The Foote School Blog

Leaving APRODEC was an emotional and meaningful experience. The deeply touching closing ceremony led by Don Justino reminded us of the importance of being part of something that is bigger than we are.

We paddled through the canals of a mangrove forest in the fading light. When we arrived at a lagoon, the sky was aglow with millions of stars which we could see very clearly. Then we noticed that when we splashed the water, it would emanate “sparks” of bioluminescence

Day 4 in Puerto Rico was hard, hot work, with some well-deserved rewards!

By Gus Larsen ’26

A natural wonder is often hard to come across but it gets even more difficult by the day. All underwater beauties in life are slowly fading away, turning into gray and white wastelands, soon to be overcome by the human population.

We helped the Montessori students with projects such as painting the hen house, staining the garden beds, and sorting books in the library — each of these was completely planned and led by the students of Escuela Casa de los Niños. 

After the tour of the roof, we went from the bright sun to the very dark subterranean bunkers and rooms used by the navy base for administration, mechanical, intelligence, computer server rooms, the brig, and even yet to be discovered secret passageways.

We made our way to APRODEC to help reclaim this beautiful area and transform it into a community integrated eco-business system that supports and includes the local community in the development. We are so excited to be a part of this.

By Rick Menning
Foote Substitute Faculty and Sports Journalist

With excitement at a fever pitch inside the H. Everton Hosley Jr. Gymnasium, The Foote School 6th, 7th and 8th graders — donning their maroon and grey pinnies —stood ready for battle at opposite ends of the Ted Willis Court.

By Barrington Fulton Jr.
Head of Middle School

Education is a calling, a commitment to being that champion for every child who enters our classrooms. We are the advocates who light the path for our students, even when the road gets tough.

"I love Foote through every grade, every second of it, for sure." These were the first words spoken by Levi York, a Foote School graduate of the class of 2023, when sitting down with us to discuss his 10 years as a student at Foote. 

The conversation went through all different highlights of his time at the school which included a memorable field trip at the Bronx Zoo. Levi remembered the experiential learning moment as integral to the Foote School curriculum. "I think it really takes the "learning by doing" and incorporates that by learning to interact in a public environment — and also just have fun with the animals."

Witness Stone Project

By Logan Vanacore ’25

What got in the way of my learning was not a lack of resources, but that I could not comprehend how such a horrible thing could happen and be allowed to happen for so long. 

This episode of "This Week at Foote" was produced, written, and edited by Foote fourth grade students. Think you are smarter than a 4th grader? Test it out for yourself!

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Cora Lloyd ’25

Forbidden assent

Ruler of a free people 

From any king, prince, or the people

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Maia Cort ’25

When Nean was 24, he escaped his enslavement in New Jersey and made it to Connecticut. The Gradual Abolition Act that was passed in New Jersey in 1804 allowed all children born into enslavement to be free until they were 21 (female) or 25 (male). Since Nean was born just one year before the Gradual Abolition Act was enacted, he missed qualifying for his freedom.

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Barrington Fulton, Jr., Head of Middle School

Slavery is a dark part of our history. Despite the myriad difficulties with doing so, it is critical that we, as a school, thoughtfully shine light on our dark moments, so that we, as a people, can grow from a clearer view of both our past and present.