Mrs Petrarca, the backbone of the middle school.
By: Phoebe Bonin ’26
Marrien Petraca has been working in the FCS middle school for twenty six years, and she provides nothing but kindness and support throughout all of these years. With her office right at the entrance of the building, it is impossible to go without noticing her friendliness and dependability. I am going to be conducting a brief interview to shed light on the hero of FCS
Phoebe: What has kept you working at the middle school during your career? What are some of your favorite things to work on?
Petrarca: Well, what has kept me here are the people. The students and staff. I work with wonderful people, it’s like a family. I enjoy seeing students come in here immensely. It’s a wonderful atmosphere
Phoebe: What have you done to make your office so homely and welcoming?
Petrarca: I bring food! Seriously, I bring food, the reason being that it brings people in here. The teachers congregate here, we share thoughts….lemme think, I mean really, people sit, we talk, it makes it a nice atmosphere. People feel comfortable coming in here
Phoebe: Do you have fun designing the messages on the tv in front of the middle school?
Petrarca: Do I have fun? I do enjoy it, but I need to learn more about it. But do people look at that?
Phoebe: Yeah!
Petrarca: I really should be putting birthdays up there. I hope people see it!
Phoebe: With so much experience working here, what are the most significant changes you have noticed?
Petrarca: The schedule has changed here, Mrs Quinn has created a new schedule, it makes the transition easier between middle and upper school. They have added different athletics, like squash, which wasn’t here before. Shimada athletic center was built while I worked here. FCS is constantly trying to improve, and with interim head of school Beth Johnson, I believe things will only get better from here
Phoebe: Any fashion tips and secrets? How about nail care tips?
Petrarca: I just try to look business-like, I feel like I represent the school, and I ask my husband for fashion advice.
Phoebe: Thoughts on the middle school community?
Petrarca: I think it’s a warm environment where the teachers care about the students, and they make the extra effort to make sure the students stay on top of their work and studies, and I mean, they do! They care
Phoebe: Any traditions from fcs you particularly enjoy
Petrarca: Service, meeting for worship, especially before covid, when you were allowed to go out to different locations to serve people. I think that’s a wonderful thing, it’s a wonderful opportunity for students. I like the quiet time to reflect (referring to meeting for worship) and I like hearing teachers and students share what is in their hearts
Phoebe: anything you wish students did more or less often?
Petrarca: I wish they had their ID cards!. That’s it
Phoebe: Anything to say to all of your fans?
Petrarca: I just hope they take the time to stop in and say hello, and be kind to each other. I enjoy seeing both teachers and students everyday.
Thank you so much for reading!