Scott's Blog
Sharing our first year together as new Head of School
FAIS families, students, staff, supporters, and alumni -- it's an honor to be joining this community as your new Head of School.
I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about sharing our first year together. That's where I'm hoping this blog comes in. And what better way to launch this journey than tagging along for the second half of the 5th graders' trip to France (my first!)?
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![8th Grade Graduation 2020]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1592605876/faispdx/wzqkvylurzii2txp8dpf/certificates_blurred.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1592605876/faispdx/wzqkvylurzii2txp8dpf/certificates_blurred.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1592605876/faispdx/wzqkvylurzii2txp8dpf/certificates_blurred.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1592605876/faispdx/wzqkvylurzii2txp8dpf/certificates_blurred.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1592605876/faispdx/wzqkvylurzii2txp8dpf/certificates_blurred.jpg","width":1440}])
One of the many reasons I love being in school is that the cadence and rhythm of school is so predictable. Even though the last three months have been wildly unpredictable, the feeling at the end of the school year is still the same.
![Scott Hardister, Head of School video screenshot]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1587155631/faispdx/sfu1vozr4o4kkrlpraj7/ScottHardisterHeadofSchoolvideoscreenshot.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1587155631/faispdx/sfu1vozr4o4kkrlpraj7/ScottHardisterHeadofSchoolvideoscreenshot.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1587155631/faispdx/sfu1vozr4o4kkrlpraj7/ScottHardisterHeadofSchoolvideoscreenshot.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1587155631/faispdx/sfu1vozr4o4kkrlpraj7/ScottHardisterHeadofSchoolvideoscreenshot.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1587155631/faispdx/sfu1vozr4o4kkrlpraj7/ScottHardisterHeadofSchoolvideoscreenshot.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1587155631/faispdx/sfu1vozr4o4kkrlpraj7/ScottHardisterHeadofSchoolvideoscreenshot.png","width":2076}])
As we head into “Spring Break,” I want to thank all of you for helping make our current situation feel as “normal” as possible for our students. I hope we’re all able to find momentary breaks from all of the juggling… and from the members of our households (as much as we love them). Please continue to stay safe, and for those of you with kids at home: Good luck next week!
![Keeping Schools Safe]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1579217340/faispdx/yfupv75cvbgh3awjpjrf/keepingschoolssafe.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1579217340/faispdx/yfupv75cvbgh3awjpjrf/keepingschoolssafe.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1579217340/faispdx/yfupv75cvbgh3awjpjrf/keepingschoolssafe.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1579217340/faispdx/yfupv75cvbgh3awjpjrf/keepingschoolssafe.png","width":1000}])
Your children’s safety is my number one priority each and every day.
![Blucky Gloves]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1576873509/faispdx/tc2nzffvplor0rukrgju/Bluckygloves.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1576873509/faispdx/tc2nzffvplor0rukrgju/Bluckygloves.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1576873509/faispdx/tc2nzffvplor0rukrgju/Bluckygloves.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1576873509/faispdx/tc2nzffvplor0rukrgju/Bluckygloves.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1576873509/faispdx/tc2nzffvplor0rukrgju/Bluckygloves.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1576873509/faispdx/tc2nzffvplor0rukrgju/Bluckygloves.jpg","width":2200}])
For me this season is filled with memories that evoke long traditions, joy, and laughter.
![Thankful]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574380219/faispdx/zwrmjqe0qqpvvjw5nxpp/Autumnscene.jpg","width":239}])
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder
![Kindergarten class with their teacher and a bin full of apples]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1570835420/faispdx/r2zqeq06jx0lk5hmr5r9/kindergartenersgatheringapples.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1570835420/faispdx/r2zqeq06jx0lk5hmr5r9/kindergartenersgatheringapples.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1570835420/faispdx/r2zqeq06jx0lk5hmr5r9/kindergartenersgatheringapples.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1570835420/faispdx/r2zqeq06jx0lk5hmr5r9/kindergartenersgatheringapples.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1570835420/faispdx/r2zqeq06jx0lk5hmr5r9/kindergartenersgatheringapples.jpg","width":1242}])
With the fall season upon us, we have settled into our daily routines, and the opening days of school seem like they were a very long time ago.
![Scott with students first week of school]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1567804007/faispdx/dyaihv5pmp9j0vzfqmf2/Scottwithstudentsfirstweekofschool.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1567804007/faispdx/dyaihv5pmp9j0vzfqmf2/Scottwithstudentsfirstweekofschool.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1567804007/faispdx/dyaihv5pmp9j0vzfqmf2/Scottwithstudentsfirstweekofschool.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1567804007/faispdx/dyaihv5pmp9j0vzfqmf2/Scottwithstudentsfirstweekofschool.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1567804007/faispdx/dyaihv5pmp9j0vzfqmf2/Scottwithstudentsfirstweekofschool.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1567804007/faispdx/dyaihv5pmp9j0vzfqmf2/Scottwithstudentsfirstweekofschool.jpg","width":2200}])
What a joyful noise we had, and continue to have, here on campus beginning on Wednesday morning -- including a game of Knockout that I couldn't resist joining today (see picture)! There is truly nothing like the sound of children the first day school begins...
![Musée d'Orsay interior]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1561163335/faispdx/pfx2hv1la6wczang6pr5/museedorsay.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1561163335/faispdx/pfx2hv1la6wczang6pr5/museedorsay.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1561163335/faispdx/pfx2hv1la6wczang6pr5/museedorsay.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1561163335/faispdx/pfx2hv1la6wczang6pr5/museedorsay.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1561163335/faispdx/pfx2hv1la6wczang6pr5/museedorsay.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1561163335/faispdx/pfx2hv1la6wczang6pr5/museedorsay.jpg","width":2200}])
Today was my final day in Paris with our students, and it began with me getting quite turned around in the métro on my way to meet everyone at the Musée d’Orsay....
![Day 3: Visiting the Memorial de la Shoah, reflecting on history through perspective and empathy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1560980556/faispdx/wsmxzlaf0nngyalyaif2/IMG-0481cropped.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1560980556/faispdx/wsmxzlaf0nngyalyaif2/IMG-0481cropped.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1560980556/faispdx/wsmxzlaf0nngyalyaif2/IMG-0481cropped.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1560980556/faispdx/wsmxzlaf0nngyalyaif2/IMG-0481cropped.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1560980556/faispdx/wsmxzlaf0nngyalyaif2/IMG-0481cropped.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1560980556/faispdx/wsmxzlaf0nngyalyaif2/IMG-0481cropped.jpg","width":2200}])
Today was another great day here in Paris. I was able to join the students at the Memorial de la Shoah...
![Student performance in France]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1560898278/faispdx/mtxniykrihn1ub66rmra/StudentperformanceinFrance2019.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1560898278/faispdx/mtxniykrihn1ub66rmra/StudentperformanceinFrance2019.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1560898278/faispdx/mtxniykrihn1ub66rmra/StudentperformanceinFrance2019.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1560898278/faispdx/mtxniykrihn1ub66rmra/StudentperformanceinFrance2019.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1560898278/faispdx/mtxniykrihn1ub66rmra/StudentperformanceinFrance2019.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1560898278/faispdx/mtxniykrihn1ub66rmra/StudentperformanceinFrance2019.jpg","width":2200}])
Today was a quieter day here in Paris. I had the pleasure of watching two performances this morning at school...