The Fessy Den Blog

Best of the Fessy-Den Blog 2018

  Before we ring in the New Year, we are taking a look back at some of 2018’s most popular Fessy-Den Blog posts. From our teachers’ advice on how to help boys embrace reading and math, to the story behind Fessenden’s Running Boy, we hope you enjoy The Best of the Fessy-Den Blog 2018.  ...
Read More

Why Social-Emotional Development is More Important than Academics in Pre-K

Whether your child previously participated in a childcare center or Pre-K will be his first formal educational setting, it’s common to prioritize the curriculum and specific areas of study as you evaluate the best fit for your little learner. After all, everyone is talking about “kindergarten readiness,” and you want to be sure that your...
Read More

The Spirit of Childhood: Fessenden’s Fourth Grade Campout

Fessenden Fourth Grade Campout

The spirit of childhood plays a significant role in the character of a school. At Fessenden, we have many traditions that center around this philosophy. The Red and Gray tug-of-war on Field Day, for example, dates back to the School’s founding days, and our newer tradition of the Fessy Lip Dub adds excitement to the...
Read More

What Actual Students Are Saying About Junior Boarding School

If you’re considering boarding school for your child, there is no better way to get an authentic feel for a program than to hear from the students themselves. Whether you want to learn about dorm life or the food in the dining hall, you can always count on students to share the real spirit of...
Read More

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving seems like a holiday that’s as American as apple pie (or pumpkin pie for some of us), but, actually, versions of this celebration take place in many of the countries around the world that are home to our Fessenden students. Customs and menus may vary, but giving thanks for the bounties of the harvest...
Read More

All The School’s A Stage…

“All the world’s a stage,” proclaims Jaques, the melancholy nobleman in William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” For our fall Fessenden theatre production, all the school will become our stage as we await the completion of our new auditorium later this school year. On Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17, our troupe of student...
Read More

The Running Boy

Imagine that you are eleven years old, experiencing that potent mix of boundless exuberance and limitless joy that comes with the freedom of running—starting slowly, building speed, feeling the thrill that comes with the discovery and release of your power and self-determination.   Now, imagine 510 boys gathered together in an environment that provides the...
Read More

The ABCs of Middle School Boys: ‘B’ is for Belonging

This is part 2 of a three-part series. In part one of this three-part series, we addressed the distinct challenges and fears that come along with parenting a middle school boy. We assured you that feeling uncomfortable and uncertain about your parenting techniques is normal, and that it’s healthy and developmentally appropriate for your son...
Read More

Why Your Child Needs to Learn How to Code

Not long ago, coding seemed like something that was unattainable for the average person. It seemed complex, out of reach, reserved for über smart Silicon Valley archetypes. Today, coding skills are not only becoming more readily accessible to the average student, but they are quickly becoming integral to success in the 21st century. Over the...
Read More