The Foote School 
E-News
September 26, 2013
In This Issue
Quick Links
Parents Night Recap

Thanks to all the parents who helped make last week's annual Parents Night & Fall Dinner a big success. Hundreds of families converged on Foote's campus for an evening of classroom presentations, a catered dinner from L'Orcio and a homemade dessert buffet coordinated by the PTC.


Head of School Carol Maoz shared with parents insights from Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, whose research reveals that hard work is often more important than natural talent in developing young learners. To demonstrate how Foote students grow through perseverance and persistence, Carol Maoz presented self-portraits drawn by Kindergarteners with crayons alongside detailed, realistic ones created by seventh graders. Then she asked parents to sketch their own self-portraits, eliciting a mix of groans and chuckles. 

 

Click here for more photos.

 

null
null
AllSchoolNewsALL SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
Chinese Visitors Arrive Next Week

This year's Yali delegation of 25 students and three teachers will arrive on the Foote campus next Tuesday, Oct. 1. Our Chinese guests are packing in a lot over the course of four days, starting with a cultural exchange project based on the Foote School motto, "Gladly will I learn and gladly teach," in which Yali and Foote students teach one another songs, games and other activities from their respective homelands. Yali guests will also visit downtown New Haven and Hammonasset Beach, pick apples at Bishop's Orchards to make pies for a soup kitchen and go bowling in East Haven, among other outings. 

 

An All School Assembly for the Yali delegation will be held at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2. 

Tomorrow is Arts Day

Foote students and teachers are looking forward to a fun-filled Arts Day tomorrow. Kids will participate in an all-school singalong, a giant Zumba class and a series of creative workshops - from "Observational Chicken Drawing" to "Bluegrass Instrument Making" - led by local artists, Foote parents, alumni and former faculty. Look for a full report and lots of pictures in next week's E-News!
 Last Call to Fill Out Math Survey
Have you taken our survey on Foote's mathematics curriculum? The survey closes on Friday - so if you haven't already, please take a few minutes to share your thoughts by clicking here. Your feedback will help enormously as we undertake a comprehensive review. Thank you! 
Sign Up for After-School Mini Courses
It's time to sign your children up for fall 2013 mini courses. This year's offerings include some new courses as well as some old favorites. Click here to browse the courses and download the enrollment form. Questions? Contact After School Program Director Dawn Walsh at 203-777-3464 ext.262, or dwalsh@footeschool.org. 
Grandparents Day Update
Grandparents Day is Fri., Oct. 11, from 8:30-12:30. Grandparents and special friends are invited to visit grandchildren's classes, take a mini-course or school tour, and enjoy an All School Assembly.

Invitations
If your child plans to bring a special friend in place of a grandparent, let us know so we can send an invitation. Send the special friend's name and mailing address to Maria Granquist in the Development Office, at mgranquist@footeschool.org.  

Please Volunteer
Grandparents Day volunteers are still needed, so if you can donate a few hours of your time - either on Thurs., Oct. 10 from 12-3, or Fri., Oct. 11, from 8:30-12:30 - please contact Maria Granquist at mgranquist@footeschool.org. 
MSNewsMIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
Reminder: Eighth Grade Parents Meeting
Learn about Foote's ninth grade program
at the Eighth Grade Parents Meeting.  

Wed., Oct. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. 

Sandine Theater.

We will provide light refreshments for this discussion of the unique benefits and opportunities of Foote School's ninth grade.

Please RSVP by Oct. 2 to Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org, or 203-777-3464 x208.
New Activity Club - Mathcounts
Foote School has a new club this year for students in grades 6-8: Mathcounts, a national club aimed at enriching middle school learners. Any student may participate in the club and take part in competitions (at the city, state and even national levels) this school year. Click here to download the sign-up form, and email faculty adviser Megan Williams for more info. The first club meeting is Oct. 10.
LSNewsLOWER SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
K and MAG Students - Bring Lunch on Friday
Parents of Kindergarten and MAG students are reminded to pack a cold/disposable lunch for Arts Day Friday, Sept. 27. Lunch will be outside with older buddies. 
PTCNewsPTC NEWS
Stop & Shop Rewards


Thank you to all the families who have signed up their Stop & Shop cards with the A+ Rewards Program this year. Foote School earns a tiny percentage of your purchases every time you shop.  If you have not registered your card yet (and you must do so every year), click here to enter your 13-digit card number and designate The Foote School as your choice. Our school code is 08832. Or email Foote's Stop & Shop coordinator, Vicki Murphy, with your Stop & Shop card number and your last name.

Another way to help Foote School is to use Stop & Shop gift cards, purchased thru the PTC, to pay for your groceries every time you shop. Here's how it works: In exchange for your $100 check made out to the Foote PTC, you will receive a $100 Stop & Shop gift card, and Foote will earn $5. Imagine how much money you could donate to Foote this year just by paying for your groceries in a different way! Gift cards are available for purchase at the Front Desk or from Vicki Murphy. Email Vicki with questions or to arrange to get gift cards at pickup time. 
Golf Tournament This Sunday, Sept. 29
Today is the last day to sign up for the Fore for Foote golf tournament, a new fundraising event that tees off Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. at the Tradition Golf Course in Wallingford. To sign up, email Mark Anestis ASAP, at anestismark@yahoo.com. The forecast is calling for beautiful weather, so it should be a great day for golf!
DatesDates to Remember
Oct. 2 - Yali Assembly
Oct. 5 - 8th & 9th Grade SSAT Prep Class (registration required) 
Oct. 8 - Student Photo Day (download order form here)   
Oct. 11 - Grandparents Day - 12:30 dismissal (After School available) 
Oct. 14 - Fall Weekend - NO SCHOOL (No Vacation Program.) 
Oct. 25 - Halloween Parade and Fair
DayInLifeA DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOOTE
Exploring Shoreline Ecosystems

The fifth grade is studying ecosystems, and on Sept. 25, students explored tidal pools and salt marshes at the Connecticut Audubon Society in Milford. Donning wellies and holding nets and buckets, the fifth graders collected shellfish, seaweed and crabs, and learned about invasive species such as the Japanese Shore Crab, which is crowding out native species along the Connecticut shoreline. Click here for more photos.
 
From the Faculty Blogs

Science teacher Kim Birge-Liberman took 9th grade biology students to the West River to practice their "kicknetting" and seining skills (pictured left). Students collected crabs, a large mouth bass, barnacles and a shrimp.

Physical Education teacher Eric Einbinder has a photo slideshow (with music) looking back at the school year so far.

Chinese teacher Lely Evans spent time telling stories and tasting moon cake to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

Amanda Diffley's third graders were given one period to make inventions that solved a problem, and came up with the Triple Leaf Blower, The Dog Walker 3000, the "Spoonatula" and many more.

And Alexandra Wittner's Kindergartners read Alice McLerren's book Roxaboxen in preparation for Arts Day.

To read more, check out the Lower School blogs and Middle School blogs.