The Foote School 
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January 9, 2014
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MOSAIC Event to Explore Partition of India and Pakistan


MOSAIC is hosting its first of two events for the Foote community next Thurs., Jan. 16, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Perrine Library. Dr. Fasih Q. Zaman and Dr. Steven Wilkinson will lead a talk about the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 entitled "Divided Homelands, Unfriendly Homes." Dr. Zaman, a grandfather to three Foote students, was just 7 years old when his family left India for the relative safety of the Muslim majority in the newly created state of Pakistan. Dr. Wilkinson, the father of two Foote students, is the Nilekani Professor of India and South Asian Studies, and Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, at Yale University and a noted expert on the region.

Join us for what promises to be an enlightening evening. The event is free. RSVP to Carol Poling at cpoling@footeschool.org.

For more information on MOSAIC (Multicultural, Open Minded, Supportive, Accepting, Inclusive Community) click here.
AllSchoolNewsALL SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
Resubscribe to Web Calendars

The Week at a Glance calendar and the athletic calendars on our website have undergone some behind-the-scenes changes. If you'd like to subscribe, you'll find the link(s) at the top right corner of each school calendar. If you had subscribed to the calendars prior to today, you will need to resubscribe. 
Fall Term Reports

Middle School fall term reports will be going out the week of Jan. 13. Lower School fall term reports will be going out the week of Jan. 27. 
National Geographic Bee - Jan. 10

Foote is again participating in the National Geographic Bee - a nationwide contest aimed at sparking student interest in geography - and the school competition is tomorrow, Fri., Jan. 10, from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Students in grades 4-8 are welcome to participate. The top Foote finisher will compete for a chance in the state finals and, if successful there, the national competition in May. Questions? Contact Trevor Rosenthal at trosenthal@footeschool.org.
Sign Up for STARS and Winter Minicourses

STARS
STARS - the program that brings together students from Foote and New Haven public schools - begins this Sat., Jan. 11. The program is free and meets eight Saturday mornings from mid-January to early March. There are four courses to choose from: Hello! Hola; Acting Out Stories; Art for All; and Exploring the Arts. Cooking With Stories is full. Click the links for course descriptions and enrollment forms.

Minicourses
After school minicourses for the winter term include Exploratory Art, Model Making, Arts & Crafts, Knitting, Math Enrichment, Around the World, Basketmaking and Beginners' and Advanced Chess. Click here to download full course descriptions and the enrollment form.
Annual Fund: Help Us Get to 100 Percent!

AF logo
Annual Fund parent participation percentages continue to increase, but we still need your help! Give now by clicking here. Many thanks again to those who have already sent their support!




   
  MSNewsMIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
MATHCOUNTS Competition - Jan. 14

Foote is participating in the national MATHCOUNTS competition, and the school contest takes place next Tues., Jan. 14 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Sturley Room. Foote launched a new MATHCOUNTS club this year but next week's competition is open to all students in grades 6 though 8. The top 10 finishers will represent Foote at Yale in the Chapter competition on Sat., Feb. 1 - the top four finishers will compete as a team and the remaining six as individuals. The top three teams from that contest will go on to the state competition in Hartford on Sat., March 8, and a chance at the national match in Orlando this May. Questions? Contact Megan Williams at meganwilliams@footeschool.org.
 LSNewsLOWER SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
Parents of 5th Graders - Save the Date!

Parents of fifth graders are invited to a discussion with Head of Lower School Beth Mello on Wed., Jan. 29 at 8:15 a.m. in the Twichell Room. Consulting psychiatrist Michael Kaplan will talk about developmental changes you may see in your 'tween.  Following the discussion, Beth will share information about ERB testing and the process for determining math placement for grade 6. The event will last about one hour and coffee will be served. RSVP to Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org. 

PTCNewsPTC NEWS
Volunteer to Help at the Spring Auction!

For anyone interested in helping out with the Spring Auction this year, there will be a meeting next Thurs., Jan. 16, from 1:45-2:45 p.m. in the Sturley Room. All are welcome! This year's event is going to be a comedy night: "LOL - Laughs on Loomis!" Come hear about the ways you can get involved or to learn more about the event. Questions? Email ptcauction@footeschool.org. 
Update on Stop & Shop Rewards Program

Do you remember being asked at the beginning of the year to register your Stop & Shop card to earn money for Foote? Together, our purchases have already earned $1,951 from Stop & Shop's A+ School Rewards Program. Thank you to everyone participating. If you have not registered your card, click here to sign up. It's quick and simple.

Additionally, a few families routinely use Cash for Causes gift cards for all of their grocery shopping. They have earned an additional $500 for Foote simply  by paying for their groceries in a different way. Anyone can purchase these gift cards at the Front Desk: a $100 check made out to the Foote PTC will give you $100 of groceries AND earn $5 for Foote. It's a win-win!  

DayInLifeA DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOOTE
Candle Houses Light Up Winter

Clay candle houses are a longstanding tradition at Foote, and fourth graders spent months molding, firing and glazing their creations in Jennifer Youngblood's art class. The culmination of that work came in late December when students brought their finished candle houses to the Sandine Theater and lit them in the dark for a few awe-inspiring moments. As always, this year's "Candle House Ceremony" featured not only the clay abodes but original winter-themed poetry by fourth graders. Some verses were read by individuals, others by groups of kids. After the poems, drama teacher Julian Schlusberg turned off the lights and the audience of parents and teachers let out an audible "aaah" as the candle houses illuminated the stage. Before you could say happy holidays, the lights came back on and the ceremony was over. It was a great kick-off to winter that brought a feeling of lightness to everyone in attendance. Click here to see more photos on our Facebook page.


Winter Assembly Hits All the Right Notes

From hand bells to steel drums, from chorus to guitars, students from almost every grade played a role in the musical smorgasbord presented at this year's winter assembly. There were holiday carols, jazzy numbers and a cover of Katy Perry's pop hit "Roar" unlike anything you've ever heard. (Click the still frame below to watch). The Foote community also bade farewell to Chinese guest teacher Huang Qiong, aka Hannah, who returned to Yali Middle School.
Foote School Steel Drum Band Covers Katy Perry's
Foote School Steel Drum Band Covers Katy Perry's "Roar"


From the Faculty Blogs

Katy Botta's Kindergartners read a book about a Nobel Peace Prize winner, then did a related project with a surprise ending. (Pictured)

It was too cold for outdoor recess on Tuesday, but Sue Delaney's MAG students found plenty of fun indoors.

Jim Adams' fifth graders wrote reviews of books they read over winter vacation - in 15 words or fewer!

Head of Middle School John Turner recounts how seventh graders almost missed the opera at the Met this week, but were saved by Foote's stellar reputation.

To read more, check out the Lower School blogs and Middle School blogs.  
DatesDates to Remember
Jan. 16 - MOSAIC Event: "Divided Homelands, Unfriendly Homes." 7:00 p.m. in the Perrine Library
Jan. 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL (No Vacation Program Available)
Feb. 3-6 - Middle School Parent Adviser Conferences (by appointment)