to “Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer ‘blanketeers’.”

Thank you in advance for your generosity to this important cause.

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Posted in: Eleventh Grade, Ninth Grade, Tenth Grade, The Birches, Twelfth Grade, Upper School, US Birches

Sign Up for Ski Club

Posted on October 18th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia School

by Matt Glavin

Allendale Columbia’s Ski Club is gearing up for another fun season at Bristol Mountain. For returning members, there have been a few changes made for this winter. In order to enjoy more daylight and be home earlier, we will be leaving AC at 10:30 a.m. and returning at 5:15 p.m. We will also be taking a Monroe school bus to cut back on the the cost of transportation. Our 6 Ski Club dates are all Sundays: January 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and February 3rd and 10th.

All necessary paperwork can be found here, and in the Resources tab of MyAC:

Please send in all paperwork to Mr. Glavin as soon as possible.

I will send out information on how to purchase the club pass and rentals on Bristol’s website the day I receive your check that covers the bus transportation. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Glavin at mglavin@allendalecolumbia.org

Think Snow!

Kristin Cocquyt

Matthew Glavin

Matt joined Allendale Columbia over 10 years ago and has taught third, fourth, and fifth grade, and currently teaches second grade. He has 18 years of experience in teaching and prior to AC, he taught at Prince George’s County School in Maryland. Matt earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Duquesne University and received his Master of Arts Degree in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University.
Posted in: LS Birches, MS Birches, The Birches, US Birches

Register for Vocal and Instrumental Solo Festivals

Posted on October 18th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia School

Students who sing or play a woodwind, brass, percussion, or string instrument will have an opportunity to perform in one of the upcoming MCSMA solo festivals. Students were informed of these opportunities in September. The dates and locations are as follows:

Checks should be made out to Allendale Columbia School, with the memo “Solo Fest”.

About Solo Festivals

As a member school in the Monroe County School Music Association (MCSMA) and the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), Allendale Columbia School supports student participation in all of the county and state level solo and performance festivals each year. These festivals offer valuable performance opportunities for vocal students as well as students of orchestral string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments.

Students have the opportunity to prepare a solo piece with the help of their teachers, perform for a trained adjudicator, and receive feedback. It’s a great opportunity for students who show a strong interest in music, and we encourage any vocal or instrumental student to participate. Music selections are chosen from the NYSSMA manual, with the advice of a teacher and input from the student.

Any questions about solo festivals can be directed to any of the music teachers at AC.

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Warmth for Winter Clothing Drive

Posted on October 16th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia School

B-r-r-r-r! Winter weather approaches, and Allendale Columbia students once again are thinking of others.

Most of the children who attend school in the Rochester City School District walk to school each day, and many of these students do not have warm clothing to wear during our cold winter months. So AC students in Lower School, with some help from their older colleagues, are conducting a Warmth for Winter Clothing Drive to benefit children from School #25.

Donations of new or gently used jackets, hats, boots, gloves, snow pants, mittens, scarves, and coats, sized for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, may be dropped off on the benches beside Mrs. Feiss’s office from Monday, October 22nd, through Tuesday, November 21st, 2018.

Please contact Carrie Shone with any questions at 585.381.4560 x265 or cshone@allendalecolumbia.org.

Posted in: LS Birches, MS Birches, The Birches, US Birches

Attendance Due by 8:30 a.m.

Posted on October 11th, 2018 by cnickels

To ensure the safety of our students, AC faculty take attendance every morning and our Welcome Desk updates our attendance record for any student who has been called in sick, late, or absent for any other reason. This is how we confirm where every student is, every morning. In order to ensure that attendance is confirmed for all students by 8:30 a.m., it’s important that you call into our Welcome Desk before then if your child will be late and/or absent.

Call 585-381-4560 or email welcomedesk@allendalecolumbia.org by 8:30 a.m. if your child will be in late or absent for the day. 

Thanks for your help!

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Posted in: The Birches