Academy at the Farm

A few lucky students got a unique opportunity recently—to step into the shoes of the school’s top leader as part of the exciting “Director for a Day” program. This special experience, offered as an auction item at the annual Clay Shoot fundraiser, gave students a hands-on look at what it’s like to lead a school, make big decisions, and represent their classmates in a whole new way.

The day was packed with memorable moments. One of the highlights was a visit to the new high school currently under construction. Wearing hard hats and safety vests, the student directors got a behind-the-scenes tour of the future campus, where they explored classrooms, hallways, and even learned about how schools are designed and built. It was a glimpse into the future—and for many, it made the idea of moving on to high school even more exciting.

In true VIP fashion, the student directors also enjoyed a special Chick-fil-A lunch with their friends. It was a chance to relax, have fun, and celebrate the unique role they were playing that day.

The experience didn’t stop there. The students also had a chance to participate in the Student of the Month celebration, recognizing classmates who have gone above and beyond. They helped present awards and share words of encouragement, showing true leadership and school spirit.

Later, the young directors joined a principal's meeting, where they discussed real school topics and offered their own ideas and feedback. Teachers and administrators were impressed by their thoughtful input and fresh perspectives.

“It was such a cool experience,” said Baylor Bussey. “I didn’t realize how much work goes into running a school. But it was fun to be a part of it—even just for a day!" said Bartlett Bussey.

The “Director for a Day” program is all about giving students a voice, building leadership skills, and helping them understand how their school works from the inside out. Thanks to the generosity of families who participated in the Clay Shoot auction, this unforgettable opportunity became a reality.

If you were Director for a Day, what would you do?

Thank You for Making the 12th Annual AATF Golf Tournament a Success!

What an amazing day at Southern Hills Plantation Club for the 12th Annual AATF Golf Tournament! We couldn’t have asked for better weather, great company, and plenty of fun on the course. Your participation and support help Academy at the Farm continue its mission of providing exceptional educational experiences for our students.

This year’s sold-out tournament featured exciting highlights, including a putting contest, a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge, a 'Beat the Pro' contest, and a fun Rubber Ducky challenge at Hole 12. We hope you enjoyed these thrilling additions!

A special thank you to our generous sponsors, our dedicated planning committee, and our amazing volunteers, whose continued support and hard work made this event possible. We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to our mission and our students.

From our enthusiastic golfers to everyone who contributed to the event’s success – thank you! Your commitment and enthusiasm ensure the success of this cherished event year after year.

Thank you once again for being an incredible part of the AATF community!

The Art Show Was Glowing—Literally!

This year’s AATF Family Night was a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and talent. Our students’ glow-in-the-dark artwork lit up the room with imagination and color, thanks to the incredible vision and effort of AATF Art Teacher Gail Williamson.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening filled with art, music, food trucks, the Book Fair, and so much more.

Your presence made the 2025 AATF Family Night truly special!

Primary Community Parents

As we come to the end of a wonderful year in Primary, we want to take a moment to thank you for your support and involvement. It has been a joy to teach and spend time with your amazing children each week.

As we move into the summer months, we hope your families will find ways to continue learning. Summer provides a wonderful opportunity to continue nurturing curiosity, exploration, and academic skills in a more relaxed and flexible environment.

Some activities for summer break are listed below.

*Reading: Set aside time each day for independent reading or family read-aloud. Local libraries often host summer reading programs that add extra fun and incentives.

*Math: Incorporate math into daily life; measuring for a recipe, playing math-related games, and budgeting for a shopping trip.

*Writing: Keep a summer journal, and write letters to friends or family.

Looking ahead:

While we reflect on this wonderful year, we are also excited about all that lies ahead. Continuing to engage in academics over the summer helps ensure a strong start for the next school year by building confidence and momentum.

Thank you for your ongoing support, dedication, and partnership. It has been an honor to work with your children to watch them grow. Wishing you a summer full of adventure, discovery, and joyful learning. Have a great summer!

We are so grateful to Handcart Garden Center for hosting such a wonderful field trip. Our Kindergarteners had an amazing time exploring the garden, learning about a variety of beautiful plants, and discovering how to care for them. The highlight of the day was getting to pot our very own plants to take home — thank you for making that special memory possible

Celebrating Our Intermediate Students' Achievements

As the academic year comes to a close, we are proud to highlight the remarkable progress our intermediate students have made in both academics and personal character.

State Testing Success

In May, our students will showcase their hard-earned knowledge and confidence as they tackle state testing. They are well-prepared and ready to demonstrate their academic growth.

Sunshine State Readers Book Battle

In addition to state testing, many of our students are gearing up for an exciting showdown in the Sunshine State Readers book battle. This event is always fun to watch, with teams competing fiercely for victory. We can't wait to see our students' literary talents in action!

Celebrating Outstanding Character with Field Trips

To honor the exceptional character displayed by many of our students during the fourth quarter, those who have exemplified high levels of respect and responsibility have earned the opportunity to participate in off-campus field trips. These trips include visits to the Flying Squirrel Jump Park, Kennedy Space Center, and Wonderworks. These experiences will not only be fun but also serve as a reward for their awesome character.

End-of-Year Water Slide Extravaganza

What better way to conclude the school year than with a splash? On the last day of school, we'll host a water slide extravaganza, giving our students a fun-filled farewell to the academic year. It's a perfect way to celebrate their hard work and achievements.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our families who have dedicated countless hours to supporting their children, our teachers, and the school. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our students' success.

Let's celebrate these wonderful achievements and look forward to an exciting end to the school year!

Friday, April 25th was the night of AATF’s third annual Boots and Bling Middle School Dance. Excitement was buzzing in the hallways all week as students asked their friends what they would be wearing for the special night.

When Friday arrived, hay bales were set up, twinkle lights were placed in mason jars, and sunflowers were being arranged in vases. Multiple parents came together to make this night a success for our students. They pitched in with extra decorations and plenty of food for a rootin-tootin good time!

Laughter and smiles filled the grassy area immediately as parents snapped pictures and students posed for the cameras. Then, students kicked up their boots, hit the dance floor, and showed off their best moves all night long.

Thank you to all of our parents, chaperones, and volunteers who made this a night the students will remember for years.

Dear 8th-Grade Families!

Graduation Update

We have secured an off-campus venue for our 2025 graduation ceremony. Graduation will be at the Calvary Assembly of God located at 13544 US 98 Bypass in Dade City on Thursday, May 29th, 2025. We will begin the ceremony promptly at 6:00pm, please plan to arrive at 5:30pm.

Please note, that space will still be limited. Each graduate will be allotted four guest tickets. We understand many of you have additional family and friends who would like to attend, but we must ensure that all students have fair access to seating for their guests. Tickets will be collected at the door.

Additionally, we have made adjustments to the dress code to include more semi-formal options. This will include dresses of appropriate style for the ladies. Please choose outfits with modest necklines - please no spaghetti straps, strapless tops, exposed backs, cleavage, or midriffs. Skirts and dresses should be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee. For the gentlemen, please choose outfits with a collared shirt, dress pants or nice jeans - please no shorts or athletic wear.

Thank you for your cooperation in these changes!

8th-Grade Picture

Next Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 8:00am we will be retaking our 8th-grade class photo. Each student should wear or bring their 8th-grade pink shirts to wear for the retake. Please ensure your child comes to school with their shirt and is on time.

8th-Grade Picnic Lunch

With graduation moving off campus, we will not be able to have our VIP room, however we have planned an exciting picnic for 8th-grade students on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025. We will provide a catered lunch and more information will be coming out shortly. Additionally, any food donations provided for our VIP room will be utilized at this event and graduation.

We are so thankful to the following families that have already generously donated to these events:

• Babb Family
• Black Family
• Buzard Family
• Carroll Family
• Deem Family
• Gigantelli Family
• Harrelson Family
• Hartwig Family
• Horvat Family
• James Family
• Lynch Family
• Lyon Family
• Pangborn Family
• Roggenkamp Family

As we continue to finalize plans, additional donations are welcome and very much appreciated! Our wish list is available HERE. Please feel free to shop around as these items may be available for a lower price. Items can be shipped to the school or sent in with your child.

We are also looking for parents that are available to help decorate on the day of graduation during the school day. If you are available and would like more information or if you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Ali at agigantelli@academyatthefarm.com.

Thank you for your support, we look forward to celebrating your students!

Kindly,

The Middle School Team

The National Junior Honor Society recognizes middle schoolers across the country. The National Junior Honor Society stands on five pillars: scholarship, leadership, character, citizenship, and service. The Academy at the Farm chapter is reflecting on a busy year of accomplishments. This Fall we inducted 38 new members and have a total of 55 members. Our chapter raised over $1200 in donations for Loads of Love. This is an annual event where we provide free laundry (and supplies) to the community. We also participated in Operation Christmas Child and sent 20 boxes of Outside of our chapters projects our members are volunteering across the community. Our chapter has documented close to 1,500 hours this school year. We are so thankful for the support of our members, their families and the entire AATF community for supporting our service efforts.

Invitations have been sent out to eligible 6th and 7th graders to apply to be a part of our schools chapter. You must be invited to apply, and must return the completed application to Mrs. James by Friday, May 16th.

Student Council has had a phenomenal year, and we are sincerely grateful for the dedication our representatives and parents have demonstrated as we have succeeded in every project. Before Spring Break, we held a school-wide food drive for two weeks and collected twelve storage bins worth of non-perishable food items. Our representatives volunteered during their academic hours to sort and transport these items to One Stop Shop in Dade City. This contribution provided many families with meals during the demanding times of this break from school. On April 14th, we attended a board meeting to present our accomplishments from this year with a script and picture slideshow created by the Student Council officers. A couple of representatives and the officers took on this opportunity together, and the members of the board were truly impressed. We have held eight Dollar Dress days filled with fun outfits and are currently accepting fund requests for activities and other projects. Our final Dollar Dress day is Friday, May 23rd and the theme is camouflage. From creating a Student Council t-shirt to hosting a school-wide food drive, Student Council has left a notable impact on our community here at Academy at the Farm and is excited to continue accomplishing more in the future.

With heartfelt gratitude, your Student Council President Jaslene Flores