For parents new and old to Fontbonne, we want you to be prepared for the next school year.  Most of the information you need is on our website, but here are the salient points and important links.

Books

The book list for school year 2012-2013 is posted on our website.  Students have three options for purchasing books:
 
1.  Used Book Sale - June 26-27
Students can purchase books at the Used Book Sale, which is a service that is provided by Fontbonne's National Honor Society each year. Payment may be made by cash or check; we do not accept credit card payments at the Used Book Sale.  

Students may pick up their course sheets for the coming year at the Used Book Sale to order books online. 

Tuesday, June 26

7:30-9:30 a.m.:  Grade 9

5 - 7 p.m.:  All Classes   
 
Wednesday, June 27

7:30-9:30 a.m.: All Classes

5 - 7 p.m.: All Classes

STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE ALL OF THE REQUIRED BOOKS AT THE USED BOOK SALE.  Some books must be purchased new.  To get a complete list of their required books, students should consult the school's website www.fontbonneacademy.org or www.efollet.com and look under each course that they are taking.
 

Please be sure to purchase all materials related to each course.  Students are expected to have all required books on the first day of classes.
 

2. School book vendor's website:

Students can also purchase books online at the school sponsored website: www.efollett.com and choose Massachusetts, then Fontbonne, or shortcut to http://tinyurl.com/3edudne.  Use course information found on course lists.  Summer book orders can be placed on June 20, 2012.  School year book orders can be placed beginning on July 1, 2012.  Fontbonne receives six percent of sales. Students should order their books as soon as possible to ensure their arrival before the school year begins. 

  
 3.  Local Bookstore or Online Vendor

Students can opt to purchase their books through a local bookstore or online book dealer, such as Amazon.com. Start by obtaining the ISBN numbers for the required books from the Fontbonne Academy website.  If you purchase any books or supplies on Amazon.com, start at the

Fontbonne Academy website and follow the link to Amazon.com.  Fontbonne will receive six percent of all sales that begin at the Fontbonne Academy website.   

If you have any questions about purchasing books, please contact Ms. Ryan (for used books) bryan@fontbonneacademy.org  or Mrs. Lathrop (for new books)  flathrop@fontbonneacademy.org.     

Uniforms

Uniforms can be purchased at J.B. Edwards located at 745 South Street in Roslindale.  All uniform pieces except the backpack are purchased there.  The backpack and a select number of jackets can be purchased through Scholastic Sports.   An order form for Scholastic Sports is on the Fontbonne website. 

Used Uniform Sale

Gently used uniforms will be available during the Used Book Sale times listed above.  Cash or checks will be accepted.

Athletics

Mrs. Sullivan, our Athletic Director, will be in touch with families over the summer to make them aware of the tryout dates for the various fall sports.  She can be reached directly at esullivan@fontbonneacademy.org.

Laptops

We strongly encourage you to purchase a laptop for your daughter for the upcoming school year if she does not already own one.  It will be a valuable tool.

Summer Reading

A summer reading list will be posted to the website.  Please refer to it and ensure your daughter has the prerequisite reading for her specific grade.

Beginning of School Year 2012-2013

School will begin September 4 and 5, after Labor Day.  Details will be included in our August mailing. 

Summer Hours  

Fontbonne Academy's School Office will be open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. during the summer months.

The Guidance Department will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Please continue to check the Fontbonne Academy website for important information.

Forty students and their mother or sister attended the Legacy Breakfast on March 15.  Here members of the Class of 1983 stand with their daughters.  From left to right, Jackie Ross McKenna '83 and her daughter Morgan '14; Caroline Murray '12 and her mother Mary Ellen Keane Murray '83; and Kimberly Walsh McCarthy '83 with her three daughters: Molly '11 (to her left), and to her right: Meghan '03, and Madelyn '14. 

Fontbonne Academy hosted its first ever "Legacy Breakfast" to honor the families who have sent their daughters to the school.  Held in the foyer early on a Thursday morning, the turnout for the breakfast was robust, with many attendees coming to the gathering on their way to work.  "Legacies are a special group of young women because they have known about Fontbonne since they were youngsters, and their families treasure the value of a Fontbonne education," said Head of School Mary Ellen Barnes.

Jennifer Gemma '13, her mother Maureen Sullivan Gemma '78, and Meaghan Gemma '15.

The Good Fountain Players performed "Beauty & The Beast" in March to sold-out audiences.  At the end of the song, "Be Our Guest," are (from left to right) back row, top:  

Courtney Krause '15, Lydia Blodgett '15, Elizabeth McCurdy '15, Julia Magnuson '15, Krista Laforest '15.  Back row on floor: Brendan Murray '13 BCHS, Alexandria Ellison '13, Jana Griffis '14, Kyle Jackson '12 BCHS, Meagan Cloherty '12, Sarah Albanese '14, Emily Clegg '12. Third row: Jacqueline Jakas '13, Marisa Foley '14, Rheannon Swire '13, Emily Mazza '13, Emily Devane '13, Cindy Truong '13, Rhaldyan Aridou '14, Emily Chabot '15, Jen Baez '15. Second row: Natalie Saintil '15, Kay Green '14, Onyinye Ekwem '13, Caterina Miralles '13, Alec Rodriguez '12 BCHS, Brendan Caulfield '13 BCHS, Erin Nunes '13, Brittany Miller '13, Kyra Freedman '12.  Front row: Eliza McDonald '13, Tamra Adams '14, Kathleen Ryan '15, KJ Moran '13 (as Cogsworth), Katherine Harrington '12 (as Belle), Colleen MacDonald '13, Alyssa Jones '13, Marisa Adams '12.  Group on right side: Jaclyn Zahn '12 (as Lumiere), Vittoria Spada '12 (as Madame de la Grande Bouche), Christina Whalen '13 (as Mrs. Potts), Emma Byrne '13 (as Chip).

Fontbonne Academy's Model United Nations' Club hosted a presentation by Dr. David Sakura on March 27 in Fontbonne Academy's Library. Dr. Sakura was an internee of the Minidoka Japanese Interment Camp in Idaho during World War II.

Dr. Sakura, whose wife Mary Ellen is an alumna of Fontbonne from the Class of 1964, gave a presentation entitled, "A Father's Voice, a Boy's Recollection." The images that were presented came largely from the Bancroft Collection from the University of California, whose website Dr. Sakura had been looking at when he came across an image of himself, along with his two brothers, after they had traveled eight hours in terrifying conditions from the state of Washington to Idaho. The images he uncovered in the Bancroft Collection, combined with weekly letters that his father sent to their hometown newspaper in Eatonville, WA, and Dr. Sakura's firsthand recollections of the events and conditions of the camp created a riveting hour-long experience for the packed audience.

In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, fear and distrust of Japan led the U.S. government to establish prison-like camps, such as Minidoka. Dr. Sakura, a third generation Japanese-American, and his family were forced to leave their homes and live in these camps. Dr. Sakura spoke about his experiences of living in Minidoka and what it was like to grow up in a society where prejudice and discrimination led to the loss of freedom for thousands of innocent Americans.   He spoke about the primitive conditions of the camp and attending first and second grade there. He watched as many of the men, including his father and three uncles, left to serve in the US Army with the all Japanese-American 442 Regiment Combat Team in World War II. He reflected on saying the Pledge of Allegiance daily at school, and later commented on the lack of liberty and justice for the internees.

After the presentation, students asked very insightful questions. Among them, Rheannon Swire '13 asked, "Why, if the interment camp experience was so traumatic, would you want to share it with us?" Mr. Sakura replied, "I want to tell you this story from the first person perspective. This is history and I am blessed to be one of one of the youngest survivors of the camp. It has been a personal journey for me to tell of these experiences, and I consider it a blessing."

The Theology Department at Fontbonne was one of the recipients of this year's prestigious Stellar Awards at the 2012 Evening of Stars.  From left to right, Mr. Welch, Ms. Killgoar, Mr. Waters, and Ms. Gadziala, Theology Chairperson.
  

Fontbonne Academy hosted its 13th annual Evening of Stars gala on Saturday, March 31, at Lombardo's in Randolph.  The ballroom was filled to capacity with Fontbonne parents, alumnae, friends, and students to support the school and its celebrated Social Justice Program.  The event included dinner, silent and live auctions, as well as the evening's highlight:  the prestigious Stellar Awards, which were given this year to five honorees for their efforts in the realm of social justice. 

The recipients of the Fontbonne Academy Stellar Awards were the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston, the founders and sponsors of Fontbonne Academy; Reverend Gloria White-Hammond, MD, Co-Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church and Executive Director of My Sister's Keeper; Kimberly Steimle, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief People Officer of Suffolk Construction; Mary Bake and founder of the school's Social Justice Program; and the Fontbonne Academy Theology Department whose efforts and curriculum bring the Social Justice Program to life.  Honorees were presented with one-of-a-kind engraved glass awards and spoke to the audience.

"The evening was a success for us in so many ways," stated Fontbonne's Head of School, Mary Ellen Barnes. "The vibrancy of the academy and its supportive community shone brightly, and I am grateful that we had the opportunity to showcase our Social Justice Program which is at the heart of the school's mission."

Students provided entertainment during the live auction run by parents Tim and Nancy McDonald P'13.  Above, students dressed in Red Sox gear sang "Sweet Caroline" in advance of the live auction item of Red Sox tickets.   From left to right, back row: Christina Whalen '13, Alyssa Jones '13, KJ Moran '13, Emily Mazza '13, Rebecca Simmons '13, Shannon McIsaac '14. Front row: Emma Byrne '13, Amanda Brandi '12, Christine Carroll '13, Eliza McDonald '13, and Meghan Cloherty '12.

Evening of Stars student ambassadors played an integral role in the evening's success.  From left to right Hannah Page '13, Julia Butts '13, Maretta Morovitz '13, and Christina Stuver '14.

The trio above sports "Eliminate the 'R Word'" bracelets to emphasize their point.  The three seniors' Social Justice Projects were focused on Special Education, and they sold bracelets to raise awareness of their issue.  From left to right, seniors Katie Alsip, Erin McLoughlin, and Caroline Murray.

This school year a group of students are actively engaged in "Fountain Friends," a club named after the translation of "Fontbonne," which means "Good Fountain" in French. The students in the club travel each month to North Quincy High School to do activities and have fun with students who have special needs. These activities range from coloring pictures to doing different crafts to engaging in ice breakers. The club helps special needs students develop self-confidence and social skills. Through these many trips, the students involved in Fountain Friends have expanded their universe of friends and have tapped into a compassionate side in themselves.

One of the students involved in the group, senior Caroline Murray, chose the topic of Special Education for her senior Social Justice Project. Drawing upon her experiences with students in the Fountain Friends organization as well as intensive research, Caroline presented her project at the Fontbonne Academy annual Social Justice Fair on April 5.

"Special Education is an important social justice issue in today's world. Due to lack of awareness, knowledge, and funding, many government officials do not invest in special education programs that are designed to maximize benefits to the special needs students. Most programs are based upon what is cost-efficient, not what most benefits the students. By raising awareness and writing to government representatives to enact laws to prioritize special education, we are making a difference in helping to bring about justice to this important issue," Caroline said.

Also quite moving is an initiative that Caroline took on, along with two other seniors who also embraced the same topic. Katie Alsip, Erin McLoughlin, and Caroline sold bracelets to the Fontbonne community which boldly stated, "Eliminate the R-Word." The word "retarded" is a medical term for people who have disabilities, but people often use it as a derogatory term or a joke. "Eliminate the R-Word" is a national campaign to end the use of the word in a non-medical way. All of the money raised from this fundraiser will go to Fountain Friends. The bracelets were sold for $.50 each at lunch periods, and the concerned students raised $65 toward Fountain Friends activities.

In addition, the students engaged the student body by pledging their support to the campaign to eliminate the use of this word. "With your help, we can work towards making the Fontbonne community aware of this issue, and conscious of the use of this word," their pledge stated.

Caroline, Katie, and Erin are students at Fontbonne who have made it their job to make a meaningful difference in this world, helping students who face significant obstacles feel welcome and understood. Fontbonne Academy is proud of them.

Fontbonne Academy hosted its 5th annual Social Justice Fair on Thursday, April 5.  The fair showcased capstone projects of the senior class, which are the culmination of Fontbonne's Theology curriculum.  Students presented their projects to the entire school as well as to many parents and guests.  The Social Justice Program was recently celebrated at Fontbonne's 13th annual gala, Evening of Stars, on March 31.  Proceeds from the event went to supporting the program which is at the heart of the mission of the school. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston's founding principles are based on helping the "dear neighbor," and the projects and presentations at Fontbonne clearly demonstrated the depth and breadth of reaching out and helping others locally and globally.

Through the Social Justice Program at Fontbonne, each senior is asked to choose a social injustice and to research all aspects of it, including its root causes.  Students are asked to demonstrate and discuss why their cause is a social justice issue and to advocate for change.   This year's topics included human trafficking, child abandonment, special education, women in the media and eating disorders, and bullying, to name just a few.   Students work hard year round to enact change, to raise awareness and to eradicate injustices.   Their presentations reflected their passion for their subjects, many chosen as a result of how an injustice has personally touched their lives.  Students utilized cross-curriculum skills in research, writing, public speaking, and other twenty-first century aptitudes.  Fontbonne Academy is proud of the Class of 2012 and their efforts.  "This program really sets us apart," commented Head of School Mary Ellen Barnes, "These young women will take this torch of advocacy out into their college years and well beyond."

Megan Connelly '13 and Jackie Jakas '13 have been busily beautifying Quincy Catholic Academy with a Noah's Ark mural. These artists were hand picked by Art Teacher, Mrs. Robertson, and Head of School Barnes this winter and began to scope out the project in February. The girls are developing a Noah's Ark concept.  They drew it on a prominent wall in the school, and have had painting help from fellow Fontbonne students Katelyn Ciardi '13, Sarah Albanese '14, and Jana Griffis '14. Interested Quincy Catholic Academy students often gather around the painters asking many questions about the mural and about being artists.

This is certainly a long-term project, requiring much dedication from Megan and Jackie. They paint each Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 to 6 p.m. and hope to have it completed by the summer. When asked about their involvement in the project, Megan said, "Working on this mural has been a great experience so far for Jackie, me, and all others involved. We truly are a team, and when we don't have our eyes focused on the minor details in the paint, we see the lasting impression we have made, and will continue to make on the teachers, parents, and students, for years to come."

On April 26, the Fontbonne arts programs were showcased at the annual Evening of the Arts.  From the art portfolios of the AP Art students to the performances of the Instrumental Ensemble, Select Chorus, and Jazz Choir, Fontbonne's talented students excelled in all areas.  In addition, the Boston College High School Chamber Choir performed along with Fontbonne's Select Chorus.  A special thanks to Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Fortier, and Mr. Anderson for their efforts in making the evening such a stellar success. 

From their Argentine chaperone, Sylive de Toré:

"On April 10, four girls from Colegio Jesus Maria in Buenos Aires, Argentina, arrived in Boston for their three-week Exchange Program.  They were hosted by four families from Fontbonne Academy who kindly and generously offered their hospitality.

The Argentinean girls were delighted with the experience, since not only were they able to experience how an American girl lives and studies, but they were also integrated into several classes that gave them a deeper insight into the academic activities of their 'Bostonian sisters.'  They followed the daily schedule of their hosts, but were also taken to different places of interest around the area, such as Vermont, Rhode Island, and the City of Boston itself.  As part of this experience, the girls traveled to New York City for five days where they had also a wonderful experience. They managed to visit all the highlights this cosmopolitan city has to offer, including two Broadway shows!  They also toured Boston sights, including the Kennedy Library, Harvard University, Faneuil Hall, and other Boston highlights.

This has undoubtedly been a fantastic experience for the four Argentinean girls, one I'm sure they will never forget!  We look forward to welcoming the Bostonian girls in Argentina this coming June!  We will try to make their stay as good as this one, and we will try to offer them some of our Argentinean hospitality. Las esperamos!!"

This summer our four Fontbonne hostesses will travel to Argentina to soak in the Buenos Aires culture and take part in the Colegio Jesus Maria community.  Plans for next year's exchange program are already underway.  Students in grades 9 and 10 who are interested in participating in the Argentina Exchange or the France Exchange Program should speak with Mrs. Herbert or Ms. Azcue.  An informational meeting as well as the application process will be held in the fall. 

Congratulations to the 2012 Julie Connelly Citizens Bank Social Justice Interns:  Emma  Byrne, Colleen MacDonald, Maretta Morovitz, and Kimberly Huntress.  Each of these girls will receive a stipend this summer to work in a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women and children.  This is the third and final year of the internship that was created in honor of Julie Connelly '77 who passed away in 2009.