Author: Marsh Family (Dell)

The Shooting STAR

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

October 24 2016

2016 - 2017, Volume 4, Issue10

Principal’s Corner

Please take a look at the calendar in the side bar titled "Upcoming Dates" and all the event information that Kelly Marsh includes in both the digital and paper (if requested) newsletters. The email version goes out every Sunday, and the hard copies and flyers go home on Mondays. Ms. Kathy also attaches forms and flyers when she and Ms. Donna assemble the hard copy newsletters on Monday and distribute them to the classrooms. Please ask your child for this information on Mondays. Since tomorrow (Monday, 10/24) is a professional day for staff, the hard copies of this newsletter will come home Tuesday. Monday is a holiday for all students. Probably the most frequent complaint we receive concerns the lack of communication. We are using several methods to get the information about academics and events to you, but we still hear that parents don't know about an activity until we call saying their child cannot participate unless we have a permission sent in immediately. Teachers who are sponsoring a field trip will send home a permission slip with field trip information two weeks before the date. (I know that in some cases this doesn't happen because of last minute scheduling, but we try.) As of last week, the music trip permissions have been posted in Google Classroom for the middle school choruses and on the school website in the Performing Arts & Music Program section for all classes. This week we will begin posting all permissions online on the Field Trip/Permissions Slip tab. We do not yet have the capability for you to electronically sign the slips, so you will have to print and return to the office, fax, or scan and attach to an email. Of course, the simplest way is to sign and return the paper form your child brings home. You can print from Google Classroom or the SAA website. You will receive more information on Google Classroom as the teachers become more adept at using it themselves. This is a learning process for everyone. Last week, there were two important events scheduled for parents. Tuesday was the "Back to School" Night for middle school parents. Regretfully, of the 118 students, only 30 students had parents in attendance. This was very disappointing. This was a time for teachers to explain their curriculum and expectations, for parents to ask questions and schedule conferences, and for parents to become familiar with the important digital programs the students are using. Thursday evening was the International Fair. We had 51 parents in attendance. Students in ALL grades participated by learning about countries all over the world and presenting what they knew through posters or videos. Here is the link to the 6th grade project on archaeology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXWKC8X2rrk. (It's about 15 minutes long.) Many parents sent delicious food and each of the elementary classes performed songs from the global community. The middle schoolers displayed their art and through the silent auction raised money for a field trip to the Dali Museum. It was a wonderful event that showcased the hard work of the students. Thank you to all of the students, parents, and teachers who participated. We'd like to see more participation at future events because the students do love to see their parents here so they can show off what they are learning. The teachers are proud of them and also want them to share their hard work. If anyone has suggestions as to how we can increase participation, please let Kelly or me know. The elementary students are celebrating Halloween this Friday during the school day. You have received information from your child's homeroom teacher but if you need clarification, please call or email. The middle schoolers have their Halloween/Fall dance Friday night. Information was posted last week and another flyer is going home Tuesday. There are no parties or events scheduled for Monday, 10/31. This leaves Monday free for students to take part in Halloween or Fall Festival events with their families in the evening. Have a great week! 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 - 10/24/16 - Professional Day - NO SCHOOL Tuesday - 10/25/16 - 9:00am K-5 FST Field Trip - 4:15pm Girls & Boys Basketball Practice Wednesday - 10/26/16 - 4:15pm SAC Meeting - 4:15pm Girls & Boys Basketball Practice Thursday - 10/27/16 Hearing Screening (K - 4:15pm Girls & Boys Basketball Practice Friday - 10/28/16 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt) -7:00pm - 10:00pm Middle School Dance Monday - 10/31/16 - 4:15pm Girls & Boys Basketball Practice Tuesday - 11/1/16 - 5:00pm SAA Boys Basketball @ Imagine School of North Manatee Wednesday - 11/2/16 - Picture Retake Day - 4:15pm Girls & Boys Basketball Practice - 6:00pm - PTO Meeting Thursday - 11/3/16 8:00am - 6:00pm Book Fair - 4:15pm Girls & Boys Basketball Practice Friday - 11/4/16 - Spirit Day (Wear your SAA school shirt) Saturday - 11/5/16 - 12:45pm - 3:45pm Inspire Sarasota - Advanced Chorus

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2016 - 2017
Volume 4, Issue 10
October 24, 2016

Our 1st middle school dance of the school year is coming up on October 28th from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. It is open to CURRENT SAA Middle School students only. Admission Cost: $5 plus a canned food item The dance will take place in the middle school building and will be supervised by teachers and staff. We have opened this up to be a Halloween dance, but be aware that we expect the students to be tasteful in their choice of costume and to keep the dress code in mind. No masks allowed or clown costumes. Donations of snacks and drinks are always welcome.

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star

PTO MEETING - 11/2/16

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2016 - 2017
Volume 4, Issue 10
October 24, 2016

PTO: Our next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd at 6:00pm in the middle school building. We will discuss long term goals and the vision for the school. We will have our 2016-2017 School improvement plan presented by Mrs. Blankenship and will also have a round table discussion about other ways we would like to see the school improve. We will also be discussing required volunteer hours and opportunities that will be available to our families to help meet those requirements.

SHOW PICTURES

BOOK FAIR - 11/3/16

Did you take any photos last week at the Fall performances a Glenridge? If so, we need your photos for the yearbook. The deadline to submit photos for those performances is November 1st. We would LOVE to showcase our students in the yearbook from this performance so please send them in ASAP! Go to community.pictavo.com/ · Click on the link UPLOAD PHOTOS, then Create an Account · Our School ID is: 62344

The Book Fair will be held Thursday, November 3rd! Can you lend a few hours to volunteer? We will need help setting up on Wednesday, November 2nd from 4:00pm - 6:00pm and all day on Wednesday from 8:00am - 6:00pm. We will also need some help taking it all down at the end of the book fair. Please remember that you will need to be an approved Level I volunteer for the 2016 -2017 school year. If you haven't already done so, please stop in the office and sign up to become a volunteer or simply reactivate your volunteer account. Signing up to help is easy . . .just click on the Sign Up linkhttp://signup.com/go/Cqaoue and select a time slot that works for you. Thank you in advance!

Sarasota Academy of the Arts

THE Shooting Star

Picture Retake Postponed

DER DUTCHMAN PIES

Picture Retakes are postponed until November 2nd. If you need order forms, please stop into the office and see Kathy. Send back original packets.

Box Tops

Clipping Box Tops is an easy way for you to help our school earn cash. Our Fall Box Tops Collection runs through November 1st. This school year, our school's earnings goal is $1,000. Monies collected will be distributed between the Art, Computer/Media, and PE departments.

Voucher Sale! Get your fresh baked pies! Pie sales will be going October 25 – December 9. Orders will be placed November 11thfor Thanksgiving and December 9th for the holidays. Flyers will come home this week. Return to the front office. Vouchers are now good for 1 year!!!!!