February 21, 2025
Even with Presidents’ Day and a snow day in the mix, we’re rounding out Trimester 2 with warmer temps on the horizon. But the real excitement? Our Virtual Auction kicks off Monday, March 3rd! The catalog is set, packed with amazing offerings—from a gift card to Wilmington’s best burger at Winnie’s Tavern to a family ski getaway in Lake Tahoe and everything in between. Check out the details below!
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On cold days like these, we’re especially grateful for the incredible work Good Shepherd Center does for Wilmington’s unhoused community. Last night, during our school’s monthly service dinner shift, we had the privilege of preparing and serving meals to dozens of neighbors in need. It’s always a gift to serve alongside this dedicated team and witness the kindness and care they pour into their work every day.
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| Is it spring yet? Goodness me! In my first two years here I’ve had multiple tropical storms, unprecedented flooding rains, a mini-drought, and now a winter more familiar to someone from the mid-Atlantic.
We follow New Hanover County Public Schools when it comes to making decisions for FSW. I appreciate that there are frustrations when we are not open when it may seem we could have been, especially when other private schools opened their doors after delayed opening. There are many reasons why it makes sense to follow the county including, but not limited to...
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Parent Association Updates |
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February is National Canned Food Month and we’re thrilled to partner with Good Shepherd Center to collect food and kitchen items through Monday, February 24th.
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Our next PA meeting has been re-scheduled to Tuesday, February 25th from 8-9AM in Longleaf Cottage. We're looking forward to welcoming staff members from Good Shepherd Center as well as Middle School Director Amy for the final installation of our teacher resource series. Our meeting agenda will be sent early next week.
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Save the date for an Anxious Generation book discussion, happening at luna caffe on Sunday, February 23rd at 5:30PM. Thank you to FSW parent and psychiatrist Julie Adams for leading!
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Save the Date! Virtual Auction March 3rd-9th
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The countdown is ON! In just 9 days, our Annual Virtual Auction will officially open for bidding, and trust us, you won’t want to miss it! From incredible local experiences to one-of-a-kind trips to FSW exclusives, there’s something for everyone, like...
Looking for something hands-on? Take a beehive tour with Seaside Honeybees, a cooking class with DeMarco Family Kitchen, a herbalism course at the Seagate School, or let your little one learn through play at Kindermusik with Sarah.
Planning a night out? Enjoy a meal at Winnie’s Tavern or Wrightsville Beach Brewery, a mocktail sampling with Mocksie, or a romantic evening on the beach with Coastal Picnics Wilmington.
Need a little self-care? Treat yourself to yoga at Terra Sol, a massage at Alchemy, a facial at Self Skin Bar, or a fresh cut at Delphine & James.
Ready for an adventure? Hit the slopes in Lake Tahoe, soak up the sun in Punta Cana, or sample a glass of Woodford Reserve on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Your bid makes a difference! Every dollar raised during our auction goes directly to the Annual Fund to support curricular resources, auxiliary programming, teacher professional development, classroom enhancements, and more. Your support ensures that we can continue providing an extraordinary educational experience to every FSW student.
Take a look at the full catalog below and start planning. Happy bidding!
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Science Olympiad Spotlight
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And just like that, we’re counting down to competition day! Congratulations to all of our incredible students, parents, and coaches—We’re in the home stretch! Over the past 11 weeks, our Olympians have gained a wealth of knowledge, both in terms of hard science and soft skills. These skills—problem-solving, collaboration, perseverance—will stay with them far beyond this program. After all, the goal of Science Olympiad is to foster a love for science and a deeper curiosity about the world around us. That only happens when we have fun while learning! We can't wait to update you on their results, and if you're in the area, be sure to stop to get an up-close look at the action!
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- Division A (3rd-6th) New Hanover Tournament: Saturday, March 1st @ Ashley HS
- Division B (6th-8th) Wilmington Regional Tournament: Saturday, March 8th @ UNCW
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Celebrating Black History Month
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Throughout this Black History Month, we'll be highlighting different figures whose remarkable legacies continue to inspire us to do good in the world. This week, we highlight three Black educators who understood that education is a tool of liberation and helped advance literacy, justice, and opportunity for generations of students.
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Charlotte Forten Grimké (1837–1914) – A writer, teacher, and activist, Forten Grimké made history as the first Black educator to teach freed Black children in the South during the Civil War. She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she mentored young students and advocated for Black women’s education. Her detailed journals offer an invaluable first-hand account of 19th-century Black life, resilience, and hope.
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Kelly Miller (1863–1939) – A brilliant mathematician, sociologist, and the first Black graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, Miller was a lifelong advocate for Black education. As a professor and dean at Howard University, he championed expanding access to higher education while writing prolifically about racial justice. His essays and speeches urged America to see Black intellect and potential as integral to the nation’s progress.
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Septima Poinsette Clark (1898–1987) – Often called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” Clark believed education was the key to true freedom. She developed Citizenship Schools, which taught literacy and civic engagement to Black Southerners, empowering them to pass voter registration tests and challenge unjust laws. Despite facing professional and personal challenges—including being fired for her activism—Clark’s quiet yet transformative work left an indelible mark on the Civil Rights Movement.
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Summer Camp Spots Filling Quickly
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It may be 30-degrees outside, but dozens of Wilmingtonians are already enrolled in our summer camp programs! Almost every camp is above 50% capacity with many fully booked and on waitlist only. Don't wait to enroll and spend your summer with FRIENDS!
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Waccamaw Siouan Hooheh Cultural Burn & Reforestation Program
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The Waccamaw Siouan Tribe is leading an effort to restore over 20 acres of tribal land by planting longleaf pine seedlings, blending environmental restoration with Indigenous land stewardship. For our students, this is a powerful example of how tree planting is more than conservation—it’s about Indigenous land rights, cultural survival, and ecological resilience. To volunteer at their upcoming planting ceremony, sign up here. (Please note the ceremony time has been delayed 2 hours and will now begin at 11:30AM).
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Annual Fund Thanks & Donation Receipts
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As tax season approaches, please reach out to Director of Development & Marketing Rachel Presley if you need receipts for your donation history. And be sure to save the date for our upcoming virtual auction taking place March 3rd-9th. 100% of the proceeds go directly to support our Annual Fund!
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Sustainability Spotlight ♻️ |
Sledge Forest—one of the last big stretches of old-growth forest in our county—is at a crossroads. Home to centuries-old trees, wetlands, and diverse wildlife, it’s now the site of a proposed large-scale housing development. For our students, environmental education isn’t just in textbooks—it’s unfolding in real time. This is a great opportunity to bring those lessons home. Ask your child how wetlands help prevent flooding, what happens when habitats disappear, or how communities make decisions about land use. These conversations help kids connect what they’re learning to what’s happening right in their own backyard. Visit the Save Sledge Forest website to learn more and explore ways to get involved.
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Anxious Generation Book Discussion
Sunday, 02/23, 5:30PM
Luna Caffe
- Good Shepherd Center Food Drive
Ends on Monday, 02/24
- PA Meeting
Tuesday, 02/25, 8-9AM
Longleaf Cottage
- Middle School Artists' Retreat
Wednesday & Thursday, 02/26-02/27
Bald Head Island
- End of Trimester #2 - HALF-DAY
Thursday, 02/27
- Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL
Friday, 02/28
- Virtual Auction
Monday, 03/03-Sunday, 03/09
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