Head of School Message

Dear FA Families, 


Perusing the school calendar this morning, I noticed two upcoming events that often escape the usual fanfare within the school conversation, but are each pivotal in their own respective ways. The first is the semi-annual FA Board of Visitors meeting, and the second is the National Honor Society recognition ceremony, which will take place on Tuesday, October 25th.


The FA Board of Visitors (BOV) plays a valuable role in the school maintaining a positive profile within the community. Although the BOV does not play a direct role in the governing of the school, members of the BOV are respected civic leaders and FA stakeholders from a wide array of businesses and organizations who provide insight and feedback to the school’s leadership in terms of the community’s perception of FA. They are also proven champions for Frederica Academy, sharing an accurate depiction of the school and school programs to people outside our school community and generally serving as advocates for FA. Having three dozen respected community leaders who know the school and are loyal to our mission certainly helps shape and influence conversations about Frederica throughout the community. Our upcoming meeting is largely to share updated information with the BOV as we welcome several new members to the group.


The second event is the National Honor Society Induction ceremony. This ceremony recognizes junior and senior students who, through their scholarship, character, leadership, and service are being recognized as elite among their peers and deserving of this distinction. Apart from being elected to the Honor Council by one’s peers, I consider induction into the National Honor Society among the very highest awards an Upper School student at FA can receive. Unlike National Merit and many of the awards based largely on one’s innate aptitude, the NHS distinction recognizes the day-in and day-out discipline, work ethic, and ability to manage time productively that is required to be actively involved in a full range of activities and succeed at the highest level in high school. The value of these inductees to the school as an institution is that they provide models and inspiration to other students of the various profiles of peers who can and do succeed in a demanding work environment. Great teaching faculty are, in fact, incredibly impactful; but the quality of the peers that one interacts with every day, especially in those school-age years, are at least equally impactful.


Respectfully,


Scott L. Hutchinson

Head of School

This Week at FA

Monday @ 10:00 AM

US Assembly

Gym


Monday @ 1:05 PM

College of Coastal Georgia

Admission Representative

College Counseling Center


Monday @ 1:05 PM

Oracle Meeting

Mr. Powell's Classroom


Tuesday @ 7:30 AM

US Student Council Meeting

College Counseling Center


Tuesday @ 1:05 PM

US Health + Wellness Meeting


Tuesday Evening

Quarter 1 Grades + Comments Posted


Tuesday

GIAA Cross Country District (Region) Meet

Hosted by Frederica Academy

@ College of Coastal Georgia

Boys @ 5:00 PM

Girls @ 5:30 PM


Tuesday @ 4:00 PM

Registration DEADLINE

Parent-Teacher Conference Day


Wednesday

World Unity Day

Dress in ORANGE


Wednesday (8:15 AM - 10:30 AM)

MS ERB Testing

Grades 5-7


Wednesday @ 8:15 AM

FA Parent Association

Coffee + Conversations

Shuman Conference Room


Wednesday @ 10:00 AM

US Worry Free Wednesday

Sea Island Green


Wednesday @ 1:00 PM

MS Region Tennis Championship

@ Camden High School

Dismissal @ 11:20 AM


Wednesday @ 1:05 PM

Auburn University

Admission Representative

College Counseling Center


Wednesday @ 1:05 PM

US Service Council

Executive Committee Meeting


Wednesday @ 3:30 PM

Varsity Girls Soccer Meeting

FA Pavilion


Wednesday @ 4:00 PM

Department Chair Meeting

Mrs. Gallagher's Classroom


Thursday (8:00 AM - 10:45 AM)

FA Board of Visitors Meeting

FA Pavilion + Shuman Conference Room


Thursday @ 8:15 AM

Eighth Grade Student Meeting

Hamilton Hall


Thursday (8:15 AM - 10:00 AM)

MS ERB Testing

Grades 5-7


Friday

Parent-Teacher Conference Day

School Not in Session for Students


Friday @ 7:30 PM

Varsity Football @ Bulloch Academy

Important Campus Information

Frederica Academy has now completed almost all of the Gateway Capital Campaign Phase 1 projects. The sidewalks from the East Campus Parking Lot through the Pavilion are now accessible to the Ralston Fine Arts Center, the Gymnasium, Hamilton Hall, the Berte Bistro, and the west campus. However, students should be careful in this area over the next few days as The Vine completes the final details to the landscape and hardscape projects.


In preparation to begin sitework on the first Gateway Capital Campaign Phase 2 project, we need to close a portion of the Upper School parking lot starting next week.


Beginning Tuesday, October 18th, several parking spaces on the school or east side of the Upper School parking lot will no longer be available for the balance of the school year. During the Upper School assembly on Monday, Mr. Temple will announce the specific parking spaces affected by this work and where these student drivers will start parking on Tuesday.


Please email John Pope should you want to learn more about the Gateway Capital Campaign.

Lower School After-School Clubs

Lower School is offering a three-week After-School Clubs mini-session starting the week of November 7.


Registration forms will go home with folders on Monday, October 17, and can also be accessed by clicking on the follow buttons.

Registration Form (PK)
Registration Form (K-4)
Club Descriptions (PK)
Club Descriptions (K-4)

Week 1

November 7 -

November 11

Week 2

November 14 -

November 18

Week 3

November 28 -

December 2

Clubs will not meet the week of Thanksgiving. All make-up sessions will be scheduled for the week of December 5, if needed.

The Knights Table

FA Weekly Menus
PK Lunch Order Form
Salad Online Order Form

Due to the popularity of our daily salad offerings, we ask our faculty and students to please sign up in advance if you want to reserve a salad. Please click on the link above and use your FA email to place your order. Orders received by 9:00 a.m. each day will be guaranteed. Thank you for your help!

World Unity Day:  WEDNESDAY

Wear Orange on Wednesday, October 19th, to show unity for KINDNESS, ACCEPTANCE, AND INCLUSION! 

 

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and we want to send a visible message that we stand against bullying of any kind! We strive to be a school community that supports one another, views our differences as what makes us stronger, and speaks and acts in a way where every student feels like they belong here. Unity lessons and activities are provided for all three divisions during this month! Click HERE for resources to help spread the message of Unity in your homes and neighborhoods!

 

Some highlights for each division:


  • The Upper School Health and Wellness club will sponsor Worry Free Wednesday on World Unity Day, October 19th. We will have an Advisory challenge, treats, and fun activities that bring us together during morning Break!


  • Middle School students will have an opportunity to write messages of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion on the sidewalks in chalk!


  • Lower School students will add ways we will be a unified school on a wall mural that says: ALL ARE WELCOME! (This message went along with our Guidance Lesson this month.)

 

We stand together. No one stands alone!


Rachael D. Lee, M.A, LPC

School Counselor (PK-12th)

Middle School Cheerleading Coach

912-638-9981 ext. 746

FAPA Coffee + Conversation

WEDNESDAY

PA COFFEE & CONVERSATIONS

Featuring FA Resident Experts and Resources

 

  • Rachael Lee, School Counselor
  • Nikki Pope, School Nurse
  • Dan Redanz, Chromebook & Technology Specialist

 

Wednesday, October 19th, at 8:15 AM

Shuman Conference Room

 

Please don't forget to join us this Wednesday! In lieu of our formal October meeting, we will be hosting our first Coffee & Conversation featuring resident FA experts and resources: Rachael Lee, Nikki Pope, and Dan Redanz.  It was previously canceled due to weather, but it was too good of a program to miss. We will kick off the meeting with an introduction by Scott Hutchinson, then all parents will have a chance to engage with our speakers in a small format to chat and ask questions. We'll bring the coffee. You bring the questions! 

Click to RSVP

Parent-Teacher Conferences: FRIDAY

Click Here to Sign Up

Please note that the deadline to sign up for a conference is at the end of the school day on Tuesday.


Childcare will be available for Lower School students and will be provided by the LS Specials teachers during conferences. Parents should sign participating students in and out in the Been Library. This service will operate between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

FA Trunk or Treat: OCTOBER 24

Get excited for our PA Trunk or Treat on Monday October 24th! Trunk or Treating is open to all PK-5th Graders (and little siblings). We will have games, arts and crafts, food, and, of course, some spooky trunks! This is going to be a great event, and we can't wait for you all to see it. Costumes encouraged! BYO trick or treat bag.


We are still in need of volunteers. This is a wonderful opportunity for Middle School and Upper School parents to help out so parents of "littles" can be with their children at the event ... but all help is welcome!


Click HERE to sign up.


We are also in need of Upper School student volunteers so please encourage your student to sign up for approved volunteer hours! 

Click to Volunteer

KiX Location: OCTOBER 24

KiX will take place in the Been Library and on the Terry Thomas Playground on Monday, October 24, since the Parent Association Trunk or Treat event will take place at the KiX location that day. Parents picking up students from KiX should park in front of the main Administration building to access and pick up in the Been Library. 

FA Letter Jackets: NOVEMBER 3

Order Form

A NEFF sales representative will be on campus on Thursday, November 3, at 10:00 a.m., to take orders for FA Varsity Letter Jackets. Completed order forms and payments are due at that time.

FA Day @ Jaguars Game: NOVEMBER 6

Click to Order Tickets

Adam Hagfors, an FA parent, has kindly organized a group opportunity for FA families to attend a Jacksonville Jaguars home game on Sunday, November 6, at 1:00 p.m. 


Participants are responsible for purchasing their own discounted tickets from a block that is reserved for FA families. Adam is coordinating a place to tailgate (starting at 10:30 a.m.) for game attendees who want to gather before the game.


Please email or call Adam at (646) 369-4073 for more information or to RSVP for the tailgate gathering.

CCGA Dual Enrollment Deadline

NOVEMBER 15

The Spring 2023 College of Coastal Georgia Dual Enrollment course list and application are now available!  


Click HERE for the course list. Click HERE for the application.


Juniors who meet the minimum requirements to apply may enroll in ONE course.


Seniors who meet the minimum requirement to apply may enroll in up to TWO courses.

 

Applications are due to Dr. Nevins by Tuesday, November 15th.

Lands' End Starboard Scholarship

Since 2019, Lands' End has awarded up to five $5,000 scholarships to students who have shown exceptional leadership skills.


Their Starboard Scholarship application is open to students in Grades 8-12. 


Click HERE to learn more and to apply.


Deadline: January 19, 2023 or until 1,000 applications have been received.

LS After-School Clubs Update

The Lower School After-School Clubs will complete their fall sessions on the following dates:

October 17


Pre-K Lego

Happy Hands

October 18


Painting

Playground Games

Mindfulness

October 24


Everybody Loves PE


October 26


Junior Knights

Flag Football

October 27


Sew Fun

Kickball

Buzzin' Board Games

October 28


Mini-Motions

Lego Club (1-3)

MS + US Open Mic Night

Photo Album
Open Mic Night Program

Middle and Upper School Open Mic Night was the first event staged at the new Windolf-Johnston Performance Plaza. With 42 students in the show, and emceed by senior Thespian Officer Case Harrison, audiences enjoyed ten spotlight acts, a preview scene from the play "Clue;" two Middle School bands, and two Upper School bands. Led by music faculty Dr. Taylor and Dr. Nielsen, with assistance from Ms. Wisner, Lower School Music teacher, the Open Mic was an inviting time for students to showcase their talents. It was a picture-perfect evening to sit in the new Pavilion, enjoy a snack from the volunteers at the Booster Club's concessions stand, and celebrate our musical community.

FA Fine Arts Event Calendar

Freshman-Senior Leadership Retreat

Photo Album

US Health + Wellness Club News

October is a busy month for the FA Health and Wellness Club. We hosted the FA Flu Vaccine Clinic and the Red Cross Blood Drive this past week. We have been successfully selling "Share the Love" raffle tickets to raise money for our Relay for Life team. This week, we have our general club meeting and our October "Worry-Free Wednesday." This year, Worry Free Wednesday falls on National Unity Day. Each year, we take the month of October to try and educate students on the toxicity of bullying. On October 19, we will all wear orange to raise awareness on this important topic. As we wrap up October, our club will have an entry in the FA Trunk or Treat event. We currently have over 100 members in Health and Wellness, and we love that we can be so involved in our school and community!


Katie Eckert

FA Health and Wellness Co-President



The FA Flu Vaccine Clinic was a huge success this past week. Over 100 students, faculty, and family members received the vaccine. The parent volunteers were amazing. Although not every student was happy to be receiving the vaccine, they all did wonderful! Glynn County Health Department officials continuously praise our school for having an efficient and well-run event. We are the largest school clinic that they serve each year. We could not offer this service to our families and staff without the help of our FA Health and Wellness Club. Students set up the gym, organized paperwork, ran the check-in table, helped console scared students, handed out goodies at the end, and then cleaned up afterwards. I am very proud of the caring and compassionate work the club members performed during the clinic and am very thankful for the help!


Nurse Pope

FA Health and Wellness Faculty advisor



The FA and Health and Wellness club sponsored our first Red Cross Blood Drive of this year on Friday, October 14. We had a record number of first-time donors, and we ended up with 42 units of blood donated. This keeps our club on track to offer two scholarships from the Red Cross at the end of the year to seniors who have been actively involved with our Red Cross work. We would like to thank all of the students, faculty and staff, family members, and community members who donated.


One donation of blood can save up to three lives. That is three people who have a chance to live. Most of us signed up in the beginning to donate so that we could earn the Red Cross points and service hours. However, as we became involved in signing up others and learning about blood donations, we all began to realize the importance of this small sacrifice. With the recent hurricane in Florida and other disasters, donor blood supplies are at an alarmingly low level. We are proud to be one of the leading schools in the region for hosting blood drives and working with the Red Cross. 


We will host our next blood drive in April. This drive will be on a Saturday and will also be in the Shuman Conference Center on the FA campus. 


Jacob Leonard

FA Red Cross Blood Drive Team Leader

Sixth Grade Band Performance

Sixth Grade Band Performs at Morning Meeting


Dr. Nielsen's Sixth Grade music class rocked Hamilton Hall on Friday at Lower School Morning Meeting. Twelve students played three pop tunes, "Brave," "Demons," and "Hound Dog" as a rock band with guitars, piano, and lead vocalists. It was a fun way to start the morning, and later, at Open Mic Night!

Pre-K Fire Truck Visit

Photo Album

Pre-K Mystery Reader

Briggs Mason’s mother, Liz Mason, was the Pre-K Mystery Reader last week. She read the book Monsters Love Underpants, by Claire Freedman and Ben Cory. Sal Vinci (Eighth Grade) assisted Mrs. Mason with the storytelling fun.

Thank You, FA Parents!

A special thank you to all of the wonderful FA moms who volunteered at the Parent Association Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon last week.

Special Events Calendar

October 24-27

Eighth Grade Carpe Vitam


October 24 (8:15 AM - 11:25 AM)

MS ERB Testing

Grades 5-7


October 24 (5:00 PM - 6:30 PM)

FA Trunk or Treat

KiX Parking Lot

Sponsored by FA Parent Association


October 25-27

MS Carpe Vitam

Grades 5-7


October 25 @ 9:50 AM

National Honor Society Induction

Gym

US Morning Assembly Schedule


October 28

Middle School Holiday


October 29

MS + US Debate/Forensics Tournament

Valdosta State


October 31 @ 8:15 AM

LS Storybook Character Parade


November 1, 7, 8

US Spring Musical Auditions

Hamilton Hall


November 2

PSAT Exam (Grade 8)

Pre-ACT Exam (Grades 9-11)

Senior Health Seminar (Grade 12)

Upper School Early Dismissal


November 3

Second Grade Pirate Day


November 4

FA Spirit Day

Tailgate Party

Varsity Football + Cheer Senior Night


November 5 (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM)

FA Homecoming Dance

FA Gymnasium


November 5

FA Invitational Swim Meet

Golden Isles YMCA


November 5-6

RSM Classic Volunteer Uniform Distribution

FA Campus


November 8 @ 8:30 AM

FA "Bucket Shot" Photo


November 8 @ 6:00 PM

Sophomore Class College Night

Hamilton Hall


November 10

MS + US Assembly Schedule

Veterans Day Hospitality + Assembly


November 11

Veterans Day (School Holiday)


November 15 @ 5:00 PM

RSM Wiffle Ball Game

FA Baseball Field


November 17 + 18

MS + US Fall Play


November 18

First Grade Thanksgiving Program

Epworth


November 23

FA Young Alumni Council Meeting


November 23-25

FA Thanksgiving Break


December 1

FA Jingle Bell Celebration

FA Fall Athletic Schedules

MS + Varsity Athletic Schedules

Follow FA on Social Media

Click HERE to access the 2022-2023
At-A-Glance Master Calendar.