Parent Guide 2016-17

Parent 2016-17 ACADEMIC YEAR

Find out

what’s happening and when: www.lancastercountryday.org/calendar september

september

1

7

MS/US PARENTS’ NIGHT 7 p.m.

LS PARENTS’ NIGHT 6:30 p.m.

september

9

ALL-SCHOOL PICNIC 5:30 p.m.

Academic Parents’ Nights give parents the opportunity to meet the faculty and hear about the curriculum and plans each teacher has for the school year.

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Welcome

Parents:

to the 2016-2017 School Year

Lancaster Country Day School is distinctive in the region because of our demanding college preparatory education and the close, mentoring relationships our faculty has with students. Our shared commitment to the education of your children has defined and animated the LCDS community for generations.

This booklet offers a quick summary of important school information, resources and programs available to you and your child, and it outlines all the ways parents can participate in school life. For a more detailed account of LCDS policies, please read the LCDS Handbook, which can be found on CORE. (See Page 6 for an explanation of CORE.) If you have a new student joining our school, please refer to the New Student Packet that you received from the admission office, also available online at: www.lancastercountryday.org/newstudentpacket.

Thank you for choosing Lancaster Country Day School. We value our network of involved parents and invite you to join us in the dining commons for refreshments at 8:15 a.m. on the first day of school, August 24.

Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable school year.

steven d. lisk, Head of School

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Communication

This chapter outlines all the ways the school will communicate with you during the school year. In general, your everyday resource tool is CORE, a password-protected web portal for parents and students. It’s essential that you sign-up for push notifications from CORE or log in at least once a week.

LCDS Announcements (email)

Parents receive the LCDS Announcements email every Friday. It lists information and reminders for upcoming school events, as well as student extracurricular achievement news.

Athletics (email, website)

www.lancastercountryday.org/Athletics

Look for regular emails from Athletic Director Austen Hannis regarding the athletics kick-off meeting in August, sports news and season wrap-ups. Once your student joins a team, you’ll be able to access practice and game schedules, directions to away games, team records, rosters and all kinds of announcements and important in- and out-of-season information. On the athletics web page (in bold above), you can find the full athletics calendar and information about registration, the Cougar Club (Athletic Department booster club), eligibility, etc.

Calendar (website)

www.lancastercountryday.org/Calendar

The LCDS community calendar contains all major school events except for the athletics schedule. From it, you can sync event details with iCal or Outlook. Click on “LINKS” in the top right-hand menu of any page on the website to access it.

College Guidance (email, e-newsletter, face-to-face, direct mail and phone) www.lancastercountryday.org/Academics/College-Counseling

Information concerning college counseling meetings, programs, scholarships, summer programs and more is sent to Upper School & Middle School parents by counselors Linda Campbell and Abby Kirchner. Summer program information and scholarship announcements are posted on the school website in the College Counseling section, which also contains other helpful information and links.

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Connect5 (email, text, voicemail)

Connect5 is an automated phone/SMS/email contact system that will notify parents and employees in the event of an out-of-the-ordinary situation that will impact your schedule or your child’s. If you would like to change the way you are notified, please contact SIS Administrator Beth Otto.

Connections (print magazine)

Connections is a print magazine mailed to families twice a year. It combines stories about alumni with school news.

CORE (website)

The Cougar Online Resources portal, or CORE, is a password-protected and individualized one-stop web portal for parents and students to find all the information that’s important to them. Within CORE, you will find Academic Details, Recent Activity Stream, Resources and My BackPack. To log in:

1. Go to www.lancastercountryday.org.

2. Find the blue “LOGIN” button in the upper right-hand corner and click it.

3. Type in your I.D. and password.

Tip

For a video tutorial about CORE, visit www.lancastercountryday.org/COREvideo …

For questions about CORE, please contact Beth Otto at 717-392-2916, ext. 271 or ottob@lancastercountryday.org.

Community Groups

This is a news feed with division updates and announcements. Get to it from the drop-down menu in the upper right called “Groups.”

My BackPack

Here you will find your child’s schedule (only Middle and Upper School), trimester report cards, tuition and lunch account details and the online student directory.

All of your contact information can be edited and updated here as well. To get to it, click on “Resources” and then click on the My BackPack icon.

Notifications

You can choose to be notified of any CORE messages by email or text. This will alert you to any changes to your child’s academics, athletics and any school announcement. To turn on notifications, click on your name in the upper-right corner of CORE and select “Settings.”

Recent Activity Stream

This is the home or default page when you log in to CORE. On it, you will receive information feeds related specifically to your child’s courses, division, sports and teachers. You cannot unsubscribe to any of these, but you can choose how you’re notified. See Notifications, above.

Resources

This is the place to find the student handbook, medical forms, course selection guide and My BackPack. Get to it by logging into CORE and then clicking on “Resources” in the upper-left corner.

Student Academic Details

To see your child’s academic course information including assignments, grades and curriculum information, click on his or her name under the red navigation bar.

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Cougar News (email, website)

www.news.lancastercountryday.org

Social Media (online) Facebook: facebook.com/lancastercountryday

Cougar News is a website with news features, slideshows and videos about our school. New content is emailed biweekly. Parents and Upper School students receive the email digest automatically unless they opt out.

Instagram: LCDSCHOOL

Delays and Closures (news media)

LinkedIn: Lancaster Country Day School Fans

In addition to sending a Connect5 message (see Page 6) and posting information on the website and social media, we contact the following media outlets for school closings and delays:

Radio WIOV, WARM103, WLAN, WHP580, WLPA, WQZA, WEEU and WITF Television WGAL-TV and WHP-TV21

FundFest (emails, direct mail and more)

Prior to April’s benefit auction, FundFest, we share a number of ways to support the event and get involved.

Foursquare: Lancaster Country Day School

Nextdoor: www.oldschoollanehills.nextdoor.com Pinterest: LancasterCountryDay Twitter: @LCDSchool Vimeo: Lancaster Country Day School

The Excellence Fund (email, direct mail, phone and more)

The school’s annual fund comprises donations from parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff and friends. These gifts support the day-to-day operations of LCDS.

Upper School News (email and CORE)

The Head of Lower School uses emails, monthly newsletter and frequent updates to the LS Parent Group in CORE to communicate important information and community highlights.

The Head of Upper School emails a newsletter to US students and parents with important information about the division. This usually happens two or three times per trimester. The newsletter is also posted on CORE, along with other regular updates, in the US Parent Community Group.

Middle School News (email and CORE)

Note

Lower School News (email and CORE)

The Head of Middle School uses emails and frequent updates to the Middle School pages on CORE to communicate important information and community highlights.

Mobile (website)

www.lancastercountryday.org

Our site is optimized for smartphones and tablets, providing quick access to news and calendars, athletic scores and schedules, and password-protected directories.

We are happy to share news about your child’s extracurricular achievements with the wider LCDS community. We broadcast this information on the TV monitor in the front lobby, in Friday’s announcements email and on the Cougar News website. …

Please email your child’s achievement to Director of Communications Dulcey Antonucci at antonuccid@lancastercountryday.org.

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Getting Ready Health Forms

Health forms can be found in CORE, on Resources. Click on the icon “Health Forms.� They can be turned in to school nurse Heidi Caputo or to Beth Otto.

Request for Administration of Medications

Preschool Health Packet

Junior Kindergarten Health Packet

Kindergarten Health Packet

Physical Examination Form (Grades 6, 11 and all new out-of-state students) Medical Emergency Form

Dental Form

Dress Code

Please see the LCDS Handbook or school website (links below) for more details.

Lower School

www.lancastercountryday.org/LSDressCode

Preschool and junior kindergarten: Children should dress neatly and suitably for play. Grades K-5 should wear an LCDS plaid jumper or kilt, or khaki bottom. The top can be a white or maroon polo shirt or turtleneck, maroon sweater or LCDS sweatshirt; maroon, black or gray LCDS fleece vest, jacket or pullover. For grades K-3, girls may wear maroon socks or tights (no leggings) and boys must wear a belt.

Middle School

www.lancastercountryday.org/MSDressCode

All students will wear white turtlenecks or collared shirts with sleeves.

All students will wear khaki bottoms that are worn at the natural waistline.

Students may wear white, gray or navy blue LCDS sweatshirts or sleeveless black or charcoal LCDS vests over their collared shirts.

Upper School

Upper School students are expected to dress appropriately and use discretion.

On certain celebration days, students dress up in Cougar Classy: an informal dress or skirt that is mid-thigh or longer, or full-length trousers of non-jeans material, and a top that is a dress shirt, polo or sweater set. A jacket is acceptable but not required.

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Summer Reading

By Bus

Summer reading assignments for all grades can be found on our website beginning June 1.

On the first day of school, please send a note addressed to your child’s Lower School teacher with the following: the name of the school district from which the bus operates, the bus number, name or letter, the time that the bus will arrive at the school and the time the bus will return for the afternoon pick-up.

www.lancastercountryday.org/SummerReading

Cougar Store

The LCDS Cougar Bookstore carries all of your essential uniform needs from polo shirts and sweatshirts to socks and tights. We’re also a resource for students when they need school supplies or to replace a lost textbook. Stop in and see our many lines of LCDS spirit wear and accessories. During the school year, the store is open from 7:45-11 a.m. and 2:30-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 717-392-2916, ext. 251 for an appointment, if needed.

Dining Hall Meal Plans

www.lancastercountryday.org/Dining-Services

Though PS, JK and K students must pack their lunches, LCDS offers hot and cold lunch options every day for students in grades 1-12. Students may pay for food with cash or a debit account. Visit the website above for more information about dining services, including pricing and the weekly menu.

Tuition and Cafeteria/Bookstore Debit Account Payments

Tuition and cafeteria/bookstore debit account payments may be made online by logging into CORE and selecting the My Backpack option. Payment options include e-check and credit cards. Although the online payment option is preferred, checks and cash are also accepted at the business office.

Transportation

If you make arrangements on any day that differ from the transportation arrangements we have in writing, you must send us written instructions on the day of the change. In addition, please call Lynn Arnold at the Lower School Office to be sure we have received the written note from your child. We will not accept verbal instructions without the written note for confirmation.

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www.lancastercountryday.org/Transportation

Students whose school district boundary falls within a 10-mile radius of LCDS will be furnished the same transportation provided for public school students. Please call your school district for arrangements and questions.

Families who live in the Berks County/Northern Lancaster County area and need bus information can contact Andrea Gerace at 610-223-1603 or antgerace@comcast.net.

Families who live in the Hershey-Hummelstown area and York-Wrightsville area, please contact John Ford at 717-397-0685 or fordj@lancastercountryday.org.

By Car

On the first day of school, please send a note addressed to your child’s Lower School teacher with the following: the name(s) of the driver(s), the driving schedules and telephone numbers of all drivers, as well as your work number where we can reach you in an emergency.

At pick-up and drop-off, please be considerate of other drivers and follow the very few requests that we ask of you. It is essential that you inform grandparents and others who are not the daily drivers about these guidelines. Please see the LCDS Handbook for more details on pick-up and drop-off procedure.

Before School Care

For students in kindergarten through fifth grade, beforeschool care is available at no charge from 7:30-7:55 a.m.

There is no before-school care on days with a snow delay.

After School Program Lower School

For grades preschool-8, LCDS offers the AfterSchool Program (ASP) on any full school day except before a break. The program is staffed by LCDS faculty and is in session from 2:30 (for preschool and JK)/3 to 5:30 p.m. Children in the program for fewer than 10 hours per week are charged $8 per hour. Children signing up for 10 hours or more are charged a flat fee of $70 per week. Reservations must be made no less than one week in advance. Call the Lower School office for arrangements.

Middle School

Students may also participate in ASP, since they may remain after school only for practices or academic help.

All other students must leave the building by 3:15. If Middle School students must wait beyond 3:15 for parent pick-up, they must inform the Middle School office and report to the library for study time. If they must remain past 4 p.m., they must proceed to the ASP room, at which point ASP charges are incurred.

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION School Absences

Parents should report an absence to the appropriate division office no later than 8:30 a.m. A note from a parent explaining the absence or tardiness is required when the student returns to school.

Excused Absences

Absences due to illness, family emergencies, medical appointments, religious observances or significant family milestones will be considered excused. Refer to the LCDS Handbook for more specific information. Students are responsible for the material missed and will be permitted to make up work.

Seniors and juniors will also be allowed a limited number of approved absences for college visitations. Students may request one family vacation for each custodial household.

Unexcused Absences

When students miss school due to reasons that do not fit the above, these absences will be recorded as unexcused.

A student in this situation might not be allowed to make up missed work and could receive zeros for skipped work.

This will be at the discretion of the individual teachers. Lower and Middle school students who accrue 10 unexcused absences in one trimester will be required to make arrangements for parent-paid tutoring based on the subject recommendation by the division head. Seniors have different expectations for attendance and should refer to the LCDS Handbook for more specific information.

Unexcused Class Absences

Leaving campus or missing class during school hours without permission is a violation of the standards of student conduct. Upper School students who flout this policy should expect to appear before the Honor Committee. Students in the Lower and Middle Schools should expect disciplinary action from their division head.

Absence Request Forms

Students who will miss school due to a planned absence must submit an Absence Request Form at least two academic days before the absence. These forms are available in the Middle School or Upper School office.

Lateness

Continual tardiness will result in a disciplinary response.

Upper School students who are repeatedly tardy to classes may expect loss of points, work duty or more serious consequences depending on the circumstances.

Early Departure

If a student needs to be excused early, parents must tell the appropriate division office no later than 8:30 a.m.

Students are responsible for all work missed.Doctor and dental appointments should be scheduled outside of the school day.

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Illness

Any students with a fever, diarrhea, undiagnosed rash or sore, vomiting or discharge from eyes, ears or nose indicating an infection may not attend school. If a student becomes ill at school, the parent or guardian will be notified and asked to pick up the student. Minor injuries and illnesses are attended to by the school nurse in the school’s infirmary.

Medication Policy

The nurse may administer prescribed medication with the specific written instruction of the prescribing physician or dentist and with the permission of the parent. Students may NOT carry any medication on their person or in their backpacks during school hours without written permission from the prescribing physician provided to the school nurse. A request for a long-term medication must be updated at the beginning of each school year.

Peanut and Tree Nut Policy

The dining hall has a peanut-free table. In addition, please avoid sending in classroom snacks that are made with peanuts, peanut oil or tree nuts. Some children in our Lower School have severe allergic reactions to these foods.

Service Learning

Lancaster Country Day encourages all students to pursue service opportunities. In Lower and Middle schools, service to the community is woven into the curriculum by grade. In Upper School, students can pursue service opportunities at both the local and international levels.

US students can work closely with the Service Learning Coordinator in order to develop 50-hour local service projects worthy of the Outstanding Community Service Designation. Students may also explore a variety of geopolitical issues through our service learning program, and take part in organizing an international service trip.

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Technology

Acceptable Use Policy

In order to use LCDS technology resources, students must agree to the Acceptable Use Policy, which is in the LCDS Handbook.

iPad Program

All students in grades 8-12 receive an iPad so they can learn within a one-to-one computing environment.

The goal of this program is to enhance understanding of the course curriculum, as well as to further develop each student’s technology and information-literacy skills. For more information, visit www.lancastercountryday.org/iPadProgram.

Phone Policy Lower School

Phones must be turned off and kept in lockers during the day.

Middle School

Phones may be carried with students but must be turned off. Emergency calls should be made in MS office.

Upper School

Phones may be carried by students but not used during classes or student activities. Students can check calls or messages between classes, at break or during lunch.

Should you need to contact your LS/MS child during the day, please contact the administrative assistant for your child’s division.

For more Service Learning information, contact Abby Kirchner at kirchnera@lancastercountryday.org

Lockers

At the beginning of the year, each student is issued an open hall locker, which should be kept neat and clean. Musical instruments should be stored in the music department’s lockers and athletic equipment in athletic lockers. The property of each student should be respected by others, however money and valuables should not be openly displayed in lockers. Valuables can be kept safe in one of the school offices if they must be brought to school.

Lost and Found

Lower and Middle School students have a hamper in front of the Middle/Upper School library, a bin near the Buckwalter Gymnasium, in the dining commons, and a storage bench in the infirmary hallway. Upper School items are in the Dean of Students’ office or in the storage benches around school. All unclaimed lost and found items will be donated to charity on the last day of each trimester.

College Counseling

College advisors work to help students identify colleges and universities that are best suited for their talents, interests, aspirations and needs. The college guidance advisors provide programs and educational materials related to the college process starting in Middle School.

The formal process begins sophomore year, when each student is assigned a college advisor. The advisors are actively involved in many facets of the application process and provide support for both students and parents.

Student surveys and family conferences identify goals, interests and strengths, and the thorough discussions continue as students visit colleges, take SAT and ACT tests and complete applications. For more information, contact Linda Campbell at campbelll@lancastercountryday.org or Abby Kirchner at kirchnera@lancastercountryday.org.

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important lcds dates august

22 US New Student Orientation 23 MS/LS New Student Orientation 24 First Day of School 30 New Parent Reception

september 1 5 7 9

MS/US Parents’ Night Labor Day/No School LS Parents’ Night All-School Picnic

october

1 Homecoming 12 Yom Kippur/No School 20 LS Parent Conferences/No School LS 21 Parent Conferences/No School 28 Halloween Festival 31 Professional Day/No School

november

11 Veterans Day/No School 22 LS Grandfriends’ Day (1/2 Day LS) 23 Thanksgiving Break/No School (11/23–11/28) 29 Classes Resume for 2nd Trimester

december

17 Winter Break/No School (12/19–1/2)

january

3 Classes Resume 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day/No School

february

16 Professional Day/No School 17 Presidents’ Day Weekend/No School (2/17-2/20)

march

3 Spring Break/No School (3/3–3/13) 14 Classes Resume for 3rd Trimester 23 LS Parent Conferences/No School LS 24 LS Parent Conferences/No School LS

april

3 Professional Day/No School 13 MS Grandfriends’ Day (1/2 Day MS) 14 Good Friday & Easter Monday/No School (4/14-4/17) 22 FundFest

may

20 Senior Graduation 29 Memorial Day/No School 30 PS/JK Final Day 31 LS Field Day/LS Final Day

june

1 Fifth Grade Bridging 7 Eighth Grade Closing

August

September

October

November

S M T W T F S

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dates

December

S M T W T F S

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in color are important events.

January

February

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

March

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dates

April

S M T W T F S

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in gray represent when school is closed.

May

June

S M T W T F S

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July

S M T W T F S

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Getting Involved

Lancaster Country Day School’s dedicated parents help the school thrive.

We want parents to feel welcome to offer their time and talents. Read about the many opportunities for parents to volunteer and make a difference in the school.

Admission PAN

Parent Admission Network (PAN) volunteers join a cadre of our families educated in Country Day’s greatest advantages and attributes. After attending our annual training meeting (30 minutes prior to the All-School Picnic) or a 20-minute meeting with the director of admission, PAN members are in a position to speak knowledgeably with their colleagues, friends and family about LCDS. PAN members will be offered the opportunity to participate in focus groups aimed at improving the admission process.

Office Volunteers

Whether you volunteer a few hours a week or just come in as needed for special projects (like mailing parties), office volunteers help us reach more people than we would be able to with just our staff alone. Please let us know if you would be available for daytime, weekday help.

Event Volunteers

Event volunteers help us with on-campus open houses and testing and playgroup days, as well as tabling at local events. Most of these opportunities are on the weekends during the day, but occasionally we need help during the week or in the evenings.

Contact Tonya Bergstrom at bergstromt@lancastercountryday.org to sign up for any of the above volunteer opportunities.

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Athletics

LCDS is committed to building an athletic department that supports the overarching mission of the school: to promote students’ intellectual, creative, physical and emotional development. Parents whose children play a sport can volunteer time with that team. Contact the coach for more information.

Booster Clubs

www.lancastercountryday.org/CougarClub www.lancastercountryday.org/ProjectArts

The Cougar Club and Project Arts booster clubs support athletics and arts programs at the school.

Development

The Excellence Fund, Country Day’s annual fundraising effort, receives overwhelming support from every corner of our community, with close to three-quarters of all school families donating to it. Chaired by one or more LCDS parents and driven by parent volunteers from all divisions, The Excellence Fund underwrites those programs that define our school experience.Whether you are donating or volunteering, The Excellence Fund is a great way to help our school.

Benefactors Committee

Volunteers who ask parents to support the school at the leadership level of $1,908 and above.

EITC/OSTC Chair and Ambassadors

Help to inform others about the Pennsylvania tax programs and serve as a resource for interested families.

The Excellence Fund

The Excellence Fund’s strength lies in its squad of volunteers.They can help in the office, as class representatives, by making calls during our parent phone-a-thons or by reaching out to new parents about the need for annual giving.

Senior Parent Gift Chairs

Parents in the senior class help raise money for a farewell gift that is also the opening bid at Children’s Challenge, the auction-style fundraiser held at FundFest in April.

Environmental Education

www.lancastercountryday.org/Green

One of Country Day’s stated goals is to teach our students the many aspects of sustainability. Parents can volunteer in September for Take a Child Outside Week, and throughout the year for garden cleanup and the parent Garden Committee.To help, contact Middle School science teacher and Green School Coordinator Barbara Bromley at bromleyb@lancastercountryday.org.

Family Science Night

To volunteer for Family Science Night Thursday, Jan. 26, contact Laura Trout at troutl@lancastercountryday.org.

Field Trips

Field trips play an integral part in the LCDS experience because they supplement and reinforce the curriculum.

In the Lower School, teachers make every effort to accommodate parents who wish to accompany their child on at least one field trip during the school year. In Middle School, students go on overnight field trips.

Mark your family calendar for these dates: november

7-10

EIGHTH GRADE Echo Hill Outdoor School Worton, MD

november

8-10

SEVENTH GRADE Williamsburg, VA

november

8-10

SIXTH GRADE

Camp Blue Diamond Petersburg, PA

In Upper School, each grade goes on daylong field trips in the fall. Overnight trips, whether as standalone offerings or part of a travel course, take place throughout the school year. The Hague International Model United Nations is the only travel course whose schedule remains largely consistent from year to year, with the class heading to the conference in the Netherlands in January.

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Grandfriends’ Day

Mark your calendars for Lower School Grandfriends’ Day on November 22 and Middle School Grandfriends’ Day on April 13.

Halloween Festival

To volunteer for the Halloween Festival, contact Betsy Heim at heimb@lancastercountryday.org.

Parents Association

All parents are considered members of the Parents Association. Throughout the year there are numerous opportunities to get involved in the school. For more information about any item listed below, contact the 20162017 president, Becky Miller at bmiller@dbltank.com.

All-School Picnic

Help with the planning and direction of the September picnic that marks the beginning of the school year.

Barnes & Noble Book Fair

The Barnes & Noble Book Fair is a fall event that provides an opportunity for LCDS friends and families to purchase new books whose sale benefits the LCDS libraries.

Book Sale Plans and coordinates biennial Used Book Fair events.

Class/Division Support

Class parents are appointed for each LS grade to work with teachers in planning activities related to curriculum studies, field trips and holidays. They also help new parents get acquainted and feel welcome in the school. We invite anyone who wants to serve as a class parent. There is no deadline for signing up; just let us know if you’re interested and we’ll add you to this year’s list. This committee also works closely with school staff to provide assistance for service learning projects.

Fundraising — Keepsake Greetings, Holiday Plant Sale and Gift Card Sale

These three events represent the bulk of our fundraising activity and their proceeds fund Parents Association events throughout the year. Each November we sell holiday plants and gift cards for local restaurants to help simplify your holiday shopping. Keepsake Greetings are delivered to students in May.

Ice Festival

Held in February, the Ice Festival is designed to help families kick the mid-winter blues and celebrate as a school.

Iron Hill Social

Held in the fall and spring, this is a great place to get together after school sports, theater practice, etc., while also supporting the Parents Association.

New York Bus Trip

Help plan and coordinate the annual New York City bus trip in November.

Teacher Appreciation Day

This is a day set aside to say thank you to the LCDS faculty and staff. A sit-down luncheon is served and volunteers are needed to plan the event, proctor classes, set up, serve and clean up.

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Giving

Since its founding in 1908, LCDS has thrived because of the generosity of families, alumni and friends who believe in our mission and who are committed to our future. There are many ways to support our school.

Charitable contributions and fundraising events are crucial in providing excellent programs, equipment and facilities for our students and faculty.

Endowment Gifts

Lancaster Country Day School is fortunate to have an endowment of more than $18 million. The principal is protected so that every year a portion of the endowment’s interest revenue may be designated to support scholarships, programs and faculty salaries. LCDS is grateful to members of the community who invest in existing endowed funds, those who create new funds within their lifetimes and others who create funds through estate provisions.

The Excellence Fund

The Excellence Fund is the annual effort that benefits every aspect of the LCDS experience, including arts, athletics, technology, and, of course, academics. The Excellence Fund impacts every student and helps ensure the vibrancy and vigor that define LCDS. Because of its importance, we ask everyone to make The Excellence Fund their highest philanthropic priority.

Benefactors’ Circle

Additional Giving Levels

Centennial Society ������������������������������������������������ $20,000+

Bell Tower Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000-1,907

Shippen Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000 – 19,999

Maroon & Gray Society �������������������������� $500 – 999

Founders’ Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000 – 9,999

Spirit Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100 – 499

Labyrinth Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,000 – 4,999

Friends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1 – 99

1908 Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,908 – 2,999

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FundFest

Planned Gifts

Pennsylvania EITC and OSTC

Room to Grow Campaign

Mark your calendars now for this year’s auction and gala, which will be held Saturday, April 22. To support FundFest, the school solicits both auction items as well as personal and corporate sponsorships. For more information, contact Sherry Vernet at 717-431-1615.

Pennsylvania recognizes Country Day as an approved scholarship organization within the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These programs allow companies to make significant contributions to LCDS and to receive up to 90 percent tax credits in return. Any business with a Pennsylvania tax liability is eligible to participate. Last year, corporate partners gave LCDS more than $350,000. Corporate gifts range from $1,000 to more than $50,000. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website, or contact Chief Advancement Officer Shelby LaMar at 717-397-7240 or lamars@lancastercountryday.org.

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Have you included LCDS in your estate plans? There are a variety of giving strategies that help you provide for LCDS while also advancing your own personal objectives.

Our Heritage Society recognizes individuals who have made provisions for Lancaster Country Day School.

LCDS launched the Room to Grow capital campaign in support of an ambitious master campus plan that addresses every area of student life. The first phase of this $11 million effort made possible the renovation of our Lower School over the summer. In the fall, the second phase will expand our athletics and physical education wing, add parking spaces to campus and create a new school entrance from President Avenue. Future phases will likely address our theater and performing arts space and additional learning spaces with particular emphasis on our science facilities.

Visit us online

To learn more about giving to Lancaster Country Day School, visit www.lancastercountryday.org/Give or contact Shelby LaMar at 717-397-7240 or lamars@lancastercountryday.org.

Resources Telephone Directory

Cougar Store Academic Year

717-392-2916

Monday-Friday 7:45-11 a.m. and 2:30-3 p.m.

Mailing Address

Closed during school breaks and summer hours are subject to change. Call 717-392-2916, ext. 251 for an appointment.

Lancaster Country Day School 725 Hamilton Road Lancaster, PA 17603

Development and Business Office Hours

Libraries

Academic Year

Lower School Library

Summer

Middle and Upper School Library

Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

During school breaks, office hours might be modified.

School Day Arrival

Students may start to arrive at 7:50 a.m.

The school day starts at 8:10 a.m. for all grades.

Departure

Morning preschool and JK ends at 11:30 a.m.

Full-day preschool and JK ends at 2:30 p.m.

Kindergarten through Grade 12 ends at 3 p.m.

Dining Commons

The Dinning Commons is open from 10 a.m.-1:30 pm.

Snack 10-10:30 a.m.

Lower School 11 a.m.

Middle School 12:10 p.m.

Upper School

12:45 p.m.

Hours are 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

Hours are 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Lab

All students are expected to meet the curricular standards established as the normal course of study. The Lab provides students with additional support beyond the regular assistance given by classroom teachers. Country Day employs three learning specialists, one in each division.

For more information, please contact Rachel Schmalhofer at schmalhoferr@lancastercountryday.org.

Music Lessons

Our adjunct music faculty teaches private lessons during the school day for an additional fee. A brochure is sent in the all-school mailing in August. For more information, please contact Linda Krick at krickl@lancastercountryday.org.

Need technology help?

For help logging into CORE, the website portal for parents and students, please contact Beth Otto at 717-392-2916, ext. 271 or ottob@lancastercountryday.org.

Parent Guide | lancaster country day school | 25

Useful Contacts Below you’ll find contact information for some staff members you may need to speak with during the school year.

Office of the Head of School

Middle School

Steve D. Lisk

Vic Tayor

Patti Maurer

Gail D. Clauss

Head of School 717-392-2916, ext. 225 lisks@lancastercountryday.org Assistant to Head of School 717-392-2916, ext. 224 maurerp@lancastercountryday.org

Receptionist June Charles

717-392-2916 charlesj@lancastercountryday.org

Lower School Caroline Badri

Interim Head of Lower School 717-392-2916, ext. 526 badric@lancastercountryday.org

Lynn W. Arnold

Lower School Administrative Assistant 717-392-2916, ext. 239 arnoldl@lancastercountryday.org

Head of Middle School 717-392-2916, ext. 242 taylorv@lancastercountryday.org Middle School Administrative Assistant 717-392-5263, ext. 243 claussg@lancastercountryday.org

Upper School Todd Trout

Interim Head of Upper School 717-392-2916, ext. 234 troutt@lancastercountryday.org

Genevieve Munson

Interim Assistant Head of Upper School 717-392-2916, ext. 286 munsong@lancastercountryday.org

Aimee Nelson

Upper School Administrative Assistant/Registrar 717-392-5853, ext. 235 nelsona@lancastercountryday.org

Rob Umble

Dean of Students/Counselor 717-392-2916, ext. 226 umbler@lancastercountryday.org

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Health Services

The Lab

Heidi W. Caputo R.N.

Rachel Schmalhofer

School Nurse 717-393-1241 caputoh@lancastercountryday.org

Rita Foster

IU-13 Guidance Counselor 717-392-2916, ext. 260 fosterr@lancastercountryday.org

Director of Learning Services 717-392-2916, ext. 483 schmalhoferr@lancastercountryday.org

Athletics Austen Hannis

Athletic Director 717-392-2916, ext. 252 hannisa@lancastercountryday.org

Business Office John Ford

Hilary Waltman

Business Manager 717-392-2916, ext. 223 fordj@lancastercountryday.org

Angela Hershey

Accountant 717-392-2916, ext. 222 hersheya@lancastercountryday.org

Assistant Athletic Director 717-392-2916, ext. 253 waltmanh@lancastercountryday.org

College Guidance Linda Campbell

Director of College Guidance 717-392-2916, ext. 236 campbelll@lancastercountryday.org

Development Shelby LaMar

Abby Kirchner

Chief Advancement Officer 717-397-7240 lamars@lancastercountryday.org

Sherry Vernet

Special Events Coordinator 717-431-1615 vernets@lancastercountryday.org

Assistant Director of College Guidance 717-392-2916, ext. 258 kirchnera@lancastercountryday.org

Tip

If you have an urgent problem that requires immediate attention on a school day between 3:10-5:30 p.m., call the administrator on duty at 717-419-5492. ‌ The direct line for the After School Program is 717-327-1915.

Parent Guide | lancaster country day school | 27

the

spark t h at kindles t h e

mind and heart

ILLUMINATES A LIFETIME

haGuide milton r oad country | lancaster, pa 17603 | (717) 392-2916 | www.lancaster countryday.or g 28 | 725 Parent | lancaster day school