Fulton Science Academy High School
ACCREDITED AND STEM CERTIFIED COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL
High School Weekly Newsletter - May 16, 2021
A Message From Dr. Sener
Dear FSA Families,
I hope that you are doing well and having a great day.
I am excited to inform you about our plans for next school year.
First of all, thank you very much for your responses to the earlier survey. We are pleased to inform you that a vast majority (about 91%) of our families responded with their preference for the on-campus learning option for the next school year.
Many positive changes occurred from the date we sent you our initial survey to today. Vaccinations are now available for anyone 12 years and older, almost all of our teachers have already completed their vaccinations, and the number of COVID-19 cases is decreasing nationwide to all-time lows. In the most recent news, CDC announced yesterday that vaccinated people are no longer required to use masks indoors or outdoors in many places, including schools. We will continue using masks till the end of this year, but these positive developments signal changes to return to pre-pandemic activities as a school. Lately, many families have also reached out to us to change their preference from virtual to on-campus learning. Thanks to these positive developments, we now have the opportunity to implement a slightly different approach to the 2021-2022 school year.
Overall, this school year was an immense success, considering how well our teachers, students, families, and community all met the challenges of COVID-19. We are very thankful to our students and teachers for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. We are also grateful to our parents for their tremendous support. While we worked all together and did everything we could to make the hybrid system successful, it would be remiss not to recognize and acknowledge that online students are not able to reap all of the benefits and advantages that come with being an FSA student. Our well-rounded educational program is designed to help students with both academic and social-emotional needs, and sharing the same physical environment plays a crucial role in both of these efforts. Therefore, with the increasing number of students returning to campus for the next school year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be better equipped to cultivate a caring and quality school environment that will serve the needs of all our precious students.
Accordingly, beginning in August 2021, we will offer online education only to students with demonstrated and recorded medical needs and emergencies. If you think your child has a medical need/emergency that requires them to remain a virtual student, please complete THIS FORM by Friday, May 21, 2021. All other students will be required to participate in on-campus learning for the 2021-2022 school year. We believe that this approach will help us continue offering both the best education and the best environment for our students’ academic success and social-emotional growth.
We will continue to monitor the health department and federal guidelines to finalize the details for the next school year. When the time comes to decide not to require a mask, it will most likely be a decision for the vaccinated people only as recommended by CDC. However, we will continue to apply social distancing and regular detailed cleaning during the day since not all age groups have access to vaccination yet.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigated this school year during a global pandemic. We are confident this model will be successful and look forward to next year being another wonderful one at FSA as we celebrate our 10th year as a private school. Should you have any questions/comments, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Next I want to share my gratitude to our Athletics and Fine Arts Departments. This past Tuesday was the last day of our athletic season for this school year. It was such a challenging year to plan athletics but Coach Ayres, with assistance from Coach Uduk, made it a huge success for our students and school. A massive shout out to both of them for this fantastic year with athletics, even under Covid conditions! Thank you both! FSA is very fortunate to have you both! Just like athletics, coordinating and performing our drama plays were also very challenging this year. However, thanks to our amazing drama teachers Ms. Meyers and Mrs. Villegas, our drama students had a fantastic year and produced several high-quality plays for our school community, even under these challenging times of Covid. A huge shout to these awesome teachers for their innovative approaches and excellent work. Also a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Otim for always being an encouragement for our fine arts program activities including drama.
Lastly, I am excited to say that this year FSA seniors got accepted to 33 colleges in the top 50 colleges ranked by the USNews, moreover, 83% of our students got accepted to the top 50 colleges in the same list. There are around 4,000 colleges and Universities in the United States. We are beyond proud of the work our seniors have put in during such a challenging year!
Full List of Acceptances in Alphabetical Order
Mr. Michael M. Oz
Professional School Counselor & College Guidance 9th - 12th grade
(678) 366-2555 ext:112
Last Names A - KI
Professional School Counselor 9th – 12th grade
hagha@fultonscienceacademy.org
(678) 366-2555 ext:158
Last Names KO - Z
FSA Mission & Vision
Quote of the Week
Sending a Senior Letter (Class of 2021)
Now, you can write a letter to our Seniors and we will deliver it for you during the week of graduation. This is great opportunity to make long-lasting memories, express your wishes and/or tell how much you care about them. You can either write a general message to be sent to the whole class or individual letters to your friends/students/family members.
Click Here or Fill Out the Form Below to Send Our 202g1 Seniors a Message!
Your Class of 2021 Valedictorian, Salutatorian, & Class Elected Speaker
WHAT else is IN THIS ISSUE
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Senior Celebration Movie Night! (Seniors ONLY Event) FRIDAY, MAY 21st!
- Textbook & Laptop Return
- FSA Senior Graduates from Georgia State University with Associates Degree
- FSA Senior Named One of the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Winners
- AP Finals Schedule (Only 1 Day Left!)
- HS Course Finals Schedule
- Georgia Tech's Fall 2021 dual enrollment application opens this Saturday, May 15.
- Georgia State University | A Message from the Dual Enrollment Team at GSU
- Rising Seniors, It's Time to Start Preparing For College Applications!
- Project Oxygen - For India (Student Led Initiative)
- FSA High School Students Begin Canned Food Drive Service Project for North Fulton Community Charities Food Pantry
- Spread the Vision - Donate Your Used Eye Glasses to Help Others!
- NJHS School Supplies Drop off
- High School Virtual Summer Camps Registration Now Open
- Mentorship @ Georgetown University
- AND MORE
Important Upcoming Dates
Senior Celebration Movie Night! (Seniors ONLY Event)
FRIDAY, MAY 21st!
What better way to end a long stretch of AP exams than to relax with your friends?
Our end-of-the-year resource Return day is Wednesday, June 2nd. Please return all your school textbooks, laptops, and chargers to school on June 2nd from 9 am to 3 pm.
If you are leaving for a vacation before school ends, you can drop them off at the front office on your last day at school.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
FSA Senior Graduates from Georgia State University with Associate Degree
FSA Senior Named One of the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to FSA 2021 Senior, Shourya Jasti on being named one of this year's National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners! We are so proud and excited for you!
[On May 12th,] National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced this year’s National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners. The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of some 16,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.
These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
NMSC finances most of these single-payment National Merit $2500 Scholarships. Corporations and company foundations that sponsor awards through NMSC also help underwrite these scholarships with grants they provide in lieu of paying administrative fees. Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
2021 National Merit Scholarship Competition
This year’s National Merit Scholarship Program began in October 2019 when over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools took the PSAT/NMSQT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors, were named Semifinalists on a state- representational basis. Only these approximately 17,000 Semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition.
From the Semifinalist group, some 16,000 students met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2021 program, about 7,500 Finalists will have earned the “Merit Scholar” title and received a total of nearly $30 million in college scholarships.
NMSC, a not-for-profit corporation that operates without government assistance, was founded in 1955 specifically to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by approximately 400 independent corporate and college sponsors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and encouraging academic excellence at all levels of education.
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More Information on NATIONAL MERIT® SCHOLARSHIP Can Be Found Here
AP FINALS SCHEDULE
High School Course Finals Schedule
Georgia Tech's Fall 2021 dual enrollment application opens this Saturday, May 15.
For Fall 2021, students can apply for multiple programs:
- Distance Computer Science
- Distance Math (Year One or Year Two)
- On-Campus Dual Enrollment
- Submit the online application for dual enrollment admission.
- Send or upload high school transcript with Spring 2021 grades.
**TO REQUEST YOUR FSA TRANSCRIPT, EMAIL RECORDS@FULTONSCIENCEACADEMY.ORG - Self-report AP scores (for Distance Math Year One) in their admission portal by July 10.
**ADMINISTRATION 3 FOR AP EXAMS WILL NOT HAVE SCORES IN TIME TO QUALIFY FOR GT MATH
Please note: The University System of Georgia (USG) has waived test score requirements for 2021 admission. Students will not be required to submit SAT or ACT test scores to be considered for dual enrollment admission for Fall 2021.
Complete your applications by June 15th!!!
Georgia State University | A Message from the Dual Enrollment Team at GSU
Hello from the Georgia State University Dual Enrollment office!
Just a reminder of the university application deadline dates for Dual Enrollment students:
- Summer 2021 application deadline: May 1st,2021.
- Fall 2021 application deadline: July 1st, 2021.
Dual Enrollment funding applications in GAFutures should also be completed when the student applies to GSU.
Stay safe and well!
Sincerely,
The Dual Enrollment Team
Georgia State University Perimeter College
Official GSU updates found here: https://www.gsu.edu/
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. AGHA - Rising Seniors, It's Time to Start Preparing For College Applications!
The time has come to start preparing for college applications. Common App has already released their essay prompts. START WRITING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. The plan is you do SEVERAL versions of your essay before you even show it to your counselor. We can look at it several times before you submit. THAT is how you get a quality essay. It is a PROCESS. They want to see your personality come through with reflective content.
Below, I've included the 2021-2022 Common App Essay prompts
- Need some additional Application Tips? Check out what Harvard recommends!
- What's a good timeline to plan your summer? See how IvyWise suggests you do your college planning this summer.
- Need help writing or just getting started? Check out one of my personal favorite resources, The College Essay Guy.
- Not sure how to talk about yourself? Start by using the 16 Personalities Test to help guide you on how to talk about yourself! It's data that helps you talk about you.
Below is the full set of Common App essay prompts for 2021-2022.
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
During the last few weeks of school there are various students & student organizations hosting drives to help the community. Drop Off Boxes Can be found in the FSA Front Office - More Info on the Drives Below
Project Oxygen - For India (Student Led Initiative)
Hello. My name is Ritvik and I study in 6th grade and I would like to raise money for the oxygen concentrators that will be sent to India.
India is in the midst of an unimaginable COVID crisis with hospitals running out of beds and oxygen. Although this is worldwide news, and countries across the globe are being alerted of the terrible situation in India, the reality is much more severe. Every day, I hear sad stories from my family in India, and I want to help in any way I can. Which is why I have collaborated with WIN (Women’s Initiative Network) - Project Oxygen, in order to raise money for this noble cause.
A little about WIN – They are a group of women doctors, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are committed to supplying 2000+ lifesaving oxygen concentrators to cities most affected by the COVID crisis in India. Along with their partner organizations, they have already sent 325 oxygen concentrators to India and 1000 more are ready to be shipped. The units are being procured in the USA and shipped directly to the cities where they are distributed by their partner NGO to individuals with verified need. When the individual recovers, the units are reclaimed and directed to others.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/project-oxygen-help-friends-breathe?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet
Together, we can WIN!
Regards,
Ritvik S. (FSA 6th Grader)
FSA High School Students Begin Canned Food Drive Service Project for North Fulton Community Charities Food Pantry
Two FSA high school students, Nicole Dubinskiy & Akshay Maharaj, will be holding a food drive from May 5th through May 15th to help North Fulton Community Charities Food Pantry. This is a great chance to make a difference in our community. A box where you can drop off your donations is located in the FSA Front Office.
Spread the Vision - Donate Your Used Eye Glasses to Help Others!
-Aarushi Guin [8th grade] (NJHS)
NJHS School Supplies Drop off
High School Virtual Summer Camps Registration Now Open
- COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS BOOTCAMP (Open to Rising 9th - 12th Grade)
- HISTORY & HOLLYWOOD (Open to Rising 8th - 12th Grade)
- SAT MATH Camp (Open to Rising 8th - 11th Grade)
- ------SAT Math Requires Previous Completion of Algebra I Course
- Intermediate Drama Camp (Open to Rising 6th - 12th Grade)
- Acting 2: Advanced Character Development (Open to Rising 9th - 12th Grade)
- Virtual Chess (Open to Rising 6th - 12th grade) SESSION 1| June 7-11
- Virtual Chess (Open to Rising 6th - 12th grade) - SESSION 2 | June 28 - July 2
Mentorship @ Georgetown University
Mentors are an essential part of Georgetown University’s new Pre-College Online Program.
At Georgetown, we believe high school students should be supported as they explore their interests. When they enroll in one of our new online, pre-college courses, each student is assigned a mentor who helps guide the learning experience. Mentors are Georgetown students and alumni who are well-versed in the subject area of the course.
Mentors also answer questions about majors and careers in the field. They help with brainstorming and assignments.
This commitment to providing support for students is at the heart of the Georgetown approach. We follow the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis—care for the whole person—and our goal with this new program is to provide a holistic experience. Students deserve the opportunity to develop their own talents and dreams, and this program will help them do that.
Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program
Sincerely,
Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program
From our friends at Inspirica that brought us the free diagnostic tests-
Webinar: SMARTTRACK/ Inspirica presents "What You Need to Know Now about Paying Less for College"
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Time: 7pm
Webinar registration: https://webinar.ringcentral.com/webinar/register/WN_fozUN14NTfKpMqxdjy2V8A
GET YOUR VERY OWN FSA SPIRIT WEAR FROM OUR SIDELINE STORE!!
FSA's Sideline store offers families the opportunity to show their school spirit at or away from school! You have the ability to fully customize your apparel and the site offers brands such as The North Face, Under Armor, Nike, and more!
Items include shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, performance wear, polos, pullovers, jackets, vests, headwear, bags, chairs, bibs, drinkware, knits, blankets, and more!!!
Check out the site today to get your very own customized FSA apparel!
How Does Aftercare Work for High School Students?
High School Families,
We would like to openly tell you that when more students stay for after school care, it will be harder for us to protect the safety of after school care students during the pandemic. Therefore, If your child is not staying for After-School Clubs or Tutoring, we strongly ask you to pick up your child between 3:16 pm and 3:40 pm.
If your child stays for After-School Clubs or Tutoring, please pick-up your child between 4:00 pm - 4:10 pm.
After school care begins at 4:10 pm and continues until 5:30 pm.
For those students who regularly use after school care, we recommend the monthly payment plan to save money. After school care fee is $20 per day for the monthly payment plan. If you are not interested in a monthly registration, you will indicate this on the form sent in your email. You will be charged $30 per day as you use after school care. After 5:30, the fee increases to $40, and $1 is added for each minute after 6:00. If a student is not taken by 7:00 pm, we will inform the local safety authorities for the safety of the student.
If your child will be joining after school care, you will follow the drive to pass the front of the school and park your car at the far end of the building. After parking your car, you will enter through the courtyard entrance. You will not come inside the school building. Please enter the courtyard, and knock on the door "L25" for Middle School and "HS Hangout" for High School students. The images below will help you to see where to park, enter the courtyard, and pick up your child. Please make sure to have your carpool card with you. Please make sure to be wearing a mask, and please maintain social distancing while traveling up the stairs to get your child. Once you have picked up your child, please exit from the same courtyard entrance.
Please note: families are not permitted to gather and remain in the courtyard area after picking up their children.
"HS Hangout" for High School
FSA Social Media
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.
FULTON SCIENCE ACADEMY PRIVATE SCHOOL
Email: info@fultonscienceacademy.org
Website: www.fultonscienceacademy.org
Location: 3035 Fanfare Way, Alpharetta, GA, USA
Phone: 678-366-2555