Sign up to volunteer Volunteer to sign up for next year's Parents’ Association events and activities. Don't miss out on the fun! Click on the link on the left, fill out and return to Martha Agate at Baldwin.

2008-09 Drug and Alcohol Pledge Several years ago the Parents’ Association, with support from the Baldwin School administration, implemented a Drug and Alcohol Pledge for Middle and Upper School parents and guardians. Individuals who sign this voluntary pledge agree to adhere to a list of guidelines governing any teen parties that are held in their homes during the course of the school year. A copy of the guidelines and a pledge form can be found on the link to the left. Signing this Drug and Alcohol Pledge is completely voluntary. A list of people who have signed it for 2008-09 academic year will be posted on the website so that parents may refer to it as needed during the year. Even if you signed the pledge last year, we must receive this form again in order to include your name. Pease return it no later than Sept. 1 to Martha Agate, director of parent programming.

Baldwin Aquatics Update What an exciting time for Baldwin Aquatics! With the opening of the Competitive Swimming Complex in the new Athletic Center, Baldwin Students will soon choose from a broad range of aquatics programs and will be exposed to a higher level of instruction. It’s amazing how much fun it is to reach your health and fitness goals through aquatics.

Join Baldwin in supporting the Main Line 5K Run Thanks to all who are representing Baldwin in the annual Main Line 5K Run and Fun Walk to be held Saturday, Sept. 27. Baldwin once again is a supporting sponsor of the event, which is run by the Main Line Chamber of Commerce for the benefit of the Chamber's Foundation. All Baldwin runners are asked to wear a Baldwin shirt and meet at the Baldwin table in the Expo area. "Read More' to learn more details.

Enrichment Programs Please stay tuned for more information about this year’s offerings in the After School Enrichment Program, including programs in arts, study skills and athletics.

News in the Baldwin Bookstore Bookstore Manager Sharon Fischer has left Baldwin to relocate with her family to California. Replacing her as the new Bookstore manager is Nancy Booth, who started at the end of June and worked with Fischer for several weeks. Booth is looking forward to meeting everyone. Please stop by the and introduce yourself.

Physical exams are required A Reminder from the Wellness Center A current physical is required to be on file for all students before the start of the school year. A parent contact form for the school year 2008-2009 also is required to be on file for all students before the start of the school year. Forms can be found in the left column of this newsletter or on the website. If you have any questions about these requirements, please call Baldwin at ext. 280 or 288 or email awilkinson@baldwinschool.org. or rprice@baldwinschool.org.

Athletics and Physical Education Court Shoe Requirements PK - 12 All students using the Baldwin athletic facilities, including the gymnasiums, squash courts and new tennis courts are required to wear non-marking sole shoes. Most court shoes are non-marking, but with the opening of our new facilities we need to make our community more aware and enforce this shoe requirement in order to properly care for the courts. If you have any questions, please contact the Baldwin Athletics Office at ext. 478.

Middle School athletic practices begin Sept. 3 Middle School fall athletic practices begin on Wednesday Sept. 3. Students should report to the gym at 2:40 p.m. dressed to practice. Practices will end at 3:30 p.m. All medical files must be up to date in order for an athlete to participate in practice and or games.

An Upper School Welcome A Message from Upper School Director Eric G. Benke The Upper School is looking forward to welcoming back all our returning students, our new students, and the rising ninth grade. Please click on “Read More.”

A Middle School Welcome A Message from Middle School Director Lois Pressman Back to school is the theme of this message! I have included a reminder of several important dates to give you an opportunity to check them on your calendar. Please click on “Read More.

A Lower School Welcome A Message from Lower School Director Baiba Vasys Greetings and welcome to the 2008 – 2009 school year at Baldwin! It’s hard to imagine that we are only two weeks away from the first day of school. The 2008 Summer Olympics have been amazing to watch as we all look ahead to Baldwin’s own beautiful sports facility’s opening this fall. The campus has been a feverish “work in progress” throughout June, July and August. You will be amazed at the beautiful changes!

Study supports the benefits of a Baldwin education A Message from Head of School Sally Powell The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) recently commissioned a study to examine the graduates of private single-sex and co-educational high schools, and the differences in their characteristics and their transition to college. The study looked at responses from over 20,000 college women who attended more than 1,200 private high schools across the country. The results are still being analyzed, but, quoting from the preliminary report, early major trends note that across multiple categories, including self-confidence, political and social activism, life goals and career orientation, findings are favorable to women graduates of independent single-sex schools.