The Foote School 
E-News
October 24, 2013
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Schedule for Tomorrow's
Halloween Parade & Fair


The Halloween Parade & Fair is tomorrow, Fri., Oct. 25, from 2-4 p.m. Here's the schedule:

12:30 p.m. - All School Dismissal  - Eighth and ninth graders remain on campus (No After School Program, practices or rehearsals) 
 
1:45 p.m. - K-7 meet in classrooms

2 p.m. - Halloween Parade on middle school recess field, followed by the fair

4 p.m. - Fair ends

5 p.m. - Pick up for eighth graders

Important Details: 
  • Kindergarten and MAG students will return to classrooms after the parade to meet their parents. Parents may then take their children to the fair.  
  • Third graders will meet at the hill by the art room after the parade.
  • Fourth graders will be dismissed to their parents on the middle school field at the end of the parade.
  • Fifth, sixth and seventh graders have responsibilities at the fair and will be dismissed to their parents when their jobs are done.
  • Eighth graders remain at school between 12:30 and 2 p.m. to set up and decorate. They will need to bring a lunch. After the fair they will clean up and enjoy pizza on the deck of the Milikowsky Building (or in the small gym if raining). Pickup is at 5 p.m. Proceeds from the fair are directed to Columbus House and their class gift.
  • The ninth grade manages the food tables and food sales. Their proceeds go toward their class gift. 
If going home between 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. will be difficult for you, you are welcome to bring lunch and eat with your child at one of the picnic tables on campus. Parents of students in grades K-7 are responsible for their children from 12:30-1:45 p.m., and again after the parade.

Please note that the city prohibits parking on the residential side of Loomis Place.  
AllSchoolNewsALL SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
No School on Fri., Nov. 1

School will be closed on Fri., Nov. 1 for a Professional Development Day for the Foote faculty and staff. Vacation program will NOT be available. 
Trick or Treat for UNICEF

Next week, the Community Service Club will provide 'Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF' boxes to each student through classroom or homeroom teachers. The club, which is made up of students in grades 4-9, is asking Foote students to collect change as they trick-or-treat on Halloween, and hopes families will consider making their own donations.

UNICEF raises money to protect children around the world so they can have a better life. The money we raise will buy water, food, medicine, immunizations and education. After Halloween, your child can bring in the UNICEF box and any donations to his/her homeroom. We hope that you and your child can donate and add to Foote's contribution to this important campaign. Thank you!
ERB Testing - Nov. 7 & 8

Students in grades 5 through 8 will take ERB tests on the mornings of Nov. 7 and 8. There will be a 12:30 dismissal on both days. After School Program will be available but there will be no music lessons.

Click here for more information about testing for grade 5.

Click here for more detailed information about testing for grades 6 through 8.

Questions? Contact Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org (Lower School) or  Liam Considine at lconsidine@footeschool.org (Middle School). 
MSNewsMIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
Parent-Teacher Conference Information

Parent-Teacher Conferences for grades 6-9 are scheduled for: 

* Thurs., Nov. 7, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.
* Fri., Nov. 8, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.
* Thurs., Nov. 14, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Parents are asked to sign up for conferences online using PickATime. Parents can access PickATime beginning Fri., Oct. 25 at 8:30 am.

Click here for information on the conferences, including step-by-step instructions for using PickATime.

Please note: There will be After School Program on Nov. 7 & 8 but no music lessons.

Questions? Contact Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org or 203-777-3464 x208. 
LSNewsLOWER SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
Coffee With the Lower School Head - 3rd Grade Parents

Head of Lower School Beth Mello is holding a series of morning talks this year to update parents on what's new in the Lower School grades. On Wed., Oct. 30, third grade parents are invited to learn about the technology curriculum, tech tips and digital citizenship with Director of Technology Mike McCabe and Lower School Technology Coordinator Julianne Ross-Kleinmann. The meeting runs from 8:15-9:15 a.m. in the Twichell Room and coffee will be served. RSVP to Erika Villa, at 203-777-3464 x208, or evilla@footeschool.org. 
Time is Running Out: Give Us Your Feedback on MAG

The Foote School faculty and administration is conducting a review of the MAG program and wants your feedback. Parents who have had children in the program (past or present) are invited to share their experiences with Mixed Age Group. Time is running out - the deadline is Nov. 18. To schedule a time with Head of School Carol Maoz or Head of Lower School Beth Mello, contact Erika Villa at 203-777-3464 x208, or evilla@footeschool.org. We look forward to hearing your feedback.
PTCNewsPTC NEWS
The Book Fair is Coming - Please Volunteer
The Book Fair is just a few weeks away - and the PTC needs parent volunteers. If you can help out on Tues., Nov. 19, Wed., Nov. 20 or Thurs., Nov. 21, please contact Angie Hurlburt at ahdesign@snet.net.


Volunteers Still Needed for Vision and Hearing Tests

On Oct. 28, Oct. 29 and Nov. 11, school nurse Maryanne Peterson will be checking vision and hearing of all students from Kindergarten through third grade, as well as all new students. We need volunteers to chaperone the kids from their classes to the Sturley Room and to help Nursie during the screening. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Cristina Baiocco at cbaiocco@hotmail.com. Thanks!
Buy Kids Clothes, Raise Money for Foote

Families who shop Tea Collection online through Foote's storefront can get free shipping and Foote earns 15 percent of all sales! Here is how it works:

1. Tea Collection is an amazing retailer of globally inspired, modern and quality clothes for children in sizes newborn to 12.  

2.  The offer runs through Oct. 27.

3.  You must use Foote's "storefront website" at http://footeschool.onlinefundraiser.net. Do NOT use Tea Collection's own website.

4.  Shop 'til you drop! Tea has great clothes for school, the holidays and more. Get a head start on holiday shopping or outfits.

5.  Get FREE shipping for helping out Foote!  Enter the promo code SCHOOLDAYS15 at check out.

6.  Please forward the store front link to all your family and friends so Foote earns more free money!

DayInLifeA DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOOTE
Eighth Graders Learn the Ropes

Eighth graders hit the campus ropes course for the first time on Wednesday and found that teamwork was the key to scaling great heights. Students donned helmets and harnesses to climb the Dangling Duo (pictured left) and to shimmy across the high-wire Multi-Vine Traverse (pictured below), while the physical education faculty belayed from below. The ropes course is the culmination of the outdoor education course and follows practice sessions in which eighth graders engage in teamwork activities, learn about climbing equipment and commands, and traverse a lower wire called the Mohawk Walk. Eighth graders will return to the ropes course throughout the fall and spring until everyone has had a chance to try the exercises, says Physical Education teacher Colleen Murphy. Click here for more photos.
 
Ninth Graders Tour U.N. Headquarters

Ninth graders hopped a train to New York City on Tuesday for a tour of the United Nations headquarters and visit to Chinatown. At the U.N., students met with Foote parent Hugh Dugan, a U.S. delegate to the United Nations. They also observed a meeting of the Economic and Social Council, which runs many U.N. programs, including UNICEF. After the tour, students enjoyed a family-style meal at Hunan Manor, where Chinese guest teacher Huang "Hannah" Qiong taught students how to eat like a native. To cap off the trip, students visited a Buddhist temple in Chinatown, bargained at small shops and bought fried dumplings for the train ride home.    
Sixth Graders Scale Bear Mountain

Sixth graders hiked to the top of Connecticut last week, scaling Bear Mountain in Salisbury, elevation 2,316 feet. The annual trip ties into the journey theme in Humanities and the life science course. This was the 12th time the sixth grade has hiked the state's highest peak, and Humanities Co-Chair Debra Riding says it was the most beautiful day she could remember. "The weather was warm and clear, the leaves were in peak color and the kids were absolute mountain goats." The group even encountered an Appalachian Trail through-hiker. A dozen parent volunteers helped out too, making for a fun and adventurous day. 
From the Faculty Blogs

Fifth graders returned from Deer Lake (pictured) with tales to tell. Teachers Jim Adams, Jake Burt and Adam Solomon returned with literally hundreds of photos.

Emily Buckley's MAG students hosted a Foote parent who taught them about the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, and why men wear only white to prayer.

Katy Botta's Kindergartners were visited by Foote mother and board member Kiran Zaman, who shared clothes and toy trucks from Pakistan and wrote kids' names in Arabic.

And science teacher Kim Birge-Liberman posted photos of ninth grade biology students examining macroinvertebrates they collected from the West River for signs of water pollution.

To read more, check out the Lower School blogs and Middle School blogs. 
DatesDates to Remember
Oct. 25 - Halloween Parade and Fair - All School Dismissal 12:30 (No After School)
Nov. 1 - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL (No Vacation Program)
Nov. 3 - Open House for prospective families, 1-3 p.m.
Nov. 7 & 8 - ERB Testing - All School Dismissal 12:30 (After School available)
Nov. 7 & 8 - MS and LS Parent Conferences (by appt) - Ninth grade school visits
Nov. 14 - Parent Conferences for MS
Nov. 19-21 - Book Fair