IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES
Parents, please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you do not want to miss:
- December 21st: End of the 2nd Quarter: 12:15pm Dismissal
- December 22nd-January 8th: Christmas Break
- January 8th: Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
- January 9th: Beginning of 3rd Quarter
- January 24th: 2nd Grade Field Trip (Blue Springs State Park)
- January 26th: 1st Grade Field Trip (Orlando Science Center)
- January 28th: Admissions Open House 2:00-4:00PM
CHAPEL VENUES, DATES, & TIMES
The following is a list of upcoming chapel dates and times:
- January 11th: K4-5th Grade Chapel-Mrs. Dowling Class-8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- January 11th: 6th-12th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Worship Center)
- January 18th: K4-5th Grade Chapel-Miss Rowley’s Class-8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- January 18th: No Chapel for 6th Grade
- January 25th: K4-5th Grade Chapel-Mrs. Pastis’s Class-8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- January 25th: 6th-12th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Worship Center)
A NOTE FROM MRS. JACKSON
I try to do all that I can to keep my focus on Jesus during the Christmas season but as I have said before, it is very challenging with the pressure to find the right gifts, make the right cookies, and make sure the Christmas card actually arrives before Christmas. I was reading a blog the other day and there was one section in it that really stood out to me.
When Christ is in us – and we are in him – we portray Christ through Christmas. It’s not about “keeping Christ in Christmas” it’s about “Keeping Christ in us this Christmas”. It’s about keeping our passions set on Him. (Kelly Balarie-It’s Not About “Keeping Christ in Christmas”)
We all have a great opportunity ahead of us to show Christ to others over the next week, months, and year. Let’s embrace that opportunity and model the example of Jesus Christ to those we meet. My hope and prayer for each of our families is that you would be blessed this Christmas and we look forward to seeing everyone back on January 9th.
It’s not too late to purchase DVD copies of the Lower School Christmas Program. There are DVD copies of the program available for purchase HERE. The first DVD costs $15 and each additional copy is $12.
NEW THIS WEEK
2nd Quarter Reading Incentive
The TFA Library is excited to announce the Read Moooo-re Books Incentive Program for our K Prep through Second Grade Students! Each week, students can fill out a “Read MOOO-re Books” reading record form. Students can read any 10 books themselves, or the books may be read to them. Completed reading records (records with at least 10 books) should be turned in during the student’s regular library time each week in order to receive a special prize! The Read Mooo-re Books Incentive Program will last from October 16th-December 19th.
The second quarter’s reading incentive program for grades 3-8 is based on the Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award (SSYRA) reading lists. These books are chosen by the Florida Association of Media in Education and have not yet been pre-approved by the TFA Library staff. Parents, as always, please use your best judgment in helping your child choose books to read. After reading and passing the AR test (with a score of 70% or higher) for a SSYRA book, students will receive a small prize from the “Sunshine Store” during their class library time. This promotion will end January 12th. We hope your student finds a new favorite while they explore new authors and genres during this promotion. Students who read and pass the AR test for 5 or more books will be invited to a celebration lunch with SSYRA author Taryn Souders on Thursday, February 1st.
If you have any questions, please see Mrs. DeBoom or Ms. Whitaker in the library.
Read Mooore Books Reading Record
Say Goodbye to the Accelerated Reader App
The Accelerated Reader app is being retired and will no longer function on devices with the latest iOS updates. Please read below to find the updated Accelerated Reader Testing Directions for information on how to take AR tests without the app.
2017-2018 AR Testing Directions
Lower School Social Events Calendar
Check out our Social Events calendar hosted by our Parent Association in Lower School.
REMINDERS
Morning Dropoff-7:30AM
This is just a friendly reminder that students may be dropped off beginning at 7:30AM. If you arrive to school prior to that time, we request that students remain with their parents until 7:30AM. The library and the gym are open at that time. Student supervision does not begin until that time.
AR HomeConnect
Many parents like to receive email updates when their children take Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math tests. You can set your preferences using Renaissance Learning HomeConnect.
Calendar Link
The TFA Calendar is a wonderful way to find the dates of upcoming events. Access our web-based calendar anytime. We recommend that you subscribe to all relevant calendars so you can keep up with all of the events going on around the school.
Parent Volunteer Background Check
If you are a new parent and would like to volunteer in your child(ren)’s classroom(s) or chaperone on field trips please complete our free background check. Please note that the background check site only works on Internet Explorer or Firefox on a desktop computer. Safari and Chrome are not supported by the site. Approvals take a few weeks so plan ahead! All parents must have a completed background check before volunteering in the classroom or chaperoning on a field trip.