Guide to Getting Involved - 2023-24

Dear Falcon Family,

You are likely reading this as a new Fort Worth Country Day community member. This school is so much more than teachers and students in classrooms; it is a community of adults at home and school working together to help children grow and learn. And what a great year for you to join us: We are celebrating FWCD’s 60th anniversary. We are all eager for you to feel part of the Falcon family, to feel both included and embraced as you navigate all that is new for your family this year, and to develop and deepen your sense of belonging to the FWCD family stretching back six decades.

In this publication, we are addressing you as the newest members of our FWCD team of adults caring for our children. You, as parents and guardians, are important partners with us as faculty/staff. The students, their teachers and you complete this school community.

Thank you in advance for considering opportunities to volunteer, from the Parent Faculty Association, Falcon Club, Supporting CAST and many more. In addition to providing you with information about those opportunities, this publication can be invaluable not just in getting started at FWCD but in getting started well. Your contact information, which you update and monitor through the MyFWCD portal, for instance, is essential to keeping you connected to the School. Please look carefully at everything that has been assembled for you here.

If you do not get to read anything else, please linger over pages 3 and 50. Our Defining Statements and Core Values are not simply words on the page for us at FWCD. They are guides and reminders, playing significant roles in how we approach all of our biggest decisions at the School.

Finally, know that the Parent-School Partnership (page 47) is essential to FWCD’s success as a place that nurtures and develops students to meet their potential. Expect us to communicate well with you about issues involving your child. In turn, we depend on openness and trust in your communication. As a school leader, I operate on a fundamental assumption of goodwill: I appreciate the same from faculty/staff and parents and guardians. Your expectations of us as educators should be high; our expectations of you as parents and guardians are equally high. This document is meant to set us all up to meet those high expectations.

Welcome to the wonderful community of FWCD.

Sincerely,

Eric Lombardi Head of School

Fort Worth Country Day Overview

Founded in 1963, FWCD is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school that offers a superior academic program balanced with arts and athletics. The School’s core values––integrity, kindness, courage, respect, responsibility and scholarship––serve as an ethical compass on which FWCD faculty, staff and students build and lead healthy lives.

FWCD educates students in grades junior kindergarten-12 on its 104-acre park-like campus in southwest Fort Worth and fosters students’ intellectual, physical, emotional and ethical development through fulfillment of its mission. This academic year marks FWCD’s 60th anniversary.

Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), Fort Worth Country Day holds membership in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), as well as the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) for athletic competitions. FWCD has the distinction of being the only Malone Scholars School in the state of Texas. FWCD also is a founding member of the nation’s only independent school synchronous online learning program through the Malone Schools Online Network.

FWCD alumni live and study around the globe, making a difference in people’s lives through their leadership skills and visions for a better world; connecting what they’ve learned; and fusing it with their college studies, careers and civic endeavors.

Defining Statements

Purpose: The purpose of Fort Worth Country Day is to inspire the passion to learn, the courage to lead, and the commitment to serve.

Mission Statement: The mission of Fort Worth Country Day is to foster the intellectual, physical, emotional and ethical development of capable students through an academically rigorous college-preparatory program that integrates the arts and athletics.

Philosophy: Fort Worth Country Day offers an advanced curriculum, comprehensive in its emphasis on the humanities, sciences, arts and athletics. The School values diversity in its community and encourages openness of thought and freedom of inquiry. Through its program, the School seeks to develop enthusiastic, thinking, well-rounded, and responsible citizens equipped for success in college and life.

The School sees education as both a personal journey requiring guidance and a systematic process built upon knowledge, experience and hard work. Collectively, these components promote understanding, imagination and reason.

The purpose, mission and core values (page 50) of Fort Worth Country Day unify the School community and guide everyday decisions and institutional policies. FWCD has high expectations for student achievement, parent support and teacher performance. Success requires the community to work together with trust and confidence.

Celebrating 60 Years of Excellence

The 2023-24 academic year marks Fort Worth Country Day’s 60th anniversary. The School began as an idea, envisioned over cups of coffee and lengthy discussions. A Board of Trustees was formed, a plot of land was obtained, a Head of School was hired, and ground was broken. On September 9, 1963, FWCD opened its doors to 210 students in grades 1-9 and 17 faculty members. The campus consisted of three buildings. Today, FWCD comprises 104 acres, serves students in grades JK-12, and employs approximately 250 faculty and staff members. Over the past six decades, the School has continuously evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of education while upholding its core values, academic rigor, character development and community engagement.

Throughout the year, the Falcon community will commemorate the 60th anniversary and reflect on the remarkable achievements of our students, alumni, faculty and staff at various traditional school activities and special events. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.

At Fort Worth Country Day, we believe that every child has the potential to achieve greatness. Our dedicated faculty creates an environment where students thrive through our time-honored 3A’s – academics, arts and athletics. We are excited to welcome new families and continue nurturing the talents of our current students for the next 60 years and beyond.

Our 4,537 graduates have become leaders in diverse fields, positively impacting their local and global communities. We take pride in their accomplishments and the strong foundation they built at Fort Worth Country Day.

Together, we honor our past, embrace the present and shape the future. We look forward to celebrating with you!

FWCD’s Comprehensive Campaign: Forward Together

On January 23, 1963, the very same year the School opened its doors to the first students, Fort Worth Country Day embarked on its first campaign. The goal: to raise $1 million. Sixty years later, we stand ready to formally announce FWCD’s comprehensive campaign, Forward Together.

FWCD’s goal is to support the long-term needs of students by providing the Best Teachers, the Best Teaching and the Best Teaching Environment. Achieving these priorities will ensure FWCD’s ability to continue offering leading-edge education, essential for the development of future leaders for the community, the city and the country.

In the years since its founding, FWCD continually assesses its progress and achievements toward the fulfillment of delivering outstanding education to its students. The most recent comprehensive strategic planning process reaffirmed the School’s commitment to play a more integral role in the greater Fort Worth community by expanding accessibility and diversity.

Built upon FWCD’s strategic plan and campus master plan, the Forward Together campaign has four distinct priorities, each supporting the School’s mission and each meeting critical goals that serve students, families, faculty and the city of Fort Worth. The priorities are:

• Endowment for Sustainability - $8 million

• Lower School Building New Construction - $24 million

• Athletic Fields and Track Enhancements - $3.5 million (funded)

• FWCD Fund - $5 million

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the priorities and how to become involved, please contact Sandra Tuomey, Director of Advancement (sandra.tuomey@fwcd.com, 817-302-3223).

How can we get involved? How can we help?

The answer is two-fold. FWCD needs an active volunteer body in order to thrive and flourish.

Active Participation

Serving as a volunteer is vital to the overall impact of the education your child will receive. We hope you will take an active role in your child’s academic life by attending School events, volunteering to help with class projects when needed, and joining the booster club organizations that work on behalf of all FWCD students. Connecting with these opportunities will provide you with a richer FWCD experience.

The Parent Faculty Association, the Falcon Club (athletics booster club), the Alumni Association, and the booster club for fine arts known as Supporting CAST (Creative Arts Students and Teachers) are some of the organizations that need your assistance. All of these groups are explained within this guide with the name of who to contact so you can immediately feel like an engaged member of the FWCD family.

Financial Support

The legacy of generosity at Fort Worth Country Day is an important tradition. For 60 years, FWCD families, grandparents, alumni, faculty and staff have been making a difference for our students. They are generous with their time and talents, and also with their treasures, bringing financial resources to FWCD that enable us to offer premier programs and challenging academics.

Each year, we call upon that tradition of generosity through our annual giving drive known as The FWCD Fund. Parent and guardian participation is vitally important in this drive. During the 2022-23 academic year, the School community came together with support and generosity. FWCD’s deep-rooted tradition of loyalty, commitment and community spirit resulted in another record-breaking year with unrestricted gifts surpassing the $1.2 million mark. One again, this community showed that together we can do anything. During your time at FWCD, you will be called upon to lend your support in a variety of ways to help the School continue to flourish.

Parent Faculty Association (PFA)

The Parent Faculty Association welcomes you and your family to Fort Worth Country Day! Established to include all parents and guardians and faculty/staff at FWCD, the PFA has no dues or meeting requirements. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of FWCD parents and guardians, and we are in place to support and promote FWCD and to provide opportunities for family members to take active roles in the life of the School.

The PFA hosts many community-building events in an effort to foster parent, guardian, student and faculty/staff relationships, as well as to raise funds to support the School. Some examples of these events include Carnival, Bingo, Pumpkin Patch, and the spring FWCD Party. The PFA also coordinates with the Lower School, Middle School and Upper School to designate Room Representatives for each class.

Please look over the pages within this guide to learn more about the myriad volunteer opportunities available this year. The Chairs for each of these events look forward to hearing from and working with you. Even if you have just a limited amount of time available to volunteer, there is a place for you!

Thank you for choosing to be a part of the Fort Worth Country Day community. It is truly a special place. Additionally, thank you for considering involvement with the Parent Faculty Association. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the PFA. Wishing you a fantastic school year!

Warm Regards,

Alison Gengelbach

2023-24 PFA President amgengelbach@gmail.com

Volunteer Opportunities

Admission/Special Events

Volunteers help with new parent and guardian or prospective family activities throughout the year.

Tiffany Slataper: tiffany.slataper@gmail.com

Abby Rodgers: abbygrodgers@gmail.com

Bingo

Bingo is a FUNdraising event that takes place in the spring semester. Volunteers help with check-in, decorations, games, set-up, raffle and many other tasks.

Carrie Moore: c.moore2@tcu.edu

Meg Ortowski: meg.ortowski@gmail.com

Care Committee

Care committee members provide a meal or run an errand for an FWCD family in need as called for by the occasion.

Claire Florsheim Midkiff ’01: clairefmidkiff@gmail.com

Carnival

Carnival takes place in the fall. Volunteers assist with concessions, decorations, set-up/ tear down, student raffle, and serve as booth chairs or in other capacities.

Natalie Boenker: natalie.boenker@gmail.com

Melissa Mahaffey Tucker ’01: mtucker@mtuckerlaw.com

Freshman Homecoming Event

Volunteers help with planning, sign-ups or chaperoning the event.

Laura Rooker: rookerfamily@sbcglobal.net

Laura Nelson: lnelson0210@gmail.com

FWCD Libraries

Volunteers assist in one of the libraries or at the Book Fair.

Melissa Hickman: melissa.hickman@fwcd.com

FWCD Party

Volunteers help with set-up, check-in or decorations.

Angela McDonald: amcdonald8312@gmail.com

Regan Haggerty: regan.haggerty@gmail.com

Holiday Sale

The PFA sponsors a December sale that enables K-6 students to shop for items for friends and family. Volunteers donate sale items, help make items, assist with set-up and work a sales shift.

Jessica Fiesta: mary.jessica.mc@gmail.com

Morgan Mallick West ’04: Morganwest8611@gmail.com

Homecoming Mums

Volunteers help with the sale and distribution of Homecoming mums throughout the fall leading up to Homecoming Week.

Duffy Bloemendal: scottandduffy@msn.com

Jordan Beasley Davidson ’96: jdavidson77@gmail.com

Forever Plaid Resale Shop

The PFA provides a central lost-and-found area and sells used uniforms at a greatly reduced price. Used uniforms are usually sold during the week or two before school starts and one day a week during the school year. Volunteers assist the chairs with lost-andfound items and staff the sale.

Karen Flynn: karenflynnhome@hotmail.com

Shannon Kelly Wallace ’97: shannonkelly1979@sbcglobal.net

FDP Coordinator

Volunteers assist during Lower School lunch, helping students navigate the food stations.

Tracy Lewis: tracylewis24@gmail.com

Pumpkin Patch

Volunteers help decorate and sell pumpkins in the fall.

Amanda Kinson: amanda.kinson@gmail.com

Sadie Upham: sadie.upham@gmail.com

School Nurse

Volunteers assist in the office or substitute for the nurse when needed. RN required.

Lori McCormack: lori.mccormack@fwcd.com or 817.302.3257

FWCD Events at a Glance

Below find a listing of dates for the 2023-24 academic year. Please regularly check the School’s master calendar at fwcd.org/calendar for any changes in dates, times and locations.

August

August 15

Upper School Classes Begin (Half-Day)

Upper School Student Council Back-to-School Picnic, 6 p.m., Courtyard by College Counseling, contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

August 17

Lower School Flight School (New Student Orientation), 9-11 a.m., Lower School Atrium; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Grade 6-8 New Student Orientation, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Middle School Amon G. Carter Foundation Commons; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Grade 6-8 New Parent & Guardian Orientation, 9-9:45 a.m., Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Lower School New Parent & Guardian Orientation, 10-11 a.m., Lower School Collaboratory; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

August 18

Kindergarten Orientation, 9-10:30 a.m., Kindergarten Classrooms; contact beverly.michael@fwcd.com

Grade 5 Howdy Day, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Carter Commons; contact michael.parker@fwcd.com

Grade 5 Parent & Guardian Orientation, 9:30-10:30 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

August 18 (cont.)

Junior Kindergarten Meet the Teacher, 10:30-11:30 a.m., JK Classroom; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

Grades 1-4 Meet the Teacher, 10:30-11 a.m., Lower School Classrooms; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

August 19

Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground, 9-10 a.m., Kindergarten Playground; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

JK Popcorn on the Playground, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Kindergarten Playground; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

Back-to-School Parent Party, 7:30-9:30 p.m., in front of Moncrief Library; contact mallory.sample@fwcd.com

Upper School Howdy Dance, 8 p.m., Upper School Commons; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

August 22

Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten/Lower School/Middle School First Day (Half-Day)

JK/K Half-Days. Continue through September 1.

August 23

Grades 7-8 Parent & Guardian Athletics Meeting, 6-7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact james.rains@fwcd.com

Senior Parent & Guardian College Night, 6-7:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

August 24

First Grade Rice Babies, 1:15-2:30 p.m. Outside the Martin Campus Center; contact your child’s teacher for more information

August 26

Junior Parent & Guardian College

Counseling Workshop, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center/Moncrief Library; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

August 29

Middle School Parent & Guardian Night, 6:30-9 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

August 30

Upper School Parent & Guardian Night, 6:30 p.m., Upper School Commons; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

August 31 Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

September

September 1

Lower School Out-of Uniform Day for Summer Reading; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

September 4 Labor Day (No School)

September 5

JK/K Begin Full Days

September 6 Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Mission Application: Senior Application Workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Moncrief Library; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

September 7

Lower School Out-of-Uniform Day for Math Bingo; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Grade 8 Leadership Day, 8:05 a.m.-2:25 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Lower School Parent & Guardian Night, 6:30 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater, contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

September 8

Convocation and Picnic Lunch, 10:10 a.m.-12:20 p.m.; contact mallory.sample@fwcd.com

September 9 AP Environmental Science Bamberger Trip; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com. Students return to campus September 12.

September 11 Middle School Canned Food Drive Begins, Carter Commons; contact debby.arnold@fwcd.com. Event ends September 29.

JK-12 Yearbook Pictures; contact lisa.wallace@fwcd.com

September 12

Grade 9 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

September 12

Kindergarten Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Goff Rooms of (cont.) the FDP; contact beverly.michael@fwcd.com

September 13 Grade 5 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

September 14 Grade 7 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Grade 10 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

September 15 Grade 9 Retreat, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Camp Thurman; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 10 Service Day, 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grades 11-12 College Day, 9-10:30 a.m., Round Gym; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

September 18 Lower School StarLab. Event ends September 22.

Grade 8 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

September 19 Grade 6 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Grade 1 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Community Connections, 2-3 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

Community Connections, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

September 20 JK-12 Half Day for Faculty and Staff Professional Development

September 26 Grade 11 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m. Martin Campus Center; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

September 26

Grade 2 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m.; Goff Rooms of the FDP, (cont.) contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

September 27 Grade 4 Reads to Kindergarten, 8:30 a.m., Butterfly Garden; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Grade 5 Core Values Day; contact michael.parker@fwcd.com

Sophomore Parent & Guardian College Counseling Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

September 28 Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic

Grade 12 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

September 29 PFA Carnival, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Parking Lot E (Kindergarten Lot); contact natalie.boenker@gmail.com

September 30 College Counseling Senior Interview Day, 2-4 p.m. (Virtual); contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

October

October 2 JK-12 Yearbook Make-Up Pictures; contact lisa.wallace@fwcd.com

October 3 Grade 3 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

October 4 Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Essay Feedback Workshop with College Admission Officers for Seniors (Virtual), 6:30-8 p.m.; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

October 5 Grade 4 Parent/Guardian/Child Book Club, 6-7 p.m.; contact teresa.hoppe@fwcd.com

October 6 JK Art Field Trip; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

October 9

Fall Break (No School)

FWCD Service Day; contact kelly.tierce@fwcd.com

October 10

Grade 4 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Community Connections, 2-3 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

Community Connections, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

Grades 9-12 College Financial Planning & Scholarship Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m., All Saints’ Episcopal School McNair Theater; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

October 11

PFA Pumpkin Patch, 7:30 a.m., in front of Lower School; contact amanda.kinson@gmail.com or sadie.upham@gmail.com. Event ends October 12.

Admission Event: Kindergarten Prospective Parent & Guardian Program, 9 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

Grade 9 Service Day, 9 a.m.-noon; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grades 10-11 PSAT; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 12 Ropes Course, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Falcon Challenge Course; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

October 18

Admission Event: Kindergarten Prospective Parent & Guardian Program, 6 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

October 19

Kindergarten Field Trip; contact your child’s teacher for more information

FWCD Events at a Glance

October 20

Grades 3-4 Red Ribbon Day Fun Run; contact shelley.rains@fwcd.com

Homecoming Pep Rally, 2:30 p.m., Round Gym; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

October 21 Alumni Games; contact amanda.stephens@fwcd.com

Alumni Reunions; contact amanda.stephens@fwcd.com

Upper School Homecoming Dance, 8 p.m., Upper School Commons; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

October 25

JK-4 Noon Dismissal for Teacher Conferences; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Senior Composite Pictures, Upper School Schartz Room; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Upper School Coffee House, 6 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

October 26

October 27

JK-12 Teacher Conferences (No School)

Junior Kindergarten Trick or Treat, 9-10 a.m.; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

Upper School Pep Rally, 10:15 a.m., Round Gym

New Grandparents’ Luncheon, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact mallory.sample@fwcd.com

Junior Kindergarten Halloween Party, 12:15-1 p.m.; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

Lower School Halloween Parade, 1:45-2:45 p.m.; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Kindergarten Halloween Party, 2:30 p.m., Butler Kindergarten Building; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

October 30 Falcon Club Golf Tournament, Hawk’s Creek Golf Club; contact elizabeth.baxter@fwcd.com

October 31 Grade 3 Book Characters, 8:30 a.m., Lower School Atrium; contact your child’s teacher for more information

November

November 1 Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

November 2 SPC, Fort Worth; contact leigh.block@fwcd.com. Event ends

November 4.

November 3 No Upper School Classes (SPC)

November 6-7 Fall Play Tech Rehearsals, 4:30 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact eric.tysinger@fwcd.com

November 7 JK-12 Half Day for Faculty and Staff Professional Development

IDEA Conference, 1-4 p.m., Upper School Commons; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

November 8 Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 11 Feast of Sharing, 1-7 p.m., Dickies Arena; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Admission Event: K-4 Family Flight Night, 5 p.m., FDP; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

Alumni Sneak Peek Fall Play Event; contact amanda.stephens@fwcd.com

November 9 Class Photos; contact lisa.wallace@fwcd.com

November 9-10 Fall Play, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

November 10 JK/K Early Dismissal; contact beverly.michael@fwcd.com

Middle School Veterans Day Program, Round Gym; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

November 11 Fall Play, 2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

November 14 K-4 Art Show, Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com. Event ends November 17.

Admission Event: Grades 5-12 Coffee at Country Day for Prospective Parents & Guardians, 9 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

November 15

Lower School Parent & Guardian Preview of Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day (Grades K and 4), 9 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

Freshman Parent & Guardian College Counseling Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Upper School Commons; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

November 16 JK Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day, 9-10 a.m., JK Classrooms; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

JK Early Dismissal at 10 a.m.

Kindergarten Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day, 10:30 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact mallory.sample@fwcd.com

Kindergarten Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

FWCD Events at a Glance

November 17 No School JK/K

Grade 8 Falcons for Fort Worth Charity Visits; contact lynnette.burleson@fwcd.com

Grades 1-4 Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day, 8:30 a.m., FDP; contact advancemement@fwcd.com

Middle School Early Dismissal, 11 a.m.; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Grades 5-8 Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day, 11 a.m., Carter Commons; contact advancement@fwcd.com

Upper School Early Dismissal, 2:30 p.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

November 20-24

Thanksgiving Break (No School)

November 27

Middle School Toy/Hat/Glove Drive Begins, Middle School Commons; contact debby.arnold@fwcd.com. Event ends December 15.

Middle School Visual Arts Exhibit, 3:30-6 p.m.; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

November 28

JK-K Noon Dismissal

Middle School/Upper School Choir Concert, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

November 29

NAIS PoCC/SDLC Conference, St. Louis; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com. Event ends December 2.

Middle School/Upper School Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

November 30

Grade 5 Overnight Trip to the Fort Worth Zoo; contact michael.parker@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

November 30

Middle School/Upper School Band Concert, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott (cont.) Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

December

December 4 Grade 4 Parent/Guardian/Child Book Club, 6-7 p.m.; contact teresa.hoppe@fwcd.com

December 5

Admission Event: Kindergarten Superheroes, 4:30 p.m., Butler Kindergarten Building; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

Falcon Flyers Concert, 6 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact julie.dean@fwcd.com

December 6

Middle School Spelling Bee, 8:45-10:20 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact kim.gardner@fwcd.com

Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Admission Event: Grade 5-8

Awesomeness Initiative Family Preview, 5:15 p.m, Carter Commons; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

Senior Parent & Guardian College Counseling Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Upper School Commons; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

December 7

Upper School Fall Capstone Presentations, 6:30 p.m., Moncrief Library; contact sarah.blan@fwcd.com

December 8

PFA Holiday Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Square Gym, contact mary.jessica.mc@gmail.com or Morganwest8611@gmail.com

FWCD Ballet: The Nutcracker, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

December 9

FWCD Ballet: The Nutcracker, 2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

FWCD Ballet: The Nutcracker, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

December 12 Upper School Early Dismissal, 2:30 p.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 7-8 Scenes & Monologues, 5:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

December 13 Upper School Exams Begin; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com. Exams end December 15.

Grade 7-8 Scenes & Monologues, 5:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

December 14

Grade 2 Idiom Fashion Show, 1:45 p.m.; contact your child’s teacher for more information

Grade 8 Falcons for Fort Worth Charity Visits; contact lynnette.burleson@fwcd.com

JK-12 Early Dismissal

December 15 FWCD Conservatory Ballet Performance, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

December 16 Alumni Games; contact amanda.stephens@fwcd.com

FWCD Conservatory Ballet Performance, 2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

December 18-January 2

Winter Break (No School)

FWCD Events at a Glance

January

January 2 Faculty/Staff Inservice

January 3 School Resumes for Students

January 4 Grade 12 College Chat, 10:15 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

January 10

Grades 1-2 Family Fitness Night, 6:15-6:45 p.m., Round Gym; contact shelley.rains@fwcd.com

Grades 9-11 Parent & Guardian College Knowledge Night, 6:30-8 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

January 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School)

January 16 MLK Forum, 6-7:15 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

January 17

Admission Event: Grades 5-12 Family Flight Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., FDP; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

January 18

Grade 4 Parent/Guardian/Child Book Club, 6-7 p.m.; contact teresa.hoppe@fwcd.com

January 19

Grade 1 Field Trip; contact your child’s teacher for more information

January 24 Grade 8 Parent & Guardian Step Up Night, 6:30 p.m., Upper School Commons; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

January 25

January 29

Grade 6 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Black & White Photography Exhibit Opens; contact sil.azevedo@fwcd.com. Event ends February 3.

JK/K Early Dismissal

January 31

Admission Event: Grades 5-12 Coffee at Country Day for Prospective Parents & Guardians, 9 a.m., Moncrief Library; contact yolanda.espinoza@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

January 31

Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com (cont.)

February

February 2 JK Box Parade, 12:30-1 p.m., Parking Lot E (Kindergarten Lot); contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

Upper School SPC Pep Rally, 2:20 p.m., Round Gym; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

February 3 Black & White Images Reception, 3 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

February 6

Grade 9 Upper School Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Martin Campus Center; christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Community Connections, 2-3 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

Community Connections, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

February 7 College Colloquium for Parents & Guardians/Students Grades 8-11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

February 8 SPC, Houston; contact leigh.block@fwcd.com. Event ends February 10.

Grade 10 Upper School Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Martin Campus Center; christy.lennox@fwcd.com

February 9 No Upper School Classes (SPC)

PFA Bingo, 5:30-8 p.m., Round Gym; contact c.moore2@tcu.edu or meg.ortowski@gmail.com

February 10 Upper School Musical Work Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

February 13

Middle School Mardi Gras Celebration, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact frances.lopez@fwcd.com

February 14 Grade 6 Trip to Austin; contact debbie.schofield@fwcd.com.

Students return February 16.

February 17

Upper School Musical Tech, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact eric.tysinger@fwcd.com

February 19 Presidents Day (No School)

Upper School Musical Tech, 5:30 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact eric.tysinger@fwcd.com

February 20 Grade 11 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Martin Campus Center; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Upper School Musical Tech, 5:30 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact eric.tysinger@fwcd.com

February 21

Kindergarten Field Trip; contact your child’s teacher for more information

Alumni Sneak Peek Musical Event; contact amanda.stephens@fwcd.com

February 22 Grade 12 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

February 22-23 Upper School Musical, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

February 24 Area C Latin Competition; contact clint.hagen@fwcd.com

Upper School Musical, 2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

Upper School Musical, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

February 28 JK-12 Early Dismissal for Faculty and Staff Professional Development

February 29 Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

March

March 1

Grade 1 Read Across America; contact your child’s teacher for more information

March 4 Grade 9 Parent & Guardian Meeting on Healthy Relationships, 6 p.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

March 5

Community Connections, 2-3 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

Community Connections, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

March 6 Founders’ Day, 10:10 a.m.; contact mallory.sample@fwcd.com

Lower School Community Heroes Reception, 6-7 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

March 7

Grade 3 Art Field Trip; contact your child’s teacher for more information

FWCD Events at a Glance

March 7

Grade 4 Evening at Ellis Island, Martin Campus ; contact your child’s (cont.) teacher for more information

March 8

Upper School Early Dismissal, 2:30 p.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

March 11-15 Spring Break (No School)

March 18 School Resumes

March 19

Grade 5 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

March 21

Grade 9 Retreat, 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 10 Ropes Course, 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Falcon Challenge Course; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grades 11-12 Mock AP Exams, Upper School Classrooms; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 4 Parent/Guardian/Child Book Club, 6-7 p.m. Lower School Library; contact teresa.hoppe@fwcd.com

Grade 9 Parent & Guardian Healthy Relationships Follow Up, 6 p.m.; contact katie.walker@fwcd.com

March 22

Middle School Talent Show, 2:30-3:20 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact debby.arnold@fwcd.com

March 26

Lower School Holi Celebration; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

March 27

Lower School Early Dismissal for Teacher Conferences; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Upper School Cum Laude Induction, 11:30 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

March 27

Upper School Cum Laude Luncheon, 12:15 p.m., Martin Campus (cont.) Center; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Upper School Holi Celebration, 3:45 p.m.; contact nicole.masole-rose@fwcd.com

Upper School Coffee House, 6:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

March 28

March 29

JK-12 Teacher Conferences (No School)

Spring Holiday (No School)

April

April 1-3 Middle School ERB Testing; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

April 3

JK Field Trip; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

Lower School Spelling Bee, 8:30 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

April 5

Grade 7 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Lower School Talent Show; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com

April 5-6

April 6

April 8

State Latin Competition; contact clint.hagen@fwcd.com

FWCD Prom

Lower School ERB Testing; contact sherrilan.gilley@fwcd.com.

Testing ends April 12

Solar Eclipse Day, 11 a.m.; contact sherri.reed@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

April 10

Middle School National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 9:45-10:20 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact Lesley.Francis@fwcd.com

ISAS Art Festival Preview, 6 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

April 11-13

April 11

ISAS Arts Festival, Austin; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

Grade 8 Parent & Guardian Coffee, 8:15-9:45 a.m., Goff Rooms of the FDP; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

April 15 April Holiday (No School)

April 16 Class of 2024 Cap and Gown Distribution; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

April 17

Grade 7 Prairie Day, 8:05 a.m.-2:25 p.m.; contact jimmy.brockway@fwcd.com

Upper School Band & Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

April 18

SPC Lacrosse; contact leigh.block@fwcd.com.

Competition ends April 20

Grade 1 Rumpus in the Rainforest, 8:30 a.m.; contact your child’s teacher for more information

FWCD Events at a Glance

April 18

Grade 9 College Visit; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com (cont.)

Grade 10 Practice ACT 8:45 a.m.; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

Grade 11 Ropes Course, Falcon Challenge Course, contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 12 Athena Workshop followed by Senior Walkout; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Grade 7 Plays, 5:30 p.m., Classroom; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

April 19

Falcon Flyers and Grades 3-4 Music Program, 10 a.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

Falcon Flyers and Grades 3-4 Music Program, 2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

Grade 7 Plays, 5:30 p.m., Classroom; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

April 22

Senior Parade and Alumni Induction, 10:10 a.m.; contact amanda.stephens@fwcd.com

April 24

Kindergarten Rodeo for Seniors and Lower School, 10:10 a.m., Round Gym; contact beverly.michael@fwcd.com

JK-12 Half Day for Faculty and Staff Professional Development

April 25

K-Rodeo Parent & Guardian Performance, 8:30 a.m., Round Gym; contact beverly.michael@fwcd.com

Upper School Recognition Assembly, 10:15 a.m., Upper School Commons; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Senior/AP Art Show Reception, 5-7 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

April 26

Grade 1 Field Trip; contact your child’s teacher for more information

FWCD Ballet, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

April 27

April 29

FWCD Ballet, 2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

Grade 7 Vicksburg Trip; contact jackie.rains@fwcd.com. Students return May 2.

Grade 8 Big Bend Trip; contact debbie.schofield@fwcd.com.

Students return May 3.

Upper School Spring Capstone Presentation, 6:30 p.m., Moncrief Library; contact sarah.blan@fwcd.com

May

May 1

Upper School Late Start, 9:30 a.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

May 2 SPC, Dallas; contact leigh.block@fwcd.com. Event ends May 4

Grade 4 Tournament of Books Breakfast; contact tammy.wolford@fwcd.com

May 3

Grade 3 Field Trip; contact your child’s teacher for more information

No Upper School Classes (SPC)

May 6 AP Exams; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com. Exams end May 17.

Grade 1 Camp Write Along; contact your child’s teacher for more information. Event ends May 17.

Grade 10 Washington, D.C. Trip; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com. Students return May 10.

Middle School Visual Arts Reception, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Martin Campus Center; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

May 7

FWCD Events at a Glance

May 8

May 9

Middle School Choir Concert, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

Middle School Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

Grades K-2 Funza Poppin Field Day, 9:30-11 a.m., Barrett Havran Track; contact shelley.rains@fwcd.com

Grade 9 Science Field Trip; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Middle School Band Concert, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

May 10

Grades 3-4 Field Day, 9:30 a.m.-noon., Barrett Havran Track; contact shelley.rains@fwcd.com

Junior Kindergarten Field Day, 12:30 p.m., Kindergarten Playground; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

May 11

Conservatory Music Recital, 10 a.m., Scott Theater; contact melissa.scott@fwcd.com

FWCD Events at a Glance

May 13

May 14

Middle School Math and Language Awards Ceremony, 9:45-10:20 a.m., Round Gym; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Grade 4 Visual Arts Reception and America’s Fair, 3:30-6 p.m., Martin Campus Center, contact your child’s teacher for more information

Grade 8 Plays, 5:30 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

May 15

Grade 4 Field Trip; contact your child’s teacher for more information

Upper School Awards Ceremony, 1 p.m., Round Gym; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Upper School Yearbook Distribution, 2:30 p.m.; contact lisa.wallace@fwcd.com

Grade 8 Plays, 5:30 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

May 17

Escape from Lower School Library, Moncrief Library; contact tammy.wolford@fwcd.com

Middle School Awards Ceremony, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Round Gym; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Grades 9-11 Early Dismissal, 2:20 p.m.; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

Middle School Early Dismissal, 2 p.m.; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com

Class of 2024 Graduation, 7 p.m., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com

May 20

Upper School Semester Exams; contact christy.lennox@fwcd.com. Exams end May 22.

FWCD Events at a Glance

May 20 Middle School Exams; contact kathy.welch@fwcd.com. (cont.) Exams end May 22.

JK End-of-Year Performance, 9:30-10 a.m.; contact sara.parker@fwcd.com

JK Early Dismissal at 11 a.m.

May 21 K Readers Theater, 10:30 a.m.; contact beverly.michael@fwcd.com

JK/K Early Dismissal at 11 a.m.

May 22 Last Day of School

May 22-24 Late AP Testing; contact kristin.larsen@fwcd.com

May 24

May 25

Conservatory Ballet Recital, 7 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

Conservatory Ballet Recital, 2 p.m., FWCD Scott Theater; contact carrie.cheng@fwcd.com

Check fwcd.org/calendar for any date/location shifts.

Supporting CAST

Welcome to the FWCD family! Creative Arts Students and Teachers, better known as Supporting CAST, is excited that you have entrusted Fort Worth Country Day with the honor of taking your child to the next level of academics, athletics and the arts.

CAST provides financial support for additional artistic activities in all areas and all levels of performing and visual arts by connecting FWCD students, JK-12, with great artists from all over the world. From performing arts master classes, to visual arts workshops, to special guest performances on campus or attendance at renowned arts events and workshops off campus, these unique artistic moments engage our students in the arts in different and powerful ways.

In addition to providing financial support to arts programs at FWCD, CAST celebrates the hard work and artistic achievements of our students by hosting receptions at our performing and visual arts events on campus. If you would like to promote and support the arts at FWCD, please consider joining us as a member of CAST or helping us host our fine arts celebrations by contacting Chelsy Beninate, Director of Fine Arts, at chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com.

Visit us at fwcd.org/CAST to learn more!

AFTER THE SCHOOL DAY ENDS, SOAR TO GRANDER HEIGHTS!

SOAR at Fort Worth Country Day offers students a series of engaging and unique scholastic, arts and recreation opportunities outside of the traditional school day schedule. On school days from 3:10 to 6 p.m., students in SOAR have the opportunity to spark new interests, build upon their existing passions and develop new peer relationships all without having to leave the FWCD campus! Available to students in grades junior kindergarten (JK) through grade 4, SOAR is led by a team of Fort Worth Country Day faculty and staff, accomplished educators and experienced childcare professionals.

School days, 3:10 - 6 p.m.

Grades JK-4

Enrichment programs in Academics, Art and Athletics

Professionally supervised extended care

For more information about SOAR, visit fwcd.org/SOAR, or contact Michael Carmody at michael.carmody@fwcd.com.

The Falcon Club is the athletic booster club for Fort Worth Country Day. The organization supports all teams at the varsity, junior varsity and Middle School levels, as well as Lower School and Middle School PE programs. All Falcons, JK-12, benefit from the financial support the Falcon Club gives to the Athletic Department.

Falcon Club memberships, program ads and merchandise sales provide funds to improve the FWCD athletic programs with items and activities not covered under the athletic operation budget. In addition to hosting cookouts and Falcon Rally pizza parties for fans, Falcon Club purchase highlights of the past few years include soccer goals, volleyball standards and basketball goals; gym chairs, score tables and wall padding; water cows, EPI Pens and AEDs; baseball field home plate halo, awards boards, an ice machine, our climbing wall, video equipment, portable scorers carts for our fields and Boombah bags for student-athletes. And that is only part of the complete list!

The Falcon Club welcomes new members and encourages volunteering! Not only is membership a fun way to meet parents and guardians and support FWCD, but it also keeps you informed and involved in the School’s athletic program. Some ways to help coaches and athletes include running the time clock, moving the chains at football games, or working in the concession stand or the Falcon Nest Spirit Shop.

Check out the Falcon Club webpage on the FWCD website for more information about membership: fwcd.org/falconclub.

We look forward to seeing you in the stands and on the sidelines, cheering on our Falcon teams.

GO FALCONS!

Falcon Club Leadership 2023-24

Leadership Board

Falcon Nest Committee

Bethany and Canaan Factor

Michelle and Kevin Gregory

Melissa and Scott Huffman

Shel (Watson) ’92 and Sam Juliao ’92

Courtney and Matt Mitchell

Bethany Factor

Michelle Gregory

Melissa Huffman

If you are interested in volunteering for Falcon Club membership, concessions, programs or special events, please email falconclub@fwcd.com. If you have questions about the Falcon Nest, email thenest@fwcd.com.

Vidigami: Sharing Memories and Media

There’s nothing the FWCD community loves more than sharing the School story. Vidigami, FWCD’s community photo platform, is the best tool for story-sharing. The pictures uploaded to the Vidigami website document the school lives of FWCD JK-12 students, allowing parents and guardians a peek into the classrooms on campus and provide the School communications, yearbook and newspaper teams with photos to use in publications and social media posts throughout the year. School photographers, faculty, administrators, staff, parents, and guardians all have the ability to upload and share photos.

Getting Started

If you don’t already have a Vidigami account from previous school years, you will receive an activation email at the beginning of this school year with steps on how to set up your account. Keep an eye out for this invitation, which you will need to create your account password. Be sure to check your spam/promotion folder. You will use the same email address that you use for MyFWCD.

App

Visit app.vidigami.com on your mobile device to install the Vidigami Progressive Web App. You will be able to log in to the app with the same login you use to login to MyFWCD. Or, access Vidigami without having to enter login information by clicking on the Vidigami Single Sign On link in the Resource section of MyFWCD.

Questions?

If you have questions about Vidigami or need help getting started, please contact Reggie Johnson, Digital Media and Content Manager, at reggie.johnson@fwcd.com or 817.732.7718 ext. 3611. You can also visit help.vidigami.com for guides to getting started and answers to frequently asked questions.

FWCD Animated Stickers on GIPHY

Show your Fort Worth Country Day pride on social media and in texts with animated stickers from FWCD’s award-winning GIPHY channel wherever GIPHY is integrated. Search the term @fwcd in the stickers search bar to view the available stickers and gifs. Visit giphy.com/fwcd to see the collections organized by special events, seasons, holidays and slogans. GIPHY’s support section provides additional tips.

Campus Store, Textbooks and Uniforms

Stop by the FWCD Campus Store to see its assortment of FWCD gear, including shirts, belts, athletic sportswear, caps and more. For assistance, contact Michael Carmody, Director of Auxiliary Programs, at michael.carmody@fwcd.com.

Store Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. (on school days)

Location: Sid W. Richardson Gymnasium, outside the Round Gym 817.732.7718 ext. 3367

Mills Uniform Company is Fort Worth Country Day’s uniform supplier. Shop online at millswear.com or in the store at 6080 S. Hulen No. 390, Fort Worth, TX 76132 (Hulen Bend Village Shopping Center).

MBS Direct is the official bookstore for Fort Worth Country Day. Students in grades 5-12 may purchase their books online at bookstore.mbsdirect.net/fwcd.htm or call 800.325.3252 to place an order by phone.

Fort Worth Country Day, like most independent schools, is supported by tuition and financial support from the generosity of donors. The gifts made to The FWCD Fund, the School’s annual fund, are essential to the life of the School and our students. Each and every gift to The FWCD Fund matters. When every member of the community gives to The FWCD Fund:

• You are telling others that you care about FWCD’s future.

• You have the satisfaction of knowing you “paid it forward” by giving back and investing in the next generation.

• The act of giving promotes cooperation and social connection.

• Financial strength creates an environment for planning for the future.

Gifts made to The FWCD Fund have a direct impact on the School’s ability to bring together the most impactful programs for students and faculty. In the process, your support helps sustain an environment that values academic innovation and provides an optimal, enriching community where the next generation of leaders can go from here, anywhere.

FWCD’s Family of Funds* is a partnership in which your philanthropic commitment to the School is made visible and tangible to our students. You may designate your gift to to one of the following eight areas:

Academics. Your gift benefits the libraries; STEM programs and robotics; and equipment and materials for mathematics, English, history, science and languages.

Arts. Your gift supports both the visual and performing arts programs, including art supplies and materials, costumes, and equipment.

Athletics. Your gift benefits physical education programs, athletic equipment, team uniforms, and team travel.

Campus Improvement. Your gift helps the School complete campus improvement projects over the summer and throughout the year, such as sidewalk repairs, new windows in the Middle School, and road resurfacing. Your gift supports all areas of campus maintenance and facility enhancements.

Faculty Support. Your gift ensures opportunities for FWCD faculty to join in cutting-edge seminars and workshops, which help further define greatness in the classroom.

Financial Aid. Your gift supports tuition assistance for students who would not be able to attend FWCD without financial aid from the School.

Technology. Your gift helps the School stay current with the latest advances in the instructional uses of technology and supports infrastructure upgrades.

Greatest Need. Your gift provides School leaders with critical financial flexibility each academic year.

The amount you decide to give is based upon your own personal circumstances. Every gift, no matter the amount, helps unlock the possibilities – today – for the leaders of tomorrow. Gifts to FWCD are tax-deductible, and you may choose to obtain advice from your tax professional about the benefits of making a donation to the School.

Many of our donors decide to make a pledge at the beginning of the school year and pay out their gift in monthly or quarterly payments, so they can give at the Keystone Council level.

To support The FWCD Fund today, make your gift online at fwcd.org/give or call the Advancement Office at 817.302.3276.

*All designated gifts support FWCD’s operating budget. The Board of Trustees retains the discretion to direct funds to the School’s general operations should contributions for a particular area exceed the expenditure limits approved by the Board for that purpose.

Purpose

Tuition

Primary source of operating revenue for the School.

Ways to Gi

FWCD Fund Supporting CAST

Funds educational initiatives and operational enhancements that tuition alone does not cover.

Timeframe

Designation Areas

Assessed annually

Tuition dollars allocated by a budget approved by the Board of Trustees.

Solicitation

Enrollment contracts are emailed to families in January.

Method of Giving

Paid online or by check to the Business Office.

Impact

88% of the School’s operations funded by tuition.

July 1 through June 30

Unrestricted, but can be designated in one of eight areas.

Funds visual and performing arts activities that otherwise would not be supported.

Charitable Deduction No

Solicits contributions with the help of volunteers through direct mail, email, text and phone calls.

Gifts made each fiscal year by cash, check, credit card or stock transfer.

Makes a difference in the life of current students, faculty and staff by providing necessary resources that would otherwise not be possible without support. Over $1 million in unrestricted giving and 100% parent participation is always the goal.

Yes, within the guidelines of IRS regulations.

July 1 through June 30

Restricted to the art programs.

Solicits contributions with the help of volunteers through direct mail and email.

Gifts made each fiscal year by cash, check, credit card or stock transfer.

Experiences enhance students’ artistic visions, open their minds to the arts world beyond FWCD and engage them in handson work with dynamic professionals.

Yes, within the guidelines of IRS regulations.

ve at FWCD

Falcon Club Parent Faculty Association Planned Giving

Creates school spirit, support and enthusiasm for FWCD athletics throughout the School community.

Builds community among parents by hosting events and activities while also fundraising for the School.

Any gift that a donor includes in estate planning; allows the donor to keep more of what they have earned through their lifetime, but allows a far greater gift to FWCD in the future.

Comprehensive Campaign

To further develop our people and programs, to enhance and improve teaching spaces to meet future learning needs, and to continue to strengthen our financial sustainability and stability.

July 1 through June 30

Supports the athletic and PE programs for JK-12 grade.

July 1 through June 30

Determined by the PFA Executive Committee to help JK-12 students and faculty.

July 1 through June 30

Designated by the donor to support a specific area within the School.

July 1 through June 30

Endowment New Lower School Building Athletic Fields (funded) FWCD Fund

Solicits membership throughout the school year via email, phone calls and at varsity home games.

Membership and merchandise paid by cash, check, credit card or billed to student accounts.

Generates revenue to support the PE and athletic programs beyond the operational budget.

Support for events like Carnival, Pumpkin Patch, Holiday Sale, Bingo or the Spring Party are via email, phone and text.

Support made by cash, check or credit card.

Contact the Director of Advancement at 817.302.3223

Solicits contributions with the help of volunteers through direct mail and personal solicitations.

Funds raised by the PFA go back to FWCD in the form of gifts requested by all divisions and areas of the School.

Documented bequests and other estate planning vehicles, such as life income plans.

Benefits future generations of FWCD students, and can have financial benefits to donor through annuity, etc.

Gifts can be made by cash, check, credit card or stock transfer.

By accomplishing these priorities, FWCD will build upon its traditions and accomplishments, furthering its mission and its place as a leading academic institution serving the entire North Texas region in educating the whole child.

Yes, within the guidelines of IRS regulations.

No

Yes, within the guidelines of IRS regulations.

Yes, within the guidelines of IRS regulations.

Navigating MyFWCD

MyFWCD is a password-protected area that is only available to FWCD community members. It can be accessed by clicking on the “MyFWCD” link at the top right of the public website (fwcd.org). Here you can access the online directories, faculty sites, group folders and view your student’s academic progress.

For a broad overview of MyFWCD features, access the Getting Started guided tour link located under the name icon in the top right of a desktop screen once you are logged in. The tour is separated into three sections: profile information, account settings, and a comprehensive tour of the navigation bar and tabs.

The Profile section details instructions for updating contact information. Settings provides a detailed overview regarding how to enable the email/text notifications feature. The As a Parent link is a guided tour of the tabs located in the gray section of the navigation bar. The tour includes information about how to locate student academic information, additional activities, general resources, news, event calendars and directories.

After completing the tour, select the Don’t Show This Again button to stop the automatic tour prompt from popping up at each login. Going forward, the tour is available for review and easily located under the FWCD Parent tab in the top right of the navigation bar.

Updating Profile Information

Campus closure alerts, teacher correspondence, electronic newsletters, and notifications of illness from the School Nurse are all generated via the contact information stored in your MyFWCD profile. Maintaining up-to-date information in the Contact Card in your profile is key to ensuring that you don’t miss any School communication elements. The FWCD Directory is also pulled from here. It is important that all FWCD families verify their personal information no later than Friday, August 18, 2023, so that the School has the most current information on file for academic, emergency, medical and financial purposes.

To receive closure information as a text message, please confirm that your wireless phone number is designated correctly within your profile. To Update your MyFWCD Profile:

1. Access your Profile and Contact Card from anywhere in the site by clicking on your name in the global navigation.

2. Select the Add Phone button to add information; use the pencil icon to edit and the trash can icon to delete information. Please be certain that your wireless number is designated as such and not labeled as a home number. To correct, delete the number using the trash can icon and Add New with the correct designation.

3. To add, update or review your child’s existing emergency contact information, scroll down to the Relationships section and open the name link.

Contact Dr. Steve Uhr, Director of Technology, at steve.uhr@fwcd.com if you have any questions.

Support FWCD through Kroger and Tom Thumb

Don’t forget FWCD as you make purchases for your family. With no additional money out of your wallet, you can help add money annually to support activities and programs that benefit all students at FWCD. And it’s not just parents and guardians, faculty and staff who can support this program. Spread the word to your family and friends who already shop at these merchants.

Kroger: To use your Kroger Plus Card, you must first link the card to Fort Worth Country Day online at KrogerCommunityRewards.com using our organization ID#84473. If you don’t have a Plus Card, you may get one in the store. You must re-enroll your Kroger Plus Card beginning August 1 each year.

Tom Thumb: Use your Reward Card at checkout; link to ID #1935 by going to the customer service desk and telling them you want to participate in the Good Neighbor Program. If you don’t have a Reward Card, you may get one in the store.

Principles of Good Practice: Parent-School Relationships

Dear Families and Prospective Families,

The best schools are a partnership of committed educators and devoted parents and guardians. All children benefit when the adults in their lives collaborate. Fort Worth Country Day actively seeks to establish and sustain that partnership in principle and in practice.

As part of our effort to generate strong parent-school relationships from the day a family joins the FWCD community, the School provides this document, an articulation of both our guiding principles and our desired path to mutual respect between school and home. At FWCD, our philosophy, mission, core values, and inclusivity statement together provide a clear set of the School’s expectations.

What follows are expectations, of ourselves as FWCD educators, and of you, as FWCD parents and guardians, designed to facilitate our relationship with you, as parents and guardians, from year to year. Thank you for reading; thank you for joining us in our high expectations; and thank you for entrusting your children to us.

Sincerely,

Eric Lombardi Head of School

A Presumption of Goodwill: The Relationship between School and Parents at FWCD

Fundamentally, the relationship between FWCD (teachers, administration and staff) and our parents and guardians depends on a presumption of goodwill. Parents and guardians love their children. They want and need to look out for their children’s best interests. The School, for its part, hires and supports wonderful educators and “school people.” As educators, we, too, are charged with looking out for your children’s best interests.

Fundamentally, then, Fort Worth Country Day as a school community seeks to establish and sustain effective partnerships among faculty and staff and families.

Effective school-parent partnerships include:

1. Mutual respect and a presumption of goodwill

2. A shared commitment to productive and consistent communication

3. A common vision of the goal to be reached: engaged and challenged students, connected with teachers in a process of developing responsible college and world-ready citizens prepared to go “from here, anywhere”

Elaboration of Expectations

Fort Worth Country Day is an environment of high expectations. Those expectations apply to the leadership, the teachers, and the staff of the School, as well as to students and their families. We seek parents and guardians who, likewise, will have high expectations of us as educators. Updated

Parental Expectations of FWCD

1. Expect the School to assume goodwill from you as parents and guardians.

FWCD’s Expectations of Parents and Guardians

1. The School expects you as parents and guardians to assume goodwill about our work with your children and with you.

2. Expect administrators and teachers to be accessible and responsive to you as parents and guardians and to model honest and respectful dialogue.

3. Expect teachers to engage, challenge and connect with your student.

4. Expect administrators and teachers to be professional educators, current in their subject areas and knowledgeable of best practices.

5. Expect the School to keep parents and guardians wellinformed through reports, letters, conferences, meetings, publications, electronic communications and informal conversations.

6. Expect FWCD Trustees and staff to be good stewards of the School’s financial resources and mindful of the School’s long-term prospects.

2. The School expects parents and guardians to be open communicators with us as a school. We seek parental perspective on a child as a person and as a learner.

3. The School expects parental support for its mission, purpose, core values and inclusivity statement.

4. The School expects parents and guardians to provide a home environment that supports the development of positive learning attitudes and habits.

5. The School expects parents and guardians to involve themselves in the life of the School as much as possible (volunteering, communicating, attending events and conferences, etc.).

6. When concerns arise, parents and guardians seek information directly from the School, consulting with the adult at FWCD closest to the situation (advisor, teacher, administrator, etc.). These concerns could be personal or communal.

Core Values

The core values of Fort Worth Country Day set forth a standard of conduct that is the foundation of productive life. These values provide an ethical compass and give purpose to education.

Integrity: consistency in thought and adherence in action to principles of truth, honesty, trustworthiness and sincerity

• We are just and honorable in all of our actions.

• We tell the truth.

• We seek to distinguish between right and wrong and strive to do what is right.

• We uphold our commitments and honor our word.

Kindness: acting with consideration, compassion and empathy for others

• We help and support each other.

• We treat others politely.

• We consider the feelings and needs of others.

• We interact with others in a positive, thoughtful and cooperative manner.

Courage: internal strength enabling one to act, venture or persevere in the face of difficulty

• We persevere through adversity and recognize obstacles as opportunities for growth.

• We take the risks necessary to achieve that which is right.

• We adhere to higher principles regardless of difficulty or influence.

• We sacrifice our personal interest to serve the greater community.

Respect: acting with fairness, courtesy and sensitivity to others and the community

• We use good manners and tact.

• We listen to others and consider their opinions.

• We honor our differences.

• We act with impartiality and fairness.

Responsibility: acting in accordance with what is right in the absence of authority and being accountable for one’s behavior to one’s self and others

• We are accountable for our words, actions and deeds.

• We can be trusted and depended upon to fulfill our obligations.

• We value self-discipline and hard work.

• We strive to serve others and our community.

Scholarship: establishing a foundation of knowledge and skills that enable higher cognitive processes

• We pursue academic excellence in teaching and learning.

• We recognize that initiative, knowledge and understanding create an enriched life.

• We develop critical judgment to help in determining what is relevant and what is genuine.

• We make learning part of our lives and not exclusively part of school.

FWCD Inclusivity Statement

At Fort Worth Country Day,

We believe that understanding and respecting differences not only inspires compassion and empathy, but also fosters intellectual curiosity and creativity.

We embrace the diverse cultures, experiences and perspectives that comprise our environment.

We commit to sustaining and growing an intentionally inclusive community.

Alumni Association

The thread that ties us together is our educational experience at Fort Worth Country Day. That tie remains untethered and strengthens with time. As alumni over 4,000 strong, we are woven into the fabric that is distinctively our alma mater. Together, our cloth is vibrant and extraordinarily varied. FWCD’s Alumni Association strives to showcase you and your personal and professional achievements. Whether in the Falconer, the online presence, or email newsletters and updates, we want to share with our community the amazing alumni of FWCD.

The vital and multifaceted functions of our Alumni Association include:

1. Communicating with alumni to encourage continued engagement long after graduation

2. Enhancing FWCD’s reputation by encouraging alumni to promote the School to prospective parents and guardians and students

3. Facilitating communication between alumni and the FWCD Board of Trustees through the election of a President to serve as an Ex Officio member of the Board and through the dissemination of information and advice from and to alumni

4. Assisting with fundraising goals of the School

5. Developing programs and lectures that engage alumni in the life of the School

6. Providing opportunities for alumni to volunteer and assist the School

Together, we serve as ambassadors of FWCD around the country. Now in my third and final year as President, I know firsthand the capabilities of a talented group of alumni who represent FWCD in the best ways possible. I want to express my gratitude to Falcons near and far for their support of Country Day and one another. We are indeed a remarkable and uniquely styled collection! #FWCDFalconsForever

With Falcon pride and appreciation,

Asad Dean ’90, M.D. Alumni Council President

Alumni Council Roster 2023-24

Executive Council

Asad Dean ’90, President

Katy Rhodes Magruder ’98, President-Elect

Keri DeVos Hickman ’04, Advancement Chair

Rush Olson ’86, Secretary

Alexandra Stevens ’85, Past-President/Nominations

Alumni Council Members at Large

Ivi Acuna ’90

Stephanie Bird Baker ’08

Susanna Gorski Bartolomei ’01

Catherine Powers Bevan ’01

Miles Bratton ’10

Joe Breedlove ’78

Zareen Khan Brendel ’97

John Callaway ’14

Jack Carvalho ’17

Craig Christopher ’92

Mary Rabalais Collins ’83

Mark Davidovich ’05

Stephen Dickey ’89

Nayelly Dominguez ’11

Ruthie Newberry Gessinger ’74

Terry Johns ’88

Courtney Corbeille Krauss ’06

Rachel Stepp Lackey ’07

Taylor Luskey Lacy ’04

Alice Kelly Linker ’95

Stephen Luskey ’01

Michael McBride ’76

Karen McKenzie ’79

Meredith Nieswiadomy Ray ’06

Ricky Rodriguez ’14

Dick Steed ’83

Andrew Vernon ’05

Hannah Meadows Watkins ’06

Thomas West ’05

Carlisle Wysong ’89

2023-24 Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees comprises voting, ex officio and honorary members. Trustees are elected to three-year terms. To contact the Trustee President, email BOT@fwcd.com.

President

Vice Presidents

Brian Crumley ’92

William Butler ’96

Elyse Stoltz Dickerson ’93

Treasurer Rob Semple ’95

Secretary

Mary Hallman Smith ’03

Immediate Past President Randy Eisenman ’93

Elected Members

Joseph Berkes ’98

Laura Bird

Andrew Blake ’93

Ann Bluntzer, Ph.D.

John Brookman ’80

Ricky Brown

Orlando Carvalho

Georgina Moncrief Condrey ’94

Hugo Del Pozzo

Dak Hatfield

Elizabeth Murphy Jones ’88

Bryan King

Stephen Luskey ’01

Monika Mathur, M.D.

Demequa Moore, M.D.

Jamie Packer

Merianne Roth

Heather Senter

Blaine Smith ’80

Honorary Members

Sid R. Bass

Ex Officio

Non-Voting Members

Asad Dean ’90

Alumni Association President

Alison Gengelbach

PFA President

Eric Lombardi

Head of School

Fort Worth Country Day Alma Mater

Hail! Fort Worth Country Day

We pledge our best to you. Give us the courage and the Pride of red and blue. As we make friendships deep, May we your honor keep.

Ever may our wisdom

And our spirits soar High as the falcon’s flight, Soaring to grander heights, Hail! Fort Worth Country Day

Our loyalty to you.

Words and music by Jack Noble White

FWCD Leadership Team

Eric Lombardi Head of School

eric.lombardi@fwcd.com

817.302.3207

Cindy Allen Head of School Executive Assistant cindy.allen@fwcd.com

817.302.3205

Amy Witten

Assistant Head of School for Academics and Student Support amy.witten@fwcd.com

817.302.3237

Chelsy Beninate Assistant Head of School for Operations/Director of Fine Arts chelsy.beninate@fwcd.com

817.732.7718 ext. 3589

Peggy Wakeland Head of Upper School peggy.wakeland@fwcd.com

817.302.3235

Paula Weatherholt Assistant Head of Upper School paula.weatherholt@ fwcd.com

817.302.3222

Stephen Blan Head of Middle School

stephen.blan@fwcd.com

817.302.3272

Hester Burdman

Assistant Head of Middle School hester.burdman@fwcd.com 817.302.3229

Trey Blair Head of Lower School trey.blair@fwcd.com

817.302.3225

Kelly Lanier Tierce ’93 Assistant Head of Lower School kelly.tierce@fwcd.com

817.302.3230

Leigh Block Director of Athletics

leigh.block@fwcd.com

817.302.3262

Joe Breedlove ’78 Executive Director of Breakthrough Fort Worth joe.breedlove@fwcd.com

817.302.3294

Caroline Corpening Lamsens ’99 Director of Admission caroline.lamsens@ fwcd.com

817.302.3213

Nicole Masole-Rose Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion nicole.masole-rose@ fwcd.com

817.302.3239

Tom Mitchell

Chief Financial Officer tom.mitchell@fwcd.com

817.302.3220

Sandra Tuomey Director of Advancement sandra.tuomey@fwcd.com

817.302.3223

Steve Uhr Director of Technology steve.uhr@fwcd.com

817.302.3211