IMPORTANT EVENTS & DATES FOR FEBRUARY

Parents, please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you do not want to miss:

  • February 16: MS/US Combined Chapel – Worship Center, 9:33am
  • February 17: No School – Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
  • February 20: No School – Student/Teacher Holiday
  • February 23: US Chapel – Student Center, 9:33am
  • February 24: Senior Ski Trip – Required Student/Parent Meeting – Student Center, 7:00am
  • February 25: Central Florida College Fair – UCF Student Union, 11:00am-1:30pm – Click here for more info
  • February 25: US Sadie Hawkins Dance – Natalie Thomas Gymnasium, 7:00pm – Click here to purchase tickets
  • February 27: 13 Year Senior Lunch – Student Center, 12:35pm
  • March 2-3: WrAP Testing (alternative schedule)

RECOGNITION

Students at district solo & ensemble

Pictured: Natalie W, Jacob M and Jacob Z

Band Students Compete at District Solo & Ensemble

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to all the band students who participated in the District 8 Solo & Ensemble this past weekend. Each one represented TFA extremely well, and we all can be proud of the tremendous results achieved:

SUPERIOR RATING
Angel H. 10th – flute solo
Olivia T. 12th – flute solo
Natalie W. 11th – clarinet solo
Warren B. 9th – bassoon solo
Jacob M. 10th – trumpet solo
Jacob Z. 12th – horn solo
Lauren P. 8th – horn solo
Mark L. 10th – piano solo
Elliot M. 9th – mallet solo
Guilherme S. 11th – snare drum solo
Jack E. 10th & Elliot M. 9th – mallet duet

EXCELLENT RATING
Warren B. 9th, Vicki L. 10th & Sophie W. 11th – woodwind trio

Humanities Scholar Bowl Finalists

Caitlin B picture Jessica M Melanie P Gabe P

Congratulations to Caitlin B., Jessica M., Melanie P. and Gabe P. for advancing to the Fourth Annual Humanities Scholar Bowl final round of competition.  The competition will take place March 30th during an Upper School Chapel/Assembly time.  These students will compete in a game-show style competition for cash and scholarship prizes.  The scholarship awards are made possible through the generous donations of Mr. Walter Meloon.

NEW THIS WEEK

US Chapel Recap 2/9

by Lauren C.

This week in chapel we had the privilege of hearing a message from Dr. Barrett. He explained that although we make many decisions during the day that are about right and wrong, we also make decisions that are right or left. In other words, sometimes we have to make choices between two good things rather than one wrong and one right thing. In Psalm 25:8-10, Dr. Barrett showed us the promises God makes to us regarding these right vs left decisions. God tells us that “all the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful.” This is a promise from God that for “those who keep the demands of his covenant” can rest assured that no matter what we choose in the right and left decisions that God is loving, faithful, and with us. He closed with Psalm 37:4 to reiterate the promises from God that if we remain in him, we will be given the desires of our heart.

US Ceramics Raku Firing

Ceramics students participate in raku firing

TFA is on fire again! On February 24, students from the Ceramics program will experience the RAKU firing process on campus! Ceramics III, IV, and AP Ceramics students will perform this pottery firing process throughout the school day, while Ceramics II, and Middle School Ceramics classes will join during their class periods to watch.

Raku is a pottery technique originating in 16th century Japan. Rather than loading glazed pottery into our TFA electric kilns to cure the surface at 2000 degrees for 24 hours, the Raku process uses an actual 30 minute flash fire process! Similar to original pottery firing techniques in Biblical times using large underground wood-fed pit fires, Mrs. Collins will employ propane gas to bring the pottery to near 2000 degrees rather quickly. Tune in for an update soon!

University of North Florida – Orlando Info Meeting

UNF logo

Students can join us to learn what UNF has to offer in the Brooks College of Health, the Coggin College of Business, the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, the College of Education and Human Services and the Hicks Honors College from the colleges’ chief academic officers themselves – their deans! From 6 to 8 p.m., our deans and other staff members will be on hand to answer questions about academic programs, housing, New Student Orientation, scholarships and more. We will also have representatives from the Office of Admissions and Transfer Student Services available to share information about the application and admissions processes and to answer any questions.

February 28 at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center – RSVP here

REMINDERS

Mark Your Calendars – Central Florida College Fair

This fair is open to private school students in the Central Florida area. Click here to see the list of colleges in attendance.

Saturday, February 2 5 , 201 7

Fair Time: 11:00 – 1:30 PM

University of Central Florida

Student Union – Pegasus Ballroom

12715 Pegasus Dr, Orlando, FL 32816 (click here for map)

Summer College Tour

Dear 10th and 11th grade Families!

We have an amazing opportunity this summer to tour a range of colleges and universities (schools such as Harvard, Yale, New York University, etc)from Boston to New York! Boston/NYC Itinerary

Trip dates are from June 4, 2017- June 9, 2017 and we will be visiting 8 college campuses to learn about their local culture, admissions process, and discover what’s important for your student’s college plans

Parents, if you are interested in learning more about this summer college tour trip, please RSVP for one of the Information Sessions on or Thursday, February 16th or Tuesday, February 21st.

*We will be meeting with students only on Tuesday and Thursday of this week during Royal Recharge (snacks provided) to provide more information on the trip.*

Thank you!

Joyce Kwak

Director of College Guidance

Attendance

All emails regarding attendance can be sent to our receptionist, Lyn Maxime, at usattendance@thefirstacademy.org. If your student is arriving late, will be dismissed early or absent from school, please email Lyn at usattendance@thefirstacademy.org.