Week in Review - Week 3
Reminders & Updates
As we finish Week 3, and prepare to begin Week 4 (the last week of Session 1), here are a few reminders & updates:
Learners must register for Exhibition using this form by end of day today (Friday the 22nd) in your time zone.
We now have video tutorials on using Headrush IN Headrush. You can find the module here. Please use this as a resource if you get stuck!
Parents, thank you for the feedback you provided last week. The Google Form is still open for anyone else who wants to provide feedback.
Seniors please fill out this survey in advance of Monday’s meeting with Tyler!
Seniors and parents of Seniors, check out this Guide for Seniors Entering the College Application Season blog.
Exhibition
Next week is our first Exhibition! Exhibitions work a bit differently than they did in previous years, so please be sure to prepare accordingly:
Options for Presenting:
Learners who have completely finished a Quest, Story Arts, or Civilization module should present their final product from one of those (their choice).
For learners who are working on longer Quests, Story Arts, or Civilizations, and won’t finish in time for Exhibition next week, they should prepare a pre-recorded video that shares their progress. This Doc outlines what should be included in the video progress update; please be sure to follow these guidelines.
Learner To-Do’s:
Learners must register for Exhibition using this form by end of day today (Friday the 22nd) in your time zone.
Learners should still invite their parents and Dream Teams (friends & family) to attend Exhibition, even if they are presenting a progress update. Send the Zoom links (found in Headrush: “Exhibition Zoom Links” module) to your guests!
Prepare your project or progress update and be ready to share at Dress Rehearsal on Tuesday.
Zoom Gatherings
Monday focused on Community Building as learners created personal and shared soundtracks to find common ground through music. Tuesday brought a meaningful discussion about the Studio’s Contract of Promises and what signing your name boldly means. Wednesday’s skill-builder focused on using Headrush features with bonus on-demand video tutorials added to the Library. Thursday’s Socratic Discussion had learners explore a hero-inspired scenario, reflecting on real-life role models and their own hero potential. Friday, some of the new learner-led clubs launched, giving learners a great opportunity to spend time together and engage in their interests.
Some highlights from Zoom Gatherings this week included:
Group collaboration focused on a creative project
Strong symbolic connection between a signature and the signer’s integrity
Building empathy through putting yourself into someone else' s scenario, and grappling with how you would respond
Week 3 Highlights
FSO is buzzing with energy and activity as learners settle into their rhythms and take bold steps forward:
Badge Journeys Taking Off: With orientations wrapping up, learners are diving into their Badge work eagerly! Approval requests are pouring in, and the creativity and passion on display are incredible.
Community Wins: Our Studio promises aren’t just words on paper - learners are already living them out by keeping chat and Slack spaces respectful and thoughtful. Some of our new learners found this courage this week to unmute and add their voices to Socratic Discussions during Zoom, showing bravery and growing confidence.
Collaboration in Action: Requires for peer feedback are being seen woven into our school-wide Slack channel, reminding us that being part of FSO means both giving and receiving feedback and support. The community is rising to the challenge beautifully.
Clubs Launch: From Debate to Bookwriting and beyond, learners have pitched their learner-led club ideas, and are now leading the charge in facilitating the clubs they dreamed up!
Thinking Big: Learners became genuinely invested into a scenario Guides presented as part of a Socratic launch this week, even continuing to comment on it and ask follow-up questions in Slack for hours after the launch had ended. They were making powerful connections to marketing strategies as they pondered the real-life story of a twelve year old innovator.
Family Conversation Starters:
What gave you the courage to speak up in a whole group discussion this week?
How did you see the promises lived out in the Studio?
If you invented something world-changing, would you sell it or protect it?
Which new learner-led club feels most exciting to you? Will you join?
Upcoming Events
Aug 27 Session 1 Exhibition (10:00am ICT or 10:30am EDT)
Sep 1-5 Session break - no school
Sep 8 Session 2 begins
*A friendly reminder that events can be viewed on the 2025-2026 FSO Calendar, and updates are made in real time.