Joe demonstrates the Tai Chi form that we practice at the start of each school day under the tutelage of our Physical Education teacher, Eric Sumpter.

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“One of the classes that LDFDS offers this year is Tai Chi, with our Physical Education Teacher, Eric. Tai Chi has helped me become more flexible and more self-aware. I like Tai Chi because at first it was a challenge for me to do.  Over time I have gotten used to doing the form and have perfected it through practice. I know it like the back of my hand and have been able perform the form with my eyes closed.”

Joseph L.

 

Update to our Re-opening Plan

 

Lorraine D. Foster Day School, as presented in our Return to School Plan (RSP), began the school year on Wednesday September 2, 2020 through Distance Learning (DL). I think we learned a great deal between the March closing and the opening of School this fall: our staff worked diligently this summer to get ourselves up to speed and we are extremely proud of the program we are providing. We are offering a full five-day live program which includes all academic areas, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), art and physical education as well as resource room and extra-curricular activities. We are actively working with each student and family during and after school to support emotional concerns and issues and to communicate with all service providers. Attendance has been quite good and the response of parents and guardians positive and supportive. 

 

The staff delivered all needed materials (instructional, art and physical education) personally to each family.

 

If conditions allow, LDFDS is prepared to offer in-person instruction on Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning the week of October 19th. Our decision will be predicated on the current state of the pandemic at the time as presented by the appropriate agencies and experts in the public health community. LDFDS reserves the right to factor in, as part of our decision to open or return to full-time DL, circumstances specific to our school and community. We will continue to offer our current five-day distance learning program in real time.

 

The building HVAC system has been evaluated, inspected and outfitted with new filters. We are currently waiting for MERV 13 filters which are back ordered. We have upgraded our internet in order to provide optimal streaming for the students continuing with DL. Each desk is outfitted with plastic tri-fold screens. All of our students are now equipped with the technology necessary to access the on-line program.

 

All students and staff will be required to wear a mask for the entire time they are in the building with the exception of lunch and snack-times. We will provide frequent mask breaks outside following social distancing etiquette and are prepared to hold as many classes as possible outside, weather permitting.

 

Strict morning safety protocols will be observed as students enter the building (temperature checks, hand-washing) as well as throughout the day, with particular attention to bathroom use.

 

As families know and have agreed to­, a designated adult will be called immediately for any student who refuses to follow safety protocols and will receive their instruction through DL until a plan can be developed for return. As stated multiple times, Lorraine D. Foster Day School is unwilling to compromise the safety of its community as a result of students who endanger others by refusing to cooperate. Distance Learning which will mirror instruction, in real time, is always an alternative option.

 

Before re-opening, we will host an orientation both on-line and in person. I invite you to check our website http://ldfds.com/ . We have added a COVID-19 section.

 

Thank you for your support and please, let’s work together to keep ourselves, those we love and all our brothers and sisters on this planet healthy.

 

Dominique

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Congratulations, Amy!

Our teachers are the lifeblood of this school and we are uncommonly proud of the specialized experience and knowledge all of them bring to LDFDS. They also practice what they preach, approaching their own education as a lifelong process. Amy Nyitray personifies this approach and we'd like to congratulate her for her most recent achievement. In her own words:

“Math was not one of my favorite subjects when I was in school. It did not come easily to me, and while I took a number of advanced math courses, I had to work extremely hard to get mediocre grades. I was fortunate to have had an amazing math teacher in high school, who taught both my Algebra II and Calculus classes, and who spent hours with me after school reviewing challenging concepts and explaining them to me in a variety of ways until I understood. As a teacher, I have aspired to be like him, and to help students see the beauty in math! I have also had a number of incredibly talented math students in my time teaching at LDFDS, who have pushed my self-study of math to higher and higher levels. This inspired me to pursue an additional certification in Secondary Mathematics. I am thrilled to report that after a lot of studying and hard work, I passed the Praxis test in July and am now officially a certified middle and high school math teacher!”

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Students and teachers remotely painting together along to music...

Talia, Ana, Luke painting with Amy, Julie, Leslie, Christine and Dominique this spring.

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Improvisation Classes led by Eric Sumpter bring excitement and build confidence

Eric Sumpter introduced an improvisation class this year. Students were introduced to it as a “no, thank you” helping activity, which in LDFDS lingo, means we try new things at least once and if after trying we determine that it is not something we want to pursue at this time, we are not forced to participate. It’s an opportunity to learn and experience new things while maintaining control over whether we’re quite ready to pursue a new experience or interest (or food). The response was practically unanimously positive. Eric created a positive, safe environment for students to explore their creativity and communication skills and to take risks. It’s a great addition to the program.

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Field Trip to Outer Island September 2015

As a part of a study of Connecticut ecology, students in Class IV took a trip to Outer Island, a marine research and education center. They had an opportunity to study tide pools and the Branford Harbor, using a variety of meters to measure the water’s salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature. They compared these results to one another and observed the changes over time as the tide came in. They also got an opportunity to do some birdwatching, as the island is home to a bird sanctuary.

Amy (Class IV)

Collaborative gardening project

Students in Classes II and IV are working together to plant and maintain vegetable gardens at the school. So far, students researched various plants that thrive in Connecticut’s climate, tilled the soil and weeded the beds, purchased supplies from a local Home Depot and planted seeds and small plants.

Students in Class IV study earth cycles

Students in Class IV completed research on chemical cycles that occur in nature, such as the phosphorus and nitrogen cycles. After researching topics like the environmental impact of humans, they created posters and presented their information to the class.