Orlando Science High School
issue 13
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: November 5th, 2021
Principal's Corner
Greetings Orcas,
As an accredited school, our campuses undergo periodic re-evaluations by our accrediting body, Cognia. Our next Engagement Review is scheduled for February and preparations have already begun. We enjoy these reviews as they give us the opportunity to self-evaluate and gather feedback from all of our stakeholders. To help keep you informed as we prepare, we have included an Accreditation Countdown section in the newsletter which will be updated weekly with small informational messages about the accreditation process. We look forward to including you in this process and sharing the review team’s feedback in a few months.
Please remember to adjust your clocks this weekend. Daylight Savings will be taking place at 2am on Sunday, November 7th.
Re-Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is scheduled to begin this coming Tuesday, November 9th. Make sure to check your inbox for the instructions as we are utilizing a new system this year.
I would like to take a moment to congratulate Atreya M. He put in a tremendous amount of effort in the Broadcom Masters STEM Competition and walked away the 1st Place National Winner in the Science Division. What an outstanding achievement! Please see the newsletter below for more details.
Additional information can be found below regarding the Yearbook Sales and the Civic Literacy Exam which will be taken by all AP U.S. Government/Government Honors students in December.
I hope you all have a nice weekend and look forward to updating you on our students’ continued success next week.
Dr. Yalcin Akin
Executive Director/Principal
Orlando Science School – Middle/High
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Orlando Science High School Recognized Among 2022 Best Schools in America
Here at OSS we’re thrilled to announce that we have been recognized as a 2022 Best School by Niche! This year, we ranked #1 Best Charter High School in Florida AND achieved an Overall Grade of “A+”.
We've earned this ranking by scoring highly in many factors that aim to capture what it’s really like to attend OSS. While we’ve always known that OSS is a wonderful place to learn and grow, we’re so proud of our students and staff for earning this national distinction.
You can check out OSS’s profile and see the full list of 2021 rankings, methodologies, and data sources over at https://www.niche.com/. Thanks again to our community for working hard every day to make OSS worthy of national attention. Go Orcas!
ACCREDITATION COUNTDOWN!
OSS High School Current COVID numbers
daylight saving time ends
2022-2023 RE-ENROLLMENT
yearbooks are on sale now!
SENIOR FAMILIES: If you would like to purchase a yearbook ad for your 12th grader, please see the Class of 2022 section of the newsletter below.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Burkes.
OSS Spirit Wear SALE - prepare for cooler weather
**Please note the following:**
- Some Sideline polos and shirts on the site are only being printed with a round OSS logo. Our official school uniform polo, sold by Risse Brothers, is the official school uniform.
- Sideline polos and shirts may only be worn on Fridays as a spirit shirt, during gym class, or on other dress-down days designated by administration. Sideline polos and shirts cannot be worn as a replacement of the Risse Brothers official polo uniform shirts.
- Any sports shorts or pants are to be worn in gym class only.
- Sideline hoodies, jackets, and sweatshirts may only be worn over the official Risse Brothers school uniform polo.
- If students do not act responsibly with the new spirit wear we reserve the right to ask them to discontinue the use of the school spirit wear. No refunds will be provided by OSS.
- All Dress Code requirements apply to Spirit items sold by Sideline. No refunds will be provided by OSS for items that are in violation of the School Dress Code or otherwise.
- For information on Sideline's return and exchange policy please visit Orlando Science Schools Orcas Apparel - Orlando, Florida - Sideline Store - BSN Sports
Florida Civic Literacy Exam: December 13th
All students enrolled in AP U.S. Government and U.S. Government Honors for the first semester will take the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) during school on Monday, December 13th, 2021. If your student is participating in this exam, please plan accordingly.
Any student entering a postsecondary institution in Florida is required to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. A passing score on this exam will exempt students from taking it in the future when initially entering a Florida College System institution or state university. The exam consists of four sections: American Democracy, United States Constitution, Founding Documents, and Landmark Supreme Court Cases Impact on Law and Society. See this resource for frequently asked questions regarding the FCLE:
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/19858/urlt/Florida-Civic-Literacy-Exam-K12-FAQ.pdf.
PSAT 8/9 registration now available
Dear Students and Parents,
Students in 9th grade will have an opportunity to take the PSAT 8/9 at Orlando Science High School on Tuesday, January 18th. The test fee is $16.00 and must be paid via School Pay before November 30th. Attached, please find the registration form, School Pay link, and additional informational resources. Test day reminders and room assignments will be shared with students through Microsoft Teams in December.
Once students take the PSAT 8/9, their score report will pinpoint exactly what they need to work on to graduate from high school and be ready for college. Participation is highly recommended.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Nicholas Koebe
Admin for Instruction and Assessment
broadcom MAsters stem competition winner: atreya m.
In addition to this recognition, Atreya and his team of fellow student scientists were also recognized as the best Team in the national competition. They were recognized for their ability to work together and solve problems through shared decision making, communication and collaboration. Congratulations Atreya, we are extremely proud of your accomplishments in developing your skills as both a scientist and as a person.
Ms. Balci's PLTW HBS
Ms.Balci’s PLTW HBS students diagnosed their patients this week. They took the role of a neurologist and worked together with their colleagues to figure out what was wrong with their patient. All groups were able to successfully diagnose their patients.
2021-22 free/reduced meal application
- The names and incomes of every member of your household
- The school, grade, birthdate of every student in your household
- Your social security number and electronic signature
- (Optional) A valid email address or phone number for district communication about the status of the application.
november meal menu
Senior corner-class of 2022 updates
purchase your senior yearbook ad
yearbook ads
Families can purchase a full page or half page yearbook ad for their senior. This ad allows you to share childhood pictures and send messages to your graduate (see the sample above). Once you decide which size ad you would like, use the link below to place your order. After payment is made, please email your pictures and message to Ms. Burkes to ensure the correct information is placed in the yearbook.
FULL PAGE AD Cost: $50
HALF PAGE AD Cost: $30
Due Date: March 18, 2022
fafsa
fAFSA GUIDE
Fall Scholarships
september and october scholarship newsletters
BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP:
Steps to apply for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship:
- Students need to submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPPRFILE/SAPPRFILE
- Take the ACT or SAT and submit your scores through your College Board account to the Florida colleges/universities you apply to.
- Your high school transcript will be submitted directly from school to Bright Futures. We take care of this part.
- Complete your "Community Service Hours". For Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS) is 100, for Florida Medallion Scholarship (FMS) is 75 hours. Since your hours are logged into your transcript when we submit your transcript, your hours also will be submitted to Bright Futures.
- The Community Hours forms (Proposal Form and Log Reflection Form) are in the College and Career corner of the newsletter if you need them.
FAS and FMS Scholarships
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/FAS-FMS.pdf
Florida Bright Futures Brochure
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/bf_brochure.pdf
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf
Please let me know if you have any questions.
additional scholarship resources
https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/?navId=bf-cbos
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/
https://www.scholarshippoints.com/
https://www.collegexpress.com/
https://admissions.ufl.edu/afford/scholarships
https://finaid.ucf.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://valencia.org/scholarships/
NOTE: Do not pay any money to get scholarship! Use only free scholarship resources.
Important 12th grade Teams announcements
See these important messages from Ms. Bolat posted on the 12th grade Teams:
Bolat, Gulistan: September Scholarships and and OCPS's Scholarship Bulletin
posted in 12th Grade / General at Tuesday, September 7, 2021 9:21:44 AM
Bolat, Gulistan: Special Opportunity with UF for your Seniors!
posted in 12th Grade / General at Tuesday, September 28, 2021 3:13:58 PM
senior portraits
Class of 2022 -- the time to sign up for senior portraits has arrived! Right now, spots are limited but more will be opening up. That being said, please don't wait to register! Once the studio closes for the season, you will not be able to have your senior portraits taken and your photo won't be included in the yearbook.
You can choose between the Basic and the Deluxe sittings, the descriptions are below. Any questions you have about pricing, scheduling, or purchasing should be directed to Prestige Portraits.
Below is the website as well -- you will select the Orlando studio when you register.
Common App Update
As many of you know, many colleges require students to submit written responses such as Common App essay, College-Specific questions, and Writing Supplement. You can see each schools' requirements on your Common App.
This resource below, updated for the 2021-2022 application year, helps students understand what writing questions they can expect to find for each college to which they apply.
Writing Requirements By Colleges
Common App Essay Prompts for 21-22
Account Rollover
Students who created a Common App account prior to August 1 can roll over their accounts. Learn more about how Account Rollover works here: Account Rollover
college and career corner
community service resources
assessment corner
PSAT 8/9 opportunity
The PSAT 8/9 will be offered to 9th graders at Orlando Science High School on Tuesday, January 18th. This assessment tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT in a way that makes sense for eighth and ninth graders. It measures what they are already learning, shows them whether they are on track for college, and lets them know where they need the most improvement. Sign-up information is available at the top of this newsletter.
Exceptional Student Education and Assessments
Does your child have an IEP or 504 and receive extra time on tests?
Students who receive accommodations on statewide standardized assessments, such as the FSA, may be eligible to receive accommodations on college entrance assessments. These tests include Advanced Placement, SAT, and ACT exams. There is a separate application process where eligibility is determined by the testing company (not OSS or OCPS).
If your child already receives accommodations on statewide assessments, it is highly recommended that you give permission for OSS to submit an accommodation request for these competitive tests. This is not an automatic process. You must notify the school if you would like an application for accommodations to be submitted on behalf of the student.
To make a request, please email the ESE Coordinator, Mrs. Cervantes at Teresa.Cervantes@orlandoscience.org with the following information:
· Full name of the student
· Assessments the student will be taking (AP Exams, SAT, and/or ACT)
More information about accommodations and eligibility can be found at the following links:
orbit's character corner
bravery
Bravery is the courage and determination to do difficult things.
"Brave men are all vertebrates; they have their softness on the surface and their toughness in the middle." - G. K. Chesterton
parent resources
all OSS campus Newsletters
ORLANDO SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS
Website: http://orlandoscience.org/highschool/
Location: 2600 Technology Drive, Orlando, FL, USA
Phone: (407)299-6595
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orlandoscience/
Twitter: @OrlandoSciMH