The Lower School will be adding a service-learning approach to Valentine's Day this year. It's been a Valentine's tradition for several years in Margy and Hilary's first and second grade classes to purchase gift cards for the homeless so they can get a warm drink or a bite to eat during the cold winter months. This year, we are expanding this initiative to grades K-5. Instead of spending money on valentines, we encourage families to purchase a $5 or $10 gift card to Dunkin' Donuts or Subway. We will collect the cards and donate them to Columbus House. In years past, a Columbus House representative (former Foote parent Sheree DiMario) has visited school to collect the cards and speak with children about the causes of homelessness and the impact their contributions make. This contribution is optional. Children are encouraged to make homemade valentines for classmates. For more information about individual classroom celebrations, please speak with your child's teacher. 

Last Saturday, 10 Foote students in grades 6-8 participated in the New Haven chapter competition for MathCounts: Hunter Bershtein, Theo Curtis, Connor Davis, Julia Davis, Thaniel Illuzzi, Ting Li, Amy Metrick, Sophie Vulpe, Jasmine Xi, and Ryan Yang. 

Of the 130 students competing, all 10 Foote students scored in the top 50 percent. On the written section, Ting and Ryan tied for first with a third student, and after tie-breakers, Ting came in second place overall and Ryan came in third overall.

Ting, Amy, Jasmine and Ryan competed for Foote as a team, and placed first as a team. For being in the top 8 overall, Ting, Amy and Ryan competed in the countdown round, and Ryan placed second in this live speed round. 

The four members of the team, along with Hunter Bershtein and Theo Curtis, will be traveling to the state competition on Saturday, March 11 in Hartford.