Fulton Science Academy
EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, CHARACTER
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER October 24, 2016
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Greetings to our FSA Friends and Families,
#FSACARES ABOUT RED RIBBON WEEK!
FSA is proud to announce the launch of Red Ribbon Week. This important initiative, which is supported annually by schools all across the nation, aims to create student awareness about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, as well as violence prevention.
To embrace this important week, many homeroom teachers have participated in a voluntary door decorating contest. Please help us recognize their creative efforts by visiting our Facebook page and casting your vote(s). Simply "like" the photos of doors that are your favorites between now and noon on this Friday, October 28, 2016.
This Friday afternoon, votes will be tallied. The winning homeroom teacher will receive a personalized doormat for their classroom compliments of the MSO.
We appreciate everyone's support of such an important community awareness campaign and our MSO for coordinating activities in conjunction with the week. Please check below for daily themes, and thank you, once again, for being a part of the FSA family. We are a small school with a big heart because #fsacares.
Gratefully,
Kenan Sener
Principal
Academic Team & Competition News
Update from the MSA Athletes
This weekend, FSAPS' Math Olympiad Team competed in the UGA High School Math Tournament and won Sixth Place as a team among 78 Georgia high schools. The fact that our team included three-eighth graders and one ninth grader shows promising results for the future of an FSAPS High School Math Olympiad Team.
Additionally, one of our eighth graders, Holden W., won fourth place individually among 289 high school students who competed for awards this weekend. Holden won a $1,000 scholarship from UGA. Incredible!
Congratulations to Holden W, Charlie, F, Tyler H, and Vishal R. and Coach Duzyol for the wonderful results. We are very proud of our Math Olympiad Team students. Way to go!
Additional Mathletes Compete at Eagle Cup
Results follow:
- FSAPS's Fourth Grade Team placed first. Team members include Karthik K, Siddarth S, Tejash G, Eric Y, Rana K;
- Fourth Grader, Karthik K., placed first individually; and
- Fourth Grader, Siddarth S., placed third individually
We are so proud of our students' hard work and dedication to these very difficult competitions. Way to go, Mustangs!
FSAPS Team Coaches Assemble in Ohio for Conference
This past weekend, nine FSAPS Middle School and High School Science Olympiad coaches traveled to Centerville, Ohio, for the 2016 Science Olympiad Coaching Academy.
Workshops covering every one of the 33 different events (between B&C divisions) were offered, along with a few workshops focusing on general coaching strategies and overall building techniques. This academy is well worth the 9-hour drive since the workshops are taught by the Science Olympiad National Event Supervisors.
Mrs. Gloria Stathos, one of the head Science Olympiad coaches, felt grateful that so many parent and faculty coaches could attend this year. “This is amazing that so many coaches could take their weekend to travel to the academy,” said Gloria. “When we have additional coaches who step outside of the events they personally coach and learn more about the events, it strengthens the team. The more knowledgeable our coaches are about B & C division events, the more we can assist one another, lend advice, and help the students in their preparation for competition.”
In each event workshop, participants could expect an in-depth presentation about the rules, clarifications on any guidelines that seem vague, tips and tricks on how to best prepare students who are studying that event, and an almost round-table discussion conclusion where everyone shared their own personal strategies, successes, and failures.
As every good science Olympiad coach AND student knows, sometimes the failures are the most valuable part of the learning process!
Please Mark Your Calendars...
October 24-28
- Red Ribbon Week- read more below!
Wednesday, October 26
- Hillcrest Orchards Field Trip - Grades 1-3 (Please have your child arrive wearing layers and red FSAPS shirts. Jeans, comfortable shoes, and brown bag lunches (disposable bags, please) are encouraged.
Thursday, October 27
- Academic Team Spirit Wear Dress Down Day/Sweet Tomatoes Dinner/Fundrasier
- Square 1 Art Orders due - Please order at www.Square1Art.com/shop
Friday, October 28
- Atlanta Zoo Field Trip - Grades 4-5
- Bodies: The Exhibition @ the Premier Exhibition Center, Atlantic Station - High School Field Trip
October 31 & November 1
- Pumpkin Book Reports Due and on Display
November 3-4
- Middle School Model UN Competition
December 4
- FSA Open House
Celebrate With Music 2016 - Registration Deadline is November 4
Students participating in the Private Music Lesson Program at Fulton Science Academy are invited to perform at North Point Mall in Alpharetta on Saturday, December 3, at 1 p.m. This is an event sponsored by the North Fulton Music Teachers Association.
We will consider this our “recital” at the end of the semester. Students will be playing their pieces while people are shopping so it will be a less intimidating atmosphere for the children.
Pre-registration is required, as well as a nominal registration fee. If interested, please send your child in with a $10 check made payable to Hubbell Music, LLC, and give it to the front desk at FSA by Friday, November 4.
Again, details of the event follow:
Saturday, December 3, at 1 PM
Macy’s at North Point Mall in Alpharetta
$10 per Student due by Friday, November 4
Thank you!
Announcements for This Week...
Please remember that this Thursday, October 27, is our Second Annual Academic Teams Spirit Day!
Students who are participating in an academic team can wear their team shirt and jeans to school. Thursday evening, all FSA families are invited to join us for a fundraiser at Sweet Tomatoes between 5-8 p.m. If you present the flyer (distributed in homerooms) and purchase dinner and a beverage, Sweet Tomatoes will donate up to 30% of the proceeds back to FSA.
Sweet Tomatoes
950 North Point Dr.
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Please come meet other families, enjoy a wonderful dinner, and support our hardworking academic teams in the process!
Red Ribbon Week is upon us! The community awareness initiative is both a celebration and commitment to be drug-free.
During this week, Fulton Science Academy will celebrate by having a theme for each day of the week to show our commitment to a drug-free life. This program is being coordinated through the incredibly hard working parent volunteers who comprise the Mustang Support Organization (MSO).
This year’s Red Ribbon Week motto is “YOLO: Be Drug-Free, You Only Live Once.”
The school will have special themed dress days, face painting, themed ribbons, and stickers, as well as a canned food drive to support the school's partnership with "Blessings in a Backpack."
MONDAY
I CAN, You CAN, We All CAN Take A Stand Against Drugs!
Students were invited to wear their yellow #fsacares shirt. This was the official the kick-off for our can drive which will continue through the week. Students will receive a Red Ribbon Week themed ribbon to wear.
TUESDAY
"I’m Voting For My Future!"
Please have your student wear red, white, and/or blue shirts and accessories. This can include your school uniform or other clothes that are not part of your uniform but include the colors.
WEDNESDAY
"Team Up Against Drugs!"
Wear your favorite team shirt/jersey on this special day!
THURSDAY
"I’m a “Jean”-ius, I’m Drug-Free!"
Students can wear jeans to school, get red ribbon face paint and a themed sticker. The Amen Clinic will be doing presentations for grades 6-10 and younger grades will have story time related to Red Ribbon Week.
FRIDAY
"We Don’t Horse Around With Drugs!"
Please wear your spirit wear. This is the final day for our canned food drive, but the drive for Blessings in a Backpack will continue collecting food through December. We’d like to collect as much as we can during Red Ribbon Week to help set up the organization with donations before the holidays.
Last Week in Review
Don't Be a Monster Anti-Bullying Assembly was a Huge Success!
On October 18th, FSA students participated in an Anti-Bullying assembly held by the organization called "Don’t Be A Monster." Don't Be A Monster presented a unique and entertaining universal anti-bullying assembly for students in 4th-10th grade.
Their mission is simple: they work to educate and empower youth to be leaders in your school around diversity, inclusiveness and show students how to stand up for their friends and peers.
Students were introduced to Frank, a fictional character who is bullied by his peers. Although he looks like a monster, the students learn in the end that the real monsters in life are the bullies and not Frank. At the end of the presentation, students got to meet Frank. Frank left with his head held high and with many new friends.
This presentation was brought to our students' thanks to a generous donation from the Novak Family Foundation. For more information, please log onto www.dontbeamonster.org.
Middle School Field Trip to Chestatee Wildlife Preserve
Classroom News...
Second Graders Love Reading and Technology!
Students in elementary grades have been introduced to a new reading resource that combines reading comprehension practice on their specific reading level and our students' love for technology!
Second grade teachers in particular are already seeing improvement in their students' reading fluency and comprehension skills during their guided reading group work. Utilizing this resource during small groups allows our students to practice the reading skills they individually need with interesting and developmentally appropriate stories and comprehension skill practice.
A combination of iPad use and our new leveled reading library resource in the media center will excite our students to love reading and expose our students to a variety of great stories to practice their reading skills throughout the year.
We are thrilled to see how our students will grow throughout the year with the wonderful resources we are implementing in our classrooms!
Club Updates...
PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES!
Pre-K Lego and Building Club uses cooperative learning, sharing, hand-eye coordination & sharing skills all while having fun!
Middle and High Public Speaking
The members of the Public Speaking and Debate Club have been building their skills over the past months. In order to create a safe environment to explore our speaking, students spent a few weeks getting to know each other. They then interviewed partners and introduced them to the group. Afterward, students reflected on the speaking that had occurred and began looking into specific techniques to help improve.
Students began by focusing on diction by practicing tongue twisters. Many students found the silly songs and fantastic phrases deceivingly difficult, but they buckled down and painstakingly practiced until the phrases were perfect. Try reading that ten times fast!>*
After building clarity and diction skills, students focused on conveying tone and emotion. They studied several comedic and dramatic speakers. Students also practiced by reading famous speeches, acting out impactful movie scenes, and by reading several Dr. Seuss books.
Looking forward, students will be starting to write our own speeches on important topics. Students will be able to speak passionately and persuasively about a topic important to them. Students will also look at how to make logical and rhetorically sound arguments using research.
Alumni News...
FSA Alumni, Max Rubenstein, Speaks at UN International School
Said his mom, Ali, "The day started with the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and ended with the Chief of Legal Affairs in charge of getting the Paris Agreement signed. In the middle of all of that, my kid spoke and it was awesome!"
To see a link to his speech, please click here.
Prior to his speaking engagement in New York, Max received the first place "Teen Volunteer of the Year Award" from the Association of Fundraising Professional's Greater Atlanta Chapter. This award aims to recognize young people doing exceptional service in the community and to encourage more students to become active in their local communities.
Since Game Givers' founding, Max's organization has raised over $54,000 in video game and monetary donations, impacted thousands of children nationwide, and has been featured in news outlets including Forbes Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, WSB-TV, and many others.
Max would like to thank his parents for helping him achieve his dreams and succeed through giving. Without them, none of this would be possible. Game on!
Other Reminders...
Don't Forget to sign up for Soccer!
- To participate in the soccer tournament, each student or parent needs to fill out Google form (below) and please submit it no later than Friday, November 4, 2016.
- The games will begin the week of November 28 and will start at 4:30 p.m. Games will continue through December 8.
- The exact dates and times for each team will be determined once participant sign-ups are completed and teams are created.
- Coach Runnels will create the teams.
- There will be three groupings of teams; one consisting of players in 2nd through 4th grade; one for players in 5th through 7th grade, and one for players in 8th through 10th grade.
- The teams may be co-ed.
To sign up, please complete the following form.
FSAConnect mobile App
We are happy to inform you that now you can check fsaconnect by mobile app.
Here is how you can access the app:
ITunes App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/radix-mobile/id1159005166?mt=8
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radix.radixmobile
The links can also be found at the bottom of your connect page by the other social media links.
A pop-up banner will appear on top of the screen when users access the school connect on their mobile devices.
Site link: https://fsaconnect.fultonscienceacademy.org
Username: fsaconnect username
Password: fsaconnect password
Registration Information - 2017 Math Kangaroo Day
Dear Parents,
It's time to talk about Math Kangaroo Day! Any student in grades 1 through 12 qualifies if he or she can work independently and read and answer a multiple choice test. You don’t have to be a part of math team.
Registration for Math Kangaroo 2017 Competition starts on October 1, 2016 and ends on December 15, 2016. You may choose any location (Johns Creek, Duluth etc.), however registration fills up very quickly.
For more information, please check below link.
http://www.mathkangaroo.org/mk/rules.html
Registration:
Each student interested in asked to register independently and participate independently. When registering, you must choose a location first. However registration fills up very quickly, please register as early as possible after Oct 1st.
Please use the link below to register.
Please keep your registration information handy and set up a reminder in your phone or outlook/email since competition will take place months later, on Thursday March 16th 2017. Also, please keep a copy of your confirmation email you will receive right after registration is completed!
http://www.mathkangaroo.org/mk/default.html
How to prepare:
1)Practice Questions:
Sample practice questions may be found at the link below.
http://www.mathkangaroo.org/mk/practice.html
2)Math Kangaroo Media Library
Plenty of learning material, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Math Kangaroo Media Library.
http://www.mathkangaroo.org/MathKangarooMedia/
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Duzyol, at sduzyol@fultonscienceacademy.org.
Would you like to coordinate a home visit? If so, please read on...
Simply email junal@fultonscienceacademy.org with some suggested dates/times, as well as your students' name(s) and homeroom assignments. Ms. Unal will be in touch to confirm final details.
Home visits are a casual way for your child to spend time with his/her teacher in the comfort of their home. Teachers enjoy having a chance to see children in this comfortable environment, doing whatever makes them most happy and spend time with children and their parents outside of a regular school day.
FSA Yearbook Information
Yearbook Club is in full swing as students begin to plan out their pages and write interview questions for their stories. Yearbook students have been hard at work learning about design, photo, and copy writing throughout the last 5 weeks. The entire class is ready to make one of the best yearbooks yet!
This year, Fulton Science Academy Private School is providing a TreeRing yearbook! Here are three reasons we chose TreeRing:
* Custom Yearbooks: Every student gets a one of a kind printed copy containing two free pages to customize with personal photos.
* Green Yearbooks: TreeRing plants a tree in our school’s name when you purchase a book and prints on recycled paper.
* Beautiful Yearbooks: All yearbooks are gorgeously printed in full color using the highest end print production available.
YOU CAN PURCHASE AND PERSONALIZE YOUR Fulton Science Academy Private School YEARBOOK BY CLICKING HERE:
http://www.treering.com/purchase?Passcode=1013541294622699
A few important facts:
* Your personalized yearbook only costs $25.00.
* You’ll need to purchase your copy and complete your free personal pages by April 3.
* Your 2 free custom pages are optional, if you don’t customize you’ll receive a standard yearbook.
Get started by clicking on this link:
http://www.treering.com/purchase?Passcode=1013541294622699
P.S. If you need help, please contact support@treering.com"
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR REMIND, OUR SCHOOL NOTIFICATION APPlication
JOIN FSAPS REMIND HERE: https://www.remind.com/join/fsaps
We have created a remind account to keep our community informed and up-to-date with what is happening at our school.
By joining "FSAPS remind," you will receive messages via push notifications, SMS, or e-mail. We recommend SMS option for our families and students.
We will use this tool as an addition to other communication portals we use at our school to keep our families apprised of what's happening at Fulton Science Academy. Thank you.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
APPLY NOW FOR YOUR 2017 TAX CREDIT
Dear FSA Families,
We are pleased to announce details surrounding the GA Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Applications to participate are being accepted now, and we hope you will choose to participate.
This program provides an opportunity for taxpayers to redirect Georgia tax dollars and, in turn, provide financial aid assistance to FSA students. We would greatly appreciate it if you would please apply and choose Fulton Science Academy Private School as your designated school.
Please also inform your friends, co-workers, and relatives who live in Georgia; they can also participate and help support our school.
How can this tax credit benefit both Fulton Science Academy Private School and myself?
Under this law, you can redirect a portion of your Georgia income tax to provide financial aid assistance to FSA students based upon need. You will receive a tax credit on your state income taxes and a charitable deduction on your federal incomes taxes for the amount of your contribution. For married couples filing jointly, the maximum tax credit-eligible contribution is $2,500 ($1,000 as an individual).
How do I participate in the program?
It’s easy. All you have to do is complete our easy paperless process, and Apogee will submit the paperwork on your behalf. Apogee will process your approval notice within 30 days. Once the approval notice is received, please send your payment by check or pay online within 60 days of your approval date.
Is there a limit regarding how much I can give each year?
Yes, the amount you can give is limited by your tax filing status:
- Married Filing Jointly: Maximum of $2,500
- Individual Filer: Maximum of $1,000
- Married Filing Separately: Maximum of $1,250
- Individuals who receive pass-through income can contribute up to $10k
- C-Corporation: Up to 75% of GA tax liability
Can I direct my contribution to help a specific student?
Although we understand why it would be ideal to designate specific recipients, this is not possible. Apogee does not accept donations that are allocated for specific individuals. Donors would lose their ability to receive a charitable contribution, as well as the Georgia tax credit.
Apogee is a 501c3 non-profit organization and, as such, is bound first and foremost by the rules and regulations governing this special status. As a 501c3, Apogee is not permitted to accept any donations directed to a specific individual. To do so would put Apogee’s non-profit status in jeopardy and, in turn, its SSO status in jeopardy.
Who or what is Apogee?
Apogee Scholarship Fund is a state registered SSO (Student Scholarship Organization) as well as a 501c3 non-profit organization whose primary functions are to facilitate the process of distributing tax credits in exchange for donations and to disburse those funds for private school tuition scholarships.
"Apogee" (ap-uh-jee) is defined as the highest point (typically of an arc). To this end, Apogee strives to help children reach their highest educational potential.
How do I know what my GA tax liability is?
Your GA tax liability is typically 6% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). You can also look at Line 18 of your GA tax return (Form 500) to learn your GA tax liability.
Why should I give now?
The State has placed a yearly cap on the amount of credit available. That amount is $58 million. That means that every school, every taxpayer, and every corporation in GA is drawing from the exact same pool of credits.
Once the funds are distributed, interested agencies must wait until the following year to participate in the program. Once funds are deposited, they are immediately available to assist families who want the best educational choice for their children.
Please note: The yearly cap is generally met on the very first day of January; we expect this trend to continue until the cap is raised beyond the $58 million. For this reason, it is strongly encouraged that you please submit your application as soon as possible to be considered for approval.
Can I reduce my quarterly estimated tax payments by the amount I donate?
This is a great opportunity to write the check to support education instead of paying that portion of estimated taxes. Please ask your accountant to reduce your quarterly estimated tax payment by the amount of your contribution. This will reduce each of your quarterly payments by 25% of the amount you intend to contribute.
What happens if my donation exceeds my tax liability?
The tax credit is a “non-refundable” credit. This means you cannot receive a refund for any more than your GA tax liability. Any excess credit beyond your tax liability can be carried forward for up to five years.
Do I have to include my check with my donation package when mailing to Apogee?
No. Apogee cannot accept payments prior to January 1. Since the vast majority of applications received are early applications, payment should be made after approval has been secured. Payment must be madewithin 60 days of approval.
What is Apogee's Tax ID Number?
FEIN: 26-2693572
Is this donation a charitable deduction on my Federal return in addition to the credit?
Yes. Because of the 501c3 status, you are eligible to receive a Federal Charitable Deduction for the amount of your contribution. The law does require that you increase your State income by the amount of your Charitable Deduction on your Federal return (donation amount).
Can Apogee help me understand how this credit will affect my specific tax situation?
Yes. Apogee is well versed in the specifics of how this credit affects most tax scenarios and is happy to offer guidance regarding how this credit is related to your specific tax situation.
As always, we also suggest that you please consult your personal tax advisor, as they will have the best understanding of your specific tax situation.
How do I get started?
Simply log onto http://www.apogee123.org.
REPORTING ABSENCES
When your student will be absent from school for the entire day, please contact FSAPS each day in any of the following ways:
1. E-mail your child’s teacher
2. Send an email to attendance@fultonscienceacademy.org
OR
1. Send in a note to the front office when your child returns to school OR
2. Call the front office on the day your child is absent at (678) 366-2555 ext. 0
FSA SOCIAL MEDIA
Please connect with us online and grow our social media following!
FSA is proud to be building a strong social media presence and we encourage you to follow us using one or more of the following links:
1- FSA YOUTUBE CHANNEL
https://www.youtube.com/user/FultonScienceAcademy
If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you will receive notifications whenever we upload a new video.
2- FSA FACEBOOK PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/FultonScienceAcademyPrivateSchool/
Many of you already follow our Facebook page. If you are not yet connected, please “Like" our Facebook page.
3- FSA INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/fultonscienceacademy/
We post lots of pictures on our Instagram account. You will enjoy seeing new pictures every day.
4- FSA LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulton-science-academy-private-school
So many of you have LinkedIn accounts. To get news about our school on LinkedIn, simply follow our schools’s LinkedIn page.
5 –FSA TWITTER
https://twitter.com/fsaprivate
Twitter is a great way to get updated about school. Simply follow our school on Twitter to get recent tweets from our school.
6- FSA BLOG
http://fultonscienceacademyprivateschool.blogspot.com
If you click on Follow button on the right hand side, you will receive notifications when we post a new article.
GREEN SCHOOL TIPS BY FSA ROBOTICS TEAM STUDENTS
Fulton Science Academy Private School
Serving Advanced and Gifted Students
Pre-K through High School
Email: ksener@fultonscienceacademy.org
Website: www.fultonscienceacademy.org
Location: 3035 Fanfare Way, GA, United States
Phone: (678) 366-2555
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FultonScienceAcademyPrivateSchool
Twitter: @fsaprivate