Head of School Message
Dear FA Families,

I am the fortunate caretaker of a large oil painting in my office … until it is inevitably auctioned off in this year’s Derby Day online silent auction. It depicts eight powerful horses and their respective jockeys bedecked in bright colored silks racing off the canvas towards an imaginary finish line about where me, my chair, and my desk sit. I have grown to love the painting for a variety of reasons, but today it surely stands as a reminder of the fast pace and growing excitement accompanying this final “Run for the Roses” of the school year.
 
Every child in every grade level is finishing their year-long derby race or races; and for every child finishing that race well, it is important and memorable. Our job at the school is to never forget that, to never take even one race for granted; and find safe and appropriate ways to recognize and celebrate the crossing of the finish line in all of these incredibly important races. Whether it is the prom, completing a challenging AP course, wrapping up a spring athletic season, Baccalaureate, or Graduation for the older students or the culmination of big projects, special events like spring concerts, the May Day festivities, and closing ceremonies for younger students … every student at FA has been in a personal race or races of importance for them this year. We are all here now witnessing the closing few strides of the homestretch.
 
When I am looking at the painting every day, as I unfailingly do, it reminds me of three of the defining features of the FA experience of which I am particularly proud.
 
First, as a school, we create and provide access, encouragement, and ongoing support to every child for every race. We know our students, and we help our students identify defining races that they want or need to be in - academic, character building, social and emotional adeptness, service, fine arts, and athletic races.
 
Second, we try to balance support and rigor in each race, so that the students feel like their individual race is worthy of their absolute best effort and that they also feel both challenged and independent, yet not alone, in those races.
 
Third, we recognize and celebrate both effort and accomplishment in these races, and we take pride in inspiring students to be thinking about their next set of upcoming races that will matter to them. We especially prize the notion of continual self-improvement; and as we are a PK-12 school, we can literally see and appreciate the real growth and development over time of those who race every year.
 
As we continue to close out this spectacular 2020-2021 race, I know that all of you will join our teachers and staff leaning on the rail, eyes glued to the track, as our students charge heroically for the finish line.
 
Respectfully,

Scott L. Hutchinson
Head of School
This Week at FA

Monday-Friday

Monday @ 9:00 AM
Second Grade Bee Visit
Thank you, Susan Shipman!

Monday @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Advisory

Monday @ 11:30 AM
Varsity Golf Region Tournament
Brunswick Country Club
Dismissal @ 10:00 AM

Monday @ 4:00 PM
Middle School Faculty Meeting
Hamilton Hall

Monday
Varsity Soccer Senior Night
vs. Bulloch Academy
Girls @ 5:00 PM
Senior Ceremony @ 6:30 PM
Boys @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday @ 9:00 AM
Varsity Tennis Region Tournament
College of Coastal Georgia
Players will miss all day.

Tuesday @ 10:00 AM
Middle School Assembly

Tuesday @ 11:00 AM
Fourth Grade Field Trip
Archaeological Dig
@ Fort Frederica

Tuesday @ 3:30 PM
Varsity Golf B Team
@ Osprey Cove
Dismissal @ 1:00 PM

Tuesday @ 5:00 PM
Varsity Baseball @ Home
vs. Pinewood

Tuesday Evening
Q4 Progress Reports Posted

Wednesday @ 8:15 AM
Parent Association Meeting
Hamilton Hall

Wednesday @ 9:00 AM
Varsity Track Region Meet
Georgia Southern University
Team members will miss all day.

Wednesday @ 10:00 AM
US Virtual Assembly

Wednesday @ 11:45 AM
Fourth Grade
Archaeology Lab
Corn Hall

Wednesday @ 1:00 PM
Health + Wellness Club
Soccer/Football Bleachers

Wednesday @ 3:30 PM
2021-2022 US Honor Council
Officer Application Deadline
Contact Mrs. Boatright for Application

Wednesday @ 3:30 PM
2021 May Court Photos
(Attendants only; no escorts.)
Corn Hall

Wednesday @ 4:00 PM
Middle School Golf
@ Savannah Harbor
Dismissal @ 1:30 PM

Wednesday @ 4:00 PM
US Faculty Meeting

Wednesday @ 5:00 PM
Varsity Baseball @ Benedictine
Dismissal @ 1:00 PM
Depart @ 1:30 PM

Wednesday (5:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
MS + US Spring Concert
International Thespian Honor Society Inductions
Sea Island Green Tent

Thursday (7:45 AM - 8:15 AM)
Faculty/Staff
Breakfast Grab + Go
Gym Lobby

Thursday @ 10:00 AM
Junior Class College Meeting
Sea Island Green Tent

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

Thursday @ 2:00 PM
Varsity Golf @ Savannah Harbor
vs. Hilton Head Prep
Dismissal @ 11:15 AM
Depart ASAP

Thursday
Varsity Soccer
@ Bulloch Academy
Girls @ 5:00 PM
Boys @ 7:00 PM
Dismissal @ 1:00 PM
Depart @ 1:30 PM

Thursday @ 6:00 PM
Outdoor Reception
BOT + BOV + Board Emeriti

Friday
Derby Day T-Shirt Day

Friday
US Teacher Awards
Underclassmen Honors Day
Virtual Announcements

Friday @ 8:10 AM
Lower School Morning Meeting
Soccer/Football Bleachers + Field
Program: Mrs. Smith's Class (Bleachers)

Friday @ 3:30 PM
2021-2022 US Student Council
Application Deadline

Friday @ 4:00 PM + 6:30 PM
Varsity Baseball Doubleheader
@ Bulloch Academy
Dismissal @ 1:00 PM
Depart @ 1:20 PM

Saturday @ Noon
Varsity Girls Soccer
@ Home vs. Robert Toombs

Saturday @ 6:00 PM
Varsity Boys Soccer
@ St. Andrew's
Congrats, Andrew Kaminer!
After completing a series of nominations, applications, and interviews, Andrew Kaminer (Class of 2022) has received an invitation to participate in the 2021 Governor's Honors Program this summer. He will participate in the Mathematics program and was nominated by Mrs. Boatright.

The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students who will be rising juniors and seniors during the program. The program offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom and that is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.

Congratulations, Andrew!
TODAY
Lands' End Sale
Knights Table Menus
Chef Sunny and the Knights Table Team are continually looking at ways to enhance our student and employee food service experience. To that end, they invite Middle/Upper School students, faculty, staff, and current FA parents to complete a short online survey designed to provide valuable feedback regarding what currently works well, what can be improved, and other helpful ideas or suggestions to make Hamilton Hall a better dining experience.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey!
THIS WEEK
LS After-School Programs
As a reminder, the Lower School After-School Programs mini-session starts this week.

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Roberts has agreed to offer a three-session Team Sports program for K-2 students between 3:15 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday afternoons (April 23, April 30, and May 7).
THIS WEEK
2021-2022 US Deadlines
Upper School students who are interested in serving in leadership roles next year with Student Council or Honor Council must submit their applications this week.

Wednesday is the deadline to submit Honor Council applications. Interested students should see Mrs. Boatright for an application.

Friday is the deadline to submit Student Council applications.

Student Council and Honor Council elections for the 2021-2022 school year will take place on Wednesday, April 28, during advisory.
MONDAY
Second Grade Bee Visit
MONDAY
Varsity Soccer Senior Night
WEDNESDAY
Parent Association Meeting
WEDNESDAY
Spring Concert + Induction Ceremony
Middle + Upper School Spring Concert

Wednesday, April 21, 5:30 PM
Sea Island Green Tent
 
Bring your lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy our full program!

 Upper School International Thespian Society Induction
Solo and Group Vocal Acts
Middle School Chorus
MS/US Chamber Orchestra
MS/US Popular Music Ensemble

Best of Broadway Tunes 🎵 Senior Music Spotlight 🎵 Pop and Rock Hits

We hope to see you there!
The following students will be inducted into Troupe #8989 of the International Thespian Society (ITS) on Wednesday night:

  • Senior - Jacob Triplett
  • Junior - Sophia Holloway
  • Sophomores - Sydney Carroll, Case Harrison, and Paul Kaselak
  • Freshman - Wyatt Whitlow

The mission of ITS is to honor student achievement in theatre arts.

Mrs. Laura Edenfield will be acknowledged as an "Honorary Thespian."

Look for photos and more details in next Sunday's newsletter.
FRIDAY
Derby Day T-Shirt Day
APRIL 28
PPE Night (Grades 4-11)
All rising 5th through 12th grade students need to have a Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (PPE) for each new school year. This is required due to the rigorous activity expected by our physical education, athletic, and field trip programs.
 
As a school service, the FA Athletic Department and Southeast Georgia Health System conduct on-campus PPE's for current students in grades 4 through 11 during the month of April each year. Once completed, each student will be covered to participate in physical education classes and all athletics for the entire upcoming school year. We are very fortunate to have community volunteers provide this service for a $10 donation to the FA Booster Club, which will be charged to your school account.

PPE Night for the 2021-2022 school year will be held in the gym on April 28, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 
Parents, if you would like your student to have the exam done at school, please click HERE to print the packet of forms. Parents should complete pages 1-6 and return the entire packet to school. Completed forms can be submitted to Adam Norman, Nurse Pope, or Coach Zimmermann no later than April 19.
 
We will conduct pre-screening sessions during PE (Grades 4-8) and lunch (Grades 9-11) for students who have submitted their forms between April 12-23. Turning in forms early allows us to do pre-screening (Height and weight, vision screenings, etc.), which helps make the PPE Night run much more smoothly.

If you prefer to have the exam done by your family physician, please click HERE for a form packet. Complete pages 1-6 before taking the entire packet to your doctor and returning it to school when the exam is completed.
MAY 26
Closing Ceremonies
St. Simons Presbyterian Church has kindly agreed to let FA use its sanctuary for our Closing Ceremonies on Wednesday, May 26.

Each ceremony will be limited to the students and their families for the following grade levels:

  • Fourth Grade (9:00 AM)
  • Fifth Grade (10:00 AM)
  • Eighth Grade (11:00 AM)

Additional details regarding each ceremony will soon be shared with these parents.
Any Extra Baggage?
Congrats, Joshua Elliott!
Joshua Elliott is this month's Rotary Student of the Month, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brunswick.

Joshua selected his AP Statistics teacher, Jimmy Riggs, to be his teacher honoree.

Congratulations, Joshua!
2021 Prom Queen + King
Thank You, Class of 2022!
The Upper School expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the Class of 2022 students, parents, and faculty sponsors who helped plan, organize, decorate, and clean up after this year's Junior-Senior Prom on Saturday night. There was a small team of dedicated parent volunteers who worked tirelessly for several days to transform the school's gymnasium into a glamorous prom venue.

Special thanks also goes to Beachview Event Rentals & Design (Veal Family), Ace Garden Center (Hart Family) and The Enchanted Frog (Bolen Family) for providing valuable resources and assistance to the Junior student and parent volunteers.
US Visual Arts News
The Fine Arts Department is pleased to present works from Upper School Visual Arts and Digital Photography students at the Glynn Visual Arts (GVA) Gallery. Eleven students have pieces in the current show, "All Media, All Ages." The exhibit runs daily through May 15.

Click here for more information about the GVA exhibit.

FA drawing and painting exhibiting artists include (grade level in parenthesis): Corey Atkinson (9), Annika Clark (11), Hannah Huber (9), Ella Moore (10), Mildred Reeves (9), and Jaiden Rose-Scally (12).

FA exhibiting photographers include: Sydney Carroll (10), Case Harrison (10), Maria Martini (11), Mila McClendon (9), and Katelyn Sitz (11).
Middle School Fred Facts
Sixth + Seventh Grade Spanish
Over the last ten weeks, Sixth Grade and Seventh Grade Spanish students have been watching the Spanish telenovela mystery ¿Eres tú, Maria?. Each Friday, they watched a new episode hoping to find out who hurt doña Gracia. The main character, Private Detective Lola Lago, was hot on the case, and so were we with the help of some of her coworkers, friends and the police. Lola was finally able to catch the culprit, find the missing jewels, and figure out who Maria was once and for all. 

This past Friday, we finally cracked the case and watched the show finale. For the watch party, students chose one character to dress up as from their favorite episode. Together, the students worked on describing their chosen characters from physical descriptions to personality traits and occupations. They put these descriptions on a name tag so everyone would know who they were. Everyone had a blast dressing up and seeing their characters in the last episode. It was a relief to finally figure out who hurt doña Gracia! 
LS Rock + Read
Last week, students in Grades 1-5 enjoyed the annual Lower School Rock and Read tradition on the front porch of the Administration Building. Students took turns reading while rocking and enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Special thanks to the parent volunteers who took shifts chaperoning the daily event.
Second Grade Dad Breakfast
Second Grade students hosted their fathers for the annual Second Grade Dad Breakfast last week. The students created a drawing of their dad and shared with everyone the inspiration for their drawing.
First Grade Lunar Lesson
First Grade students spent some time last week learning about the phases of the moon. They made a model of the sun, Earth, and moon to learn about the way they orbit and how the moon changes. We also used Oreos to model the phases of the moon.

This week, First Grade students will start a moon journal that they will record their observations in for one month.
April + May Events

April 26
Varsity State Tennis
Individual Tournament in Macon

April 26
Varsity State Golf Tournament
Brunswick Country Club

April 27
Middle School Golf Championship
Savannah Golf Club

April 28 (7:30 AM - 9:15 AM)
Parent Association Uniform Sale
Gym Lobby

April 28
Senior College T-Shirt Day
Senior Photos @ 10:00 AM + 1:00 PM
Senior Honors Virtual Ceremony @ 7:00 PM

April 28 (3:30 PM - 4:15 PM)
All-School Faculty/Staff Meeting
Gymnasium

April 28 @ 5:00 PM
PPE Night (Grades 4-11)
Gym Lobby

April 29-30; May 1
Varsity State Track Meet
@ Bulloch

April 30 @ 8:10 AM
Lower School Morning Meeting
Soccer/Football Bleachers + Field
Ms. Myles' Class

April 30
Fourth Grade Field Trip

April 30
Red Cross Blood Drive
FA Gymnasium

May 1 (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Derby Day
Sea Island Retreat Clubhouse

May 2 @ 3:00 PM
Coastal Symphony of Georgia Concert
Sea Island Green
Ticket Holders Only

May 3-6
Middle School Carpe Vitam
Sixth Grade @ New Ebenezer (May 3-5)
Seventh Grade @ Honey Creek (May 3-6)
Eighth Grade @ St. Augustine/Orlando (May 3-6)

May 3 @ 8:00 AM
AP US Government Exam

May 3+4
GISA AAA State Baseball Tournament
GISA AAA State Soccer Tournament
Round 1

May 4 @ 8:00 AM
AP Calculus AB/BC Exams

May 4 @ 8:00 AM
Second Grade Moms Breakfast
Sea Island Green Tent

May 5
Varsity State Tennis Team Tournament
Macon

May 5 @ 8:00 AM
AP English Literature Exam

May 5 @ Noon
AP Physics Exam

May 6 @ 8:00 AM
AP US History Exam

May 6 @ Noon
AP Computer Science Exam

May 7
MS Post Carpe Vitam Student Holiday

May 7 @ 8:00 AM
AP Chemistry Exam

May 7 @ 8:10 AM
Lower School Morning Meeting
Soccer/Football Bleachers + Field
Mr. Robert's Class

May 7 @ 8:30 AM
PK Mother's Day Tea

May 7 @ 10:30 AM
Class of 2021 Group Graduation Photo
Gowns - No Caps
Under the Oak (Corn Hall)

May 7 @ 11:00 AM
Senior Meeting
Gymnasium

May 7 @ 11:30 AM
Senior Lunch - Food Truck
Middle School Parking Lot

May 7 @ 11:45 AM
Senior Baccalaureate Video Recordings
Outside of Benefield Hall

May 7+8
GISA AAA State Baseball Tournament
GISA AAA State Soccer Tournament
Round 2

May 8 (Morning)
SAT Exam @ GA

May 10 @ 8:00 AM
AP World History Exam

May 10 @ 9:00 AM
Senior Exams

May 11 @ 8:00 AM
AP Spanish Exam

May 11 @ 9:00 AM
Senior Exams

May 12 @ 8:00 AM
AP English Language Exam

May 12 @ 9:00 AM
Senior Exams

May 12 @ 4:00 PM
Graduation Practice
Sea Island Green

May 13 @ 6:00 PM
Class of 2021
Baccalaureate Ceremony
Community Church (St. Simons Campus)
2700 Frederica Road
By Invitation Only (Limited Seating)

May 14 @ 8:00 AM
AP Biology Exam

May 14 @ 8:10 AM
Lower School Morning Meeting
Soccer/Football Bleachers + Field
Mrs. Squire's Class

May 14 @ Noon
MS + US Student Dismissal

May 14 @ 2:00 PM
May Day Ceremony
Sea Island Green
May Court (10 Representatives + Escorts in Grades 6-12)
May Pole Program (Grades 4+5)
Music Program (Grade 3)

May 14
GISA AAA State Soccer Semi-Finals
Mercer University

May 14+15
GISA AAA State Baseball Tournament
Semi-Finals

May 15 @ 8:30 AM
Class of 2021
Graduation Ceremony
Sea Island Green
By Invitation Only (Limited Seating)
Livestream Available

May 15
GISA AAA State Soccer Finals
Mercer University

May 17 @ 8:00 AM
AP Comparative Government Exam
AP Computer Science Principles Exam

May 17 @ Noon
AP Statistics Exam

May 17-20
MS + US Exam Reviews

May 20 @ 8:45 AM
Second Grade Beach Trip

May 21 @ 9:00 AM
MS + US History Exams
Early Dismissal

May 21+22
GISA AAA State Baseball Tournament
Championship Series
Mercer University

May 24 @ 9:00 AM
MS + US Math Exams
Early Dismissal

May 25
Last Day of Lower School (PK-Third Grade)

May 25 @ 9:00 AM
MS + US English Exams
Early Dismissal

May 26
MS + US Make-Up Exam Day

May 26 @ 9:00 AM
Fourth Grade Closing Ceremony
@ St. Simons Presbyterian Church

May 26 @ 10:00 AM
Fifth Grade Closing Ceremony
@ St. Simons Presbyterian Church

May 26 @ 11:00 AM
Eighth Grade Closing Ceremony
@ St. Simons Presbyterian Church

May 27-28
Teacher Post Planning
Spring Athletic Schedules
FA Summer Programs
We have recently added the following camps to our FA Summer Programs Catalog:

  • Exploring Stories Camp will be offered June 14-17 from 9:00 a.m.- Noon by Dr. Monica Miller-Smith for campers in Grades 1-5. If your child enjoys reading books, playing games, and being creative this is the perfect camp! Campers will spend time outside exploring books that are featured in the new StoryWalk®. Boys and girls will play games, complete activities, and make arts and crafts. Campers will engage in fun activities that cultivate literacy development, teamwork, and creativity.

  • FA Junior Knights Cheer Camp is specifically designed for our FA students in Grades 1-4, and will be offered July 12-15 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. This camp is designed to be the first opportunity to join our new Lower School Cheer Team. Cheerleaders will learn cheer basics and our FA cheers from some of our very own varsity cheerleaders. The best part is this camp doesn't end in the summer. We will have the opportunity to continue cheer practice in the fall after school starts with the Junior Knights Cheer Club.
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