IMPORTANT EVENTS & DATES FOR MARCH

Parents, please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you do not want to miss:

  • March 3-4: WrAP Testing, 8:00am-9:30am – Alternative Schedule
  • March 3: 13 Year Senior Lunch – Student Center 140, 12:25pm
  • March 7: National Latin Exam
  • March 10-14: Senior Ski Trip – Breckenridge, Colorado – students return to school on March 16
  • March 10: US Chapel – Student Center, 9:28am
  • March 11: End of 3rd quarter – 12:15pm dismissal
  • March 16-19: Florida State Thespian Festival – Tampa, Florida
  • March 17: US Chapel – Student Center, 9:28am
  • March 21-28: Spring Break – No School

RECOGNITION

Jackson Englund Earns 1st Place in Singing Competition

Congratulations to Jackson Englund 9th, who won 1st place at the Central Florida National Association of Teachers of Singing competition this past Saturday in the 9th-10th grade classical category. The Central Florida NATS includes teachers of our local universities and colleges, including Rollins and UCF. Categories range from high school students all the way to seniors in college. Jackson performed a foreign language song and an art song. He had the highest score in his category, earning a $50 cash prize and the chance to perform at the winners’ recital. Congrats, Jackson!

NEW THIS WEEK

Junior/Senior Prom 2016

You’re invited! The junior class welcomes all juniors and seniors to The First Academy’s 2016 Prom, The Forbidden Forest.

Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 6:30pm

Disney’s Boardwalk Resort: 2101 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Orlando, FL 32830

Check back later to purchase tickets.

REMINDERS

WrAP Testing

WrAP Testing for grades 3-11 will take place next Thursday and Friday, March 3-4. Testing will be held at the start of the each school day so please make sure that your student gets to school on time (7:50am). Upper School students will report to A period on Thursday and Friday; after attendance and morning announcements, students will report to testing rooms based on grade level and last name. Seniors will report to classrooms to work on senior thesis. All room assignments are posted outside Mr. Rose’s office downstairs.

Each student should bring sharpened #2 pencils and loose leaf paper and is permitted to bring a dictionary and/or thesaurus (iPads and iPhones are permitted to be used as a dictionary and/or thesaurus). Please note there will be no make-up days for students who are absent.

Senior Girls Self Defense Class

We are hosting a one hour self-defense class on April 20th and May 11th.  There are two time slots available each day and only 15 spots for each class.  Sign up today by using the form stack below!  The cost is only $25. Last year was our first year to hold the class. Our lead instructor was TFA mom and OPD Officer Karen Long. Since that first class Officer Long passed away with cancer. Beginning this year we have decided to honor her by naming the class in her memory.

Corporal and Master Police Officer Kevlon Kirkpatrick from the Orlando Police Department assisted Officer Long last year and will once again  help introduce you to life-saving techniques useful in your everyday life. Learning self-defense is not something that should be optional, it could potentially save you! Come on out and learn how to defend yourself, things to look out for, and how to avoid negative situations.

Follow this link to register:  https://tfa.formstack.com/forms/self_defense

New Front Desk Receptionist/Attendance Clerk

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Erin Blackwell as our new front desk receptionist. Stop by and welcome her the next time you’re in Upper School. Please direct all attendance emails to her: erinblackwell@thefirstacademy.org

Mrs. Ellen Stewart will remain in Upper School to support our college advisors in the guidance office.

Yearbook Order Reminder

Time is running out to get your Legacy Yearbook. Get a piece of TFA 2016 memories while supplies last. The last date to purchase online is March 18th. Go to Jostens.com to buy one today! Remember this book is for ALL students, including Lower, Middle, and Upper School. The yearbook team thanks you for all your support.

National Honor Society Applications

Applications have been sent to qualifying 10th and 11th graders via email (the email was also sent to parents of qualifying students). The deadline to turn in applications is Friday, March 4. Please remember to turn in your application by March 4; applications submitted after the due date will not be considered for acceptance.

Students who are accepted into NHS will be inducted next fall.

9th Grade SCAN Meetings

TFA US College Advisors will start scheduling individual 9th grade students for SCAN (Student, College, Academic, & Naviance) meetings to review our graduation requirements, college-preparation plans, and students’ PSAT results. Parents who have missed the SCAN meetings in the Fall semester are strongly encouraged to join. Meetings will be scheduled during free/elective periods, so please look out for your College Advisor’s email in regards to the meeting!