grade parent handbook

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

Grade ParentHandbook

2021-2022

THE FENN SCHOOL

IMPORTANT DATES CALENDAR

2021-2022

September 6 Monday Labor Day - Fenn offices closed

8 Wednesday New Student Orientation for new students and parents – Registration begins at 3:00 p.m.

9 Thursday School opens 8:15 a.m. - First full day of school

October 11 Monday Indigenous Peoples’ Day - No classes - Fenn offices closed

November 11 Thursday Veterans’ Day - No classes - Fenn offices closed

12 Friday Fenn Professional Day - No Classes

24 Wednesday School closes for Thanksgiving recess at 12:45 p.m. - No afternoon Concord Public School buses -

No Extended Day Program

25 Thursday Thanksgiving Day - No classes - Fenn offices closed

26 Friday Thanksgiving recess - No classes - Fenn offices closed

29 Monday School reopens at 8:15 a.m.

December 17 Friday School closes for Winter Break at 12:45 p.m. - No afternoon Concord Public School buses -


January 3 Monday School reopens at 8:15 a.m.

17 Monday Martin Luther King. Jr. Day holiday - No classes - Fenn offices closed

February 21 Monday Presidents’ Day - No classes - Fenn offices closed

22 Tuesday Fenn School Multicultural Educators’ Forum – No classes

23 Wednesday No Concord Public School buses

24 Thursday No Concord Public School buses

25 Friday No Concord Public School buses

March 4 Friday Fenn Professional Day - No classes

11 Friday School closes for Spring Break at 12:45 p.m. - No afternoon Concord Public School buses -


28 Monday School reopens at 8:15 a.m.

April 18 Monday Patriots’ Day - No classes - Fenn offices closed

19 Tuesday No Concord Public School buses

20 Wednesday No Concord Public School buses

21 Thursday No Concord Public School buses

22 Friday No Concord Public School buses

May 30 Monday Memorial Day - No classes - Fenn offices closed

June 8 Wednesday Prize Day - Early dismissal at 12:45 p.m. - No afternoon Concord Public School buses - No Extended Day Program

9 Thursday No classes - Fenn offices open

10 Friday Graduation Day

No afternoon Concord Public School buses - No Extended Day Program

Dear Grade Parents,

Welcome! We are so excited to begin this new school year with you all on boardas Fenn Grade Parents! We truly appreciate the time and energy you havecommitted to helping us make the 2021-2022 year a memorable one for the Fennboys and their families. We hope you enjoy the connections you make as wework together to plan a variety of fun events and activities. It's all about thecommunity we create around us. Thank you for being leaders in the Fenncommunity!

Your primary responsibility is to be a liaison between the parents of students inyour grade, the PA Board, the Faculty and the School. Your efforts to bewelcoming to all families, to introduce any new families to the School, and to helpall parents feel that they are an important part of the Fenn community will domuch to enhance the experiences of the boys in your son’s grade this year.

Grade Parents are asked to plan, support and/or oversee a variety of events forthe boys and their families throughout the year. These events, designed tostrengthen class ties and build community, include but are not limited to thoseoutlined in the following pages. We welcome your suggestions for bringing theboys in your son’s grade and the community together as a whole. You are part ofthe Fenn Parents Association and we value your ideas and contributions.

On behalf of the entire Parents Association Board, thank you again for workingwith us this year!

Sincerely,Babbie MulvanyVice President of Student and School LIfe

Grade Parents2021-2022

4th Grade:Christine Belin [email protected] 301-802-8864Liz Carroll [email protected] 603-566-5749Amy Francone [email protected] 917-693-8537Lauren Manthripragada [email protected] 617-869-3049

5th Grade:Caroline Blake [email protected] 781-771-7406Melissa Bonzagni [email protected] 978-621-0419Abby Larson [email protected] 508-745-6755Kimberly Soukup [email protected] 617-519-9805

6th Grade:Melanie Ata [email protected] 781-910-8759Adrienne Principe [email protected] 617-939-4251Chelsey Remington [email protected] 978-831-0334Esther Yoon [email protected] 847-999-8388

7th Grade:Kristyn MacInnis [email protected] 978-314-7615Sarah McBride [email protected] 781-405-8337Lynn Wachs [email protected] 617-515-5907Carrie Wu [email protected] 781-820-5736

8th Grade:Marianne Balfour [email protected] 617-970-6422Cheryl Carbeau [email protected] 781-820-3377Ashley Kilmartin [email protected] 617-512-8653Jo Poole [email protected] 978-340-1738

9th Grade:MaryEllen LaCamera [email protected] 917-952-2810Kathy McCullen [email protected] 617-943-5991Tina Murdough [email protected] 617-852-7156Randa Nuseibeh [email protected] 617-953-3630

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

TITLE NAME EMAIL

PA President Lindsay Boger [email protected]

PA Vice President:Parent Programs & Events (VP-PPE) Liz Nadzo [email protected]

PA Vice President:Student & School Life (VP-SSL) Babbie Mulvany [email protected]

PA Secretary Kristy Beauvais [email protected]

PA Treasurer Tanya Oblak [email protected]

PA Volunteer Coordinator Caroline Myler [email protected]

Advancement Associate (Liaison to PA) Karen Viola [email protected]

Director of Technology Jeff Laplante [email protected]

Chair: Outdoor Notice Board Vanessa Ahlgren [email protected]

PA Closet Organizer Esther Yoon [email protected]

GRADE PARENT GMAIL ACCOUNTS

GRADE USERNAME PASSWORD

4th Grade [email protected] suasponte






GRADE PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

**Attend PA Meetings and other PA sponsored events when possible** 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

Welcome emailto Parents

● Draft email introducing yourselves, welcoming families,and highlighting upcoming events (See Sample)

● Send draft to VP-SSL; Fenn will send final version ase-notify. Target date: early September

X X X X X X

Introductory emailto Advisors

● Draft email from all four grade parents to Advisorsintroducing yourselves, providing contact information andoffering assistance (See Sample)

● Send directly to Advisors. Target date: early September

X X X X X X

Grade LevelParent Coffee

● Attend informal coffee - date set by Fenn in Sept/Oct;light refreshments set up by Fenn

● Bring name tags and markers to meeting (in PA Closet)● Greet families, introduce yourselves, facilitate mixing and

mingling

X X X X X X

Blue & GoldDinner

● Plan and host this October event for Fenn boys and aspecial guest; evening includes dinner and interactiveactivity - date set by Fenn

● See additional info* - planning begins ASAP

X X

Grade LevelParent Social

● Plan potluck/cocktail party - typically held late fall/winter● Reach out to families to find host and date - run date by

VP-SSL to avoid conflicts● Use Sign Up Genius for food sign ups and RSVPs● Use $100 budget for misc expenses (i.e. small gift for

host, paper products, etc.) Note: The PA cannotreimburse for alcohol

● Attend social, assist with set up/clean up

X X X X X X

Winter Outingfor Boys

● Plan grade level outing - held on a Tuesday afternoon inJan/Feb - cost (approximately $25/boy) is covered byStudent Activity Fee

● Choose and book activity (i.e. bowling, tubing, trampolinepark, etc.)

● Decide on lunch plan (i.e. on or off campus, will boysbring lunch or will you provide pizza, etc)

● Coordinate bus transportation with VP-SSL - cost ofbuses paid for by Fenn

● Recruit chaperones (1 per 8 kids); CORI required● Coordinate with Karen to send invitation including Hold

Harmless Form and any required activity waivers● Attend event if possible● Ask chaperones to communicate expectations to boys on

day of outing (behavior at venue, removal of trash frombus, etc)

X X X X

Gold & BlueDinner

● Plan and host spring event for boys and significant adult;event includes dinner and inspirational talk from Fennfaculty member highlighting importance of mentorship

● Date set by Fenn; planned and hosted by Grade Parents● Collect (baby and current) photos and put together video

slideshow to be shown at dinner● See additional info*

X

End of YearPool Party for

Boys

● Assist VP-SSL with planning grade level pool party atlocal country club or swimming facility typically heldduring Graduation Week

● VP SSL will confirm date, venue, party times and menu● Coordinate with Karen to send invitation● Attend and chaperone along with several faculty

members

X X X X X X

GraduationDinner

● Provide decorations for dinner held during GraduationWeek

● Support Fenn faculty as neededX

INFORMATION SHEETFor Committee Chairs (CC) and Grade Parents (GP)

Planning, Promoting and Managing Events Primary Contact

Sendingformal emails

and invitations

● Event-specific formal emails and invitations intended for thewhole community or large subsets (i.e. an entire grade)should be drafted by CCs and GPs but will be sent by Fennusing the e-notify system.

● Drafts should be sent to the contact shown for PA approvaland will then be forwarded to Karen Viola to send out.

● This process ensures that all relevant community membersreceive the information, allows for consistency in formatting forformal communications, and allows Fenn to manage thenumber and timing of all Fenn-related communications.

Kristy [email protected]

(Committee Chairs)

Babbie [email protected]

(Grade Parents)

Karen [email protected]

Sendinginformal emails

● CCs and GPs may send informal reminder emails directly toparents, committee members and volunteers to connect asneeded using personal emails.

● Communications should be limited to Fenn-related events andmay not reference personal or other non-Fenn-related matters.

------

Reserving Spaceon Campus

● CCs and GPs may reserve space on campus as needed forplanning meetings (i.e. The Alumni and DevelopmentConference Room, etc).

● CCs and GPs should reserve on campus spaces for events asneeded (MPR, Library, Dining Commons, etc).


Reserving items fromBuildings and Grounds

● Tables, chairs, etc are available for use for on campus eventsand need to be requested and reserved.


Reserving items fromiT Department

● Technical support (i.e. microphones, projection, etc) isavailable and should be requested and reserved.

Jeff [email protected]

AcquiringSupplies

● The PA Closet stocks some party items and basic officesupplies that are available for use for PA related events. Thisis a great starting place before purchasing new materials.Contact Esther Yoon for an updated list of inventory and foraccess to the PA Closet.

● Other items may be purchased and receipts submitted forreimbursement in accordance with the stated budget for eachevent (provided by the PA Treasurer).

Esther [email protected]

Advertisingin Friday Fenn

● Friday Fenn is a great way to communicate information to theFenn community. Email your announcement to the contactshown exactly as you would like it to appear. Include allrelevant information (date, time, location, etc) and identify acontact person to whom questions should be directed.

● Friday Fenn editors reserve the right to modify submissions forformat and content as needed.

● Deadline for submission is Tuesday at 4pm.


(Committee Chairs)

Babbie [email protected]

(Grade Parents)

Advertising on thePA website

● The PA Secretary uses the information submitted to FridayFenn to update the PA website weekly.

● Contact the PA Secretary for any specific website-relatedquestions or requests.


Requesting a posterfor Outdoor Notice Box

or Front CircleSandwich Board

● The Outdoor Notice Box and Front Circle Sandwich Board areavailable for announcing upcoming events.

● The Outdoor Notice Box Chair can confirm whether or not aposter already exists for your event and can assist with thedesign and printing of one if one does not exist. Please giveher plenty of advance notice.

● There are often multiple events seeking promotionconcurrently. The Chair has a master calendar and can assistwith availability and timing of displays.

Vanessa [email protected]

Identifying andRecruiting Volunteers

● The PA Volunteer Coordinator can assist with identifying andrecruiting volunteers.

● The PA has a dedicated Sign Up Genius account that can beused to solicit and organize volunteers. CCs and GPs mayhave full administrator access during the relevant timeframe.

● Some events have Sign Up Genius pages from previous yearsthat can be refreshed for future use.

Caroline [email protected]

CORI Regulations

● Any parent spending time on campus and interacting withstudents and staff must have a current CORI approval on file.

● GPs and CCs should email a list of chaperones or volunteersas their event draws near; Fenn will manage the CORIprocess and provide confirmation.

● Due to cost limitations, CORI forms for parents will not beprocessed in advance of volunteering.


Providing and UtilizingEvent Feedback

● After your event, you will be asked to complete a brief onlineEvent Feedback Form and provide photos that might behelpful to those planning your event in future years.

● The PA Secretary can provide access to Feedback Forms andphotos from previous years to help with planning events.


Budgeting for Events● The PA Treasurer can provide detailed information about the

budget available for your event, as well as how funds wereused in previous years.

Tanya [email protected]


Collecting Money● Contact the PA Treasurer for help with cash boxes, squares for

credit card payments, donation requests via Venmo, etc.

Using Outside Vendors

● Complete the PA Payment Request/Deposit of Funds Formwhich can be found on the PA website .

● Attach an electronic copy (photo or scan) of the invoice.● Email both the form and the invoice to the PA Treasurer.● Physical copies of Invoices may be sent directly from vendors

to Fenn (attn: PA Treasurer) though email is preferred to avoidpotential payment delays.

● Payment will typically be processed within 10 business days.

RequestingReimbursement for

Expenses

● Complete the PA Payment Request/Deposit of Funds Formwhich can be found on the PA website.

● Attach electronic copy (photo or scan) of receipts.● Email both the form and the receipts to the PA Treasurer.● Expenses will not be reimbursed without both items.● Please request reimbursement immediately following your

event; all requests must be made within the academic year.

Making Deposits

● Complete the PA Payment Request/Deposit of Funds Formwhich can be found on the PA website.

● Submit the form and all cash and checks to Karen Viola inthe Advancement office. All checks should be made out to“Fenn PA” not to “Fenn School” or “Fenn.”

BLUE & GOLD DINNERS (4th and 6th Grade ONLY)Hosted and planned by the Grade Parents of the 4th and 6th Grades, the Blue & Gold Dinners aretraditional evening events held on campus in the Fall. The Blue & Gold Dinners are opportunities for theboys and their special guests to bond with each other and their classmates. In past years, this event hasincluded a fun dinner in the Connolly Dining Hall, followed by a bonding activity (i.e., interactive gameshosted by Minute to Win It).

For the 2021-2002 school year, the events dates have been confirmed as follows:

● 6th Grade Blue & Gold Dinner will be on Tuesday, October 26 from 6:45-8:00 pm● 4th Grade Blue & Gold DInner will be on Tuesday, November 2 from 6:45-8:00 pm

With funds from the Student Activity Fee and guidance from the Vice President of Student and SchoolLife, the Grade Parents are responsible for drafting invitations and monitoring RSVPs, selecting the menuwith Flik Dining Services, choosing and hanging decorations in the Dining Hall (tablecloths, napkins,centerpieces, etc), choosing and preparing raffle prizes and hosting the event. Additional details, samplesand photos from previous years are available from the Vice President of Student and School Life andfrom the PA Secretary.

GOLD & BLUE DINNER (8th Grade ONLY)In the Spring, the 8th Grade Grade Parents host the Gold & Blue Dinner for the boys and a significantadult in their life. At the Gold & Blue Dinner, the boys and their guests are entertained by a member ofthe Fenn Faculty who speaks about the significance of mentors in his or her life following a special dinnerprovided on campus. This is a memorable gathering of the 8th grade class, with some special touchesprovided by the Grade Parents (including a "surprise" slideshow that includes current and baby photos).

For the 2021-2022 school year, the Gold & Blue Dinner is confirmed for:

● 8th Grade Gold & Blue Dinner will be on Tuesday, May 3 from 6:45-8:00 pm

Funds from the Student Activity Fee cover the costs associated with this event. The 8th Grade GradeParents are responsible for drafting invitations and monitoring RSVPs, assisting with speaker selection,selecting the menu with Flik Dining Services, choosing and hanging decorations (tablecloths, napkins,centerpieces, etc), gathering photos of boys and creating a slideshow, and introducing and managingother memorable elements as determined by the group. Additional details, samples and photos fromprevious years are available from the Vice President of Student and School Life and from the PASecretary.

*Babbie Mulvany (PA VP of Student & School Life), Karen Viola (Advancement Associate and PA Liaison)and David Ayotte (Flik Dining Services) will assist the 4th, 6th and 8th Grade Grade Parents with planningthese events.

Student Activity Fee

The PA Student Activity Fee, paid by families online at the beginning of the year,is intended to cover the costs of the student-centered PA sponsored activities forthe boys in each grade. This makes the process more convenient for parentsand reduces the accounting strain on volunteers. It is not the Grade Parents’responsibility to collect these fees, nor to keep track of which families have paid,though we do ask that you include a reminder to pay the fee in your welcomeemail at the beginning of the year.

The events covered by the Student Activity Fee are:

4th GradeBlue & Gold Dinner for each boy and guest

Winter OutingEnd of Year Party

5th GradeWinter Outing

End of Year Party

6th GradeBlue & Gold DInner for each boy and guest

Winter OutingEnd of Year Party

7th GradeWinter Outing

End of Year Party

8th GradeGold & Blue Dinner for each boy and guest

End of Year Party

9th GradeClass Outing

End of Year Party

Dear 6th Grade Advisors,

We are this year’s Grade Parents and are happy to take on this role for the 2020-21school year! As you may know, our primary role is liaison between 6th grade parents,the PA Board, faculty and school. We will be organizing PA related events for parentsand students (Parent Coffee, the Blue & Gold Dinner, a Parent Social, a boys' WinterOuting and an End-of-Year Pool Party) in an effort to enhance the sense of communityhere at Fenn. We will be reaching out to Fenn families to ensure all parents and boysare included in these programs and have the information they need to attend.

To that end, please let us know if you have suggestions, requests or feedback on howwe can run the best events possible. Additionally, please forward along parentquestions you may receive that relate to the Parents Association, volunteering, orevent-related concerns.

We are grateful for your commitment as Teacher and Advisor, and welcomeopportunities to help you and the Fenn community.

With warm regards,

Kristy Beauvais - [email protected] Beeson - [email protected] McCarthy - [email protected] Wachs - [email protected]

Welcome 4th Grade Fenn Families, this is an exciting time for both you and your boys!

We wanted to introduce ourselves as your grade parents of the 4th grade. We are here to help you navigate this

first year (for those that are new) and keep you up to date on the happenings within the PA organization. Below we

have outlined a few important upcoming events and dates; and further below some “good to know” information.

Here’s what coming down the road:

DATE EVENT LOCATION NOTES

Thurs Sept 14th

6:45p

Back to School Night Begins in Ward Hall Adults only

Wed Sept 20th

8:30am

4th Grade Parent Coffee Connolly Dining Hall

Wed Sept 20th Individual School Pictures On campus Volunteer opportunity

Sat Sept 23rd Homecoming On Campus Family friendly event

Tues Oct 24th

6:30pm4th Grade Blue & Golddinner

On Campus Invitation coming soon(Boys, plus one adult)

Fri Oct 13th

7pm – 10pm

4th Grade Parent Social Home of TBD Invitation coming soon

Tues Jan 23rd 4th Grade Winter Outing Details coming closer to date

Things to note:

• If you haven't already paid your Student Activity Fee, please do so by clicking here. This is a per student

fee to cover the costs of several key student-centered PA sponsored events.

• If you’re interested in volunteering with the PA, please check out our Sign Up Genius. Their are wonderfulopportunities to get involved with the boys and the community.

We are here to assist with any questions or needs you may have throughout the year. We look forward to seeingyou at the parent coffee and on campus. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely, Your Grade 4 Grade Parents

Grade Parent 1

Grade Parent 2

Grade Parent 3

Grade Parent 4

Thank you for being a

Grade Parent!

grade parent handbook

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