IMPORTANT EVENTS & DATES FOR FEBRUARY & MARCH

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

• 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)
• March 7: Senior Ski Trip Mandatory Student Lunch – Student Center, 12:50pm
• March 8-9: US Alternative Lunch
• March 9-13: Senior Ski Trip – Breckenridge, CO
• March 9: US Monday Bell Schedule (no chapel)
• March 10: End of 3rd quarter – 12:15pm dismissal
• March 15-18: State Thespian Competition – Tampa, FL
• March 20-24: No School – Spring Break

NEW THIS WEEK

IMPORTANT WrAP INFORMATION – The Standardized Writing Assessment Program (WrAP)

On Thursday March 2nd and Friday, March 3rd,  TFA students in grades 3-11 will participate in the Standardized Writing Assessment Program (WrAP). Students ARE permitted to utilize dictionaries and thesauruses during the 2-day writing assessment.

Materials needed for the WrAP:

a) 2 sharpened #2 pencils & 2 ink pens (blue/black)

b) Thesaurus (can be electronic)

c) Dictionary (can be electronic)

d) 4-5 pages of loose leaf notebook paper

*electronic spellers (ie: Franklin) are not permitted

Students in Grades 3-11 will be provided with 90 minutes for the standardized assessment.

• Day 1: Thinking Map and Rough Draft
• Day 2: Final Draft

*Seniors will focus on their Senior Thesis during time allotted for the WrAP

Library Closure

The library will be closed for WrAP testing from 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 2nd and Friday, March 3rd. Lower School students should report the gym for morning care on those two days.  Thank you for your understanding.

US Chapel Recap 2/16

by Grace G.

On Thursday, we had the privilege of hearing from Pastor David Uth. He spoke on Philippians 2 and focused specifically on what it means to shine the light of Jesus in the midst of a dark world and crooked generation. He used the analogy of a sponge. He emphasized that a sponge becomes completely saturated with water, and when you squeeze it, the water flows out. A bowl on the other hand, simply contains the water because it only rests on the surface. As Christians, we should desire to be the sponge to the point that when we walk through trials and get squeezed by our circumstances, Jesus flows out of us.

One specific area Pastor Uth highlighted was our words. We are called to be careful with our words and lift each other up rather than put each other down. The words we say matter, and it is important for us as Christians to be consistent in our words and actions. No matter where we are, we should speak and act as Jesus would. In too many instances today, people turn away from God because they think Christians are hypocritical. Pastor Uth shared a story of his grandpa who turned away from the church because he saw Christians mistreating others around him and wanted nothing to do with it. We, however, as the body of Christ, are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in order that we may reflect our Father in heaven and others may see His love and mercy through how we live.

REMINDERS

US Ceramics 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

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

Central Florida College Fair – This Saturday

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 25 , 2017

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)