Author: Marsh Family (Dell)

The Shooting STAR

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

February 13, 2017

2016 - 2017, Volume 4, Issue 24

Principal’s Corner: Congratulations are in order for Mrs. LaRose (7th and 8th grade language arts) and Mr. Pascuzzi (7th and 8th grade math and Algebra 1) who received letters of recognition from the Florida Department of Education as the highest impact teachers in our school. According to FLDOE, "a recent analysis of performance on statewide standardized assessments found that (they) had an impact on student learning that is among the most positive in the entire state." We are fortunate to have them on the staff! Friday afternoon we had 40 visitors who are members of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class. They heard an overview of who we are and visited almost all of the classrooms. The teachers and students had the opportunity to show off all the good things that go on daily at SAA. Parents, you are also welcome to visit and see what is happening in the classrooms whenever you want. Just check in at the office to be sure there is not a test taking place. We are proud of our students and the different opportunities they have to display their learning. You can use your qr app on several of the student projects on campus. This week is another busy one... Tuesday is Valentine's Day. The elementary students will be celebrating in the morning then the Florida Studio Players will visit in the afternoon to perform for them on the stage in the reading garden. Following the performance, they will work with students in the classrooms to write student plays. Wednesday the K-5 students will have their pictures taken in the costumes used for the spring musicals. Thursday it will be picture day for those middle school students in 42nd Street. (See the paragraphs below for more information.) Thursday is also the Ice Cream Social for students who earned 2nd quarter honor roll. Finally, on Saturday is the Applebees Pancake Breakfast to support the 6th grade trip to NASA. Important message from Ms. Julie: Look for the information letter to come home Monday to tell you what students need to bring to school on picture day. Most of the costumes are provided by the school. K-5 will have pictures Wednesday and Middle School on Thursday. The Girls' and Mixed Choruses are going to be participating in America Sings in Orlando on March 3rd and 4th. This is a national event that has been going on every year for over 30 years. The purpose is not only to sing together with songs of hope and love, but also to help others in need. Eleven hundred students from all over America will provide school supplies and food for those who are cannot afford them. Each school is asked to raise money to provide needed items. Our school has been asked to provide 350 pairs of safety scissors, 6 large jars of peanut butter, and 6 large jars of jelly. In order to raise these funds, we will have 3 bake sales after school for the next three weeks. The first one will be this Wednesday. Items will cost $.50 each. Please send money with your child on Wednesday if you would like your child to purchase something. Thank you for your support on this worthwhile project. Parents/guardians of fourth through eighth graders will be receiving a letter in the mail regarding the FSA writing assessment that is scheduled for the end of February. Students can go to www.fsassessments.org to access the practice tests to help in preparation for the upcoming assessments. The Governing Board will meet Monday morning in the administration meeting at 8:00. Have a wonderful week! Remember that February 20, a week from tomorrow, is Presidents' Day and therefore a school holiday. 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, 2/13/17 - 8:00am SAA Board Meeting Wednesday, 2/15/17 - Show Pictures Thursday, 2/16/17 - Show Pictures - Ice Cream Social 1:00pm - 4:00pm Friday - 2/17/17 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt) Saturday - 2/18/17 - 8:00am - 10:00am Applebees Fundraiser Monday, 2/20/17 - Presidents Day - NO SCHOOL Wednesday, 2/22/17 - 4:15pm SAC Meeting Thursday - 2/23/17 - Pasta for Pennies End Friday - 2/24/17 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt)

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2016 - 2017
Volume 4, Issue 24
February 13, 2017

Voice Lessons
Miss Lauren is offering to set up voice lessons on a regular basis if your child is interested. She has a degree in musical theatre and has been singing since she was three years old. She has worked professionally and still works around the community as well. She has been in over 30 musicals and worked with broadway professionals such as Ben Vereen, Liz Callaway, Faith Prince, and Ann Morrison. If you would like to start voice lessons with her, she charges 25 dollars for a half hour and 40 dollars for a 45 minutes lesson. It is recommended for kids in elementary to stay with the 30 minute lesson. She would teach them during the week at the school preferably. You can contact her through her school email Lnielsen@sarasotaacademyofthearts.com

DRAMA DEPARTMENT PICNIC SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 FUN STARTS AT NOON Hey! What time is it? It’s time for the second annual Drama Department Picnic. Yes, I know we skipped a year, but it will be an annual event from now on, so……. BRING A CHAIR AND FOOD TO SHARE! Yes, that’s our motto. Bring a food item to share with the others and a chair to sit on to watch the show. The Acting Classes will present a series of short scenes for you and Miss Vanessa’s Dance Class will perform as well. The SAA PTO will supply the beverages so bring us all one of your favorite dishes. (Fried Chicken, BBQ Pork, Wings, Salads, Cold Cuts, Deserts …. I’m hungry already) We had a wonderful turnout the last time and there is no reason we can’t do it again. So let’s all get together in our lovely Reading Garden on Saturday, February 25 at noon. The entertainment will start around one. Feel free to eat while we perform for you. ENJOY A BIG FAMILY PICNIC AND LET US ENTERTAIN YOU.

Honor Roll Ice Cream Social
On Thursday, February 16th we will host the 2nd Quarter Honor Roll Ice Cream Social. Students in 2nd through 5th grade, who earned straight A's (Principal's Honor Roll), and A/B Honor Roll (all As & Bs) as well as students in middle school who earned Principal's Honor Roll (Straight A's) and Star Award Honor Roll (GPA of 3.50 - 3.99) will be invited to attend. Only the elementary students are eligible for A/B honor roll, our middle school students need a GPA of 3.5 and above ((Star Award)) to qualify. A list of our honor roll students is now posted on the SAA website. We need help with set-up, scooping and passing out ice cream and clean up. Volunteers are needed from 12:45pm - 4:00pm and must be Level I approved for the current school year. 2nd/3rd Grade - 1:00pm - 1:30pm 4th Grade - 1:30pm - 2:00pm 5th Grade - 2:00pm – 2:30pm 6th Grade - 2:30pm - 3:00pm 7th Grade - 3:00pm - 3:30pm 8th Grade - 3:30pm - 4:00pm This is a great way to fulfill some of your volunteer time while celebrating our honor roll students. Volunteer spots are filled on a first come, first served basis so please click the link to sign up! http://signup.com/go/eJtWhr We are also asking for donated items such as ice cream, disposables bowls, spoons, sprinkles & various toppings (to see which specific items we need and to sign up to donate, please click link above) to make this a spectacular event for our students who have worked so hard this quarter. Please be sure to drop off these items to the office the day before (February 15th). Note:If you donate items to the ice cream social, you will receive one hour of volunteer time. Be sure to log your time into the volunteer computer in the main office. Thank you for all your support!
Kelly Marsh, Volunteer Coordinator

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star