Archers in Action: News & Events ~ October 7, 2026

Dear Founders Families,

As a classical school, Founders Classical Academy is dedicated to an education that hands down the traditions we ourselves have received. Our students strive for intellectual and moral virtue and form positive friendships rooted in this shared pursuit. Founders remains a place of joyful teaching and learning, and we are deeply grateful for the consistent support our families have provided over the years.

Much of the support extended to our faculty and staff is made possible through the annual Funds for Founders (F4F) campaign. The 2026-27 campaign began this Friday, October 2, with the goal of raising $150,000 and achieving 100% family participation.

Attached (and linked here) is a flyer that outlines:

How the Archers Council will invest these funds to benefit our students, staff, and faculty, and

The various ways you may give - online, by check, or through employer matching.

We invite every family to contribute according to its ability. Your generosity enables us to fulfill our mission and strengthens the community that makes Founders unique.

The faculty and staff join me in expressing sincere appreciation for all you do. Thank you for your partnership.

Aim High & Aim Well!

Tabitha Loy

Headmaster

Save the Dates

➹October 12: Student and Staff Holiday: No School

➹October 16: Trunk or Treat

➹October 17: Founders Classic

➹October 19: Student Holiday/Parent Conferences

➹October 21: Picture Day (Grammar and Upper)

➹October 30: Crazy Socks Day/ Literary Figures Day/Book Parade

➹November 2: Senior Early Application Breakfast

➹November 6: Spirit Friday

➹November 11: Veteran’s Day Assembly

Important News To Know:

➹October 7: Fall Orchestra Concert Tonight!

6th Grade Orchestra: 6:00pm

7th Grade Orchestra: 6:30pm

8th Grade Orchestra: 7:00pm

High School Orchestra: 7:30 & 8:00pm

➹Funds for Founders is in Full Swing: How High Can We Go?

➹October Stock the Lounge: 1st Grade & Beethoven House

➹Founders Classic Fun Run: Costumes, Bubbles & a Little Friendly Competition!

➹Trunk or Treat is coming! October 16

➹SEC Spirit Nights: Mark Your Calendars!

➹Show your Archer Spirit: Order your Spirit Friday shirt HERE

➹Yearbook Sales are Here!

➹Click here for the 2026-2027 FCA Leander Calendar

Reminders:

➹No reminders for the week

⭐Funds for Founders Is in Full Swing: How High Can We Go? (Click arrow to expand)

Funds for Founders is officially in full swing, and this year we’re going for 100%!

Why 100%? Because 100% of our students and staff are positively impacted by Funds for Founders. That’s why we’re asking 100% of our families to participate. There is no minimum gift required to count toward participation. Every family matters, and every donation gets us one step closer to 100%.

And there are some pretty fun reasons to keep those participation numbers climbing!

🎉 THE PARTICIPATION CHALLENGE

Grades K–6 and Upper School Houses 7–12 are tracking their participation separately:

🍿 70% Participation = Popcorn Party

🍧 85% Participation = Ice Pop Party

🍨🔥 100% Participation OR Highest Participation = The BIG Celebration!

Grammar grades (K–6) can earn an Ice Cream Social

Upper School Houses can earn a Fire Pit Social

PLUS, both winning groups receive an extra Spirit Day with jeans!

🎯 AND EVERY STUDENT CAN EARN SOMETHING!

When your family participates, your student receives:

🏹 K–6: Archie Decal

🔑 7–12: Founders Keychain

But the biggest incentive is what Funds for Founders makes possible for every student on our campus. Your donations help fund the traditions, programs, resources, campus improvements, teacher support, athletics, fine arts, senior experiences, and community events that elevate the Founders student experience throughout the year.

Our goals: $150,000 + 100% family participation.

Already donated? Thank you! Now help us get your grade or House to the next milestone by encouraging another Founders family to join you.

Haven’t participated yet? We need YOU to get to 100%!

🎯 DONATE TODAY:

https://donorbox.org/funds-for-founders

100% of our students benefit. Let’s get 100% of our families behind them. Aim High, Archers!

⭐October Stock the Lounge: 1st Grade & Beethoven House (Click arrow to expand)

Each month, one grade level or House “Stocks the Lounge,” filling our teacher lounge with grab-and-go snacks and drinks to keep our teachers fueled and feeling appreciated all year long. October is 1st Grade and Beethoven House’s month to serve!

This is more than just treats. It’s a simple, meaningful way to say thank you to the teachers and staff who pour their hearts into our students every single day.

Every $10 in donations = 1 Archer Hour, so your gift not only blesses our teachers but also counts toward your family’s volunteer hours.

Let’s surround our teachers with the same care and encouragement they show our students. Help us fill the lounge and remind them how much they mean to the Founders family!

Some of our staff’s favorite snacks and drinks include:

Coffee pods

Mini creamers

Sodas

Sparkling waters

Chips, pretzels, crackers, popcorn, and nuts

Granola bars

Trail mix

Gluten-free snacks

Fresh fruit

Bagels and cream cheese

STL

⭐Founders Classic Fun Run: Costumes, Bubbles & a Little Friendly Competition!(Click arrow to expand)

Lace up those running shoes and start planning your costume! The Archers Athletic Booster Club (AABC) is hosting the Founders Classic Fun Run on Saturday, October 17 at Devine Lake Park, and the whole family is invited to join the fun.

This one-mile course is perfect for runners of all ages and abilities. Come ready to run, jog, or walk your way through the course, with plenty of bubbles and Archer spirit along the way. Costumes are encouraged, so have some fun with it!

🏃 1-Mile Fun Run

📅 Saturday, October 17

⏰ Check-in: 8:45 AM | Race: 9:15 AM

📍 Devine Lake Park

🏅 Top 15 runners receive a medal!

Bring the kids, bring your best costume, and come enjoy a fun fall morning with the Founders community.

https://fcal-archersabc.square.site/product/founders-classic-fun-run/27B4HWM4QQPJIRHDQQFXHCAF?cs=true&cst=custom

⭐Trunk or Treat is Coming! (Click arrow to expand)

Trunk or Treat returns Friday, October 16 from 5:00–7:00 PM in the Founders parking lot!

Grammar families, keep an eye on your inbox! Room parents will be reaching out soon with your class’s curriculum-inspired trunk theme and ways you can help with decorations, games, supplies and volunteering.

Here’s what everyone needs to know:

🍬 Candy Donations: Help us fill the trunks! Please donate one large bag of candy per family to the Grammar Office October 12–15. Candy will be pooled and distributed among all trunks.

🎃 Character Pumpkin Contest: Open to students K–12! Decorate a medium-sized pumpkin as a character from the Founders curriculum using paint, fabric, craft supplies and plenty of creativity. No carving, cutting or puncturing. Bring your pumpkin and completed submission form to Trunk or Treat for judging. Teachers will select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from each grade, announced at 6:45 PM.

🌭 Come Hungry: Topp Dawg will be back serving hot dogs, lemonade and other snacks for purchase.

👻 Come Have Fun: Costumes are encouraged, admission is free, and friends and neighbors are welcome!

📅 Friday, October 16

⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM

📍 Founders Classical Academy Parking Lot

Start planning those costumes and pumpkins, and Grammar families, be on the lookout for that room parent email!

⭐SEC Spirit Night Update: Thank You, Archers! (Click arrow to expand)

Skip the cooking and make dinner count! Our next SEC Spirit Night is Tuesday, October 20 at Culver’s Crystal Falls, where 20% of all Founders orders will be donated back to the Senior Events Committee to support the special events and traditions celebrating our senior class.

📅 Tuesday, October 20 | 3:00–9:00 PM

📍 Culver’s Crystal Falls | 1631 Crystal Village Blvd., Leander

🍴 20% back to Senior Events

And don’t stop with October! We already have our next two SEC Spirit Nights on the calendar, so save these dates now:

🍕 November 12 | MOD Pizza

🍔 December 14 | P. Terry’s

More details are coming soon, but for now, mark your calendars and plan a few nights off from cooking! Every meal purchased helps us continue funding meaningful experiences for our seniors. 🏹

⭐Show Your Archer Spirit! (Click arrow to expand)

Our 2026–27 Spirit Shirts are available for $18! Whether you’re dressing for Spirit Friday, cheering from the stands, or joining us for one of the many events happening on campus this year, your Founders spirit wear is the perfect way to show your Archer pride.

Grab one for the whole family and be ready to show your Founders spirit all year long!

Spirit Shirts: $18

Order yours here:
https://archerscouncil.square.site/product/2026-27-spirit-t-shirt/3RF3EWL3UB6CICEY4EKV5UQ4?cs=true&cst=custom

Wear it proudly. Aim high. Arrows up!

⭐YEARBOOK SALES ARE HERE! (Click arrow to expand)

It’s time to start capturing the memories of the 2026–2027 school year!🎉

Order Here: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?ref=A07636375

⏰Early Bird Pricing ends October 4!

After October 4th yearbook prices will increase, so don’t wait!

Our Journalism students are hard at work capturing the people, moments, and memories that make our school community so special.❤️🤍💙

📸Want to help fill the yearbook?

Share your photos from school-sponsored activities and events with our Journalism team here:

https://photos.jostens.com/LVEBEL

Let’s make this year’s yearbook one to remember!🏹📚