Fulton Science Academy
INNOVATION, EXCELLENCE, CHARACTER
SUMMER NEWSLETTER - JULY 27, 2016
Greetings to Our Fellow Mustang Families!
We hope that you continue to enjoy your summer holiday. The faculty and administration here at FSA can't wait to welcome you next week during Orientation Day on Thursday, August 4, and then again on Monday, August 8, when our new school year officially begins!
This issue of our summer newsletter is filled with lots of important details to help get our academic year off to a great start. We hope you will read through this newsletter carefully and that you find the information to be helpful.
Here's to a wonderful year. We'll see you soon!
August 4, 2016
9 - 11 a.m.
Pre-K through Fourth Grade Orientation Day
August 4, 2016
1 to 3 p.m.
Fifth Grade through Eighth Grade Grade Orientation Day
August 4, 2016
1 to 3 p.m.
High School Orientation Day
Please look for a separate email, which will be forthcoming, that includes detailed information about the school's orientation day.
IMPORTANT DATES
August 4
9 to 11 a.m.
Pre-K Through Fourth Grade Orientation Day
August 4
Noon
ABRSM Music Exam Information Session for ALL Families in Cafeteria
August 4 from
1 to 3 p.m.
Fifth through Tentgh Grade Orientation Day
August 8
First Day of School
August 8 through August 12
No After School Clubs
(Dismissal at 3:30 p.m.)
August 11
Deadline to Submit After School Club Choices
August 13
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Picnic - Pre-K Through 4th Grade
August 14
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Picnic - Fifth Through Tenth Grades
August 15
First Day of After School Clubs
August 24
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Curriculum Night; Pre-K Through Fourth Grade
August 25
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Curriculum Night; Fifth Through Tenth Grade
2016 - 2017 SCHOOL YEAR SUPPLY LIST
Families are asked to please bring all school supplies (personal and classroom contributions) to their homeroom classes during the orientation day on August 4th. Please see the supply list for different grades below.
Pre-K Supply List
Kindergarten Boys Supply List
Kindergarten Girls Supply List
1st Grade Supply List
2nd Grade Supply List
3rd Grade Supply List
4th and 5th Grade Supply List
6th-12th Grade Supply List
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
With Smart Lunches, mornings are a breeze! Our convenient online lunch service makes it easy for parents to save time and feed their kids delicious, nourishing school lunches!
The menu includes a variety of hot and cold choices that rotate both seasonally and daily, and always contain at least five great lunch options. Lunches are delivered on your schedule; just choose the days you need a delivery or sign up for our recurring monthly subscription. It’s easy to order and easy to manage — making your mornings a whole lot simpler.
Ready to make your mornings less hectic? Get notified the instant your school is open for ordering! Sign up now at www.smartlunches.com!
UNIFORM ORDERS - DISCOUNT CODE
Our school continues to enjoy a great partnership with Land’s End, the provider of FSA school uniforms. Please follow the link below to begin ordering your school uniform order(s) today.
Please click here to connect directly with Land’s End.
In addition to ordering online, families also have the option of visiting local Sears department stores. Most Atlanta-area Sears stores have uniform pieces in stock, enabling students to try on articles of clothing to determine the best possible fit. Stores also provide an in-store kiosk where FSA logos and/or uniforms can be ordered.
BELOW ARE THE REQUIRED UNIFORM PIECES THAT PRE-K THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS MUST HAVE:
1) Red Polo shirt with school logo.
2) *Shoes that follow the uniform guidelines (see below).
3) Black or brown belt (to be worn with all shorts and pants that have belt loops).
4) P.E. athletic shirt & shorts/pants mandatory for grades 6-12, optional for grades 4-5.
*Shoes that meet the uniform guidelines have been added to the FSAPS Land’s End uniform options. These particular shoes are not required, but shoes worn to school DO need to meet the uniform guidelines.
HIGH SCHOOL UNIFORMS
High school uniforms are slightly different from the younger grades. Uniform pieces include:
1) Oxford button down shirts are required.
2) There is an option for red sweaters and jackets for high school students only.
3) P.E. athletic shirt and shorts/pants are mandatory.
4) Please see bottom chart for all high school specifications.
For detailed information about uniforms, please visit: http://fultonscienceacademy.org/13571-2/
BAND & ORCHESTRA PROGRAM INSTRUMENT SELECTION
As previously announced, beginning this year, we will be offering a band and orchestra program during school hours for students in fifth grade through eighth grade. Students in these grades will be required to participate in this new class. Please use the link below to inform us about your selection and whether you prefer band or orchestra for your child.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR SELECTION USING THIS LINK: https://docs.google.com/a/fultonscienceacademy.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1OFynvghXo_CfzTHhkBG4yCf-sWvbS-PDNtOkvb3UjI2yFg/viewform
* If you missed the event on July 16 and still need help with instrument selection, then please work with Ken Stanton or any other music company directly. Ken Stanton has an office in Alpharetta as well. On the Ken Stanton website there is a specific link for Fulton Science Academy. They will be able to help you with instrument selection. http://www.kenstanton.net/band-orchestra-rentals/
* If your child is already playing another instrument which is not listed in our link above and you do not want your child to change the instrument, that won't be a problem. We will accommodate you in our classes. We will not require students to begin a second instrument unless they are willing to. Playing one instrument is good enough for our student's college portfolio. Simply write that instrument in the "Other" section on the above online form.
* Band and Orchestra Classes will offered as follows:
- One Hour Band or Orchestra Class During the Week as part of Connection Classes of Art, Computer, Music, Physical Education and PLTW
- One Hour of Optional Zero Period Band and Orchestra During the Week between 7:00 and 7:55 a.m. An exact schedule will be shared during orientation day.
1st Year Band Instrument Options: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet or Trombone
1st Year Orchestra Instrument Options: Violin, Viola, or Cello
* We will also offer band and orchestra as after school clubs for those interested. The club schedule will be shared during orientation day on August 4.
* Private music lessons will still be available at our school. For private music lessons, please visit this link here: http://fultonscienceacademy.org/private-music-lessons-2/
There will also be an information table available during our open house for private music lessons.
* The ABRSM meeting will be on Thursday August 4, at noon in cafeteria. Anyone interested to learn more about ABRSM, please visit this link http://fultonscienceacademy.org/abrsm-exam-center/ and please also plan to attend the meeting on August 4 in cafeteria.
If you have any other questions, please contact Mrs. Peacock (Band) at jpeacock@fultonscienceacademy.org or Dr. Hawk (Orchestra) at ehawk@fultonscienceacademy.org
Have a wonderful rest of the summer!
GREAT NEWS! INTRODUCING NEW ZERO PERIODS FOR MUSIC AND CODING
- Innovative and Rigorous STEAM Curriculum
- Connection classes including Music, Art, Computer, PLTW, and Physical Education
- Daily Foreign Language Classes Starting in Pre-K
- Strong Academic Teams
- Variety of After School Clubs
- Variety of Local, Out of State, and International Field Trips
- Academic Camps
- College Mentorship Program
- Character Education Class
- Community Service Opportunities
- Student Leadership Opportunities Such as NJHS & Student Council
- Home Visits
- Seminars and many other things.
We also strive to increase the effectiveness of all the programs we offer each year.
As part of our ongoing quest to make our school a leading STEAM institution in the region, we have been discussing ways to improve the music and computer/coding programs in our school. We are pleased to report that as part of our school improvement plan for the 2016 - 2017 school year, we will now offer ZERO PERIODS for music and coding. As part of this program, we have added two additional faculty members to our school. Orchestra teacher, Dr. Hawk, and Computer teacher, Ms. Ertekin.
WHAT ARE ZERO PERIODS?
Zero Periods are offered to students in grades five or higher (on an optional basis) and are held between 7 and 7:55 a.m. two days per week. One day, Band or Orchestra will be offered and the other day Coding will be offered for each grade.
Thanks to zero periods, students will have the option to take an additional class of either band/orchestra and/or coding classes during early morning hours as well as their regular music and computer class during regular school hours. The optional zero period classes will give a boost in the learning of band/orchestra and coding programs at our school.
Additionally, the after school advance band and orchestra clubs and coding, robotics, and technology competition clubs will be available to our students on an optional basis as well.
The detailed information will shared during orientation day on August 4th.
Fulton Science Academy - FULL STEAM AHEAD!
CLASS PLACEMENTS
Class placements have now been sent to all families. Please go over this information carefully and contact Mr. Turan, nturan@fultonscienceacademy.org, with any questions/concerns at your earliest convenience. We want to make sure that we have all classes finalized and ready before the school year starts.
Final class schedules, including teacher names and classroom assignments, will be given to you during the orientation day on Thursday, August 4.
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM
We value the feedback of our FSA families and, as such, are pleased to announce some changes with our before and after school care, including a new discounted monthly payment plan that we think may interest you.
As you know, fees for our regular before and after school care are as follows:
- Before School Care is available every weekday between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. for $5 per day
- After School Care is available every weekday between 3:30 and 6:00 p.m. for $15 per day
We will have after school club options for each weekday this year. Those who do not attend a club can stay in after school care beginning at 3:30 p,m. For those who are enrolled in a club, the after school care program will begin at 4:30 p,m.
This year, we are pleased to announce new discounted fees that are associated with payment plan. Those fees are as follows:
- Monthly Payment Plan for Before School Care - $50 per student (A savings of about $50 per month)
- Monthly Payment Plan for After School Care - $200 per student (A savings of about $100 per month)
- Additionally, there will be 10% before and after school care discount for the siblings when they register for the monthly payment plan.
For those students who regularly use before or after school care, we recommend the monthly payment plan to save money. Once you register, you will be sent invoices at the end of each month between the months of August and May. If interested, please visit the link below and submit.
If your family is not interested in a monthly registration, you do not need to do anything. You will be charged, per day, as you use these services.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Thanks to our rapidly expanding enrollment numbers, we are now able to offer new after school club choices to our wonderful students. The new schedule for after school clubs will be shared with families during orientation day, Thursday, August 4. Everyone will be asked to please make their selections online no later than Thursday, August 11, 2016.
After school clubs will begin during the second week of the school year. Families will have their chance to learn more about each academic team during academic team presentations. These presentations will take place between 3:45-4:30 p.m. during first week of school. A detailed schedule of academic team presentations, dates, times and locations, will be shared in upcoming school newsletters and also during orientation.
SCHOOL ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
SCHOOL ARRIVAL
- Students will use the main door to enter the school building during morning arrivals.
- You will be welcomed by our faculty members and your children will be taken to the cafeteria to wait for the beginning of first period.
- If you need to park your car, please use only designated parking areas. No car should park in the morning arrival area to keep traffic running smoothly.
- Please be reminded that the speed limit is 15 mph on campus. Please never go above 15 mph on campus.
Please be informed that parking in the circular area in front of the school is not allowed during the day. When you bring your child late or come to pick up your child early, please park at the designated parking areas, not in front of the main door. That area should always be kept empty during the day.
SCHOOL DISMISSAL
- Please note the difference in the traffic flow carefully. There will be staff members guiding you during the process.
Please see dismissal hours here:
- First dismissal is at 3:30 p.m.
- Second dismissal is at 4:20 p.m.
- We will use a barcode check-out during dismissal.
- Dismissal for Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be from the door on the left side of the building.
- We kindly ask Pre-K and Kindergarten families to please park and pick up their children from left, side door. Teachers will be waiting for their families there.
- Pre-K and Kindergarten families who have children in other grades should then join carpool line to pick-up their children in other grades.
- If you have no children in other grades, then you may easily leave the building since the exit road is wide open.
- The second dismissal will continue until carpool is over. After that time, students will be taken to cafeteria for after school care.
- After the second dismissal, families should use the main door to pick up their children. This applies to students in after school care, band, orchestra, and other academic teams with late studies.
COLLEGE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM EXPANDS
- SAT/ACT Math
- SAT/ACT Verbal
- Writing Skills (With a specific focus on college essays)
- Character Education for Middle School students
- Life Skills for High School students
- College Mentorship
The College Mentorship Program will be overseen by our School Counselor, Miss Kelly. She will send out more information about the program throughout the school year, so please be on the lookout for updates!
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL "WELCOME BACK" PICNIC HOSTED BY FSA
Excitement abounds as staff, students, and families prepare for a new school year in August. As a small gesture of our appreciation for sharing your wonderful children with us, we look forward to hosting the annual "FSA Welcome Back Picnic" at our campus. Please check dates/times below:
Saturday, August 13
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Pre-K through Fourth Grade
Sunday, August 14
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Fifth Grade and Up
Back by popular demand, our teachers will prepare delicious barbecue chicken, hot dogs, veggie options and salad.
We kindly ask parents to please bring the following side dishes, according to their last names:
A to K - Drinks
L to Z - Desserts and Fruits
We will have fun activities as well as delicious food; please plan to bring the whole family!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW TO ATTEND THE FSA CURRICULUM NIGHT
Wednesday, August 24 – Pre-K through 4th grades - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 25 – 5th Grade and -Up - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Parents/guardians will have an opportunity to go to each of their students' classes and get an overview from their teachers about the curriculum, materials, and books that will be used this year. We encourage all parents to please attend their student’s curriculum night. Childcare will be provided to families during curriculum night. Please don't be tardy. :)
GRANDPARENTS DAY
Alex Haley once wrote, "Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children."
At Fulton Science Academy, we cherish the special relationships between our students and their grandparents. As such, we embrace an opportunity to invite grandparents to please enjoy a special day at FSA, in the company of their beloved grandchildren.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
1 p.m. - Brief School Tour
1:20 p.m. - Luncheon
The purpose of this special program is three-fold:
- To honor grandparents;
- To give grandparents an opportunity to get more information about their grandchildren’s school; and
- To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
We encourage students, parents, and grandparents to come together to celebrate!
If you wish to attend our special Grandparents Gathering, please send an e-mail to Mrs. Condon at rcondon@fultonscienceacademy.org by Thursday, September 8, 2016 and let us know how many will attend from your family so that we can plan accordingly.
We hope to see you!
2016 - 2017 Student & Parent Handbook
Links to the documents are here:
Elementary Student & Parent Handbook
Middle & High Student & Parent Handbook
With the introduction of new high school classes this year, our administrative team is working hard to finalize a comprehensive high school grading policy, including AP courses. This detailed information will be shared during Orientation Day (August 4th) by our high school teachers.
2016 - 2017 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
http://fultonscienceacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2016-2017-FSA-School-Calendar.pdf
The calendar will be updated routinely to include more detailed events as our new school year approaches. Please check back frequently for new additions.
SUMMER READING LIST
Summer is a great time to relax and read a good book!
Research proves that children who don't read during the summer months can lose up to three months of reading progress. As such, we strongly encourage our students to enjoy reading during their time off from school.
Below, please find a link that outlines suggested summer reading(s). These lists have been prepared by our teachers and apply to children from rising kindergarten students through rising eighth grade students.
Please note: Any students taking Literature Composition (9th grade) and World Literature (10th grade), have a mandatory assignment that you can find below.
We encourage our students to please enjoy as many books as possible over the summer. To reward summer reading, we will award dress down days for students who complete the following book lists and return their work during our first official week of school in August.
Rising kindergarten through rising 5th grade
- Choose and read 10 books from the grade he/she will be entering next school year, or lists from the grades above.
- Write a summary of the book read, no longer than one page. (Younger students can have parents assist with the writing.)
- Bring the book summaries to school the first week.
Rising 6th through 8th grade
- Choose and read five books from the grade he/she will be entering next school year or lists from the grades above.
- Write a summary of the book read, no longer than one page.
- Bring the book summaries the first week of school.
Rising 9th/10th grade students
- Students taking Literature Composition (9th grade) need to read the linked assignment and complete it to bring on the 1st day of school.
- Students taking World Literature (10th grade) need to read the linked assignment and complete it to bring on the 1st day of school.
Rising K – 5th summer reading list
Rising 6th summer reading list
Rising 7th summer reading list
Rising 8th summer reading list
PRIVATE MUSIC CLASSES
As an advocate of STEAM education, FSAPS offers private music lessons for students of the school. This individualized instruction includes studies in:
- technique including scales, chords and arpeggios
- practice methods
- music theory, sightreading and ear training
- ABRSM and a wide variety of repertoire including the masterworks
We offer private music lessons in many instruments and areas of study: Piano, Voice, Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass Violin, Clarinet, Flute, Ukulele, Saxophone, Accordion, Percussion, Trumpet, Trombone, Banjo, Mandolin, Theory, Conducting, Composition, and more. We support the Band and Orchestra Programs. Please inquire if you do not see an instrument here that you are interested in learning how to play or an area of study. Lessons are scheduled during recess and after school.
ABRSM (We are now an ABRSM Exam Center.)
Beginning students are encouraged to prepare for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Preparatory Exam in the Spring. Intermediate & Advanced Students should be accessed by their Private Music Teacher as to what grade they should begin the program. We welcome any existing ABRSM students! Inquiries should be addressed to the student’s private music teacher.
Senior Home Performances & Festivals
Students are encouraged to perform at senior homes and enter North Fulton Music Teachers Association festivals. Inquiries should be addressed to the student’s private music teacher.
Recitals
Performances will be held at the end of each semester. Recognition of significant accomplishments will be made during this event. Families and guests are welcome to attend.
Lessons
School Year: $960
32 Lessons, 16 each Fall & Winter Semester
Registration Fee: $20*
*You may waive the registration fee if you pay for the entire year.
Payment 1 due upon registration: $600
Payment 2 due 1/6/17 (Late Fee of $20): $380
Registration Day is on Orientation Day, Thursday, August 4th, from 9 AM-4 PM. If you cannot attend Registration, you may register at any time beginning on August 1st by contacting Melinda Hubbell (see below). Instructors’ bios and contact information is posted on the website. Fill out a registration form (available on the FSA website under Arts) and submit payment by check (preferred method) to Hubbell Music, LLC and leave at the front office. You may also call (770) 402-2907 to pay via credit card.
FSAPS Private Lessons Web Flyer
Instructors Bios
Calendar 2016-17
Policies and Procedures
Registration Form
Classical Guitar Ensemble
Contact
If you have questions regarding private music lessons at FSAPS please contact: Melinda Hubbell at (770) 402-2907 or mhubbell@fultonscienceacademy.org.
parents of rising Seventh graders
All students born on or after January 1, 2002 who are entering, advancing, or transferring into seventh grade in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) and an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (MCV4). Proof of both vaccinations must be documented on the Georgia Immunization Certificate (Form 3231).
Please submit these to the front desk before the fall semester begins. Thank you.
SIGN UP FOR REMIND!
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 tools we use at our school to keep our families updated and informed about all of the wonderful things happening at Fulton Science Academy.
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