DECEMBER/JANUARY DATES
Please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you don’t want to miss for December/January.
Dec 15 MS 1st Sem. Academic Celebration 1pm Student Center
Dec 15 MS Tacky Christmas Sweater Dance 2pm Student Center
Dec 16 TFA All-School Christmas Program 10am First Orlando Worship Center
Dec 16 End of 1st Semester/2nd Quarter 12:15pm Early Dismissal
Dec 19-Jan 2 Christmas Break- No School
Jan 3 No School Students/ Teacher Workday
Jan 4 3rd Quarter Begins
THINKS AND THOUGHTS
7th Grade Bible students took part in a fun interactive lesson this week- here are just a few of the “tweets” about……………..
“What they heard”
-We heard King Herod tell us to go and search for the child #orders #Jesussearch We heard the prophet and knew exactly where to go in Bethlehem #itslit
-We saw the star rise into the sky and we followed it. #adventurious We stopped when the star was right above us and saw baby Jesus for the first time #qtpie
-King Herod told us to go out and find baby Jesus. We found him and we were told to report back to King Herod, but we were warned in a dream not to. #scarydreams so we took a different route home. #gotlost #survivor
“What you learned about God”……………
-I learned that Herod is an evil man that wanted to kill Jesus. #evil The wisemen traveled to Jesus and gave him riches. #lit #rich In a dream we were told not to go back to Herod #scarydreams #loveJesus
-Jesus is God’s Son. King Herod wanted to kill Jesus #rude The wisemen were very loyal and respectful to God and Jesus #goals
RECOGNITION
The Upper School Admin Team enjoyed meeting with the 8th graders last week during lunch. Students got to meet the Principal, Mr. Garry Sullivan and Assistant Principal, Mr. Kacey Chambers as well as the Guidance team and some of the current student leaders in Upper School. The students divided into teams and played an iPad trivia game to learn more about the Upper School – all while enjoying Chick-fil-a sandwiches. Congrats to our winning team, The Elves! (pictured)
Winning Team “The Elves”
A few pics from Launch 2021
After meeting with 8th grade students on Wednesday, the Upper School team had a chance to meet with parents on Thursday. Parents were able to learn more about the Upper School academic, athletic, and fine arts offerings, while also getting to know our Principal and Admin Team. In addition, two current freshmen spoke about their experience so far this year, while two seniors talked about their time in high school. They shared their favorite high school experiences which included Homecoming and Bible studies, and they also spoke about the way our Living Curriculum teachers have poured into them and helped shape who they are today. If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s transition from Middle School to Upper School, we are more than happy discuss your questions via email, over the phone or in person. We are excited to welcome these students into the Upper School next year!
Rising 9th grade parents attending Launch 2021
Current US students share with Rising 9th Parents
REMINDERS
Box Tops for Education
We are actively collecting Box Tops at the Middle School front desk. This program will help our school earn money, but more importantly help teach our students how joining forces with each other can accomplish great things. This project allows our children to choose service before self and participation as a way of life. No need to trim anything neatly, just tear them off and turn them into the collection bucket located at the middle school front desk.
Attendance
All attendance notifications and questions should be communicated directly to Ms. Lyn Maxime, the attendance clerk for both the Upper and Middle School divisions. All Middle School students who are tardy to campus must check in with Ms. Maxime when they arrive at school. You may contact Ms. Maxime concerning your student being tardy or absent at (407)206-8630 or email her at msattendance@thefirstacademy.org.
E.C.H.O.…..E.C.H.O.!
E.C.H.O. stands for Every Child Has an Opportunity! It’s your student’s opportunity to grow and provides a home base for communicating here in the Magnificent Middle School! E.C.H.O. is your key (Did you hear that E.C.H.O.?) to communicating with your Magnificent Middle School Scholar. Let me E.C.H.O. that! It is your key (E.C.H.O) to communicating with your Middle School Scholar!
Here are the ABC’s of how E.C.H.O. can serve you and your student:
- Ask your student WHO their E.C.H.O. teacher is. That is vital information; let me encourage you to let that name E.C.H.O. in your mind. It will serve you well all year!
- Make-up work or testing can easily be arranged and completed during your student’s E.C.H.O. class.
- Inclement weather dismissal is always done through E.C.H.O. class.
7th Grade E.C.H.O. teachers:
- Dana Menz Room 156
- Jeff Rossemiessl Room 160
- Bette Gordon Room 153
- Becky Render Room 158
- 7th Bible- Room 162
8th Grade E.C.H.O. teachers:
- Lindsey Hurlebaus Room 246
- James Grosshans Room 248
- Christy Requejo Room 259
- Yvonne England Room 250
- Shannon Rymer Room 252
Severe Weather Inside Dismissal
-Students are dismissed from 7th period to ECHO classrooms
-Students without signed parent permission slips are dismissed when a parent visits the lobby to pick them up. MS Office will contact ECHO classroom teacher.
–Students with signed parent permission slips are dismissed
–Student shows text from parent stating location of parent on TFA campus
–Parent emails ECHO teacher stating their arrival and location on TFA campus
Start and Dismissal Times
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 7:50am-3:15pm
Wednesday: 7:50am-2:40pm
Gluten Free Options Available in the Cafeteria
Students with gluten sensitivities have a few options in our cafeteria. Please ask for Chef Jaime, Greg, or Emily for assistance. Options include gluten free pasta available daily as well as grab and go salads, grilled chicken and hamburger patties. There are also a few items on the menu that can be tailored to be gluten free.
Dress Code
- Only Dennis or Sunshine uniform tops and bottoms are acceptable.
- Female skirts, skorts, and shorts must rest below mid-thigh while seated.
- Male shorts must be an appropriate length
- Skirts, skorts, and shorts may not be hemmed to an inappropriate length.
- Students must wear flat, closed-toed, closed heeled shoes (heels, platform shoes, boots, sandals, etc., are not permitted).
Our goal with the uniform policy is for students to maintain a professional look while at school. We appreciate your understanding and partnership.
New Uniform Item Available
Want to stand out from the crowd? Dress blazers are now available for all 6th-12th-grade students (male & female). Step up your wardrobe game and come to school dressed to impress! Blazers can be purchased in person at the Dennis Uniform Store (1101 N. Keller Road, Suite G-3 , Orlando, FL 32810) or online here: http://www.dennisuniform.com/ONLStore/d-store-home.asp?pageitem=12&pagenumber=1&gn=2&sc=ETF&dis=20851816