The Fessy Den Blog

Spider at Drop Off

Directing traffic is Spider’s focus, and safety is his concern. Ensuring that cars follow the expected procedures to keep boys out of harm’s way, and that parents are given clear directions to make that happen has become second nature for him. He has been a reliable presence each morning for many of his more than thirty years at Fessenden.
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Redshirting: Are Parents Asking the Wrong Question?

Across the country, more and more parents are “redshirting” their children when it comes to kindergarten. The term comes from the college sports practice of benching an athlete for a year and prolonging his eligibility, giving him a chance to get bigger and stronger before he plays. Some parents of children born in the summer...
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Boarding in Middle School? Three Factors You Haven’t Considered

When families explore the idea of boarding school at the middle school level, questions–and, sometimes, eyebrows–are raised. It’s an emotional decision, charged with concerns about a boy’s academic experience and personal support. If you’re a parent in this position, here are three factors you’ll want to be sure to consider. Support in “the quiet moments.”...
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Overheard in the Wings

Having had the opportunity to be backstage at many of Fessenden’s performances, I can safely say that the activity behind the curtain is often as entertaining as what’s happening on stage.
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Six Things Any School Could do to Help Boys Thrive

At a recent lecture hosted by The Fessenden School, respected child psychologist Dr. Anthony Rao confirmed that many boys are struggling to succeed in both public and private schools. Dr. Rao explains that there’s nothing “wrong” with boys. The problem arises because boys and girls learn differently and most educational environments are designed for the way girls learn instead of what works best for boys.
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Four ‘Less is More’ Musts for Your Son’s Classroom

“Less-is-more” is not commonly considered a winning strategy in education. However, at a recent lecture hosted by The Fessenden School, child development expert Dr. Anthony Rao asserts that there are some areas in which schools should strive for exactly that, particularly if they want to help boys succeed in the classroom.
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Work Hard, Play Hard: Why Weekend Programming Matters

Ask a typical school student what he did over the weekend, and he’ll likely tell you he went to the mall, hung out with friends, babysat, or slept in. Ask a boarding school student what he did, and the response will be far different; you might hear about a visit to a world-class art museum...
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