Author: Marsh Family (Dell)

The Shooting STAR

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

January 30, 2017

2016 - 2017, Volume 4, Issue 22

Principal’s Corner: We had a great week last week! Thank you to everyone - staff, parents, and students - who participated in Literacy Week and made it such a success. You may have seen some of the events on Twitter, but to recap - Monday we had the Book Buddy Reading. All of the middle schoolers were paired with an elementary student and spent 30 minutes sharing books. It was exciting to see the positive interactions that were taking place throughout the campus. Both students and teachers have requested we do this on a regular basis. Tuesday we had the All-School Read and, again, the students brought their chairs and books and read outside for almost 30 minutes. I was sitting near the first graders who were concentrating so hard on their reading, some reading aloud to themselves in quiet voices. Wednesday was book character day with many of the students and teachers dressed as their favorite characters. What a wide range of genres were represented! Then Thursday we had the "Stop, Drop, and Read" events in the classroom. That night was "Literacy Night" with over 65 SAA families represented. Dr. Suzanne Neiman from Sarasota County Schools spoke to the parents about the link between attendance, success in reading, and graduation from high school. There was food, student activities, and the book exchange. There were glasses frames donated by Ioptics for students and parents to take with them when getting vision prescriptions filled. Thanks to Willow S.'s (6th grade) mom for being there to help the students. Finally, on Friday, the students who chose to participate read excerpts from books to their classmates and a panel of judges. The following students received gift cards to Barnes and Nobel for their reading: K/1: Brooke Martinez., Alia Bangoura-Saavedra, Kayla Keeney. 2nd/3rd: Annika LaRose, Boston McCarthy, Katie Curulla. 4th/5th: Isabel Sprouse, Caterina Ciraolo, Aurora Newcomb. MS: Bella Mungenast, Madison Dennis, Brandon Villa. Thank you to these and all of the other students who took the time to choose a book and prepare the presentation. Also during the evening, the PTO explained the Read-a-thon fundraiser and passed out the forms for students to register. Forms were sent home Friday for all students. That leads me to the topic of fundraising. When presenting the program to parents, Guistina voiced the concerns of many parents about the number of fundraisers that are done during the year. There are indeed quite a few because they are done by the different interest groups for particular projects. You'll see requests come home from PTO to fund their projects, from Student Council for their projects, from the music department for their projects and from class groups to help pay for field trips. All of these are worthy projects but I'm sure it is impossible to give time or money to all of them. I know I found it hard when my own three were in school. While it seems like a lot to ask, it is necessary to have financial support for these programs. The FTEs we get from the district cover day-to-day costs of operating a school, but not all of the extras. Look over what is being sent home and choose to help where you can. Please do not feel compelled to support all of the requests. If you want to help out because your child is in sixth grade and they are trying to raise money for their field trip, then that is what you should support. If you feel strongly about reading, support that. And if you're passionate about the music program, support that. If you can reach out to a community member, ask them to help. We have a new Music Boosters Club - maybe you can help there. That being said, this Saturday there will be a pancake breakfast at Applebee's on Fruitville Rd. from 8 - 10 AM to support the music department. Funds raised will go toward transportation costs associated with the rehearsals for all the spring musicals. Invite whomever you want but, please, turn in forms by Wednesday morning. If you pay for tickets in advance, they will be at the door Saturday morning. Mrs. Julie will order a few extra tickets that can be purchased that day. She does need as accurate a count as possible to give the manager of Applebees on Wednesday. Cost is $10.00 per person. There will be another pancake breakfast on the 18th to help fund the 6th grade trip to NASA Space Center. Last year they raised enough money that each child had to pay only $25,00 to go. Coming up this week:
Tuesday - 8th grade trip to the Dali Museum
Tuesday evening - ESOL family night
Thursday - class and group pictures
Have a great week! Don't forget your registration forms for next year!
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, 1/30/17 - 4:00pm Student Council Mtg Tuesday, 1/31/17 - 8th Grade Trip to Dali Museum - 5pm ESOL Night Thursday, 2/2/17 - Class/Group Pictures - 6pm - PTO Meeting Friday - 2/3/17 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt) Saturday - 2/4/17 - 8:00am - 10:00am Applebees Fundraiser Monday, 2/6/17 - Give Your Crush a Crush - 4:00pm Student Council Mtg Tuesday, 2/7/17 - Blood Drive (10:00am– 2:00pm)(get appt. through Kelly) Friday - 2/10/17 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt) - 7pm Valentine's Dance

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2016 - 2017
Volume 4, Issue 22
January 30, 2017

SNN at SAA:
Last week was National School Choice Week and and Sarasota News Network (SNN) came out to feature SAA! Here 's the news link in case you missed it . . .https://youtu.be/QPnoMSk4NXs

Volunteer Opportunity
We need some assistance this coming Thursday for Class & Group Picture Day to help get students back and forth to the Reading Garden from their classes. If you can lend some time, we'd appreciate the help! Please click here: http://signup.com/go/dboQ8n

Valentine’s Dance
Our Middle School Valentine's school dance is coming up on February 10th from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. The dance will take place in the middle school building and will be supervised by teachers and staff. Students can bring someone from outside the school, but everyone must purchase tickets in advance so we can plan numbers. Only one year above or below age. Admission Cost: $5 each (ticket purchased ahead of time) and a snack or drink to share.

Class/Group Pictures:
We will be taking class and group/sports photos on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd. This includes K-8, sports teams, student council, book club, drama club, etc. We will also be taking graduation photos of our 8th Grade class, as well as the Kindergarten graduation photos. Please ensure that your student is on time and not absent on Thursday as we will be taking photos throughout the morning. THERE WILL NOT BE A MAKEUP PHOTO DAY FOR THESE PICTURES. Also, be sure to dress accordingly, and also bring complete uniforms for basketball, volleyball team (if applicable). These group photos will be available for purchase once they are processed and returned to SAA. Also, we could use some help that day, so check out the volunteer opportunity in the left hand column and sign up if you can help out that morning. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Marsh at kmarsh@sarasotaaacademyofthearts.com or via cell at 941-350-3767 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!

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star

Give the Gift of Life
SAA is participating in a lifesaving blood drive with SunCoast Blood Bank in honor of one of our students, Hannah Marsh! Hannah, a Sarasota Academy of the Arts 8th grader, was diagnosed with a rare immune disorder, known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), when she was 5 years old. She was completely transfusion dependent requiring blood and platelets for four months while waiting on a bone marrow match. This blood drive is being held to celebrate her survivorship and to pay it forward. A Bloodmobile will be on campus on Tuesday February 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please sign up through Kelly Marsh to make an appointment to give the gift of life. Appointments are available from 10:00am through 1:45pmin 15 minute increments. She can be reached via her cell at 941-350-3767 or email at kmarsh@sarasotaacademyofthearts.com.