Headmaster’s Update – September 21, 2015
“A goal of education is to learn to love that which is worth loving.” – John Hodges
Dear Parents, Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Hip, hip, hooray! I think that is how the cheer goes… As you know, Spirit Week begins today. Recently, I heard someone say that the Spirit Week activities we have scheduled enable us to adopt the types of events conventional “public schools” hold for homecoming week and recast them. I disagree with that observation on two accounts. First, I am not sure what other schools do during their spirit weeks or homecoming activities, but in the cases where they have gone off track, I would say what we try to do is to “redeem” them. Second, to build esprit de corps, or a common spirit at a school, is an important part of building a school culture that has roots in this country’s colleges dating to the 19th century. Homecomings, or celebrations where schools welcome their graduates home, and pep rallies to cheer on teams, are not new, nor are they specific to public schools; they began at private colleges and were adopted by private and public high schools over time.
A schedule of our spirit week activities, including in-school and evening events follows. Before I type the schedule, however, I would like to take a moment to discuss the school culture at Founders. What is a school culture? A school culture describes the shared principles, virtues, relationships, practices, and traditions that characterize a school. A school culture should be rooted in goodness, truth, and beauty, and specifically in the school mission and the spirit of our nation. On this last point, a school is in some ways a microcosm of our nation, and a model of self-government.
My hope is that as a result of the parent meetings we hold, the school messages and publications that are circulated, and the experiences you have had with your students and their teachers, you can see and understand the type of culture we are striving for at Founders. Our efforts are aimed at a culture of teaching and learning, a culture of high academic, civic, and moral standards, and a culture built on strong relationships. Since the majority of messages I send pertain to academics and the pursuit of virtue, I thought I would say just a little something about school culture in the context of practices and traditions relating to common school spirit, esprit de corps.
Human beings create and maintain important practices and traditions. They are also influenced greatly by symbols. Just look at how much religious or patriotic practices, traditions, and rich symbols touch our lives throughout the year – during holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Additionally, in a place like Texas, many people become energized and are positively impacted by athletic traditions and symbols that include seemingly small things such as the singing of God Bless America during what is known in baseball as the seventh inning stretch. These small things matter.
Here at school we also have daily practices and symbols that help build school culture; some relate to academics, some relate to discipline and school order, and still others relate to extra-curricular activities. The practices and traditions in the latter category are the newest in the sense that while we have had extra-curricular academic clubs, athletics, and performance groups from the start, these offerings have increased in number and have become enriched with each passing year.
We are in the midst of our second “Spirit Week.” Practices and traditions surrounding Spirit Week and Homecoming started last fall that may last generations. These types of activities help build in students affections for school that can greatly enrich their overall experiences. My hope is that during these times school spirit will grow, and as a result, our students, parents, faculty and staff will develop greater love for, and deeper appreciation of, our school mission and the benefits of a classical education.
We are only in our fourth year at FCA and we’ve accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time. With esprit de corps in mind, thank you in advance for your support of Spirit Week and for the other activities listed below, and for your general support of Founders Classical Academy as we continue to form our classical school culture. We look forward to welcoming our first graduates home!
SPIRIT WEEK EVENTS
Monday: Toga Day or Tunic
Students may wear Roman Togas, Greek Tunics, or reasonable facsimile thereof (FYI: Egypt was part of a Greek kingdom and the Roman Empire for centuries). Full guidelines about what constitutes a toga/tunic and how to put one on will be forthcoming. Students must wear shorts and a t-shirt (white) underneath their toga. Sandals are permitted.
Tuesday: 1950’s/Grease The Musical
Students may dress in period garb for the 1950’s. Leather jackets, t-shirts, and greased hair are permitted, as are jeans (belt required). Ladies may wear poodle skirts, pants, or dresses. No bare shoulders, sleeveless shirts or dresses, or low-cut tops. Clothes should not be tight fitting. Closed toed shoes.
Wednesday: Hero Day & Movie Night
Students may dress up as their favorite hero from literature or comic books. Students may wear jeans with superhero t-shirts and socks of their choosing. No full-body suits. No masks, face paint, or wigs. Hats may be worn outside.
Movie Night: Upper school families will watch Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (the Ark was discovered in Egypt). The movie is rated PG, but parental discretion is advised, especially for younger students.
Thursday: Dress like a teacher/Dress-up day & Evening Pep Rally / Bonfire
Students may “dress to impress” with suit and tie, a blazer, or other gender appropriate business attire. Students may style their outfits to imitate their favorite teacher if they wish. Fake beards (within reason) are permitted, wigs are not. Skirts and dresses must meet the same length requirements as normal school attire. Extra points for realism.
The Pep Rally is for the entire school and begins at 6:00 p.m.
After the pep rally, there will be live music and recitations from FCA students and teachers. Student Council is seeking donations of ingredients to make S’mores. Give ingredients to your class rep. We are asking for the following: 6th Grade – Chocolate, 7th Grade – Graham Crackers, 8th Grade – Marshmallows, 9th Grade – Chocolate, 10th Grade – Graham Crackers, 11th Grade – Marshmallows, Seniors – Skewers
Friday: Spirit Day & Homecoming Football Game
During the school day, students may wear Founder’s Spirit t-shirts or jerseys with jeans. Socks of the student’s choosing are permitted. Students wear mums this day.
The homecoming game will be held at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: High School Homecoming Dance, 7:30 p.m.
*Penny Wars: The Penny Wars competition takes place each morning during Spirit Week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
Write-A-Check Campaign: The Write-A-Check Campaign kicked off last week with the North Texas Giving Day event. Thanks to families that have already contributed to this campaign. If you have not made a donation, please contribute as this is the key fundraiser PTO sponsors during the school year, and all the proceeds benefit our school (i.e. our children).
*Read the attached letter and the write-a-check campaign form.
Coach’s Corner: Congratulations to our scholar athletes and their coaches. Last Thursday, our middle school volleyball team defeated Quest Lewisville, and on Friday evening the JV and varsity teams defeated Harmony Carrollton. Also on Friday evening, our high school football team played in a tough defensive game losing to Dallas Academy 8-0. Saturday morning, the varsity ladies placed first in their cross country meet at Trinity Park in Fort Worth with four runners in the top ten; Jordan Ness placed first. The varsity boys placed second as a team with three in the top ten; Alec Lawrence placed second overall. The middle school football team also played in their second game of the season on Saturday and beat Corinth Classical Academy to advance to 2-0.
This Week’s Spirit Week Athletic Events
Monday – MS volleyball vs. Quest Coppell, in our gym at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – MS volleyball at home vs Imagine International at 5:30 p.m., JV plays away at Imagine Intl. and Varsity plays at home vs Advantage Grand Prairie at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday – JV volleyball play away at Pegasus 6:30.
Thursday – Pep Rally at 6 p.m.
Friday – Homecoming Football Game vs. Westlake Academy at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – Cross Country Meet at TCC Northeast Campus at 8:00 a.m.
Volleyball Senior Night: Come support our amazing senior volleyball players. On Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 p.m., our Varsity girls will take on ILT Garland at home. Come cheer them on and bid farewell to the senior players as they are recognized for their dedication to FCA.
Yearbook Meeting: Do you want an amazing yearbook this year? We Need You! Come find out how you can be part of the FCA Yearbook team. The meeting will take place on Friday, September 25 from 4:00-4:30 pm in the grammar school computer lab.
Scholastic Book Fair (PTO): Our annual K-5 Scholastic Book Fair will begin next Monday, September 28th. Mark your calendar with the dates and times below and stay tuned for additional information: Please open the sign-up link to volunteer some time at the fair.
Monday 7:30-8:30 a.m., 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Thursday 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Friday 7:30-8:30 a.m., 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00-12:00 a.m. – Taco’s with Dad
Fun Food Friday (PTO):
October Fun Food Friday forms are up and running! Payments are due by 3:00PM Friday, September 25. Don’t get caught up in the hustle of Homecoming week and forget to you place your order. Take a moment and order today! Cash/Check Link Credit Card Link PayPal Link
Are you excited when you don’t have to make lunch for your kids on Fun Food Friday day? If you are, please take a moment to ensure that this program continues throughout the year by volunteering to help our team serve the students their “fun food Friday” meals. We know they would love the support as they serve your kids each week! Sign up here.
FCA Volunteers: There are many opportunities to volunteer. You will find some on the FCA PTO, FCA Boosters, and Watch D.O.G.S. websites. For all other volunteering opportunities you can find them at FCAVolunteers.com. These volunteer opportunities include: car line, grammar lunch, middle lunch, upper lunch, upper office, and after school care. To volunteer, please complete a RES Volunteer Application and pick a volunteer spot.
Online School Calendar and Founders Mobile App: Keep up with Founders activities and events here. iPhone users may also download the “FCA Mobile” app to access the school calendar and other key Founders information.
Kind Regards,
Jason Caros
Headmaster, Founders Classical Academy
469-464-3415 (grammar school)
972-219-2370 (upper school)