End of Year Letter to Parents from US Director Lowell Libby

Dear Upper School Parents,

I am writing with logistical information about the end of the year in the Upper School.  The last day of regular classes is Friday, May 27. Following is a description of what is next.

Final exams (Tuesday, May 31 through Friday, June 3): Students are required to be in school during their exam periods only.  They may be on campus when they do not have exams, but they are not required to be.  Please make plans with your child regarding your expectations for where s/he should be when not taking an exam.  If your child will be absent from an exam, please call the School.  The exam schedule will be posted on USNOW soon and sent out in the Weekly.    For make-up exams or exam conflicts, students should contact Peter Hamblin (ext 1230).

As you know, this has been a difficult year at Waynflete, especially in the Upper School.  That reality has prompted a discussion about how to manage exams in a way that balances the professional advice we have been following all year – which is to maintain the routine and a sense of normalcy as much as possible – while acknowledging the added stress that events this year have created for students.  We have decided to hold exams as usual, but the exam grade will not be counted if it is lower than the student’s average.  We expect that this approach will provide all of our students the incentive to finish the year well without prompting excessive anxiety about missed work or continued difficulty focusing.  If you have any questions about this, please let me know.

Senior Project Presentations (Friday, June 3): Presentations are in the Emery Building and the Arts Center.  Juniors interested in doing a senior project next year are required to attend presentations all day.  Attendance is taken.Students in 9th or 10th are welcome but not required to attend.  Parents and friends are invited as well.  A presentation schedule will be available at school and on USNOW.  Students should come to school on Friday only to take an exam, attend presentations, or conduct other school business, but not to hang out.

The Prom (Saturday, June 4, 8:30 – 11:30pm): The end-of-year dance will be held at the Falmouth Country Club (1 Congressional Drive, Falmouth). All students are invited.  Tickets are $15/advance and $20/door.  Students attend in pairs, groups, or individually.  Attire is semi-formal.  The following expectations apply:

• Students may attend with a guest by completing a guest form.  The forms are available from Cathie Connors and should be returned to Cathie by noon on Thursday, June 2.  Hosts must explain dance expectations to their guests, sign them in at the door, and introduce them to chaperons.
• Students may arrive and leave when they choose.  Once they leave, however, they may not return.
• Students must dance in ways that are appropriate for a school function.
• Any student who chooses to use drugs or alcohol before or during the event will be subject to strong disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from school.  We hope that parents will uphold the same expectations for any post-prom gatherings.

Parking information will be included in the Weekly. If you need to contact your child or the chaperons during the dance, please call 653-9985.

Class Picnics:  In past years, weather permitting, we have held class picnics on Monday or Tuesday, the week after exams.  In order to give everyone a break – including parent volunteers who provide all of the food – we will not have class picnics this year.  Thus, there will be no school in the Upper School on either Monday or Tuesday.

Last Day of Classes (Wednesday, June 8): Students report as usual to their advisors at 8:00 and then attend shortened versions of each class to conclude the academic year.  A final assembly for the entire upper school student body and faculty follows classes.  The school day will likely conclude before the usual time of 12:10.  Once dismissed from the assembly, students are free to leave unless parents have requested that they remain on campus until 12:10.

Commencement (Friday, June 10, 4:00pm – 6:00pm): Location: Merrill Auditorium.  Students in grades 9 through 11 are welcome but not required to attend.  The Baccalaureate service on Thursday is for seniors, their immediate families, and faculty/staff only.

I hope this information is helpful as you plan the end of the year.

Sincerely,

Lowell