Thursday, June 16th, 2022—As the 2021 - 2022 school year closes, many families have inquired about Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

New York State continues to distribute P-EBT food benefits to all households with eligible children who receive free school lunches under the National School Lunch Act. Here are significant updates to the distribution as of Monday, June 13th, 2022.

• The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is distributing Summer 2021 P-EBT food benefits to eligible students that are NOT part of a SNAP or Public Assistance household.
• OTDA will continue distributing Summer P-EBT benefits in batches throughout June to eligible children in SNAP or Public Assistance households or who received their P-EBT food benefits for the 2020 -2021 school year on a Medicaid card. 
• Each eligible student will receive $375 in food benefits.
• Recipient households should receive a text message alert when their food benefits are distributed. Families can check the website, www.connectebt.com, to see if the summer benefit was deposited.
• Nearly all eligible children throughout New York State who had their in-person attendance reduced during the 2020 - 2021 school year due to the pandemic have been issued their P-EBT food benefits. You can check your family's P-EBT food benefit transaction history by visiting www.connectebt.com or calling 1-888-328-6399.

As a school district, please note that we are not involved with distributing the EBT, P-EBT, or SNAP funds. All the necessary reporting was submitted at the beginning of the school year. Unfortunately, we do not have any additional information and cannot answer any parent calls regarding P-EBT; therefore, calls do not need to be forwarded to the District Office.

For any additional information, please visit www.connectebt.com or call 1-888-328-6399

Wednesday, June 15th, 2022—Attention Utica Academy of Science Elementary School Families:

There has been a slight calendar change for the last day of school for the 2021 - 2022 school year.

The last day of school will remain on Friday, June 24^th; however, instead of a full day, it will be a half-day for all students! The dismissal will be at 11:45 AM for pick-ups and 12:00 PM (NOON) for buses.
 
Please contact the school directly with any questions about this change of date.

Saturday, June 11th, 2022—It's Spirit Week at Utica Academy of Science elementary school! As we get ready to conclude the 2021 - 2022 school year, why not celebrate?! Below is the Spirit Week schedule and the themes for each day. 

• Monday (6/13): Cozy Day -  Wear their coziest outfit returning from the weekend.

• Tuesday (6/14): Pride & Acceptance - Wear your rainbow (or favorite) colors.

• Wednesday (6/15): Dress Your Best - Wear your best outfit. Don't forget there is a 1-3 concert to attend.

• Thursday (6/16): Tropical Luau - Wear tropical flowers or your favorite Hawaiian shirt.

• Friday (6/17): Field Day - Wear your favorite sports gear or athleisure wear.

Friday, June 10th, 2022—The New York State Regents Exams will begin on Wednesday, June 15th, and conclude on Thursday, June 23rd. Click here to view the link to the June 2022 Regents Examination Schedule.

Please verify with Utica Academy of Science junior-senior high school the exact times students are to report for their State examinations, any updates or changes to the transportation schedule, and class schedule during the Regents Exam week.

We wish all our students the best of luck during Regents Exam Week!

Thursday, May 26th, 2022—Dear Science Academies of New York (SANY) Community Members, parents, guardians, teachers, and students, 

Words cannot express our sorrow and grief for the senseless tragedies that unfolded over these past few weeks. As we continue to mourn the lives of those lost in the Buffalo, we are now facing as a nation an atrocious event that unfolded yesterday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts are heavy with grief, disbelief, and deepest condolences for those families and community members impacted by these two unfortunate events.

As a parent of four young children, I can only imagine what the families and community members in Uvalde, Texas, are feeling at this moment. No family should ever experience the pain of losing a child, especially in a school environment. 

As a parent, guardian, student, teacher, or community member, you might wonder what steps we have in place for your child's security, safety, and well-being. First and foremost, our top priority remains the safety and well-being of all of our students, teachers, faculty, and staff. 

To help ensure the safety of all, we keep our school doors locked and have visitor protocols in place; and each school building has a single point of entry that is monitored by staff. Security cameras are installed throughout our schools and outside our facilities. 

In addition, we have a district safety coordinator who serves all of our schools, and we work collaboratively with local law enforcement to share information to keep our schools as safe as possible. We always strive to evaluate and improve our use of technology to facilitate prompt and effective communication within district buildings. 

As a district, staff members have participated in multiple levels of active shooter training. This training focuses on what employees should do in the event of an active shooter in the district building. Schools also hold regularly planned lockdown drills to practice in the event of an emergency.

While the district has many procedures, tools, and plans in place, we must never become complacent when it comes to the safety of our students, teachers, faculty, and staff. Let this serve as an excellent time to remind all of us, especially students, that they should tell a trusted adult if they see or hear something concerning. The phrase "see something, say something" continues to hold significance, especially with the role social media plays in the lives of children and adolescents. 

With these two recent tragedies, it has likely evoked many emotions in our school community. We recognize that some children react to tragic events such as these right away, while others respond much later and can vary by age. If you have any questions or concerns about best supporting your child, or if your child would like to speak with someone, please reach out to their teacher, counselors, or school administrators. 

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Buffalo and the entire Uvalde community during this devastating time.

Regards,

Dr. Tolga Hayali, ED.d
SANY Superintendent

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022—Join Utica Academy of Science Elementary School tonight from 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM at Texas Roadhouse (4511 Commercial Drive, New Hartford, NY 13413) for a fundraising dinner! Texas Roadhouse will donate a percentage of your total food purchases from either Dine-In or Takeout. We hope you can join us!

Thursday, March 24th, 2022—Celebrating 25 years as a leader and thought leader in education, Dr. Hayali continues to make an impact in the education industry by helping make a difference in the lives of over 2,000 students and their families. With great honor and excitement, Utica Academy of Science Charter Schools shares and congratulates SANY Superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali for being recognized as one of the United Way's 100 Heroes! 

This achievement celebrates the United Way of Mohawk Valley's 100 years of impacting the community and the local heroes who have done the same. These heroes have stepped up and made a difference in the lives of our neighbors, friends, and families.

When interviewed by United Way about what it means to be a hero, Dr. Hayali responded, "being a hero is simple, just serve."

We invite you to click here to read United Way's article featuring the 100 Heroes.

Congratulations, Dr. Hayali, and thank you for being a hero and a role model for the Atoms. Your impact helped make all the difference in the world, not only in the students' lives but also in their families.

Monday, April 11th, 2022—Please be reminded that Utica Academy of Science Charter Schools will be closed from Monday, April 11^th through Monday, April 18^th for Spring Recess. We look forward to welcoming back the Atoms on Tuesday, April 19^th!

Happy Spring Recess! Let your joy burst forth like flowers in the spring.

Tuesday, April 5th, 2022—Utica Academy of Science Charter Schools is excited to announce its 2022 - 2023 Student Lottery on Thursday, April 14^th at 11:00 AM, at the Utica Academy of Science, 160 School Lane Frankfort, NY 13340.

For those not familiar with the Student Lottery, it is part of the admissions process required by New York State. Students will be randomly selected from all applicants for admission by lottery. Those who are not selected will be placed on the waiting list. Applicants are not required to be present to be chosen.

We hope you can join us!

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022—In observance of Mid-Winter Break, there will be no school on Tuesday, February 22^nd through Friday, February 25^th. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday, February 28^th. Have a wonderful, healthy, and safe long weekend, Atoms!