Dear parents and guardians,

Last week Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide goal of providing students the opportunity to be tested for COVID as school resumes after the Winter break. There is no requirement that families test their children, but New York State is encouraging testing of students in order to keep students and school communities as safe as possible. 

At this time the Utica Academy of Science Academies has received a shipment of these test kits. The state has provided us with one kit per student. Each kit contains two rapid tests with instructions on how to administer the test. 

It is important to know that rapid tests are very accurate when used on a person that is showing symptoms of COVID-19, but unfortunately, they are not as accurate on someone showing no COVID-19 symptoms. Given this fact, we recommend that you save these rapid tests for when your child actually exhibits COVID-19 symptoms. However, it is entirely up to you when you use them.

Please note that the school district is simply a conduit for distribution. We will not be tracking or reporting test results for any reason. We ask that if you use the test kit on your child and they receive a positive test result that you report to the Local County Health Department by calling them. 

Test kits will be distributed on Wednesday, January 5th, and Thursday, January 6th, 2022 between 2 pm and 5 pm at the UAS Elementary School Main Office. Parents can make their arrangements to pick up within the assigned time window. 

Please feel free to contact your child’s school with any questions or concerns. As always, thank you for your continued support during these difficult and complicated times. 

Utica Academy Administration and Health Services

Saturday, January 1st, 2022—Let's count it down, Atoms! 3, 2, 1 ... Happy New Year! "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne?"

A new year, a new you and of course no school today too! In observance of New Year's Day there will be no school on Saturday, January 1^st 2022. We look forward to seeing the Atoms on Monday, January 3^rd, 2022.

We wish everyone a happy, and healthy new year!

Thursday, December 23rd, 2021—Attention Utica Academy of Science Charter School families: As a friendly reminder, Winter Recess officially kicks-off on Thursday, December 23^rd, and will continue through Friday, December 31^st. During Winter Recess, there will be no school for Utica Academy of Science Charter Schools. We look forward to welcoming back the Atoms on Monday, January 3^rd, 2022!

We hope everyone has a wonderful, happy, healthy, and safe holiday weekend. Enjoy your time off Atoms!

Tuesday, December 21st, 2021—Utica Academy of Science Elementary School invites you to attend its annual Holiday Concert on Tuesday, December 21^st, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at The Stanley Theatre (261 Genesee Street, Utica, NY)!

Enjoy an evening of singing, dancing, musical styling, and much more! Each grade will be performing their own songs, and we will have special performances by the Utica Academy of Science Junior Senior High School Choir and Drumline.

We ask that students arrive promptly at 5:30 PM and must be accompanied by an adult. If a student is late they may miss their grade’s performance. Please note, we ask that all students follow the Holiday Concert Dress code, as noted below. The students will be working very hard to prepare for their special performance and we hope to see you there!!

Holiday Concert Dress Code

Kindergarten: Red or green shirt/dress, dark pants/uniform bottoms, mittens/gloves, and winter hat

1^st Grade: White shirt/dress, dark pants/uniform bottoms, colorful winter hat/scarf

2^nd Grade: Blue or white shirt/dress, dark/uniform bottoms, colorful winter hat/scarf

3^rd Grade: Ugly Holiday Sweater or plain colorful sweater, dark/uniform bottoms

4^th Grade: Blue or purple shirt/dress, dark/uniform bottoms, colorful winter scarf

5^th Grade: Black shirt/dress, dark pants/uniform bottoms

All students must wear sneakers or shoes with rubber bottoms for their safety as they will be performing on risers.

Sunday, November 28th, 2021—Attention Utica Academy of Science school families: For any student who missed their school picture day, please see the picture retake dates below for the elementary, and junior senior high school

• Elementary School: Friday, December 10^th
• Junior Senior High School:  Friday, December 3^rd

Wednesday, November 24th, 2021—A thankful heart is a happy heart! As a friendly reminder, there will be no school on Wednesday, November 24^th through Friday, November 26^th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. School will resume on Monday, November 29^th.

We hope all of our students, teachers, faculty, and staff have a very happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021—You heard it here first - the Utica Academy of Science high school Athletic Department is starting a Booster Club, and all are invited to join! The first Booster Club meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 17^th at 5:45 PM in the cafeteria. If you are interested in joining, please email Utica Academy of Science Athletic Director, Mr. Wagner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We hope to see you there!

Thursday, November 11th, 2021—“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ― John F. Kennedy

In observance of Veterans Day there will be no school on Thursday, November 11^th. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all United States Military Veterans. School will resume on Friday, November 12^th.

Thank you, to all those who have served in all branches of the military, and for those who continue to serve, Happy Veterans Day!

Thursday, October 28th, 2021—Dear SANY Families,

It’s hard to believe that we are already starting month two of the school year, where has this time gone? As students, teachers, faculty, and staff begin to settle into the school year, I am excited to announce and introduce SANY Digital Curriculum - an online educational resource to help ensure our students receive the optimal learning experience that meets their educational needs.

SANY Digital Curriculum was developed by SANY District Personnel, Deans, and teachers who collaborated to develop a structure that would meet the needs of our students, and families. With over 1,700 videos, students in grades Kindergarten through 8th, will be able to find educational resources in the following categories.

• Skills
• Listening and Learning
• ELA
• Math

These incredible resources will help your students not only build their confidence, but also become prepared, and successful in their academic careers and beyond.

We invite you and your student(s) to visit our SANY Digital Curriculum website at the following address, http://digitalcurriculum.sany.org/ to explore these invaluable academic assets. 

Regards,

Dr. Tolga Hayali
SANY Superintendent

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021—Double, double toil and trouble, something exciting this way comes for the Utica Academy of Science elementary school students. As part of their spirit week, students will have an opportunity to participate in a costume contest party on Friday, October 29^th, where they can dress in costume as their favorite character from a book, movie or a game. We ask that all costumes follow the following guidelines and rules.

• No costume masks that cover the face.
• No costumes that make it hard to wear a mask for health and safety reasons.
• Students must wear their face masks.
• No weapons.

We look forward to seeing the pictures from the Costume Contest Party. Have a ‘Fa-BOO-lous’ time, Atoms!