Sunday, October 24th, 2021—The week leading up to Halloween, Utica Academy of Science elementary school students will have an opportunity to participate in Spirit Week. This time-honored tradition is a favorite not only amongst the students but the teachers and faculty alike. Please see below the following dress up days and spirit themes.
Monday: Pajama Day - Students can wear their favorite pajamas to school. But remember sleeping in class is still not allowed.
Tuesday: Color Day - Each class will wear a specific color that is selected by the teacher or by a class vote.
Wednesday: Sports Day - Students can wear their favorite sports team shirt or jersey.
Thursday: Mismatch Day - Students can wear their clothes inside out, clothes that don’t match or simply put fashion faux pas.
Friday: Character Day - Students can dress in costume as their favorite character from a book, movie or game. Please note the following costume guidelines and rules.
Monday, October 11th, 2021—There will be no school on Monday, October 11th in observance of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday. Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the cultures and histories of the Native American people. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 12th. Enjoy this long weekend, Atoms we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!
Wednesday, September 8th, 2021—On September 8th, the 'Vax to School' campaign was announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, encouraging students between the ages of 12 - 17 years old to get vaccinated over the next couple of months.
Below are two links with additional information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine, how you can get your child vaccinated, FAQs, what to expect, and how to protect those who are under the age of 12 and are ineligible to get vaccinated.
Friday, October 8th, 2021—Attention Utica Academy of Science Charter School Families:
The New York State Education Department is asking parents or guardians to complete a Digital Equity Survey for each student in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade to better help educators serve their students and families.
The Digital Equity Survey will provide information on students' access to devices and internet access in their places of residence. To assist us in this process, we ask that you please click here to complete the survey by Friday, October 22nd.
Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Sunday, October 3rd, 2021—On Sunday morning, local Utica newspaper, Observer-Dispatch, featured SANY Superintendent, Dr. Tolga Hayali’s letter to the editor regarding a recent article written by Amy Neff Roth. The article discussed the ongoing transportation complications with Durham School Services, and highlighted Utica Academy of Science Charter School’s press conference held on Tuesday, September 21st.
We invite you to click here to read the article, and Dr. Hayali’s response to the Observer-Dispatch. Also, please continue to join us throughout the week as we share videos in our ‘Let Your Voices Be Heard’ series.
Tuesday, September 28th, 2021—Earlier this morning, SANY Superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali shared the ongoing concerns and transportation issues with Durham School Services in an interview with Talk of the Town morning show.
We invite you to click here to listen to Dr. Hayali’s interview with Talk of the Town as he urges for more communication and fairness on bussing and transportation for all students.
As a friendly reminder, tonight, Utica City School District will be holding a Board Meeting at 7:00 PM, at Kernan Elementary School (929 York St., Utica, New York 13502). We encourage families to attend and share their issues and concerns with Durham School Services.
Tuesday, September 28th, 2021—Attention Utica Academy of Science Charter School Families: SANY Superintendent, Dr. Tolga Hayali will be live on air with the Talk of the Town morning program at 7:30 AM. Make sure to set those dials to 100.7 FM and to tune in as Dr. Hayali will be discussing the Durham School Services concerns and transportation issues.
Monday, September 20th, 2021—Share the love of reading by visiting Utica Academy of Science elementary school's Scholastic Book Fair now through Friday, September 24th. The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the library between 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Families will have an opportunity to peruse exclusive titles, new releases, discover value packs and so much more. Did you know that every purchase benefits Utica Academy of Science elementary school, and will help develop a love of reading? We hope you can stop by and visit Utica Academy of Science elementary school’s Scholastic Book Fair.
Tuesday, September 21st, 2021—Utica Academy of Science Charter Schools will be hosting a press conference on Tuesday, September 21st at 10:00 AM, at the Utica Academy of Science Charter School campus, to address the Durham School Services concerns and the ongoing transportation issues.
During the press conference you will have an opportunity to hear from SANY Superintendent, Dr. Tolga Hayali, members of the Utica Academy of Science Leadership Team, and more. Please let your voices be heard, and join us!
If you are unable to attend this press conference, we encourage you to attend the upcoming Utica City School District Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 28th at 7:00 PM. This meeting will be held at Kernan Elementary, 929 York St. Utica, New York 13502.
We hope that if Durham School Services hears from multiple families, as well as, the Utica Academy of Science Charter School Leadership Team, that we can reach an agreement and solution to this ongoing transportation situation.
Wednesday, September 8th, 2021—Dear SANY Families,
Welcome to another exciting school year at Utica Academy of Science! It’s hard to believe that it is already the first week of school. It seems like yesterday, I was giving the commencement address at the graduation ceremonies, and seeing pictures of the Atoms at their Kindergarten graduation, and moving up ceremonies. For all the new and returning families, I would like to take this time to say welcome to the Science Academies of New York (SANY) Charter Schools!
It is an incredible privilege to be a part of a community where students, parents, teachers, faculty, and staff care so much for one another and strive to build positive relationships that support academic success, while encouraging students to become good stewards in the community all while helping strengthen and develop character strengths and traits that will help students be successful beyond the classroom walls.
This past year has presented all of us with unimaginable challenges and obstacles, but in the same breath, it has brought an incredible opportunity for change. Words cannot describe how proud I am of our students, teachers, parents, faculty, staff and community who overcame herculean obstacles and did an amazing job keeping each other safe and ending the school year strong with many successes.
The first week of school is always a favorite time of mine as it's a fresh start for all of us. It’s a time of year where we build upon what we have learned in year’s past, and begin the climb in our journey to reach our goals for this upcoming year. While we started this school year experiencing transportation and logistical challenges with the Durham Bus Services, we are actively looking into finding alternative transportation options for our students to help resolve this issue. There is nothing we can’t achieve when we work together. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
While we may not know what this school year will bring, one thing will always remain certain. We are many Atoms, one family … and we can accomplish anything.
Let’s do this!
Regards,
Dr. Tolga Hayali, Ed.D
Superintendent
SANY Charter Schools