The Foote School Blog

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.

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Samir Iydroose and Sid Srihari ’25

Did you know that Connecticut, despite being a smaller state, had the most enslaved people in New England? According to the 1790 Federal Census, Connecticut had 2,648 enslaved blacks or 1.1% of the population. 

Original poem made from phrases and words found in original sources.

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Aiden Gomez ’25

Without slavery, America wouldn’t be where it is today. The economy of the nation was fueled by slavery, with food and textiles being harvested by enslaved people every day.

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Sasha Bindra ’25

This project went more into depth of the harsh truth of slavery, which was hard to learn about, but it’s very important that the next generations knows the actual facts.

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Cordelia Thompson ’25

I never knew that on the New Haven Green, families were torn apart, or that Hartford prospered from insuring the slaves of wealthy Southern plantation owners. These things really stick with you when you realize everything is connected and that New Haven probably wouldn't have existed without slavery. 

Witness Stones Project ’23

By William Matouk ’25

It’s strange to sometimes believe that everywhere I walk, the ground under my feet has seen so much suffering. I know now that Nean’s story will stay with me because I can now tell anyone I met about his life.

Witness Stones Project ’23

By Lexi Baez ’25

I think it's very sad to learn that people from one of my races were treating people of my other race horribly. That's why it makes me so emotional whenever I talk about it but I also feel like it's important as much as it is painful.