1-Attendance

2-Phone locker location: lock phones, earbuds, and smart watches

3-Check In

4-Names - Who are we?

5-Relay for Life

6-MAP - What is that?

• But who is REALLY my Advisor?

• Location

• MAP FAQ

• Away for the Day Policy 

7-Dress Code
8-Convocation One-Pager

9-Have you signed up for an activity? (the form is on TPS Upper School Students Schoology page)

10-Questions?

• Who chose your name? Does it connect to family, culture, or a place?

• Do you like your name? If not, what name would you pick for yourself?

Write one word on the board you would like others to associate with yourself this year (example: “curious,” “energetic,” “kind”).

This nationwide American Cancer Society event raises vital funds for cancer research and support services. Teams take turns walking the track to honor our shared hope and strength, while enjoying games, crafts, food, and interactive booths.

Registration is $25 per student — if cost is a concern, contact Brooke Wilkinson (brooke.wilkinson@pennington.org).

➡️ Sign up now to be part of something bigger: every step, every dollar, every moment counts.

2-Extracurriculars

Please obtain a form from one of the following people:

Mr. Russo - World Language Office

Mrs. Goldenbaum - Old Main

Mrs. Heaton - Yen

Ms. Mitchell - Registrar's Office, Old Main

The form requires signatures from several individuals. 

Please return the completed form to Mr. Russo in the World Language Office.

(This does not apply to regrades.)

2-Any worries, concerns, or questions for the week?

3-Read the Voice!

2-Questions for the remainder of the week?

2-Check-in

3-Separate advisories on Thursday, what to expect :)

Prompt: What is something you could share about yourself or a musical talent you could share in Chapel? What is something you are interested in hearing about from others in Chapel? 

For students from Ms. S: Pretty great job in chapel, both in terms of Tuesday dress and behavior. I am giving a "warning" today for those out of dress code, but moving forward students will receive points. This means shirt/tie, pants/belt, dress shoes, or dress, skirt/blouse combo, dress shoes - everyone in a blazer! Skirts/dresses should be fingertip length! No sneakers!

Activity, if time permits: Define Community At Pennington. Reverend Hallgren referenced community as the exhaust by-product of the work it takes to build community (I’m paraphrasing)...

As Upper Class-humans, how can you all set the tone for a strong Pennington community? What will each of you contribute? What’s your impact? Consider writing these things down and posting them in your advisor location. Then, define the word community for your group. Create a photo or short video that depicts your definition of the word. Your advisor can take it and send it to Ms. Houston.

Feb 12- Charlotte

Feb 19- Maia (missed)

Feb 26- Michael

Mar 5- Maia

Apr-2 - Chris

Apr 9- Sara

April 16-Lily

April 23-Caroline

May 7- Maura

may 14- Dra. Monica

may 21- Hugo

may 28 -Sra. Laborde

Useful links:

US Club Form

https://forms.gle/ewfdztd38L1y1cpk7

US Club List 2025-2026

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15M8omlvrrAnwZifyfCBNzpP3W4GnnzbtmgFRV8gx6wQ/edit?usp=sharing

Returning students:

Read the Club Form carefully to either ADD a new club or STAY in a club from last year

NEW students:

1. Read the list of clubs. 

2. Are there any questions about clubs? If they have questions, they can email either the club leaders or advisors who are listed on the sheet. 

3. Each person should make a list of what they might want to join. 

4. Evaluate their time commitments for a typical week and see which club or clubs would fit best into their week. 

5. Fill out the form.

Spirit Week Information

This year’s Spirit Week themes are below:

Monday - Color Wars

9th Grade - Purple; 10th Grade - Yellow; 11th Grade - Blue; 12th Grade - Red

Tuesday - Rhyme without Reason Day OR Favorite Character Day

Wicked Wednesday - Dress in green and/or pink or your best Wicked costume

Thursday - Anything but a backpack / Onesie / Pajama Day

Friday - Red and Black Pennington Pride

Important Guidelines 

• Students should be clearly in the spirit of the day’s theme. If students are not participating in the theme, they are expected to be in dress code. 

• All outfits should be school-appropriate - this means outfits should be appropriate in terms of clothing style, theme/idea, and provenance. If you have any concerns or questions about the appropriateness of your outfit, ask Ms. Stern-Leaphart in advance of the Spirit Day.

• Have fun!

February

March

April

May 26- Chris

June

July

August 9th - Charlotte

September

October 5th, 19th - Maia / Caroline

November 7th, 13th - Michael / Hugo

December

Monday 12/8- wear something (clothing or accesory) you have not worn in a while or have not had the "courage" or the boldness to wear but you want try out (as long as it is appropriate for school)

Wear your best ugly sweater (dress code still applies!) and bring a new book so

every guest at the party can take one home. Drop books at the Reading Tree in Meckler

Library.

Tuesday (12/9) – Dress Down for Gifts

Bring an unwrapped toy, gift, or $10 to dress down.

What to bring by grade:

● MS: baby toys (0–3)

● 9th: ages 4–7

● 10th: ages 7–11

● 11th: ages 11–14

● 12th: ages 15–18

Wednesday (12/10) – Holiday Accessory Day

Stay in dress code, but add your favorite holiday flair—headbands, socks, jewelry,

whatever feels festive.

Thursday (12/11) – Hats, Gloves, and Scarves

Wear a cozy winter accessory (and stay in dress code), then donate a new hat, pair of

gloves, or scarf to the Giving Trees around campus.

Friday (12/12) – Polar Express Day

Wear your favorite cozy holiday pajamas!

What is today's number?

why?

• Check-in

• Two weeks personal schedule

• A note to Sophomores

Your schedule will change slightly in SII because of your elective course. What changes can you anticipate in terms of the flow of your day and the workload for that course versus what you have now?

Lily

Maura

1. Midterm information

2. Career Day Selection Survey

Around 8:45. Morning exams start promptly at 9am.

How do I know where to go?

Your teacher and advisor both have access to your midterm exam locations. Consult with them, then write these locations down. Additionally, any teacher can help you find your exam room on the day of midterms.

How long will my exam take?

Exams are usually designed to take about 90 minutes. No student is allowed to leave any exam before the 90 minute mark.

What if I have an accommodation for extended time, or things are just taking me longer?

Midterms are not designed to focus on a strict time limit, so generally this will not be a problem. Should exceptions arise, your teacher advise you on what to do.

What can I bring into the exam room with me? How does academic integrity relate to exams?

No student phones, smart watches, earbuds, smart glasses, or other smart devices are allowed in the testing location, unless they are collected by your proctor beforehand.-A student found with one of these devices on them, even if they were not seen using the device during the exam, may be subject to an Honor Code violation and a score of 0.-A student found opening any other windows, tabs, or programs on their computer during an exam.net or other electronic assessment will be subject to the same penalties, even if they were not directly witnessed to be accessing material relevant to the exam.-Students should leave all materials not for the exam, including backpacks and books, outside of the exam room. Students will not be permitted to access these materials until after the exam is completed. With emergencies excepted, students will not be able to access this material during bathroom breaks.-Students found sharing the contents of an exam in any way beyond what has been already shared by the instructor may be in violation of the Honor Code, up to and including scoring a 0 on the exam in question.

ATTENTION SOPHOMORES! GLOBAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Are you considering a career, further study, or hobbies in the sciences or in the global arena? Applications are now open to ALL interested sophomores for the Global Studies Certificate Program and the Applied Science Certificate Program. Focused on the practical sciences and on global citizenship, these programs offer specialized courses and extracurricular opportunities to help students explore and deepen their interests.

Applications are available on the GSCP and ASCP pages, and are due February 20, 2026. Programs begin during spring of sophomore year and culminate in an academic certificate awarded at graduation. Questions should go to Dr. Kendra Sisserson (Global Studies), ksisserson@pennington.org, or Ms. Susan Wirsig (Applied Science), swirsig@pennington.org.

• How do you use your time outside of school? Could anything shift or change about how you bring balance to your life, and if so, what? 

• When I wake up in the morning and think about going to school I feel…

• When I lay down to sleep at night and reflect on a usual day of school I feel…

• My greatest anxiety right now is…

• My greatest hope is…