The Foote School 
E-News
September 1, 2016
In This Issue
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Welcome to a New School Year!


Dear Families,

We are so excited to welcome everyone back for another year of discovery and learning, and to get to know the newest members of our school community.

It's been a busy summer at Foote--from the Summer Theater Program's fantastic production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to a successful second year of Horizons at Foote, our summer enrichment program for New Haven public school students. Our teachers are excited to be back and have been busily preparing to welcome your children on Tuesday. We are especially happy about our newly renovated Kindergarten classrooms, which feature radiant-floor heating, new cabinets, natural lighting, energy-efficient windows, air-conditioning and cozy lofts for reading.

This year we will have two Kindergarten classes instead of the usual three. The main reason for this is demographics--fewer families with school-age children in Connecticut. This is a trend affecting public and private schools alike across New England. After careful consideration, we decided that two full classes, rather than three smaller ones, was more consistent with our educational mission of fostering opportunities for social interaction, collaboration and problem solving among a diverse set of peers.

Overall, the school's enrollment remains strong and we are fully enrolled. We know that parents have always played a key role in keeping Foote strong, and that is certainly true this year. You are our best ambassadors, and we encourage you to share your experiences at Foote with others who may be interested in the school.

I also want to introduce our new Chinese Guest Teacher, Fu Yingfei, from our sister school, Yali, in Changsha, China. Fu Yingfei will spend the fall semester teaching students in every grade about Chinese history, language, culture, art and family life. I encourage you to introduce yourself and help her get to know the New Haven area.

As always, please stop by and say hello, or make an appointment to discuss any concerns you may have as the year gets underway. Enjoy your last few days of summer, and I look forward to greeting you on campus next week.

Sincerely,
CarolM signature
Carol Maoz
Head of School 
AllSchoolNewsALL SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION
Orientation Day is Tomorrow


As a reminder, Orientation Day is Friday, September 2 for all new students and all first graders (new and returning). 
 
Orientation Day information and a schedule were included in the August mailing. Click here to download the form.

Kick Off the Year with Coffee & Conversation


Please Join Us
for Coffee & 
Conversation

8:15 a.m. in the Perrine Library 

Tuesday, September 6
Wednesday, September 7
Thursday, September 8
Friday, September 9

Celebrate the start of the school year with coffee and 
conversation in the Foote library. Reconnect with old friends
while making new ones and welcoming new families.
We hope to see you there!

Contacting Your Child During the School Day


As we prepare for the new school year, we want to remind parents about the policy concerning contacting your child during the school day.

If there is a change in pick-up arrangements, please call the front desk, before 2:00 p.m. if possible, to ensure your child receives the message. If you cannot call before 2:00 p.m., we will do our best to communicate with your child's teacher. Out of respect to teachers and students, we will only interrupt class to deliver a message in the case of an emergency.

Please do not text your child during the school day as he or she may not have the ability to check his or her phone. More information about our policy can be found on page 9 of the Parent Handbook.

Friday Dismissal Time for Grades K-2


We want to remind parents about a change in the weekly schedule. The Friday dismissal time for students in Grades K, 1 and 2 will be 2:15 p.m. (rather than 12:30 p.m.) We are making this change to support the needs of working families, and the extra time will afford teachers the chance to enhance their program through more outdoor learning opportunities, as well as interdisciplinary and creative projects.

Please note: This new schedule takes effect Friday, September 16.

School Forms Are Due


All parents: Please fill out and submit the dismissal forms and the Grades 7-9 After School Program contract if you haven't done so already. Parents were sent an email on August 26 with a link to School Forms Online. If you have questions, contact Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org.

Parents with students in Grades 3-9: Please return the Acceptable Use of Technology and Community Expectations (Grades 3-5, Grades 6-9) forms to the front desk if you haven't done so already. These were sent in the August mailing.

Parents with new 3rd, 6th or 9th grade students: Please submit your child's Health Assessment Record to the school nurses as soon as possible if you haven't done so already. These were sent in the August mailing.

Parent Handbook for 2016-2017


The 2016-2017 Parent Handbook was sent to all families as part of the August mailing and is also provided online for your convenience. Click here to read it on the school website.

The following are important changes for the 2016-2017 year:
  • Academic Honesty (revised) - page 5
  • Field Trips (new form) - page 13
  • School Nurse (expanded hours) - page 19
  • K-2 Friday Dismissal Time (change) - page 28
  • Academic Progress (added) - page 33
Correction to School Calendar



Please note: The 2016-2017 school calendar listed the incorrect date for President's Day. The correct date is February 20. This does not affect any days off; February 20 is a regular school day.

About Parent E-News


Foote's Parent E-News is distributed every Thursday via email to all Foote families, the Foote Board of Directors and the faculty and staff. We welcome your suggestions.

If you are aware of a parent who is not receiving E-News and would like to, please contact Director of Communications Andy Bromage at abromage@footeschool.org.

 LSNewsLOWER SCHOOL NEWS
Kindergarten Parent Orientation - Sept. 7


Kindergarten Parent Orientation

Wednesday, September 7 
8:30 a.m.
Sturley Room (below the library)

Following the Back to School Coffee in the Library, join Head of Lower School Beth Mello in the Sturley Room to learn more about the Kindergarten program.

 
Grade 1 Parent Orientation - Sept. 8


Grade 1 Parent Orientation

Thursday, September 8 
8:30 a.m.
Sturley Room (below the library)

Following the Back to School Coffee in the Library, parents of new first grade students are invited to join Head of Lower School Beth Mello in the Sturley Room to learn more about the Grade 1 program. 
 
 MSNewsMIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Fall Sports Begin Sept. 12


We are excited to get our fall sports teams off and running. To help with a smooth transition, please make sure that you have returned all appropriate forms (rainy day form and sports participant medical history form) to the front desk. Middle School students interested in participating in fall sports should come to the gym after school on Monday, Sept. 12. We will have a whole group meeting, individual team meetings, team pictures and uniform hand-out. Below is a list of equipment needed for each of our fall sports teams.

Cross Country: running shoes that fit properly

Soccer: cleats that fit properly, shin guards, soccer socks, protective head gear optional

Field Hockey: cleats that fit properly, eye guards, mouthpiece, field hockey stick and shin guards

Any additional questions please contact Athletics Director Brad McGuire at bmcguire@footeschool.org, or cell phone at 860-866-8175.
9th Grade Parent & Student Meeting - Sept. 15


RSVP to Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org.

 
PTCNewsPTC NEWS
Learn More About the Parent Teacher Council


DayInLifeA DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOOTE
Meet Our New Faculty Members



Foote welcomed 12 new faculty and staff members this week, who arrived with energy, enthusiasm and a diverse range of teaching experiences. Among the new faculty and staff are a jazz singer, a former junior Olympic figure skater, a teacher of stress-management and two Foote alums (Amy Sudmyer '89 and David Tam '08.)

Click here to learn more about them, and be sure to say hello when you see them around campus!

Front Row, from left:
Fu Yingfei, Chinese Guest Teacher; Heather Russo, School Nurse; Ilana Wistinetzki, Chinese 
 
Middle Row, from left:
Jodi Hodge, School Nurse; Ahriel Fernandez, Lower School Associate; Deadra Hart, Music; David Tam, Teacher Intern; Alexa D'Errico, Lower School Associate
 
Back Row, from left:
John Hay, Middle School Math; Charlotte DePalma, Receptionist; Pam Fortin, Director of Technology; Amy Sudmyer, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Programs 
 
Foote Summer Highlights


Foote's campus was buzzing with activity this summer.

Horizons at Foote had a successful second year, welcoming 64 New Haven public school students in grades K-3 for six weeks of hands-on learning, swimming and community-building. The goal of Horizons, which is independently funded by donations and grants, is to instill a love of learning in students while improving their academic skills and self-confidence through an engaging curriculum and close work with teachers. This year, 15 Foote alums and current students served as Horizons teachers, interns and volunteers!





Foote's Summer Theater Program celebrated its 36th year with seven sold-out performances of the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. A record 58 students participated in the program, learning acting, dancing, singing, costuming, set construction, sound and lighting. "The show is not only challenging and wildly entertaining," says Summer Theater Program Director Julian Schlusberg, "it teaches important lessons about courage, resilience, forgiveness and the importance of family."






The Summer Adventures Program welcomed students from Foote and elsewhere for four weeks (two in June, two in August) of summer games, learning and fun.


From the Faculty Blogs

Be sure to check teacher blogs throughout the year for classroom photos, news and homework assignments.
 
Lower School blogs

Middle School blogs
DatesDates to Remember

Sept. 2 - New Student Orientation

Sept. 5 - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

Sept. 6 - First Day of School - After School Program begins

Sept. 6-9 - Middle School Project Week; Parent Coffee and Conversation at 8:15 a.m. in the library

Sept. 14 - PTC Meeting - 3:15 p.m. in Sturley Room

Sept. 17 & 24 - SSAT Prep (8th and 9th Grade)

Sept. 18 - Fall Family Fun Day - 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
 
Sept. 22 - Parents' Night & Fall Dinner - 5:30 p.m.