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:
- October 20th: Homecoming Parade 9:30AM (Lower School Loop)
- October 20th: Homecoming Pep Rally 10:00AM (Cramer Family Field House)
- October 20th: 30th Anniversary Carnival 5:00PM (US Lot) Homecoming Football Game 7:30PM (Payne Stewart Athletic Complex)
- October 24th: Ready, Set, KPrep 9:15-10:15AM (Library)
- October 25th: 2nd Grade Pumpkin Centers 9:00AM (2nd Grade Classrooms)
- October 27th: 4th Grade In-School Field Trip “The Heavens Declare”
- October 31st: Picture Retakes
- November 1st: 2nd Grade DinoWorld Field Trip (Group 1)
- November 2nd: 2nd Grade DinoWorld Field Trip (Group 2)
- November 2nd: 5th Grade Epcot Field Trip
- November 8th: Haiti Shoebox Deadline
CHAPEL VENUES, DATES, & TIMES
The following is a list of upcoming chapel dates and times:
- October 26th: K4-5th Grade Chapel-Mrs. Camblin’s 5th Grade Class Presentation 8:30AM (Henry Chapel)
- October 26th: 6th-12th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Faith Hall)
- November 2nd: K4-5th Grade Chapel-Mrs. Agan’s 1st Grade Class Presentation 8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- November 2nd: 6th-12th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Faith Hall)
- November 8th: Lower School Veterans Day Chapel 1:00PM (Faith Hall)
- November 30th: K4-5th Grade Chapel- 8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- November 30th: 6th-12th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Worship Center)
A NOTE FROM MRS. JACKSON
Most of us followed the footage of the tragic earthquake that took place in Haiti in January 2010 and the devastation it caused in an already impoverished country. Since that time, the country of Haiti has been impacted by both Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Irma. The First Academy has established an ongoing partnership with a local mission organization to provide filled shoeboxes for children in Haiti. This opportunity is right around the corner. Here are some facts published in 2010 about Haiti:
- Haiti and the Dominican Republic make up the island of Hispaniola.
- Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
- Eighty percent of Haitians live under the poverty line and 54% live in severe levels of poverty. The average per capita income in Haiti is $480 a year, compared to $33,550 in the United States.
- Voodoo and witchcraft are common practices.
- Only about 10% of all Haitian children enrolled in elementary school will go on to a high school.
- Over 40% of the population is under 14 years old, creating a high ratio of children to adults.
The First Academy partners with New Missions as part of their Haiti Shoebox Drive. In line with our mission for preparing the next generation of Christian leaders, this mission opportunity encourages “service before self and participation as a way of life.” Our hope is that all of our Lower School families would partner together to support the Haiti Shoebox Drive and that we would be able to send 800+ shoeboxes to bless children in Haiti this Christmas.
Please consider supporting our Haiti Shoebox Drive by donating at least two shoeboxes per student this year. With your commitment, we will easily reach our goal and make at least 800 children in Haiti happy this Christmas.
In addition to bringing in filled boxes, you can also help us sort through the boxes before we ship them off. This is a great and fun way to serve with other parents! Kindly consider signing up for one or more time slots. The deadline to donate shoeboxes is Wednesday, November 8th. We will be sorting and packing on November 9th and 10th. Sign-up below to help pack shoeboxes on November 9th or 10th. Thank you for your service!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e084aafaf29aaf85-shoeboxes
Here are the 5 verses we will be doing next week:
- “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 74:26
- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4
- “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
- “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:3-6
- “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
RECOGNITION
1st Grade Chapel Presentation-Mrs. Williams’ Class
Mrs. Williams’ class helped us with our character trait of Honesty with their chapel presentation last week.
All-State Chorus
We are proud to announce that Addison Simms, 4th grade, and Luiza Coutinho, 5th grade, have made it through a two-tiered audition process to make the Florida All-State Chorus. Addison and Luiza were among over 900 students across the state to
audition. Students had to learn several difficult tonal melodies and two songs for the audition. Their audition was sent to state adjudicators who chose 200 of the entries. The girls will receive six songs to learn and then join 198 other students in Tampa in January to complete the All-State Elementary School Chorus. After several hours of rehearsals, they will perform as a whole group. On Thursday, January 11, the Florida All-State Elementary School Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Lynn M. Brinckmeyer, Professor of Music, Associate Director for the School of Music, and Director of Choral Music Education at Texas State University, will perform for thousands of FMEA members, students, and families.
Lower School Night at the Varsity Football Game
We had a great time last Friday night at the varsity football game against Trinity Prep. All of our Rowdy Readers and new NEHS inductees were honored on the field. All of the Lower School students had a special race at halftime. Congratulations to Hope Woods and Ashley Pagan who won for each of the two age groups.
NEW THIS WEEK
Alternative Lunch Day (October 20th)
Friday, October 20th is an Alternative Lunch Day. All Lower School (K4-6th) students must bring a lunch from home on Friday as we have an alternate schedule due to the Homecoming activities.
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 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
Lower School Social/Fun Spot Spirit Day (November 3rd)
Looking for something to do on your child(ren)’s day off? The Lower School Parent Association is hosting their next social on Friday, November 3rd at Fun Spot-Orlando. This is an all-day event as November 3rd is a Student Holiday/Teacher Professional Development Day. Please purchase your tickets for the LS all-day social HERE.
Homecoming
All of the information about Homecoming for all of the divisions is available HERE.
Don’t forget to wear your blue and gold on Friday.
Lower School will enjoy both the Homecoming Parade at 9:30am as well as the All-School Pep Rally at 10:00am in the Cramer Family Field House. Parents are welcome to join us for the parade.
We are having alternative lunch on Friday, October 20th so all students will need to bring a lunch from home.
In addition to all of the Homecoming festivities, TFA will have a 30th Anniversary Carnival that Friday beginning at 5:00pm. There is no cost for the carnival, but there will be food trucks with food available for purchase. I will be in the dunk tank beginning at 5:00pm. Families can go straight from the carnival to the Homecoming Football game which begins at 7:30pm.
Ready, Set, KPrep
Do you have a student who will be 4 by September 1, 2018? Come and join us on Tuesday, October 24th at 9:15am in the library and learn about our KPrep program with an informational session and tour of the classrooms. TFA’s Kindergarten Preparatory (K4) program is designed to developmentally prepare the ’whole’ child for kindergarten. We have a balanced instructional approach to academics and spiritual formation. We offer a fun learning environment with small class sizes that develops pre-reading and pre-math skills through whole group instruction, individualized instruction, small group instruction, and learning centers. We use curriculum that incorporates Social/Emotional, Communication, Emergent Literacy/Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts skills. Our students also enjoy Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish and the TFA Library as their special area classes throughout the week. The WEE Learn Bible Curriculum uses age-appropriate Bible stories to build spiritual formation with our students. We are equipped to academically support and challenge your child’s various learning styles during each developmental stage. RSVP HERE to reserve your spot at this informational event.
Lower School Day at Fun Spot-November 3rd
Lower School is having a Spirit Day on Friday, November 3rd to celebrate not having school that day. This Spirit Day will be at Fun Spot. The cost for an all-day pass for students is $25. Parents will be admitted for free but will not be allowed on rides unless they purchase a ticket for themselves. Purchase your student tickets HERE
5700 Fun Spot Way, Orlando, FL 32819
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.