A Message from David Nelson

"Part of becoming an educated person is traveling."

R. Jackson

U.S. Capitol Tour Guide

Carpe Vitam week at FA is experiential learning at its best. It takes Middle School students to different settings, it extends the school day, and it provides social situations that are different from what students experience on campus.


Class trips are less about memorizing important content or applying it to previously held information and more about stretching students' comfort zones. For some, it is one of the first times they are away from their parents; for others it is the first time living in a cabin or hotel room with peers. The curriculum ranges from learning about the land, learning about our government, and learning about teamwork to learning about how to navigate social situations that are new and sometimes challenging. These classrooms don't have desks; they are all encompassing. The learning extends beyond the typical 8:10-3:20 school day window. The collective experience stretches young students in a healthy way.


Students in grades five through seven spent three days away from campus this past week. The sites and activities varied, but the focus was on allowing students to learn about themselves and the world around them. Learning to navigate new places and new situations is powerful.  


The Middle School Carpe Vitam program culminates with an Eighth Grade trip to Washington D.C. This year, 40 students and four adult chaperones packed as much as humanly possible into a four-day excursion. Among our many experiences was the opportunity to learn from a gregarious and vivacious tour guide at the U.S. Capitol. R. Jackson was full of passion and information. He wanted to expose us to as much as he could during our 30-minute tour. He would encourage the students to move "aggressively" through the crowd from one room to another or from one side of the Capitol building rotunda to the other. He had much to say and much for our students to learn. His passion was infectious. His parting words came in the form of a challenge. He wants us to travel to expand our knowledge, not just of curricular content, but of ourselves. Mr. Jackson captured the very essence of Carpe Vitam.


David Nelson

Middle School Director

This Week at FA

Monday @ 8:15 AM

LS Storybook Character Parade

Parade Route


Monday @ 10:00 AM

US Assembly

Halloween Costume Contest

Gym


Monday Afternoon

Middle School Soccer Games

@ Home vs. Risley

Girls @ 3:30 PM

Boys @ 4:30 PM


Tuesday @ 7:30 AM

US Student Council Meeting

College Counseling Center


Tuesday @ 10:00 AM

Agnes Scott College

@ College Counseling Center


Tuesday @ 3:20 PM

US Technology Club Meeting

Corn Hall Makerspace


Tuesday @ 3:30 PM

Varsity Boys Soccer Meeting

FA Pavilion


Tuesday @ 4:00 PM

MS + US Spring Musical Auditions

Hamilton Hall


Wednesday Morning

Standardized Testing

PSAT 8/9 (Grade 8)

Pre-ACT (Grades 9-11)


Wednesday @ 8:15 AM

Senior Health Seminar

Shuman Conference Room


Wednesday @ Noon

Early Student Dismissal

Grades 8-12


Wednesday @ 1:05 PM

Humane Society Teen Board Meeting

FA Pavilion


Wednesday (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM)

Seventh Grade Playwriting Workshop

Heather Heath (GIAH)

Eugenia Price Foundation

FA Pavilion


Wednesday Afternoon

Middle School Soccer

@ St. Marys Middle School

Girls @ 3:30 PM

Boys @ 4:30 PM


Wednesday @ 3:30 PM

All-School Faculty Meeting

Shuman Conference Room


Thursday Morning

Second Grade Pirate Day

East Campus Outdoor Complex


Thursday @ 10:00 AM

NEFF Varsity Letter Jacket Sale

Miss Paula's Table

FA Pavilion Entrance


Thursday @ 1:05 PM

Humane Society Teen Board Meeting

FA Pavilion


Friday

School-Wide FA Spirit Day


Friday @ 8:10 AM

LS Morning Meeting

Hamilton Hall


Friday @ 10:00 AM

RSM Uniform Deliveries

FA Pavilion


Friday @ 6:00 PM

FA Tailgate Party

Pavilion

Sponsor: DeRatto + Holloway Family

Click HERE to Volunteer


Friday @ 7:10 PM

Varsity Football + Cheer

Senior Night Ceremony


Friday @ 7:30 PM

Varsity Football Game @ Home

vs. St. Andrew's School

Student Section Blackout

Click HERE to Volunteer


Saturday Morning

SAT Exam

FA is NOT a Testing Center


Saturday + Sunday (Day)

RSM Volunteer Uniform Distribution

FA Pavilion (Weather Permitting)


Saturday (8:30 AM - 2:30 PM)

FA Invitational Swim Meet

Golden Isles YMCA


Saturday (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM)

Homecoming Dance

FA Gymnasium


Sunday

FA Day @ Jaguars Game

Tailgate @ 10:30 AM

Game vs. Raiders @ 1:00 PM

FA Campus Peanut Policy

Frederica Academy operates a "peanut-safe" campus, as opposed to a "peanut-free" campus. That distinction clarifies that the cafeteria does not serve any products containing peanuts or peanut oil. It also confirms that in the vending machine set aside expressly for students in the gym lobby there are no peanut products. Finally, as a result of the potentially serious secondary contamination from boiling peanuts and serving them previously un-packaged for consumption, boiled peanuts will no longer be served at the concessions stand operated by the FA Booster Club.

 

This articulation also clarifies that peanuts and peanut products do, in fact, exist on campus. Students who bring their lunch may have peanuts or peanut products in their lunches (unless circumstances in lower grades requires teachers to not allow students to bring lunches with peanut products; families are advised at the beginning of the year accordingly). Students who do bring peanut products in their lunches are asked to sit either at the end of the table or immediately surrounded by students with no known peanut allergies. A vending machine in the faculty/staff workroom also has pre-wrapped peanut products and the Booster Club sells some pre-wrapped products containing peanuts at after-school athletic events.

 

The school takes the potential dangers associated with peanut allergies very seriously and is implementing reasonable steps to mitigate those dangers by limiting risk in some cases and clearly identifying where peanut and peanut products might be in other cases. The school accepts the responsibility to provide a daily environment that reflects these guidelines; each child with allergies is responsible to be aware of these potential peanut hazards on campus.

The Knights Table

FA Weekly Menus
PK Lunch Order Form
Salad Order Form

LS Storybook Character Parade: MONDAY

Lower School parents are invited to attend the Storybook Character Parade on Monday morning at 8:15 a.m.


Optimal viewing locations for parents will include the Hodnett Plaza, the Berte Bistro, the perimeter of the Windolf-Johnston Performance Plaza, and the Pavilion.


The parade route starts at the north exit of Happy Hall and moves through the Hodnett Plaza, the first floor of Corn Hall (entering throught the front doors and exiting through the east side doors), back through the Hodnett Plaza, the Berte Bistro, the covered walkway outside the east side of the Gym, through the middle of the Windolf-Johnston Performance Plaza, the Pavilion, the new brick sidewalk between Fleming Hall and the East Campus Parking Lot, through the Administration Building arcade, and finally returning to Happy Hall through the doors adjacent to Mrs. Pruitt's office.

Click to Enlarge Parade Route

MS Halloween Costumes: MONDAY

MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLOWEEN ATTIRE

Students are welcome to dress up in Halloween costumes on Monday. We will celebrate with the youngest FA Knights as they parade around campus. To be good partners, we want to ensure that our costumes do not scare the LS Knights.


Please ensure that costumes do not include blood or weapons.

US Halloween Costume Contest: MONDAY

MS Soccer Home Openers: MONDAY

Veterans Day Deadline: TUESDAY

Email Brad Hutcherson

MS + US Spring Musical Auditions

TUESDAY

Click for More Information

Middle-Upper School Musical Auditions

"Legally Blonde"


Auditions (Hamilton Hall)

  • Tuesday, November 1, 3:20 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Monday, November 7, 3:20 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Tuesday, November 8, 3:20 - 4:00 PM
  • Thursday, November 10: Call Backs or Additional Auditions


Show Dates

  • Thursday March 30, 
  • Friday March 31, 7:00 PM;
  • Saturday Matinee April 1, 2:00 PM

Special Schedules (Grades 8-12)

WEDNESDAY

Testing (Grades 8-11): WEDNESDAY

EIGHTH GRADE PSAT 8/9 TESTING

All Eighth Grade students will participate in the PSAT on Wednesday. Students will test in the morning, then be released at noon. All Eighth Grade students should be picked up in front of the Administration Building.

Pre-ACT TESTING (GRADES 9-11)

Students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 will take the Pre-ACT on Wednesday. These students should be sure to bring the items below and report to their assigned testing room by 8:15 AM: sharpened No. 2 pencils (mechanical pencils are not permitted); fully charged calculator; and a snack/drink (if desired).

Senior Health Seminar: WEDNESDAY

Seniors should report to the Shuman Conference Room on Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. for the Senior Health Seminar.

FA Letter Jackets: THURSDAY

Order Form

A NEFF sales representative will be at Miss Paula's Table at the entrance of the FA Pavilion on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to take orders for FA Varsity Letter Jackets. Completed order forms and payments are due at that time.

Second Grade Pirate Day: THURSDAY

SAT Deadline: THURSDAY

The regular registration deadline

for the December 3rd SAT

 

is Thursday, November 3rd.

 

Click HERE to register.

 

Explore Khan Academy's FREE

prep resources to help get

ready for the exam.

ACT Deadline: FRIDAY

The regular registration deadline

for the December 10th ACT

 

is Friday, November 4th.

 

Click HERE to register.

 

Explore ACT's FREE prep

resources to help get ready

for the exam

FA School-Wide Spirit Day: FRIDAY

FA Tailgate Party: FRIDAY @ 6:15 PM

Click to Volunteer @ Tailgate Party

Football + Cheer Senior Night

FRIDAY @ 7:10 PM

Friday Knight Lights: FRIDAY

The theme for Friday's home football game is BLACKOUT. FA Students and Faculty are invited to wear their Homecoming T-Shirts to school and the game that day.

Click to Volunteer on Friday Night
Click to See Pinewood Game Victory Photos
Brunswick News Pinewood Game Article

FA Invitational Swim Meet: SATURDAY

As the host school for the meet, we are responsible for providing all of the volunteers for the day.  Please email Nurse Pope if you available to volunteer.

Click to Email Nurse Pope to Volunteer

FA Homecoming Dance: SATURDAY

The Homecoming Dance is this SATURDAY. The deadline to submit a Guest Permission Form is TUESDAY.



Location: Frederica Academy’s Gymnasium

Start Time: 8:00 PM (Attendees must arrive by 9:00 PM)

End Time: 10:00 PM

Entry Fee: $15

Attire: Semi-formal

FA Day @ Jaguars Game: SUNDAY

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

Sophomore Class College Night

NOVEMBER 8 @ 6:00 PM

Sophomore Class College Night is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, at 6:00 p.m., in Hamilton Hall. The evening is designed for both students and parents to receive pertinent information about the college search process.

Clue On Stage: NOVEMBER 17 + 18

National Honor Society Induction

Photo Album

Frederica Academy inducted 36 juniors and seniors into the National Honor Society last Tuesday. Please click on the button below to see a complete list of inductees and induction ceremony participants.

Induction Ceremony Program

 Congrats, JJ Briggs!

JJ Briggs was recognized as Frederica Academy’s Student of the Month at the Brunswick Rotary Club last week. Dr. Kevin Oliver, Dr. Laura Nevins, and Joe Briggs, JJ's dad, joined him. 

 US Marine Biology Field Trip

Photo Album

Mr. Willis' Marine Biology Class visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center last week.

US Health + Wellness Club Updates

The FA Health and Wellness Club participated in Trunk or Treat last week. Our theme was "Superheroes," and many of our club members dressed up as famous superheroes to hand out candy and interact with the Lower School children. We won the "Best Trunk" award for the night, and we had an amazing time!


Philip Fairman

FA Health and Wellness

Special Projects Chair



As we started wrapping up our anti-bullying education for the month of October, club members visited the Lower school classrooms to play games and discuss bullying with our younger friends. It is always nice to be able to interact with the Lower School students, especially on a topic as important as anti-bullying. We would like to thank Mrs. Lee and the Lower School teachers for letting us help with the guidance time this month!


Ellie Tronolone

FA Health and Wellness member

Eighth Grade Carpe Vitam

Photo Album

Eighth Grade students had a wonderful time in Washington, D.C. We spent four days building relationships and learning about our nation’s history. We visited a variety of museums; the Holocaust Museum, International Spy Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian’s Air and Space, Natural History, and American History Museum. We visited Arlington National Cemetery, where we not only watched the Changing of the Guard but also participated in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

 

Students visited numerous memorials including the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, WWll, Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials. We experienced a walking ghost tour in Old Town Alexandria and visited Ford’s Theater and the Peterson House, where Abraham Lincoln died. We toured the United States Capitol Building, stood on the steps of the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Supreme Court, and went to the top of the bell tower at the old Post Office and former Trump Tower. We also visited Mt. Vernon, toured George Washington’s home, and personally met “Martha Washington” and learned about her life and point of view during the Revolutionary War through a character luncheon at the Mt. Vernon Inn. 

 

Frederica Academy’s forty Eighth Grader students represented our school well and received numerous compliments on their respectfulness and good behavior. Students never complained about our long days sometimes returning to the hotel after 10:00 p.m.

 

I would like to thank our amazing chaperones: Ed Prokop, Jill Smith, and David Nelson

 

Becky Triplett

Trip Coordinator 

Seventh Grade Carpe Vitam

Photo Album

Seventh Grade students had an adventurous Carpe Vitam week, exploring the Okefenokee Swamp, Cumberland Island, and our local marshes and tributaries.


Day one at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge started with a four-mile long canoeing trip where we successfully spotted several gators. We then walked the boardwalk to the observation tower, which overlooks the swamp. It was a tiresome day that ended with a bonfire and s’mores!


Day two was our trip to Cumberland where we spent the day exploring the historical Dungeness ruins, hunting for sharks teeth, and letting the students enjoy a quick swim in the ocean.


Our final day was our trawling trip on the Lady Jane shrimp boat. Students got to observe and hold a variety of sea creatures as they were pulled up in the nets. It was a great way to end a great week!


Ashley Zimmermann, Lead Chaperone

Brittany Conley, Chaperone

Ashley Cook, Chaperone

Staci Hunt, Chaperone

Taylor Lenon, Chaperone

Ed Wilson, Chaperone

Sixth Grade Carpe Vitam

Photo Album

"At first I was scared, then I tried it and I liked it," one Sixth Grade student remarked during a class that gave students the option to hold snakes. Our time at Rock Eagle was a resounding success. Sixth graders took full advantage of this opportunity for learning by staying engaged across a variety of activities. Whether it was canoeing, assessing creatures in the lake, working together in team challenges, or the all important work of play, our Sixth Grade students showed a willingness to embrace new, and maybe a little scary, experiences with a collective joy. 


We are most thankful for the trust our parents gave us while leading their children away from home for three days. It was a pleasure for all of the faculty on this trip to be with such a wonderful group of students. 


Trey House, Trip Co-Leader

Tracy Wagner, Trip Co-Leader

Kelli Hartill, Chaperone

Chrissy Hooks, Chaperone

Magdalena de La-Puente, Chaperone

Fifth Grade Carpe Vitam

Photo Album

Fifth Grade students had the pleasure of staying at New Ebenezer Retreat Center this past week. Students learned survival skills, engaged in team-building exercises, brushed up on their Georgia history, and spent ample time building their relationships with each other and their teachers throughout the week.

 

Students embarked on a guided tour of Ebenezer’s grounds, where they were immersed in historic sites such as the Historic Jerusalem Lutheran Church, which serves as the nation’s oldest Lutheran church with an active congregation. They learned the history of the Salzburgers, practiced their fine dining skills, and ate s’mores while enjoying campfire skits. New Ebenezer continued to offer expansive learning opportunities. Fifth Grade students demonstrated particular excitement for the variety of nature-based learning offered. They learned basic survival skills, like how to scavenge for food, and spent time learning about honey bees, in which they enjoyed studying their habitats, and even tasting fresh honey. Their final night at Ebenezer was spent learning traditional folk dances.

 

After a morning of making their own omelets, students left Ebenezer in high spirits. Their trip was concluded with a visit to Savannah’s National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, where they experienced B-17 bombers up close and learned about the history of America's daylight strategic bombing campaign against Nazi-occupied Europe.

 

I would like to give a special thanks to our amazing chaperones, without whom the trip may not have been possible: Sandra Smith, Tara Walker, Gabe Gabriel, and Jeff Rentz.

 

Savannah Barrow

Chaperone

FA Trunk or Treat

Photo Album

Last Monday, FA kicked off the spooky season with the Parent Association's Second Annual Trunk or Treat family event. We are thrilled to report we had participation from students from all three divisions of our school. Highlights from the evening included; face painting, a new game area, bracelet making, and, of course, creative trunks where students enjoyed trick or treating! This year we introduced prizes and contests as well. Louis Hull (Kindergarten) won the best costume for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten category. Ford Hopkins won best costume for the First Grade. Congratulations to the Health and Wellness Club, which won Best Trunk! 

 

Thanks to the following amazing Upper School clubs and teams for hosting trunks for our PK-5 students: Varsity Cheerleading, FCA, Varsity Soccer, Technology Club, Dinosaur Club, Health and Wellness Club, World Languages & Cultures Club, and Service Club. 

 

We also want to express our appreciation to the Trunk or Treat Committee for making it a special evening for all who attended: Kiel Scates (Committee Chair), Audra Alexander, Cristina Coleman, Elizabeth Collins, Felicia Dobkowski, Lakyn Flanagan, Kimbrough Haverstock, Megan Helms, Anna Hopkins, Lauren Hopkins, Barbara Hull, Jenn James, Kiera Kushlan, Lauren Lavin, Nikki Maichle, Jessica Odom, Helen Rentz, Jennifer Robinson, Madison Scurry,  Andrea Vacheron, and Leigh Ann Watson.

Lower School Pumpkin Contest

Congratulations to the Second Grade teachers (Barbara Becker and Kim Myles) for winning this year's Lower School Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Click to See Pumpkin Entries + Artists

LS Morning Meeting Photo Album

Photo Album

Third Grade MOSH Trip

Photo Album

On Friday, Third Grade students visited the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) in Jacksonville. They participated in a wacky weather lab and explored the hurricane stimulator that correlated with the conclusion of their weather unit in science. The students also got to view the new ocean and space exhibits that tracked with their first two reading modules.

Pre-K Mystery Reader

Van Cathey's mother and FA First Grade teacher extraordinaire, Erica Cathey, was the Pre-K Mystery Reader on Friday. In the spirit of the season, Mrs. Cathey read Kelly Leigh Miller's "I Love My Fangs!."

Special Events Calendar

November 7, 8

US Spring Musical Auditions

Hamilton Hall


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 14-18

Apogee Appreciation Week


November 14-18

Sixth Grade

Golden Isles Youth Orchestra

STRING-on! Program


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


December 3

SAT Exam


December 5-6

MS Soccer Playoffs

Glynn County Stadium


December 5 @ 4:00 PM

MS + US Christmas Caroling

Marsh's Edge


December 6 @ 7:00 PM

MS + US "Light the Night"

Magnolia Manor


December 7 @ 8:30 AM

PK Holiday Program

DRESS REHEARSAL

Hamilton Hall


December 8 @ 8:30 AM

PK Holiday Program

Hamilton Hall


December 8

MS Soccer Championship Games

Glynn County Stadium

Girls @ 5:00 PM

Boys @ 6:00 PM


December 8, 9, 12

MS + US Exam Review Days


December 9

First Grade Jekyll Island Field Trip


December 9 @ 7:00 PM

FA Benefield Society Party

Shiver Residence

Annual Fund Benefield Society Donors


December 10

ACT Exam


December 13

MS + US Science Exams


December 14

MS + US Math Exams


December 14 @ 10:00 AM

Third + Fourth Grade Field Trip

Ritz Theatre (Downtown Brunswick)


December 14 @ Noon

Department Chair Meeting


December 15

MS + US Language Exams


December 15 @ 10:00 AM

Lower School Giving Tree Ceremony

Hamilton Hall


December 15 @ Noon

School-Wide Early Dismissal


December 16

Student Christmas Break Begins

Teacher/Staff Work Day


December 19-22

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

FA Front Office Open


December 23-27

FA Campus Closed


December 28

Semester 1 Grades Posted


December 28-30

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

FA Front Office Open


January 2

FA Campus Closed


January 3

Teacher/Staff Work Day


January 4

Second Semester Starts

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.