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Tampa Bay Rowdies DAS Spirit Night

by Jessica Costa -

Good Morning DAS Families,

We have a special opportunity to raise funds to support our school as part of a great entertainment option right here in our own Pinellas County backyard!

The Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Tampa Bay area's original professional sports franchise, is hosting Gulf Coast Independent League schools for a special night with their home match on October 25th!

Every ticket to the match will yield a $6 donation back to our school, and you and your family get to enjoy the Rowdies' Fan Appreciation Night, as well as post-match fireworks that you watch from the field!

While it's a great way to celebrate a fantastic fall GCIL season for the players, it's also a fun environment for the whole family, and a great opportunity to enjoy one of the most iconic soccer teams in American history, with the rest of your classmates and colleagues!

In order to make sure our families can sit together at the game, please pay online https://dasschool.corecommerce.com/Tampa-Bay-Rowdies-Spirit-Night.html by Monday October 6th to ensure you have a ticket and we get to sit together.

If you have any further questions about Gulf Coast Independent League Night, or the Rowdies in general, please reach out to Jeff Palmer, Ticket Sales Manager (one of our GCIL parents) at 727-758-4570 jpalmer@rowdiessoccer.com!

Best regards,

Coach Bartlett

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Administrative Team Update to Support Our Growing DAS Community (Effective Sept 15, 2025)

by Jessica Costa -

Dear DAS Families,

I hope your week is off to a great start. As Discovery Academy of Science prepares to expand to multiple campuses, we are making organizational updates to strengthen services for our students, families, and staff. These changes are effective September 15, 2025. We have one campus approved in Pinellas County schedule to open in August 2026. The third DAS campus is scheduled for Pasco County School board approval in September 23rd, 2025 and will be located in the Wesley Chapel, Pasco for August 2027/28. Therefore, the summary of the administrative changes is as follows:

What’s changing

  • Mr. Emre Akbaba — Executive Director
  • Dr. Sherry Hatch — Principal, Clearwater Campus
  • Mr. Christopher Bartlett — Dean of Students
  • Ms. Jessica Costa — Principal Designee; 3–5 Curriculum & Instruction Administrator
  • Ms. Susanne Mizzi — K–2 Curriculum & Instruction Administrator
  • Ms. Erin Hablutzel — 6–8 Curriculum & Instruction Administrator
  • Ms. Sherry McHenry — Director of Special Education Services
  • Ms. Alex Register — Director of Communications and Facilities

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Hatch and Mr. Bartlett on their new roles. They—and our entire leadership team—have my full support, and I am confident they will serve our students and families with excellence.

What this means for your child

  • No classroom changes. Your child’s teacher, class placement, and daily schedule will not change due to these updates.
  • Same routines. Arrival, dismissal, and school-day procedures remain the same.
  • Stronger support. These administrative updates allow us to respond more quickly to family needs, maintain high academic standards, and ensure a safe, well-run school as we grow.

Who to contact

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. Our growth is made possible by your support and by the hard work of our students and staff. We look forward to serving you even better in this next chapter.

Emre Akbaba, M.Ed, Executive Director

Discovery Academy of Science Charter School
A Florida School of Excellence & A High Performing Charter School

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Join Us This Saturday, August 23

by Jessica Costa -
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Parent University Sessions this Saturday, August 23rd in the cafeteria! This special morning is designed to keep you informed, supported, and connected. We’ll have a series of short informational sessions for families—please see the schedule below for times and topics. 
 
5th–8th Grade University | 9:00 AM
Join us for an important session where you’ll learn all about the middle school journey! We’ll cover course tracks, how students can qualify for high school credits, our academic support structures, behavioral expectations, and the online platforms students use daily. You’ll also hear about high school pathways so you can support your child every step of the way.
 
DAS Connect & Clever Training (All Grades) | 9:45 AM
Take a deep dive into two of DAS’ most important tools! DAS Connect allows you to view grades, upcoming assignments, and any missing work, while Clever gives students easy access to a variety of learning programs. We’ll walk you through how both platforms work so you feel confident monitoring and supporting your child’s progress at home.
 
Sports Presentation (5th–8th Grade) | 10:15 AM
Our middle schoolers have the exciting opportunity to try out for a variety of DAS sports teams—including volleyball, ball hockey, cheerleading, and more! This presentation will cover sports seasons, grade eligibility requirements, and how to get your child involved. If your student is interested in athletics, you won’t want to miss it!
 
Science Competition Clubs (3rd-8th Grade) | 10:30 AM

  • SeaPerch (5th - 8th Grade) : Students work hands-on to design, build, and test an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) using engineering skills and problem-solving. Teams then put their ROVs to the test by navigating underwater obstacle courses and challenges that mimic real-world marine engineering tasks.

  • Science Olympiad (3rd - 8th Grade): A nationally recognized STEM competition where students compete in a wide variety of events ranging from engineering builds (like bridges and rockets) to knowledge-based science challenges (like anatomy, chemistry, or meteorology). Students will learn teamwork, perseverance, and critical thinking as they prepare for competitions.

At this session, families will:

  • Hear about the types of events students can participate in

  • Get details on team expectations and practice schedules

  • Learn how parents can help, including opportunities to coach or assist events

 
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