Acta Equitum - December 2022

December 2022

Acta Equitum The Newsletter of Franklin Classical School

The History of Knight Crew Knight Crew is a beloved tradition for FCS Grammar students and families. Every Friday morning, Kindergarten through fifth grade fill the auditorium along with parents and, often, grandparents.

But why do we have the Knight Crew tradition? Mrs. Maren Milligan, former FCS teacher, provides the history and purpose of Knight Crew below.

When the Grammar School opened in the Fall of 2010, we wanted a weekly time set aside to build community, grow friendships across grade levels, and work together as a teaching team to unify the school. We wanted the atmosphere to have a unique mix of playfulness and interaction, balanced with time to practice respectful listening and prayer. We didn't want a traditional chapel or crazy pep rally feel to the gathering, but wanted to set an intentional identity for the new grammar school.

We saw this as an opportunity to educate parents on the history topics their children are learning and facilitate a home and school connection. We wanted parents to see how the same topic could be taught across the grade levels, and we wanted to highlight the unique ways we integrate our topics of history across the curriculum.

Read on about Mrs. Milligan's favorite Knight Crew during her time at FCS: It was Veterans Day, and as a school we were going to watch the parade after Knight Crew. The entire school had been learning about the three branches of government throughout that week. During Knight Crew we reviewed with the parents the three branches and gave them and the students a review on how to pray Scripture.

We divided the Grammar School and parents into small groups of mixed grade levels.

The students brought their Bibles, and we gave them Scriptures they could look up to pray. Each group prayed for a different branch of the government and prayed for the veterans.

Later at the parade, a few students saw some veterans watching the parade. One of the younger students told a veteran that she had prayed a verse over him that morning. The man was brought to tears and later told me what a healing moment it was for him to be appreciated by a young person in that way!

Another parent commented how he had never prayed Bible verses in that way before and loved learning new things alongside his child.

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Knight Crew Continued

Kindergarten and First Grade

Fourth Grade

Third Grade

Fifth Grade

Second Grade

Students love the opportunity to sit with their parents or siblings during Knight Crew.

Upcoming Events December 5 Senior Class Songwriters' Night fundraiser

January 2 2023 – 2024 Financial Aid applications open

December 6 Grammar School Christmas Program 7:00 pm FCS auditorium

January 3 Classes Resume K – 12th grade 7th – 12th grade presentation attire required

December 6 – 8 6th – 8th grade 2nd Quarter Project Presentations December 6 – 8 9th – 12th grade 2nd Quarter Project Presentations December 9 K – 5th grade 2nd Quarter Project Presentation K – 5th grade early dismissal Last day of K – 6th grade classes Spelling Bee – Grammar School and Lower Division December 12 Study Day – 7th – 12th grades dismissed December 13 – 16 7th – 12th grade Midterm Exams December 16 End of 2nd Quarter December 19 – January 2 Christmas Break; offices closed

January 13 PTO Parents' Painting Party January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed Classes dismissed; offices closed January 17 2023 – 2024 Advising appointments open (rising 7th – 12th grade) January 31 2023 – 2024 Sibling applications deadline 2023 – 2024 Reenrollment deadline

Year at a Glance December 19 – January 2 Christmas Break – offices closed January 3 Classes resume January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day classes dismissed; offices closed February 20 Presidents' Day classes dismissed; offices closed March 13 – 17 Spring Break – offices closed May 20 Class of 2023 Graduation

Updated 2022 – 2023 Calendar available in RenWeb/FACTS – Resource Documents

FCS Fine Arts On November 11th & 12th, the Franklin Classical Players presented The Adventures of Tom Sawyer under the direction of Mrs. Melissa Austin. These performances were filled with abundant talent, including a cast of 37 students and several special musical arrangements.

Bravo to the cast, crew, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Dokkestul, Mrs. Strayer, and the FCS Players!

Announcements Spelling Bee Congratulations to the following spellers who have qualified for the 2022 FCS Spelling Bee: Grammar School 2nd Grade: Benjamin Jenkins, Tori Ruzicka, Caleb So, Gloria Steenman, and Izzy Storck

Grammar School spellers will compete in the Grammar School final Spelling Bee on Friday, December 9th.

Lower Division spellers will compete in the Lower Division final Spelling Bee tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 6th.

3rd Grade: Peter Ewert, Charlie Kendrick, Lundyn Sadler, and Ruby Souza

The winner of the school Spelling Bee will qualify for the Middle TN regional semifinals, which is a computerized test for the top 50 qualifiers of the Middle TN Regional Spelling Bee, sponsored by the TN Titans, in February or March 2023.

4th Grade: Palmer Barnes, Posey Claire Grisham, and Lucy Lane

The winner of the regional bee goes on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC in May 2022.

5th Grade: Jeremiah Avila, Cora Borders, Olivia Kendrick, and Case Vrechek Lower Division 6th Grade: Isabel Fisher, Lucas Kulesza, Ella O’Dowd, and Micah Parks 7th Grade: Ellie Rose Grisham, Lydia Jenkins, Ian Ruzicka, and Anna Young 8th Grade: Avey Borders, Riley Kate Grant, Avie Kendrick, and Aeryn Schafer

Thank you to Dr. Prince Kannankeril for coordinating this spelling bee every year!

Thank You Ms. Floit would like to thank Mrs. Austin and the Spring '22 FCS Players cast of Lés Misérables for reuniting at the FCS Fall Open House to perform One Day More. This student performance was an absolute hit and set the tone for a wonderful evening for prospective FCS families. Thank you!

Announcements Congratulations On November 5, 2022, 7th graders Shelby Walls, Lydia Jenkins, and Sarah Kannankeril won the Silver Medal in the Middle School Team competition at the BGA Fall Linguistics Olympiad! An FCS student or team has medaled all 7 years the BFLO has been held in person. We are so grateful for these students!

Shelby Walls, Sarah Kannankeril, and Lydia Jenkins

Parents in Prayer The last Parents in Prayer for the semester is December 9th at the Duggan home. Please join us at 10:00 am to pray for our school!

Duggan home address: 435 Mackenzie Way, Franklin Questions may be directed to: Dana Duggan PTO Prayer & Community Support (912) 506-7342

We are thankful for these moms who walk room to room, praying for our school!

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r i B t h y p December 2 Derek Schafer

December 18 Mr. Geoff Smith

December 6 Jackson Lopez

December 19 Benjamin Fisher Jet Tabor

December 8 William Brittain

December 20 Davey Rhea

December 10 Caleb So

December 21 Olivia Kendrick

December 11 Coach Traci Harlow

December 22 Myla Gaddy

December 13 Brady Eberhard

December 23 Luca Reategui

December 14 Mr. Michael Griffin

December 27 Mr. Sam Nienow

December 16 Mary Lee Coghlan

December 30 Donivan Hotchkiss

December 17 Sadie Herms

December 31 Dolly Schlapman