Author: Marsh Family (Dell)

The Shooting STAR

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

January 25, 2016

2015 - 2016, Volume 3, Issue 21

Principal’s Corner

This week we celebrate Literacy Week and National School Choice Week. Daily activities are planned and we hope all the students and parents will participate. You have received several notices about the Literacy Week activities via flyers home and emails. The entire schedule is posted on the home page of the SAA website as well. In conjunction with the activities, PTO is sponsoring a Read-a-thon to encourage reading and raise money for SAA projects related to reading. Flyers were sent home with every student last Tuesday. (In fact we mailed some that were left behind by the students as they exited the classroom.) If you did not receive the newsletter and/or Read-a-thon flyer, please contact Kathy at 377-2278 for a replacement. Celebrate Literacy Week is a state-wide project jointly sponsored by the Just Read, Florida! Office and the Florida Department of Education and joined by Florida's First Lady Ann Scott. The theme this year is Literacy Changes Our World. All SAA students should have a book or reading material with them at all times. Students are encouraged to share a book with someone and make a difference in their community, school, and family. Encourage an older sibling to read to a younger one. Maybe there's an older person who would like to share a story with a young one. With the support of First Lady Ann Scott and the Florida Lottery, the Florida Department of Education is promoting this week‐long celebration for the sixth year to help students strengthen their literacy skills and become better prepared for academic success. We are excited to be participating in National School Choice Week as well. Governor Scott has designated January 24 through January 30 as School Choice Week. Florida offers many options for parents to make a choice for their child's education. These options include Public School Open Enrollment (partial), Public Charter Schools, Public Magnet Schools, Online Learning, Private School Choice, and Homeschooling Freedom. We are so very glad that you have chosen Sarasota Academy of the Arts, a public charter school, for your child! As part of the celebration, the middle school will perform the 2016 choreography as part of the national event. Look for the video on our SAA website. There are more than 15,000 events scheduled nation-wide with over 1500 in Florida. The middle school auditions for Anything Goes were held last Thursday evening. (Results can be found on the SAA website in the Principal's Corner.) It was very impressive to have so many of the students audition. There truly is a lot of talent spread though our middle schoolers. As talented as they are, the respect and support they showed each other was even more impressive to me. It was so good to listen to the students clapping and congratulating each and every one of the performers. Ms. Julie has asked for volunteers who like to sew to help with costumes for the younger students, especially for the 3rd and 4th grade production of Peter Pan. Disney seems to have costumes for the kindergarten age and adults, but not those in between. We need a costume for Peter Pan, Smee, Tinker Bell, and Wendy. Play pictures are scheduled for mid-February so if you can help, please call Julie as soon as you can. Have a great week and do join us in our celebrations this week! Don't forget Thursday night with the speaker, cook-out, and book exchange. Sincerely, Cecilia R. Blankenship Sincerely, Cecilia R. Blankenship Cecilia Blankenship Principal Cecilia Blankenship, Principal

Upcoming Dates:
Be sure to check the SAA Calendar on the school website frequently as that has the most current information! Monday - 1/25/16 - Literacy Kick Off Celebration Tuesday - 1/26/16 - All School Outdoor Read - 4:20pm Run Club Wednesday - 1/27/16 - Storybook Character Day - 4:15pm Garden Club - 4:15pm Tap Class Thursday - 1/29/16 - 4:20pm Run Club - 6:00pm PTO Meeting - 6:00pm Literacy Night & Book Fair Monday - 2/1/16 - 8:10am - SAA Board Meeting - 4:00pm - Student Council Mtg Tuesday - 2/2/16 - 4:20pm Run Club Wednesday - 2/3/16 - 4:15pm Garden Club - 4:15pm Tap Class Thursday - 2/4/16 - 8:00am - Class Photos - 4:20pm Run Club

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2015 - 2016
Volume 3, Issue 21
January 25, 2016

Yearbook orders due 1/29/16 - Order online!
This year we've made it simpler than ever, and you can place your order directly online via a credit card. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to get your 2015 - 2016 Sarasota Academy of the Arts yearbook! All orders due 1/29/16 This will be a hardcover book, approximately 100 pages in full color. You will also have an opportunity to send a special message to your student by sending in a "Love Note" Also, we will be selling Business Card ad space in the yearbook too, Look for details coming home soon regarding the love notes and advertising. Regular yearbooks will be $33.75 and then you have the option to add a personalized cover for an additional $4.75. Please place your order by Friday!

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star

Class Photos & Group Pics
On Thursday morning, February 4th, around 8:00am we will be taking classroom photos, as well as the group pictures for the sports teams (Volleyball and Basketball), as well as after school clubs including the Garden Club, Run Club, Book Club and Student Council. We will also be taking Kindergarten and 8th grade graduation group photos.
Students: If you were part of the Volleyball/Basketball teams, be sure to wear your uniform to school that day. We will be providing the cap and gowns for the graduation group photos.