A Message from the Head of School |
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Dear FA Families,
At Frederica Academy, we are a school centered on a grand mission to focus our collective attention and resources on developing scholarship and character in our students. We aspire to raise active, involved children and adolescents who participate in a wide variety of teams, clubs, and activities that all nourish a balance of mind, body, and spirit.
Throughout these school-age, formative years, though, challenging and stretching one’s mind and forging one’s character are the primary businesses of the school. When you are the parent of a young child, often times you have a hard time quantifying or even recognizing that important growth in those two dimensions. Report cards only reveal achievement in particular skill sets or disciplines, but they are not intended to serve as the complete scorecard for scholarship and character. Anecdotal information from teachers and coaches can sometimes help complete the picture. What I have come to know, though, is that a young person nearing the completion of his or her high school career often has lived enough life and had enough experiences that the true nature of his or her scholarship and character has long been sufficiently revealed; and when you are in their presence for any length of time, that truth is undeniable.
This morning, I am writing to recognize and celebrate two extraordinary Frederica seniors, Adam Elsharkawi and Andrew Kaminer.
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On Tuesday, Andrew and Adam will be recognized at this week’s Upper School assembly for each being awarded the highly coveted designation of a National Merit Finalist. In a nationwide competition involving 1.5 million high school members of the Class of 2022 who took the PSAT/MMSQT during their junior year, 16,000 were designated semifinalist, and from that number finalists were then chosen. Doing the back-of-the-napkin calculation, their respective results have landed them in a select group of the top one percent of the Class of 2022 nationally. It is exceptionally unusual for a school our size to have two National Merit Finalists in a single graduating class. Sometimes outside barometers like standardized testing uncover something new or unknown about a subject or a person; oftentimes, though, they simply confirm what you already knew to be true. This is certainly the case with Andrew and Adam, both of whom joined FA in their fifth grade year.
As you can see from their respective distilled high school vitas, there are many similarities and many differences in how they spent their time in high school. By their career aspirations, the research projects they chose to be involved in, and the types of clubs and organizations that interested them both, Andrew and Adam each sought out a highly participatory and interactive world of academia balanced with the diversity of athletics, service, and leadership. They are each the ultimate showcase for the maxim that you get out of life proportional to whatever you are willing to put into it, and through their lives they have proven time and again that character and intellect can reside together in a single person.
Congratulations, Andrew and Adam. You both deserve the accolades, and you certainly make us proud.
Respectfully,
Scott L. Hutchinson
Head of School
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Monday
Presidents Day (No School)
Tuesday
Tuesday @ 10:00 AM
US Assembly (Gym)
Tuesday @ 5:00 PM
Varsity GIRLS Soccer @ Camden
Dismissal @ 2:30 PM
Boys Game - CANCELLED
Wednesday
Trelani Michelle Duncan
Author and Memorist
Creative Writing Mini-Residency
Ellen Fleming Visiting Artist Program
Wednesday @ 8:15 AM
Rising Ninth Grade Parent Session
Shuman (Been Library)
Wednesday @ 8:30 AM
OLSAT Testing (Grades 1 + 3)
Thursday
Trelani Michelle Duncan
Author and Memorist
Creative Writing Mini-Residency
Ellen Fleming Visiting Artist Program
Thursday @ 8:15 AM
Rising Fifth Grade Parent Session
Terry Thomas (Ralston Fine Arts Center)
Thursday @ 8:30 AM
OLSAT Testing (First Grade)
Thursday @ Noon
Rotary Student of the Month
Brunswick Country Club
Thursday @ 1:30 PM
Rising Ninth Grade Student Program
Shuman (Been Library)
Thursday @ 4:00 PM
Varsity Tennis vs. Brunswick High
@ College of Coastal Georgia
Thursday (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
FA Relay for Life
Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
Thursday @ 6:00 PM
Varsity Baseball @ Home
vs. Hilton Head Christian
Thursday @ 6:00 PM
Trelani Visiting Artist
Parent Meet + Greet
Terry Thomas Room
Ralston Fine Arts Center
Friday
Trelani Michelle Duncan
Author and Memorist
Creative Writing Mini-Residency
Ellen Fleming Visiting Artist Program
Friday @ 8:10 AM
LS Morning Meeting (Gym)
Friday @ 6:00 PM
Varsity Baseball
@ Hilton Head Christian
Dismissal @ 1:30 PM
Friday @ 7:00 PM
MS Dance
Gym
Sponsor: MS Student Council
Saturday/Sunday @ 8:30 AM
ACT Special Testing
Corn Hall
Saturday @ 9:00 AM
Varsity Golf @ Camden Classic
Osprey Cove Golf Course
Saturday (Noon + 2:00 PM)
MS Baseball Double Header
vs. St. Andrew's @ Home
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2022 STAR Student + Teacher |
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Andrew Kaminer is the Frederica Academy Class of 2022 STAR Student.
Andrew selected Julie Boatright to be his STAR Teacher.
Andrew and Mrs. Boatright attended the Glynn County STAR Student ceremony last week, where it was announced that Andrew tied with two other students to be this year's Glynn County STAR Student. Andrew and Mrs. Boatright will attend the Region STAR Student Luncheon on March 3, which will take place at the Okefenokee Country Club in Blackshear.
Congratulations, Andrew and Mrs. Boatright!
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US 2022-2023 Course Registration |
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Upper School course registration for the 2022-2023 first semester will take place this week and next week.
Juniors, please make sure you complete the following forms so that you can schedule your individual meetings with Dr. Nevins.
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Upper School students and parents, please read over the Course Catalog to familiarize yourself with the prerequisites and requirements for Honors and AP classes. The Upper School Curriculum Guide lays out all of the options for each year to ensure that you make informed decisions for courses. This is your education, so please be engaged and part of the process. We want you to be challenged, but balanced so that you have the time to develop into a complete person who takes control of their decisions in the future.
Michael Temple
US Director
Frederica Academy
(912) 580-8005
Laura Nevins
Assistant Head of Upper School
Frederica Academy
912-638-9981 ext. 186
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THIS WEEK
KiX Temporary Re-Location
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As a reminder, KiX has temporarily relocated its operations to the FA main campus so that modifications and renovations can be made before Pre-K relocates to KiX during the school day for the balance of the 2021-2022 school year.
This week, KiX students will be located in the Been Library (Media Center and Lower School Spanish Room). After 3:10 p.m., please park in front of the Administration Building to collect your child from the Been Library.
If you plan to pick your student up at the 3:00 p.m. Lower School Pick-Up, we will be happy to have them join the regular Lower School Pick-Up Line and have them delivered to your car (please do not get out of your car!). This line usually is finished by about 3:10 p.m.; after that, you will need to come inside to collect your child.
Please email [email protected] to let her know if you want your child included in the regular Lower School pick-up instead of coming inside the Been Library to collect them.
KiX normal operations will resume at the KiX Building on Monday, February 28.
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TUESDAY (2.22.22)
LS "Twos Day" Celebration!
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WEDNESDAY + THURSDAY
OLSAT Testing (Grades 1 + 3)
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First Grade students will take their OLSAT assessments on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Third Grade students will only take the assessment on Wednesday morning.
The OLSAT measures abstract thinking and reasoning capabilities that relate to a student's academic success.
To help your children do their best on this assessment, please be sure they get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast.
For more information, please click HERE to email Mrs. Pruitt.
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WEDNESDAY @ 8:15 AM
Rising Ninth Grade Parent Program
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This year’s Rising Ninth Grade Parent Program is scheduled for this Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. in the Shuman Conference Room (Been Library).
The program will feature information on Frederica Academy’s Upper School, the transition from 8th to 9th grade, courses, extracurricular activities, and an optional tour of Corn Hall.
Eighth Grade students will meet with Upper School Administration this Thursday to hear from current 9th grade students about their transition from Middle to Upper school, register for classes, and learn more about Upper School expectations, college counseling, and extracurricular activities. Students will also have the opportunity to sign up to shadow a current ninth grade student and experience several Upper School classes in early March.
Please click HERE to RSVP to this year’s 8th to 9th Grade Parent Program. This program is only available to current Eighth Grade parents.
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THURSDAY @ 8:15 AM
Rising Fifth Grade Parent Program
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Current Fourth Grade Parents are invited to attend the Fourth Grade Move-Up Meeting to learn about the exciting programs and opportunities that await FA's rising Fifth Grade students in Middle School. The Parent Session will be held in the Terry Thomas Room of the Ralston Fine Arts Center this Thursday at 8:15 a.m.
Fourth Grade students will also have the opportunity to spend a few hours shadowing in the Middle School with our current fifth grade class on Wednesday, March 2.
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THURSDAY
Visiting Artist Meet + Greet
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Artist Meet and Greet
Trelani Michelle
Author and Memoirist
Thursday at 6:00 PM
Ralston Fine Arts Center
Parents, community members, teachers, and friends are invited to meet Trelani and hear readings from her books, Krak Teet: Memoirs of the Gullah Geechee. During her mini-residency, Trelani will lead students through the creative writing exercises. The theme of our writing will be personal and family history. Trelani's workshops teach students how to express themselves through essays and poetry by writing about themselves, their generation, their family, and their community.
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FRIDAY
ACT Registration Deadline
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The regular registration
deadline for the April 2 ACT
is Friday, February 25th.
Frederica Academy will be
open as a testing center
for this administration.
for the exam.
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FRIDAY
Middle School Para-Dance
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Middle School Student Council President Johnathan Aiken and the entire Student Council invite students in Grades 5-8 to the upcoming beach-themed Para-Dance on Friday, February 25, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the FA Gym.
The Para-Dance will be in support of a ministry called Blue Skies. Blue Skies is a non-profit ministry that offers week-long beach camps to families affected by childhood cancer.
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MAY 7, 2022
20th Annual FA Derby Day
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There are two ways to access the Derby Day website.
1. Text FADerby to 76278.
If you registered for Derby Day last year, you may be automatically logged-in once you access the site. Click on the "Home" tab, and you will be off to the races! If you forgot your log-in credentials, you can click "forgot password." We encourage all patrons to "allow" text messages when enrolling because this will allow us to keep you updated as May 7 draws nearer.
Please note that when you receive a link via text or email from GiveSmart, it is a link that is personalized for you. Do not share this link with friends because it will be tied to your personal account and your corresponding payment information.
Please feel free to call, text, or email me with any questions, and stay tuned for information regarding this year's raffle item!
Brad Hutcherson
Director of Development
Frederica Academy
912.222.6653
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JUNE 12-15, 2022
UGA Summer Business Program
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Dear FA Sophomores, Juniors, and UGA-bound Seniors,
The University of Georgia Terry College of Business' Accelerated Business Program is a highly selective, pre-collegiate program for exceptional high school rising juniors and seniors that provides an inside track on the various fields of business with a focus on the career paths of the high demand fields.
This condensed format program provides participants with a broad overview of business and rare exposure to executives from widely known and respected corporations such as Travelers, Chick-fil-A and PricewaterhouseCoopers. In addition, attendees get to sample the life of a college student by staying in UGA residence halls, eating in the university’s award-winning dining halls, and attending lectures given by UGA professors. It is by no means all work and no play. The evenings are filled with exciting outings, including a night tour of Athens, a campus pool party and time to socialize with fellow participants from across Georgia and surrounding states.
Program is open to current sophomores, juniors and seniors entering UGA this fall.
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Middle and Upper Schoolers rocked the Hamilton Hall Stage at the Valentine's-themed Open Mic Night last Tuesday. Twenty-seven performers (from soloists, duos, and instrumentalists) took advantage of the open stage. Our Middle and Upper School Popular Music Ensembles as well as the String Orchestra presented great music to an enthusiastic audience. Mrs. Tracy Wagner, Middle School Spanish Teacher, performed as well. Many thanks to the FA Parent Association for hosting a delicious snack table for all.
The next Open Mic Night is Thursday, April 21.
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Emily Wyrick represented Frederica Academy at the 2022 St. Simons Island Rotary Speech Contest last week. She gave a remarkable speech on the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Congratulations, Emily!
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US Health + Wellness Club News |
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FA HEALTH + WELLNESS RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM |
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The FA Health and Wellness Relay for Life Team has been very busy. At the Glynn County Relay for Life meeting last week, our team won all three challenges defeating all of the other teams participating in this year's local event! We collected the most canned goods, had the most members present wearing hearts, and had the most new members with donations! This earned our team $200 towards our goal and exclusive access to a VIP restroom at the Relay for Life event on April 22.
Please come out and support our relay team as we host a Chick-fil-A spirit night Thursday, February 24, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. There will be children's activities and a percentage of the proceeds will be awarded to our team fund. Flyers will be sent home early this week.
The Middle School will start its canned goods advisory battle on Tuesday. Each advisory has a box and Health and Wellness members will be keeping count. The winning advisory will win a pizza party. The contest ends on March 16.
We are very excited about all of the involvement by students in making our team a success. Cancer affects so many people. We are so happy to help raise awareness and funds to help fight this horrible disease.
Emmy Mitchell
FA Health and Wellness Relay Team Member
Gabby Vacheron
FA Health and Wellness Relay Team Captain
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NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH |
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February is National Children's Dental Health Month. The FA Health and Wellness Club teamed up with Surfside Kids Pediatric Dentistry to educate Lower School students about good dental health. Club members visited every Lower School grade to discuss brushing, flossing, and healthy eating. Surfside Kids provided each child with a new toothbrush and toothpaste. Teaching good dental health habits early in life is extremely important!
Holly Lewis
Health and Wellness Special Projects Coordinator
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The Health and Wellness Club sponsored Worry Free Wednesday for the Upper School last week. The students made friendship bracelets, ate cupcakes, and played the “Best Friends” game. Worry Free Wednesday is offered each month during break to give students a chance to unwind and have fun. |
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Congrats, Laila and Emerson! |
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Congratulations to Laila Gilbert, 8th Grade, and Emerson Pickens, 7th Grade, for winning first place in this year's Price-Blackburn Foundation Playwrights contest.
Their play, entitled Harmony, will be performed at the Historic Ritz Theatre by the Brunswick High School Production Company, on February 24, 2022.
Laila and Emerson will split the $500 First Place prize.
The Joyce-Blackburn Foundation encourages and recognizes the literary talents of middle school students in Glynn County. The students' work is "blind-judged" for originality, creativity, and content by a three-person panel of writers and theater professionals.
Laila and Emerson join our cohort of past playwright winners: Elizabeth Temple and Amelia McGlaughlin in 2021, and Ali Garcia and Anna Claire Tronolone, in 2020.
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Fourth Grade Visits Fort Frederica |
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Last week, Fourth Grade went to Fort Frederica to tour the grounds and learn about the local colonial history. The students' upcoming trips are all lead ins to their Archaeological dig in mid-March. The Fourth Grade students had a beautiful day for a walk into the past. |
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As part of the Third Grade exploration of their survival unit, students studied the life cycle of butterflies to better understand their habitats. The students were so excited to release the butterflies from their artificial habitat to their natural habitat outside in our newly renovated garden. |
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Winnie Hutcherson's father, Brad Hutcherson, was last week's Pre-K Mystery Reader.
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March FA Events + Key Dates |
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February 28
Financial Aid Applications Return Deadline
February 28 - March 4
MS Carpe Vitam Trips (Grades 6-8)
March 2
Fourth Grade MS Move Up Day
March 2 @ 3:30 PM
All School Faculty Meeting
March 2
FA Family Reading Night
March 4
MS Student Holiday (Grades 5, 7, and 8)
March 4
Fathers, Faith, & Frederica
March 8-10
Rising Ninth Grade Shadow Days
March 10 @ 8:15 AM
Second Grade Dad's Breakfast
March 11
Parent-Teacher Conference Day
No School for Students
March 12
SAT Exam at FA
March 16
Fourth Grade Field Trips
Epworth + SSI Lighthouse
March 18
FA Field Days
Student Early Dismissal
March 21-23
Fifth Grade Ebenezer Trip
March 23
Fourth Grade Field Trip
Fort Frederica Dig
March 24
Science Fair Due Date
March 24
Fourth Grade
Archaeology Lab
March 24-26
MS + US Spring Musical:
"Mamma Mia"
March 31
US Photojournalism Field Trip
White Oak (Yulee, FL)
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FA Spring Athletic Schedules |
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