FR 1/27 – Home vs. Caurus: Girls 4:00/Boys 5:00
M 1/30 – at Milestones: Girls 4:30/Boys 5:30
TH 2/2 – at Adams: Girls 4:00/Boys 5:00
M 2/13 – Home vs. Adams: Girls 4:30/Home vs. Amerischools: Boys 5:30
W 2/15 – Home vs. Westwind: Boys 4:15
W 2/22 – Home vs. Adams: Girls 4:00/Boys 5:00
Our senior class teachers have over 100 combined years of teaching experience at the college preparatory level and beyond. “We’ve got this,” is not merely a slogan; it symbolizes the highest commitment to instructional excellence that, combined with the efforts of all the FA faculty, insures that our graduates enroll in competitive colleges and universities with solid preparation and the confidence to excel. Whether it’s Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, the Air Force Academy, or the honors colleges here at Arizona’s three fine universities, our graduates constantly return to visit and share with us how well-prepared they feel. The success of our graduates is proof enough of the quality program offered in our high school, and that program is built from the ground up starting in first grade at EP. Here’s to our senior staff: Paul Daniels (Physics and Calculus), Mary Crawford (dual enrollment English–freshman composition), Don Senneville (Advanced Literature/Philosophy), Diana Kogan (Senior Project), and Sandy Morse (Government and Economics).
7th grade students had a great deal of fun getting into archaeology. They have decided that now they know what it feels like to be Indiana Jones!
In order to prepare for the upcoming seasons, please return the contract to the front office no later than Friday, February 3rd. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Drew Mayer
Athletic Director
Dear MS VB A and B Families,
We will be holding our Intramural MS VB Tournament on Tuesday, 10/25 at Shiloh Community Church from 6:30-8:30. Please make sure all athletes wear their Game Jerseys. Please arrive at the Church at 6:00 sharp for warm-ups and team placement. Parents are invited to stay and cheer. We will be serving pizza at the end of the evening. The cost of the evening is $6 per player.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: We have decided to enter a MS Girls VB B Team into the IYAC Girls MS VB B Tournament. We will select 8-10 girls from the MS VB B Team to represent our school. The selection process will greatly be determined by evaluating the girls at our Intramural Tournament. MS VB A will also play in the IYAC MS VB A Tournament.
Please e-mail me by Thursday, 10/20 to reserve a space for this much anticipated night of competition.
All the Best,
Coach Mayer
Foothills Academy received an A rating from the Arizona Department of Education, an evaluation based on our test scores, adequate yearly progress, graduation rates, etc. This marks the first time the A-F system has been used for Arizona schools and adds to the many years of Excelling status that we’ve earned.
Tanner, FACP senior, accepted an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY after graduation. Tanner was nominated for this high honor on behalf of the former Congressman Harry Mitchell. Tanner was one of 275 appointees selected for the class of 2015 from around the nation and the world, out of more than 2,000 applicants.
His appointment was based off of his academic achievements, demonstrated leadership qualities and volunteer work with the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles Program. Tanner will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in logistics and intermodal transportation, as well as achieve the status of a Commissioned Officer in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Please join us in congratulating Tanner!
When aspiring teachers visit schools they are looking for the qualities that FAEP exhibits on a daily basis: classroom teachers using the best practices in multiage education, students excited about learning and sharing, and a total team approach that supports families and builds community. Foothills is proud that ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Early Childhood Education cohort taught by Dr. Jane White has chosen us as an example of excellence in elementary education. These teachers spent the morning teaching small groups language and math activities that they have developed at the University. The kids loved it and the teachers got some new ideas.
Earlier in April NAU Professor Dr. Sandra Stone brought a group of 20 teachers, all trained in multiage practice, who spent the day working with Foothills teachers. The collaboration with the state universities is a plus in many ways. Our elementary students benefit from fresh ideas and the interaction with young people entering education. The university students who visit us benefit from student feedback and the opportunity to work with a variety of young learners. Thanks to Drs. Stone and White!
The awards ceremony for the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair was April 1. The students had to present a poster and paper, and be interviewed by multiple judges. Here are the results:
Tatum (8th grade) received 2nd Place in the Health &Medicine category
Eric (7th grade) received 3rd Place in the EngineeringCategory
Krystal (10th grade) received 3rd Place in the BehavioralSciences Category
Aaron (9th grade) received 2nd Place in the EngineeringCategory and also received a $1000 Scholarship to Prescott, Arizona’sEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Engineering
Congrats to Connor and Mason for participating as well and representing Foothills with dignity!
And a special thanks to our teachers:
Tracy Marion(Teacher)
High School Science Fair Organizer/Advisor
La White (Teacher)
Middle School Science Fair Organizer/Advisor
Congratulations to Madelyn and Mason! Both seventh graders won the middle school division of the Dear Aliens Contest for the ASU Origins Project. Their words will be broadcast into space welcoming any extra terrestrials that may tune in to Earth’s radio broadcasts! On April 9th Maddie and Mason will be presented a certificate signed by one of the world’s most famous scientists: Stephen Hawking. They have also been invited to attend “Holst’s The Planets, a performance by the ASU symphony with images from NASA and a lecture following the symphony by Stephen Hawking!
The science department is very proud of Madelyn and Mason and we encourage everyone to join in on our congratulations to them!
Check out this ASU article for more information!
On Friday, March 25, 2011, Foothills Academy Model United Nations delegation attended the Model UN conference at Crossroads school in Mesa.
MUN is a working replica of the actual United Nations established after World War II and is open to 7-9 grade students. The idea behind the U.N. was to create better communication and assistance between nations to improve international relations, create ways to assist fellow countries involved in the program, and reduce the need for and destructiveness of war. Model U.N helps students experience international relations by living it through representation in MUN activities.
Our students prepared during club time through research, resolution writing and practice debate. After our skills were honed, we attended the conference and wrote finalized resolutions with other schools, participated in debate and learned about different cultures and politics. Our school was recognized as the best prepared school at the conference and we won several awards.
Congratulations to all of our delegates for an outstanding job, but special congratulations goes to Connor for being named rappateur of his committee and also receiving the award for best resolution and delegation, to Zachary for being named rappateur of his committee and for receiving the best delegation award, and to Felicia for receiving the best delegation award.
MUN helps students understand diplomacy and international relations while helping to develop effective written and communication skills through research, resolution writing, and debate. MUN gives students an opportunity to meet new people and understand various cultures, governments, and politics through the experience of acting on behalf of an assigned country that they learn about
Please watch for future updates on MUN, as it will be extended to the
high school next year.
Grand Canyon University hosted the nation’s first Grammar Bowl semifinal competitions on April 8. Competitors, including FACP’s own Zachary, finished a timed written test, and the 24 highest-scoring participants will advance to the finals on April 9.
Ninth graders are the onlY students eligible to compete in this competition, which includes grammar concepts and terminology. Prizes include iPads, iPods, cash, and scholarships. The top prize is a $10,000 scholarship to GCU.
Update: Zach gained the “Sweet Sixteen” level within a highly competitive group of students. Zach won a bronze medal, $200, and an i-pod shuffle. We are very proud of his efforts and the extra time he spent to become a final contestant. Congratulations, Zach!
One of our College Prep history teachers, Sandy Morse, has been selected to attend the Gilder Lehrman Institute at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. this summer.
“I am honored to represent the Foothills Academy at Georgetown University,” said Sandy Morse. “I will be learning from Professors from Georgetown and Ohio Wesleyan University. This knowledge will be valued by students in the classroom this coming year.”
The Institute creates and works closely with history-focused schools; organizes summer seminars and development programs for teachers; produces print and digital publications and traveling exhibitions; hosts lectures by eminent historians; administers a History Teacher of the Year Award in every state and U.S. territory; and offers national book prizes and fellowships for scholars to work in the Gilder Lehrman Collection as well as other renowned archives.
“This goes to show we have the best teachers. This was a competitive selection process and we have the teachers that such National Institutions seek,” said Principal Mary Crawford. “It is one of the reasons we are an award winning, nationally recognized school.”
Sandy Morse will be attending “The Sixties in Historical Perspective.” This seminar will explore a controversial era shrouded in myths and memories. Among the topics it will examine are the presidencies of John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon; the civil rights movement; the Vietnam War; the New Left; the counterculture; the women’s movement; the gay movement; the conservative movement; the international dimension of youth protest; and the legacies of the 1960s. The aim of the seminar is to provide a balanced history of a turbulent time that continues to influence American politics, society, and culture.
Check out this video of our fifth hour band performance on a sunny Friday at FA.
Watch Video
Online is up and running – purchase your book direct from Jostens.
Go to~
www.JostensYearbooks.com
Look for~ Foothills Academy Elem Prep
Don’t be left out – This is a limited time offer.
Offer ends February 28, 2011
On December 11, Foothills Academy students participated in the Carefree Christmas parade. The students’ float that donned a ‘sustainable’ Christmas tree made from empty water bottles.
CONGRATS to Foothills Academy’s High School Girls Volleyball Team — Crowned STATE CHAMPS today, October 30th. Way to go girls and Coach Anderson!!! Three cheers for Lauren M for winning the Most Valuable State Player Award! You’ve all made us proud to be Foothills Academy Blackhawks!!!!!!!!!!!!
FAEP receives 10¢ for every valid Box Tops for Education coupon submitted, which adds up fast! So far this year, Box Tops coupons have earned FAEP over $145! To help earn more, simply clip the Box Tops coupons off of participating products and bring them to school. Ask your friends and family to clip Box Tops too!
Box Tops coupons can be found in various places and on various types of packaging for participating
products…not just on top and not just on boxes! Attached is a list of participating products. The Box Tops
coupon could be on the top, bottom, side, front or back of the package. Some participating products use
other forms of packaging, like the clear plastic wrapping on Hefty Zoo Pals plates or Progresso soup can labels.
Box Tops are rectangular coupons showing the Box Tops for Education logo and an expiration date,
surrounded by a dotted line. The original Box Tops coupon with readable expiration date must be submitted (no copies or expired coupons). The Box Tops logo alone is not a valid coupon.
Congrats to the FAEP Geo Bee Winners!
Winner: Annika
1st runner up: Rachel
Winner: Jack
1st runner up: Cole
Winner: Sergio
1st Runner Up Jeremy
Foothills Academy students will be submitting short briefings on various school activities. We look forward to publishing more in our new student blog.
There are big congratulations for the Foothills Academy girls’ volleyball team for their amazing win in the Volleyball State Championship of 2010! The girls won the final game against a very challenging Scottsdale Prep at Black Mountain Community College with a close score of 14 to 16. Junior Sarah Soliday says, “A very happy victory was claimed.” — by Zoe C
As I entered the courtyard on Friday morning, instead of seeing the usual sea of red and plaid, I was greeted by cats, military personal, Ghost Writer, and zombies (oh my!). Everywhere I turned was yet another surprise and the assembly was extra spirited with a school-wide costume contest. Halloween at Foothills was just such a treat! — by Sage Knapp
By: Cotton
On Friday October 22, 2010 Foothills Academy’s student counsel wanted to bring awareness to the student body of breast cancer. Since pink is the official color for breast cancer and October is breast cancer awareness month, they advised everyone to wear some article of clothing that was pink. This was a huge success. We had a great number of students and teachers who wore pink to show their commitment to help find a cure for breast cancer. Thank you to all the people who participated. — Cotton
We get $$ every time you shop at Safeway! Please renew your supporter registration for Foothills Academy!
Go to www.escrip.com, and “Renew”
Foothills Academy PTO
ID # 6653043
Not registered? Get your Safeway card and follow the same instructions under “Registration”
Add your friends, family and neighbors, everyone’s!
The Junior Class of FACP said goodbye to Mr. Jim White as he leaves to take over the principal-ship of FAEP. The two groups of eleventh graders often combined for advanced learning projects, merging American history with Ms. Carolyn Smith’s American literature in something Mr. White dubbed a few years ago “hislish.”
The National Honor Society cleaned Ashler Hills Drive and all around campus for the last time this school year.
Foothills Academy’s very own Fifth Hour Band performed at the Assembly last Friday. Fifth Hour Band is just one of several electives offered at Foothills Academy College Prep.
A great Sports Awards Assembly to end a year of excitement in our competitive athletics program. We celebrated record participation, some cool wins, many “nail-biting-edge-of-your-seaters” and two championships (middle school baseball winning East Division Championship and coming in second in the CAA playoffs). All season participants for the year received school letter with special “pin” awards going to MVPs, MIPs, and Coaches Choices. The finale was the introduction of the new Athletic Director, Drew Mayer. Moving the FA sports program ahead is his singular goal. The volleyball girls (and a crowd of boys who stayed after to meet Drew) were so impressed with how he and his seasoned coaches intend to take the program to the “next level.” Let’s keep the excitement; let’s add the winning. What if . . . ? Go Blackhawks!
By Robert Cooley
Eleven Foothills Middle School students enjoyed a once in a lifetime educational trip to the Grand Canyon. The trip included a float trip down the Colorado River, rock climbing, bicycle riding in Sedona, fun at Slide Rock State Park, learning new things at the Lowell Observatory, a visit to Sunset Crater Volcano, and Wupatki National Monuments. We hiked the South Kaibag Trail and most importantly, we worked on team activities and really became good lifetime friends.
Foothills Academy World Fair 2010
Care2.com is holding a contest for America’s Favorite School.
Vote Today!
Dear High School Parents,
We had a great SAT preparation course this spring; the students were attentive and involved and a lot of test-taking strategies were packed into the 12 hours. It is now critically important for those who took the SAT preparation to actively practice the strategies and techniques learned in the course before the actual SAT.
There are eight practice tests in the book purchased for the course. If the course is to increase scores, then it is up to parents and students to make sure that the practice is continued over the weeks until test time. Any students who did not take our course can still find Princeton Review’s methods valuable (Princeton Review: Cracking the SAT 2010), and for a little extra money can buy the version of the book with an augmenting video. The video is very good. So, ALL students should be taking practice SAT tests regardless of when the test is scheduled. Practice makes . . . well, you know. We really enjoyed working with our “preppers” this April. Good testing to all.
Mary Crawford
Principal
Foothills Academy College Preparatory
Scottsdale, Arizona, 85262
480 488 5583 x303
Isabella Puente recently celebrated her 8th birthday with several of her classmates. Instead of birthday gifts, she asked each child to bring either a bag of dog or cat food to donate to our local rescue 4 Peaks Animal Rescue.
Read all about Bella’s gift to others on her birthday on the shelter website:
http://ahsvet.com/resources/pet-tails/meet-a-special-girl/
At 17, Tanner got his flying license and is flying the Phoenix skies.
Check out this great video of Tanner on The Daily Dish.
Tanner Matheny flying over Foothills Academy at the 2010 Talent Show
Tanner Matheny Flyover at Foothills Academy
Spring Gardening has Begun
Items still needed (new or used, some even on loan if need be!):
Boards:
Thanks so much and we look forward to keeping you all updated on our progress!!
6th grade honorable mentions:
Natalie Neri
Nicole Neri
Rachel Boubel
Sarah Bennett
8th grade honorable mention:
Ben Rathke
10 grade GOLD Medal winner: Brian Sexton
10 th grade SILVER Medal winner: John Manos
9-12th Ruby Becwar Best in Fair Trophy: Brian Sexton
Three students from FACP won the Tier 1 2010 Kiwanis/Foothills Science Fair and went on to compete in the Tier 2 Science Fair this past Monday March 8. Two of our 10th graders, Bryant Sexton and John Manos, received 1st place and 2nd place respectively. Both men are continuing on to the State Fair along with Krystal Wood, our 9th grade representative. The 2010 Kiwanis Community Science Fair Awards were held Wednesday evening March 10 at the Fine Arts Center. A special “Well Done” to our students at Foothills who participated. We hope to have more interest next year!!!
Congratulations to Brenton Woodward for being selected as National Merit Scholarship Finalist!
The National Merit Scholarship Program has now determined which of the 16,000 semifinalists named in September 2009 have met all requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition. All finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2010. The selection of some 8,200 Merit Scholarship winners from the group of more than 15,000 Finalists is now in progress. Four major news media announcements of Merit Scholar designees will be made by NMSC in April, May and July.
The Music Ensemble class (appearing in public as the 5th Hour Band) is
in need of several somewhat expensive pieces of equipment. As the class
has grown, we need to expand our resources. If all our wishes were
granted, the class would add the following equipment to its inventory:
- 2 amplifiers for guitar — e.g., Fender Squire or Fender Princeton
- 1 electronic keyboard; 88 keys preferred (e.g., Roland, Yamaha, or
Korg)
- 1 small drum set (snare, high-hat, ride symbol, small bass drum (18″)
- Miscellaneous percussion instruments
If anyone has any of these items and/or would like to donate them to the
class, please contact Don Senneville. Thank you in advance for anything
you can do.
In case you have not heard, there is a possibility that Desert Broom Library will be closed down as a result of the budget cuts. I’m sure you will all agree that this would be an absolute shame! PLEASE take a moment to take some action to prevent our library from being closed. You can do one (or better yet – ALL!) of the following things:
1. Call or email Councilwoman Peggy Neely and ask to her to fight to keep the library open. I sent her an email and it took just a minute to do. Her contact information is:
E-mail: council.district.2@phoenix.gov Phone: 602-262-7445
2. Stop by the Desert Broom library and sign the petition.
3. Spread the word and forward to others in the Cave Creek/Desert Ridge area and ask them to take action too!
Hopefully our voices will be heard and our library will remain open!
Dear FAEP Families,
Start the new year off by giving! A few hours of your time can mean so much to the kids and teachers at Foothills Academy Elementary Prep. We need lunch hour volunteers.
We have wonderful volunteers that give their time regularly to ensure our teachers and administrators get a much deserved lunch break. Without the help of such volunteers, FAEP staff would be responsible to monitor the children over the lunch hour. While small class sizes
are wonderful for the children, it brings this additional responsibility to our teachers.
There are 4 individuals that are filling the lion’s share of the minimum of 10 slots in our weekly volunteer schedule (1 in lunchroom and 1 on recess/5 days a week). It would be wonderful if we could get a few more “regulars” to lighten the load on those that have been so
generous with their time.
We understand schedules are hectic and are happy to have your assistance weekly, biweekly or even monthly. Volunteers are needed each day from 11:40 am – 12:35 pm. Additionally, it is completely acceptable to bring a younger sibling in, when necessary. Those siblings that are old enough really enjoy sitting with their older brother or sister and having lunch.
Please email Ann at theseabacks@msn.com.
Thank you!
Photo by Carolyn Smith
The middle school has prepped and performed our science fair experiments. The fair was spectacular with over 140 displays and three hours of judging! After tabulating all the judges scores the winners are:
6th Grade:
1st P{lace: Natalie – Heat absorption
2nd place Madelyn – Foods producing electricity
3rd place Rachel – Music increasing heart rate
4th place Nicole – Spring Strength
Honorable Mention Annie – Artificial sweeteners and taste
Honorable Mention Steven – Sound waves
Honorable Mention Sarah – Temperature and elasticity
Honorable Mention Eric – Oil thickness
Honorable Mention Camryn – Interpreting messages
7th Grade:
1st place Joe – Deposition
2nd place Olivia – Natural cleaners and bacteria
3rd pace Elle – Music and memory
4th place Reggie – Separating molecules
8th Grade:
1st place Jordan – Ground cover as insulators
2nd place Ben – Electromagnetism
The winners were determined by overall judging scores, as well as meeting the minimum scoring criteria. All winners (including the honorable mentions) will be competing at the Tier 2 Kiwanis Science Fair.
Congratulations Foothills Academy middle school winners!
Foothills Academy is proud to announce that it has been named as one of the Valley’s Top 10 High Schools by The Arizona Republic. The rating was based on 2008 AIMS reading and math scores as well as class sizes, SAT scores, and special programs.
“Foothills Academy was founded to serve academically advanced students who are college-bound and who flourish in a highly personalized learning environment. Our task is to balance student-centered, personalized teaching approaches with the curriculum-centered emphasis of college preparation. To maintain our productive academic environment we have kept our classes informal, allowing each student to grow and develop to maximum potential. Our teachers are qualified to teach their subject areas at advanced levels. At the same time they are sensitive to students’ personal needs. Finally, an outstanding quality of educational life at Foothills Academy is friendship. Students from grades 6-12 can be seen on the campus grounds talking as friends, regardless of age or height. And, it’s not unusual to find a faculty member among the students, laughing and talking as one of the group. Foothills Academy students can think on their own, they can exercise leadership, they are sensitive to their surroundings, and they are able to develop rich social relationships. Foothills Academy graduates take these qualities with them in a powerful combination for their future.” — Dr. Donald Senneville, Director/Principal
"Foothills Academy was founded to serve academically advanced students who are college-bound and who flourish in a highly personalized learning environment. Our task is to balance student-centered, personalized teaching approaches with the curriculum-centered emphasis of college preparation... [more]
