May 7, 2020

From the Head of School

The Spirit of Our School

Dear Families,

I hope this finds you safe and healthy at home. The images from yesterday's Field Day were such a ray of sunshine! We loved seeing the joy, school spirit and creativity of your children. We have put together a highlight gallery (link below) with more to come next week.

We were also so grateful for the "teacher appreciation" care packages delivered to our homes. The flowers and breakfast treats were just the thing to lift our spirits. I want to thank the parent volunteers who organized and delivered the care packages, especially Mary Rinaldi, Duffy Mudry and Annette Roberts.

As we head into the final weeks of the school year, I want to share some news about end-of-year events and planning.

First, the last day of the school year will be Friday, June 5, as planned.

Second, we have made the decision that the day scheduled to be May Day—Friday, May 22—will be a regular academic day. This was a difficult decision; May Day is Foote School's oldest tradition and a highlight of every school year. After much consideration, we did not see a way to replicate the special magic of May Day at home. We understand this may come as sad news to students, especially those in their last year at Foote. I am pleased to share that this year's third graders will be able to perform the Maypole Dance at next year's May Day festivities, so they don't miss out on this special rite of passage.

Third, we are busy planning for the 9th Grade Graduation and 8th Grade Celebration and will have additional news soon. While these events will look quite different this year, we are planning for some creative and fun ways to celebrate the accomplishments of these bright and compassionate young adults.

Lastly, I hope you will join me at my next virtual parent meeting, Sunday, May 17 at 8 p.m. Save the date and watch for a link in the coming days. As parents, you play an integral role in the life and direction of our school. I sincerely value the opportunity to share our thinking as a school and to hear your ideas for how we can nurture the joyful spirit of Foote.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.

With gratitude,

Carol Maoz

Head of School

All School News

Last Call for Parent Survey

If you haven't done so already, please take a few minutes to provide feedback on our second distance learning parent survey. We will use your input as part of our ongoing efforts to improve the delivery of our academic program. Please know that all responses will be kept confidential unless you choose to provide your name. 

*The survey will close at the end of today.

Lower School News

Tonight: Lower School Meeting

Lower School Parent Meeting

with Chrissy Khachane, Head of Lower School

Thursday, May 7 at 8 p.m.

Chrissy will hold a live meeting to discuss a number of topics including supporting your child(ren) during distance learning, end-of-year planning, parent conferences, reports, and class placement for next year. She will also answer your questions live.

Special Event

'Animating Biodiversity'

'Animating Biodiversity'

featuring short films by fifth and sixth graders

Wednesday, May 13

7:00–8:00 p.m.

For several weeks in January and February, Anna Lindemann, a digital artist who was this year's Ellie Warburg Class of 1945 Visiting Artist, worked with fifth and sixth graders learning about and creating stop-motion animation films. 

Join us to see the students' completed films as well as a performance of Anna's own work, which combines animation, music and performance to explore the emerging field of Evo Devo (Evolutionary and Developmental Biology.)

The event will be hosted on YouTube Live. If you would like to ask question during the event, you will need to have or create a YouTube account. You can also submit questions ahead of time to warburg@footeschool.org and Anna will answer them during the live stream.

All School News

Lifting Up Our Community

If you are looking for ways to help Foote community members in need during this challenging time—or if you are in need of support yourself—we invite you to connect with our new support service, The Lift at Foote School.

The Lift at Foote School is confidentially linking families in need of a support service with a family who is in a position to help. Some examples might include picking up groceries and delivering them outside the home, cooking a meal, running an errand, sewing masks, or any number of other ways we can lift each other up.

If you would like to request support, or volunteer to provide it, please email thelift@footeschool.org. Thank you!

All School News

Share Your Distance Learning Pics

Parents are invited to share photos, videos, anecdotes, screenshots, examples of their children's work, etc. that will be shared in the weekly e-newsletter (This Week at Foote), our website and social media.

Share distance learning stories on your own social media accounts using the hashtag #FooteLearns to connect with others in our community.

Thank you for helping us to document this unusual chapter in Foote School's history!

PTC Event

Faculty Appreciation "Breakfast"

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week parents hand-delivered care packages to Foote faculty and staff members this week. Each package contained a flower arrangement and an assortment of edible treats for faculty to enjoy. Thank you to the organizers and volunteers who helped our whole community show appreciation and gratitude for our incredible faculty and staff!

Additionally, the Foote community submitted heartfelt messages of gratitude on a virtual Kudos Board. Click below to add your own note of appreciation to our wonderful teachers.

Community Project

Help Us Make a Music Video!

Do you play an instrument or love to sing? Can you shake a maraca, tambourine or other simple instrument? If you answered yes, then you can join in making a schoolwide music video! We are playing and singing along to the Beatles song "With a Little Help from My Friends" and you're invited to participate.

Click below for more information and instructions.

*Please submit videos by Friday, May 15. 

Media Gallery

Field Day from Home

There are so many ways to celebrate Field Day—as Foote students and families demonstrated on Wednesday at home. Using a fun and creative Falco BINGO card developed by the Physical Education faculty, families competed in their own three-legged races, obstacle courses, tugs-o-war and other Field Day favorites—along with new activities like the egg toss! Students also showed their spirit and Falco's PRIDE by making beautiful posters and writing poems about teamwork.

Thanks to families for submitting so many great photos and videos! We loved them all and have put a few together into a highlight gallery for this week. Watch for more in next week's newsletter.

Special thanks to the P.E. Department for organizing such a fun-filled day!

Upcoming Events

Quick Links

The Foote School

An Independent School for Kindergarten through 9th Grade

50 Loomis Place, New Haven, CT 06511

Tel (203) 777-3464 | Fax (203) 777-2809

Email info@footeschool.org