Dear parents and friends,

In my favorite childhood book Anne of Green Gables, Anne says, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” How true! October is my favorite month of the year, as the leaves change from green to startling colors of ochre and crimson in the most spectacular show of color you’ll ever see. The smells of the season--apple cider, pumpkin spice, baled hay, carved pumpkins—all are reminders that this is the season of harvest here in Pennsylvania.

This month, in addition to looking forward to all of our fun and festive Halloween celebrations, our students will experience some of Pennsylvania’s finest fall activities: fall hikes, hayrides, autumn festivals, and haunted houses! Of course, we look forward to welcoming you here to campus for our Parents’ Weekend. You’ll find information in this newsletter and a link to RSVP. We truly hope you’ll join us for what is sure to be wonderful fall weekend. We can’t wait to show you our campus, introduce you to all of the teachers, and celebrate this season of harvest with you.

In celebration of the fall season,

Kara

Parents’ Weekend

We can't wait to see you for our Parents' Weekend! It will fall on October 18th - 20th this year. Please let us know what your plans are using this RSVP form.

Furthermore, there are a few important procedural reminders listed below:

• In addition to the RSVP form, travel plans for students must be submitted before the end of the day Wednesday, October 16th to travel@grier.org.

o This includes plans to take your student off campus for dinner, for the night to stay in a hotel with you, etc.

• If your student invites another student to attend dinner off campus with them, both sets of parents/guardians must email permissions for students to go off campus before Wednesday, October 16th to travel@grier.org

o For example:

• Dear Mr. Bassham,

Johanna will go off campus with her mother and I Friday at 4:30 p.m. and will return to campus Friday at 9:00p.m. We have invited Marilyn O’Hara to join us.

Thank you,

-Mr. Johann

• Dear Mr. Bassham,

Marilyn has permission to join Johanna Johann’s family for dinner Friday between 4:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Thank you,

-Mrs. O’Hara

• Both of these must be received, or students may not depart campus

• Students may only go off campus overnight with their parents/guardians. Even if permissions are granted, students may not spend the night off campus with a friend’s family.
• Students must return to campus by 9:45 a.m. on Monday. If a student is late or does not return in time, they will be counted absent. Day students must attend the Grier School event Monday as well.

For any travel questions, please contact Gage Bassham at travel@grier.org or via phone at (814)-251-2987.

• Washington D.C. airports (IAD, DCA, BWI) and JFK are recommended for international travel.

• Local airports include State College (SCE) and Altoona (AOO).
• Local bus service is available from Altoona and State College.

  https://us.megabus.com/ or www.trailways.com

• Train service (www.amtrak.com) is available from Tyrone and Lewistown.

The campus of Grier School is shifting towards fall as October begins and the excitement of Parents' Weekend, and, of course, Halloween, are already entering into the chatter in the air. The faculty at Grier have been busy and now the students and teachers seem to be finding a groove and routine. Along with settling into new schedules and classes, teachers have also created some exciting new opportunities for the students.

Dr. Boudreau has spearheaded the creation of the Grier School Writing Center, where all students are welcome to work through their pieces of writing and essay assignments with the perspective and support of a different set of eyes. Clubs are in full swing, as teachers host students to work with things they are passionate about, enabling the students to explore new things and enjoy activities they crave. In the library, teachers and Mrs. Dunklebarger are continually collaborating to engage the students in new ways, through research and hands-on activities like break-out boxes. The first Lab Week of the year will take place in early October, allowing for a more thorough lab experience in science classes.

The hard work and energy of all the activities combine with the excitement to share the campus with parents and families in late October, when teachers will be able to interact with not only students, but also their families as they are welcomed, once again, into the Grier community. The weeks are flying by and the leaves will start to change and fall soon, so as we look forward to all the things coming our way, we'll do our best not to miss the moment around us.

We are off to a wonderful start to our school year, and we are so pleased with our students' (new & returning) success through the initial transition. As our students continue to adjust, it has been so remarkable to witness the compassion, thoughtfulness, and overall kindness that each and every student has been extending to one another.

I have exciting news! I am so happy to announce that we have a fabulous new addition to our already amazing Grier team family who is wonderful, tremendously kind, and a ray of sunshine. We are so excited to welcome Barbara Kephart, a new additional counselor who will be meeting regularly with bunches of our students, helping to enhance our wellness initiative and running a few of our groups on Sundays. WELCOME TO OUR TEAM, Ms. Kephart!

We received an overwhelming amount of returned permission forms and bunches of fun responses to our new member of the Grier counseling team, Daisy Sunshine Crago.

As a reminder, we have a therapy dog!

Joining in our ever-expanding wellness initiative, we would like to introduce a new member of our counseling team. We are very proud for you to meet Daisy Sunshine Crago.

So many research studies detail the importance and benefits of having a therapy pet at schools especially boarding schools. Evidence has shown that therapy dogs can not only decrease anxiety, calm fears, help form adaptive social skills (emotional and relational development), help with anger management, interpersonal conflict, but also increase self-esteem in teens. A snuggly four-legged friend provokes laughter, helps teach compassion, responsibility as well as respect for all living things. Our furry friends cover a range of many other potential benefits across social, physical, cognitive, environmental and emotional factors.

Daisy will be trained as a therapy dog and is doing her best at this puppy stage to spread all kinds of kisses and love.

Please click on this link for the permission form to permit your daughter to interact with Daisy while in my presence.

We are excited to share all of our fun fall festivities with our students and to continue to grow our community into a pool of connectivity!

As a little added note, I would like to share a quote I just heard and loved from Brene Brown, “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”

Wishing everyone an amazing October and sending much (Daisy) love & sunshine!!

Welcome to the Spooky Season—and not just because this month has Parents’ Weekend!

We are so looking forward to seeing our families October 18-20th! Please fill out the RSVP form here and notify travel@grier.org if you are planning to take your student off campus. Also, a gentle reminder that if another student will be joining yours for an off-campus excursion that weekend, both parents/guardians must email travel@grier.org with where students are going, who they are going with, when they are departing, and when they will be returning.

As we move into the fall season, our trips celebrate the autumn season with a variety of on and off campus events. We are ramping up community service opportunities and look forward to the first round of performances and showcases on campus. Our trips celebrate the fall foliage, festivals, and many sweet treats! Prices for trips are adjustable.

October 4th

6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. On campus Apple Charcuterie, Bonfire, & Spooky stories, Free

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Photo Club, Free

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Gardner’s Ice Cream & Candy Trip, $5

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Crumbl Cookie Trip, $10

October 5th

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Gettysburg trip, $75

11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Way Fruit Farm- Harvest Weekend, $25

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Helping Hands Community Service, Thrifting, & The Brew, $5

October 6th

10:10 a.m. Church, Free

11:30 a.m. - 3:30 a.m. Hot Pot at Fuji Jade & Asian Market, $60

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wegman’s/Target, $20

4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. College Workshops, Free

October 11th

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Pumpkin Decorating Contest, Free

4:45 p.m. Fear Fest Rehearsal, Free

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Hocus Pocus Movie Night, Free

PSAT day

October 11th - 13th Model UN Conference

October 12th

7:00 a.m. TOEFL

9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Longwood Gardens, $40

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Bedford Foliage Festival, $35

Time TBD Hartslog Community Service, Free

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Murder Mystery at Old Bedford Village, $25

October 13th

10:10 a.m. Church, Free

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Logan Town Center, $20

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Woodwind Day Penn State, TBD

4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. College Workshops, Free

Dorm Cleaning all Weekend

See Parents’ Weekend Schedule for October 18th-20th

October 21st Parents’ Weekend- Sleep in Monday – Midsummer’s Night Dream Production

October 25th

25th Advisee Meeting

Halloween costume competition (during school day)

Door decorating competition (during School Day)

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Photo Club

5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Fear fest Community Service, Free

On Campus Trick or Treating, Free

October 26th

Time TBD Haunted Amusement Park TBD

4:00 p.m. Plaza Mexican Dinner, $10

5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Fear Fest Community Service, Free

October 27th

10:10 a.m. Church, Free

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Baking Club, Free

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Target Wegman’s, $20

4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. College Workshops Free

“Autumn”

Autumn is

An artist who uses

An oak leaf on which

To paint a masterpiece

- William Allen Ward

Students are well into the first marking period of the year, and they have been settling into their classes and routines. All major changes to schedules have now concluded. Any changes moving forward will be at the discretion of the Dean of Academics, faculty, and student parents.

CANVAS Observer Accounts

Parents of returning students should still have observer rights for their student. If you cannot see their 2024-2025 classes, please e-mail kbarr@grier.org or itcare@grier.org.

New student parents will receive instructions on how to create an observer CANVAS account during the first week of October.

Marking Period One:

We are halfway through the first marking period. The last day of Marking period one is October 18th. Grades will be published Oct. 25th by 4:00pm. Parents should log on to MyGrier to view student grades.

Weekly LS comments are being published each Thursday afternoon. They are accessible via MyGrier.

Hello Grier Community,

I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Nancy Burke, and I am the newly appointed Director of STEM Education at Grier School. This does not, however, mean that I am new to Grier School. I have been a biology teacher at Grier for 10 years and this is my third year as the Science Department Chairperson. If you are not familiar with the acronym STEM, it stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Grier School already has outstanding departments teaching each of these subjects, but the role of STEM Director is to encourage increased participation in, and enthusiasm for, STEM education among the students at our school. This year we are running eight student clubs centered around STEM subjects. These clubs include teams participating in the Physics Bowl, the Chem and Bio-Olympiads, a computer science club, and a chapter of the National STEM Honor Society. Another of my important duties as STEM Director will be to keep you, our community, informed concerning all of the exciting STEM events and student accomplishments that are happening here at Grier School. This information will be shared with you in this new segment of the monthly Grier Newsletter entitled, STEM Center Stage. I look forward to the many new challenges and opportunities this new position will afford me because GIRLS BELONG IN STEM!

Let us choose for ourselves our path in life and let us try to strew that path with flowers.

~ Emilie du Chatelet, mathematician and physicist

Hey there, Library Friends!

We’re excited to share some cool updates that we think you’ll love! Whether you’re into books, learning, or just looking for something fun to do, we’ve got new resources that’ll spark your curiosity and keep you entertained. Check out the Library Lowdown for what’s new at the library.

Grier Letterwoman jackets and Letterwoman sweaters are available for pre-order in the school store! Check out the green and gold versions, and place your order by having your daughter sign up in the store or by emailing Kelly Aharrah at kaharrah@grier.org by October 25th to receive them before Winter Break!

The jackets and sweaters are unisex athletic cut. TALL SIZES are 1.5” (4cm) longer in sleeves and body length and XTALL SIZES are 3” (8cm) longer in sleeves and body length. Please find the sizing options here: Size Chart

Wool Jacket (black) $190 USD

Sweater (green or gold) $160 USD

Satin Jacket (green or gold) $140 USD

Embroidery (optional) $10 USD (first name, last name, initial & last name, add class year) 15 characters or less

Grier’s fall sports season is in full swing! The teams and coaches have been practicing hard and getting ready for their first games. The pep rally was a great success with the introducing of our teams and the new Foxy. The Green and Gold spirit was screaming loud and proud. We are looking forward to the home games to cheer the foxes on to victory.

Go Foxes!

The Grier riders have had a successful start to the new school year! At the beginning of September several Grier students competed at Sport Horse Nationals at WEC Ohio. Claire P., Anleigh A. and Samantha W. brought home four national championships and ten reserve national championships! Anleigh won the Best Turned Out Award and Samantha won the Elite Rider Award.

Langston E. was High Point Junior/Young Rider at Dressage Days at Devon!

Several Grier riders qualified for the Colonial Classic horse show that was held at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Olivia L. and Hazel P. earned good ribbons in their hunter and equitation divisions, and Langston E. received good ribbons in the jumpers! Samantha W. also won ribbons in the children’s pony division and was 5th in the hunter derby!

Grier School Stables ended September with a trip to Swan Lake in PA for CPJHSA Finals! Hazel P. won the CPJHSA Equitation Medal Final and Emily G. was 4th in the same class! Hazel’s mount Snowcloud, owned by the Grier School, won Best Equitation Horse of the show. Riders who earned Champion ribbons at the show were: Ava B., Hazel P., and Emily G. Riders who won Reserve Champion in their division: Ariana F. and Gia M. First place winners include: Constanza I., Gia M., Ava B., Emily G., Ariana F., and Hazel P.

What a great way to start the school year!

Please follow the link below to see all of our upcoming events and details!

Every seven years, Grier School completes the process for the Middle States Accreditation. Our final site visit for accreditation will be from November 4-8. For each accreditation, objectives are gathered from our self-study. The following objectives have been decided:

1. Health and Wellness Objective: Grier School will establish Health and Wellness Studies Curriculum for 100% of the student body including, health and wellness courses, increased nutritional awareness and health food options, and updates to policies and procedure pertaining to technology usage.
2. Communication Objective: Grier School will increase communication with community stakeholders to at least weekly communication efforts for all levels of community including staff, students, and parents.
3. Addition of grades 5 and 6: Grier School will establish a 5th and 6th grade, so the school can address the needs in the market, and create our own middle school feeder program, which will aid in bolstering enrollment overall, and aid our riding and dance programs
   

You are invited to the MSA reception on Monday, November 4 from 6:45-7:30 p.m. in 1853. Please RSVP to Kara.

If you would like to join the Parent Zoom session with Middle States during that week (either in person or on Zoom), please reach out to Kara. The session will be held on Wednesday, November 6 from 2-2:45 p.m. Kara will send the Zoom link to anyone able to attend.

As we move towards the 2024 -2025 school year, 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 one in three 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.

If you have questions regarding college counseling at Grier, please reach out to Kathryn Barr at kbarr@grier.org.

College Visits October 2024

Thursday, October 3rd – Pratt Institute @ 3:15pm

Monday, October 7th – Waynesburg University @ 1:00pm

Thursday, October 10th – Stevens Institute @ 9:30am

Thursday, October 10th – Carnegie Mellon University @ 1:00pm

Friday, October 18th – Johns Hopkins University @ 2:15pm

Tuesday, October 22nd – Gettysburg College @ 12:15pm

Wednesday, October 23rd – Juniata College @ 9:30am

Wednesday, October 23rd – Harrisburg University @ 1:00pm

Thursday, October 24th – Wilson College @ 3:15pm

Monday, October 28th – Alfred University @ 9:30am

Monday, October 28th – Lycoming College @ 1:00pm

Wednesday, October 30th – Susquehanna University @ 1:00pm

PSAT/NMSQT

Information for Students (10th-11th Graders) & Parents About PSAT/NMSQT Administration:

• Date: Friday, October 11th, 2024
• Time: 7:55AM
• Location: Grier School
• Exam Form: Digital via the Bluebook App.
• Please ensure your child is able to download the app.
• If you receive a parental notification that this app is trying to be downloaded, please approve. It is for testing.
• Students will be readying their testing devices (laptop/tablet) in-school with the testing coordinator.
• Cost: $18 USD FACTS account will be charged in December 2024.
• Who participates?
• ALL 10th and 11th graders take the PSAT/NMSQT.
• Why do 10th & 11th graders take the PSAT/NMSQT?
• CLICK HERE to Access: Parent Guide Digital PSAT/NMSQT
• CLICK HERE to Access: SAT Suite Benefits: For Students & Parents
• CLICK HERE to Access: Why Take a PSAT-Related Assessment?
• CLICK HERE to Access: Help Center: Parents—Contains answers to FAQs.
• Additional Resources:
• CLICK HERE to Access: PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide
• CLICK HERE to Access: Practice
• Information about testing accommodations went out in the newsletters over the summer. Deadline to contact the testing coordinator was August 1, 2024. If your child qualifies, please reach out immediately. A request can be sent, but unfortunately there is no guarantee the request will be approved or denied by exam day. CLICK HERE for more information.

On-Campus Testing Information

TOEFL iBT at Grier School’s Test Center

Details:

• Students register with the testing coordinator, Mrs. Hallahan.
• Registration is sent via BULK.
• Students do NOT register through their TOEFL account.
• Breakfast will be available for students at 7:30am each Saturday morning of testing, then students will report at 8am to North Cottage room 2 to begin.

TOEFL Dates/Deadlines 2024-2025:

• October: CLICK HERE

• October 5, 2024 (sign-up deadline: Regular Sept 13th; Late Sept. 25th)
• October 12, 2024 (sign-up deadline: Regular Sept 20th; Late Oct. 2nd)
• October 26, 2024 (sign-up deadline: Regular Oct. 4th; Late Oct. 16th)

• November: CLICK HERE
• November 9, 2024 (sign-up deadline: Regular Oct. 18th; Late Oct. 30th)
• November 16, 2024 (sign-up deadline: Regular Oct. 25th; Late Nov. 6th)
• November 23, 2024 (sign-up deadline: Regular Nov. 1st; Late Nov. 13th)

SAT School Day/ACT District Testing 2024-2025

Details:

• Students register with the testing coordinator, Mrs. Hallahan.
• Registration is sent via BULK.
• Students do NOT register through their MySAT (College Board) or MyACT accounts.
• Each exam takes place during the school day hours.
• Students will be required to report by 7:50am to their testing location on campus the day of the exam.

SAT School Day Dates/Deadlines/Registration

• Semester 1: Friday, October 4th, 2024

ACT District Testing Dates/Deadlines/Registration

• Semester 1: Tuesday, October 15th, 2024

Off-Campus Testing

Semester 1: ACT and SAT Options

Details:

• Depending on number of students signed up, breakfast will be available for students at 6:30am or students will get a “to-go” breakfast at dinner the night before.
• Students will depart campus at 7am for testing at Altoona Area High School.
• ALL off-campus weekend test registration MUST go through Altoona Area High School for both the ACT and SAT.
• This is the ONLY location Grier School will transport students.

October 2024

SAT Weekend Administration (Saturday, October 5th , 2024) [DIGITAL]

Test Center: Altoona Area High School

Test Center Code: 39116

· Deadline: Sept 20

· Late Deadline/Changes to Registration Deadline: Sept 24

· Students MUST notify Mrs. Hallahan to arrange transportation by: Sept 20

· Admission Ticket Due by Sept 30

ACT Weekend Administration (Saturday, October 26, 2024) [PAPER or DIGITAL]

Test Center: Altoona Area High School

Test Center Code: 183670

· Deadline: Sept 20

· Late Deadline: Oct 7

· Students MUST notify Mrs. Hallahan to arrange transportation by: Oct 7

· Admission Ticket Due by Oct 21

November 2024

SAT Weekend Administration (Saturday, November 2nd, 2024) [DIGITAL]

Test Center: Altoona Area High School

Test Center Code: 39116

· Deadline: Oct 18

· Late Deadline/Changes to Registration Deadline: Oct 22

· Students MUST notify Mrs. Hallahan to arrange transportation by: Oct 18

· Admission Ticket Due by Oct 28

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!

1. 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)
2. Follow us on Instagram @grier_school
3. Follow us on Facebook @ Grier School | Tyrone PA | Facebook
4. Log onto our website: www.grier.org

WE HAVE CHANGED OUR SHIPPING ADDRESS. PLEASE SEE BELOW!

Shipping and Postal Mail Updated Address is NEW:

ALL packages from UPS, FEDEX, DHL, AMAZON, etc. should

be sent to:

Name

Grier School

4100 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 4100 Juniata Street. With our amazing new food service and the extended hours of 1853, there are many options here on campus!

Please log into your MyGrier Account for an in-depth Calendar and Events!

Geoffrey Grier, Director

~ ggrier@grier.org

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

~ alang@grier.org

Gage Bassham, Travel Coordinator

~ gbassham@grier.org

Lindsey Good, Business Director

~ lgood@grier.org, ext. 7008

Angela McLaughlin, Facts Administrator

~ amclaughlin@grier.org , ext. 7019