From the Principal – Freedom Crossing Academy

Parent Falcon Flyer. September 2024

August 6, 2024
Dear Falcon Families,

The countdown is on! The first day of school is less than a week away! Our dedicated teachers have been hard at work, preparing engaging lesson plans and creating a positive learning environment for your student. We had an amazing first day of pre-planning and are excited and ready to welcome our students back. Please take a moment to read over this important information regarding “Meet the Teacher ” events and other activities. Thank you again for your continued support and partnership. Here’s to a wonderful start to the school year!

Melissa Lime, Principal

Let’s Start Strong! Important Information

Teacher Announcements/ Schedules:

Kindergarten– Please check your email tonight for a welcome message from your child’s new teacher.
Grades 1-5^th– Please check your email on Thursday, August 8^th for a welcome message from your child’s teacher.
Middle School (Grades 6-8) will receive their schedule via HAC on August 9^th. Welcome messages will be posted on Schoology. Printed schedules will available during MS Orientation.

Meet the Teacher / Orientation – We are very excited to meet our new and returning families this week. Please save the date!

Elementary:

Kindergarten – Thursday, August 8^th, 6-7pm
- Kindergarten Students & Families-Join us for a sweet treat and meet your new classmates at the PTO Sponsored “Popsicles in the Café” from 7:00-7:30pm.
Grades 1^st & 2^nd Graders– Friday, August 9^th, 8:00 – 11:00 am
Grades 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th Graders- Friday, August 9^th, 10-12pm

Middle School

6^th Graders- Friday, Aug. 9^th, 2:00-3:00pm
7^th & 8^th Graders-Friday, August 9^th, 3:00-4pm

*Locker combinations and locker numbers will be available on HAC on Friday, August 9^th.

Middle School PE Uniforms

If you have not already ordered your students P.E uniform, the deadline to order is Friday, August 9^th. The preferred method of payment is schoolpay. Please see the schoolpay link and QR code attached below. We will be able to assist you at meet the teacher if needed.

Link: https://schoolpay.com/pay/for/20242025-PE-Uniforms–Locker-Deposit/MfaC

School Supplies- We strongly encourage all students to bring their supplies to class during orientation.

Elementary Supply List-https://www-fca.stjohns.k12.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24-25-FCA-K-5-Supply-Lists.pdf
Middle School Supply List-https://www-fca.stjohns.k12.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Middle-School-Supply-List-update.pdf

Rising 7^th Graders- Required Immunizations

The State of Florida requires all rising 7th graders to have the Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) Immunization. Please schedule your doctor’s appointment soon to receive your student’s updated Florida DH 680 Form. Once you obtain this form, please provide it to us as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition into 7th grade.

Students missing the Returning Student Verification (RSV), residency, or rising 7^th grade immunizations, will not receive his/her schedule until these forms have been submitted. Please check your email to verify if you are missing any of the items. RSV reminders can be found by searching for, “Powerschool”. The most recent email for residency and/or Immunizations were sent out on Monday, August 5^th. Please submit your RSV online, and/or your updated residency or rising 7^th grade immunization form can be dropped off at the front office or emailed to [email protected].

Kindergarten Staggered Start

Staggered Start and Sign-Up Genius

Parents will choose their child’s staggered start day during the first week of school. Each kindergarten student will attend one day on the first week of school (Monday-Thursday). All kindergarten students will attend school on Friday, August 16th.
The day of your child’s staggered start day, parents who are approved volunteers can walk their child to his/her kindergarten classroom. Please note that on August 16th, kindergarten students will arrive through carpool or bus arrival.
To have access to the building, parents must be an approved volunteer through the Keep-in-Track system. Approved parent volunteers can pick up their “volunteer badge” prior to walking his/her child to their kindergarten classroom. There will be a table located outside the front office for parents to pick up their badges.

Steps In Obtaining School Access: In order to access the Freedom Crossing Academy Campus.

Please use the following link to complete the access volunteer application.

Complete the School Access Form by clicking the box in the right-hand corner of this page, or by going to https://stjohns.keepntrack.com/apply.
Name needs to appear exactly as shown on Driver’s License/State ID
Two (2) weeks after submission of the form, contact the school of your choice, to check status.

Cafeteria News

Parents/Guardians can add money to the student’s account electronically by using the following link https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/food/paypams. This is the preferred method for payment. If you don’t already have a PayPams account, you can set one up to add funds to your child’s account electronically.

Parents/Guardians may also send money in via check. (Please be sure to include the student’s name, teacher, and grade with the check, so that it is deposited to the proper student’s account.)

The 2024-2025 Free and Reduced Lunch Application is online by using this link: https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/food/free/. For faster service, please complete the online form in either English or Spanish. If you would prefer to submit a paper copy, please print the form from the website and return it to our front desk, and we will send it to the district Food Service Department. Please do not delay applying to prevent a gap in your student’s meal eligibility.

FCA Cafeteria Website: https://www-fca.stjohns.k12.fl.us/cafe/

Transportation

Transportation Information is now available to view in Home Access Center (HAC)

Once logged into HAC, parents/guardians should utilize the registration tab to see school bus route information. If no school bus route information is present under the registration tab, then they should call Transportation. There is either an error or they are ineligible for transportation services.
During “Meet the Teacher” event, please complete the Orientation/ Transportation Form in your child’s classroom to confirm how your child’s method of transportation. This information helps us prepare for a smooth dismissal.

New Safety Protocols

Pedestrian Gates

Due to a recent state law, all pedestrian gates including the bike rack gates and the gates adjacent to the park, will need to be locked during school hours.
Morning Arrival- Gates will be monitored by staff from 7:30am until 8am and then locked during school hours.
After School Dismissal-Gates will be opened at 2:20pm.
The two main vehicle gates on Shetland Drive will be the only point of access to the campus during school hours.

Lanyards

All students, grades K-8, will be required to wear ID/lanyards during school hours. Students will receive their lanyard and ID on the first day of school.

Backpack Tags

All students, grades K-8, will receive a backpack tag the first week of school to help staff identify how students are getting home. Please do not remove this tag from your child’s backpack and this tag is a visual reminder and extra layer of security.

New Traffic Light at Shetland/Longleaf

PSA’s & Crossing Guards will be available next week to assist students with the new traffic light. PSA’s will no longer be stationed at the Shetland light going forward.

Morning Arrival and After School Dismissal Information

https://www-fca.stjohns.k12.fl.us/arrival-and-dismissal/

*Please be patient the first week of school with after school dismissal including parent pick up and buses. Bus times typically run late as they adjust the routes based on riders. Pick up/drop off times may vary. The Parent Pick Up line will get faster in the weeks ahead.

Traffic Patterns

https://www-fca.stjohns.k12.fl.us/traffic-patterns/

Rainy Day Dismissal Procedures

https://www-fca.stjohns.k12.fl.us/rainy-day-dismissal/

Cell Phone Policy:

The expectation is for all cell phones to be turned on silent, and placed in your child’s backpack during the school day. Parents can contact the front office for assistance at 904-547-4230.

Dear Falcon Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!

We have been eagerly anticipating the start of the new school year and it’s almost here! The beginning of the school year is always filled with joy and excitement for both our students and staff! We are very excited to meet our new and returning Falcons at the upcoming “Meet the Teacher” events in early August. Prior to the “Meet the Teacher” events, your child’s teacher will be reaching out to your family with a welcome message.

Throughout the school year, I will communicate with you through monthly newsletters via School Messenger to keep you informed about upcoming events, activities, and “good things” happening on campus. This month’s newsletter includes information to help you prepare for the first days of school. Please download the Falcon Flyer: Summer Edition to learn more about the following:

School Hours
Good News
Cafeteria Information
Required Drills/ Assemblies
Meet the Teacher Dates
School Supplies
PTO Information
Kindergarten Staggered Start
Middle School PE Uniforms
Middle School Meet the Teacher Event & Schedule Preview Dates
How to Access Schoology & Home Access Center
Volunteer Information
Morning & Afterschool Dismissal Procedures
Traffic Patterns
Rainy Day Dismissal Procedures
Extended Day
FCA Culture
Community Back to School Events
Barnes & Nobles Reading Challenge
FortiflyFL

Falcon Flyer. Summer Edition. 24.25 (2)

As your family gets ready for new school routines and the excitement of a new school year, we look forward to a year filled with exciting opportunities for growth and learning for all. Thank you again for your partnership and support. Together, let’s make this year one that is both memorable and successful for our students.

Freedom Crossing Academy Newsletter Archive

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