Author: Marsh Family (Dell)

The Shooting STAR

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

October 12, 2015

2015 - 2016, Volume 3, Issue 8

Principal’s Corner

Columbus Day, is NOT a holiday for Sarasota County Schools. One of the teachers was looking forward to a 3-day weekend so I suppose some students could be, too. Sorry, but you'll have to wait for October 30 for that! This is another busy week with afternoon and evening activities in clubs, sports, and performances. Please check the calendar for all of the events. Thank you to all of the parents who signed up to volunteer to help at the Book Fair on Tuesday. We hold this event twice a year for several reasons. First, it gives students an opportunity to buy books inexpensively. Based on the proceeds from the sales, the school earns "Scholastic Dollars" with which we purchase books at the warehouse sales for distribution to all elementary students for summer reading. SAA also receives cash that we use to expand our central and classroom libraries. It's great to see the students checking out library books on a regular basis even with their access to ebooks. This year SAA purchased the i-Ready program as a supplement for all students. The program provides online assessment in reading and math as well as instructional videos and assignments. Sarasota County moved to this program as a means of monitoring the progress of K-5 students in reading and math instead of using the FAIR, a Florida reading assessment. All SAA students have completed the diagnostic test which gives the teachers more information about the current level of the students in these two areas. Another part of the program provides the instructional piece. Students are directed to this based on the i-Ready scores and teacher observations and assessments in the classroom. Research on the effectiveness of the program indicates students who spend quality time on a regular basis do show show marked improvement in both reading and math. Teachers are using the program in their classrooms to give this extra support and it would benefit the students if they also used this at home. A minimum of 45 minutes per subject is suggested for both subject areas. Students access the program at www.i-Ready.com and use their N number as ID and pin number as the password. It is important that students complete the assignments without help so there is a score reflective of the student's progress. Teachers can then monitor the work and provide intervention based on the work completed. This is another way we can support the students as they work towards their academic goals. Have a great week! Sincerely, Cecilia Blankenship Attendance Counts! Art Contest Winners
This is a contest to promote the importance of attending school everyday. One winner from each grade will be chosen regionally and will win an ipad! SAA did the promotional commercial for this contest! Congratulations to these SAA artists. They each won a new sketchbook and their art will now compete within the County. Good luck to them all!
Kinder: Willow Robinson, 1st: Roxy McGuire, 2nd: Kate Curulla, 3rd: Ethan Blackwell, 4th: Isabel Sprouse, 5th: Rachael Gagne, 6th: Riley Bejar, 7th: Sofia Pomponio-Walters

Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday - 10/13/15 - Book Fair (8am - 6pm) - Stellar Force Field Trip @ 9:30am - Girls Chorus Field Trip @ 10:45am - Run Club @ 4:20pm - PTO Meeting at 6:00pm Wednesday - 10/14/15 - SAC Meeting @ 4:15pm - Garden Club Parent Meeting @ 4:15pm - Advanced Chorus Tap Class at 4:15pm Thursday - 10/15/15 - Advanced Chorus Field Trip @9:30am - Run Club @ 4:20pm - MS Fall Follies @ 6:00pm Friday - 10/16/15 - Yankee Candle Due Monday - 10/19/15 - 3/4/5 Field Trip @ 9:30am - 3/4/5 Fall Follies @ 6:00pm Tuesday - 10/20/15 - Bob Evan's Fundraiser (9am - 9pm) - Picture Day Retakes - Run Club @ 4:20pm Wednesday - 10/21/15 - Advanced Chorus Tap Class at 4:15pm Thursday - 10/22/15 - 4/5 Science Field Trip - Run Club @ 4:20pm

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2015 - 2016
Volume 3, Issue 8
October 12, 2015

Student Council Project
From October 12th to November 2nd, Student Council will be promoting the collection of donations for Trick or Treat for UNICEF. All SAA students will be provided a collection box for them to collect donations, which will go to help children across the world with being able to have clean water, nutrition, medicine, immunizations, as well as education. The classroom that donates the most will earn a donut party!
Tuesday - October 13th
The book fair is open on October 13th from 8 AM to 6 PM. Thank you to all the volunteers that signed up to help, because of you, all the slots are filled! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Be sure to stop at the office a few minutes before your scheduled time to obtain a visitor's pass before heading to the Book Fair.

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star

Due Friday!
Yankee Candle fundraising packets are due back THIS FRIDAY! There are great selections this year and there is something for everyone! They make great gifts and the items will arrive just in time for the holidays. Checks should be made payable to SAA PTO. Be sure and retain the pink copy of the order form and the brochure for reference at product delivery. Return the white and yellow copies with your order package and make sure the seller name is at the top of the order form. Be sure to turn in your Yankee Candle Order forms by Friday, October 16th.

Student Council will be selling pies. Want to save $$$ on field trips??? It will go into the general field trip fund for the end of the year field trips in order to reduce the costs for buses of ALL SAA students. SAA students are raising money for field trips! Help by ordering and sharing Der Dutchman pies and cookies. They’re here just in time for the holidays!! Sale is from Oct. 16 thru Nov. 4