November 20, 2024

If this FriendsMail were a turkey, it would be stuffed. Check out all of the exciting announcements, updates, and events below.  

Ever wonder how Tony spends his days? If you guessed "the world's most boring meeting" and golf cart joy rides, you'd be right! 5th grader Clemmy Brown spent last Friday as the school's Head for Day and had a jam-packed schedule from drop-off to pick-up. Check out the highlight video above! A tremendous thank you to the Pendergrast-Brown Family for their contribution to the Annual Fund during last year's virtual auction. This experience was made possible by their generous support!  

For this month's Teacher Appreciation Series, class parents have arranged recess coverage for our Lower School teachers; meanwhile, our Preschool and Middle School teachers are being treated to coffee every Friday. Thank you to all who are helping show our appreciation for these wonderful educators! 

We’re thrilled to announce that our second-trimester lineup of after-school clubs is starting soon! From creative engineering with Lego Builders, endurance training with Soccer Shots, and tech mastery with Robotics Club, there’s something for every interest. Be sure to secure your spot early—spaces fill quickly!

Thanksgiving Week Half-Day CARE
For next week’s teacher workdays (11/25 and 11/26 ), half-day CARE will be available from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. If you need care for your student during these mornings, please follow the link below to register.

We look forward to a wonderful second trimester and holiday season together!

Our PA-led Toy Swap is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season by honoring our school’s commitment to simplicity and sustainability. This longtime tradition encourages families to swap gently-used toys, thereby reducing waste and uplifting our dedication to going green! Check out the details and some exciting new additions below:

Our international service learning trip to the Dominican Republic is just two months away! This January, 14 student travelers will join trip leaders Martina Jonsson, Kaylie Saidin, and Amy McGlinn in Puerto Plata. Together, they’ll engage in a meaningful cultural exchange program with a local nonprofit, including daily intercambio classroom exchanges with Dominican students and excursions to historic sites like El Choco National Park and Cacao Finca. Students will also explore the complexities of sustainable development and cultural heritage conservation through a place-based lens unique to Puerto Plata.

To help cover costs and begin their team-building journey, the group is hosting a Parents’ Night Out Movie Night Fundraiser on Friday, December 6th, from 5-8 PM at the Upper Campus courtyard. Drop off your Kindergarten-8th grader for an evening of games, lemonade, popcorn, and a screening of Shrek! (Don’t forget to pack a dinner for your child to enjoy.)

NEW THIS YEAR: Movie Night ticket holders will receive early access to our Annual Toy Swap happening the same day—two great causes, one meaningful day of collaboration! Director of Development & Marketing, Rachel, will all registrants with details.

Oh, special night!
The stars are brightly shining!

There truly is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than by listening to the sweet sound of our students' voices singing with joy. Please be sure to save the date for this year's Night of Peace--our all-school winter concert--happening on Thursday, December 12th, led by longtime music teacher Anna Ritchie.

Performances will begin at 5PM on the Garden House Stage, but we encourage you to arrive early to get seated and settled. A special announcement regarding this year's event is coming soon. Stay tuned for more information next week!

Countdown to Giving Tuesday

Friends, we're less than 2 weeks away from one of our school's most important fundraising events of the year—Giving Tuesday! This year, on our 30th anniversary, we'll be celebrating all the things that make us so uniquely *Friends.* 100% of your donations go to support our Annual Fund, which helps cover the difference between tuition and operating expenses. We've raised $20,000 in years' past. Can we celebrate our 30 year milestone with $30,000? Let's do it, together! 

Exciting Staffing Updates

As we wrap up our first trimester and head into the holiday season, we are excited to share updates regarding new hires and internal transitions within our school community. These changes reflect FSW’s growth and commitment to providing a stable, enriching learning environment for our students, and we are incredibly proud of our talented faculty and staff, many of whom are advancing within our school into new roles. Read more >>> (From Tony's 11/12 email)

Last Week's FriendsMail (11/13/24)

Lower School Handbook

Middle School Handbook

Family Handbook

Technology Guide & All-School Technology Policy

School News

Calendar

Shop the School Store

Support the Annual Fund