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Focus on Fontbonne
Fall Newsletter
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Dear Parents/ Guardians and Families,
Welcome to our first issue of "Focus on Fontbonne" this school year. This e-publication portrays the vibrancy of our school; I hope you enjoy scrolling through the stories that highlight some of the good news being made by your daughters!
As we move toward Thanksgiving, we focus on finding the time to practice gratitude. I am grateful for our students and what they have achieved this fall, including seniors who have received recognition in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program--three commended students and one semi-finalist--the second year in a row Fontbonne has been able to claim that distinction! I am also grateful to our Information Technology (IT) department and the entire Learning
Community for coming together to launch
www.myfontbonneacademy.org. What an impact it is having on the life of our school, creating more connections and facilitating the learning process. In the new year, we will introduce more technological changes, reflecting the significant investment of school resources we have made to position Fontbonne for an even brighter future.
This time of year also provides an opportunity to reflect and be thankful for the positive impact Fontbonne has had on the lives of its students past and present. In school year 2014-2015, Fontbonne will celebrate her 60th year of educating young women and preparing them to be leaders in the changing world. In recognition of this achievement, I am excited to announce that we will be launching a year of celebration in the fall of 2014. We are planning four signature events to showcase our outstanding academic, arts, athletic and service programs. The year of celebration will culminate in the spring of 2015 with a gala event that will honor our past and set a course for the future. Planning is underway and soon we will be asking for your help with these events. Please, I ask you to be generous with your time, talent, and treasure when we put out the call!
Finally, I am thankful for the vibrancy of the Fontbonne Academy Community and the commitment of our generous supporters. This past weekend, we held our third annual "Dancing with the Fontbonne Stars", which brought together students, parents, alumnae and friends for a fun and entertaining evening to raise funds for our educational program. Thank you to the many volunteers and donors who helped bring this event to life, with a special "Thank You" to the event organizer, Mrs. Jackie McKenna '83, in our Alumnae Office. I am also looking forward to the production of "Steel Magnolias" being performed by our drama troupe The Good Fountain Players. Performances will be held from Friday, November 22, to Sunday, November 24. It is going to be a tremendous show and I hope to see you there.
We continue to appreciate and be grateful for each of you who partner with us in providing this extraordinary Fontbonne education. We would not be as successful as we are without you and the support you give us each day in expecting your daughter to work hard to do her very best. Thank you for entrusting your daughter to our care.
On behalf of our entire Fontbonne Adult Learning Community, we wish you and your families every blessing on Thanksgiving and each day of the year.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Barnes
Head of School
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| "Steel Magnolias" Opens Next Weekend! |  Save the date for The Good Fountain Players' production of "Steel Magnolias." The show will be performed on the following dates: Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 23, at 7 p.m. Sunday, November 24, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. Wikipedia describes the show as "... a comedy-drama play about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. It is written by Robert Harling, based on his experience with the death of his sister. The title suggests the 'female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel'." Help us fill the auditorium next weekend, come and enjoy this show, filled with a small cast of very talented performers. |
| Fontbonne Integrates Technology into 21st Century Learning |
Fontbonne freshwomen are using their iPads in class and throughout the school to enhance their learning experience this year. Above, Nyla Brewster '17, uses her iPad in her history class.
Fontbonne is moving forward with the integration of technology as a tool for student learning. The school is making an investment of $250,000 over the next five years to enhance its online lpresence to prepare our young women for leadership in the 21st century.
This fall, we launched a one-to-one tablet learning initiative with the Class of 2017, the current ninth grade. Fontbonne is the only Catholic girls' school in the area with a comprehensive grade-based program of this kind. The students are using Apple iPads as their portable tablets in the first year of the initiative. These tablets offer more than 15,000 apps for education and will allow students to engage in their education at a different level than ever before. Many text books are available through the iPad and curricula have been rewritten to leverage this new measure, allowing our students to interact with educational content. Fontbonne intends to expand this initiative to all grades in future years and is seeking support for the expansion.
As part of the implementation of this initiative, thirty teachers are using the device this fall, including the entire math, English, world languages and theology departments. In addition, they are being supported throughout the integration by significant professional development. This program underscores Fontbonne's commitment to integrating technology into its curriculum.
With the school's wireless system recently upgraded and the rollout of www.myfontbonneacademy.org, the student-teacher-parent portal, called a learning management system, or LMS, students will be able to take full advantage of the technology. Fontbonne also installed Apple TV devices in every classroom this summer, enabling, among other things, the fluid use of projectors with iPads. "We are making strides to enhance the educational experience at Fontbonne, and the measures we have taken for this school year are dramatic," said Head of School, Mary Ellen Barnes, who orchestrated the initiation of the program. With such investment, Fontbonne is moving forward to meet the learning needs of its students.
"Fontbonne is dedicated to preparing our students for success. We do this by providing high caliber instruction and attentive individualized academic support. We believe that the use of real-world technology will enhance this instruction and encourage active student engagement," said Barnes.
Although traditional skill sets will always be valuable, there are roles and activities in the future economy that have yet to be defined. With the preparation they receive today, Fontbonne students will be poised to address those challenges and be leaders in the changing world.
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| Fontbonne Announces Class of 2014 National Merit Scholars | |
Fontbonne Academy Students who were recognized in the National Merit Scholarship Competition (from left to right): Semifinalist Katharine Comber, and Commended Students Elizabeth Magnuson, Abigail Plouffe, and Sylvie Grenier.
For the second consecutive year, Fontbonne Academy is proud to announce that four members of the Class of 2014 have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Fontbonne Academy seniors Elizabeth Magnuson, Abigail Plouffe, and Sylvie Grenier have been named Commended Students in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. These young women are in the top 5% of students nationwide, as measured by the October 2012 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). Of the more than 1.5 million students who took the test, 34,000 are recognized as Commended Students for their exceptional academic promise.
Senior Katharine Comber was named a Semi-finalist, placing among the top 1% of students nationwide. She will continue in the competition, which culminates in the spring with the announcement of National Merit Scholarships. "Last year our semi-finalist became a winner, and we are confident of Katie's abilities and know she will do well in the competition," said Assistant Head School for Academics, Gita Kupcinskas. "Fontbonne students are well prepared not only for this competition, but for future successes; we are very proud of these exceptional scholars."
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| Students Reflect on Summer Mission Trip | |
Students reflected on their summer mission trip at Overlook Farm in mid-October. Front Row: Brittany Cornell '15, Emily Song '15, Guiverlly Blaise '15, Rebecca Olivieri '14, Victoria Crowley '15 Back Row: Viviane Chau '15, Caroline Brady '15, Jacqueline Choi '15, Valencia Vixama '15, Natalie Saintil '15, Jessie Clegg '15, Courtney Krause '15. Not pictured (but a member of the trip): Gabriella Minos '15.
Fontbonne students who worked at the Heifer International Farm in Rutland, MA, this summer gave a presentation to students and adults in the learning community after school on Monday, October 21. Thirteen students participated in an alternative mission trip in late June to Overlook Farm, a sustainable farm used by Heifer International for educational programs. The students and two chaperones lived and worked on the farm for five days, and were taught about hunger, poverty, and other injustices affecting people in countries around the globe.
The students compiled a slideshow including photos of their adventures planting, feeding animals, herding animals and social justice-based learning activities. They also shared their one-night "Global Gateway" experiences in which they traded the bunkhouses for simple living arrangements in the style of developing nations. During that time, students were challenged to prepare a meal with limited resources based on available Kenyan or Ghanaian staples and to spend a night in homes that would be typical of these nations. Starting a fire and cooking their dinner from raw ingredients was something none of them were prepared for, and several went hungry that night. Students were taught Heifer's core values and 12 cornerstones for just and sustainable development which all begin with the principle to "pass on the gift."
Reflections were given on appreciating what we often take for granted in our daily lives, with one student, Jessie Clegg '15, commenting, "I have gained so much insight on the level of poverty that some people face and have been inspired to find ways to help end poverty and hunger." Natalie Saintil '15 gave a daily schedule of activities, noting how they went to sleep and woke with the sun which was a completely different experience for all of them, and described how tired the students were after a day of manual labor.
The students then led their peers in an interactive game that they learned on the farm. The activity demonstrated how people who are "lucky" enough to be given a large number of resources to begin with are generally able to maintain that level of comfort while those who have limited resources are never able to get beyond reliance on the charity of others. The objective of the game is to discover how to break out of a cycle of poverty through sustainable development and education.
"The trip was such a great success this summer. Students really grew in their understanding of the challenges of hunger and poverty in our world, and they gained the tools to recognize how their own choices can impact our global community." said Katy Denning, Director of the Office of Mission and Ministry, who was one of their chaperones. 
Students worked at Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA this summer. Standing, from left: Gabriella Minos '15, Valencia Vixama '15, Jacqueline Choi '15, Viviane Chau '15, Guiverlly Blaise '15, Courtney Krause '15, Natalie Saintil '15, Brittany Cornell '15, Jessie Clegg '15, Victoria Crowley '15, Caroline Brady '15, and Rebecca Olivieri '14. In front: Emily Song '15.
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| Theology Field Trips Raise Awareness | |
Mr. Waters' Introduction to junior New Testament class at students in front of the Museum of Science after seeing the IMAX film, Jerusalem.
Seniors in Mr. Waters' Social Justice classes visited the Museum of Science to see the IMAX film, "Jerusalem," and the New England Holocaust Memorial at Faneuil Hall on Sunday, October 27. Over the last month, Mr. Waters' classes have been discussing the war in Syria, deliberating if a war can be just, and focusing on the important role the Church has played in promoting non-violence and peace in the region.
The purpose of the field trip was to explore the role of tolerance in the peace process. In the movie, "Jerusalem," students were exposed to three young women and how they preserve their religious identities (Jewish, Muslim, and Christian) in an ancient city known for its divisiveness. A tour of the New England Holocaust Memorial afterwards was a potent reminder of what happens when we fail to respect religious differences. The field trip concluded with lunch and discussion at Faneuil Hall.
Students followed up the field trip with a paper on how these invisible walls exist in our own community and what we can do to be a more tolerant, Christ-centered school.
Mr. Water's senior Social Justice class students listening to a talk on the Holocaust while visiting the New England Holocaust Memorial at Faneuil Hall.
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Congratulations to Our Catholic Conference All Stars
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Congratulations to the seniors who were named Catholic Conference All Stars. From left: Madison Devine (volleyball), Kayla Odegaard (cross country), Collette O'Connor (cross country), and Caroline Shea (volleyball).
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| Donor Appreciation Breakfast |
 Student ambassadors posed with family and friends at the Donor Appreciation Breakfast on October 24. From left: Patricia Curran, Julia Magnuson '15, Natalie Saintil '15, and Joan Garity '62.
On October 24, Fontbonne hosted its first Donor Appreciation Breakfast in the Foyer. The purpose of the event was to recognize our generous supporters and give them insight as to how their contributions directly impact the educational experience of our students. During the breakfast, donors had an opportunity to speak with students who joined them at their tables. In addition, Collette O'Connor '14 addressed the audience, providing them with her perspective on how being a student at Fontbonne has prepared her to take on the challenges she will face after her graduation. It was a wonderful event and we look forward to hosting more of these events in the future!
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| The Fund for Fontbonne | |
The Fall Appeal for The Fund for Fontbonne has begun. A letter from Tom and Amy Montminy P'15, P'15 asking parents to support The Fund for Fontbonne was sent to Fontbonne parents and guardians this week.
The Montminys believe strongly in supporting The Fund, saying, "Tuition only covers eighty percent of the cost to educate each student. The Fund for Fontbonne allows for investment in all those things that are important to our daughters' education: curriculum development, facilities enhancements, athletics and wellness programs, theatre and chorus, fine arts exhibits, and technology upgrades. There is no gift too big or too small. Every gift has an impact."
Fellow parents will be calling after the Thanksgiving break to answer questions about The Fund for Fontbonne and ask for your support. Donations can be made by returning the envelope enclosed in your letter or through our website, by clicking "Donate Now." Please consider making a gift today so they can thank you for your generosity! For more information about The Fund for Fontbonne, please contact Marcy Winokur, Mission Advancement Officer, at mwinokur@fontbonneacademy.org.
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| Dancing With The Fontbonne Stars | |
Dancing With The Fontbonne Stars dancers. From left to right: Jane Callahan P'09, P'09, P'11, P'14; Anthony Emma, Fontbonne's IT Support/LAN Administrator; Mary Louise Larkin '69; Mike McKenna P'14, P'16, P'17; and Mary Ellen Callahan '09.
Dancing with the Fontbonne Stars was held on Saturday, November 16, at Fontbonne. The gymnasium was transformed into a grand ballroom and guests were mesmerized by the exquisite dancing, costumes, and drama of the fundraising event. Professional dancers were paired with members of the Fontbonne community and competed in the hustle, cha-cha, lindy hop, swing, salsa, and tango. Our brave dancers were Mary Louise Larkin '69; Mary Ellen Callahan '09; Michael McKenna P'14, P'15, P'17; Jane Callahan P'09, P'09, P'11, & P'14 and Anthony Emma, IT Support/LAN Administrator. Emcees were Bill Callahan P'09, P'09, P'11, & P'14 and Rita Senier P'13, P'16. After an exciting evening filled with dancing, including student performances, and professional ballroom pairs, Michael McKenna was announced as the Grand Champion. The individual winners were Signature Move: Mary Ellen Callahan; Most Enthusiastic: Mike McKenna; Most Likely To Dance Professionally: Mary Louise Larkin; Instructors' Choice: Jane Callahan; Most Creative: Anthony Emma. Many thanks to our dancers and the professional dancers, especially Lilia Wood, owner of Newton-based Ballroom in Boston who graciously donated all of the dance lessons to our competitors, and to the entire Fontbonne community for your support of this successful fundraiser.
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Can You Lend Your Time & Talents?
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Planning is underway for two upcoming events and we are looking for a few good volunteers! First, Evening of Stars, Fontbonne's annual gala event, which will be held in March 2014. The first meeting of the Planning Committee will be held in early December. We need assistance with our auction, sponsorship and event logistics committees. It's a great way to connect with fellow parents and help raise funds for Fontbonne!
The second event is the school's 60th Anniversary Celebration. This year-long celebration will begin on July 1, 2014 and end on June 30, 2015. We will be planning events to highlight academics, athletics, arts and service, as well as a gala event in the spring of 2015. We will need help in all these areas, so please consider becoming a volunteer!
If you would like to lend your talents to our efforts, please contact Marcy Winokur, Mission Advancement Officer, at mwinokur@fontbonneacademy.org or 617.615.3003.
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| Class of 2013 Gift Presentation | |
Students Jacqueline Karol '14, Madelyn McCarthy '14, and Mary Shea '14stand with the gift from the Class of 2013, a fountain which was installed in front of the school this fall. It will be presented by our newest alumnae at Spirit Day, November 27.
We are looking forward to welcoming back the Class of 2013 for Spirit Day on November 27! Not only will they be there to watch all the festivities that morning, but they will also be officially presenting their class gift, the water fountain that is now present at the entrance to the school. We greatly appreciate their support in bringing this fountain to our campus, a wonderful representation of the "living waters" highlighted in the school's alma mater.
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Young Alum Inspires Art Students
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Caitie Cawley '11 spoke to Mrs. Robertson's AP Art Class in October. Ms. Cawley is pursuing a career using the art skills she learned at Fontbonne. From left: Lauren Yanchuk '14, Elizabeth Magnuson '14, Tianna Szeto '14, Caitie Cawley '11, Sarah Albanese'14, Yuze Wu '14, Rhaldyan Arioudu '14, Emily Velasquez '14, Caroline Shea '14, Becca Barry '14, Morgan McKenna '14, Carli Gavin '14, and Ivanna Allen '14.
Caitie Cawley '11 came back to Fontbonne on Friday, October 18, during her fall break from Maryland Institute College of Art where she is a senior, majoring in graphic design. She presented to three of Mrs. Robertson's art classes that day, focusing on her summer internships at Boston-based Life is Good and Oscar de la Renta in New York City. She spoke about her classwork and her senior thesis, encouraging art students to see art as a serious career path and to experience internships, no matter your major. The presentation ended with a robust question and answer period; students asked questions ranging from life at school in Baltimore to models in the fashion world.
"Caitie's story was so captivating because it demonstrates how many different places art can take you. Art is not just a hobby, as many people think it is, but it's a real career path and Caitie is a perfect example of the places we can go and the things we can do after Fontbonne when we choose to pursue art," said senior Morgan McKenna who is planning on majoring in art in college.
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Student Council Car Wash a Success
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Fontbonne students enjoyed themselves during the annual Student Council Car Wash on Saturday, September 14. From left: Morgan McKenna '14, Natalie Saintil '15, Meaghan Gemma '15, Julia Magnuson '15, Victoria Bourikas '15, and Kayla Odegaard '14.
Fontbonne Academy's Student Council hosted its annual car wash the morning of Saturday, September 14, in the circle in front of the school. With the sun shining and the crisp fall air, it was the perfect day for the event, and the Student Council members were ready for business. The car wash raised over $800 to go toward programs geared to enhance student life at Fontbonne. |
Ellie Fund Walk and Volleyball Games
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Walkers gathered before walking the streets of Milton at The Walk for the Ellie Fund in late September. The walkers raised over $6,000 to help the victims of breast cancer.
Fontbonne Academy hosted The Walk for the Ellie Fund, a 5-mile walk thought the streets of Milton in late September. Students, friends, family, alumnae, and neighbors gathered at Fontbonne to walk and to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Fontbonne partnered this year with The Ellie Fund, a non-profit organization that helps ease the effects of breast cancer on patients and families in Massachusetts. Student leaders Erin Cawley '14 and Collette O'Connor '14 managed the fundraising for the event as part of their social justice project. Over 100 people came out to the walk and Fontbonne raised over $6,000 for the cause.
The volleyball teams hosted "Volley For a Cure" in October. The JV and varsity teams donned pink shirts and charged $5 admission to their games. They also held bake sales at their games. They raised over $400 for the Ellie Fund. Congratulations to the Fontbonne community for all of your support.
The "Volley For Cure". Back row, from left: Varsity Coach Kathleen McCarthy, Meg Shea '14, Eliza Donahue '17, Rebecca Barry '14, Caroline Shea '14, Caila Kilson-Kuchtic '17, Meg Gemma '15, Leah Simmons '17, Caroline Travers '15, Mary Kate Kilcommons '16, Danielle Rood '15, Shannon Kelley '16, Nyla Brewster '17, Sarah Iglesias '17. Middle row: Thaila Etienne '17, Natalie Lunny '17, Hannah Hefler '16, Marcy Wolfsberg '17, Kacey O'Toole '16, Kathryn Meschino '15, Nicole Kunze '17, Maggie Carroll '17, and Coach Maria Devine. Front row: Maddie Devine '14, Katie Balestraci '17, Carlie Gavin '14, Erin Matthews '16, Reilly Hayes '16, and Mairead Flynn '17.
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Fontbonne Stops Selling Water Bottles
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Kayla Mitchell '16 of Canton takes advantage of Fontbonne's newest filtered water dispenser. Fontbonne Academy has stopped selling water bottles this year in an effort to help the environment.
Fontbonne has stopped stocking water bottles in its refrigerator this year, and has gotten rid of its free standing water bottle machine as well. "We really wanted to stop contributing to a big environmental problem; landfills are just loaded with water bottles," said Sister Maryann Enright, whose office is adjacent to the cafeteria. She oversaw the implementation of a new filtered water system at Fontbonne, allowing students to get fresh, clean water in the cafeteria in their personal reuseable water bottles. "Students have really embraced this new method, and we are proud to be good stewards of the environment," said Sister Maryann.
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| 2013 Halloween Winners | |
Halloween winners by grade were selected during homeroom on Halloween morning. It was quite a competition, with many creative and fantastic costumes. Winners by grade, from left: Lauren Critelli '17 (chicken); Cecilia Moreira '16 (Flash superhero); Jiangnan (Nancy) Bian '15 (Geisha girl); Elizabeth Magnuson '14 (Starbucks drink). The overall winner was Elizabeth Magnuson.
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930 Brook Road,Milton, MA 02186 617-696-3241 |
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