SKY Storm Welcome Back to School Newsletter

Issue 1 August 2017

Message from Principal Steve Smith

Greetings SKY Families, the summer is just about over and SKY Academy is once again an A+ rated school!!! Congratulations to all of our students

and staff for their hard work to make this possible. We also want to THANK YOU as our parents for always being involved and supporting your child's edu-cation here at SKY Academy!! We are extremely proud to be a High Performing Charter School. We are looking forward to the 2017-2018 school year and think that it will be our best year yet! Our 6th grade orientation will be August 8th from 5:30-7:00 and 7th and 8th grade will be August 10th from 5:30-7:00. It is hard to believe that we will be starting school in just a few more weeks and we want to make sure everyone is prepared and ready to go. Please feel free to visit our website SKYattheY.com or call us anytime with any questions you may have. We hope you enjoy your last few weeks of summer and look forward to seeing everyone soon!!!! Go SKY STORM!!!!

Welcome to SKY Academy Venice! With only a few weeks left before school begins I am sure everyone feels the excitement of school approaching.

Please keep in mind that everyone gets anxious and a little nervous on the first day of school. This happens for a number of reasons maybe new school, new people, schedules, friends, and just getting into the school calendar. Well do not worry because here at SKY Academy we understand and we want to assure you that we will be here to support you all as you make the transition from summer to school.

PLEASE READ THROUGH STUDENT PLANNER and school policies the first week of school.

If you cannot make orientation night please do not worry we will have student schedules available the first day of school. Do not stop by the front office just drop off your child at the café and we will provide them schedules. I have included quite a few helpful hints in this newsletter to help get through the first days and weeks of school.

Students should not worry we will be there to help with finding classes, opening lockers, and answering any questions students may have!

Mrs. Sooklal

Sky Academy Assistant Principal

For the first day of school all students must have a back pack, 3 inch zippered binder, pencils, pens, loose leaf paper and a notebook . Supply lists will be given on orientation nights by individual teachers. Every stu-dent must purchase a planner and binder inserts during orientation or on the first day of school $20.00.

Schedules will be distributed at orientation night. If you cannot make it to orientation students will receive schedules on the first day of school. Students should be dropped off at café and we will give them their schedule . Please do not go to the front office on the first day of school for schedules.

Keep in mind; you should be dressed in your SKY Approved uniform with your shirt tucked in and a belt. Always check your planner (6th grade students will receive at orientation or August 14) if you have ques-tions about sky uniform policy. Sneakers and socks can be any color. Students are allowed to wear only sky logo sweatshirts /jackets or SOLID (Absolutely no logo of any kind no matter how small ) white/grey/blue/black/purple sweatshirts on cool days. Sweatpants are not allowed.

Pack your PE uniform every day! SKY logo tee shirt and sky logo royal blue mesh shorts. Deodor-ant can be left in locker. Absolutely no locker accessories or body sprays allowed.

PE Teachers will be selling locks the first week of school. Never share your locker combination with anyone!! All locks MUST be purchased through the SKY Academy PE Department.

Please do not buy any locker accessories the only thing allowed in lockers is your uniform and necessary hygiene/ deodorant. No perfumes or body sprays allowed.

Cell phones must be turned OFF and put away in BOOK BAGS. (Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day no exceptions. If there is an emergency they go to the front office and ask to use the phone.) Please review school cell phone policy. Parents who need to get a message to stu-dents must call the front office.

Set your alarm so you have plenty of time. Whether it is to get to your bus stop, ride your bike, walk or have your mom and dad drive you.

All students should be dropped off no later than 7:35 am the first bell rings at 7:40 am. Any student ar-riving after the 7:45 bell will be marked tardy.

All students should know how they are getting home when they are dropped off in the morning. Bus, car ride, after care, or walking home.

Be sure to sign up on myschoolbucks.com if your child will be buying lunch. Remember when signing up that you click SKY Academy as the district. School lunches are $3.00 Additional items vary in cost. Please remem-ber to apply for free and reduced lunch if needed. Forms are at our front office.

If your child brings a lunch please check school lunch policy. Healthy lunches only. No fast food. Please do not drop off any fast food lunches to students. (No McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Chinese,

Make time in the morning for breakfast at home or you may purchase breakfast in the café before 7:30 am for $1.00. This is a great time to sit and enjoy company with friends in the morning and to get energized for the day.

Students are NOT allowed to bring in Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks drinks into school/cafe at any time. No fast food items of any type are allowed .

The first week of school there will be teachers and students who will help with finding classes and an-swering student questions. It is a small building and you will get acclimated quickly.

DO not worry there if you are not sure of something. Just ASK.

IMPORTANT Summary NOTES FOR PARENTS All students must be dropped off at the cafeteria, no exceptions Students may be dropped off anytime between 6:45 AM and 7:30 AM. Students who arrive after

the 7:45 bell will be marked tardy. (No drop offs in front of the YMCA, SKY Academy or church is allowed) Please be patient drop off/pick up goes quickly. Remember the parking lot is 10 MPH. Plan accordingly no exceptions to drop off procedures.

Students will be dismissed to the cafeteria and all car riders must be picked up there promptly at 2:40 PM. No pick up from the church lot or in front of the YMCA or SKY is allowed.

Bus Riders must follow bus rules and procedures at all times. If students receive bus write up they will lose bus privileges. Students may listen to music using head phones on the bus. No food is allowed.

All students need to be here on time anyone arriving after 7:45 will be marked tardy. If stu-dents return from a Dr. Appt. please bring in a Dr. note. We have strict policies on attend-ance and tardiness.

Please do not worry if your child isn’t sure where classes are we will have teachers, staff and students assisting. Please drop them off at the cafe and they will be in good hands.

If a student forgets or doesn’t have their schedule, no worries we will have an extra for them. Please be sure to sign up with remind 101 and check Parent Portal for student grades and pro-

gress throughout the year. We teach students to become independent learners who take re-sponsibility for their grade and academic expectations.

We follow executive function organization and binders should be checked daily. All lunches can be paid through myschoolbucks.com

Please send in a healthy lunch or we encourage students to buy lunch. Do not send in any fast foods or drinks (McDonalds, Starbucks, Dunkin, Taco Bell etc.) ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED

Remind your children to check lockers daily and bring home uniforms to get washed. Students are allowed to bring in deodorant. No perfumes/body sprays allowed.

Planners are $5.00 and can be purchased at orientation or the first week of school. All 7th Grade students must have cDAP immunization shot or they will not be able to attend

school and will be sent home the first day, no exceptions.

I am always available, so please do not hesitate to call or email. I am here for any concerns or questions any-time. My day gets busy and if I cannot meet with you immediately, please set up an appointment. We are all looking forward to a productive school year at SKY Academy and with your support it will be a great year. Welcome Back!

Mrs. Sooklal

Principal: Steve Smith

Assistant Principal/Guidance: Michelle Sooklal

SKY Academy Faculty

Social Studies Teachers

Ms. Dunlap

TBA

Science Teachers

Dr. Roth

Mr. Singleton

Math Teachers

Mr. Novia

Ms. Gaudreau

Language Arts Teachers

Dr, Jenkins

Ms. Zimmerman

Mrs. Larson

Physical Education

Mr. Sosnoski

Mrs. Bacon

Technology

Kim Grossenbacher

SKY Academy Staff

Registrar

Front Desk Receptionist

Jennifer Harrison

Health Aide

Erica Raymond

Cafeteria Manager

Mr. Dave Holroyd

Custodian

After School Athletic Program

Volleyball try-outs will be held on Monday August 14 and Tuesday August 15 from 2:45—4:00 PM in the gym.

Flag football try outs will be held on Monday August 14 and Tuesday August 15 & Wednesday August 16 from 2:45—4:00 PM at Sky Academy fields.

Students who participate in after school sports must:

Maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Must complete an athletic packet and turn it into the Regis-trar prior to try outs.

Must submit up to date physical examination completed pri-or to try outs.

Must follow attendance policies.

All medications must be dropped off to the Health Clinic Aide with completed paperwork. Students are not allowed to carry any type of medication in school.

If your child is absent from school please send in a doctor’s note or parent excuse immedi-ately upon student’s return to school. All notes must be received within three days of the ab-sence.

If your child becomes sick/injured in school they will be sent to the Clinic and the Health Aid will contact you.

If you are signing your child out of school early you must show picture I.D. and be listed as an authorized person for pick up. Please make sure you have listed anyone allowed to pick up your child with Jennifer Harrison Cestero/Registrar.

Students will not be released or called out of class until you have arrived and have shown proper I.D.

Our Charter is built on physical education/health & wellness and all students are required to participate in 2 Physical Education classes daily.

Students must be prepared with PE uniforms and swim gear for swim weeks. All girls are required to have a one piece bathing suit.

All students must have a physical completed yearly and on record.

Immunizations

The immunization form must be completed prior to the first day of school. Students who do not have re-quired immunizations and the DH 60 form completed will be sent home without exception. In addition to being sent home students who do not have the DH 60 form in will not be able to ride the bus, play sports or other extra curricular activities until the form is received with required immunizations.

All 7th grade students must have a TDaP prior to the first day of school.

For more information please go to www.sarsotacountyschools.net/department/schoolhealth/

After School Clubs

Robotics Club Mondays with Mr. Singleton

Sign up August 28 through September 6

Begins Monday September 11 from 2:45 until 4:00 PM

Girls Work Out Club Mondays with Mrs. Bacon

Limited number of 12 girls

Sign up August 14 through August 18

Begins Monday August 21 from 2:45—4:00 PM

After School Academic Enrichment Program (AEP) will begin on Monday September 11 from 2:45—3:30 PM.

After Care is a privilege and all rules must be adhered to at all times. Please read after care policy. Students must be picked up NO LATER THAN 5:45 PM. There will be a late charge fee of $1.00 for every minute after 5:45 PM.

SKY ACADEMY 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR

LUNCH PROCEDURES Students will have the opportunity to purchase a healthy breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria

daily.

The cost for breakfast is $1.00 The cost for lunch is $3.00

We also will have a la carte items available to purchase at an extra cost.

Due to guidelines for the National School Lunch program, a la carte items cannot be subst

tuted for lunches that are reimbursed, for those students receiving paid, free and reduced lunch. A la carte items may be purchased if these students have extra money in their account.

We request that all student have funds in their account as of the first day of school.

Funds can be added by presenting cash or check to the cashier at meal time, or by going on line to myschoolbucks.com, and registering your student. This payment can be made with

your credit card, and gives you the option to be notified when funds need to be replenished. This site should be available in early August. You will choose the “SKY” district and select

either Venice or Englewood Sky, and use your student’s Customer ID# to create an account.

Students that attended SKY ACADEMY, last year, may have a balance that was transferred to the new school year. This may be a positive or negative balance. If there is a negative balance,

it will be required to be paid before students may start purchasing lunches this year.

Students should not have a negative balance in their account. We know that sometimes a par-ent will forget to send payments for a day or two. The cashier will notify your student if they

owe money. Please ask your child daily if they need lunch money.

The procedure for negative balance is as follows:

If your student has a negative balance of more than $10, they will not be receiving the scheduled hot lunch. They will be sent a note asking them to bring their lunch.

If they forget to bring a lunch, they will need to go to cashier so they can provide them a cheese sandwich and a milk. Please be sure to inform your student about this procedure.

If purchasing lunches is a hardship for your family, at any time during the school year, please fill out the free and reduced application, and turn it in to the front office.

Collect everyday labels to score points for SKY Acade-my Venice. Labels should be submitted to the front desk or to the students first period teacher.

If you are interested in becoming a SKY Academy business partner please email

michelle.sooklal@sarasotacountyschools.net

Parent Portal

It is the responsibility of students to know their grades and to set academic goals. Pro-gress report and end of grading periods are clearly on the calendar. Our executive func-tion plan is to teach students they are responsible for time management, prioritizing, and organization of their academic day, school materials and responsibilities.

All information on how to use the parent portal can be found:

https://parentportal.sarasotacountyschools.net

If you need to contact a teacher they cannot be reached during the school day as they have important teaching responsibilities.

Please leave a message or you may email them. They will get back to you in a timely manner.

Parents may also use the REMIND APP to contact teachers.

If you need to leave a message for your child please call the front desk . We will be sure to get the message to your child. Remember cell phones are not allowed to be on at anytime during the school day.

REMIND APP

WE ARE ASKING ALL PARENTS TO FOLLOW THE STEPS TO RECEIVE COMMUNICATION ABOUT

SCHOOL AND EVENTS USING THE REMIND app on your phones and to your emails. Teachers will review with you during Orientation and will send home info the first

week of school.

Mark Your Calendar

SKY Academy stands for Strength and Knowledge at the YMCA. The mission of SKY

Academy is to promote pre-adolescent

student achievement through a rigorous infusion of wellness

and fitness strategies into the learning and mastery

of the Florida Career & College Readiness Standards to

enable students to live a healthy and productive life.

PLEASE BE SURE TO SEND IN ALL REGISTRATION

INFORMATION

Enrollment questions please call our

Registrar Ms. Jennifer Harrison at 941-244-2626 or email at

Jennifer.harrison @sarasotacountyschools.net

WHERE SUCCESS HAS NO BOUNDARIES!

We’re on the web!

www.skyatthey.com

Effective Immediately…

ALL Visitors, Vendors and Volunteers

MUST have a printed badge while on SKY Campus.

Be sure to notify us with any changes to phone number, ad-dress or other contact infor-

mation.

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