Amnesty International
Unaffiliated with any government or religion, Amnesty International works to promote and defend the human rights of all. This Foote group meets weekly to write letters on behalf of people who are prisoners of conscience, and works to raise funds to support Amnesty International's humanitarian efforts.
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Chorus
This co-ed informal ensemble for students in grades 6–9 performs at school functions. Chorus emphasizes the joy of song, including music from Broadway shows and beyond. Accompanists (guitar or piano) also are a part of Chorus. Co-leaders Natalie DiMario and Abby Clarke, who are both active in outside choirs and have interests in musical theater and recording, inspire the group with imaginative ideas for repertoire and dedication to a variety of types of singing.
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Community Service
The Community Service Group spearheads activities to help our community here at Foote and in our city and the world. Activities have included Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, knitting scarves for Columbus House residents, food drives, Mountain of Warmth for homeless individuals and families, books and tutoring for New Haven Reads, the Cook and Care Walk-a-thon, MS walk, and a Talent Show to raise money for charitable causes. |
Drama
Each fall, interested seventh and eighth graders audition for a major production performed in the school’s Sandine Theater in December for in-school audiences as well as outside audiences at ticketed performances. Students interested in set, tech and stage management also participate. |
The Environmental Action Group
EAG members determine the specific causes the group takes on; the scope of activities ranges from local to global. In the past, activities have included the creation and maintenance of a tree trail at Foote, park clean-ups, Monarch butterfly tagging, bedding drives for animal shelters, sponsorship of “Birds of Prey” programs, petition drives to stop wolf hunting in Alaska, and fundraisers to adopt acres of rainforest in Asia and South America. |
F-STAND
This group works to help spread the message of the importance of being kind and inclusive and treating others with respect. The group was formed last year and had a great time working with third and fourth graders as well as the middle school. Our goal is to help spread a positive message throughout the school and make Foote an even better place. F-STAND is a unique club in that it does not have an appointed leader - we all take on leadership roles - taking equal responsibility for ensuring that we get the job done! We decide what activities we want to do and make it happen! The year begins with an interactive diversity leadership training session open to all eighth and ninth graders. |
Footenotes
The Foote School's literary magazine is published yearly. Submissions from all grades come to an editorial staff of Middle School students. They read, discuss, and decide which writing will be included in the publication. |
Foote Steps
The school's yearbook is created by a group of eighth and ninth graders. Working in small teams that take responsibility for a particular section – sports, activities, faculty, etc. – the students take photos and use a computer layout program to design pages that create a representation of the school year. The yearbook is distributed at a special All School Assembly in May. |
Jazz-Rock Ensemble
The Ensemble is open to middle school students who study an instrument privately and meet once a week to prepare music to perform at a variety of school functions. The ensemble covers the history of Jazz and Rock up to present times and works to develop skills in improvisation and composition. Craig Hartley, After School music teacher and an accomplished jazz pianist, leads the group. |
Model Congress
In Model Congress, students learn about formal debate structure, then research and draft a bill for debate at the Packer Collegiate School’s Model Congress in New York City in April. The students learn about the formation of U.S. law, develop a greater understanding of causes they believe in, and begin to feel empowered as emerging citizens. They also have an opportunity to interact with Model Congress participants from throughout metropolitan New York. |
The Foote School Orchestra
Open to fourth through ninth graders who play a string, woodwind, or brass instrument, the Orchestra plays together once a week to learn and prepare music for a variety of school performances throughout the year. Nora Lee, a violist and experienced music teacher, directs the group. |
The SPI
SPI is the school’s student-run newspaper. Found among SPI’s pages are editorials, interviews with students, teachers, and administrators, survey results, sports results, book and music reviews, photography, cartoons, and puzzles. Students publish SPI several times each semester. |
Student Council
This student-elected group acts as a conduit between the students and the faculty/administration on a variety of issues. The group also plans and executes activities for the Middle School as well as the entire school population, and raises money for the students’ annual gift to the school. |
