Your roundup of Fountain Valley School news
September 2018
Max + WIP = Magic!
This was the Western Immersion Program's 21st year, and world-class drone videographer and photographer Max Seigal '06 was there to capture it.

The School was lucky to be able to land a few days of Seigal's time, as he is in high demand around the world for his work. And not only did Seigal capture WIP on camera, he also taught interested students a night photography course that yielded some spectacular results. The kids had a ball learning from the master!

Check out the night photography at the Mountain Campus and read more about WIP here . Watch some of Seigal's WIP footage below.
Meet New President of the Board of Trustees Gregg Thatcher '84, P '17
Thatcher took over the helm on July 1, 2018, following Henry Morse '69 who was board president 2014-18.

Which living person do you most admire?
My father [former trustee Dr. Darryl Thatcher ’55, P ’84, ’84, GP ’17]

What are your greatest hopes for Fountain Valley School?
To continue to provide the outstanding education et al that we currently do, and changing what is necessary as the world continues to spin around the sun

How did your Fountain Valley experience influence your life beyond the prairie?
I do know that it instilled in me a lifelong yearning to learn.

What is the quality you most like in a person?
Common sense

What do you most value in your friends?
Integrity

What is your greatest fear?
One of my children passing away before I do

Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to become invisible on demand

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Be taller. My doctor says I’m a little overweight, but the issue is that I’m not tall enough.

What sets Fountain Valley apart?
The whole package: people, purpose and place

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A sloth

What is your most treasured possession?
A handmade fly rod from 1912 that belonged to my great uncle

What is the value of an FVS education?
For me, Fountain Valley taught me how to learn, how to think critically, and how to use information in different ways and circumstances.

Who are your favorite writers?
Dickens, Clancy, Foote, Maclean, Gierach, Archer, Feinstein and McCullough

Read up on all of our trustees here .
How About a Sneak Peek of the New Athletic Center?

Due to open in November! Stay tuned for news of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Click here for a photo gallery of progress.

Fun facts:

  • 60,000 sq. ft.
  • Eight lane pool holds 185,000 gallons of water
  • Climbing wall is 40 ft. high
  • Includes an elevated track, spin room, weight room, classrooms, offices
Fall Pack Trip

It's often been said that the best adventures are the ones that are unplanned. Read about the trip and see spectacular photos here .
The 2018-19 Annual Fund is Underway! Just Click HERE to Make Your Gift.

And remember, your tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund helps cover the difference between tuition received and the actual cost of our educational programs. Annual Fund dollars extend to virtually every aspect of daily campus life, touching every student, every teacher, every day. Our goal is $1.3 million. Please join us in reaching this year’s goal and in making a difference in our students' lives!
Vail Is First to be Certified as a Sustainable Destination, Thanks to Efforts of Kim Langmaid '84
Vail Town Council member Kim Langmaid '84, Ph.D., was a primary advocate in driving the effort to make Vail the first certified sustainable destination in the US.  Vail became certified in July, 2018. A profile of Langmaid and her efforts is featured in Vail Magazine, which you can read here .
Dorothy Strehl presenting FVS's culture of respect to new students
FVS 101 for New Students

“I’m new to FVS, but I’m not a freshman. What is the PAC? Where is the FCC? What happens on the weekends? How do I get extra help in AP Calculus? And what the heck is Stupid Night Out?”

Chapter One Abridged to the rescue! The brainchild of Learning Center Director Dorothy Strehl P ’13 , this class does for new sophomores, juniors and seniors what Chapter One does for freshman, giving new students a solid foundation for success while familiarizing them with Fountain Valley’s culture, expectations and the principles upon which the School was founded.

Strehl has built the class on five themes.

The culture of excellence is presented by Global Scholars and members of the Cum Laude and Froelicher Societies who model academic excellence at Fountain Valley. 

For the culture of service , student members of DSCoVR (Danes Serve the Community: Volunteer Regiment), Green Initiative and FVS Food Rescue present community service opportunities at Fountain Valley.

The culture of respect is introduced by Director of School Counseling Jennifer Grubb along with resident assistants and members of the honor council.

The Varsity Club, Admission Ambassadors, and editors of The Owl and Athenaea help get new students school-spirit ready in the culture of spirit class.

And lastly, the culture of art is conveyed by student musicians playing prelude music before each class.

“It’s a fun, fast, lively and quick snapshot of Fountain Valley life,” Strehl says.
Did you know that  you  are
our most powerful marketers?

Refer a Family:  Visiting Day is Oct. 8!

Most of our students come to Fountain Valley because they've heard great things about the School from people like you who understand the strength and value of an FVS education. If you know a student and family who would be a good fit, please let them know about Visiting Day.
They can register here or by calling 719.391.5251.

Thank you!
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