For the 23rd year, the National Geographic Society is holding the National Geographic Bee for students in the fourth through eighth grades in thousands of schools across the United States and in the five U.S. territories, as well as in Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world. The 2011 Bee is sponsored by Google.
Congratulations to Far Hills Country Day School seventh grader Andrew Zaiser who won this year's Geo Bee after a fierce twelve question tie-breaker against sixth grader Bobby Mulcahy. Andrew will advance to the next level of competition, a written examination to determine state competitors. All school winners are eligible to win the national championship and its first prize, a $25,000 college scholarship, at the national competition taking place May 24 and 25, 2011 in Washington, D.C..
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Admission Open House
Please join us for an Admission Open House on Saturday, January 22 from 1pm-3pm. Our school has been serving boys and girls in PK-Grade 8 since 1929. At Far Hills Country Day School, we teach 21st century skills by guiding our students through meaningful educational experiences. We deliver foundation skills and encourage exploration through project-based learning, problem solving, public speaking, global partnerships, ethics, collaboration and innovation, a rich world language program, and much more – all in a family-centered environment that celebrates the joys of childhood.
We offer full day kindergarten and aftercare, and small class sizes. Our open houses offer families a comprehensive introduction to our community and an opportunity to tour classrooms and facilities. You will also learn about Far Hills from faculty, administration, and students. Please call 908-766-0622 x 455 to RSVP or check out our website www.fhcds.org to RSVP online.
We offer full day kindergarten and aftercare, and small class sizes. Our open houses offer families a comprehensive introduction to our community and an opportunity to tour classrooms and facilities. You will also learn about Far Hills from faculty, administration, and students. Please call 908-766-0622 x 455 to RSVP or check out our website www.fhcds.org to RSVP online.
Parent Teacher Workshop on Addressing and Preventing Bullying
Far Hills Country Day School and The Bernards Township Library Present a workshop on
ADDRESSING AND PREVENTING BULLYING
Monday, January 24
7:00 – 8:30 PM
at the Bernards Township Library
32 S. Maple Ave.
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
www.bernardslibrary.org and www.fhcds.org
ADDRESSING AND PREVENTING BULLYING
Monday, January 24
7:00 – 8:30 PM
at the Bernards Township Library
32 S. Maple Ave.
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
www.bernardslibrary.org and www.fhcds.org
Dr. Steve Tobias, consulting psychologist at Far Hills Country Day School, and Mr. Rob Berkman, Associate Head of the school, will share proactive ways that parents and teachers can help their children address and prevent bullying. This program and discussion will center around effective school programs, pending legislation, and the practical aspects of preventing bullying. What can the school do, what can the parent do, and what can the child do?
Teachers may earn 1.5 professional development credits for attending this program. Register online at www.bernardslibrary.org or call the Children’s Desk at 908-204-3031, ext. 3.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Far Hills Country Day School Students engage in pilot testing program
Earlier this week, Far Hills Country Day School sixth graders had an exciting opportunity to work with research scientists from ETS (www.ets.org), world-renown experts in assessment and educational research, on an important pilot assessment project focusing on noncognitive characteristics in students.
Far Hills Country Day School, along with the Elementary School Research Consortium (ESRC), a collaboration of more than 20 national independent elementary schools, has been conducting leading-edge research on the newest assessments of skills deemed essential for success in the 21st century.
This past summer ESRC formed a partnership with ETS to develop an assessment tool and to conduct a longitudinal study of these key characteristics, such as persistence, teamwork, creative problem solving, ethics and integrity, all essential competencies for success in both academics and the workplace. This assessment tool and study will help the participating schools determine if students’ competencies improve through the course of their middle school education. Far Hills Country Day School is a member of the ESRC Assessment Task Force, and so it was selected as the location for the pilot lab. Students completed sample assessment questions and tasks and then offered feedback to researchers about the skills tested, the clarity of ideas, and the precision of language. It was a wonderful learning experience for students to play an active role in relevant, real-world research with scientists. Based on the work with FHCDS students and the prototype, ETS assessment designers will revise the assessment tool that will then be used in spring of 2011 by about 19 ESRC schools as part of a three-year longitudinal study. ETS currently is engaged in similar assessment projects with The Lawrenceville School and Columbia University.
Extensive ETS and Conference Board research documents that noncognitive characteristics are important or increasingly important and critical to college and workplace success. In part due to this research, ETS developed the Personal Potential Index, a noncognitive assessment which is now part of the GRE. Results are provided to graduate schools to use in the selection of students.
Early evidence also indicates that targeted instruction in noncognitive areas, such as time management and persistence, have positively impacted student performance. Based partly on these results, ETS seeks to collaborate with educators at the middle school level to learn about the potential impact of building such characteristics more intentionally through the elementary and middle school years.
Far Hills Country Day School, along with the Elementary School Research Consortium (ESRC), a collaboration of more than 20 national independent elementary schools, has been conducting leading-edge research on the newest assessments of skills deemed essential for success in the 21st century.
This past summer ESRC formed a partnership with ETS to develop an assessment tool and to conduct a longitudinal study of these key characteristics, such as persistence, teamwork, creative problem solving, ethics and integrity, all essential competencies for success in both academics and the workplace. This assessment tool and study will help the participating schools determine if students’ competencies improve through the course of their middle school education. Far Hills Country Day School is a member of the ESRC Assessment Task Force, and so it was selected as the location for the pilot lab. Students completed sample assessment questions and tasks and then offered feedback to researchers about the skills tested, the clarity of ideas, and the precision of language. It was a wonderful learning experience for students to play an active role in relevant, real-world research with scientists. Based on the work with FHCDS students and the prototype, ETS assessment designers will revise the assessment tool that will then be used in spring of 2011 by about 19 ESRC schools as part of a three-year longitudinal study. ETS currently is engaged in similar assessment projects with The Lawrenceville School and Columbia University.
Extensive ETS and Conference Board research documents that noncognitive characteristics are important or increasingly important and critical to college and workplace success. In part due to this research, ETS developed the Personal Potential Index, a noncognitive assessment which is now part of the GRE. Results are provided to graduate schools to use in the selection of students.
Early evidence also indicates that targeted instruction in noncognitive areas, such as time management and persistence, have positively impacted student performance. Based partly on these results, ETS seeks to collaborate with educators at the middle school level to learn about the potential impact of building such characteristics more intentionally through the elementary and middle school years.
Monday, November 1, 2010
La Belle Boutique this weekend!
Far Hills Country Day School is preparing to celebrate its 36th annual “La Belle Boutique” scheduled this year for November 6-8 at the school on Route 202 in Far Hills. The event includes a fantastic silent auction and three-day boutique shopping featuring over 25 unique vendors.
La Belle Boutique is open to the public on Saturday, November 6, 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday, November 7, 11 am to 4 pm and Monday, November 8, from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission is free of charge however, a suggested $5 donation is appreciated.
La Belle Boutique is open to the public on Saturday, November 6, 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday, November 7, 11 am to 4 pm and Monday, November 8, from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission is free of charge however, a suggested $5 donation is appreciated.
Patrons’ Night will be held on Saturday, November 6 at 6:30 pm with a live and silent auction, and exciting raffles. Tickets are available for $175 for a single and $300 per couple. This includes cocktails at 6:30 pm followed by dinner and dancing to live music from 8 pm-12 am.
This year’s event co-chairs are Laura Brucker and Stephanie Glickman. “We are thrilled to welcome the community to join us at FHCDS for some fabulous boutique shopping," announced Mrs. Brucker. "With a fun mix of vendors, we have something for everyone to kick off their holiday shopping," added Mrs. Glickman.
Another component of the event includes the La Belle Boutique Business Directory. Ads may be purchased by local businesses.
Far Hills Country Day School, founded in 1929, is an independent elementary school for boys and girls in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Visitors to La Belle Boutique will have an opportunity to visit the campus and see the school’s new Athletic Center, made possible by the support of the FHCDS community. Funds raised from La Belle Boutique, including the Business Directory, allow FHCDS to provide financial assistance, expand programs and curriculum, and enhance faculty development through continuing education.
For information on any aspect of La Belle Boutique, please contact Janna McMahon, Director of Special Events and Donor Relations at FHCDS at 908-766-0622, ext. 457.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Fridays at Far Hills & Open Houses
Fridays at Far Hills Country Day School - Please join us!
Fridays at Far Hills is a comprehensive admission program offering prospective families personal tours customized to fit their needs and offer them a meaningful introduction to Far Hills Country Day School. During these tours, families will have the opportunity to hear from faculty, students, and administrators. An RSVP is required. The dates are as follows:
October 8
October 22
November 12
November 19
December 3
December 10
January 7
January 21
February 4
February 18
March 4
April 8
April 15
May 13
If Friday mornings aren't convenient, we are also offering two weekend Admission Open Houses on:
Sunday, October 17, 2010 1-3pm
and
Saturday, January 22, 2011 1-3pm
Far Hills Country Day School is a co-educational independent day school that has been serving students in prekindergarten through grade since 1929.
Windspire vote on October 4
On October 4 at 7pm, Far Hills Country Day School students will ask the Borough of Far Hills' Planning Board for a variance to install 4 vertical-axis "Windspires" on the hill outside the Athletic Center as part of the school's Energy Initiative. FHCDS will be represented by a team of eighth graders that have been working on the project since last winter.
"This experience is teaching our group a lot about how to make a successful argument," credits a Far Hills Country Day School eighth grader. "We have to know our stuff and be respectful of other people’s opinions. We are also learning that you might need to meet in the middle, if you can’t agree.”
In a high-wind year, the [http://windspireenergy.com/] Windspires could produce almost as much power as the school's existing solar array. The school believes the windspires will complement the solar array by producing power even at night, when the solar panels are not available. “Our students hope to carry through a “yes” vote at the October 4th Planning Board meeting, but even if they don’t succeed, they’ve gotten a tremendous education along the way,” says Ms. Wargo. “They have learned about themselves, about politics and compromise, and about being responsible stewards of the environment. And those are lessons that will serve them and others well for the rest of their lives.”
For more information about the Energy Initiative, contact Caitlin Wargo, Director of Sustainability and Energy Management at cwargo@fhcds.org. Far Hills Country Day School is a co-educational independent day school that has been serving students in prekindergarten through grade since 1929.
"This experience is teaching our group a lot about how to make a successful argument," credits a Far Hills Country Day School eighth grader. "We have to know our stuff and be respectful of other people’s opinions. We are also learning that you might need to meet in the middle, if you can’t agree.”
In a high-wind year, the [http://windspireenergy.com/] Windspires could produce almost as much power as the school's existing solar array. The school believes the windspires will complement the solar array by producing power even at night, when the solar panels are not available. “Our students hope to carry through a “yes” vote at the October 4th Planning Board meeting, but even if they don’t succeed, they’ve gotten a tremendous education along the way,” says Ms. Wargo. “They have learned about themselves, about politics and compromise, and about being responsible stewards of the environment. And those are lessons that will serve them and others well for the rest of their lives.”
For more information about the Energy Initiative, contact Caitlin Wargo, Director of Sustainability and Energy Management at cwargo@fhcds.org. Far Hills Country Day School is a co-educational independent day school that has been serving students in prekindergarten through grade since 1929.
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