The 7th and 8th graders had the wonderful opportunity of working with Greenwood Genetics Lab on Thursday, January 15 . This mobile lab allows students to be able to put their knowledge to the test. For the past nine weeks, the Middle School students have studied cells, genetics and heredity. This was the culminating project for the students. Each child had a work station and was able to participate in two experiments.

The first experiment consisted of extracting DNA from split peas. The students learned and practiced all safety precautions and were able separate the pea proteins to find and see the actual DNA. The second experiment was more of a real life experiment. The kids used the process of gel electrophoresis to test the proteins in imitation crab meat and real crabmeat. They then were able to apply this information to find out if a crab dish brought to a hypothetical pot luck was used to poison a hypothetical victim.

The kids really enjoyed applying the knowledge they have learned about cells and genetics to a real life experiment. It was a great way for the students to see how you can use basic skills we learn at school and begin to weave a path for future jobs and interests.

Please join us for a panel discussion featuring FOA graduates to hear first-hand about their transition to high school and how FOA prepared them for their future. We are excited to welcome back our alumni on January 22 at 6pm to the FOA campus. This year we will also have several alumni parents on the panel to answer questions and give a parent’s perspective of the process.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see the culmination of our program from a variety of graduates at different stages of their high school careers. We invite FOA families and perspective families to this insightful evening to learn what to expect during the transition to high school and beyond to the college years. This is always an affirming evening to hear our well-spoken graduates speak about being prepared for high school. We are so proud of our graduates!

“Middle school is, of course, geared to prepare a student for the hustle and bustle of high school, but what I found once I entered 9th grade is that the FOA Middle School not only prepared me to get by, but to exceed in every class both academically and socially.” -Tucker Wulf, Sophomore

 

“FOA Middle School gave me more than just a solid education and preparation for high school honors classes. It helped me to realize my true potential. I feel confident and secure in a place where peer pressure is constant” – Carson Barber Sophomore

Congratulations to the Battle of the Books teams who represented Five Oaks Academy at the South Carolina Regional Competition at Thomas Sumter Academy on Thursday,  November 20. The  Upper Elementary team placed first and the Middle School Team placed fourth. Both teams qualified  to compete in the State Competition to be held in March, 2015.

The team started preparing for the competition this summer when they were required to read from a selection of 20 books. The teams practiced both during and after school. Congratulations to the Battle of the Books team members  for all their hard work.

The FOA Middle School is excited to announce their first annual Greenery Sale. The money raised will go towards the eighth grade class field trip that culminates their time in the middle school program.  For these trips, we ask that parents contribute only a portion of the money. Students work in class and, at times, out of class to raise large portions of their trip money on their own.

The eighth grade trip gives our students an opportunity to practice the skills that they have learned at Five Oaks.  The students collaborate to choose a destination, plan activities that coordinate with our curriculum, make reservations, and budget how much it will cost.  This has become an event that our children look forward to for many years.

By allowing our kids the chance to partake in fundraising for themselves, we are providing them the experience of running a business, setting goals and following through on a task. We want to offer you an opportunity to help our middle school students by purchasing winter greenery wreaths. You may place an order online at www.helpsupportmygroup.com.  All online orders will need to be placed by November 30, 2014.  No late orders are accepted by the company involved in our sale. Online orders will be shipped directly to your house.

Thank you in advance for your support.  If you have any questions, please email Ms Alissa.

Many parents have questions about technology and how it relates to their children. Are our children safe on the web? How does social media affect children? This months Parent Lecture Series will focus on Technology. We will have two technology experts speak about internet safety and social media; there will also be an opportunity for them to answer questions.

Adam Anderson, founder and CEO of Palmetto Security Group, will be discussing how to keep your child safe when using mobile devices.  Adam has been a security professional for over 15 years and is actively trying to educate people on what he believes is one of the major security risks facing companies today, bad business processes and procedures.

Debbie Jarrett is Content Coordinator and Education Technology Specialist for ETV where she trains over 3,000 South Carolina teachers each year on how to integrate technology in the classroom. Debbie will be talking about social media and how it relates to students.

Please join us on October 16 at 6pm for this very informative Parent workshop!

Five Oaks Academy Students, Families, and Faculty had a fun family day at The Greenville Drive stadium Sunday, August 24. FOA  families participated in a parade around the field, the “Field of Dreams” run with the Players,  and games between innings. Everyone had tons of fun and showed lots of  school spirit! It was wonderful to see all the light blue FOA t-shirts in the stands.   It was a great day to be at the ballpark and to be a part of the Five Oaks Academy Community!

Please join us on Tuesday, September 9 from 8:30am -10:00am for an International Tea. We look forward to officially welcoming our new international families and celebrating the unique diversity of our school. This event creates both a social and networking opportunity for our new families to help them feel connected to the Greenville community. Members of the Simpsonville /Greenville medical and business community will attend to help our international families make professional contacts.

Five Oaks Academy would like to thank Flatrock Family Dentistry for sponsoring this event!

The Five Oaks Annual Fund would like to thank all of the families who were able to attend the Splash Party at Discovery Island Waterpark. This was the perfect way to celebrate a new school year by allowing our new families to make connections within our community as well as providing a fun atmosphere for our current families to reconnect with friends. The weather was perfect and great fun was had by all.

The back-to-school event was held in celebration of the FOA community reaching the Annual Fund goals of the 2013-2014 campaign! Tuition covers around 80% of the actual cost of a student to attend Five Oaks. The Annual Fund bridges that gap to fund needs in student excellence, teacher excellence, and program excellence.

Five Oaks academy (FOA) is the first Montessori school in the state to received both the Independent School Accreditation and a Montessori Accreditation from the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA).   Kathleen Trewhella-Grant, Executive Director of FOA,  was presented with an award of accreditation from Lyndi Bonnette, SCISA’s Activities Director, on May 2.  FOA is the only accredited Montessori Program in Greenville. 

The accreditation through SCISA provides many opportunities for FOA students to participate in activities with other schools. Several students from Five Oaks Academy have already attended a Spelling Bee competition.  Many students from the Upper Elementary and Middle School have decided to participate in the Battle of the Books competition and will compete this fall.  To learn more about SCISA and see a full list of activities available to FOA students, go to http://scisa.org/.

Alexander Dang, a scientist and artist from Brussels, visited the Elementary and Middle School programs on Monday, March 31 to raise awareness of the potential of environmental friendly technologies and sustainable development. Alexander studied Engineering in Paris and decided to couple his scientific background with his love of art. His desire to raise awareness world wide led him to develop artistic creations that incorporate solar energy as its energy source. This art is used to educate young people about the potential of eco-friendly technologies with a focus on renewable energy.

Five Oaks Academy students were stunned to learn that the energy coming from the sun and hitting the earth represents ten thousand times the energy consumed by mankind. Currently 1.7 billion people still do not have access to electricity. The Sun’s energy represents a great potential for satisfying this huge energy need.

Alexander founded Solar Solidarity International, a non-profit international association, to raise awareness and support solar electrification of schools in developing countries. http://solarsolidarite.org. Furman University sponsored Alexander’s trip to the US and graciously allowed him to speak to our community. We are grateful to them for allowing our students this opportunity.