Author: Marsh Family (Dell)

The Shooting STAR

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

January 16, 2017

2016 - 2017, Volume 4, Issue 20

Principal’s Corner: Because Monday and Tuesday were holidays for the students, the hard copy of the newsletter will come home on Wednesday. Please look for it as there are a number of events coming up soon as we start second semester. Almost all of the students will be involved in the second i-Ready diagnostic tests in reading and math this week and next. These should give us a better idea of how much progress the students have made since the first test given at the end of August. As you know from previous newsletters, the i-Ready program is used district-wide for student practice and to fill in gaps that may be present. Students who faithfully complete the minimum of 45 minutes per week with engagement and intervention from their teachers do show growth. The middle school students will be completing their FSA writing simulations this week as well. These will help the teachers pinpoint areas that need to be addressed before the writing assessments at the end of February. This week we also have the auditions at all grade levels for the spring musicals. The kindergarten through fifth grade auditions are held during the day while the middle school auditions are Thursday evening (Jan. 19) from 6 PM - 9 PM. The students are certainly excited and working on audition lines, songs, and dances. As a reminder, the musicals, while an integral part of our program, cannot be used as an excuse to forego assignments. Students must be present at school during class time to attend after-school rehearsals. We would like to recognize and thank Eric Fenton, manager of the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 3560 Bee Ridge Road, for the generous Community Grant of $2000 to support the expenses of the Music Department. There are so many expenses incurred including the royalties for the musicals and rentals or purchases of costumes, props, sets, and the music itself. Added to that is the cost of transporting students and rentals of the theaters. Ticket sales alone cannot cover these expenses. The grant will help tremendously so we sincerely thank the Mr. Fenton and Walmart. Next week is Literacy Week, our biggest academic event of the year. We hope you will come out Thursday night (Jan. 26) to hear Dr. Suzanne Naiman speak to parents about reading and enjoy the tacos, book "sales" and student activities. Check out the weekly schedule and encourage your child to participate. You can sign up to help on the volunteer list. Also, please RSVP for Thursday night so we are sure to have enough food. One last reminder - the 4th and 5th graders will be attending a play at the Van Wezel on Thursday, the 19th. Please be sure permissions are in by Wednesday. Skating last Wednesday night was great. Thank you to all who participated. Enjoy the rest of your mini-vacation! Sincerely, Cecilia R. Blankenship

Upcoming Dates:
Be sure to check the SAA Calendar on the school website frequently as that has the most current information!
Monday - 1/16/17 - Martin Luther King Day (NO SCHOOL Tuesday - 1/17/17 - Professional Day (NO SCHOOL Thursday - 1/19/17 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm 42nd Street Auditions (Middle School) Friday - 1/20/17 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt) Literacy Week (January 23rd - 27th) Wednesday - 1/25/17 - 4:15pm SAC Meeting Thursday - 1/26/17 - 9:15am MS to Movies - 6:00pm Literacy Night! Friday - 1/27/17 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt) - YEARBOOK ORDERS DUE!

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2016 - 2017
Volume 4, Issue 20
January 16, 2017

We Need Your Old Books
January 23 - 27th is literacy week at Sarasota Academy of the Arts. As part of this activity, we are collecting books old or new. We will be using these books in our school. We will also give students the opportunity to earn books to take home with them. If you have books at your house that your children are tired of or have out grown, we would love them. Any type of book in any condition is fine. Send them in with your child or drop them off in the SAA office.

Got Crockpots?
We have a great night planned for Literacy Night on the 26th. We will be having a Taco Bar and we are looking for crockpots filled with seasoned and cooked meat (beef or chicken). If you can provide, we will be giving 2 hours of volunteer time for everyone that signs up. We will have 6 sign ups for the crockpots (three chicken and 3 beef). Be sure to drop these off at 5:45pm. To sign up and commit to a spot, please sign up here: http://signup.com/go/FbJkPP Please do not sign up if you are not sure if you can commit, as you would be taking that opportunity away from someone else.
We have a great night planned for Literacy Night on the 26th. We will be having a Taco Bar and we are looking for crockpots filled with seasoned and cooked meat (beef or chicken). If you can provide, we will be giving 2 hours of volunteer time for everyone that signs up. We will have 6 sign ups for the crockpots (three chicken and 3 beef). Be sure to drop these off at 5:45pm. To sign up and commit to a spot, please sign up here: http://signup.com/go/FbJkPP Please do not sign up if you are not sure if you can commit, as you would be taking that opportunity away from someone else.

January 23– 27th, 2017
Check out the attached flyer for the calendar of events scheduled for Literacy Week. It’s going to be a great one!
https://youtu.be/sZpPA8i1ZL0

Yearbooks!
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 2016 - 2017 Sarasota Academy of the Arts yearbook! This will be a hardcover book, approximately 100 pages in full color. Courtney Tippett, our K-5 Art Teacher, has done an incredible job putting the book together and you will not be disappointed! If you would prefer to place an order using cash/check payable to SAA PTO, then please stop in the office to pick up an order form or click here. You will also have an opportunity to send a special message to your student by sending in a "Love Note". A form is attached with this week's newsletter. If you'd like to print out additional forms at home to give to grandparents, other family members, etc., please go to the Yearbook Information page on the SAA Website. Regular yearbooks will be $34 and then you have the option to add a personalized cover for an additional $6. You will need to add both to the cart to complete your order if you wish to have your student's name imprinted on the yearbook cover. DEADLINE: Yearbook orders must be received by January 27th! Please note that there will NOT be any additional opportunities to purchase a yearbook after the deadline has passed. Last year we made the mistake of ordering additional yearbooks and lost a great deal of money, so please keep that in mind. THIS IS YOUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE A YEARBOOK!
Go to www.PictavoCommunity.com and click on the blue bar: ‘Shop your School.’

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star