APRIL  DATES

Please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you don’t want to miss for April.
April 10&13      Standardized Assessments
April 13             Rising 8th Grade Parent Meeting Black Box 3:30-4:00pm
April 14&17       No School Easter Break
April 18              Classes Resume
April 18:             Parent University-Digital Citizenship-Field House, 8:15am
April 19              8th Grade Maturity Day
April 20&21      MS/US Choral Concert “Big Lights….Big City” Faith Hall 7pm-9pm
April 25             MS/US Band Concert Black Box 7pm-9pm
April 27             MS Steel Drum Concert   TFA Alumni Commons 6:30pm-8:00pm
April 28             MS Chapel 9:30am-10:15am Faith Hall 7th Grade Student Led
April 28             Alternative Lunch

 

RECOGNITION

8th Grade Student Led Chapel

The 8th Grade class led an incredible chapel last week! The theme was “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”. It was a powerful summary of what was learned when FBCO Pastor Jimmy Knott taught the 8th grade class about their Spiritual Gifts, Personalities and Love Languages. Cecil Latta introduced Psalm 139, while Amber Wei defined what the Bible teaches about spiritual gifts. Taylor Whiteman revealed the top spiritual gifts possessed by the 8th grade class. Lauren Spalding communicated how everyone has at least one “Love Language” and how important it is for your friends and family to know your language. Nicole Maddox summarized the pros and cons of the 4 personality groups: Lion, Lab, Otter and Beaver. Maddy McMullen followed this up by giving a personal testimony of why it is important to understand your personality strengths and weaknesses. “More Coke” was presented by Katie Bonnett, Mikayla Guidice, Bella Reed, Gray Zavada and directed by Benny Englund. This enlightening skit communicated that the gifts we receive from the Lord are perfect for us. We should not compare our gifts to others! In closing, Tyler Hopkins wrapped up the chapel by asking students to stand up when their gifts were called and Bruna Endler defined the personalities of a few of our beloved Middle School teachers. Well-done 8th Grade!

 

NEW THIS WEEK

MS/US Choral Concert

Come out for a unique dessert theater experience, putting you right in the heart of New York City! You will enjoy music that celebrates the vibrant city while enjoying a full spread of New York-inspired desserts.  It is sure to be an event you don’t want to miss!  Written and directed by Cheryl Bynum and produced by the Upper School Musical Theatre class, this show features music from our Upper School Chorus, Upper School Musical Theatre, Middle School Ensemble, our brand new acappella group NOTEworthy, and various soloists and small ensembles.  This will be an evening to remember!  Shows are April 20th and 21st in Faith Hall, and tickets are $25 and include unlimited dessert service and drinks.  To purchase tickets, visit http://thefirstacademy.ticketleap.com/newyork, and for ticketing questions, please contact CherylBynum@thefirstacademy.org.

REMINDERS

Save The Date

8th Grade Celebration Chapel
May 18th
9:30am-10:30am Faith Hall

Celebration includes:
8th Grade Video
8th Grade Keynote Presentation
Performances by our Middle School Ensemble
Middle School Teacher of the Year
Disney Dreamer and Doer
Christian Leadership Awards: Timothy & Ruth
Student Government Recognition

Please make sure to mark your calendars for this very important date.

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 things.  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 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.

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
  • Joe Donaldson- 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