News

Both PK classes had a fantastic time on their field trip to Richlands Dairy Farm, and were able to learn more about cows and pumpkins. Students learned about milking cows, how farmers store the milk, how farmers keep track of the cows using “cow Fitbits”, and how they monitor what the cows eat. Students were also able to learn about the pumpkin life cycle, and were able to select a pumpkin of their own to take home. The students were also able to enjoy a hayride, the petting barn, a picnic lunch, and the farm playground.

On Tuesday, October 1, the Fuqua School Battle of the Brains Team composed of Zachary Eason (junior), Josh Huggard (sophomore), George Magnotti (sophomore), and Hunter Melton (sophomore) prevailed over the team from Thomas Dale High School in Richmond in the first round of this year’s Battle of the Brains competition. The team is coached by history teacher, Dr. Katherine Blank, and supported by team alternates Catherine Rutherford (junior), Margaret Walters (senior), Sebastian Cannady (junior), Aiden Schwerdtfeger (freshman), and James Royal (freshman).

On Thursday, October 10, the team competed against Hermitage High School in Richmond during the second round of competition. Results for this competition will be announced after its television air date.  

A number of upper school students observed “See You at the Pole 2019” on Wednesday, September 25 during lunch. The SYATP idea was started by a group of Christian teens from Texas who wanted to begin a student-led movement that highlighted the freedom to gather and pray during the school day. Wednesday’s gathering around the Bell Tower and flag poles included prayer and reflection led by Youth for Christ officers Abbie Schmidt and Hannah Ostrander. Ms. Kara Jones, US Biology teacher, is currently the YFC club sponsor.

On Thursday, September 26th, the 7th grade class took a trip to the Metro Richmond Zoo. The students are currently learning about habitats and ecosystems in their life science class. Students spent the day observing and interacting with animals. The Metro Richmond Zoo does a great job creating man-made habitats that allow the animals to survive and flourish.

The 7th graders attended the feedings of African penguins and African otters and were able to ask questions of the zoo keepers. The 7th graders' highlight of the day was hand feeding the giraffes and watching two young gibbons play tag. 

The yearbook staff attended the annual Herff Jones conference on September 25th, which was held at Virginia Commonwealth University. The staff received training on how to use the online yearbook design program and was given lots of inspiration to incorporate in the 2020 yearbook. Buy your copy of the 2020 Peregrine today!

BeeBots are the newest robotic additions to the STEAM Lab and are designed to teach students simple programming and coding skills.  Their display led to an interest in studying the hardworking insects. Bees not only make honey, they have a major role in pollinating our fruits and vegetables. We learned that our food supply would be greatly affected if we do not protect bees from environmental hazards.  

During this project-based learning lesson, K/1 created and pollinated beehives, 2/3 students created honeycombs and beehive prints, 4/5 students calculated the location of flower fields, 6th and 7th graders designed model hives, and 8th graders researched biomimicry, bee farming, and the global impact of the recent decline in bee populations in The Silence of the Bees documentary.       

Stop by the LS/MS STEAM Lab to see the collective artwork on display.  

Jeff Woytovich, founder of the Children’s Alopecia Project, visited Fuqua School on September 20, while on his cross-country speaking tour. Mr. Woytovich shared his experiences with his daughter, Maddie, and her diagnosis of Alopecia with students in grades K/1 and 6. This was a special visit as one of our of own K/1 Falcons, Gwen Franssen, has also recently been diagnosed with Alopecia. The students learned that Alopecia can happen to anyone, that it isn’t contagious, and that those who experience it are not “sick”. Mr. Woytovich talked about differences in students and mentioned how those with Alopecia are no different from their classmates. At the end of his visit, Mr. Woytovich donated two books about his daughter titled, Maddie, to our LS/MS library and to Mrs. Carilli’s classroom.