Parent Enews from Foote Jan. 3

The Foote School

E-News

January 3, 2012

Happy New Year!

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Community Service:

A Foote Focus

Students throughout Foote were actively involved in numerous Community Service efforts in December. Families, faculty and staff, led by the sixth grade, collected 1,030 cans and boxes of food for St. Ann's Soup Kitchen. With generous contributions from the Student Council, Foote also raised $1,000 for American Red Cross efforts for Hurricane Sandy victims. Various classes made smaller but equally significant gestures; for example, in Janet Cassarino's Spanish classes, students created holiday greeting cards for residents of Casa Otonal, a housing facility for seniors in New Haven.

The Giving Tree for Hurricane Sandy relief

Food for St. Ann's Soup Kitchen, where the sixth grade volunteers each Monday

Students in Janet Cassarino's Spanish classes created holiday cards for residents of Casa Otonal

ALL SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION

The Season for STARS

starslogo For the past 19 years, Foote School has been involved in Saturday morning collaborations with neighborhood public schools. Called *STARS* (Schools Together for Arts ResourceS), these cooking, crafts, multi-media, and cultural programs have been elective, involving equal numbers of students and teachers from participating schools meeting together for a series of workshops culminating in a special community event. The groups are small, stressing process and interaction. The experience has been meaningful for students and teachers alike, broadening horizons and expanding repertoires.

This winter Foote is offering four programs from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 12 through March 2:

Cooking with Stories!: ages 5-7, Foote and Davis Magnet School
Hello/Hola!: ages 6-8, Foote and Strong School
Acting out Stories: third-fifth graders, Foote and John C. Daniels School
Art for All: ages 6-8: Foote and Davis Magnet School

Fliers for these programs are being circulated and are available on the Foote School website at www.footeschool.org/cocurricular/stars/stars.shtml

*STARS* programs have been funded by the Foote School Board, individuals, and foundations. The programs are free to participants, and teachers receive a stipend. Atticus Bookstore-Café/Chabaso Bakery supplies refreshments.

Questions about *STARS* programs?

Please email *STARS* coordinators Laura Altshul at laltshul@footeschool.org, Deb Rhoads at drhoads@footeschool.org, or Dawn Walsh at dwalsh@footeschool.org or call 203-777-3464.

Remember Sneakers for Gym Class
With the snowy weather, students are wearing boots to school; please remember to send sneakers for them for gym class. Thank you!

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION

Join the Geography Bee!

What: The preliminary competition for the 2013 National Geographic Bee
Where: Trevor Rosenthal's room, U-30
When: Thurs., Jan. 10, from 2:30-4 p.m.
How: All students in grades 4-8 are invited to participate in a question-and-answer quiz. There are seven rounds of questions related to geography. The top scorers will be invited to the final Foote competition, which will be held on Mon., Jan. 14.
To Register: email Trevor Rosenthal at trosenthal@footeschool.org.
Questions? Email Trevor at address above.

Seventh Grade Metropolitan Opera Trip

To Seventh Grade Parents,

The seventh grade will travel to New York City for this year's Metropolitan Opera all-day field trip on Mon., Jan. 14. Students will be attending a full dress rehearsal of Gioachino Rossini's comic opera, "Le Comte Ory," at the Metropolitan Opera.

Please read the details outlined below:

Arrival: All students must arrive at Foote by 7 a.m. Mon., Jan. 14, and go directly to their assigned bus to ensure prompt departure.
Dress Code: neat, smart, casual clothing; no blue jeans, sweat pants, athletic wear, or novelty T-shirts. Be prepared for cold weather.
Return: 4-4:30 p.m., depending on traffic. Parents will be contacted by email if we are substantially delayed.
Lunch: in a paper bag marked with student's name (no large drinks, please)
Electronics: Students may not bring iPods (etc.) into the Met. They may use electronics on the bus with parental permission, but we cannot guarantee security for these items. Alert: if Metropolitan Opera security staff notice cell phones or iPods, they may confiscate them.

If you know in advance that your child cannot attend, I need to know right away. I am in the process of lining up chaperones and making individual ticket assignments. You can reach me by email at sheath@footeschool.org, by home phone at 203-248-4615, or by cell at 203-376-6909.

Thank you!

Sarah Heath

Rehearsal Information for the Ninth Grade Play
A link to rehearsal information for the upcoming ninth grade play, "The Admirable Crichton," may be found on the front page of the website at www.footeschool.org. "The Admirable Crichton" will be presented at 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 26; Wed., Feb. 27; Thurs., Feb. 28, and Fri., March 1. Ticket sale information will be posted at a later date.

PTC NEWS

Join Us for a Discussion

On How to Talk to Your Child About Drug Use

Health educators from Freedom from Chemical Dependency will host an informal parent discussion in conjunction with the PTC meeting Wed., Jan. 9, from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Sturley Room. The FCD team will tell parents about the content they cover with students as well as offer parents guidance in helping their children avoid the risks of drug abuse. Topics to be covered include:

Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use
Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends
What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation
How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond

All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOOTE

Sixth Grade Math Night
The sixth grade held its first Math Night in December, with students displaying their mathematical prowess and instructional abilities to visitors through a variety of games and challenges.