Author: Marsh Family (Dell)

The Shooting STAR

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

December 7, 2015

2015 - 2016, Volume 3, Issue 16

Principal’s Corner

Hello and Happy Hanukkah to our families celebrating this week.
This past week I had the pleasure of attending the Education Foundation of Sarasota's Classroom Grants Awards Night. Julie McHugh received a $1000.00 award for the Intergenerational Celebration.program. Her sponsor was the Venice Concert Band and the funds will be used to cover transportation costs so our students can visit and perform at area retirement centers and assisted living facilities. Brian Upholz (middle school science and agriscience teacher) was also awarded $1000.00 for his agriscience program. His sponsor was the Mike McHugh Memorial Fund. He will use his award to expand the agriscience/ gardening program so more students can participate. Olan Quattro (elementary art teacher) has also received three grants for bringing artists to SAA to interact with the math classes. Hers were from the Arts and Cultural Alliance (Ed Explore of the Community Foundation) of Sarasota. We are so appreciative of all the donors who make these grants possible. The Holiday Shows begin this week with the kindergarten, first, and second graders performing at the Glenridge Theater Monday evening. The kindergartners should arrive at 5:30 and the first and second graders at 6:20. There is a $5.00 admission fee for adults to help cover the rental cost of the theater. The middle school choruses will be performing in the community on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Thursday night the third, fourth, and fifth graders will perform at the Glenridge. The advanced chorus will be performing at Disney this weekend. Tuesday, Lt. Enos will be here to talk with parents about internet safety, social media sites. and cyberbullying. We think you will find this informative and hope you will attend. This is geared to parents so we will show a movie to students who accompany their parents. The program will run from 6:00 - 7:00 PM in the middle school classrooms. With changes in weather, we have been accumulating quite a few jackets and sweaters. We will hang them along the carline this week and any not claimed will be donated to Goodwill next Monday. Please put your child's names in their outerwear so we can return it to them more quickly. We want to wish Bridget (6th grade) and her mom Kelly Marsh the best of luck as they start off on Bridget's adventure as part of the cast of the national tour of Annie. Bridget will be performing in over 50 cities over the next six months, including a show at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida on February 6th. Kelly is remaining active in SAA as she will continue to manage the SAA website as she travels. We'll miss them but know how exciting this will be for Bridget. What an opportunity!

Upcoming Dates:
Be sure to check the SAA Calendar on the school website frequently as that has the most current information! Monday - 12/7/15 - 8:00am Board Meeting - 4:00pm Student Council - 6:00pm K/1/2 Holiday Show Tuesday - 12/8/15 - 9:30am - Advanced Chorus Field Trip - 4:20pm Run Club - 6:00pm - Internet Safety Night Wednesday - 12/9/15 - 9:30am Middle School Chorus Field Trip - 4:15pm Garden Club - 4:15pm Tap Class Thursday - 12/10/15 - 4:20pm Run Club - 6:00pm 3/4/5 Holiday Show Friday - 12/11/15 - 9:30am - Advanced Chorus Field Trip Saturday & Sunday - 12/12/15 & 12/13/15 - Advanced Chorus at Disney

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2015 - 2016
Volume 3, Issue 16
December 7 ,2015

Principal’s Newsletter (continued)
This past week all of the students completed the December progress monitoring assessments on i-Ready for math and reading. Your child's teachers have results to share with you. Please have your children in all grades work on the site as it is a proven support for increasing proficiency in those areas. Also, remember to read every night and talk about the vocabulary root and stem words. The FSA practice tests are available at www.fsassessments.org. These are designed to help the students prepare for the annual testing that begins in February with the writing component (grades 4-8). Progress reports will come home on Monday for the middle school students. We will print reports for 2nd through 5th graders and will send them home this week. Grades are also available in the portal. The December Governing Board meeting is Monday, 12/7 at 8:10 in the art room. There is no PTO or SAC meeting this month. Have a wonderful week! Sincerely, Cecilia Blankenship, Principal

Student Council
Student Council Meeting on Monday, Dec. 7th.
Also Mrs. North's Homeroom Class will receive ice cream for donating the largest amount of non-perishable food items to contribute to the Mayor's Food Drive!
Internet Safety / Cyber Bullying Night
Tuesday, December 8th @ 6:00pm - Middle School Building, Sarasota Academy of the Arts A speaker from the sheriff's department will be speaking on, and answering questions about internet safety, cyberbullying, and bullying. (We will also be offering a movie to students in the elementary building to be shown during the speaker session, as some of the information is too ‘adult’ for them.)

Can you help Senora Tirotta?
If anyone is getting rid of their old Christmas all solid colors wrapping paper (non tissue paper), garland all sizes and colors, and tinsel in all colors (including shiny) green, blue, red, white, silver and gold. Mrs. Tirotta would appreciate all donations!
Teacher Wish Lists
Did you know that many of our teachers have their wish lists posted on the SAA website under the Faculty tab? Our teachers would appreciate any help you can give. Click on this link to find out what their needs are.
Also If you have a business that would like to support any of our endeavors, please contact our Business Partner Coordinators, Caroline Tanner or Danielle Beatt to discuss how your business could partner with SAA

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star