Head of School Message
Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.
                                                                                             - Gerard Way
Dear FA Families,

On Friday, Nikki Pope, FA’s School Nurse, and Adam Norman, FA’s Head Athletic Trainer, were profiled in The Brunswick News, as part of the newspaper's Frontline Heroes recognition campaign. Please click here to read the profile and view a full-page ad sponsored by the FA Parent Association and FA Booster Club honoring our two beloved Frontline Heroes. Nurse Pope and Mr. Norman have served this school community extraordinarily well this past year, despite the volume and complexity of their COVID-related workload, and each clearly has earned the accolades set aside for real heroes.

Nurse Pope and Mr. Norman each work seven days a week, interpreting for families the CDC regulations and helping individuals sort through their safest and quickest pathway back from quarantine. They are the only two who sort through the labyrinth of contact tracing each day that allows those who are not sick to move on campus with some reasonable assurance that we are not exposing ourselves to others who might have unknowingly contracted the virus. They are the two who thoughtfully and meticulously dissect the ever-evolving CDC information and counsel the school on the most up-to-date policies and protocols. They are the two who provide accurate and unvarnished statistics on our weekly dashboard so that our families can see the impact of the virus in our school community. Finally, they are the two who provide comfort for both individuals and families when COVID strikes or symptoms worsen, and they are the ones who responsibly hold the line and provide consistent enforcement of inconvenient COVID precautionary protocols.

There seems like no better time than now to extend the list of heroes being recognized to also include our faculty and staff. When the virus first appeared on the local scene last spring and we decided to pivot to virtual learning, not one faculty member balked at the idea or dragged their feet in our abrupt transition to providing online instruction. Not one. Everyone ramped up their learning curve and invested significant time above and beyond their regular workload to offer the best instruction that they could offer, and they worked through weeks of professional development training for both new software and new methodologies while continuing to teach our students online.

When there was discussion about the wisdom and viability of coming back in the fall with live, on-campus instruction, not one faculty member refused to come back to teach. Again, not one. They all love their profession and working with children, and despite our still not fully understanding the risks inherent in running live classes, we forged ahead with a well thought out plan largely because of their willingness to take on the risk and their unbridled enthusiasm for teaching. Still today, six months later, although many of our teachers or their family members are in an immunocompromised category, they show up for work every morning to interact with and be surrounded by their students. For all the reasons that teaching is acknowledged as a noble profession and a frontline service provider in this perilous time of COVID, I salute all of the FA teachers and coaches as heroes for their service to this community.

Respectfully,

Scott L. Hutchinson
Head of School
This Week at FA

Monday-Friday
FA Open House Week

Monday-Friday
Click HERE for February Lunch Menu

Monday-Thursday
LS Winter After-School Clubs

Monday @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Virtual Assembly
First Semester HOS Academic Awards

Monday @ 3:20 PM
STEM Club Meeting
Mrs. Bradford's Classroom

Monday @ 4:00 PM
MS Faculty Meeting
Hamilton Hall

Tuesday @ 10:00 AM
PK + K Open House Program

Tuesday @ 10:00 AM
MS Virtual Assembly

Tuesday @ 1:00 PM
Cultural Awareness Club
College Counseling Center

Tuesday @ 3:30 PM
FA Varsity Girls Basketball
@ Trinity Christian in Dublin
Dismissal 10:00 AM

Tuesday @ 3:45 PM
Yoga Club
Terry Thomas Room

Wednesday @ 10:00 AM
LS Open House Program
Grades 1-4

Wednesday
Varsity Basketball @ Bulloch
Girls @ 4:00 PM
Boys @ 5:30 PM
Dismissal @ 11:00 AM

Wednesday @ 4:00 PM
Faculty + Staff Meeting
Gymnasium

Thursday (7:45 AM - 8:45 AM)
Booster Club Winter Spirit Wear Sale
Gym Lobby

Thursday @ 10:00 AM
MS Open House Program
Grades 5-8

Thursday @ 1:00 PM
US Student Council Meeting
Mr. Jobe's Classroom

Thursday (2:30 PM - 3:45 PM)
Booster Club Winter Spirit Wear Sale
Gym Lobby

Thursday @ 3:20 PM
Technology Meeting
Makerspace

Thursday
Middle School Basketball
@ First Presbyterian (Hinesville)
Girls @ 5:00 PM
Boys @ 6:15 PM

Thursday (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)
Model UN Meeting
Mrs. Bradford's Classroom

Friday @ 10:00 AM
US Open House Program
Grades 9-12

Friday
Middle School Basketball
@ Home vs. Camden Middle School
Girls @ 5:00 PM
Boys @ 6:15 PM

Saturday
ACT Exam at FA

Knights Table Menus
Please consider signing up to be a Parent Ambassador at Open House this week. Parent Ambassadors greet guests, will share their FA story, and accompany student-led tours. FA Parents are invited to attend the session where you feel most comfortable. The Admission Office will provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions and Tour Talking Points to help volunteers feel informed and empowered, if needed. Click here to learn more and to sign up to volunteer.
SAVE THE DATE
Riders Up! On behalf of our 2021 Derby Day Co-Chairs (Dana + Denny Carter and Elizabeth + Zach Powell), we are pleased to announce that we are moving forward with plans to host Derby Day this year. Derby Day is a time-honored FA tradition and the school's signature fundraiser. With the exception of last year when the event had to be cancelled due to COVID-19, Derby Day has annually netted on average about $250,000 in recent years, which has been used to support a variety of innovative programs to support our students and teachers.

Please click the button below to read more about special plans for this year's Derby Day.

Please use the volunteer button to email Brad Hutcherson if you are interested in becoming a Derby Day volunteer this year or donating an item for the silent or live auctions. Thank you!
May 1, 2021
Thank You, Brock Family!
Bryce and Seth Brock are new FA parents this year. Their children, Rhoan (First Grade) and Hayes (Third Grade) enthusiastically agreed to be photographed in the newly renovated courtyard between Benefield Hall and Fleming Hall on Friday afternoon.

A group of volunteers spent several hours during Hands on Frederica Day clearing the courtyard so that Bryce and her team at The Vine could completely transform the courtyard by installing three beautiful new olive trees and several dozen new plants to create a much more inspiring first impression for campus visitors when they arrive to register in the Front Office for their campus tours.

Bryce is a co-owner of The Vine, which donated all of the tree and plant material as well as the labor for its installation.

Thank you, Brock FAmily!
TODAY
Virtual College Fair
The first 2021 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Virtual College Fair will take place today, Sunday, January 31, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Interested students and parents can drop in on Zoom sessions offered by more than 500 colleges and universities to hear about student life, majors, financial aid, scholarships, and much more. Plus, text chat with college counselors for answers to all of your questions.

NACAC Virtual College Fairs (virtualcollegefairs.org) is a signature service from the association. The virtual fairs offer a dynamic, new, digital meeting space that connects counselors, students, and their families with colleges and universities around the world.
MONDAY-THURSDAY
LS After-School Clubs
The Winter Lower School After-School Clubs session starts this week. Please contact Heather Day for more information.
THURSDAY
Winter Spirit Wear Sales
New Merchandise!
FRIDAY
Souper Bowl Deadline
Time to clean out the pantry and vote for your favorite Super Bowl football team. Every year at FA we do a canned food drive to show support for a local service organization (Sparrows Nest this year) and our favorite football teams.

This drive will last all week and bins will be in all of the division buildings. Are we a Brady or Mahomes school?  Your food donations will tell the tale. We will report the final results next Sunday before the start of the big game!
APRIL 14
CCGA Summer Dual Enrollment
The deadline to submit College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) Summer Dual Enrollment applications to Mrs. Nevins is Wednesday, April 14.

  • Summer Term: June 1st-July 21st
  • Applicants must be rising juniors and seniors
  • Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

Please click here to email Mrs. Nevins should you have questions.
UCB Junior Board Applications
Sophomores and Juniors who are interested in serving on the 2021-2022 United Community Bank Board of Directors should submit their application to Mrs. Nevins no later than Friday, March 5th.

To be considered, applicants must submit an application AND ask one teacher for a recommendation letter. Teachers will be advised to give recommendations directly to Mrs. Nevins.

The purpose of the Junior Board is to develop and promote civic leadership and responsibility for the individuals selected and to enrich their knowledge of the community, its history and business environment through association with United Community Bank, its officers and board of directors. Junior Board service allows participants an opportunity to gain knowledge in leadership, community service and the financial industry. 

Students serving on the Junior Board of UCB will be expected to meet the following set of criteria: 
  • Student must be a rising Junior or Senior
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • 95% school attendance rate
  • No major discipline infractions (any major discipline infraction during the year of your participation can be grounds for dismissal from the board)
Technology Safety in The News
Last week, Lauren McDonald, the education reporter for The Brunswick News, wrote an article about Chris McKenna's recent visit to the Golden Isles. As a reminder, Mr. McKenna visited Frederica Academy to speak with students about the importance of personal responsibility and online safety when using technology. He also spoke with FA parents and other concerned adults in our community about this important topic.

Click on the buttons below to read Ms. McDonald's article and a related editorial that ran the following day. We extend our appreciation again to Brooke and Jim Walker as well as Kim and Zach Johnson for coordinating and sponsoring Mr. McKenna's visit.
US Science Bowl Teams
Varsity Team (Grades 11-12): Adam Elsharkawi, Co-Captain; Spencer Sullivan, Co-Captain; Roy Boyd; Andrew Kaminer; and David Weaver.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sponsors the National High School Science Bowl.

This year's Upper School Science Bowl Teams made history by participating in the first online Georgia Science Bowl Regional Science Bowl contest this weekend as part of the DOE nation-wide competition.

Thirty-eight teams competed on Saturday and the FA Varsity Science Bowl Team finished in Seventh Place, earning an opportunity to advance to the State Round of 16!

The state-level online competition will take place on Saturday, February 6. Four teams will be eliminated in each of the first three rounds before the state winner is crowned from the Final Four group.

Good luck, FA Science Bow Knights!
JV Team (Grades 9-10): Hannah Huber, Captain; Max Crusan; Sam Norris; Gillian Sullivan; and Wyatt Whitlow.
State Swim Team Send-Off
Nikki Pope wears many hats at Frederica Academy. On Friday, she served as the emcee for the send-off celebration for the FA swimmers who departed later that day for the GISA State Swim Meet in Atlanta. She was joined by fellow coach Barry Kaminer and several FA swimming parents as Upper School students and varsity swimmers enjoyed treats from the Kona Ice Truck.
FA Swimmers Earn State Awards
A dozen FA swimmers (9 US students; 3 MS students) competed in the GISA Swim Meet at Georgia Tech on Saturday.

GISA schools from throughout Georgia attended this year's highly competitive meet. With many events having several dozen swimmers competing in them, we are pleased to announce that several FA swimmers earned a race ribbon or medal in Atlanta.

In the Middle School competition, Jimmy McQuade won 2nd Place in the 50 Breast, 4th Place in the 100 Free, and 6th Place in the 50 Free.

The following varsity swimmers placed in the team relays:

  • Girls Varsity Freestyle Relay Team (5th Place) - Katie Eckert, Holly Lewis, Cammie Pope, and Ashley Prokop
  • Boys Varsity Medley Relay Team (6th Place) - JJ Briggs, Andrew Kaminer, Chandler Sitz, and Spencer Sullivan
  • Boys Varsity Freestyle Relay Team (6th Place) - JJ Briggs, Andrew Kaminer, Chandler Sitz, and Spencer Sullivan
  • Girls Varsity Medley Relay Team (7th Place) - Katie Eckert, Cammie Pope, Ashley Prokop, and Gillian Sullivan

Congratulations to all of the FA swimmers who attended the meet and heartfelt appreciation to the coaches and parent volunteers who helped organize all of the events and logistics involved with this year's swim program!
Jordan Triplett Media Blitz
Freshman football sensation Jordan Triplett received extensive media coverage last week. Derrick Davis, The Brunswick News' Sports Editor, declared that Jordan has entered the national consciousness, having earned an exclusive spot on the 2020 MaxPreps High School Freshman All-American Team.

Click on the buttons below to read more about Jordan's impressive football achievements and the local, regional, and national media stories about him. Look for more coverage about Jordan's impressive accomplishments in Monday's Knightly News edition.

Congratulations, Jordan!
FA Scholastic Art Winners
Congratulations to Sydney Carroll and Annika Clark for being selected as Silver Key winners in this year's Scholastic Arts and Writing Regional Awards competition.

Their work was recognized by a panel of creative professionals as some of the most outstanding works submitted among their peers. All Gold and Silver Key awards will be on display in a virtual gallery.

Both students created their artwork in Dr. Nielsen's Digital Media and Theater Arts classes.
Sydney submitted her digital photography entitled, "The Art Behind a Great Book."

Annika's digital artwork is entitled, "Self-Portrait."
MLK Jr. Kindness Tree
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Lower School students have been inspired to look for acts of kindness and justice in their fellow students. When they spot something, they fill out a leaf and add it to the tree.  We expect the tree to be bursting with leaves soon!

Fifth Grade Strings Lessons
The Fifth Grade Strings ensemble meets on Tuesdays after school in the Ralston Fine Arts Center with Dr. Tess Nielsen. Violinists Sloane Floyd, J.R. Childers, Kate Walker, Lola Byrd, and bassist Bear Brummett enjoy learning to play their instruments and making beautiful music together. We hope to have a mini-performance later this Spring or join with the Middle/Upper Orchestra for a spring concert. For more information about Lower School Strings lessons, please click here to email Dr. Nielsen, FA Fine Arts Director.
Fourth Grade Energy Project
Students in Fourth Grade are experimenting with the impact of energy input on speed.

Third Grade Fossils
As a part of the PHD Science unit on survival, Third Grade students have been learning how fossils help us learn about how organisms survive in their environments. Last week, the students got to examine real fossils, then make their own mold and body fossils. 
Second Grade Star Students

Our Second Grade Star Students last week were our two new students, Jamie Cooper and Jensen Hagfors. Jamie and Jensen shared their "All About Me" posters with the class. Both Star Students worked hard on their posters and did a fantastic job! Our Stars also invited a guest reader. Jamie invited his great-aunt, Wanda Allen. She read a chapter about Langston Hughes from the book, Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison. Jensen invited his dad, Adam Hagfors. He read the book, Shiver Me Letters by June Sobel. Congratulations to Jamie and Jensen and thank you to our special guest readers!

February + March Events

February 9
Varsity Basketball
Region First Round

February 10
Q3 Progress Reports Posted

February 12-15
FA Winter Break

February 18
Rotary Student of the Month

February 21
Varsity Football Player Banquet

February 22-26
FA Visiting Artist Week

February 23
OLSAT Assessments
Grades 1,3,5

February 24
OLSAT Assessment
First Grade

February 24
Varsity Soccer Season Starts

March 3
All-School Faculty + Staff Meeting

March 5
End of Q3

March 5
GISA Literary Meet
Brewton-Parker College

March 5
Third Grade Field Trip
Oatland Island (Savannah)

March 11
Q3 Grades Posted

March 11
Fifth Grade Musical

March 12
Parent-Teacher Conferences (K-12)
No School for ALL Students

March 13
SAT Exam @ FA

March 14 @ 3:00 PM
Coastal Symphony
FA Sea Island Green

March 17 @ 8:15 AM
FA Parent Association Meeting
Hamilton Hall

March 18
Teacher + Staff Luncheon
Thanks, FA Parent Association!

March 21-23
SAIS Re-Accreditation Team
Campus Visit

March 22-26
Science Fair

March 25
Rotary Student of the Month

March 25-27
MS + US Musical
Hamilton Hall
FA Basketball Schedules
2021 Summer Programs
FA Social Media
FA Quick Links