Scott's Blog
Head of School, Year 3: Belonging
FAIS families, students, staff, supporters, and alumni:
Last year started differently than we expected. But, together and with amazing resilience, we remained committed to staying connected, grateful, and joyful.
Year 3 has us starting the school year back on campus -- all grades, all day, all week! While life has not yet returned to "ordinary," FAIS continually proves to be EXTRAordinary, and a community to which I am proud to belong. I am committed to ensuring that sense of belonging is felt by each of us, every time we step on campus.
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![8th Grade Trip to DC, Washington Monument]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1653071394/faispdx/zl2cxjegjffwa5z1qfou/washingtonmonument.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1653071394/faispdx/zl2cxjegjffwa5z1qfou/washingtonmonument.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1653071394/faispdx/zl2cxjegjffwa5z1qfou/washingtonmonument.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1653071394/faispdx/zl2cxjegjffwa5z1qfou/washingtonmonument.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1653071394/faispdx/zl2cxjegjffwa5z1qfou/washingtonmonument.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1653071394/faispdx/zl2cxjegjffwa5z1qfou/washingtonmonument.jpg","width":2200}])
As my five day trip with our 8th graders to Washington, D.C., comes to an end, I thought I would take a moment and reflect on the experience.
![Snowy mountain and trees with pinkish hues against a blue sky]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1639779545/faispdx/udph4uciszf4yf5iz1my/winterscene.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1639779545/faispdx/udph4uciszf4yf5iz1my/winterscene.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1639779545/faispdx/udph4uciszf4yf5iz1my/winterscene.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1639779545/faispdx/udph4uciszf4yf5iz1my/winterscene.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1639779545/faispdx/udph4uciszf4yf5iz1my/winterscene.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1639779545/faispdx/udph4uciszf4yf5iz1my/winterscene.jpg","width":1936}])
We all have traditions that we live during this upcoming Holiday Break. Some of you may have religious traditions, while some of you may have family traditions that include traveling somewhere--but we all have some kind of traditions we look forward to during this time of year.
![Silhouetted hugging]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1633126334/faispdx/eplec70ql5aikxdqay2z/Silhouettedhugging.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1633126334/faispdx/eplec70ql5aikxdqay2z/Silhouettedhugging.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1633126334/faispdx/eplec70ql5aikxdqay2z/Silhouettedhugging.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1633126334/faispdx/eplec70ql5aikxdqay2z/Silhouettedhugging.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1633126334/faispdx/eplec70ql5aikxdqay2z/Silhouettedhugging.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1633126334/faispdx/eplec70ql5aikxdqay2z/Silhouettedhugging.jpg","width":2200}])
It truly feels like we are in full swing of the new school year, now that the opening days and back-to-school nights are behind us... and the rain has settled in. As I have said many times, I don’t think there is anyone happier to be back in-person more than I am.
![5th Grade Celebration 2021]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1624492329/faispdx/anw3ngien7ssgnzu0tqn/5thgradecelebration2021.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1624492329/faispdx/anw3ngien7ssgnzu0tqn/5thgradecelebration2021.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1624492329/faispdx/anw3ngien7ssgnzu0tqn/5thgradecelebration2021.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1624492329/faispdx/anw3ngien7ssgnzu0tqn/5thgradecelebration2021.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1624492329/faispdx/anw3ngien7ssgnzu0tqn/5thgradecelebration2021.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1624492329/faispdx/anw3ngien7ssgnzu0tqn/5thgradecelebration2021.jpg","width":2200}])
We made it! Together. Congratulations to our 8th graders and 5th graders! Their resiliency amidst everything this year threw at them is beyond inspiring.
![A potted orchid sits on a desk in front of a window]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1618600419/faispdx/rw5arjiczp8x5agfr9dr/orchid.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1618600419/faispdx/rw5arjiczp8x5agfr9dr/orchid.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1618600419/faispdx/rw5arjiczp8x5agfr9dr/orchid.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1618600419/faispdx/rw5arjiczp8x5agfr9dr/orchid.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1618600419/faispdx/rw5arjiczp8x5agfr9dr/orchid.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1618600419/faispdx/rw5arjiczp8x5agfr9dr/orchid.jpg","width":2200}])
The photo here is of an orchid sitting on my desk at home (I know, a blog in April about a flower -- stay with me).