September Alumni/ae Newsletter

Tuesday, September 5, 2017 | Volume 2 • Issue 1

Hello Alums,

It's hard to believe that another school year is already here! This summer raced by, as students traveled across the country on celestial summer trips, renovation of Shallcross Hall began, and our campuses bustled with summer camps and grounds work. I hope that each of you enjoyed a summer filled with relaxation, new experiences, and fun with family and friends. In this issue of our Alumni/ae Newsletter, you can read about some of the latest events on campus, as well as a few important reasons to mark your calendar in the coming months.

As always, I welcome you to call me or stop by for a visit at any time. Many of you already know how much I enjoy talking with everyone and helping old friends reconnect. I am happy to answer any of your questions—all you have to do is ask! I would love to see you at student performances, athletic contests, and other special events throughout the year.

Linda Waxman Wasserman '75
Director of Alumni/ae Affairs

Shallcross Renovation Begins!

The renovation of Shallcross Hall began this August to bring students a new state-of-the art dining experience. New features will include a Teaching Kitchen, providing opportunities to connect food to curriculum and to learn from the dining team, increased healthy food options, expanded seating areas, and brightened lobby and gallery areas. An exciting addition to the funding for Shallcross Hall was the successful grant proposal to the Edward E. Ford Foundation, resulting in a challenge match for the project. The School must raise $100,000 in order to receive $50,000 from the Foundation. Read more about the renovation here.

Alumni/ae in the News: Hollywood Edition

The accomplishments of several FCS alumni/ae in Hollywood were recently highlighted in the September issue of Philadelphia Magazine. Congratulations to the following alumni/ae who were featured: Mark Arnold '75, Daniel Barnz '88, Brian De Palma '58, David Fenkel '93, Brad Furman '93, Jackson Greenberg '08, Andy Greenwald '95, Mike Jackson '90, David Kendall '75, Ana Nogueira '03, Benj Pasek '03, Stacey Snider '78, Ty Stiklorius '93, Adam Weinstein '98, and Bill Weinstein '94! Your creativity, entrepreneurialism, and work ethic show our current students what is possible when pursuing your passions.

Solar Eclipse Trip to Charleston, SC

"I didn't think it (totality) would happen so fast ... I've got chills. It was indescribable how cool it was." -Taylor Brizill '18

This August, 10 students traveled to Charleston, SC, to view the solar eclipse with Physics Teacher Deborah Skapik. In preparation, they studied solar observation, practiced using telescopes in a family star-gazing session on campus, and learned how to set up solar equipment. Students even became teachers themselves as they hosted a safety workshop for 50 people on Daniel Island, SC. Read more about their community workshops here.

Did you see the eclipse? Share your eclipse story and photos here!

Astronomy Trip to Green Bank Observatory, WV

"It was honestly one of the coolest things I've ever participated in. To be able to track celestial objects with a radio telescope in the middle of the night was awesome." -Elisabeth Forsyth '20

In culmination of a yearlong study of astrophysics and astronomy, 20 students and three science teachers took a trip to the Green Bank Observatory in the Shenandoah Mountains of West Virginia in June. Read a trip recap from Science Teacher John Gruber here.