Thursday, June 24th, 2021—As students, teachers, faculty and staff prepare for the end of school year, Utica Academy of Science middle school decided to celebrate with their time honored tradition, Field Days. This annual event is one that many look forward to as it not only marks that the school year is almost complete, but it's a day where everyone can spend time outdoors with their friends participating in many games and activities.

Atoms had an opportunity to flex their artistics skills by creating their very own commemorative tie-dye t-shirt, compete in a friendly game of cornhole, practice their jump roping skills, challenge their friends to a fun game of bowling and so much more.

Following lunch, everyone was treated to a sweet and dare we say icey treat from Big Papi's Coquito Iceys! We want to give a quick shout out and thank all who helped make this event possible and to congratulate all the Atoms for their hard work and dedication this past year. We hope you all are having a wonderful, safe and healthy summer! Please click here to visit our Facebook page to view more pictures from this event.

Sunday, July 4th, 2021—From our family to yours, we wish all of our Atoms a very happy, healthy and safe Independence Day! Below are some fun facts about the 4th of July.

• Every July 4th, descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence tap the Liberty Bell 13 times in honor of the original 13 colonies.
• Americans typically eat 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day, “enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. more than five times,” according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
• The first July 4th celebration took place at the White House on 1801, hosted by Thomas Jefferson.
• Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is held annually on July 4th. In 2018, champion Joey Chestnut ate 74 hot dogs with buns in just 10 minutes.

Friday, June 25th, 2021—Utica Academy of Science high school students and their families, teachers, faculty and staff all joined in to be a small part in a very momentous occasion for the Atoms in the Class of 2021.

On one of the hottest days on record in Central New York, Seniors put on their graduation caps, gowns, tassels and stoles as they prepared for their final walk as an Atom at Utica Academy of Science high school.

During their commencement ceremony, Utica Academy of Science welcomed guest speaker, Merima Karovic, and keynote speaker, Erin Gutierrez who addressed the students and share the importance of an education. In addition to these speakers, Utica Academy of Science welcomed, SANY Superintendent, Dr. Tolga Hayali, President of Terra Science and Education, Dr. Fehmi Damkaci who presented students with a Terra Foundation Scholarship, and John Bullis who provided the closing remarks.

Students also heard from their class Valedictorian, Amir Salkanovic and Salutatorian Amar Halimonavic who shared their memories as an Atom, hopes and dreams of the future and much more. Congratulations Amir and Amar on being this year's Utica Academy of Science high school's Valedictorian and Salutatorian!

Concluding the presentation of the diplomas and awards, Valedictorian Amir Slkanovic led the Class of 2021 in the moment many students were waiting for, the infamous tassel transfer.

We would like to give a quick shout out to those who received the Terra Foundation Scholarship recipients: Brianna Blum-Jacobs, Devanae Bradford, Tyler Delgado, Neira Djogo, Ossareine Felix, Amar Halimanovic, Ko Sei Ma, Ryan Madison, Edis Nadarevic, Aiden Rodriguez, Amir Salkanovic,Narrith Sou, Dillon Stapleton, Brandon Wimpenney.

Congratulations to Amir Salkanovic, Amar Halimonavic & Ko Sei Ma on receiving the New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence. This year Atoms received over $1,100,000 in scholarships!!!

At this time, we would like to wish and congratulate the class of 2021! Words cannot express how proud we are of you and all that you have accomplished not only this year but throughout your academic career. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Many Atoms, one Family. Please click here to visit our Facebook page to view pictures in our album, Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony.

Friday, June 25th, 2021—Last week, Utica Academy of Science charter schools watched their high school seniors move the tassels, celebrated their 8th grade students moving up to high school, and held a drive-thru graduation ceremony for its Kindergarten Atoms. While we captured these momentous occasions, we couldn’t help but capture this exciting moment of Utica Academy of Science elementary school celebrating their last day of school.

We wish all of our Utica Academy of science charter school students, teachers, faculty and staff a very happy, healthy and safe summer. We look forward to seeing you all in one building, in the fall! Enjoy your summer, Atoms.

Friday, June 25th, 2021-At Utica Academy of Science high school the Senior Video is a time-honored tradition, and one many Atoms look forward to. As the Seniors prepared for their graduation ceremony, each member of the graduating class took a moment to share a few words of wisdom as they prepared to leave behind their legacy.

The Senior Video is a time honored tradition at Utica Academy of Science high school, where each member of the Senior class is encouraged to share their plans after graduation, advice for future Atoms, where they see themselves in ten years, how they would describe Utica Academy of Science in one word, and give a ‘shout out’ and thank various people in their lives who helped encourage and support them throughout their life and academic career, and of course what they will miss the most at Utica Academy of Science and being an Atom.

Today, we share with you the Class of 2021 Senior Video. Congratulations Class of 2021, this year will most certainly go down in history, and you have shown that you are able to overcome just about any obstacle that is in your path. We wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors. Many Atoms, one Family!

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021—3, 2,  1 …. Logging off of 2020 - 2021 school year! On a beautiful afternoon, Utica Academy of Science middle school hosted their outdoor 'Moving Up' Ceremony for their 8^th grade students.

This ceremony was bittersweet for many reasons, as this will be the last 'Moving Up' ceremony for the Atoms in their original middle school buildings. In the 2021 - 2022 school year, all Utica Academy of Science Atoms will be in one building!

During the Moving Up Ceremony, students were recognized for their success, hard work despite the many obstacles and challenges that this year presented. In true Atom form, with each obstacle or hurdle that presented itself, the students, teachers, faculty and staff all rose to the occasion and came up on top. Utica Academy of Science also welcomed its guest speaker, SANY Superintendent, Dr. Tolga Hayali who shared words of wisdom and the importance of education.

Congratulations to the future Class of 2025, we are very proud of you and all that you have accomplished! We invite you to click here to visit our Facebook page to view more pictures from Utica Academy of Science middle school's Moving Up Ceremony in our 2021 Middle School Moving Up Ceremony album.

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021—Hats off to the future class of 2033! Utica Academy of Science elementary school celebrated a very important milestone in any student's academic career, their FIRST graduation ceremony, and most certainly not their last.

Students and their families participated in a drive-thru Kindergarten Graduation Celebration, as teachers, faculty and staff watched these hard working students prepare for their next step in their academic career. Atoms received their Kindergarten diplomas and an end of year gift as elementary staff lining the walkway to cheer them on. No graduation is complete without photo ops with the family and of course their teachers. This year will most certainly go down in the history books, and we look forward to what tomorrow will bring. We invite you to click here to visit our Facebook page to view more pictures from this event. Congratulations, Atoms, a job most certainly well done!

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021—Earlier today, Utica Academy of Science held its own STEM Expo! Hosted by Mrs. Cowen and Ms. Latray, 6^th grade Atoms shared their impeccable scientific findings to a variety of questions including but are not limited to:

• Which citrus drink decays teeth faster?
• Does color and smell affect the taste of Skittles?
• Which popcorn pops the fastest?
• What dissolves faster: salt or sugar?
• What makes ice melt the fastest?

With their new found answers, students were tasked with not only implementing their science and research skills but their ELA skills as well, as they typed their findings and used their creativity to design poster boards with their science research project information. Students would then present their information to their classmates.

While this STEM Expo unfortunately had no prizes, Atoms did receive a grade for preparing and presenting their project in their class. Parents and guardians were also invited to join the STEM Expo online. Great work, Atoms!

Thursday, June 17th, 2021—Utica Academy of Science middle school 6^th grade Atoms shell-abrate the good times, as the Proton, Neutron and Electron houses have worked together for their ‘End of Year’ Challenge this past week to earn 100 house points, which results in a ‘Themed Thursday.’ 

To achieve these points, the Proton, Neutron and Electron Houses must work together each week to earn 100 total house points. Points can be earned by doing the following activities.

• Demonstrating above and beyond participation
• Kindness
• Daily Academic activities

For this Themed Thursday, students, teachers, faculty and staff grabbed their flip flops, hats, shades, towels and sunblock as they dressed for the theme, Beach Day. Keep up the great work, Atoms, we look forward to seeing more pictures for Themed Thursdays!

Sunday, June 20th, 2021— 'Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.' - Anne Geddes