Session 7 Week in Review - Week 35

Zoom Gatherings

Some highlights from Zoom Gatherings this week included:

  • Monday: Monday, Phinn and Owen facilitated learner-led launches. Phinn presented a scenario about when to speak up or stay quiet when people are asking your opinion on another person’s mistakes, and how we treat people who have changed.  

  • Tuesday: Tuesday, Taina and Brooks W. facilitated learner-led launches.

  • Wednesday: Wednesday, the Studio gathered to discuss ideas for next school year, and learners filled out a feedback form giving ideas for topics they would like to see for curriculum, Zoom Gatherings, expert visits, and more. 

  • Thursday: Thursday, was our last Young Changemaker Launch of the year. It was based on the story of Adhara Perez Sanchez, a young girl diagnosed with Asperger’s. Despite frequent bullying and being misunderstood, Adhara graduated with two Master’s degrees at the age of 11. Learners discussed what it’s like to feel out of place in environments that judge but don’t understand, and how the right environment can make all the difference.

Week 35 Highlights

As we close out the school year, one of the most special moments came not from a badge or an exhibition, but from seeing so many of our online learners finally meet each other in person during Commencement Weekend.

Learners traveled in from across the country - Mati, Anna, and Carrington from Georgia, Phinn from Arizona, Nadia from Missouri, and Yagna from Michigan - to spend time together both on campus at The Forest School and beyond. What began as friendships built through Zoom launches, Slack conversations, exhibitions, and learner-led discussions suddenly became real hugs, shared laughter, inside jokes, and memories made face-to-face.

Not only did learners get the opportunity to spend several days on campus, but they were also invited to an FSO-exclusive experience at Trilith Studios, touring the movie studios together before ending the night with an FSO-only after-hours hangout in the High School Studio. Former FSO learners even stopped by to reconnect and celebrate alongside everyone.

There was something deeply heartwarming about seeing just how much this community has grown. What once began as learners logging into a new online school has become a genuine network of friendships, mentorships, and belonging that stretches across states and grade levels. We are incredibly excited to continue fostering those connections as we prepare to welcome both returning and new learners for the 2026–2027 school year.

  • Youngest Launch Leader! We also have to give a huge shoutout to FSO’s youngest learner, Brooks Weldon, for leading his very first Socratic launch… and on perhaps one of the most universally relatable topics imaginable: “Do you buy your friend an ice cream in the afternoon if he stole your Pokémon card that morning?”

    The studio had STRONG opinions 😂 and learners eagerly jumped into the debate. Brooks did an amazing job facilitating discussion and proving that thoughtful conversation and leadership have absolutely no age requirement at FSO.

This week reminded us what FSO has always been about at its core: not just coursework, but community. A place where learners can grow into themselves, build meaningful relationships, and discover that learning becomes far more powerful when done alongside people who truly know and support you.

Family Conversation Starters:

  • What was it like meeting online friends in person for the first time?

  • How does spending time together face-to-face change a community?

  • Why do you think Brooks’ Pokémon card question sparked such strong opinions?

  • What’s one memory from this school year you think you’ll still remember years from now?

  • What kind of community do you hope to help build next year at FSO?

Tyler Thigpen