Dear Parents,

To all of you who attended the first annualParent Association Benefit Dinner, and toall of you who made donations, helpedplan, helped organize, wrapped gifts, andvolunteered to work at the event, pleaseallow me to use this newsletter to say, fromthe bottom of my heart, and on behalf of allof us at Fontbonne...THANK YOU!!! Wewelcomed 200 guests to the Dyker BeachGolf Club, raffled off 122 gift baskets and two special prizes, and had a grandprize of two Jet Blue tickets for a round trip to any destination in the UnitedStates. It was a grand night!

The best part of the evening for me, however, was listening to theaccomplishments of our Science Research students, and hearing directly fromthem about what they learned by being in this very unique, and very challengingthree-year sequence of classes. Hearing that the challenge was difficult, but thatthe sense of accomplishment once their work was complete made all the hardwork worth it, is evidence of exactly why high schools need to provide studentswith courses that have academic rigor. It was also wonderful to hear from ourAthletic Director, Romeo Petric, who spoke about our amazing athletes andteams. Finally, our chorus (photo below) sang beautifully, and ended theirrepertoire with "Dona Nobis Pacem". The message of "grant us peace", is onethat heralds us into the Christmas season, and a prayer that in this time in ournation's history we so desperately need.

Last Tuesday was Giving Tuesday, and it marked the official launch of our 2016-2017 Annual Fund appeal. Thank you to all of you who have already donated,

and if you have not yet made your donation to Fontbonne, I ask that youconsider a gift to us this year. Our academic programs rank among the best andmost unique of any high school in Brooklyn. Since most of these programs arenew to Fontbonne, our financial needs are now greater than ever. Yourgenerosity helps us maintain the high level of education, and collegepreparation, that we can provide for your daughters.

Jesus coming into the world reminds us that we are all one. From all of us atFontbonne, we wish you and your family a very peaceful and joyous Christmasseason.

Warm Regards,Mary Ann SpicijaricPrincipal

12th Annual NHS Toy Drive

Members of the Mother St. JohnFontbonne Chapter of the National HonorSociety were merrily at work constructingover 200 Christmas ornaments...stars,angels, Christmas trees and ginger breadmen.

These "gift tags" were placed on ourChristmas Tree for our 12th AnnualCatholic Charities Christmas Toy Drive. This NHS tradition has provided close to5,000 presents through the years making

Christmas a little brighter for the girls and boys in the Brooklyn/Queens Diocese.

Senior Retreat

Half of the senior classparticipated in their SeniorRetreat at the Don BoscoRetreat Center in StonyPoint, New York. The senior retreat is thefourth retreat that eachstudent at Fontbonnetakes part in in order tocomplete her four yearretreat program.

This 2 night retreat provided each student with a meaningful and prayerfulexperience. It was a great opportunity for the senior students to come together asa class for a final bonding experience. The other half of the senior class will beparticipating in their retreat later this month.

Speech Team Thrives at Invitational

Congratulations to our Speech Teammembers who thrived at the Mary LouisAcademy JV Invitational Tournament.

Freshman Larissa Mignano took 1st place inDeclamation and Sophomore Alexa Vasqueztook 2nd place in Declamation.

St. Joseph's Dillon Center Visit

Part of our Child Development curriculum requires students to observe the youngchild in a natural school setting. We are fortunate to have a great partnership withthe Dillon Center at St. Joseph's College. The Dillon Child Study Center is one ofthe first campus laboratory preschools on the East Coast. It continues to serve asa model and demonstration program for college students and professionalsinterested in the field of early childhood education. On Tuesday, November 29th,fifty seniors traveled to St. Joseph's to observe 2-5 year olds in the classroomsetting. The Dillon Center has 4 observation rooms that allow adults to viewstudents through large windows without being noticed. This gave our girls theopportunity to apply child development theories and milestones that they havestudied to young children as they participated in classroom activities. It was aninvaluable experience.

Forensics Class Solves Crime

Last month's Mock Crime Scene atCannonball Park was truly the highlight ofForensics at Fontbonne! Students portrayedvarious CSI personnel and identified andexamined evidence at the crime scene. Thisyear's crime puzzle was "Who Killed theNeighborhood Scarecrow?". Studentsgathered information which they shared withtheir CSI Team. Personnel included police,detectives, sketch preparers, medicalexaminers, photographers, evidencepreparers and team leaders.

Senior Participates in DC LeadershipForum

Nominated by Miss Connolly, GiannaVazquez '17, participated in Envision's National Security YouthLeadership Forum: Defense, Diplomacy andIntelligence. The program confirmed herinterest in pursuing an international relationsmajor in college. Highlights of the trip included spending a day with Sloveniandiplomats at the U.S. Embassy of Slovenia, discussing conflict resolution strategieswhen acting as an intermediary between Islamic and Christian groups in Nigeriawith the Director of the U.S. Institute of Peace at their headquarters, and sittingdown with the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security and analysts from theNational Security Agency to discuss the implications of government sponsoredhacking. Gianna made great friends (pictured above) and met valuable networkingconnections.

Broadway Play Fun for Religion Class

The "Religion in Drama" class attended their

field trip to the Tony winning musical SomethingRotten.

Something Rotten is the hilarious Broadwaysmash from the director of Aladdin and the co-director of The Book of Mormon. It was a great learning experience for most ofthese girls whom attended their first Broadwayshow ever!

Service Project Sends Hope to Little Girls

All students participated in a service project tohelp littledressesforafrica.org. Each FA(faculty advisory group) made a dress that willbe sent to a girl in need in either Africa,Honduras, Guatemala, the Philippines, Mexicoor Haiti.

"We're not just sending dresses, we'resending HOPE!"-LDfA

Thanksgiving Baskets Bring Meals toFamilies in Need

Lifestream provided full Thanksgiving mealsfor 30 families!

Christine Maxwell, a former graduateorganized the pick-up and delivery of thebaskets to each of these deserving families. Itis truly a blessing for our students to be ableto participate in this event.

Athletics Update

Both basketball teams opened their season with strongwins against St. John's Prep. With eight returningseniors on Varsity as well as nine new freshmenplayers and one new sophomore on JV, the teamslook poised to go far into the playoffs this season.

The cheer teams concluded their fall season cheering at Xavier Football gamesand are now preparing for their regional competition in January. The girls were verywell received by the entire Xavier community. The players, coaches, directors and

parents from Xavier Football were greatly appreciative of their enthusiasm,professionalism and spirit at the games.

FHA is also fielding a new indoor track team this winter coached by John Tutone.After a successful cross country season ended last month, the girls wanted tocontinue to train and John decided to enter them into some league meets beingheld on Staten Island in January and February.

Senior Self Publishes Book

Kristin Gnoza '17, self published a non-fiction novel shewrote, Broad Churches.

The paperback is now available for purchase atamazon.com. A new book is a great gift option for thereader on your Christmas list!

To purchase Kristin's book, please click here.

Christmas Play is this Weekend!

Fontbonne Hall Academy Presents: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,Barbara Robinson's timeless, humorousretelling of the birth of Christ is re-enacted hundreds of times throughout the country atChristmas. We are so thrilled to bringit to our Brooklyn Community.

Tickets are still available ($10) and can bepurchased here or at the door.

Friday, Dec. 9th:7:30PMSaturday, Dec. 10th: 2:00PM & 7:30PMSunday, Dec. 11th: 2:00 pm

Pampered Chef Fundraiser

We have partnered with PamperedChef fora fundraising campaign to meet all of yourholiday needs. Whether you are cooking,bringing a host gift, buying a unique present, orjust making your life easier in the kitchen,there's a gift for you!

To view the online catalog and place orders,please click here. All orders will be shipped as

soon as your order is placed.

Questions: Stacy Tsangaris, Advanced Director at the Pampered Cheftsangaris@fontbonne.org917-750-5539

* Orders of $75 or more will receive a free gift! *Fundraiser will run until 12/12

*Click here to donate to Fontbonne. We appreciate your generosity.*