April 18, 2013

In This Issue: Recent News Stories | All-School News | Junior School News
Middle School News | Senior School News | Calendar

Recent News Stories

Junior Finishes 17th at Speech & Debate World Championships

Seven Students Win Awards at Science and Engineering Fair

Sophomore Accepted to Youth Leadership South Asia Program

Three Ice Hockey Players Named League All-Stars

Brendan McLaughlin '86 Speaks to Middle Schoolers on LEED Design

Senior School Math Team Wins Regional MCWP Competition

Senior School Teacher Selected to NEH Summer Institute

See all of the latest SSA News

Family Information Update Online Form Now Available

In preparation for the 2013-2014 school year, it’s time for the annual Shady Side Academy FAMILY INFORMATION UPDATE. Families who have returned enrollment contracts for the 2013-2014 school year should visit www.shadysideacademy.org/familyinfoupdate, log in to the Parent Portal and complete the online Family Profile Update Form by May 20. 

Marty Elkins Named Next Director of College Counseling

Shady Side Academy has named Martha “Marty” T. Elkins its next director of college counseling, effective July 1, 2013. Elkins will succeed current director Tom Rossi, who is returning to the science faculty to teach full-time in 2013-2014. Elkins has been a teacher, coach, dorm parent, dean and college counseling director in five independent schools over the past 30 years, including Holderness School, Groton School and New Hampton School. Read the full story. 

Spring Downtown Lunch April 24, Features LoyalTree Founders

The Spring Downtown Lunch will be held Wednesday, April 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Allegheny HYP Club. Guest speakers will be LoyalTree founder Brock Bergman '03 and his leadership team, Jake Klinvex '05 and Jim Ambrose '05. The cost is $15 per person, payable at the door. Please RSVP to Lisa Page at lpage@shadysideacademy.org by April 17.

PAISTA Sponsors Evening With NAIS President Pat Bassett April 29

The Pittsburgh Area Independent School Teachers' Association (PAISTA) is sponsoring an evening with Patrick F. Bassett, president of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) on Monday, April 29. The event, titled "Partnering With Parents: How Great Schools Work," will be held at The Ellis School at 7:30 p.m., and all parents are welcome. Visit www.paista.org to register by April 22. Please direct any questions to Lauren Messner at lmessner@shadysideacademy.org or Lisa Anselmo at lanselmo@shadysdeacademy.org. View the event flyer.

Admissions Spring Open House Dates

Prospective families are invited to upcoming Admissions Open Houses to tour and learn more about Shady Side Academy. Please pass this information on to any families you know who may be interested in SSA. RSVP is encouraged but not required. Thank you!

• Junior School - Wednesday, May 8, 9:15 a.m.
  
• Middle School - Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m.
  
• Senior School - Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.

Art Beat Art Exhibition Opens May 3

This spring, Shady Side Academy is hosting a professional art exhibition on the Senior School campus to bring top emerging and established Pittsburgh-based visual artists together in a multiple-site venue. Work includes a wide range of styles and mediums, both 2D and 3D. The opening will be held Friday May, 3, from 7-9 p.m. at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts, and the exhibition will run until May 24. Please RSVP for the opening at artbeat@shadysideacademy.org by April 26. Additional events include a brunch and talk with an art consultant, and a Parents' Association Lunch & Learn with a curator from the Warhol Museum. Learn more online.

Blue & Gold Fund Parent Challenge Is Ramping Up!

Currently, PK parents are leading the Junior School with 67 percent participation, while at the Middle School, eighth grade parents have taken the lead with 46 percent and junior parents are leading the Senior School with 49 percent! There is plenty of time before the first deadline of May 2 to participate and win a dress-down day or ice cream/pizza party for your kids. For a list of donor names by grade and more details on supporting the Blue & Gold Fund, please visit the Parent Challenge page online. Make your gift today.

Race for the Cure With the Alumni Association

Join the Shady Side Academy Race for the Cure team, sponsored by the Alumni Association, on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12, at Schenley Park at Flagstaff Hill. Register online at www.komenpittsburgh.org and follow these steps:

1. Scroll over “Komen Race for the Cure” and click “Register”
2. Click “join a team” on the right side of the page
3. The team is called “Shady Side Academy”
4. Follow the instructions to complete the registration

While registration costs vary, there is a $15 rate for breast cancer survivors and participants age 14 and under. Wear your blue and gold and show your Shady Side pride at the race. A pre-race meeting and photo will take place at 8:15 a.m. at the Schenley Park Carousel. If you are unable to participate, but would like to contribute to the SSA team, you may do so by visiting the Race for the Cure website anytime.

Tuition Reminder

Parents' Association Opportunities

The Parents' Association offers several ways to support the PA while you shop.

• Register your Giant Eagle Advantage Card at boxtops.gianteagle.com, purchase eligible Boxtops for Education items and the earnings will go to the PA. Or, cut out and deliver Boxtops to Megan Vrcic at the Junior School.
  
• Purchase Giant Eagle gift cards through the PA that can be used for groceries, gas or other gift cards; the PA gets 5%.
• Participate in the Lands’ End School Rewards Program; use our school code (900033986) when you check out; the PA gets 3% of net sales.
• Register your Target Visa or Red Card; the PA gets 1% of the total sale every time you shop at Target.

Junior School News 

SSA Farm Junior School Extension Build Day April 27
The SSA Farm is expanding to the Junior School! Join us for Build Day on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m.-noon (rain date May 11) and help build a new garden bed near the PK building, build benches for seating and prepare existing beds for planting. Snack and drinks will be provided. This will be a very child-friendly, simple building process consisting mostly of stacking newspapers and straw, watering and moving soil. No tools or experience required, but if you have the following items please bring them: gardening gloves, shovels, garden rakes, wheelbarrow and screwdrivers. There will be alternative activities for young helpers ages 4 and under. RSVP to Tina Nussbaum Wagler at tinanussbaumwagler@shadysideacademy.org by Friday, April 26.

Newspapers Needed
Newspapers are needed for the Junior School extension of the SSA Farm as a weed barrier for the new garden bed. Please send in newspapers (no colored and/or shiny pages please) by April 27. There will be a box in the main office to collect these donations. 

Fifth Grade Student Closing Exercises Name Information
Parents of fifth grade students are asked to submit your child's name so that it can be printed correctly on the graduation certificate and in the program. Please submit the closing exercises form to Diane Oshnock by Tuesday, April 30.

Kennywood Day June 4
Kennywood Day will be held on Tuesday, June 4. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. following the Moving-Up Day Ceremony. Kennywood tickets are $22.50 each. The Parents' Association is also selling T-shirts for $11-15 each. Please view the order form, due May 1.

Purchase Yearbook Ads Online
Personal ads for the 2012-2013 can be purchased online at www.yearbookforever.com. There are a number of design options, and parents can personalize ads by uploading photos. Ads cost $250 for a full page, $175 for a half page, $100 for a quarter page and $50 for an eighth page. Contact Pam Grandizio at pamelagrandizio@yahoo.com or Gabby Germinaro at gabs4@me.com with questions.

Grandparents' Day
Grandparents and special guests joined students for a special assembly and classroom visits on the morning of April 12. Each class performed during the assembly, and students enjoyed sharing classroom projects with their guests. View the Grandparents' Day slideshow.

Lynne Voelp Reed Day
The annual Lynne Voelp Reed Day carnival was held the afternoon of April 12 and featured games, face painting, tattoos and a moon bounce. Mad Science was also on hand, and students enjoyed creating goo and building machines. Following the carnival, Mad Science gave a fun demonstration. Thanks to all of the parents who organized a great afternoon! View the Lynne Voelp Reed Day slideshow and the Parents' Association fun photos.

Fourth Grade Trip to Heinz Hall
The fourth grade attended a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert at Heinz Hall on April 3. The concert was approximately 45 minutes long and was designed just for fourth grade students. This year's theme was "Inspired By" and featured works by Stravinsky, Mozart, John Williams and others.

Middle School News

Kennywood Day June 4, Order Tickets by May 1
Kennywood Day is Tuesday, June 4, following early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 each and payment is due to Becci Carter by May 1. Please view the Kennywood Park flyer for more information.

The SSA Farm Comes to the Middle School
The Middle School is seeking students and their families to become invested partners in a new raised bed flower and vegetable garden, an extension of the SSA Farm project. With a focus on sustainable systems and native plants, the garden will serve as classroom, laboratory and salad bar. It will be a great opportunity for children and families to learn gardening from the soil up. Students will engage in the seeding, planting and harvesting of vegetables, herbs and flowers during afternoon athletics. Through community days and open houses, families will be able to work alongside students to create a true community of gardeners and learners. Contact Tim McGuigan at tmcguigan@shadysideacademy.org if your child or family is interested.

Closing Exercises Program Information Due April 30 for Form II Students
Form II parents are asked to complete a program information form to ensure your student's name appears in the program and on their diploma correctly. Please complete and submit the form by Tuesday, April 30.

Closing Exercises Dress Code
Please review the dress code for all students for Closing Exercises, which will be held Thursday, June 6, at 9 a.m. in the McKnight Hockey Center on the Senior School campus.

Purchase Yearbook Ads
Graduation will be here before you know it! An ad in the yearbook is a great way to celebrate your child's success and ascension through the Middle School. Place your ad online. Please contact Kristin Richards at k2richards@comcast.net or Tricia McCormick at gofrogdog@mac.com with questions.

Grandparents and Special Guests Day
Students welcomed grandparents and special guests on April 11. Guests attended classes, enjoyed lunch, attended a special assembly where the Core Choir and Jazz Band performed, and enjoyed student-written poetry in the library. The poetry was inspired by the recent visit of author Eliot Schrefer and his book Endangered, as well as William Wordsmith's "I Wondered as a Cloud," Langston Hughes' "Dreams" and Naomi Shihab Nye's "I Still Have Everything You Gave Me." View the Grandparents' Day slideshow.

Rocketry Team Competes in TARC Competition
The Rocketry Team competed in the 2013 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) on March 17. Rockets needed to reach a target altitude of 750 feet, fly for 48-50 seconds and return a raw egg safely to the ground by deploying a parachute. Due to weather conditions, the two preliminary launches were canceled. At the final launch, three team designs were successfully launched. The first qualifying launch exceeded weight limits and was altered to meet specifications, but the nose cone separated during flight and the eggs were broken. Student team members are Tom Scherlis, Jesse Plung, Ciaran Beckford, Ryan Labriola and Robby Sveda, lead by Mr. Brunner. View the TARC slideshow and video.

Parents' Association Volunteer Opportunities
Faculty Fridays are a special way for families to thank faculty and staff for their dedication to our children. We still have a few dates open for families to sign up for Faculty Fridays online: April 26, May 10 and May 31.

Senior School News

Redd Up Pittsburgh With SSA Students and Alumni April 20
Join the Service Learning group and local alumni as they collect trash in Homewood from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 20. See Mrs. Ament for permission forms.

Watch SSA on KDKA-TV's Hometown High-Q April 20
Tune in to KDKA-TV this Saturday, April 20, at 11 a.m. to see Shady Side Academy compete on the Hometown High-Q quiz show! SSA's team is comprised of senior Julia Gasbarro, senior Elisa Ogot and junior Teddy Holthaus.Good luck!

National Library Week
The library associates invite students to participate in the second annual library games contest next week. Prizes will be drawn at the ice cream party on Friday, April 26. All students are invited to the party for free ice cream sundaes.

Volunteer at The Children's Institute April 27
Students are invited to play games with residents of the Children's Institute on Saturday, April 27, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. See Mrs. Ament for more details and permission forms.

Students Help With Local Performance of Play Our Class
Seniors Danielle Plung and Noah Sprock are co-chairs of the play Our Class, which will be performed Sunday, April 28, at 1 p.m. by the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. The performance is sponsored by Classrooms Without Borders and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Tickets are $10-$50 and can be purchased online. Our Class portrays a group of school children, Jewish and Catholic, who declare their ambitions in 1925 Poland; as they grow up, their country is invaded by Nazi and Soviet armies. The play shows how ordinary people are capable of carrying out extraordinary and monstrous acts that resonate to this day.

Career Connections - An Evening for Juniors and Seniors May 2
SSA will hold its first Career Connections Day on Thursday, May 2, from 6:45-8:30 p.m. in Rowe Hall. Students are invited to connect with select SSA alumni, parents and other community members to explore different career options as they begin to consider where to attend college. Speakers from a variety of fields will describe the events that led them to their life’s work, what they did to prepare for that career and answer any questions about pursuing a similar path.

John Baglier Scholarship Nominations Due May 3
Students are invited to nominate a senior for the John Baglier Scholarship, which awards $1,000 towards college tuition. The award was established by friends of John Baglier '97 and is given annually to honor a member of the graduating class who has been inspirational by example to his or her peers by excelling in at least one aspect of school life and by the genuine and unwavering support he or she has given fellow students as they strive to achieve their utmost. The award commemorates John's life, his constant visible encouragement of his peers, and his efforts to make the Senior School a better community. Nominations are due to Mr. Gable by May 3. View the nomination form and scholarship information.

SSA Farm at the Senior School
The second season for the SSA Farm at the Senior School has begun. Spring PE Farm has been tilling soil, starting seedlings indoors, building additional beds and planting peas. If you are interested in helping at the SSA Farm, there are a few ways to do so:

• Volunteer and/or encourage students to volunteer during the summer (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m.).
• Join the SSA Farm Committee.
• Support the Farmers Market stand by purchasing produce (Wednesdays in June-October, from 3-6 p.m.).
• Donate any items to the SSA Farm:
• Gardening tools and supplies: hoes, rakes, shovels, hoses, potting soil, watering cans, etc.
• Building tools and supplies: hammers, screwdrivers, drills, wood, wire, fencing, etc.

Contact Tina Nussbaum Wagler at tinanussbaumwagler@shadysideacademy.org with any questions.

Students Can Win Dining Hall Line Pass To Support Service Learning
Service Learning is raffling a badge that will allow students to go to the front of the lunch line for the month of May! Tickets will be on sale the week of April 22, with the drawing at assembly on April 29. Tickets are three for $1, an arm for $5 and a wing for $10.

Prom Fashion Show May 5
The Junior Class Prom Fashion Show and Auction will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 2-4 p.m. at the Fox Chapel Golf Club. Fashions will be modeled from Cajoli, Candalina Brides, Carabella, Catherina, Diana Misetic, Dina Ellen, EB Pepper, Footloose, Hip’tique, Larrimor’s, Lintons, The Bridal Suite, Top Hat Tuxedo (The Mills), Top Hat Tuxedo (Waterworks) and White Orchid. View the invitation for details and to RSVP.

Parents' Association Faculty Appreciation Brunch May 17
The Parents' Association annual Faculty Appreciation Brunch has been set for Friday, May 17, in Scott Commons. This is a great way to say thank you to those who motivate and inspire our kids every day. All are welcome to contribute their "signature dish." Food will be served from 8:30-11 a.m. All parents are welcome to drop in, drop off or stay for the duration. Please contact Jackie Sheerer at jacksheerer@verizon.net.

Untucked Holding Electronics Drive
Untucked is holding a drive to collect broken and working electronics, preferably hand-held or portable devices. There is a box in the Deans' Office labeled "Untucked Electronics." If you have any questions, please email Josh Tobin at 14tobinj@shadysideacademy.org.

Register for Summer College Essay Writing Workshop
Students entering grades 11 and 12 can spend a week this summer perfecting their college application essays in the College Essay Writing Workshop. Taught by English teacher Linda Joseph, students should expect to produce original, student-generated work of the highest quality – specifically, at minimum, an activities resumé and both short and long common application essay. Learn more and register online.

From the Deans' Office

2013 Commencement Information
Graduation packets are available for parents of seniors and have been mailed home. Please read the letter from the Parents' Association, which includes important dates, and Commencement details, including dress code, timetable and reminders.

From the College Counseling Office

• The college counselors will have their fourth meeting with the sophomore class on Tuesday, April 23, to talk about the different types of colleges (small, medium, large, liberal arts, research-oriented, private, public, etc.).
• On Tuesday April 23, at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall will be a program for potential performing and/or visual arts majors. Troy Centofanto, director of music admissions at Duquesne University, will discuss the admissions process, the role of the audition process and the preparation of portfolios. The program is open to students and parents of Forms III, IV and V.
• If your child is planning on taking SAT subject tests this spring, encourage him or her to check with teachers for preparation tips.
• Find lots of helpful college information, including standardized testing dates and registration information, scholarship opportunities, etc. on the College Counseling class pages on the Parent Portal (login required). Click on “College Counseling for [Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors]” under My Child's Class Pages (MS/SS).
• The SSA College Counseling Facebook page has announcements and information related to the College Counseling process. We encourage all students and parents to “Like” us on Facebook.

Student Writers Needed for Fall Play Adaption
We are looking for a team of writers to help adapt the 2013 fall play, Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. We need at least 4-5 writers who are willing to meet a few times near the end of this school year and once or twice over the summer (can be done via email/Skype). Interested students should see or email Mrs. Hardy-Bingham at dhardy-bingham@shadysideacademy.org as soon as possible. Students DO NOT need to be available next fall to be in the play (but can be) in order to be on the writing team.

Music Department Headed to New York City
SSA musicians are off to New York City for the weekend. They will be performing and attending clinics with Broadway performers, college professors and jazz legends. Come see them on May 14 at the Senior Honors Concert.

Join The Choir in 2013-2014
Students are encouraged to consider singing in an SSA choir next year. Students who like music and want to become more confident singers should sign up for Concert Choir. All are welcome without any audition. Advanced singers who want to explore more challenging music should audition for Chamber Choir on Tuesday, May 21, in the Kountz Theater (black box) at 3 p.m. The audition excerpt will be distributed in the choir room (Hillman basement) on Monday, May 13. Students will be asked to sing their part (no piano) along with three current members. Ask Dr. Brill or current members of either group for more information. Pianists and all sorts of instrumentalists are needed as well.

22 Seniors Inducted Into Cum Laude Society
Twenty-two seniors were recognized for academic excellence by being inducted into the Shady Side Academy Chapter of the Cum Laude Society at a ceremony in Rauh Theater on April 17. The keynote address was given by Carmen Gentile '92, an international reporter who has written for some of the world's leading publications, including The New York Times, TIME, Newsweek, USA Today and many others. View the Cum Laude slideshow.

Students Volunteer at Pittsburgh Food Bank
Five students from the Service Learning group, along with Mrs. Ament, spent a few hours on Saturday, April 13, repackaging oranges and sweet potatoes at the Pittsburgh Food Bank in Duquesne. Participating students were Amanda Murphy, Carla Erb, Won Young Kang, Chloe Zack and Kate Van Horn. View the food bank slideshow.

Alternative Spring Break in Arizona
A group of students, accompanied by Mr. Ashworth and Mrs. Joseph, went to the Apache reservation in San Carlos, Ariz., over spring break. They worked with the CDC and the Army to help control the spread of ticks within the dog population. The ticks were jumping from dogs to Apache children and causing sickness and death from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Mr. Ashworth said "I was so proud of our students and physicians from the CDC said that they have never been more impressed with a group of students. The trip was magical and I don't think we will ever forget the experience we had on the 'rez.'" Read more in Mrs. Joseph's faculty blog post and Josh's student blog post. View the alternative spring break slideshow.

Teens For Jeans Drive Collects 89 Pairs
Thanks to everyone's support, the Teens for Jeans drive collected 89 pairs of jeans. The jeans have been distributed to homeless shelters all across the country, helping teenagers in need. Thanks to all who donated to such a worthy cause!

Faculty/Staff Bake Sale Raises $198
The faculty and staff held a bake sale on April 9, raising $198 for the Lawrenceville/Bloomfield Meals on Wheels. Thanks to everyone who purchased goodies!

Upcoming Events

All Academy
April 20 - Western PA Garden & Landscape Symposium, Hillman Center, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
April 24 - Spring Downtown Lunch, Allegheny HYP Club, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 26 - Comedy for a Cause, Hillman Center, 8 p.m.
April 29-May 2 - Blue & Gold Fund Support Drive, 4-9 p.m.
May 2 - First Blue & Gold Fund Parent Challenge Deadline
May 3 - Art Beat Exhibition Opening, Hillman Center, 7-9 p.m.

Junior School               
April 24 - Fourth Grade Greek Museum, 10 a.m.
April 27 - SSA Farm Build Day, 9 a.m.-noon
May 1 - Second Grade Field Trip to Heinz History Center, 8:45-11:40 a.m.

Middle School
April 18 - Form II Parents' Meeting, Cafetorium, 7:30 p.m.
April 19 - Sixth Grade Creek Symposium, 8 a.m.-2:10 p.m., Camp Kon-O-Kwee
April 24 - Spring Concert for Parents and Guests, Hillman Center, 7:30 p.m.
May 2 - Admissions Open House, 9 a.m.

Senior School
April 19-21 - Music Department Trip to New York City
April 23 - College Counseling Performing and Visual Arts Program, Memorial Hall, 7 p.m.
April 30 - Blood Drive, Scott Commons, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 2 - SSA Career Connections, Rowe Hall, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
May 3 - John Baglier Scholarship Nominations Due
May 5 - Junior Class Prom Fashion Show, Fox Chapel Golf Club, 2-4 p.m.

For up-to-date calendar information, please visit the calendar page.

If you have any questions about this newsletter, please send them to Manager of Web Communications Dana Sheehan at dsheehan@shadysideacademy.org

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