Our 2016-2017 TFA Middle School Sapphires

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER DATES

Please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you don’t want to miss for October/November.

Oct 20          MS Chapel- 9:30am Henry Chapel- Speaker- Brandon Ferris
Oct 22          TFA Homecoming Football Game- Payne Stewart Athletic Complex
Oct 27          MS Chapel- 9:30am Faith Hall- Chapel Speaker- Student Pastor Chris Bacon
Nov 1            PA Meeting- 8:15am Faith Hall 301
Nov 3           MS Chapel- 9:30am Faith Hall- 8th Grade Student Led
Nov 4           No School- Student Holiday- Teacher Professional Development Day
Nov 8           Election Day- Please make sure to VOTE!
Nov 9           MS/US Veterans Day Assembly- 10am Faith Hall

THINKS & THOUGHTS

We were so excited to have successfully completed our inaugural 7th Grade Leadership and Digital Citizenship Seminar on Wednesday 10/19.  Former TFA graduate Mallory Gabriel, MS and Brian Krause, MA of Gilstrap & Associates graciously served as our guest keynote speakers.  Students  actively participated in a guided online course targeting digital citizenship as well as cyber-bullying.  Special thanks to Gilstrap and Associates for donating their time for TFA Middle School.

RECOGNITION

sleigh6 sleigh5 sleigh4 sleigh3 sleigh2

MUSH! 8th graders see what it is like to be a sledge dog and a rider in the Arctic as they prepare for their next novel, Call of the Wild. Students formed teams and had one rider where they would compete to see who could successfully maneuver through the course the quickest. Along for the ride was a special hairy guest (and we’re not talking about Mr. G) who helped show us how powerful loyalty and your past can be. Lady, Mr. G’s dog came in and ventured through the day with the 8th grade students while having some of her past revealed, helping the students to further understand Jack London’s main character Buck. On top of all we had going on, the school’s Head of Spiritual Formation, Kyle Barrett, came to join in the fun as he participated in one of the classes sledge races (see the video for more)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDYRDRlbomo

 

 

 

REMINDERS

Box Tops for Education Deadline is October 21st

The first collection due date for this year’s Box Tops for Education is thisFriday October 21st.  This program will help our school earn money, but more importantly help teach our students how joining forces with each other can accomplish great thing.  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 in to the collection bucket located at the lower, middle or upper school front desk.

 

cinderella

The Upper School Theatre Department proudly presents Cinderella!  The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm, and elegance.  As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, the hearts of children and adults alike still soar when the slipper fits.

Come experience TFA’s enchanted version, presented by our Upper School performers. Tickets will go on sale for $15 each and can be purchased HERE.Premium tickets are available for $30 for the Saturday show, which include your ticket for show admission and a tea Party with Cinderella, the Prince, and friends! The pre-show tea party (5pm) is sure to excite and will feature tea and pastries, cast meet and greet, photograph with Cinderella, and a special souvenir.  The show runs October 27th-29th at7pm nightly, with the pre-show tea party at 5pm on Saturday.

Please direct any ticketing questions to cherylbynum@thefirstacademy.org.

Attendance

All attendance notifications and questions should be communicated directly to Ms. Lyn Maxime, the new 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.Middle School Attendance

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:

  1. 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!
  2. Make-up work or testing can easily be arranged and completed during your student’s E.C.H.O. class.
  3. 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 & 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