Issuu

Parent Handbook

2026 - 27

August 24 - Upper School Fall Athletic Preseason Begins

August 25 – 27 - Middle School Lewars Academic Preseason and Optional Fall Athletic Preseason

August 26 – 27 - Upper School Lewars Academic Preseason

September 8 - Classes Begin for Grades 6 - 12

September 9 - Classes Begin for Grades Pre-K - 5

September 9 - New Parent Coffee

September 17 - Lower School Meet the Teachers Night

September 24 - Upper School Academic Evening

October 1 - Middle School Academic Evening

Welcome to Baldwin

Dear Baldwin Families,

Welcome to Baldwin! We are thrilled to have your daughter and your entire family join our community.

Baldwin’s mission is to develop talented girls into confident young women with vision, global understanding, and the competency to make significant and enduring contributions to the world. This mission guides everything we do, from our classroom instruction and co-curricular programs to how we build community and support each girl’s individual journey.

We view your daughter’s education as a true partnership. We promise to bring our expertise in girls’ education and our deep commitment to each girl’s growth to support her academic achievement and personal development. Together, we will help her reach her full potential, discover her passions, develop her voice, and grow into a confident leader.

As you prepare to join Baldwin, this Parent Handbook will help answer your practical questions about daily life at the School. In addition to this handbook, you’ll find online resources, updates from Division Heads, and connections with current Baldwin families valuable as you begin your journey with us.

All my best,

Lynne Macziewski Head of School

Our Mission

The Baldwin School, an independent college preparatory school, develops talented girls into confident young women with vision, global understanding, and the competency to make significant and enduring contributions to the world. The School nurtures our students’ passion for intellectual rigor in academics, creativity in the arts, and competition in athletics, forming women capable of leading their generation while living balanced lives.

Our Vision

At Baldwin, we don’t just prepare girls for the future — we empower them to lead it. We cultivate bold thinkers, brave leaders, and compassionate women who know who they are and what they stand for.

Our Values

At Baldwin, there are five core values that guide us in pursuing our mission.

Honesty

Learning Responsibility

Respect

Compassion

These words are displayed on plaques in classrooms and common areas, reminding everyone in our community of our mission and core values each time they walk through our campus.

Class Colors

Each class has a class color based upon the year of graduation as follows:

years ending in 0 and 5 years ending in 1 and 6

years ending in 2 and 7

years ending in 3 and 8

years ending in 4 and 9

So your daughter is officially a Baldwin girl! What’s next?

Here are some helpful checklists to get you started as a new family at Baldwin:

For All Students

• Log in to the Parent Portal to access a variety of information and fill out available forms.

• Confirm your contact information is correct in the Portal.

• Watch for Summer Work to be posted by mid-June.

• Check out the online School Store for uniforms, spirit gear, and more!

For Middle and Upper School Students

• Fall athletic practices begin mid-August. Exact times and locations will be provided by the coaches for each sport closer to the start date.

• Watch for information about our Lewars Academic Preseason, which will be held in mid-August. This program serves as an orientation for new students, while offering an opportunity to meet faculty and returning students.

• Placement tests are required for all incoming Middle and Upper School students. The Admissions Team will be reaching out with more information.

• Contact the division administrative assistant to schedule a meeting with the Division Head for course planning. Please note: allow two weeks after placement testing before scheduling your course planning meeting.

• You will receive course information during your meeting with your daughter’s Division Head. Textbook purchasing information will be available on the Parent Portal. Please be sure your daughter’s fall schedule has been confirmed before purchasing books. The course information will list textbooks for each class with some suggestions for places to purchase each book.

Contact Information

The Baldwin School | (610) 525-2700

Early Childhood Center and Lower School

Quenby Frimet, Head of Lower School | quenby.frimet@baldwinschool.org | x267

Megan Rybas, Assistant Head of Lower School | mrybas@baldwinschool.org | x698

Sera McFarland, Lower School Administrative Assistant | sera.mcfarland@baldwinschool.org | x266

Middle School

Dr. Saburah Posner, Head of Middle School | saburah.posner@baldwinschool.org | x490

Tracy Stevens, Middle School Administrative Assistant | tstevens@baldwinschool.org | x242

Upper School

Christie Reed, Head of Upper School | creed@baldwinschool.org | x264

Susie Choitz, Upper School Administrative Assistant | susannah.choitz@baldwinschool.org | x254

Athletics Office

Meg Glascott-Birch, Director of Athletics | mbirch@baldwinschool.org | x270

Alison Schickfus ’88, Assistant to the Director of Athletics | aschickfus@baldwinschool.org | x478

Wellness Center

Christine Kuzmick, School Nurse | christine.kuzmick@baldwinschool.org | x288

Diane Lacing, School Nurse | dlacing@baldwinschool.org | x280

Admissions

Courtney Piccone ’92, Chief Enrollment Officer | courtney.piccone@baldwinschool.org | x251

Advancement

Laura J. Armstrong, Chief Advancement Officer | laura.armstrong@baldwinschool.org | x286

Reception and Transportation

Crystal Johnson, Front Desk Manager and Transportation Coordinator | cjohnson@baldwinschool.org | x0

Claire Torres, Bus Driver | claire.torres@baldwinschool.org

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

x253

Business Office

Teresa DeFruscio, Accountant | teresa.defruscio@baldwinschool.org | x432

Technology

technology@baldwinschool.org

NOVEMBER 2026

7 8 9 21 Labor Day Classes Begin (Grades 6 - 12) Classes Begin (Pre-K - Grade 5) Yom Kippur (No School) 9 12 Professional Development Day (No Classes) Fall Break (No School)

DECEMBER 2026

JANUARY 2027

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

11 12 13 14 15 16

18 19 20 21 22 23

MARCH 2027

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MAY 2027

S M T W T F S 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 31 25 26 27 28 29 30

FEBRUARY 2027

APRIL

2027

Terms and Locations Commonly Referred To

The Residence

The Pit

Main Hall

Baldwin Commons

Blue Hallway

Simpson Center

Schoolhouse

Science Building

Innovation Center

The original school house, built in 1890 by Frank Furness, which was formerly The Bryn Mawr Hotel. This building houses the Early Childhood Center (ECC), the Dining Room, the Middle School, classrooms for performing and fine arts, as well as administrative offices.

Entrance to the Residence.

The central reception area in the Residence. The Welsh inscription above the fireplace means, “A Warm Welcome.”

This space is located off the Residence Main Hall and provides older students with a space to study and gather.

The long blue hallway that connects the Residence, Science Building and the Schoolhouse.

The Simpson Center for the Performing Arts located behind the Lower School. Consists of three separate spaces – Diamond Hall, Skye Room, and Lobby.

This building houses the Upper School and is located between the Residence and Lower School.

This building houses all Middle School and Upper School Science classes.

Located between the Simpson Center and the Schoolhouse, this space is designed for interdisciplinary work and innovative programming for all grade levels.

North Door

The School Store

BSPA

MPR

Upper Field

Middle Field

Lower Field

Back Field

Entranceway to the Schoolhouse facing the parking lot and car lane.

Located by the North Door of the Schoolhouse. Here you can buy uniforms, athletic wear, stationery, snacks and gifts.

Baldwin School Parents’ Association.

The multi-purpose room in the Athletic Center, often used for larger meetings and events.

New turf field, facing the Residence.

Athletic field opposite the Science Building.

Athletic field located near the Athletic Center, on the corner of Morris Avenue and New Gulph Road.

Located behind the Athletic Center.

Dress Code

Lower School Middle School

• Plaid tunic (Pre-K and Kindergarten)

• Blue tunic with embroidered “B” (Grades 1 – 5)

• Navy blue shorts (worn under tunic every day)

• White shirt with collar

• Navy blue or gray leggings or tights

• Navy blue, gray or white knee socks or short socks

• Navy blue, white or gray sweater or sweatshirt (no hoods)

• Shoes with back, covering heels (no sparkles, characters or lights)

• An old shirt is suitable to use as a smock for art

• Required for Swimming

• Bathing suit: one piece (preferred) or surf shorts and top

• Swimming cap

• Footwear: flip-flops or water-proof slippers

• Supplies: towel, brush, comb

• Goggles

• Dark blue kilt or light blue kilt

• White or navy blue shirt with collar; white, gray or navy blue tank tops may be worn under a collared shirt; white turtleneck or mock turtleneck shirt; blue and white Baldwin rugby shirt; shirts with logos sold by student organizations, School Store or Parents’ Association

• Athletic shorts must be worn under kilt (may not be visible)

• Plain (no patterns) gray, navy or black leggings, socks, stockings or tights; socks below the ankle (of any color)

• Navy pants

• Navy blue, gray or white sweater or sweatshirt (white required for Baldwin Blue Days)

• Low-heeled shoes, boots or athletic shoes; sandals and open-toed shoes (must have backs; before Thanksgiving and after Spring Break only); closed-toed shoes required for science labs; clogs are not permitted; slides should only be worn in the Athletic Center

For more details on the dress code, please visit the Student Handbook on the Parent Portal.

Upper School

• Dark blue kilt, light blue kilt or plaid kilt

• Athletic shorts must be worn under kilt (may not be visible)

• Plain (no patterns) gray, navy or black leggings, socks, stockings or tights; socks below the ankle (of any color)

• Navy pants

• Navy blue, gray or white sweater or sweatshirt (white required for Baldwin Blue Days)

General Information

Arrival & Dismissal

Lower School

School begins at 8:20 a.m. Parents and caregivers can drop off students between 8 - 8:15 a.m.

Middle and Upper School

School begins at 8:30 a.m. All Middle and Upper School teachers are available for office hours between 8 - 8:30 a.m. Please be advised there is no classroom supervision before 8 a.m.

Dismissal times are staggered for a more efficient car pick-up system. The pick-up times are:

• Pre-K - 2:35 p.m.

• Kindergarten - 2:40 p.m.

After School

• Grades 1 and 2 - 2:45 p.m.

• Grades 3 and 4 - 2:55 p.m.

• Grade 5 - 3:05 p.m.

• Middle School - 3:30 p.m.

• Upper School - 3:30 p.m.

If students cannot depart at their scheduled dismissal time, after-school programming is available for Lower School students. Open to Pre-K - Grade 5, Baldwin Buds offers a safe and fun learning environment located in the Early Childhood Center in the Residence. In addition, Cubs Club programs are offered each trimester as an opportunity to extend the learning and fun from the school day. Private music, squash and swim lessons are also after-school options. The Athletics Department offers a variety of clinics and classes throughout the year, which are advertised seasonally. More information and registration links can be found on the Parent Portal.

If Middle and Upper School students plan to remain on campus past their dismissal time, they must be with a school adult, be in the Residence Main Hall near the receptionist, or in the Anne Frank Library, located in the Schoolhouse. Supervision in the Library is provided until 6 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and until 4 p.m. on Fridays.

CampBrain

Baldwin uses CampBrain, an online registration and payment system, for all its auxiliary programming – including Baldwin Buds, Cubs Club, Music Conservatory, Summer Camp, Athletic Camps and Clinics, etc.

1. The Residence

a) Front Desk/Lobby

b) Admissions

c) Early Childhood

d) Middle

e) Dining

f) Business

g) Art Gallery

Campus Map

Residence Desk/Lobby

b) Admissions

1. The Residence

2. Schoolhouse

h) Upper School

a) Front Desk/Lobby

h) Upper School

b) Admissions

i) Anne Frank Library

j) School Store

c) Early Childhood Center

Childhood Center

d) Middle School (2nd floor)

School (2nd floor) Room

e) Dining Room

j) School Store

k) North Door

3. Lower School

f) Business Office (3rd floor)

g) Art Gallery

3. Lower School

l) Lower School Office

m) Lower School Library

4. Athletic Center

n) Swimming Pool

o) Multi-Purpose Room

p) Blue Gym (2nd Floor)

q) Squash Courts

5. Art Wing

6. Passageway

7. Science Building

8. Red Gym

9. Simpson Center

10. Innovation Center (opens early 2022)

11. Krumrine House

10. Innovation Center (opens early 2022)

12. Radnor House

11. Krumrine House

f) Business Office (3rd floor) Gallery

l) Lower School Office

m) Lower School Library

Cell Phones

6. Passageway

12. Radnor House

here to view the map on our

The use of cell phones is prohibited during the school day in all locations, unless a student has permission from an adult and is using her phone in her Division Office.

Lower School

Cell phones, smart watches or other telecommunication devices will be stored in a classroom’s designated place until dismissal time

Middle School

All cell phones must be stored in the Middle School office upon arrival and can be retrieved at the end of the day, before students attend sports/rehearsals.

Upper School

All students must leave their cell phones at home, in their cars, or in their lockers from the time they arrive on campus in the morning until the time they leave school at the end of their day, whether that is at 3:30 p.m. to go home, or later after sports/rehearsals.

Parents who need to contact their daughter should contact their Division Office to leave a message.

Dining Services

Baldwin has partnered with Brock & Company to provide fresh and nutritious food. In addition to a variety of hot and cold lunch selections each day, Brock serves a number of grab-and-go breakfast and snack items throughout the day. Brock uses BullfrogPay, a point-of-sale system designed to deliver faster, more accurate checkout and shorter lines in the Dining Room. Families can securely load funds into their student’s virtual wallet using a user-friendly web portal that can be found on the Resource Board under Brock Dining Services.

Illness

A student should stay home from school for the following reasons:

• Temperature > 100° F within the previous 24 hours

• Frequent cough that requires medication to suppress

• Vomiting within the previous 24 hours

• Copious nasal secretions

In the event of an illness, please contact your student’s Division Office before 8:30 a.m. Please include your name, the student’s name and grade, and the time of your call. If a student is absent for more than three consecutive days, she must provide a note from her physician upon her return. If a student is absent during the day, she may not attend after-school activities. Please avoid scheduling medical or dental appointments during the school day. If this cannot be avoided, please contact the Division Office to alert them of the appointment.

Inclement Weather and Emergency Closings

In case of a closing, an emergency or other significant event, the School uses an automated telephone, text and email alert system. The School will also post a notice on its website and social media channels. If morning school buses pick up students late due to a public school district delay, students should wait for and ride their usual bus and they will be greeted warmly even if the school day has already begun.

Safety and Security

Baldwin’s electronic security and camera systems are in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A security officer is on-site during school hours. Parents and visitors must enter campus buildings via one of three main entry points at the Residence, the Lower School, or the Athletic Center. Parents and visitors will need to show identification to the receptionist to receive a visitor badge. Middle School and Upper School students, in addition to faculty and staff, are issued ID lanyards with a FOB token for building entry and are required to visibly wear these lanyards at all times while on campus.

Baldwin’s School Store is located in the Schoolhouse Building adjacent to the North Door as well as online. School uniforms, school supplies, small gift items, and Baldwin spirit gear are available. The Baldwin Boutique, located within the School Store and online, offers curated and stylish separates and accessories designed to create a fresh look and boost school pride. For summer hours and details on ordering school uniforms, please see the New Families page on our website.

School Store / Baldwin Boutique Technology

All students in Grades 6-12 are required to have a personal MacBook laptop, as this is an essential tool for delivery of our academic program. We understand that each student may not own a laptop, so we offer a Baldwin 1:1 MacBook Rental Program. For more on this program, including purchasing and rental information, visit the New Families page on our website.

Health Services

The School employs two nurses, an athletic trainer and a counselor in each division to meet the health care needs of our students, faculty and staff.

Magnus Health

Baldwin has partnered with Magnus Health to facilitate health-related communications and to collect and store student health and medical information in a secure way. All required health information and forms should be entered into your family’s Magnus Health account for each child attending Baldwin no later than August 1. For specific directions on accessing your Magnus Health account, please see the New Families page on our website.

Required Health Forms

• Vital Health Record (electronic form)

• Consent to Treat & Administer OTC Medications (electronic form)

• Physical examination & immunization records (accepted on a rolling basis and valid for 365 days)

• Dental Form (Entrance to school - K or Grade 1, Grade 3, Grade 7)

• Prescription Medication Form (required for students who take Rx meds during the school day)

• Athletics Acknowledgment Form (Grades 6-12)

If you have any questions about the health information that is required or your daughter’s health record, please contact a member of Baldwin’s Wellness Team at wellness@baldwinschool.org.

Medications

Baldwin nurses can administer over the counter medications with a signed Consent to Treat & Administer OTC Medications form submitted in Magnus Health.

Baldwin nurses may only administer prescription medications following doctor’s orders and a Prescription Medication Form submitted in Magnus Health. Students with allergies that require an epi pen, asthma, diabetes or seizure disorders must submit a physician written action plan in Magnus Health. Students may not carry medications at school. The only exception is students with prescribed emergency medications (inhaler, epi pen) may self-carry if physician approval is noted on the Prescription Medication Form.

Food Allergies

Baldwin is a nut sensitive community. We ask that students, faculty and staff do not bring peanuts, tree nuts or foods that contain peanuts or tree nuts onto campus. Hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, and pecans are just a few examples of tree nuts.

Connecting with Baldwin

Baldwin has several publications and resources that will keep you informed of events, important dates, programs, and new initiatives.

Every Day

The Parent Portal

A password-protected area on the Baldwin website that contains:

• The Community Directory

• School Calendar

• Student Handbook

• Report Cards

• Links to SmartTuition, Brock Dining Services, Magnus Health, etc.

Weekly

• The Bulletin is a weekly enewsletter sent to all families every Wednesday.

• The Lower School Tunic Times is a weekly enewsletter sent to Lower School families every Thursday.

• The Lower School Thursday Folder is sent home each Thursday containing flyers and other announcements.

Bi-Weekly

• In the Middle is an enewsletter sent every other Thursday to Middle School families.

• Upper Story is an enewsletter sent every other Thursday to Upper School families.

Monthly

• Grade Page emails from your class parent representatives are sent each month, highlighting grade-specific happenings.

Twice per Year

• Echoes magazine is sent twice a year to the entire Baldwin community, featuring strategic initiatives of the School, alumnae and faculty spotlights, key news articles and events.

Social Media

Like, comment, share, follow and always be in the know about what is happening at Baldwin! Let your friends and family know about all the amazing things happening here by sharing your photos and tagging Baldwin!

Facebook: @baldwinschool @baldwinalumane

Instagram: @the.baldwin.school

@thebaldwinschoolathletics @mrs.mac.baldwin

LinkedIn: The Baldwin School

SmugMug: Baldwinschool.smugmug.com - SmugMug hosts our password-protected media galleries and enables visitors to download high-res images at no cost.

Parent Group

The Baldwin School Parents’ Association (BSPA) is Baldwin’s parent organization. The BSPA is led by an Executive Board, which is elected at the end of each school year. Various committees organize community building and fundraising events to benefit our families, support our amazing faculty and staff, and provide funding to further improve our School. All parents are automatically members of the BSPA and are welcome to attend and volunteer for any BSPA events. Examples of BSPA events include:

• Monthly Coffee and Connection

• Polar Pacers Walking Club

• Baldwin Bibliophiles Parent Book Club

• Morning Mahjong

• Halloween Fair

• Book Fair

• Father-Special Person/Daughter Event

• Parents Trivia Night

• Middle School Family Event

• Mother-Special Person/Daughter Event

• Community Auction and Dinner

Who to Contact and When...

Please use the information below to determine who you should contact when you have a question:

I can’t access the Parent Portal …

I am not receiving text message notifications from Baldwin … I am not receiving emails from Baldwin …

Contact Crystal Johnson, Front Desk Manager and Transportation Coordinator, cjohnson@baldwinschool.org, x0, for questions regarding school district bussing.

Contact Claire Torres, Bus Driver, claire.torres@baldwinschool.org, for questions regarding Home-to-School transportation program.

My daughter will be absent or requires an early dismissal/late arrival …

Contact the Division Office: Lower School

Sera McFarland, Lower School Administrative Assistant, sera.mcfarland@baldwinschool.org, x266 Middle School

Tracy Stevens, Middle School Administrative Assistant, tstevens@baldwinschool.org, x242 Upper School

Susie Choitz, Upper School Administrative Assistant, susannah.choitz@baldwinschool.org, x254

I have questions about my daughter’s lunch account … I have questions about my tuition payment … I have questions about my CampBrain account …

For issues regarding access to the Parent Portal, as well as not receiving emails or text alerts, please contact Database Administrator and Scheduler Helen Snyder at helen.snyder@baldwinschool.org. Contact the Business Office: Teresa DeFruscio, Accountant, teresa.defruscio@baldwinschool.org, x432

I have a question about transportation … I need help getting in touch with a faculty member ...

as well as on the

Please visit the website for the

If you need to get an item to your student, please drop it off at the Main Desk in the

or the