DECEMBER DATES

Please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you don’t want to miss for December.
Dec 8               MS Chapel 9:30am Henry Chapel- Guest Speaker Dr. Kyle Barrett
Dec 8               Rising 9th Grade Parent Mtg- Launch 2021  2:00pm Black Box
Dec 8- Dec 14 Middle School Art Show- TFA Library
Dec 13             AR Deadline 2nd Quarter
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 3  No School
Jan 4               3rd Quarter Begins

THINKS AND THOUGHTS

MS Apple Teacher G

MS Apple Teacher Jedi Mr.G

Click here to see “G” receive his award

Thank you for exemplifying lifelong learning.  Congrats on becoming our first Middle School Apple Teacher!

-Dr. Luci Higgins

RECOGNITION

Last week was a big week for the Royal Sapphires! The JV Sapphires shared their love for Jesus through dancing at the Lower School Chapel and also the Middle School Chapel to a song by Meredith Andrews “Behold the Savior”. The Varsity team shared their testimonies, as well as their worship through dance, at The Classical School Chapel to “Undivided” by Hannah Kerr. Both teams love to share with others their joy of worshipping the Lord. Varsity will be sharing at Upper School chapel this week, and look for both teams in January at FBCO Sunday services! Psalm 150

Sapphires performing in MS Chapel

Sapphires performing in MS Chapel

NEW THIS WEEK

 Launch 2021 – Rising 9th Grade Parent Event

We look forward to partnering with you as your student begins their transition to the Upper School at The First Academy!

Please save the date below and join us for an informative event called Launch 2021 (your student’s graduation year!). Launch 2021 will help you learn more about our Upper School and all that it has to offer as your student prepares for college. Each year since TFA’s first graduating class in 1994, 100% of our students have been accepted to multiple colleges of their choice.

When: Thursday, December 8th
Time: Speakers begin at 2:00pm. Event concludes at 3:15pm.
Where: Black Box Theatre (Middle School building)

Agenda: Insightful information will be shared by the US Principal, Student Life Coordinator, Guidance and College Placement, and current US students. Then, student-led tours will take you through the Upper School to learn about 9th grade classes.

RSVP here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c44afaf28a6f49-rising2

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 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 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 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 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