Royal Reopening Portal
Strategic Communication | Learning Models | Campus Visitors | FAQ | Back to School Info
Strategic Communication | Learning Models | Campus Visitors | FAQ | Back to School Info
As we preparded to welcome back students on August 12, we surrounded ourselves with experts and key stakeholders who are guiding the campus reopening. Their good work reminds us that reopening the campus is not an event but a process.
Together we will provide answers to questions about what classes and other campus interactions might look like for next year. We will communicate with you about enhanced cleaning, classroom procedures, campus security, and health and wellness implementations. We will be proactive in anticipating and meeting the needs of our students, faculty, and staff each step of the way.
Along with weekly updates, we will be providing the Royal Reopening Guide. This publication will have three volumes over the course of the summer.
We are extremely grateful for all of the work that both the Medical Advisory Committee and the Reopening Task Force has done to prepare TFA for reopening. Their recommendations have assisted us in creating and shaping all of our Reopening Guides. As we now look toward the 2020-2021 school year, it is our pleasure to introduce those TFA community members and faculty/staff who are serving on our COVID Response Team.
Leadership
Staff
This team has the important task of creating a detailed plan outlining our response and tracing protocols as well as a clear communications plan. The chart below illustrates the scenarios released in Volume 3 of our Royal Reopening Guide. The COVID Response Team will use this chart to guide them as they plan for our tracing and response protocols.
Click here to read the latest message from our COVID Response Team (Oct. 2, 2020).
Click here to read An Important Statement from our COVID Response Team (Aug. 20, 2020).
It is my pleasure to introduce those TFA community members and faculty/staff who are serving on both the Medical Advisory Committee and the Reopening Task Force. They are guiding the reopening process with great care and concern.
The Medical Advisory Committee includes Whitner S. Davis, MD | Emergency Medicine, Orlando Health; William Adamson, MD | Pediatric Surgeon, Nemours; John M Davidyock, MD | Associate Chief Medical Officer, Advent Health; Denise Serafin, MD | Pediatrician, Windermere Pediatrics; Wendy S. Quirino, MD | Obstetrics-Gynecology, Women’s Care Florida; Karim Alarakhia, MD | Anesthesiology, Orlando Health; Melissa Pifer, RN | School Nurse, TFA; Brian Rose | Assistant Head of School; Gissel Valois | Director of Strategic Initiatives
The Reopening Task Force includes Patti Keator, Nikki Kearn, Charles “Bill” Davidson, Sonya Dixon, Laura Eitel, Katherine Johnson, Jennifer Jackson, Shayne Grove, Rob Hensley, Scott Toenges, Karen Combs, Fran Williams, Gissel Valois, Sarah Donovan and Brian Rose (Co-Chairs), Steve D. Whitaker (Ex officio)
Read or listen to the daily FirstWord Devotionals from the Whitakers:
Athletics Update (August 20, 2020)
Tryouts for fall sports started on August 24. For more information on the start of Fall Sports, read our latest blog post here and follow TFA_Athletics on Twitter or Instagram.
Special Announcement (August 18, 2020)
Dear Royal Families,
I am delighted to announce that The First Academy will join five other independent schools in the Greater Orlando Area in the formation of The Citrus League, a competitive grouping for student-athletes in light of COVID-19.
The schools taking part in The Citrus League are Bishop Moore Catholic, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Montverde Academy, The First Academy, Trinity Preparatory School, and Windermere Preparatory School. The Citrus League schools will maintain their eligibility with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).
All schools in The Citrus League have all committed to the following core health and safety values:
We are blessed to be a part of such an elite league and look forward to beginning fall sports as soon as possible. Later this week, we will share information on tryout dates, fall sports season start dates, and other important information for you to note.
Thank you for your continued partnership and we look forward to sharing more with you in the coming days.
Have a wonderful evening.
Sincerely,
Will Cohen, Athletic Director
Fall Athletics Update (July 21, 2020)
TFA Families,
Since March, our Athletic Department has been working tirelessly to formulate a plan for our teams to begin official fall sports in conjunction with the opening of our school. In June, we began to offer voluntary workouts, which was a great step forward. Many of our student-athletes attended these open gyms or workouts and we got an opportunity to be together safely and in a structured environment.
As you may have heard, last night the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors confirmed that schools may begin fall sports practices on the original date of Monday, July 27th. Throughout the last several weeks, I have been working with a group of outstanding local athletic directors to put together several different options as we work towards facilitating competition for our student-athletes this fall.
After careful consideration and discussion with other local private schools, we have made the decision to push back the tryout/start dates for each of our fall sports teams which includes Sideline Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming and Diving, and Girls Volleyball. As you may have also seen, Orange County Public Schools made the same decision this morning.
However, we will continue our off-season conditioning program as we work towards the start of sports this fall. In the days ahead, our team will be communicating our plan for the fall sports season which will include information on start dates, restructured competition, safety protocols, and any other information you will need.
Please know that our focus is on the safety of our school community and we truly appreciate your patience and continued support of TFA Athletics. I look forward to giving you more information as soon as possible.
As always, if you have any questions at all, feel free to email me at willcohen@thefirstacademy.org.
Have a great night!
Will Cohen, Athletic Director
Students will re-engage in On-Campus Learning beginning August 12 as scheduled on the 2020-2021 school calendar. We will remain focused on current health department information, AAP, CDC recommendations, and updated public health guidelines as they are issued.
Hybrid Learning is designed to provide support for students and families who must be off-campus temporarily due to COVID-19 related concerns and will remain enrolled as a student at TFA. It will align as much as possible with On-Campus teaching and learning. This model applies to students with preexisting health conditions or for families who may not be comfortable sending their children to school at this time.
With Hybrid Learning we want to help students maintain a connection with classmates and teachers while at home. With Hybrid Learning as an option, teachers are offering two separate modes of education simultaneously – one in-person, the other online and through video-conferencing.
While Hybrid Learning is not identical to On-Campus Learning, TFA faculty and staff will provide highquality distance learning instruction to advance student academic progress and attend to the social and emotional well-being of the student until they are able to return to school.
Hybrid Learning may look different in each grade level/division:
Families may switch from On-Campus Learning to Hybrid Learning at any time throughout the school year, given their need is COVID-related, as defined by the School. The Hybrid Learning model will remain in place as long as COVID-19 continues to be a concern, as determined by The First Academy Leadership Team. If a family intends to begin the 2020-2021 school year through the Hybrid Learning option, they are advised to alert their respective principal in writing by August 1.
In the unlikely event that our local community experiences a spike in COVID-19 cases and an interruption of on-campus learning occurs, we will be prepared to shift to Remote Learning for all students immediately and effectively. With the implementation of technology platforms during on-campus learning, the goal is to make this transition for students and parents as seamless as possible. Remote Learning will be intentionally enhanced and will include many of the components of a traditional school day. All students will remain home and instruction will be delivered remotely through technology platforms (Zoom/SeeSaw/Google Classroom/Canvas) and a structured schedule for each grade level will be established.
Click here to stay updated with the latest information on The First Academy’s Health and Safety Guidelines.
Interested in an on-campus Personal Tour? Click here to schedule your tour and learn more about The First Academy.
Click here to see our COVID-19 Scenarios chart, which explains the protocols in place in the event a student or staff member experiences symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. We remind our families, faculty, and staff to check their temperatures at home before arriving on campus as a part of their health and wellness commitment.
Primary contact to COVID-19 occurs when you are within six feet of someone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19, for at least 15 minutes, when either person is not wearing a mask (one or none of the contacts are wearing a mask), and the infected person later tests positive for COVID-19. This can also apply to situations in which the infected person did not show any symptoms at the time of primary exposure, but it is much less likely. Close contact must have taken place within 48 hours. If both individuals were wearing face masks, it is not considered exposure.
Secondary contact (contact to a potential exposed individual) is not considered exposure to COVID-19.
The leading symptoms for COVID-19 that will require a student to be immediately sent home or to keep your child home from school are one of the following symptoms:
And/or two or more of the following symptoms:
If there is no COVID-19 exposure, but a student exhibits symptoms of illness, and there is no risk – the student will go home and gain pediatrician clearance for whatever illness they may have and can not return until they are medically cleared accordingly. The 72 hours of no fever without medication rule still applies.
An antibody test does not give clearance for a student to return to school. The school will still follow the COVID-19 response scenarios outlined in the scenarios tab.
If the student is exposed to COVID-19, we will still follow our outlined COVID-19 scenario chart. Neither an antibody test nor a past positive will have an effect on returning to school.
A: The reopening plan for our school has been designed with a phased approach that will allow us to hold steady, prepare for interruptions, or make changes to reflect new guidance. We will maintain flexibility as we continue to monitor CDC, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and health department guidelines and recommendations from TFA’s Reopening Task Force, and the Medical Advisory Committee.
The following 6 guiding principles reflect the standards, procedures, and protocols TFA is evaluating for the implementation of our reopening in the fall. Please keep in mind that these are subject to change depending on current CDC, AAP, and health department recommendations.
A: Facility team members will deep clean spaces after hours as well as wipe down door handles and hard surfaces during the day, students will partner with faculty/staff to prioritize regular cleaning practices for desks, equipment, writing utensils, and other classroom materials.
A: The following safety measures related to the classroom environment will be implemented during both Phase 2 and Phase 3:
A: All students will be temperature checked at arrival and prior to dismissal. Any student with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home. We are asking families to perform daily temperature checks of their children before coming to school for the day. If a student has a temperature of 100.4 °F or higher, they should stay home. In addition, all employees will also be required to check their temperatures daily to ensure the health and safety of our campus.
A: Understanding that schools, by design, are not conducive to physical distancing, TFA will adhere to guidelines in order to maintain a safe learning environment. According to the CDC, AAP, and the health department, keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to the virus. However, we understand for small children the rule of 6 feet distancing might be difficult to follow, so we will continually encourage and monitor good hygiene practices in the classrooms. When possible, classroom desks will be placed 6 feet apart.
A: Each classroom will be stocked with adequate supplies to support healthy hygiene behaviors including soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer, tissues, and no-touch trash cans. Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the school. Students, faculty, and staff are required to use upon entering and exiting classrooms.
A: Here is our Face Covering policy, which you can also read in Volume 3 of the Royal Reopening Guide.
LOWER SCHOOL
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL
CHOOSING A FACE COVERING
The biggest priority in choosing a face covering for your student is comfort. No inappropriate messages, graphics, political statements, or themes are allowed on face coverings. The administration of each division has the authority to make decisions on the appropriateness of all face coverings.
If a child forgets, damages, or loses their mask, the school will be able to provide a disposable mask for the remainder of the school day.
A: Employees are required to wear face masks while on campus, unless in a private office and able to physically distance by 6 feet.
All campus visitors including vendors will be required to use face masks while in our buildings. For more information on health and safety guidelines for campus visitors please click here.
A: All employees will also be required to check their temperatures daily to ensure the health and safety of our campus. They will be required to wear a face covering upon entering the buildings and whenever social distancing is not possible. Faculty and staff will also receive training during Pre-Planning regarding new safety procedures.
A: If a student/family should wish to remain enrolled at The First Academy, but does not feel comfortable with their student/s being on campus due to pre-existing health conditions or discomfort, Hybrid Learning will be available. This model will be individualized and may look different in each grade level/ division. Those interested in Hybrid Learning should reach out to their divisional principal. More information is available on Hybrid Learning in Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the Royal Reopening Guide.
A: Families should refer to our COVID-19 Scenario Guide for further information.
A: Families are asked to commit to keeping their child home if they are demonstrating any of the following symptoms:
If a student develops symptoms while at school, he/she will be isolated in a safe location, 6 feet social distancing, and wear a mask. Parents will be notified to arrange for pick up.
The Lower School, Middle, and Upper School buildings will have designated places for sick students, and they will remain there until they are picked up by a parent or guardian.
For more information, click here.
A: It will be important for the school to have knowledge if anyone has tested positive for COVID-19, resides with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and/or has come in direct contact within a 14-day period with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Tracing diagnosed cases within our school community will allow us to have a better understanding of the overall school-wide health condition, localized to campus, building, and classroom. Additional details can be found online here.
A: A student or staff member who tested positive may return to school when:
AND
AND
A: In the unlikely event that our local community experiences a spike in COVID-19 cases and an interruption of on-campus learning occurs, we will be prepared to shift to Remote Learning for all students immediately and effectively. With the implementation of technology platforms during on- campus learning, the goal is to make this transition for students and parents as seamless as possible.
A: The Phases discussed directly correlate with State & CDC Phases.
A: All Lower School students are required to be dropped off for school using the Lower School carline. In order to comply with the recommendation of limiting nonessential visitors on campus, parents walking students on campus or in the building will not be permitted during Phase 2 and Phase 3.
The following safety measures related to arrival will be implemented during both Phase 2 and Phase 3:
A: All students are required to be picked up from school using the Lower School carline. In order to comply with the recommendation of limiting nonessential visitors on campus, parents walking in the building for dismissal will not be permitted during Phase 2 and Phase 3.
The following safety measures related to dismissal will be implemented during both Phase 2 and Phase 3:
A: Upon arrival all students, faculty, and staff will have their temperature checked by a touchless thermometer. Any students with a fever of 100.4 or higher will be asked to return home.
A: Students will be educated on facility movement expectations. Faculty/staff will be available and positioned to assist.
A: We ask parents to utilize the car line at all times unless your child has to be picked up outside of normal arrival and departure times. Parents will not be able to walk in to pick up at dismissal.
A: Carpooling is a personal preference. Any child with a fever of 100.4 will need to leave school directly from the carline with whoever is driving them.
A: For Lower School students, please notify your child’s teacher and kerryanncole@thefirstacademy.org prior to picking your child up. Notification should be made first thing in the morning unless an emergency arises. Students may not be checked out early beginning at 2:20pm without prior notification.
For Middle and Upper School students, to pick up or dismiss a student early from school email msattendance@thefirstacademy.org or usattendance@thefirstacademy.org. Parents should not come into the US Lobby to pick students up. Parents picking up will use the Upper School loop, pull up outside the lobby doors, and call 407-206-8630. Your child will be called out of class to meet you at your car. Students who drive themselves will be dismissed at the designated time according to the email sent by the parent. Students will come to the Upper School lobby to sign out and get a temperature check, then be dismissed to leave.
A: If a parent needs to drop something off to their child (lunch, athletic gear, etc.) during the school day, they are asked to follow their division’s process for picking up their child early.
A: We will continue to offer After Care until 6:00pm. Students must be pre-registered each week to attend After Care. Because space may be limited, priority registration will be given to those students with Unlimited Use tickets. Drop-in use (without pre-registration) will not be guaranteed.
The following safety measures related to After Care will be implemented during both Phase 2 and Phase 3:
For more information on After Care, visit the Back to School Information section below.
A: We will continue to offer After Care until 6:00pm. Students must be pre-registered each week to attend After Care. Because space may be limited, priority registration will be given to those students with Unlimited Use tickets. Drop-in use (without pre-registration) will not be guaranteed.
The following safety measures related to After Care will be implemented during both Phase 2 and Phase 3:
For more information on After Care, visit the Back to School Information section below.
A: We will continue to offer After Care until 6:00pm. Students must be pre-registered each week to attend After Care. Because space may be limited, priority registration will be given to those students with Unlimited Use tickets. Drop-in use (without pre-registration) will not be guaranteed.
The following safety measures related to After Care will be implemented during both Phase 2 and Phase 3:
For more information on After Care, visit the Back to School Information section below.
A: We are evaluating various levels of restrictions across our school campus. In order to control and monitor the environment under shifting health conditions, movement on and off school campuses will have to be reshaped: checking students in and out of school, volunteering, parent and student-led conferences, etc. There will be a strict protocol for any visitor entering campus regarding substitutes, tutors, college representatives, vendors, and any other external individuals visiting The First Academy.
A: For division-specific information including arrival & dismissal, recess, and more, please visit the links below.
A: Depending on the phase we are in (phase 2 or 3) will determine the protocols in place for students moving across campus to areas like the Library and Recess.
A: Because social distancing is challenging during class change times, students are encouraged to wear a face mask/covering. Hand sanitizer will be readily available in the hallways. Students are encouraged to maintain social distancing in the hall by not touching, hugging, or high fiving.
A: The First Academy will post signs in highly visible locations that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs. Hand sanitizer stations will be placed outside all bathrooms. Students will use the hand sanitizer outside the restroom door before entering. After using the restroom, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can use your elbow to open the restroom door handle when exiting to avoid touching the door handle. Classrooms with restrooms will be monitored by faculty and enhanced disinfecting measures will be used throughout the school day
A: The following safety measures related to the school lunch program will be implemented during Phase 2:
The following safety measures related to the school lunch program will be implemented during Phase 3:
A: Students may choose to eat in the Gather space, Natalie Thomas Gymnasium, and Alumni Commons. These areas will not be socially-distanced. When possible, students will be encouraged to practice social distancing measures.
For parents who want their student to eat in a designated socially distanced environment, there will be a specific classroom available. Parents should contact their divisional principal to discuss the socially distanced lunch option.
A: During Quarter 1 and 2, students will remain in their classrooms to watch the chapel presentation.
A: The Boyd-Moline Library will not be open to students before or after school during Phase 2 or 3.
Accelerated Reader testing will be open for home-use and students may also test in class using their own assigned iPads.
Library staff will establish a streamlined book-checkout process for students and parents who would like to access reading material from the library and books will be delivered to the classroom.
The following safety measures related to the library will be implemented during Phase 2:
The following safety measures related to the library will be implemented during Phase 3:
A: Many of our on-campus events have been modified, shifted to a virtual platform, or canceled for the first semester. Families can review the most up-to-date calendar for 2020-2021 HERE.
Our Athletics Team is working diligently to prepare for the fall sports season. As always, we must follow the guidelines provided by the FHSAA in regards to athletic practices, contests, etc. As more information is provided to us, we will share that with families. We will hold tryouts for fall sports this summer, and all of the information for those tryout sessions can be found HERE.
All first semester Fine Arts events will be virtual or modified. More information will be shared for each event as they near. Additionally, information for second-semester events will be distributed as soon as possible. We will continue to follow the guidelines as outlined by the CDC, AAP, and the Health Department.
A: All on-campus and off-campus field trips will be scheduled for later in the school year (likely second semester) except for the Senior activities planned for the first three days of school.
A: PE classes will take place in the Natalie Thomas Gym, Cramer Family Field House, and on the Lower School field. Planned activities will take into account social distancing measures as well as limiting the sharing of equipment among students.
A: Students will participate from home with synchronous classroom instruction being delivered through video-conferencing technology.
A: If a student/family should wish to remain enrolled at The First Academy, but does not feel comfortable with their student/s being on campus due to pre-existing health conditions or discomfort, Hybrid Learning will be available. This model will be individualized and may look different in each grade level/ division. Those interested in Hybrid Learning should reach out to their divisional principal.
The TFA Top 15 Parent-Student Handbook Items are designed to bolster the relationship between home, church, and school. These items do not define who is and who is not a Christ-follower. They are not a measure of one’s spiritual maturity. They are simply a set of principles that guide our partnership with parents in raising the next generation of Christian leaders. Please read these important highlights online here.
School Start & Dismissal Times
Start Time
Grades K4-5………………..Monday – Friday……………… 8:00 am
Grades 6-12…………………Monday – Friday……………… 7:50 am
Dismissal Time
Grades K4-12 Monday – Friday……………………………… 2:45 pm
Middle & Upper School Bell Schedule
More information regarding drop-off and dismissal procedures is included in the Royal Reopening Guide Volume 2.
Visit the Royal Store to get all of your Spirit Wear and TFA gear for the 20-21 school year. Order online anytime at theroyalstore.org.
First Week of School Hours
Regular Store Hours (starting August 18th)
Our school uniform provider is Dennis Uniforms. They are located at 1101 North Keller Road, Orlando, FL.
Our Uniform Policy is as stated below:
Below you will find the supply lists for 5-Day students. Note, supply lists are linked Google Docs that may be updated by teachers.
Supply lists for grades 9-12 vary with each course and teacher. Upper School teachers will have their supply lists available during Meet The Teacher.
ParentsWeb is now Family Portal
Family Portal is a private and secure website that allows you to see complete information specific to your student(s) such as Attendance, Daily Grades, Progress Reports, Lesson Plans, Homework, Discipline, Staff and School Directory, Teacher e-mail addresses, and other school information.
A link to the Family Portal login page may be found in the top, right corner of The First Academy website’s homepage.
For more information on using Family Portal by FACTS, click here.
Follow the links for the important information on the following topics to help make your family’s 2020-21 school year a success:
The After Care Program is available for students of all grade levels in K4-12. For more information and to register, click here.
Several pricing plans are available for the After School Program depending on the needs of the family and the frequency of use.
An unlimited use ticket qualifies participants to use the After School program any time it is open. The cost is $1,880 per year, which may be paid in full or by payments made in FACTS. The Unlimited Use ticket should be purchased online at the After School Program page.
Occasional Use tickets may be purchased online (30 hours for $265 or 15 hours for $165). Minutes are deducted from the ticket as they are used. Tickets may be split among siblings of any grades and can be carried over from one year to the next. No refunds for unused hours will be given. Parents will be notified when a new ticket should be purchased. Tickets should be purchased online at the After School Program page.
We provide emergency care for unforeseeable events. The charge is $15.00 per hour, or any portion thereof. These fees can be paid online prior to use or when you are billed for usage time.
Late charges apply for all payment plans. The charge is $10.00 per quarter-hour.
Mondays – Fridays
Students have snack time, homework time, and free play inside and outside. Special on-campus activities are also scheduled throughout the year.
After School Care is closed on all official holidays, school holidays, and on Teacher Work Days. Please check TFA’s Annual Calendar for more information.
Click here for the 2020-2021 Annual Calendar.
A Partnership In Health & Wellness
The health and wellness of our students, families, and our school has always been a
partnership. As we enter the 2020-2021 school year, it is important that the bonds of this partnership are stronger than ever. In preparation for this school year, we are asking that ALL families complete and sign our Health & Wellness Pledge by Friday, August 7.
One parent must complete the pledge for all students. If your family has students in both TFA 5-day school as well as The Classical School and/or The First Hope, please complete both the TFA 5-day pledge as well as the pledge for The Classical School/The First Hope. In addition, per AAP recommendations, we encourage all students to have their health & wellness check-ups/physicals prior to the start of school.
TFA 5-Day Health & Wellness Pledge With Covid Waiver
The Classical School/The First Hope Health & Wellness Pledge With Covid Waiver