Welcome to ENOTES, The Fletcher School's weekly newsletter for families.

January 23, 2025

Community News

New Financial Aid Process - Apply by Sunday, February 9, 2025

• Earlier this month, we sent out important information about:

  • The Fletcher School's move to Clarity, a new financial aid application system designed to better serve our families

  • Step-by-step instructions to apply for financial aid for the 2025-2026 school year by Sunday, February 9, 2025

  • Please click here to review this important communication for families.  

NC Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ Award Updates and Applications

• The majority of the NC scholarship awards retroactive to the Fall semester have been disbursed to the School, and we have applied these funds to families’ FACTS Financial accounts. If you are due a refund, those will be processed over the next two to three weeks.

• The process for the Spring semester awards has begun. Please check your email frequently for communication from Fletcher's Controller, Tracy Grocott, regarding parent endorsement, and complete this step as soon as possible. 

• The NC Scholarship Programs application for the 2025-2026 school year will open on Thursday, February 6, 2025, and run through Thursday, March 6, 2025. All Fletcher Families are strongly encouraged to apply. Please use the links below for more information on the programs and how to apply:

  • Opportunity Scholarship: How to Apply

  • ESA+ Scholarship: How to Apply

Books, Brushes, & Talent - Complete Interest Form by Friday, January 31

• We're excited to announce this year’s live Talent Show will be at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13. If your student would like to perform in this year’s Talent Show, please complete this interest form by Friday, January 31. 

• In addition to the Talent Show, we want to recognize students with a passion for visual art. If your student would like to display their work in the Rankin Room on the afternoon of the Talent Show, please complete this interest form by Friday, January 31.

2024 Payment Summary

•  If you require a payment summary for tax purposes for 2024, please use the following instructions for FACTS:

  • Log in to your FACTS Family Portal.

  • Click on Financial on the left (may have to scroll down).

  • Under Financial Links on the right, click on Financial Home.

  • Click on View Details.

  • Select View Payment Summary (blue box).

  • Click on the drop-down box and select 2024.

  • You can print to paper or PDF by clicking on Print in the upper right-hand corner.

Important Reminders from the Nurse's Office

• At this time of year, when we see increased levels of sickness and absences, please assist us by following these critical protocols:

  • Keep your children home if they are not feeling well. 

  • Students with a temperature of 100 or higher must stay home. They may return to school when fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

  • Students suffering from vomiting or diarrhea must stay home for 24 hours after the last incident.

  • If positive for Strep Throat, the student should be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.

  • Students with inflamed, red, and swollen eyes should stay home and consult a physician.

  • If your student is seen by your provider, please let us know at nurse@thefletcherschool.org and/or a note from the provider's office. 

Book Bites & Swavory Events

• FLIK/FISD did a Book Bites program this afternoon with our first and second graders. Ms. Arnholt read the group the book, Bread & Jam for Frances. We provided a few snacks to go along with the story and hopefully expanded some young palates.

• Next Thursday, we will be doing another "Swavory" tasting event--with sweet and savory options--during lunch with grapefruit!

Upcoming Update to Family Portal Login Screen

• Starting Monday, January 27, the Family Portal login screen will be updated to enhance the login experience. Here’s what’s changing:

  • The login process will be divided into two steps. First, you will enter your District Code, tfs-nc, then on the next screen, you will provide your Username and Password.

  • There will be no impact on the ability to log in, and existing credentials will remain the same.

  • This update only changes the steps you see during the login process. If you have any questions, please contact FACTS Support.

Direct Billing Questions for Incidental Charges to New Email Address

• Effective immediately, questions related to invoices and billing for incidental charges should be directed to billing@thefletcherschool.org.

• Previously, these questions went to Patti Stoghill, who celebrated her retirement just before winter break. If you sent Patti a question in mid to late December that we have not yet answered, please email us at billing@thefletcherschool.org.

Parents' Council News

Family Spirit Meal Night

• • Join us Tuesday, January 28, for Family Spirit Meal Night at Jason’s Deli, 1600 East Woodlawn Road, Charlotte, between 5 and 9 p.m. Bring your family to enjoy your meal with your Fletcher friends! 

  • When ordering your food, please mention The Fletcher School or use code FUND20 online, and a portion of the sales will be returned to the School. We look forward to seeing everyone for a delicious dinner!

Parents' Council Meeting 

• • Wednesday, February 12: There will be a Working Parents' Council Meeting at 8:15 a.m. in the Dining Hall. Although there will not be any presentations, parents are welcome to attend.  

Educational Technology News

• • A Parent’s Guide To AI: How to get the most out of generative AI. In this guide to AI, learn about the different generative AI tools like ChatGPT and My AI. Then, explore how to support learning, creativity, and even bedtime using AI tools at home.

Lower School News

Grade 3 On-Campus Field Trip

• Thursday, February 6: Grade 3 Discovery Place Field Trip - On Campus
  
  

Dressing for the Weather

• Please remember to be sure your student comes to school dressed for the weather. We will continue to have outdoor recess on cold days provided it isn't raining.
  
  

Grades K-5 Parents Virtual Lunch & Learn with Trina O’Connor

Understanding Our New Reports & Preparing For Your Conference 

• Wednesday, February 19, from 12-12:45 p.m., via Zoom

• RSVP today.

• Join Trina O’Connor, Lower & Intermediate Schools Division Head, for a convenient virtual session about Fletcher’s updated approach for assessing, evaluating, and reporting student progress in grades K-5. 

• This session is designed to help you prepare for Parent Conferences and build a home-school partnership that fosters collaboration through understanding along your student's learning journey.

• During this gathering, Lower School parents and guardians will learn how to:

  • Interpret Progress Reports. 

  • Understand the academic skills we measure in reading, written expression, and math—and why.

  • Interpret the Levels of Independence (LOI), which evaluate your student’s Executive Skills in an academic setting.

  • Utilize the Skills Report to support your student’s learning at home.

Middle School News

Middle School Dance

• See above for all the details about the Middle School Dance on Friday, January 24, from 6-8 p.m.!

Grades 6-8 Parents Coffee with LeeAnn Eisenbath
Chat with College Counseling

• Friday, January 24, from 8:15-9:15 a.m., in the Rankin Room

• RSVP today.

• It’s never too early to start planning for college! Join LeeAnn Eisenbath, College Counselor, to learn how Fletcher’s Upper School experience prepares your student for future success. 

• During this gathering, Middle School parents and guardians will:

  • Gain insight into Fletcher’s comprehensive college counseling program and the support provided through the college application and postsecondary process. 

  • Review statistics from the current senior class, including college applications, acceptances, and merit scholarships.

  • Learn about the key steps in Fletcher’s College Process.

Grades 6-12 Parents Coffee with Ginna Clute
Understanding Levels of Independence, Executive Skills, & Grades

• Wednesday, January 29, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Rankin Room

• RSVP today.

• Join Ginna Clute, Middle and Upper Schools Division Head, for an informative session about Fletcher’s updated Levels of Independence (LOI), which play a key role in your student's grades and growth as a learner. These updates reflect our intentional focus on helping students develop essential Executive Skills.

• You will receive your child’s LOI at the February conferences. This meeting will prepare you to understand our new process and support your student effectively.

• During this gathering, Middle and Upper School parents and guardians will:

  • Learn how to interpret the LOI.

  • Understand what Executive Skills look like in the classroom for independent learners.

  • Gain practical strategies to support Executive Skills development at home.

Upper School News

Buy Basketball T-shirts for Booster Club!

• Basketball t-shirts designed by Upper School students Sage D. and Charlie LK. are for sale for $20, with proceeds going to the Booster Club. Please email Ginna Clute at gclute@thefletcherschool.org or stop by her office to purchase yours before supplies run out!

Grades 6-12 Parents Coffee with Ginna Clute
Understanding Levels of Independence, Executive Skills, & Grades

• Wednesday, January 29, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

• RSVP today.

• Join Ginna Clute, Middle & Upper Schools Division Head, for an informative session about Fletcher’s updated Levels of Independence (LOI), which play a key role in your student's grades and growth as a learner. These updates reflect our intentional focus on helping students develop essential Executive Skills.

• You will receive your child’s LOI at the February conferences. This meeting will prepare you to understand our new process and support your student effectively.

• During this gathering, Middle and Upper School parents and guardians will:

  • Learn how to interpret the LOI.

  • Understand what Executive Skills look like in the classroom for independent learners.

  • Gain practical strategies to support Executive Skills development at home.

College Counseling News

Upcoming Events

• ACT

  • Saturday, February 8, and Sunday, February 9, 2025

• ACT Weekend Prep

  • Saturday, January 25, and Sunday, January 26, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  • Please contact LeeAnn Eisenbath at leisenbath@thefletcherschool.org if you would like to sign up your student.