Dear FA Families,
I wanted to write this morning in our first 2022-2023 Sunday email to update you on our campus Gateway Capital Campaign construction projects. All of these campus improvements have been made possible through the generosity of donors who support the school’s mission and who are eager to help the school continue to flourish through healthy growth as we strive every day to enhance every student’s FA experience. We have not used tuition revenue for any of these campus investments.
As we approach the end of most of these construction projects, the devil is in the details; and getting those details right the first time around takes a bit of time. Not surprisingly, the majority of the areas that have required so many hours and so much attention are subterranean, but many of those are the essential systems that need to function without fail throughout the years. Hopefully, the time invested will be well worth it as we get into full operations.
As we anticipated all along, the Lower School extension is finished and, as the result of Mrs. Pruitt and all of the Lower School teachers’ efforts, will be completely ready for children and learning on day one. That extension also houses an Upper School classroom (for one year) and the Flanagan Counseling Center (Rachael Lee’s office). We are very excited to unveil the renovated and expanded Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms, as well as the new Piazza Pre-K Courtyard, an outdoor learning and play space. An unfinished underground infrastructure system related to the adjacent cafeteria requires us to cordon off the northern strip of that play space with construction fencing for a few days. Despite that yet unaddressed challenge, what is available on the first day of school in the Piazza Pre-K Courtyard is stunning and has all come together even exceeding our own expectations.
The pedestrian walkways and landscaped areas on the west side of the campus adjacent to the Sea Island Green and connecting Corn Hall to the rest of the campus are complete. Students attending events in Hamilton Hall and the Berte Bistro on Monday and Tuesday should use the West Campus Parking Lot to access these venues.
The new Hodnett Plaza, which sits between the Sea Island Green and the new Berte Bistro, is finished except for a fifteen-foot high, four-sided street clock that will be the centerpiece of this wonderful new pedestrian artery and gathering spot. The clock is being fabricated and soon on the way. The Hodnett Plaza and its clock are named in memory of Brian Kelly Hodnett, who tragically passed away as a Frederica student in 1972. He was a member of the FA Class of 1976 and his family has remained deeply involved with the school over the past five decades.
The Berte Bistro is complete. That covered space between the gym and Hamilton Hall has a seating capacity of almost one hundred students, and with the lighting and air circulation that we have embedded in the space, will be comfortable—rain or intense sun—throughout the year. We will turn our attention to the renovation of Hamilton Hall in due course, but having terrific covered outdoor seating between the Berte Bistro and the new east campus Pavilion addresses the seating challenge at lunchtime.
The Pavilion and the adjacent landscaping and hardscaping projects (including the Windolf-Johnston Performance Plaza) will not be complete by August 10th. Truth is we will need to work diligently, be the beneficiary of an uninterrupted supply chain, and experience favorable weather to have that area completely ready by the first varsity home football game on September 2. Bryce Brock and her talented creative team at The Vine have been patiently waiting to begin the hardscape and landscape work, and they will truly transform that space once they get started in the coming days.
The challenge of creating a pedestrian pathway to allow those who park in the East Campus Parking Lot to directly access the gym or Ralston Fine Arts Center will be an ongoing one this first month of school. Know that construction fencing (which will be in place on Wednesday morning) will identify the optimal pathway around construction and inform anyone who requires that route where to travel. When the Pavilion is finally completed, including the landscape and hardscape companion work, I am confident that all will agree that this is the signature piece of this entire construction effort. We appreciate Tim Mickelson and his team at Turnkey Lumber and Millwork for all they have done to make the Pavilion such a unique and special structure.
The East Campus Parking Lot will be finished by August 10th. Capacity has been expanded considerably and new routes/protocols for picking up for afterschool Middle School car line have been adjusted. Please be on the lookout for a traffic-specific communication from Sandi Channell before Wednesday. When using the parking lot on Monday and Tuesday, all pedestrian traffic should be limited to Benefield Hall, the south end of Fleming Hall, the Administration Building, and the west part of the campus. The usable pathways will become clearer on Wednesday once the construction fencing is in place.
Additionally, as I mentioned in a previous correspondence, several internal adjustments have been made as an interim solution until the new Upper School building has been completed, hopefully by the opening of school in the fall of 2023. Three Upper School classes, formerly housed in Fleming Hall, have been moved to the second floor of Ralston Fine Arts Center; the Music Suite, where Dr. Jordan Taylor and Dr. Tess Nielsen instruct students, has been moved to a cleverly crafted space in a portion of the gym lobby; and there is one Upper School classroom in the Lower School extension for this year.
All in all, I am very proud of the work done both last spring and this summer. Transforming a campus like ours in the narrow window of time that we have had to work within, requires hard work, thoughtful planning, creativity, compromise, and collaboration. It also requires flexibility on the part of many, many people, beginning last spring with last year’s Pre-K and Kindergarten parents who graciously accepted the necessary move of those classrooms and the Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who generously aided in that transition.
Heading a long list of other people who have made this construction process successful are: Brandon Derrick, who led a crew to construct the new Mitchell Press Box and made possible the creation of the Ralston classroom conversion and the new Music Suite; Charles Day, the architect who has worked with us from the very beginning on both big and small design moments; Dan Denney, the Construction Manager and Job Superintendent from Overholt Construction, who is largely responsible for orchestrating the sequence of events and securing the myriad subcontractors required in this process; and John Pope and Sandi Channell, who have worked these last seven months to ensure that the projects were funded and finished in a timely manner and executed as they were intended. Attention to detail and ensuring that a job has been completed as envisioned are but two of many of John and Sandi’s strong suits, and never has their devotion to the school been more evident and valuable than in their management of this construction effort.
We all can’t wait to host your children in a few days. Our teachers, coaches, and staff have returned, prepared and are ready to go, and the train is about to leave the station. All aboard!
Respectfully,
Head of School
|
|
Tonight
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
PK + K Pool Party
Neptune Park Fun Zone
Monday + Tuesday
Teacher Pre-Planning
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Parent Association Recycled + New Uniform Sale
Breezeway outside of Lower School Hall
(Between Happy Hall + Been Library)
Monday
Middle School Locker Set-Up
6th - 8th Grades | 9:00 AM. - 11:30 AM
5th Grade | 12:30 PM. - 3:00 PM
Benefield + Fleming Halls
Monday
Middle School Orientation
ALL 5th Grade Students | 10:30 AM. - 11:30 AM (RSVP Here) NEW 6th-8th Grades | 12:30 PM. - 2:00 PM (RSVP Here)
Monday
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Upper School 101 in Hamilton Hall
Monday
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Middle School New Knight + Buddy Pizza Lunch (RSVP Here) ALL Middle School students are invited to attend (Kindly RSVP)
Hamilton Hall
Monday
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Middle + Upper School New Parent Mix & Mingle
Hosted by FA Parent Association
Shuman Conference Room in the Been Library
MS + US New Parents
Monday
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Upper School New Knight + Buddy Pizza Lunch
ALL Upper School students are invited to attend (Kindly RSVP)
Hamilton Hall
Monday
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Lower School New Parent Mix & Mingle
Hosted by FA Parent Association
Shuman Conference Room in the Been Library
LS New Parents
Monday
Lower School New Knight Parties
Pottery Party | LS Art Room | 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. (Register Here) P.E. Party | Outdoor Fields + Gymnasium | 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. (Register Here)
Tuesday @ 3:30 PM
Class of 2023 Meeting
Nash Academic Center
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Back-to-School Open House + Classroom Sneak Peek
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
FA Booster Club Spirit Wear Sale
FA Gymnasium
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Parent Association Recycled + New Uniform Sale
Breezeway outside of Lower School Hall
(Between Happy Hall + Been Library)
Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Varsity Volleyball @ St. Andrews
Savannah, GA
Wednesday
First Day of School
Wednesday @ 3:30 p.m.
All School Faculty + Staff Meeting
Hamilton Hall
Thursday @ 3:45 p.m.
Middle School Tennis Meeting
Grades 6-8
Berte Bistro
Thursday @ 5:00 p.m.
Varsity Volleyball @ Memorial
Savannah, GA
Thursday Evening
Varsity Football + Cheer Picture Night
Cheer Photos @ 6:15 PM
Football + Cheer Group Photo @ 6:45 PM
Senior Photos @ 6:55 PM
Football Photos @ 7:00 PM
Friday
FA School-Wide Spirit Day
Friday @ 8:10 a.m.
Lower School Morning Meeting
Hamilton Hall
Friday
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Senior Portraits
Shuman Conference Room
Friday @ 7:30 PM
Varsity Football Scrimmage vs. Brantley County
@ Brantley County
|
|
2022-2023 Covid Protocols |
|
CONTACT TRACING:
-
There will be no contact tracing performed on campus. Families will be notified of possible campus exposure to Covid when appropriate. If your child has any Covid-like symptoms, please have him or her remain at home. The school nurse is available for any questions or concerns.
POSITIVE COVID CASE:
-
If a student or FA employee has tested positive for Covid and has symptoms, that person should notify Nurse Pope and isolate at home for five days. He or she should isolate from others in the home. If symptomatic and positive, the person must be fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications and symptoms must be improving. The day symptoms developed is considered day 0. Masks are recommended through day 10. Proof of a positive Covid test is required for documentation; home kits are permissible. A negative test result is not required to return to school.
-
If a student or FA employee has tested positive for Covid and is asymptomatic, he or she should contact Nurse Pope and isolate for five full days from the date of the positive test. He or she should isolate from others in the home. The date tested is day 0. Masks are recommended through day 10. Proof of a positive Covid test is required; home kits are permissible. A negative test result is not required to return to school.
PRIMARY CONTACT TO COVID:
- If an FA employee or student has been exposed to Covid, he or she is not required to quarantine. Please monitor for signs and symptoms and remain at home if symptomatic. A mask is recommended for ten days and a Covid test is recommended on day 5 after exposure. If symptoms develop or there is a positive test, isolate.
|
|
THIS WEEK @ The Knights Table
|
|
THIS WEEK: Back 2 School Links
|
|
Middle School Student Chromebook Information
New students in Grades 6-8 will receive their Chromebook during their Student Orientation on Monday, August 8, from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.. Part of the orientation program will be devoted to Chromebook training. (RSVP here) All Fifth Grade students as well as any other Middle School students who opted to purchase new Chromebooks will receive their Chromebooks during the first week of school. Fifth Grade Chromebook training will be embedded in the Tech class and several core subject area classes.
Upper School Student Chromebook Information
New students will receive their Chromebook during Upper School 101 on Monday, August 8, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A segment of the orientation program will be devoted to Chromebook training. (RSVP here) Any returning Upper School students who opted to purchase a new Chromebook will be able to pick up their new Chromebook from the Been Library and Media Center during the first week of school.
|
|
Lower School Parents, please submit your KiX forms to Heather Day on or before Friday, August 12. Thank you.
|
|
Pre-K + K Pool Party: TONIGHT
|
|
Sunday, August 7 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Neptune Park Fun Zone | RSVP Here
Join Frederica Academy’s Class of 2036 + Class of 2035 for a Pre-Kindergarten + Kindergarten Pool Party to kick off the start of school!
|
|
6th - 8th Grades
9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Benefield and Fleming Halls
5th Grade
12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Benefield Hall
Students in both Benefield and Fleming Halls will be assigned one locker. The dimensions for the lockers are 18" wide x 18" deep x 36" tall. Please keep in mind when decorating lockers that students will be required to store their backpacks in their lockers as they are not allowed to take backpacks to class with them. As you will see in the image at right, there are hooks for hanging items on the back of the locker and in the center of the locker ceiling. In an effort to keep our new lockers looking new, we kindly request that you do not apply locker wallpaper or any decorations to the outside of the locker.
|
|
|
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
All students new to the Upper School (including all incoming freshmen) are invited to attend this informative and interactive orientation designed to inform students of the ins and outs of Corn Hall. Students will learn more about their schedule, study period, locker assignment, college counseling and other Upper School highlights. Classroom tours, teacher introductions, FACTS access, Chromebook and email orientation are also explored.
Students may access Corn Hall via the Sea Island Green; therefore, students should be dropped off in the West Campus Parking Lot near Corn Hall at the entrance to the Sea Island Green.
|
|
Fifth Grade
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
6th - 8th Grades
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Students new to the Middle School (including ALL Fifth Grade students) are invited to attend this orientation to see all of the important faces and places of Frederica Academy’s Middle School. Students will meet their advisor and teachers, learn about their schedule and classes, and hear expectations and exciting offerings available to students on Fleming and Benefield Hall.
Fifth Grade Orientation Arrival
Fifth Grade parents should drop off their student using the main parking lot adjacent to the Middle School buildings and athletic facilities. Students will report directly to Benefield Hall to meet their advisor.
6th - 8th Grade Orientation Arrival
6th through 8th grade students will be directed to Benefield and Fleming Halls to meet their advisor following the Middle School New Knight Welcome Pizza Lunch.
|
|
LS New Knight Parties: MONDAY
|
|
New Knights in grades first through fourth can sculpt, glaze and play while experiencing Frederica’s enriching extracurricular specials. Paired with his or her buddy, each new student will attend his or her choice of party based on interests and passions. A student may choose to create a pottery masterpiece OR enjoy teamwork and play with a variety of fun P.E. games and activities. New Knights should attend only one (1) party option.
Pottery Party: Lower School Art Room | 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | RSVP Here
P.E. Party: Outdoor Fields + Gymnasium | 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. | RSVP Here
Parents dropping off students for the P.E. Party should park in the West Campus Parking Lot closest to Corn Hall and walk their child to the Berte Bistro located between Hamilton Hall and the Gym.
Parents dropping off students for the Pottery Party should park in front of the main Administration Building. Your child may be walked into the front office to access the Lower School Art Studio.
|
|
MS + US New Knight
+ Buddy Pizza Lunch: MONDAY
|
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Monday, August 8 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Hamilton Hall | RSVP Here
New Middle School Knights and their buddies are invited to enjoy a pizza lunch to meet and connect with other Middle School FA Knights. All new and returning Middle School Knights are invited to attend. Kindly RSVP.
UPPER SCHOOL
Monday, August 8 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Hamilton Hall | RSVP Here
New Upper School Knights and their buddies are invited to enjoy a pizza lunch to meet and connect with other Upper School FA Knights. All new and returning Middle School Knights are invited to attend. Kindly RSVP.
Students may access Hamilton Hall via the Sea Island Green; therefore, students should be dropped off in the West Campus Parking Lot near Corn Hall at the entrance to the Sea Island Green.
|
|
Parent Mix + Mingle Drop In: MONDAY
Hosted By: FA Parent Association
|
|
Monday, August 8 | Shuman Conference Room in the Been Library
While our new students enjoy on campus events, parents new to FA are invited to drop in and mix and mingle with other new families and members of Frederica’s Parent Association. All FA families are welcome to attend and meet new parents. Buddy family parents are especially encouraged to attend. Kindly RSVP.
Middle and Upper School New Parents: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | RSVP Here
Lower School New Parents: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | RSVP Here
|
|
Senior Class Meeting: TUESDAY
|
|
All seniors are required to attend a class meeting on Tuesday, August 9, at 3:30 p.m. in the Nash Academic Center |
|
PK-12 Open House: TUESDAY
|
|
Welcome, FA Knights! FA students and their parents are invited to campus to see their classroom, meet their teachers, and reconnect with the FA community. |
|
FA Booster Club Spirit Wear Sale
TUESDAY @ 4:00 PM
|
|
The FA Booster Club is hosting a Spirit Wear Sale in the Gym on Tuesday between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in advance of the school-wide Spirit Day on Friday. |
|
Opening Day: WEDNESDAY
Arrival + Pick-Up Information
|
|
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. in classroom
Pick-Up: 2:00 p.m. (unless registered for KiX)
LOWER SCHOOL GRADES K-4
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. in classroom
Pick-Up: 3:00 p.m. (unless registered for KiX)
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEW STUDENTS + BUDDIES
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. - Meet in Hamilton Hall (cafeteria)
Pick-Up: 3:20 p.m.
UPPER SCHOOL NEW STUDENTS + BUDDIES
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. - Meet at the picnic tables in the Berte Bistro (between the Gym and Hamilton Hall).
Pick-Up: 3:20 p.m.
ALL MIDDLE + UPPER SCHOOL RETURNING STUDENTS
Arrival: 8:15 a.m.
Pick-Up: 3:20 p.m.
- Start and end times for the first day of school are the same as normal school days for the balance of the year with the exception of Middle School and Upper School new students and their buddies.
- Middle School Tutorial will begin on Monday, August 15, and is from 3:20 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Following Dismissal).
- Upper School Tutorial will begin on Monday, August 15, and is from 3:20 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. (Following Dismissal).
|
|
AUGUST Recycled + New Uniform Sales
|
|
Frederica Academy's Parent Association maintains an inventory of gently-used uniforms for parents who are interested in purchasing prior-owned uniforms at a discount.
Parent Association is hosting the following Uniform Sales where uniforms will be available for purchase:
- Monday, August 8, from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 9, from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
All uniform sales will take place in the breezeway outside of the Lower School Hall (between Happy Hall + Been Library).
New Lands' End uniforms will also be available for sale.
See below for more information regarding uniform and dress code policies.
|
|
AUGUST Division
Parent Curriculum Nights
|
|
Each Division Director is in the process of developing plans for his or her 2022-2023 Parent Curriculum Night, which serves as an introduction to the school year for parents who have students in that division. Although plans are still under construction, please note the following dates and times.
LOWER SCHOOL PARENT NIGHT
Wednesday, August 17, at 6:00 p.m.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT NIGHT
Tuesday, August 23, at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
UPPER SCHOOL PARENT NIGHT
Wednesday, August 31, at 6:00 p.m.
|
|
Back-to-School Clothing Drive: AUGUST 15-19
|
|
Each year, Frederica sponsors a clothing drive at the beginning of the school year. This year's efforts support Safe Harbor residents and their organization.
They are looking for gently used and/or new clothing and accessories (hats, shoes, bags, jewelry) for men, women, and children. Please bring clothes to the reception areas of Corn Hall and the front office in the Administration Building the week of August 15-19. Contact Parker Jules (Class of 2023) with questions.
|
|
Junior Knights Cheer Camp Kick-Off
Grades K-4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
|
|
Girls in Grades K-4 are invited to participate in a Junior Knights Cheer Camp Kick-Off, which will take place in the Gym on Saturday, August 20, between 9:00 a.m. and noon. The fee is $60.
Interested parents can register by emailing Heather Day. The camp fee can be added to your monthly FAmily statement. Please contact Valerie Dunn for more information.
|
|
FA Parent Association Meeting
AUGUST 24 @ 8:15 AM
|
|
All FA parents are invited to attend the FA Parent Association's first 2022-2023 meeting, which will take place in the Shuman Conference Room in the Been Library on Wednesday, August 24, at 8:15 a.m. |
|
August 15 @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Assembly
Gym
August 16 @ 6:00 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. Liberty County
@ Hinesville, GA
August 17 @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Advisory
August 17 @ 4:00 PM
Upper School Faculty Meeting
August 17 @ 6:00 PM
Lower School Curriculum Night
August 18 @ 5:00 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. Southeast Bulloch
@ Brunswick HS
August 19 @ 8:10 AM
Lower School Morning Meeting
Hamilton Hall
August 19 @ 7:30 PM
Varsity Football Season Opener vs. Brookwood School
@ Thomasville, GA
August 20 (9:00 AM - Noon)
Junior Knights Cheer Camp
Gym
August 22 @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Honor Code Assembly
Gym
August 23 @ 4:00 PM
Middle + Upper School Play Auditions
Hamilton Hall
August 23 @ 5:00 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. Valwood
@ Home
August 23 @ 6:00 PM
Middle School Curriculum Night
August 24 @ 8:15 AM
Parent Association Meeting
Shuman Conference Room
August 24 @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Advisory
August 24 @ 4:00 PM
Middle + Upper School Play Auditions
Hamilton Hall
August 24 @ 4:00 PM
Department Chair Meeting
August 24 @ 4:30 PM
Middle School Volleyball GA Jamboree
@ Glynn Academy
August 25
Savannah Independent School College Fair
August 25 @ 5:00 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. Heritage Christian
@ Brunswick, GA
August 25 @ 5:00 PM
MS Football vs. Pinewood Christian
@ Bellville, GA
August 26 @ 8:10 AM
Lower School Morning Meeting
Hamilton Hall
August 26 @ 7:30 PM
Varsity Football vs. Tiftarea Academy
@ Tifton, GA
August 27
SAT at Frederica Academy
August 27
Upper School Debate Meet
Valdosta High School
August 29 @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Assembly
Gym
August 30 @ 5:00 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. Bradwell Institute
@ Home
August 31 @ 10:00 AM
Upper School Advisory
Upper School Council Voting
August 31 @ 4:00 PM
Department Meetings
August 31 @ 5:00 PM
Middle School Volleyball vs. St. Francis
@ Home
August 31 @ 6:00 PM
Upper School Curriculum Night
|
|
FA Fall Athletic Schedules |
|
Follow FA on Social Media |
|
2022-2023 FA Master School Calendar |
|
Click HERE to access the 2022-2023
At-A-Glance Master Calendar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
