La Gazette

• Note from Pam

  By Pam Dreisin, Head of School

  

  Dear Friends,
  
  By now all of you should have received an invitation to participate in our FAIS Satisfaction Survey. I want to encourage you to please take a few minutes from your busy lives and let us know how we are doing. I personally read every survey, and very often hear some great ideas coming from the collective wisdom of our families! We welcome your honest, respectful feedback which helps the administration track trends in all areas of school life, and is a primary focus during our summer planning retreat. I will be sharing our findings with the community throughout the fall, so keep an eye on La Gazette for updates. And, of course, please know that my door is always open if you simply want to stop in and share your ideas with me in person.

  Read More

  Dear Friends,
  
  By now all of you should have received an invitation to participate in our FAIS Satisfaction Survey. I want to encourage you to please take a few minutes from your busy lives and let us know how we are doing. I personally read every survey, and very often hear some great ideas coming from the collective wisdom of our families! We welcome your honest, respectful feedback which helps the administration track trends in all areas of school life, and is a primary focus during our summer planning retreat. I will be sharing our findings with the community throughout the fall, so keep an eye on La Gazette for updates. And, of course, please know that my door is always open if you simply want to stop in and share your ideas with me in person.

• Nurse Paula Retires after 10 Years

  

  Paula Bergsma has been serving the students of FAIS as our school nurse for 10 years. She is the first and only school nurse in the 35-year history of FAIS. We are indebted to Paula for her unflagging commitment to improving the health and safety of our students. "Working at FAIS is the best job I've ever had," said Nurse Paula. After training her replacement, Nurse Paula will be officially retired from FAIS the last week in May. Over her tenure, Paula Bergsma, our amazing school nurse, has:

  • provided a caring touch when providing health services to our students
  • identified and treated accidents and injuries
  • counseled students about health issues
  • prevented and controlled the spread of communicable disease
  • educated students and staff on managing their own health and wellness
  • worked behind the scenes to verify immunizations and maintain student health records
  • provided professional input for school health policy
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  Paula Bergsma has been serving the students of FAIS as our school nurse for 10 years. She is the first and only school nurse in the 35-year history of FAIS. We are indebted to Paula for her unflagging commitment to improving the health and safety of our students. "Working at FAIS is the best job I've ever had," said Nurse Paula. After training her replacement, Nurse Paula will be officially retired from FAIS the last week in May. Over her tenure, Paula Bergsma, our amazing school nurse, has:

  • provided a caring touch when providing health services to our students
  • identified and treated accidents and injuries
  • counseled students about health issues
  • prevented and controlled the spread of communicable disease
  • educated students and staff on managing their own health and wellness
  • worked behind the scenes to verify immunizations and maintain student health records
  • provided professional input for school health policy

  On May 8, National School Nurse Day, all children and adults at FAIS gathered on the playing field and surprised Paula. After luring her to the field with a fake injury, the students chanted, “Paula, Paula, Paula…” and showered her with love. Gilkey Student Council Officers Alex D-S and Tess presented Paula with a scrapbook filled with pages created by every class and department at FAIS. Lower School and Middle School Division Heads Vincent Bres and Emmanuelle Burk presented her with a travel voucher from the teachers in a large medicine bottle, courtesy of pharmacist and FAIS parent Dana Amunategui. The prescription label read:

  Patient: Paula Bergsma
  Instructions: Take as needed for any symptoms of FAIS withdrawal, including boredom, subdued mood, symptoms of deprivation from lice, bloody noses, scrapes, squeals, screams, broken bones, minor complaints, and overly alarmed parental reactions.
  Possible side effects: May include relaxation, indulgence, luxury, extra sleep, rounds of cocktails, nice sheets, poolside massages, and room service.
  Warning: Do not be exposed to small children during treatment, as this may cause an adverse reaction.

  Tears flowed and hugs followed. We will sincerely miss our sweet Nurse Paula!

• Gilkey Summerfest Spotlight: Exploring in the Arts

  By Denise Lundblade, Summerfest Coordinator

  

  The Summerfest weeklong timeframe provides an excellent format for exploring in the arts. In both the three hour, half day workshops and the six hour full day option, this increased and unbroken time greatly enriches student enjoyment and achievement. This summer we have a great line up of workshop offerings in the visual and performing arts, including:

  Art Your Way: A past favorite with students, Art Your Way provides an opportunity for students to explore personal choices in art media and projects in a studio like experience with two instructors, all art supplies and tools. The results are amazing!
  Full day workshop offered Weeks 1 and 2, July 15- 19 and July 22- 26

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  The Summerfest weeklong timeframe provides an excellent format for exploring in the arts. In both the three hour, half day workshops and the six hour full day option, this increased and unbroken time greatly enriches student enjoyment and achievement. This summer we have a great line up of workshop offerings in the visual and performing arts, including:

  Art Your Way: A past favorite with students, Art Your Way provides an opportunity for students to explore personal choices in art media and projects in a studio like experience with two instructors, all art supplies and tools. The results are amazing!
  Full day workshop offered Weeks 1 and 2, July 15- 19 and July 22- 26

  Doodling, Drawing, and Being a Boss!: Drawing is the foundational skill for most artistic development. In this workshop, instructor Liz Lundblade focuses on gaining important drawing skills in a fun and engaging way. Awesome results!
  Half day workshop offered Week 3, July 29 - August 2

  Homemade Bath and Beauty: In this new workshop, students will create their own spa experience; gathering the fresh ingredients at the Farmers' Market, creating their own beauty products and experimenting with the results. A great time for all!
  Full day workshop offered Week 5: August 12 - 16

  Rock Camp: In this workshop, student musicians have the opportunity to come together to jam, perform, and record! After spending the first part of the week working to create their band's sound, students will actually perform in a local venue and later receive the recording of that gig!
  Full day workshop offered Week 3: July 29 - August 2

  "Whose Line Is It Anyway? Introduction to Improv: Learn to think on your feet, entertain your friends and laugh a lot! Through games using fun props and costumes, students will enjoy the world of improv!
  Half day workshop offered Week 4: August 5 - 9

  These are just some of the great offerings in the visual and performing arts offered this Summerfest. We hope you have the opportunity to view the Summerfest offerings online on the FAIS website: Extracurricular/Summer Programs/Summerfest. We look forward to a great summer!

• Students Love Discovery Park!

  

  Students are happily using Discovery Park, FAIS' new interactive play space, to explore, learn, build, and create! From re-enacting scenes from history to constructing teepees and "prehistoric" tools, the imaginative play inspired by Discovery Park is boundless.

  Discovery Park has also given students an opportunity to collaborate across grade levels to come up with a set of rules on which everyone could agree. Several weeks ago representatives from K through 8th grade came together to construct this set of rules, now posted on the entrance of the Park.

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  Students are happily using Discovery Park, FAIS' new interactive play space, to explore, learn, build, and create! From re-enacting scenes from history to constructing teepees and "prehistoric" tools, the imaginative play inspired by Discovery Park is boundless.

  Discovery Park has also given students an opportunity to collaborate across grade levels to come up with a set of rules on which everyone could agree. Several weeks ago representatives from K through 8th grade came together to construct this set of rules, now posted on the entrance of the Park.

  Scroll through the pictures and read the following quotes from 3rd graders for more examples of how students are using Discovery Park.

  "I discover more things at home, in the backyard, because of Discovery Park." -Miles

  "I'm Jules César and Vercingétotix is my prisoneer. We are reenacting the Alesia Battle." -Kevin

  "J'aime aller dans le parc des découvertes parce que j'aime être avec mes amis et participier avec tous le monde. J'aime aussi être une gauloise! J'aime faire des feux, des outils et du poudre!" -Maren

  "J'aime aller dans le parc des découvertes parce que j'aime grimper les arbres et construire et découvrir avec mes amis." -Isaiah

  "J'aime aller dans le parc des découvertes parce que j'aime jouer au Gaulois et Romains avec mes amis." -Kevin

  "J'aime aller dans le parc des découverts parce que j'aime fabriqué des petits tentes et des autres choses." -Simon

  "J'aime le parc de découvert parce qu'il y a de roches qui ont des couleurs."

  "Moi, j'aime qu'on peut fabriquer des choses juste en trouvant des objets." -Leah

• FASCA Students Design and Build Recycling Bin

  By Megan French, Extracurricular Aide

  

  The 2nd and 3rd grade FASCA recently made a recycling bin with the nonprofit organization, Trash For Peace. Two volunteers from this organization came to the School at 3:30, made a presentation for the kids about sustainability and why it is important to recycle, and stayed until 6 to make a recycling bin out of yogurt containers collected from students' lunches. We used wood and big rods to act as the frame, strung the yogurt containers together with thick string to the frame, and then painted them. To accomplish this, the children were separated into three groups. Some helped sort the different types of yogurt containers, some helped attach them to the frame with the string, and others made signs for the bin, which is now displayed near the Lost and Found closet.

  Read More

  The 2nd and 3rd grade FASCA recently made a recycling bin with the nonprofit organization, Trash For Peace. Two volunteers from this organization came to the School at 3:30, made a presentation for the kids about sustainability and why it is important to recycle, and stayed until 6 to make a recycling bin out of yogurt containers collected from students' lunches. We used wood and big rods to act as the frame, strung the yogurt containers together with thick string to the frame, and then painted them. To accomplish this, the children were separated into three groups. Some helped sort the different types of yogurt containers, some helped attach them to the frame with the string, and others made signs for the bin, which is now displayed near the Lost and Found closet.

More Headlines

• Fifth Graders Study Energy Usage

  By Meggie Feutrier, Lower School English Teacher

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  The 5th graders just finished the PYP unit, "Sharing the Planet" with the Central Idea being, 'People use natural resources to produce energy'. Students from Thierry's, Cédric's, and Meggie's classes had many great opportunities to see how energy is used and produced on a local and global level. For example, the students walked around the FAIS Campus with Director of Facilities Mike Solly to learn about the ways in which the School uses and conserves energy. They also eagerly welcomed a FAIS parent to come in to talk about her job in wind energy and also Steve Wright, the retired CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration, to talk about hydroelectric power in the NW. It was a great expericence for all!

• Seventh Grade Seattle Trip

  By David Olson, Music Teacher

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  Gilkey 7th graders enjoyed a fun-filled trip to Seattle May 7th-9th. We had just the right mix of educational and non-educational activites, enthusiastic students and perfect 80 degree weather. Highlights included checking out the Experience Music Project, a ride on the Duck Tour (think a boat that can also drive on the street, filled with kids singing along to songs they love), a trip to the Chihuly Museum, Drama workshops at the Children's Theater, as well as a play, a ride to the top of the Space Needle, and more. The trip started with a bus ride up to our Belltown hotel (a few blocks from Seattle Center), and upon checking in, the whirlwind of activities started. We saw lots of smiling faces and students very engaged with the activities and exhibits. Check out the links below for some more details on our activities.

  • EMP Museum-- http://empmuseum.org/
  • Duck Tour -- http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/
  • Chihuly Garden http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/
  • Seattle Children's Theater -- http://www.sct.org/

• Gilkey Track

  By Anne Prouty, Gilkey Track Coach and Teacher

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  Gilkey tracksters participated in the Sub District meet last week with good results. Adam won the high jump and placed in all three of his other events: long jump, 100 m, and 4 x 100 m relay. He should be representing our school in the District Championship next week, but will be off in Spain for his 8th grade capstone trip. Normally the final District meet is scheduled before 8th graders leave for their trips but this year things didn’t work out that way. Joining Adam are the 4 by 100m relay teams for both the girls and boys. Cecilia, Elsa, Shrinik, and Nicolas also placed in their events. Kyla, a 6th grader, will be our lone representative at the meet next Tuesday. She placed in the 800m as well as the 1500m.

  We are very proud of all of our athletes! The team looks like it has a bright future with so many 6th and even two 5th graders on the roster. Look for Gilkey track to make a statement over the next few years!

• Dance in the Dark – Neon Masquerade – Gilkey’s Last Dance

  By Capucine and Sasha, 6th Grade Students

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  On May 3, 2013, Gilkey had their last and wildest school dance of the year. More than 160 middle school students and guests came to the dance! This dance was neon-themed, and there were black lights that made everything glow! Before the dance, student council organized a face paint station where the students had neon-colored facepaints that glowed in the dark! There was also BOTB (Battle of the Bands) and complimentary food and drinks!

  The Battle of the Bands finalists performed at 6:30 p.m., and finished right before the dance started. The finalist groups included Auxillary 1 (7th Grade), International Accident (8th Grade), and Maroon 4 (6th Grade). Auxillary 1 won first place, International Accident won second place, and Maroon 4 won third place. All three teams did great, but unfortunately only one team could win first place. Auxillary 1 performed "Lonely Boy." The 8th graders sang “Kalifornication,” and the 6th graders sang “Moves like Jagger.” Altogether, the Battle of the Bands did an outstanding job!

  The face painting was organized by Ms. Clifton’s student council. Student council was trained by a professional face painter, Wendy Rover. The student council face painters and artistic "detailers" worked very well together, and they made excellent face paintings. There were many different neon colors that glowed in the dark. There were also many different designs that all looked amazing like mustaches, hearts, and half-masks!

  The gym was decorated with professional blacklights, courtesy of parent Thomas Barefoot. The walls glowed with neon a poster, from the ceiling hung bunches of balloons, and the dancers’ faces glowed. It was an amazing party-like atmosphere. By the end of the evening, students of all grades were inter-mingling. Altogether, the face painting, Battle of the Bands, and neon-themed dance was a great success, and Gilkey’s community was strengthened! We hope the 8th graders had their best last dance ever!

  View photos here!

  A special thank you to Ed and Karen Keene and Thomas Barefoot for the photography!

• Teacher and Aide Appreciation Day

  By Savannah C., 6th Grade

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  FAIS students have always love the wonderful aides and teachers working at our school, and we know how much they do for the school. They take care of the students, stay after school for FASCA, feed students snack, etc. So it’s important that we show our appreciation by writing notes of thanks to both aides and teachers to celebrate all they do for us.

  On Aide Appreciation Day, May 2, parents contributed to an appreciation luncheon and an outdoor Indian-themed picnic for the aides while the teachers took over their lunchrooms and recess duties. Appreciation notes, organized by the student council, were also delivered to every aide. Overall, it was a great day!

  On National Teacher Appreciation Day, May 7, Gilkey teachers received special notes of appreciation from their students.

  (A special thank you to parents Sudha Sivakumar and Swati Hily for their delicious donations)