April Newsletter
Letter from the Head of School
by Kara Lawler
Dear Grier family and friends,
The campus is coming alive again--with signs of spring and with the return of our students!
Mother nature has been sending us very typical spring weather. Over the past few weeks, the skies have been blue, and the temperatures have been mild. Even today, as it rains outside, I'm reminded that "April showers bring May flowers." The combination of sun and rain has made the grass very green, just another sign of life on our campus!
Today, our students return! It's been quiet around here, and I look forward to hearing their laughter again in the halls and on the grounds. Today is a great day to throw open the windows (as long as they're under a porch or eave, like mine are!) and relish in all of the joys of spring.
Since April is National Poetry Month, I leave you here with a poem by Billy Collins, one of my favorite poets. It celebrates the joys of a spring day like today!
Today
by Billy Collins
If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze
that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house
and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,
a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies
seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking
a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,
releasing the inhabitants
from their snow-covered cottage
so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting
into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.
My best,
Kara
General Travel and Attendance Updates
Please Make Note:
Weekend and Holiday Travel:
For any weekend or holiday travel, please email travel@grier.org with the following information no later than Thursday evening of the weekend of departure. For holiday travel, you must give us three weeks' notice to arrange transport:
- Date and time of departure.
- Pick-up person
You MUST come in and sign your daughters out by buzzing in at the main door and showing your identification. Prior to 4:00 p.m., you can do so in the main office with Bev Hampton. After 4:00 p.m. or on weekends, your daughter will sign out with the RA on the dorm floor. The RA will walk your daughter to the main entrance and verify ID.
Summer Travel:
Please send a complete itinerary of how your student will be traveling home for Summer Break to Beth Yoder by May 1
Mid-terms end on Wednesday, May 22. All students not participating in Graduation should be departing campus no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.
(They can begin departing following mid-terms on May 22.)
Seniors should move out on Friday, May 24. We have scheduled parent times just for seniors/parents. There will be moving assistance.
All seniors should depart with their parents at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 following graduation and a light lunch.
The remaining servers should all depart campus by Saturday, May 25 at 5:00 p.m.
Airport Travel:
In an effort to minimize travel costs to families, we will group students together traveling to / from the same airports on a given day. We ask for your cooperation in submitting your daughter’s travel itinerary at least 3 weeks before her travel date.
- We advise parents to avoid JFK airport due to construction and higher costs of providing transportation to JFK. Washington D.C. airports (IAD, DCA, BWI) are recommended for international travel.
- Local airports include State College (SCE) and Altoona (AOO).
- Local bus service is available from Altoona and State College. www.us.megabus.com or www.trailways.com
- Train service (www.amtrak.com) is available from Tyrone.
- If you arrange your own transportation, students MUST arrive before 9:00 p.m. or after 7:00 a.m.
Daily Attendance:
For any daily attendance issues with DAY STUDENTS or with boarders who are leaving for an appointment, please email attendance@grier.org with the following information:
- Date and time of departure
- Pick-up person
You MUST come in and sign your daughters out by buzzing in at the main door and showing your identification. Please bring any excuses back and give them to Bev Hampton in the main office.
For daily boarding student departure, students must sign-out in the main office with Bev Hampton before 4:00 p.m. or in the living room after 4:00 p.m. Unless special arrangements have been made, students must not arrive before 7:30 a.m. and they must depart by 6:30 p.m.
For our local boarding students, please email travel@grier.org to let us know about weekend travel by Thursday of each week. If your daughter is planning to go home EVERY weekend, you must discuss this with Kara Lawler. Call or email Kara anytime. If you take your daughter home for the weekend, she must return by 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening.
*Reminder: you may not drive into the heart of our campus (the colonnade area). Please park your car by the pineapple pillars or behind the Dance Building.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! These procedures are for the safety and security of our students.
Graduation Information
The happy hours of work and play,
The golden autumn haze,
With team cheers echoing down the field,
With joys of Grier School days.
It's so hard to believe, but it's that time of year! We need to think about Grier graduation 2024! Please find a letter attached with information about this important event. We all look forward to celebrating in May with you!
Summer Camp Information
General Information
Grier Summer offers girls ages 7-17 a chance to experience Grier and enjoy classic summer activities on our beautiful campus! Campers in an intensive program spend 3 of their 4 daily activity sessions studying under the Grier faculty that lead these signature programs during the school year. Help us spread the word, and register today!
General Camp Activities include: Archery, Art, Creative Writing, Dance, Horseback Riding, Musical Theatre, Photography, Science, Swimming, Videography, and more!
Intensive Programs: Dance, Art, Horseback Riding
Dates Offered – Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 sessions!
- July 14 – 21
- July 21 - 28
- July 28 - August 3
Campers signing up for the dance or art intensive must register for all three weeks.
- $1,500 per week boarding campers (ages 9 and up)
- $600 per week for day campers (all ages)
- $65 Additional per week for international insurance
- $200 Additional per week for Intensive Horseback Riding
Find out more by clicking this link: Grier Summer 2024
Summer Enrichment
As you make your summer plans for your daughters, please remember our amazing summer enrichment programs! You can find out more by following this link: Microsoft Word - 23-24 Stdnt Enrichmnt Prog_Registration form (002).docx (myschoolapp.com)
or in the attachment below!
Academic News
By Kathryn Barr, Dean of Academics
April is National Poetry month, so let’s celebrate with this lovely poem by Thomas Hardy.
“I Watched a Blackbird” by Thomas Hardy
I watched a blackbird on a budding sycamore
One Easter Day, when sap was stirring twigs to the core;
I saw his tongue, and crocus-coloured bill
Parting and closing as he turned his trill;
Then he flew down, seized on a stem of hay,
And upped to where his building scheme was under way,
As if so sure a nest was never shaped on spray.
Grades and Comments
Marking period four ends on April 12th. During marking period four, teachers write the second set of full comments for your student. Grades and comments for MP 4 will be published on MyGrier Friday, April 19th. If you have trouble logging on to MyGrier, please contact kbarr@grier.org or itdept@grier.org.
Course Registration
Prior to break, underclassmen met with Mrs. Lyke and Ms. Barr to select their classes for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please speak with your student about their selections. Please reach out to Ms. Barr, kbarr@grier.org if you have any questions.
Summer Reading and Coursework
Grier encourages all students to engage with the summer reading list provided by the Grier English Department. For students enrolled in the honors and AP English curriculum, the novels listed by grade are required reading over the summer. A copy of the summer reading list is available on the Grier website, and the honors and AP students will be provided with a list prior to departure.
Some honors and AP courses require students to complete summer work. Before departing Grier this May, students who have enrolled in advanced level classes should check with their teachers to ensure they have materials and assignments.
College Counseling News from Mrs Lyke:
Please direct college related questions to: Mrs Lyke, Director of College Counseling (slyke@grier.org).
For Seniors, Parents/Guardians:
- Given the delay of the FAFSA, many colleges/universities have extended their “commitment/deposit” due dates beyond the traditional May 1st decision day.
- Please be sure to check your college portal for the “commitment/deposit” due date to ensure your enrollment at your chosen school.
For Juniors, Parents/Guardians:
- April 4, 2024 – It’s Junior Day!
- AM Session – Digital SAT Test. Juniors not taking the SAT are required to attend their regularly scheduled classes.
- PM Session – Juniors take a field trip to Juniata College for a general admission presentation and campus tour.
- April 9, 2024 – ACT Test.
- Save the Date: April 17, 2024 @ 7pm EST – ZOOM.
- Topic: College Financial Planning Workshop with Mr Paul Martin, founder of College Money Method.
- Title: Building Aid Generosity and Affordability into your School List.
- Target: 11th grade students, parents/guardians.
- Note: Mrs Lyke will email registration details directly to 11th grade families.
- April 21, 2024 – NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling Virtual College Fair.
Teacher Talk
By Anthony Lang, Dean of Faculty
After everyone returns from break, things will be busy, as teachers and students work to move into some of the final pieces of the curriculum before May quickly sneaks up on them. Although things will be busy in the classroom, there will be some things that teachers are trying to do to keep things interesting outside of the classroom as well. Before break, the math teachers set up a fun set of activities for Pi Day, including breakout boxes and actual pie! Some of the science teachers will take some students to view the solar eclipse in a location where the eclipse will he more visible, and also set up activities for Earth Day. 9th grade English students, reading Lord of the Flies, will also have a survival day, where they try to build a shelter and start fires to see if they can burn their homework, so they don't have to do it! Campus will be buzzing with everyone working hard, enjoying warmer weather, and making the most of every moment.
April Events
by Erin Guydish Buchholz, Dean of Students & Belonging
Adventures Near & Far
This month, students return from journeys and homestays to adventures on and off campus. We look forward to potentially the once in a lifetime opportunity to see a Solar Eclipse in Erie. Students have the opportunity to travel with the Marine Biology Trip, the all school trip to Washington, DC, and a pre-prom/pre-graduation needs trip to the Ross Park Mall. We will celebrate our students with the Spring Dance performance, the varsity sports banquet, and make final preparations for the Spring Musical. Final opportunities for community service will include trips to Secondchance Strays, Earth Day Activities, and Garden Clean ups.
April 1st
6:00 PM - Wonka, on Campus
April 2nd
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Wegman’s, $20 Spending Money; $33 Charge
April 4th
Jr Day SAT & Juniata College
April 5th
Time TBD, Regionals
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Helping Hands Thrifting & Gardner’s, $20 Spending Money; $25 Charge
7:00 PM - Rockfest, Free
April 6th - 7th
Western Horse Show @ Grier
April 6th
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Target/Wegman’s, $20 Spending Money; $33 Charge
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Open pottery studio, Free
6:00 PM - Movies, $10 Spending Money +Ticket; $45 Charge
April 7th
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Second Chance Strays, $15 Spending Money; $20 Charge
10:15 AM - Church
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Downtown State College, $20 Spending Money; $20 Charge
April 8th
Solar Eclipse Erie Trip, $40 Spending Money; $75-$100 Charge
April 9th
1:00 PM - All School Meeting, Auditorium
April 10th
Washington DC - all school
Day students will need to be on campus at 6:45 AM for 7:00 AM departure.
Buses will arrive back at campus starting at 7:30 PM and go to 8:30 PM.
April 11th
Late Start
April 12th
2:15 PM - Green Gold Event, Free
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Photo Club (Photo Lab), Free
5:15 PM - Curve Game, $20 Spending Money; $40 Charge
7:00 PM - Dance performance, Free
April 13th
7:00 AM - ACT
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Logan Town Center, $20 Spending Money; $30 Charge
6:00 PM - Happy Valley Mini Golf, $10 Spending Money; $25 Charge
6:30 PM - Dinner trip, Cost TBD by restaurant
April 14th
10:15 AM - Church, Free
4:00 PM - Varsity banquet, $50
11:30 AM - Lunch trip, Cost TBD
2:30 PM - Nails & snacks event, $5
April 17th
7:00 PM - Zoom for 11th Grade Students, Parents, Guardians: Building Aid Generosity & Affordability into Your School List
April 19th
Time TBD Earth Day All School Community Service Event
1:45 PM - Class Meeting after event & lunch
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Archery Battleship Tournament, Free
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - NHS Trivia, $5 Fundraiser
April 20th
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Second Chance Strays, $15 Spending Money; $20 Charge
Time TBD Falsettos, Cost TBD
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Community Rain Garden, $5 Charge
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Wegman’s, $20 Spending Money; $30 Charge
April 21th
10:15 AM - Church, Free
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Ross Park, $40 Spending Money; $75 Charge
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Hot Pot & Asian Market, $20 Spending Money +Meal; $75 Charge
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM - NACAC Virtual College Fair, Free
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - TikTok Inspired Crafts, Dorm Event Free
April 24th - 27th
Marine Bio Trip to Chincoteague
April 26
12:15 PM - Faculty Meeting
12:45 PM - Advisor/Advisee Meeting
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Photo Club (Photo Lab)
2:15 PM - 6:30 PM - Buttermilk Falls and Dinner, $20 Spending Money; $25 Charge
Time TBD Game evening, sponsored by The Gaming Club
April 27th
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Mayfest in Downtown Huntington, $20 Spending Money; $25 Charge
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Dress shopping & brunch, $20 Spending Money; $25 Charge
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM AP Art Show, Free
April 28th
10:15 AM - Church, Free
12:00 PM - 3:30 PM - Target/Wegman’s, $20 Spending Money; $30 Charge
3:00 PM - Junior Class Movie Matinee`, $5 Fundraiser
Crago's Corner
by Cari Crago, Dean of Counseling, Wellness & Residential Life
On my walk up to campus this morning, I counted 63 different kinds of blossoms, buds, and blooms. Blossom by blossom, spring is in the wind. Along with new life and new beauty, the melodious song of birds, the beautiful swaying of the trees, the bountiful number of ladybugs, the crispness and freshness of the air, our amazing students returned from a much needed and well-deserved Spring Break. All signal spring. We have two glorious months ahead of us and optimism, which I believe is the human personification of Spring, seems to be contagious in our little town of Birmingham.
As our Graduation countdown clock keeps ticking, we are all so excited about all the upcoming shows, excursions, outdoor adventures, award ceremonies, Student Council election campaigns and campus events over the next eight weeks. This is truly my favorite time of year at Grier, and we are so delighted to be sharing it all with you!
Exciting Dorm News:
The date has been set and our returning students’ room sign-up extravaganza will be on April 11th. This year’s theme is a surprise for our students, although I promise it will be magical! Please make sure the deposit for your daughter is in so she can choose her room.
Following along with some dorm updates, we have many wonderful contenders for our Campus Garden Party Dorm Decorating Event. Second and third floor have really stepped up their game! We will be awarding the prizes the last day of this marking period (April 12th), so stay tuned. I think the day students may be working on some late-bloomer locker entries.
Again, along with our exhilarating dorm activities & dorm wars is the awarding of our coveted trophies to the dorm/hall that prevailed in our games, lost the least deportment points, showed consistent kindness, joined in community service events, and averaged the highest over-all final deportment score. These coveted trophies are awarded at the end of each Marking Period.
We are proud to announce our Marking Period 4 winners will be awarded on Friday, April 12th and it looks like second & third floor as well as three out of five of our outside dorms are challenging one another in a super close race.
Two little added notes this month:
“I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” – Emma Stone
Every Women’s success should be an inspiration to another, we’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” – Serena Williams
Welcome to the Social Institute
Welcome to the Social Institute & Invitation to the First Parent Session
As we move towards the end of the 2023-2024 school year and begin looking towards the next, the Grier School is excited to begin working with The Social Institute to answer the call for social and wellness concerns amongst our students and in larger global contexts.
According to the CDC report on Youth Risk Behavior, nearly 1 in 3 teen girls has seriously considered attempting suicide—a 60% increase from 10 years ago. There are a variety of factors contributing to such a stark increase in these experiences of sadness and violence. However, the same study also found that, “School connectedness, defined in this report as feeling close to people at school, has a long-lasting, protective impact for adolescents well into adulthood.” As part of Grier School’s wellness initiatives, it is imperative that we begin to address the concerns and experiences the CDC is finding among our students.
We have begun a collaboration with The Social Institute to help students become empowered digital citizens. Learning ways to positively engage with technology and social media, find balance and regulation regarding tech time, and learn about the effects, positive and negative, that technology has in communities and on various peoples are foundational steps in raising well-adjusted global citizens.
In order to be impactful in this process, we need your help. The CDC study concluded that, “Supporting schools in efforts to reverse these negative trends [of rising mental health struggles] and ensure that youth have the support they need to be healthy and thrive will require partnership.” While the school can create and implement new curricular and counseling components, guardian support and reinforcement will aid in elevating the usefulness of these program components.
To start off our partnership with The Social Institute, we would like to invite you to attend a parent presentation on “How to help your child(ren) balance social media and technology while school’s out for the summer! This video presentation will be on April 16th at 6:30 pm EST and will last 30 minutes. This first opportunity to get to know The Social Institute and the work they do will introduce parents to conversation starters about social media and technology, how to create positive relationships with technology and social media, as well as how to create family standards or codes around technology use and balance. Visit this flier and sign up using the QR code.
Stay Connected
Stay in Touch!
Want to be "in the know?"
Want to be connected DAILY to Grier School?
There are multiple ways to follow along with the daily happenings here at Grier! Follow these steps to stay connected to your daughter and our Grier School extended family!
- Stay up to date on current events and daily activities through the Grier School App! There are many important items linked here. Open the PDF below for a QR code to direct you to the App Store. (Available for Apple and Android devices)
- Follow us on Instagram @grier_school
- Follow us on Facebook @ Grier School | Tyrone PA | Facebook
- Log onto our website: www.grier.org
The Foxes Den
Let's GO Foxes!
All Varsity Sports have come to an end, and now it is time to celebrate. We will be holding our annual Varsity Athletic Banquet on April 14th at the Grand Hotel in Altoona. All Grier sports teams will attend the banquet: soccer, tennis, volleyball, cross country, fencing, riding, basketball, dance, and archery. The coaches will highlight the season and present awards to the athletes. Dinner will folllow. This is always an exciting event for our athletes.
As April brings the sunshine, we are looking forward to starting our spring rec sports season. We will be Introducing pickleball as a new sport this year. Along with opening our beautiful swimming pool, there are many recreational sports being offered: volleyball, soccer, tennis, fitness classes, yoga, tai chi, pickleball, archery, walk/run, dance, and riding. All will be active and healthy! Go Foxes!
The Grier Dance Company recently traveled to Norfolk, Virginia for The National High School Dance Festival. There were 54 schools participating and 49 college universities scouting at this event.
The dancers were able to audition for all of the universities and summer dance festivals, as well as take master classes with many of the faculty from the universities.
The Grier School was selected to perform all four pieces submitted to be adjudicated by the panel. We were one of seven total to perform in both evening galas. Only twelve schools total were selected to perform in the evening galas out of the 54 high schools attending.
Pieces performed were:
The Hunt, Choreographed by Robert Battle
Reintegrate, Choreographed by Norbert De La Cruz III
Kinex, Choreographed by Kiesha Lalama
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Choreographed by Jillian Hrzic
The Equestrian team had a successful season so far! The defending National Champions are gearing up for IEA Hunt Seat and Dressage Nationals at the end of April and are sending 20 riders into the competition! This past month the Grier Equestrians traveled to IEA Hunt Seat and Dressage Zones, there they were Dressage Champions and Hunt Seat Reserve Champions. The team also had a successful trip to the World Equestrian Center in Ohio where many of our riders received outstanding ribbons!
You've Got Mail!
Important Mail and Delivery Information!
Shipping and Postal Mail Updated Address:
ALL packages from UPS, FEDEX, DHL, AMAZON, etc. should
be sent to:
Name
Grier School
4111 Juniata St
Tyrone PA 16686
ALL POSTAL MAIL (letters, cards, packages) should be sent to:
Name
Grier School
2522 Grier School Rd
PO Box 308
Tyrone, PA 16686
Please note: Students are not permitted to order from InstaCart, UberEats, or any food delivery services. This is a safety concern. They are allowed to order from Domino's only on Friday and Saturday evenings for a 6-10 p.m. delivery to 4111 Juniata Street. With our amazing new food service and the extended hours of 1853, there are many options here on campus!
2023 - 2024 Student Handbook
2023 - 2024 Calendar
Important Contacts
Geoffrey Grier, Director
Kara Lawler, Head of School
~ klawler@grier.org, ext. 7006
Cari Crago, Dean of Counseling, Wellness, and Residential Life
~ ccrago@grier.org, ext. 7015
Katt Barr, Dean of Academics
~ kbarr@grier.org, ext. 7057
Erin Guydish-Bucholz, Dean of Students and Belonging
~ eguydish@grier.org, ext. 7056
Anthony Lang, Dean of Faculty
Suzanne Lyke, Director of College Counseling
~slyke@grier.org, ext. 7048
Beth Yoder, Travel Coordinator
~ eyoder@grier.org, ext. 7023
Lindsey Good, Business Director
~ lgood@grier.org, ext. 7008
Angela McLaughlin, Facts Administrator
~ amclaughlin@grier.org , ext. 7019