The Foote School 
E-News
May 18, 2017
In This Issue
Quick Links

Thank You for the Incredible Faculty Breakfast


 
Dear Parents,

We are so grateful to you for making today's Faculty & Staff Appreciation Breakfast such a wonderful occasion. The breakfast spread was simply incredible and the lovely flowers brightened all of our days. Your homemade goodies were a delicious and welcome treat for teachers during a busy time of the year. Foote is very lucky to have such a thoughtful parent body that participates in making our school a warm and welcoming community. Thank you for the memorable breakfast and for all that you do.

Warmly,
CarolM signature
Carol Maoz
Head of School

AllSchoolNewsALL SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION


Language Program Update



As you may know, six years ago, after extensive study, we made the decision to add Chinese to our language offerings. Since then we have seen consistent interest in Chinese and Spanish language study. Enrollment in our French program, however, has declined steadily over the past six years. This year, only five 3rd grade families have chosen French for next year. Based on this trend, we are in the position of not having enough students to support the French program. Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, we will no longer offer French as an option in third grade. It is our intention that students already taking French will continue to study it through their years at Foote, and next year's Kindergarten will participate in exploratory French as planned.
 
We have been considering this issue for a number of years as we have watched the number of families choosing French decline. There were a number of factors involved in the decision to discontinue offering French. Primarily, the decision was a pedagogical one -- we do not believe that language is best taught in a group of 3 to 5 students, and in the same very small group for 6 to 7 years in a row, at the elementary and middle school levels. This decision was not an easy one -- it was made with great care considering best practices in teaching and learning, as well as families' language choices.
 
We appreciate that some of you have strong connections to the French language and culture. Our school has a rich history of offering this language. Fortunately, our French teachers have already been teaching Spanish and will continue to do so. We remain committed to introducing students to modern languages beginning in Kindergarten and will consider a number of curricular options going forward.
 
Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please contact Head of School Carol Maoz.  
 

May Day Schedule & Dress





May Day is a special celebration at Foote and is the school's oldest tradition, dating to the 1920s. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend May Day on Friday, May 26 beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Rike Field (or in the Hosley Gym in case of rain.)

Other details for May Day:
  • Dress for May Day: Spring-colored assembly dress: khaki dress pants, button-down shirts,  golf shirts, clean sneakers, dresses, blouses and skirts. No jeans, sweat pants, warm-up pants, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts or flip flops
  • Parking: Weather permitting, parking will be available on the upper athletic field.
  • Pets: Dogs are not allowed on campus during special events such as May Day.
  • All-school dismissal at 12:30 p.m. followed by the May Day picnic (details below) - No After School Program
  • Lost and found items will be in the Sturley Room for collection. If you are missing anything, please look through the belongings. Items not claimed by the end of the school year will be donated to charity.

May Day Picnic - May 26






Forms for the 2017-18 School Year
Are Due May 26


 
On Tuesday, May 16, parents were emailed a link (from registrations@footeschool.org) to fill out forms for the 2017-2018 school year online. The forms are:
  • Parent/Directory Information
  • Emergency Contact Form
  • Grandparent/Special Friends Information
  • Diversity Information
These forms are due byFriday, May 26. If you have any questions, please contact Erika Villa (evilla@footeschool.org). 
 

Please Be Mindful of Food Allergies


 
The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority at Foote. With end-of-year celebrations beginning, please keep in mind those students with food allergies when sending in treats from home. If you are not sure which allergies are present in your child's classroom, please contact his/her teacher or School Nurses Jodi Hodge (jhodge@footeschool.org) or Heather Russo (hrusso@footeschool.org). Thank you for helping to keep our school community safe and inclusive.


Diaper and Picture Book Drive


 
Donate Diapers and Picture Books
to support The Diaper Bank and New Haven Reads
May 22 - June 2
Collection box in the main office

The Diaper Bank provides one small thing, but that small thing makes a big difference. It keeps children clean, dry and healthy, and on the path to an early childhood education, and frees parents to work. Diaper sizes 5 and 6 are especially needed.

New Haven Reads is always in need of picture books, especially after a recent sewage leak destroyed a great deal of their inventory.

Thank you for supporting our greater New Haven community!


  LSNewsLOWER SCHOOL NEWS


Parent Meeting - Rising 6th Graders



Meeting for
Rising 6th Grade Parents
Thursday, May 25
5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Twichell Room

Join sixth grade faculty and Head of Middle School John Turner for a meeting to learn more about your fifth grade child's transition to Middle School and sixth grade.

RSVP to Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org. 
 

 MSNewsMIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS


Test Prep for Rising 8th and 9th Graders



Parents of rising 8th and 9th graders were recently emailed about a test preparation opportunity with Test Innovators. If you would like your child to participate next school year, we need to know by tomorrow, Friday, May 19. If you are interested, please email Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org. 


Model Congress Trip - May 20



Parents of students in Model Congress:

The Model Congress trip to New York City on Saturday, May 20, will depart Loomis Place at 5:30 a.m. and return by 6:00 p.m. If you have questions, please email Liam Considine at lconsidine@footeschool.org. 
 

Secondary School Planning



Parents of students entering grades 8 and 9 next year are invited to make an appointment to meet with Liam Considine to discuss secondary school planning. To schedule an appointment, email Erika Villa at evilla@footeschool.org. 
 

   PTCNewsPTC NEWS


Help Out at the Summer Book Fair



Volunteers are needed on June 2, 5 & 6 to help set up and run the Foote Summer Book Fair, which takes place in the Perrine Library.
 

 
 

Dishes from Faculty Appreciation Breakfast



If you loaned dishware to the Faculty Appreciation Breakfast today, please pick it up in Erika Villa and Silvia Gee's office in the Main Building.
  

PTC Fundraiser: Mabel's Labels



The PTC is running a fundraiser in partnership with Mabel's Labels. Foote earns 20 percent of all items purchased from the Mabel's Labels website (search for The Foote School under the drop-down menu). More info on the flyer below.
 

DayInLifeA DAY IN THE LIFE OF FOOTE


Close-Up:
Learning About Immigration, and
Becoming the Change




Our ninth graders are deeply engaged in a study of immigration and how it impacts our community. Teams of students are investigating four topics: refugees; the immigration process; the DREAM Act; and the concept of sanctuary cities.

Today, ninth graders welcomed a special visitor to their humanities classes. Kica Matos, the director of immigrant rights and racial justice at the Center for Community Change, spoke to students about the vulnerabilities of undocumented people, including unfair rental policies, trouble with utilities and access to public services, and fear of deportation.

After hearing these examples, one student asked: "What can we, as young people, do to help this cause?" 

                

Field Day Photos



DatesDates to Remember


May 26 - May Day followed by May Day Picnic - All-school dismissal at 12:30 p.m., No After School Program

May 29 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL - No Vacation Program

May 31 - PTC Meeting, 8:30 a.m. in the Sturley Room

June 5-6 - Summer Book Fair

June 8 - Last Day of After School Program

June 9 - Last Day of School (grades K-5)