The chickens are here! 

Lower School News

Message from Kelly Pierre

The chickens are here! Three Buff Orphington hens from the eggs that our Kindergarteners hatched last spring have joined us on the LS campus in their very own coop and run at the back of our farm. All students will have opportunities to hold and learn about the chickens. We have set up the following safety protocols to make sure appropriate hygiene is addressed:

• After students have held the chickens, they will use a disinfectant gel on their hands before they enter the building and then wash their hands with soap after they have entered the building.
• Students who enter the coop will wear boots that will only be used inside the coop.

Two grades will be in charge of collecting the eggs. Kindergarten will collect the eggs with Ms. Taylor Monday–Wednesday in conjunction with their life cycle and bird hatching study; grade 4 will collect the eggs Thursday-Friday with Ms. B in conjunction with their bird study, which includes a study of the biology of chicken eggs, migratory patterns, and environmental influences. The eggs will be used in our kitchen for the food program and classroom cooking projects. If you have any rain boots to donate (size 4/5 or 10/11), we'd love to have them. Thank you in advance!

Today's assembly focused on our all-school testimony of the year: Peace & Conflict Resolution. KB did a short skit modeling active listening. Then I shared with students that peace is not the absence of conflict, but rather how you respond to conflict. And that all of us in the room would likely be involved in some type of conflict at some point this year. I asked the students to remember that when they are in conflict over a toy or something hurtful that someone has said to take a deep breath, use their words, and remember that there are always two sides to a conflict, and it's important to listen to what the other person is feeling and experiencing, too. Read more here.

Join Us Tomorrow for Winged Wonders - Bring a Friend!

We are thrilled to host the Monarch Butterfly Program Winged Wonders, a FREE science program for Lower School children and families, at the Lower School campus at 9 am tomorrow. Butterfly enthusiast Ann Ward offers her unique butterfly program that teaches children about Monarch migration and the wonders of exploration. Butterfly tag & release, art projects, face painting, and a snack will be offered at this free community program. Reserve your space here! Please spread the word, and we welcome you to bring a friend!

Registration for LS After-School Clubs Ending Soon! 

Registration is now open for the fall 2017 session of LS After-School Clubs! Along with great FCS-run offerings like FCS Maker, Hip-Hop and Improv, Origami, and Basketball, we are excited to partner with Wolf PAC and UK Elite Soccer to provide a range of options to K-5 students. Clubs begin the week of 9/25 and take place from 3-4 pm, unless otherwise indicated. Registration is open through 9/20. See club offerings and register here.

Lower School Extended Day Program Drop-In Fees

This year, Extended Day Program (EDP) is proposing that all families who are not registered but are interested in dropping their child(ren) off to join Extended Day pay our fee on that day. The price of an Extended Day Program drop-in is $48 per child. We accept all major credit cards, and Erica Seay, EDP Director, will have a swipe connected to an iPad to read credit card payments. All families using our drop-in system are required to pay the amount due at the time of pick-up. If you have any questions/concerns, please contact Erica Seay.

Give Big for Hurricane Relief!

The LS Service Committee has been presented with its first opportunity for student service. LS students are encouraged to donate coins or dollar bills earned from chores at home or other sources to show their support for folks in hurricane zones. Children can bring their donations to the classroom teacher, who will determine the best method for getting the coins to one of two central locations in the LS building-one in the Library and one in the Spanish room. Donations will be collected through Friday, Sept. 22 and will go to support organizations in the Houston area. Please contact Service Committee Clerks Janet Bowker or Sue Kirk with any questions.

Lower School Curriculum Night

Tuesday, Sept. 19
Please note: childcare is not provided for Curriculum Night.

Lower School Picture Day
Wednesday, Sept. 20

Parent Gatherings

Every year, parent reps plan and organize a social for parents in each grade level.  Save the date for your class!  Invitations to follow.

N/PK/K - Friday, Oct. 6, 7-9 pm in the Light Lab.

Grade 1 - Saturday, Oct. 14 at the home of Ben and Elisha Snedeker

Grade 3 - Thursday, Oct. 12 at the Kiss home.

LS Parenting Mini-Workshop - Thursday, Oct. 12, 8:15 am

Save the date for our LS Parenting Mini-Workshop with LS counselor Jessica Corsaro and Skills2Soar.  The topic will be "Establishing Routines."

Mark your Calendar! It's Coming! Pumpkin Fair 2017

Sunday, Oct. 22, noon-4  

Sarah J. Maas, NYT bestselling author, will be on campus tomorrow, Saturday!

Middle School News

Message from Alexa Quinn

This past Tuesday, the Middle & Upper Schools held a lockdown drill at 9:40 am. This drill is part of a coordinated, comprehensive safety plan that also includes silent alarms, card access system, an emergency broadcast system, and RUVNA, our online attendance tracker. We have been training faculty and students in lockdown procedures to help prepare us to handle any emergency or crisis situation that may arise. We prepared students for the drill with a presentation in assembly, outlining why we do this kind of training and what to do when confronted with different types of emergencies. We also listed the various people, technologies, and procedures in place to keep our community safe, including our fire alarms, silent alarm system, public address system, radios, security staff, and more.

We are pleased to report that the drill went smoothly. We tested both our internal communications systems and our external silent alarm system (county 911). We also wanted to see if teachers and students were prepared to follow the proper procedures. When it was over, students and teachers were given the "all clear" and went to their next class. With each drill, we want teachers and students to feel more prepared to respond calmly to an emergency that we hope will never occur. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me or Tom McDaniel, Director of Facilities & Campus Safety.

Purchase Your Fall Sports Apparel!

Through a partnership with Wayne Sporting Goods, FCS students, parents, and alumni/ae are now able to purchase customizable spirit gear items with the name of their fall sport and the School seal on each item. The sport options for fall are Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Tennis, and Water Polo. There are a variety of clothing and accessory options to choose from. When you place an order, the items will be mailed directly to your home. Click here for the Online Store through Wayne Sporting Goods. Please note: purchasing deadline has been extended to 9/22.

Middle School Athletics - Game Day Logistics

Click here for an important message from Director of Athletics & Wellness Michelle Crowley regarding Game Day logistics for Middle School sports.

Grade 6 Parents - Coming Up, Echo Hill Kick-off Day - Sept. 25

Echo Hill Kick-off Day will take place on Monday, Sept. 25, and the parent program will begin with coffee in MS Room 10 at 9:50 am. We welcome gr. 6 parents to stay for all morning activities, which will end at 12 noon. More details to come early next week. 

Grade 6 Visits the Renaissance Faire!

Grade 6 is making its annual pilgrimage to the Renaissance Faire in just a few weeks - Thursday, October 5. Grade 6 parents - be on the lookout for a Chalk permission form in the coming days. 

Parent Gatherings - Save the Date!

Grade 6 - Friday, Oct. 13, 7-9 pm in the OPA room

Grade 7 - Friday, Oct. 6, 7-9 pm in the OPA room

Middle School Cast Members Working Hard in Shrek Jr.

Twenty-four Middle Schoolers are working hard to bring you their vibrant production of Shrek, Jr., which takes place on November 17 and 19 - be sure to save the dates!!

Upper School students creating cyanotypes of themselves while learning about photographic exposure - finished products are on display outside the Meeting Room!

Upper School News

Message from the Upper School Office

As we adjust to being back on campus, it's hard to believe this is only the second week of school! Tuesday was a big day, with a successful lockdown drill (more info below), summer reading discussions at the end of the day (click here for descriptions of the books we read) and the first of two Curriculum Nights. Thanks to all who attended this important night for families of 9th and 10th graders and to our Principals' Reps, who were on hand to help guide parents and chat with them from a student's perspective.

Today, Upper School students and faculty were treated to a powerful talk by Jordan Burnham as part of our Minding Your Mind assembly. Drawing on his own experiences, Jordan spoke honestly and movingly about mental health and wellness, especially in the teenage years. His talk, which was greatly appreciated by the students, who gave Jordan a standing ovation, was followed by nearly 40 minutes of questions and answers, covering a range of topics from how to be a supportive friend to what to do if you are feeling depressed. We add this information here as we expect this conversation about mental health concerns may continue at home. Frederick Pratt, our School Counselor, who brought this important program to FCS, would be happy to help if needed.

Next week promises to be just as busy. Wednesday brings our annual celebration of the UN's International Day of Peace. In alternate years we focus on Peace One Day: One Day/One Goal and we will be fundraising to benefit the CTC10 Foundation and the Chris Campbell Memorial Field in Khayelitsha Township, South Africa. We invite you to contribute to our big bake sale and to join us during our festive lunchtime celebration in Felsen Common. Thanks to all involved in making this a fabulous day, including Michele Zuckman and Galen Guindon, who are preparing a musical program, Robyn Richmond, Tom MacFarlane, and Michelle Crowley.

We remind you that school will be closed for Rosh Hashanah on Thursday (open on Friday). No homework will be due on Friday, and no assessments will be given on Friday or Monday. Happy New Year to all who are celebrating! Our final "look ahead" is to next Friday's assembly, when Assistant Head of School Mariama Richards and Coordinator of Equity & Justice Education Dwight Dunston will roll out the affinity group program they have planned for US students. We also want to let you know of a change in the fall play. Terry Guerin, our wonderful drama director, has realized we need more time to do justice to Mary Zimmerman's The White Snake. As a result, it will now be performed in the fall of 2018. Terry is delighted to announce that the ensemble will present Thornton Wilder's Our Town Oct. 27-28, with a preview on Oct. 26. Mark your calendars!

Lockdown Drill

This past Tuesday, the Middle & Upper Schools held a lockdown drill at 9:40 am. This drill is part of a coordinated, comprehensive safety plan that also includes silent alarms, card access system, an emergency broadcast system, and RUVNA, our online attendance tracker. We have been training faculty and students in lockdown procedures to help prepare us to handle any emergency or crisis situation that may arise. We prepared students for the drill with a presentation in assembly, outlining why we do this kind of training and what to do when confronted with different types of emergencies. We also listed the various people, technologies, and procedures in place to keep our community safe, including our fire alarms, silent alarm system, public address system, radios, security staff, and more.

We are pleased to report that the drill went smoothly. We tested both our internal communications systems and our external silent alarm system (county 911). We also wanted to see if teachers and students were prepared to follow the proper procedures. When it was over, students and teachers were given the "all clear" and went to their next class. With each drill, we want teachers and students to feel more prepared to respond calmly to an emergency that we hope will never occur. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me or Tom McDaniel, Director of Facilities & Campus Safety.

International Day of Peace

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Grs. 11 & 12 Curriculum Night
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 pm

School Portraits Available for Purchase by Oct. 17

We will send you an email shortly with a link to the online gallery, specific instructions for placing orders, and the coupon code you can enter for discounts. In the meantime, click here to visit the school portraits FAQs page and get answers to common questions.

Purchase Your Fall Sports Apparel!

Through a partnership with Wayne Sporting Goods, FCS students, parents, and alumni/ae are now able to purchase customizable items with the name of their fall sport and the School seal on each item. The sport options for fall are Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Tennis, and Water Polo. There are a variety of clothing and accessory options to choose from. When you place an order, the items will be mailed directly to your home. Click here for the online store through Wayne Sporting Goods. Please note: purchasing deadline has been extended to 9/22.

From the College Counseling Office
Sophomores and juniors interested in taking the optional Oct. 14 PSAT exam can click here to register. The cost is $30.00 to be paid at the time of registration. For families needing financial assistance, please contact the College Counseling Office. Click here for a list of local upcoming college fairs.

Grade 9 Parent Gathering 

Save the Date! Friday, Oct. 20 7-9 pm in the OPA room