Upper School Key Dates and Info for the Start of the School Year
Posted on August 8th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia SchoolDear AC Parents and Students,
I hope this message finds you excited about the start of school in September. I am happy to join the Allendale Columbia community and look forward to everyone arriving on campus soon. The Upper School team has been working extremely hard to prepare the school for the students’ return in September.
In this letter, you will find the following:
- Key dates coming up in August and September. Some of these dates will apply to all Upper School families and some will only apply to certain grade levels; this should be clear below.
- Key pieces of information, including a list of resources and places where you will find everything you need for a smooth start.
Key Dates
- August 13th: JV and Varsity Sports Begin – Practice times and campus locations vary for each sport. For detailed information about athletics, please visit www.hacathletics.org or reach out to Ray Istas at ristas@allendalecolumbia.org.
- August 28th (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): New Parent Orientation – This event is for all parents who are new to AC. We look forward to meeting you at this event. This gathering is not for students but for their parents to ask questions, learn about the upcoming school year, and socialize with each other.
- September 4th (11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.): New Student Orientation – This event is for all incoming 9th grade students as well as any students who are new to the Upper School. It is for students only, and parents can drop their students off at the Welcome Desk area at 11:25 a.m. During this event, students will meet current Upper School students, meet other new students, tour the school, and learn some inside information about AC. There will be a time for them to get their questions answered prior to the first day of school. Lunch will also be provided.
- September 5th: First Day of School for Grades K-12 – There is supervision for students starting at 7:30 a.m., and they are allowed in the Library, Dining Commons, courtyard, and lounges before school. The school day starts at 8:15 a.m., and homeroom and classes begin at 8:20 a.m. General dismissal takes place at 3:00 p.m.
- September 7th: Class Days – The tradition of Class Days continues this year with students participating with classmates in various team building workshops and activities. This serves to build bonds between new and returning students as well as build our culture at AC and set norms for the year. Our seniors will be spending the night on Friday and returning Saturday, and grades 9-11 will be returning to campus by 3:00 p.m. for buses on Friday. More information about this day will be coming soon from Diane Broberg, Upper School Dean of Students. Because seniors will be going overnight on Friday, September 7th, to Saturday, September 8th, we are encouraging seniors to take the ACT in October if possible.
- September 10th: Rosh Hashanah – No School
- September 13th (6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.): Upper School Parent Night – Come out and meet your child’s teachers, learn about our program, and meet and socialize with other parents. You will receive more detailed information closer to this event, so mark your calendars.
- September 14th (5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): PACK Upper School Welcome Back Picnic – This event is for all Upper School families and will be held at King’s Bend Park. More details to follow. Hope to see you there!
- September 19th: Yom Kippur- No School
- September 21st & 22nd: Blue and White Day & Homecoming – The traditional Blue and White Day will occur the Friday before Homecoming. More details will follow as September approaches.
Key Pieces of Information
- MyAllendaleColumbia.org: Also referred to as MyAC, this is the one stop online place for all AC-related information. It can be accessed by going to www.myallendalecolumbia.org.
- Summer Reading: Please follow this link to find out more about summer assignments. Precalculus and AP AB Calculus also have assignments associated with their course.
- Supply Lists:
- We recommend that students have a note-taking pad or book for each class. Whether a student takes notes in one large notebook that contains all class information or has one for each class is up to them.
- We will provide any specialized equipment for students including calculators (checked out and returned at the end of the year) and laptops for students in 9th – 11th grade. (Students in 12th grade are welcome to bring their own laptop to school, however a computer at school is not required for 12th graders.)
- Books will be provided.
- We recommend that students bring a backpack or bag as well as writing utensils (pencils and pens), paper, and anything else needed to engage in normal everyday classroom activities.
- You can get a printable supply list on MyAC under Parent Resources.
- The Birches: This incredible resource is where all of the school announcements are published. You can subscribe to this list so that you are emailed any time something new is published. It can be found on the MyAC Parent Dashboard or by following this link.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Until then, enjoy the warmer weather and summer activities, vacations, and family time!
Sincerely,
Phil Schwartz
Head of Upper School
Middle School Key Dates and Info for the Start of School
Posted on August 8th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia SchoolDear Middle School Parents,
For those of you who are new to the Allendale Columbia family, we hope this message finds you excited about the new start in September. We are thrilled that you are joining us. For returning families, we hope you have had a relaxing break, and are starting to ponder what it will feel like to start another school year soon. We have been working extremely hard to prepare the school for the students’ return in September.
In this letter, you will find the following:
- Key dates coming up in August and September. Some of these dates will apply to all Middle School families, and some will only apply to certain grade levels, and this should be clear below.
- Key pieces of information, including a list of resources and places where you will find everything you need for a smooth start.
Key Dates
- August 24th (5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): Lower School and Middle School Welcome Back Picnic – This event will take place at King’s Bend Park in Pittsford. Click here for more details about this event.
- August 28th (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): Parent Orientation – This event is for all 6th grade parents who are new to the Middle School division and all parents of new students at any Middle School grade level. We look forward to meeting you at this event. This gathering is not for Middle School students, but for their parents to ask questions, learn about the upcoming school year, and socialize with each other.
- August 27th: Modified Sports Begin – Practice times and campus locations vary for each sport. For detailed information about athletics, please visit www.hacathletics.org or reach out to Ray Istas at ristas@allendalecolumbia.org.
- September 4th (11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.): New Student Orientation – This event is for all incoming 6th grade students as well as any students who are new in 7th or 8th grade. It is for students only, and parents can drop their students off at the Welcome Desk area at 11:25 a.m. During this event, students will practice their schedule, meet their teachers, meet their advisor, practice opening their lockers, as well as get their questions answered prior to the first day of school. Students should dress for the weather, wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in, and can bring in items that they want to use to decorate the inside of their locker if they would like (please note that decorating lockers is not required or expected). A pizza lunch will be provided by our kitchen staff.
- September 5th: First Day of School for Grades K-12 – There is supervision for Middle School students starting at 7:30 a.m., and students are allowed in the Library, Dining Commons, courtyard, and Middle School hallway before school. The school day starts at 8:15 a.m. in the Middle School Space and classes begin at 8:20 a.m. General dismissal takes place at 3:00 p.m.
- September 17th (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.): Middle School Parents’ Night – This event provides an opportunity to meet the Middle School faculty, ask questions about curriculum, and hear more about our academic program. This event will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Commons, and appetizers will be available. We hope you will join us to learn more about what we are doing in our classes. This is also the first opportunity to sign up for conference times in November. This event is open to all Middle School parents, and students are encouraged to attend with their parents and function as tour guides.
Key Pieces of Information
- MyAllendaleColumbia.org: Also referred to as MyAC, this is the one stop online place for all AC-related information. It can be accessed by going to www.myallendalecolumbia.org.
- Summer Reading: Please follow this link to find out more about summer reading assignments.
- Supply Lists: Please click on the following links for access to the list that applies to your student’s grade level: 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade.
- The Birches: This incredible resource is where all of the school announcements are published. You can subscribe to this list, so that you are emailed any time something new is published. It can be found on MyAC or by following this link.
- Formal Dance Instruction and Etiquette Class (for 5th and 6th graders only): AC’s annual Formal Dance Instruction and Etiquette Class for 5th and 6th graders will run from October 5th – November 30th and include swing and ballroom instruction, proper introductions and greetings, table etiquette, and more, this year with a global twist. Click here for more information, and please note that there is a discount for registering by August 21st.
- Pathfinder (for parents of 7th graders only): If your child is going into 7th grade, you should have received information from Aaron Shepard (Middle School English Teacher and Pathfinder Coordinator) about the Pathfinder trip. This overnight trip is for all 7th grade students and takes place from September 24th – 28th. Students need a current passport or passport card for this trip. If you have any questions, please contact Aaron Shepard at ashepard@allendalecolumbia.org.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Until then, enjoy the warmer weather and summer activities, vacations, and family time!
Thank you!
Tina Duver
Head of Middle School
Lower School Welcome and Information for the Start of the School Year
Posted on August 8th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia SchoolDear Lower School Families,
Welcome to the 2018-19 school year! Thank you so much for the incredibly warm welcome to Allendale Columbia over the past several weeks! Your enthusiasm for AC and your children is absolutely contagious! As I have walked around the school and met several of you at our first “Meet and Greet” session, there is no doubt that we are going to have an amazing year ahead! Our Lower School team and I are so excited to welcome our returning students as well as getting to know our 37 new students and their families!
In this letter you will find new information for the 2018-19 school year and important dates for August and September.
Key Information for 2018-19 School Year…
This upcoming year we are incredibly fortunate as we welcome a new Learning Advocate for Reading in the Lower School. Ms. Amanda Gianniny, a graduate of Nazareth College, will be joining AC in late August, and she brings experience that will greatly enrich the literacy program for all students. She is an experienced facilitator of the acquisition of reading skills and has also coordinated various enrichment programs for students that meet the needs of each individual child. I know you will join me in giving Amanda a warm welcome!
This year there are also a few shifts in teaching assignments. Mr. Matt Glavin will be joining Mrs. Stephanie DePaul-Pragel to teach in fourth grade this upcoming year. Mr. Glavin has several years of experience teaching upper elementary and previously taught fourth grade with Mrs. DePaul-Pragel. We are looking forward to seeing the amazing year of learning this team provides our fourth grade students! In addition, Mrs. Annie King will move from teaching first grade to join Mrs. Jennifer Truong in second grade this year. We are in store for a sensational year of inquiry and wonder in second grade and across the Lower School!
MyAllendaleColumbia.org: This is the place to go for helpful updates, forms, and information you will need throughout the school year. You will find information regarding Encore, the Rainbow Room, curriculum, grade level supply lists, and the Allendale Columbia School Student Parent Handbook.
We need your “Helping Hands”! Helping Hands are parent volunteers who help maintain the safety in the Columbia Circle during drop off each morning. These parent volunteers assist Allendale Columbia administration, faculty, and staff members in helping students get out of cars and buses and guiding them safely to the school doors. Helping Hands takes place during the heaviest traffic time in mornings from 7:45 a.m to 8:20 a.m. The drop off area at Columbia Circle is along the sidewalk near the Nursery classroom windows. There is no parking permitted in the Columbia Circle outside of the visitor spaces, so parents who would like to walk their children into school should park in the back parking area behind the gym. If you’re interested in joining our Helping Hands team, please contact Shannon Baudo at 585.641.5344 or admissions@allendalecolumbia.org.
Encore: AC Encore is a before- and after-school program that was established in September 2011 to offer enrichment opportunities to Allendale Columbia students, as well as to interested students in the greater Rochester area. AC Encore is offered during five seven-week sessions throughout the year and takes place Monday through Friday. More information about Encore will be provided during our orientation and parent nights.
Mark your calendar….
Thursday, August 9th (9:00 – 11:00 a.m.) – Family Meet and Greet
Please bring your children to the Design and Innovation Lab and Playground on Thursday, August 9th! We will share a few treats and get to know one another better before the school year begins!
Thursday, August 9th (8:30 p.m.) – AC Family Movie Night
The Admissions Team will provide popcorn and the movie Moana for your family to enjoy! All you need to bring are blankets, chairs, and friends! The movie will be shown on the back field by the AC playground. Click here for more information.
Friday, August 24th (5:30 – 8:00 p.m.) – Lower School and Middle School Welcome Back Picnic
This will take place at King’s Bend Park in Pittsford. Click here for more details regarding this event!
Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) – New Parent Orientation
This event is for all parents that are new to the Allendale Columbia community or new to the Lower School.. There will be light appetizers at 6:00 p.m., and then opening remarks by Mick Gee at 6:30 p.m. followed by a meeting about Lower School from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. This event is not intended for the children but rather for parents new to AC to have an opportunity to get information about the upcoming school year, ask questions and enjoy some social time with one another.
Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) – Hopes and Dreams Conferences
Parents meet with grade level teachers to discuss their hopes and dreams (expectations) for their child’s year ahead. K-5 Teachers will be in contact to schedule individual meeting times with you and these times are flexible throughout the first week of school.
Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 (8:20 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) – First Day of School for Grades K-5
Happy first day of school! Parents, please plan on extra time for drop-off and pick-up as it always a little more busy on the first couple days of school.
Friday, September 7th, 2018 (8:30 – 9:30 a.m.) – Nursery and Pre-K Orientation
Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten school students and their parents meet their teachers and other students, as well as look at the classroom.
Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 (8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.) – First Day of School for Nursery & Pre-K
First official day for our Nursery/Pre-Kindergarten students!
Tuesday, September 18th, 2018 (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.) – Lower School Parents’ Night
Please join us for an evening of conversation regarding the year ahead. You will have the opportunity to meet with your child(ren)’s teachers, ask questions about events and curriculum, and hear more about the amazing program we offer at AC. We hope that you will join us!
In the coming weeks I will be sending some additional information (and a challenge) for you to share with your children…stay tuned! We hope you enjoy the last days of the summer holidays, and we look forward to seeing you very soon! Feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Michelle Feiss
Head of Lower School
Lower and Middle School Families: Join Us for a Back to School Picnic August 24th!
Posted on August 8th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia School
Friday, August 24th from 5:30-8:00p.m.
North Lodge at King’s Bend Park
170 W. Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY 14534
RSVP
Confirm your attendance and family members
Parents: want to bring a dish or help?
Sign up online!
(You will be prompted to sign in to MyAC if you are not already signed in)
Questions?
Melissa Clark, LS Division Liaison, at melissa.clarkot@gmail.com
or
Colleen Roof, MS Division Liaison, at ceroof@yahoo.com
Event organized by Parents of Allendale Columbia Kids (PACK)
AC Family Movie Night August 9th
Posted on August 8th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia SchoolPlease join us for AC’s Family Movie Night tomorrow, August 9th at 8:30 p.m.! If you have any questions, please email admissions@allendalecolumbia.org or call 585.641.5344.
2018 Seventh Grade Pathfinder Trip Information
Posted on June 30th, 2018 by Allendale Columbia School
Dear Parents and Guardians of 7th Graders,
For the past fourteen years, we have taken the seventh grade on a week-long outdoor education experience to Camp Pathfinder, located in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. The seventh grade trip to Camp Pathfinder for the 2018–2019 school year is scheduled from Monday, September 24th, to Friday, September 28th. We will leave Allendale Columbia early on the morning of Monday, September 24th, and return on the evening of Friday, September 28th.
At Camp Pathfinder, the students will participate in outdoor education activities supervised by the camp’s trained staff. I and two other AC Middle School faculty members will chaperone the group. The camp is owned and operated by AC alumnus Mike Sladden ’76. Camp Pathfinder is remote and rustic, and it is located on Pathfinder Island in Algonquin Park’s Source Lake. You can visit Camp Pathfinder’s website at www.camppathfinder.com to learn more about the camp and its facilities.
Monday, September 24th, will be devoted to traveling, settling in at the camp, and participating in group activities. We will leave from the AC gym entrance at approximately 7:30 a.m. Students will need a bag lunch for the bus on Monday. Please respect the school’s nut-free policy and do not include any food with nuts.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the students will be divided into groups and will participate in off-island day trips and the high ropes course on the island. Thursday’s activity is an overnight camping trip. Each group will camp in a different location. On Friday, September 28th, we will leave for home after a final sit-down lunch with the expectation of arriving back at Allendale Columbia sometime between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m., depending on Toronto traffic. We will make phone calls when we cross back into the United States to confirm our exact time of arrival.
Attached with this document is
I will send these documents again, along with a permission form, at the end of August. It is not necessary to purchase special gear for this trip. Having enough clothing to layer, rain gear, and a second pair of footwear is essential, however.
Please note that if your child does not already have a passport, passport card, or Nexus card, a birth certificate will suffice. One of these documents is required to pass back and forth between the United States and Canada.
Pathfinder Trip Coordinator