NOVEMBER/DECEMBER DATES
Please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you don’t want to miss for November/December.
Nov 11 Haiti Boxes due
Nov 14 MS Special Assembly- Holocaust Survivor Gene Klein 10 am- Henry Chapel
Nov15-18 8th Grade PAL DC Trip
Nov 17 MS 7th Grade Chapel – Guest Speaker Pastor Jeff Fitzgerald
Nov22-26 Thanksgiving Break- No School
Dec 1 MS Chapel 9:30am – Faith Hall
Dec 2 MS/US Choral Concert 7pm-9pm Faith Hall
THINKS & THOUGHTS
Take a moment to thank a veteran.
When you see someone in a uniform,
Someone who serves us all,
Doing military duty,
Answering their country’s call,
Take a moment to thank them
For protecting what you hold dear;
Tell them you are proud of them;
Make it very clear.
Just tap them on the shoulder,
Give a smile, and say,
“Thanks for what you’re doing
To keep us safe in the USA!”
By Joanna Fuchs
Veterans Day Parade
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council invite Central Florida residents and visitors to attend the 17th annual City of Orlando Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 12, to honor the courageous men and women of the armed forces who have fought for our nation’s freedoms.
The parade will feature marching bands, ROTC units, veterans groups, active duty military and decorative floats.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the corner of Robinson Street and Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando. The parade’s opening ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m. near the corner of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard.
For those unable to attend the parade, you can watch it live on News 13.
Spectator Parking Information
Ample parking is available within walking distance of the parade route. A list of surface lots and garages can be found here. The Central Boulevard Garage (55 West Central Blvd.) and the Library Garage (112 East Central Blvd.) are recommended for all Veterans Day Parade spectators.
RECOGNITION
Mrs. Englund presents “Hamilton”
REMINDERS
RightNow Media
We’re excited to share that our school now has access to an extensive video library called RightNow Media. It’s the “Netflix of Video Bible Studies” and has a HUGE library of faith-based videos that you can access whenever and wherever you want—on your phone, iPad, computer, or at home on your TV.
The best part is that every TFA family can access this service for FREE! If you haven’t already received your invitation to register please let us know you’d like to get your FREE access by sending an email to rightnowmedia@thefirstacademy.org.
We hope that RightNow Media is a blessing to you and your family. Check out the link below for a sample of the content. Thank you for partnering with us!
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 in to 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:
- 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!
- Make-up work or testing can easily be arranged and completed during your student’s E.C.H.O. class.
- 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