A Message from the Head of School |
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Dear FA Families,
I see the school’s role in advocacy for our students in two distinct, but related parts. The first part is helping each young person to identify aspirational goals that have real meaning and value for them as individuals. The second part is finding appropriate ways to assist them in achieving those goals. In the short term, examples of that might be doing well on a math quiz or reaching a personal best time in a cross country race. One world view is simply that the future is but a long string of tomorrows, and setting and achieving goals each and every day will lead to a productive and fulfilling life. Another way to envision demonstrating advocacy for our students is to identify general, more encompassing arenas of human endeavor that may be important in their lives now and going forward and encouraging their personal journey to uncover versions of their best selves through those endeavors.
Last week I participated in the National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony for FA juniors and seniors who, without exception, carried an academic average of 85 or better in all of their course work for the duration of their high school careers. Additionally, those students are vetted and voted on by the Upper School faculty in terms of their demonstrated exemplary character, leadership, and service. Given the criteria for selection into the NHS, being elected is, in itself, a real milestone worthy of considerable respect especially in the context of the active and filled-to-the-brim lives that most of these high school students have dialed up for themselves. And the parade of students in line to receive this distinction was impressive as well, and again reminded me of the value of a Frederica education, the importance of surrounding oneself with quality peers pursuing similar goals, and the immersion in a culture that prizes one’s best effort. But the overwhelming takeaway for me that morning was connected to the four pillars of the NHS itself and the role that they might play if one subscribes to that second view of life where general, more encompassing arenas are identified and individuals find their respective way and set their personal goals within those touchstone ideals.
Character. Leadership. Scholarship. Service.
If one were going to anchor one’s life in the personal development of four characteristics, these seem like a pretty strong quartet to invest in. If, as parents, more importantly, regardless of our children’s ages, we are searching for a template, a reminder, of areas for our children to invest and develop in that will pay dividends now and in the future, these four areas may provide a useful foundation for that thinking. Schools and families are alike in so many ways, none more apparent than a deep, shared, desire to champion each child’s full and healthy development. Aligning some mutually-agreed upon general goals that provide children with a consistent message and clear, high-value targets to aim for and work at throughout their developing years, may be the best way that schools and families can work together for the sake of our children.
To close out the induction ceremony, both the new inductees and the students previously elected to the Society recited in unison the Society’s pledge. Seeing and hearing twenty-one new members and thirty already-inducted members solemnly chant that pledge out loud in front of their parents and their peers formed a powerful and memorable impression for me, both for the high quality of our students in abundance at FA and for the importance of having clear North Star aspirational destinations throughout one’s formative years of life.
Respectfully,
Scott L. Hutchinson
Head of School
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
HOMECOMING WEEK
Daily Dress-Up Days
Monday @ 10:00 AM
MS FAHoco Fun (Athletic Tent)
US FAHoco Fun (Sea Island Green)
Monday @ 1:05 PM
Sewanee FA Campus Visit
College Counseling Center
Tuesday @ 7:15 AM
Middle School Faculty Meeting
Shuman Conference Room
Tuesday @ 10:00 AM
MS FAHoco Fun (Athletic Tent)
US FAHoco Fun (Sea Island Green)
Tuesday @ 1:05 PM
Health + Wellness Club Meeting
Athletic Tent
Tuesday @ 4:30 PM
Middle School Volleyball
Championship Tournament
Glynn Academy
Tuesday (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Trunk or Treat
Parking - MS Parking Lot
Event - US Parking Lot
Wednesday @ 10:00 AM
MS FAHoco Fun (Athletic Tent)
US FAHoco Fun (Sea Island Green)
Wednesday @ 1:00 PM
Middle School Tennis
Championship Tournament
Glynn Academy
Wednesday @ 4:00 PM
Department Meetings
Wednesday @ 5:00 PM
Middle School Cross Country
Championship Meet
College of Coastal Georgia
Thursday
GISA One-Act Play
Southeastern Technical College
Vidalia
Thursday @ 10:00 AM
MS FAHoco Fun (Athletic Tent)
US FAHoco Fun (Sea Island Green)
Thursday @ Noon
Rotary Student of the Month
Brunswick Country Club
Thursday @ 1:05 PM
Finance + Investment Club Meeting
Mr. Willis' Classroom
Friday
Friday @ 8:10 AM
Lower School Morning Meeting
Gymnasium
Friday @ 10:00 AM
MS FAHoco Fun (Athletic Tent)
US FAHoco Fun (Sea Island Green)
Friday @ 2:20 PM
Homecoming Pep Rally
Crowning of 2021 Homecoming King
Football Field Bleachers
Friday @ 7:30 PM
Varsity Football Homecoming Game
vs. Pinewood Academy
Friday @ Football Game Halftime
Presentation of 2021 Homecoming Court
Crowning of 2021 FA Homecoming Queen
Monday, November 1
8:00 AM
Lower School Storybook Character Parade
Sea Island Green
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Please review a DRAFT of the 2021-2022 FA Family Directory and submit desired changes via email to Anita Shelbrack.
Please also email Mrs. Shelbrack if you are interested in receiving a printed copy of the directory in the mail once it is updated and finalized.
Thank you.
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Friday is Frederica Academy's 2021 Homecoming Knight against the Pinewood Christian Academy Patriots. It will be a jam-packed evening during Georgia-Florida weekend, and the game will be filled with students, alumni, visitors, parents, and grandparents.
We need your help on Friday and hope that you will consider sharing your time by signing up to fill a volunteer shift. Please help support our school, athletes and students by volunteering. Encourage a friend who hasn't worked in the concession stand before to sign up with you so the time will fly by as you help fill a need and spend time together while supporting our school. It's a great way to meet new people, get to know parents in other grades, and be a part of the school community.
Just review the available slots for Friday's game and click on the button to sign up to volunteer. We will have two gate tables early in the evening located at the main entrance where all spectators enter. Booster Club members will be able to quickly go through the "BC MEMBERS ONLY" line and avoid the wait.
If you have a question, please call the Booster Club's Volunteer Coordinator: Detra Brock at (912) 242-2130.
Thank you ... and Go Knights!
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THIS WEEK
Homecoming 2021
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LOWER SCHOOL THEMES:
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday Favorite Sports Jersey
Wednesday: Hat Day
Thursday: Crazy Sock Day
Friday: Green + White Spirit Day
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MIDDLE SCHOOL THEMES:
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Western Day
Wednesday: Gold Day
Thursday: Camo Day
Friday: Green + White Spirit Day
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UPPER SCHOOL THEMES:
Monday: Sports Jersey Day
Tuesday: Generation Day
- Freshmen - Tiny Tots
- Sophomores - Awkward Tweens
- Juniors - Middle Ages
- Seniors - Senior Citizens
- Faculty - High School Students
Wednesday: Holidays
Thursday: Halloween
Friday: Spirit Day (Island Paradise Influence)
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Frederica Academy will host a virtual Veterans Day assembly on Thursday, November 11, which will be livestreamed on the school's YouTube and Facebook pages.
We are collecting photos and information on service members to put into a slide presentation, which will also be shared with students and families as part of our Veterans Day observance. Please submit photos of family members who have served our great nation. Include the name of the individual, branch of service, and the student(s) they are related to at Frederica Academy.
Thank you for your time and help in making Veterans Day memorable for the students at Frederica Academy.
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TUESDAY (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
FA Trunk + Treat
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Please join us on Tuesday for the school's first-ever Parent Association Trunk or Treat! All students in PK - Fifth Grade are invited!
The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. The festivities include Trunk or Treating, pumpkin decorating, a photo booth, and Halloween tattoos.
Attendees should park in the Middle School parking lot and walk on the designated paths through campus to the check-in table on the east side of the Upper School parking lot. Check in starts at 5:30 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own bag for Treats. Pumpkins will be available as supplies last; you may bring your own pumpkin if you prefer.
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FRIDAY
MS + US Special Schedule
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November 1
Storybook Character Day
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NOVEMBER 1-3
Spring Musical Auditions
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AUDITIONS open to Grades 7 through 12 for Spring Musical "Mamma Mia" are November 1, 2, and 3 after school, 3:20 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Terry Thomas Room of the Ralston Fine Arts Center.
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NOVEMBER 2-3
FA Book Fair
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NOVEMBER 4 @ 10:00 AM
FA Varsity Letter Jackets
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NOVEMBER 11
MS Parent Social
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US Author Visit
Craig Grossi + Fred
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Last Thursday, Upper School students met Craig Grossi, author of Craig and Fred, a Marine, a Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other, and Fred, the adorable dog from Afghanistan.
Craig shared his inspirational story of rescuing Fred from war-torn Afghanistan in 2011 and his challenges as he has found his way in civilian life after his service in the Marine Corps. After reading Grossi's book over the summer of 2020, we were all excited to meet him and Fred and loved hearing Craig share the story again and his latest journey into the prison system in Maine. Craig's candor, graciousness, and humor made the memoir come alive. It was a visit none of us will soon forget.
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Middle School Reach Students |
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Congratulations to this month's REACH award recipients: Lola Byrd, Sixth Grade; Sal Vinci, Seventh Grade; Addie Seban, Eighth Grade; and William Temple, Fifth Grade.
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Eighth Grade Math students used scatterplots to explore the relationship between variables and predictions. They tested what impact bridge thickness and length have on the amount of weight the bridge can hold. |
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Seventh Grade Math students built robots and programmed them to see two math concepts in action. The robots can stop less than or equal to a given distance from an obstacle. Also, programming the robot to move negative distance with negative power results in forward movement. |
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Mickey Wendell's "Meet the Instruments" Program
Last Wednesday, the Fifth Grade class was treated to a special presentation led by Mickey Wendell, of Horns Up Music Company.
Mr. Wendell, a retired band teacher and current local musician and music industry professional, brought his full collection of music instruments to demonstrate and play for the students. Mr. Wendell discussed the history and development of instrument families - brass, woodwinds, and percussion. From an authentic Shofar, to an Australian rainstick, to Euphonium and Timpani, the array of instruments and sounds delighted and intrigued the Fifth Grade class.
The presentation supported Mrs. Raffaele's general music curriculum as well as inspired beginning band students to join the Middle School band. Click here for more information about Mr. Wendell and the Horns Up music company or instrument rental and repairs.
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After completing the Module 1 text “Shark Attack,” in reading, Third Grade students used their knowledge to research sharks of their choosing and present created models to the class.
Models will be on display in the Been Library for all Lower School students to view and enjoy.
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As the FA Health and Wellness Club continues to promote anti-bullying month on campus, several members visited the Third Grade classes to talk about bullying prevention and awareness. The students discussed scenarios where bullying could happen on campus and ways to incorporate kindness and inclusion as an option. It was a great discussion and the Upper School students were even able to visit with the Third Grade class pets! |
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Frederica Academy extends its appreciation to all of the parent volunteers and contributors who made Second Grade Pirate Day a huge success last week! |
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Last week's Second Grade Star Students were Astin Mitchell and George Dunn. They did a wonderful job presenting their decorated All About Me Star posters and interviewing each other.
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Astin invited her sister, Emmy, who is a senior at Frederica Academy, and Ashton Frankel, also a senior at Frederica Academy, to be her guest readers.
George invited his Mom, Valerie Dunn, to be his guest reader.
Astin and George shined brightly this week as our second grade stars!
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First Grade Field Trip Photos |
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Kindergarten Pumpkin Patch Photos |
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Last week’s Pre-K Mystery Reader was Stella Rose Bolen’s mom, Diane Bolen. She read Pip the Little Penguin, by Roger Preddy, and brought Stella Rose’s favorite stuffed animal to share with her friends!
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FAPA Teacher + Staff Luncheon |
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Thank you, FA Kindergarten, Fourth Grade, Eighth Grade, and Eleventh Grade Parents for the outstanding Teacher and Staff Luncheon catered by the Porch Food Truck! |
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FA Fall Athletic Schedules |
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November 1
Lower School Storybook Character Day
Parade @ 8:00 AM
November 1
Book Fair Set-Up
Been Library
November 1-3 (3:20 PM - 5:00 PM)
Spring Musical Auditions
"Mama Mia"
Terry Thomas Room
November 2-5
FA Book Fair
Been Library
November 2
School Bucket Shot
Grade Group Photos
November 3 @ 3:30 PM
All-School Faculty Meeting
November 4 @ 10:00 AM
Varsity Letter Jacket Sale
Gym Lobby
November 5 (Morning)
PSAT 8-9 Exam (Eighth Grade)
Noon Dismissal Post Exam
November 5 (Morning)
Noon Dismissal Post Exam
November 5 (Morning)
Noon Dismissal
November 5 (Afternoon)
RSM Uniform Unloading
Gymnasium
November 5
Varsity Football @ Trinity
November 6
GISA State Cross Country Meet
November 6-7
RSM Uniform Distribution
FA Gymnasium
November 6
FA Homecoming Dance
Sea Palms
November 9
Varsity Basketball
Season Opener
@ Home vs. Faith Baptist
Girls @ 5:30 PM
Boys @ 7:00 PM
November 11 @ 10:00 AM
Veterans Day Assembly
November 11 (5:30 PM - 7:30 PM)
Middle School Parent Social
November 12
GISA Football Playoffs
First Round
November 15
FA World Kindness Day
November 16
Spanish Honor Society Induction
November 16 @ 5:00 PM
RSM Wiffle Ball Event
FA Baseball Field
November 16 @ 6:00 PM
Sophomore College Night
November 17
School Club Photos
November 17 (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
MS + US Open Mic Night
November 18-21
RSM Classic @ The Lodge
November 19
Third Grade Field Trip
Mighty Eighth (Savannah)
November 24-26
Thanksgiving Break
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