The Perkiomen Experience

Solvitur Vivendo

While the literal translation of the Perkiomen School motto is "it is solved by living," the interpretation of the Latin is closer to "experience is the best teacher" or "we learn through experience." Colloquial usage might even allow for "the learning is in the doing." However one interprets our motto, the Perkiomen mission and philosophy embrace hard working, inquisitive, ethical, and independent learners.

The Perkiomen community often gathers in the Mesnier Chapel for school events, and most students casually refer to that gathering as "Chapel." However, Perkiomen welcomes students and faculty of all faiths and we have no particular religious affiliation.

Every morning, the Upper School community gathers in the Chapel for Morning Meeting, while the Middle School community gathers in Kehs Hall. The entire school community gathers together in the Chapel on Fridays. These meetings include everything from announcements of birthdays, gatherings, and student accomplishments, to programs and presentations.

As one of our favorite traditions, the Morning Meeting is a place to learn how to say "Happy Birthday" in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, and more, and to start your morning off with an inspiring "Quotation of the Day."

Weekends offer something for everyone! Trips are frequent, including malls, movies, skiing, rock climbing, college fairs, shows, amusement parks, and college visits. New York City and Philadelphia are in easy reach for everything from Broadway plays to professional sporting events. And weekends almost always include outings to the regional shopping capital King of Prussia Mall or the Philadelphia Premium Outlets as well as trips to the local Walmart, a popular destination for all the essential supplies of boarding school life.

Meals on the weekend begin at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

H periods are scheduled into our academic day in order to accommodate our various school-wide goals and activities. H periods are a time for events such as student advisory, Community Chapel, and LCA (Leadership, Clubs, and Activities). During advisory, students meet with their faculty advisor to discuss issues surrounding academics, campus events, issues in today’s world, as well as topics focusing on students’ day to day life. Once a month, Perkiomen gathers as a community in Chapel to participate in presentations by students and faculty focusing on themes such as Building Community, Integrity and Honor, and Leadership. H period is also a time when student leadership organizations, clubs, and activities can meet and work together. Whether participating in Student Senate, Knitting Club, or discussing current sports events in the club FanCave, this time slot enables all of the LCA events to meet on a regular basis.

Every Monday, students eat family style dinner with a faculty member and fellow students. Every month seating changes for everyone. This promotes a deeper sense of community and allows the students the chance to get to know one another.

The school dining hall, Parents Hall, is operated by Alan Kern and his staff from Sodexo. Meals are served buffet, sit-down, or on the cafeteria line. Breakfast includes a yogurt bar, cereal bar and Belgian waffle station each day. Lunch offers a salad bar, deli station, hot bar and service on the cafeteria line. Dinners are served buffet and family style, with a varying menu each day. Every effort is made to assist anyone with a special diet or other dietary restrictions. Breakfast is served each weekday from 7 until 7:40 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Formal Dinner on Monday and evenings is family style at 6 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are a buffet from 6 – 7 p.m. Weekend meals begin with brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Weekend dinners are from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Monday is a formal dress day at Perkiomen. The dress code for all students on Monday includes:

• Navy blue blazer
• Gray, black, navy blue, or khaki Chino-style pants or a solid-colored skirt
• Belt with pants
• Blouse OR dress shirt with school tie
• Dress shoes (while Sperry, Docksides, etc. are acceptable for Tuesday-Friday, more formal dress shoes are required for formal dress. Leather shoes with white soles or dress sneakers are not permitted)
• Hose or dark dress socks

Tuesday through Friday dress is more casual and includes:

• Chino-style slacks or skirt (solid color)
• Perkiomen School polo (black, white or purple with shield logo only)
• Dress or casual shoes
• Socks or hose

Students may also elect to wear a sweater or Perkiomen School sweatshirt over their Perkiomen School polo.

Additionally, Bermuda-style or knee-length shorts in a solid color can be worn in the months of September and May.

Athletic Practice Uniform/Game Day Travel Attire:
Students participating in sports or other physical activities after school wear a practice uniform each day. Perkiomen shorts and gray t-shirts, along with the Perkiomen warm-up suit, may be purchased at the bookstore in Roberts Hall.While traveling to away contests, players must wear their game uniform and/or Perkiomen warm-up suit.If neither is appropriate, the team is to travel in Monday formal dress.

Relaxed Dress (weeknight dinners with the exception of Monday, after classes and weekends):
Dress includes t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, shorts, sweatpants. Shoes can be sneakers but not slippers. Clothing with messages related to drugs, alcohol, violence, or with curse words are not acceptable at any time. Tank tops or bare stomachs are not acceptable at any time. Clothing that is ill-fitting or in poor taste will not be permitted.

Hair: Hair must be kept clean, neat, and well-groomed at all times. Extreme hairstyles or hair color are not permitted. Boys are to be clean-shaved at all times.

Piercings: Ear piercing is permitted.

There is a uniqueness about Perkiomen School. Our community both celebrates individuals and values our collective impact. Understanding our culture and being well-versed in the general expectations are essential.

Communities work well when our communication is strong and each of us understands the basic tenets of living and learning together. Structure, support, trust, dignity, respect, and honor go hand-in-hand to guide students, colleagues, and families toward success here, in college, and in life. The Community Handbook outlines the various expectations by which we all live during the year, expectations that build a culture of trust, support, honesty, and integrity that foster a sense of dignity and respect for each other at all times. These are not just words on a page. In order to live and work and thrive in the Perkiomen School community, we must embrace these behaviors.