| Oct. 11, 2012 In This Issue: Recent News Stories | All-School News | Junior School News
Middle School News | Senior School News | Calendar Recent News Stories SSA Farm Featured in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Third Grader to Perform in Pgh Musical Theater's "Cinderella"
Fifteen Seniors Named National Merit Commended Students
SSA Middle School Featured in North Hills Monthly Magazine
Senior Named National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist
SSA Senior Places Fourth at WPIAL Girls Golf Individual Final
Senior School Teacher Wins Yale Educator Award
See all of the latest SSA News Safety Alert: Attempted Child Abduction in Squirrel Hill We recently learned of an attempted child abduction in Squirrel Hill. On Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m., a young boy was stopped by a white man in a black SUV, who encouraged the child to get into his car. The child lived nearby and ran home safely, and a police report was filed. The police have asked schools in the area to remind parents to be diligent about warning their children to never enter a car or building with a stranger, and that it is best for children to walk in pairs. A Day in the Life of the Junior School Video  Wonder what Junior School students do all day? Now you can experience it first hand! Shady Side Academy has created a video showing a typical day at the Junior School to share with prospective families. We invite you to view the video online and encourage you to share it with friends and family. We guarantee you'll see lots of familiar faces!
Strategic Vision Event Oct. 19 - RSVP by Friday
The Strategic Vision Launch Event will be held Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Hillman Center for Performing Arts. All parents, students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to be a part of this community celebration of the future of Shady Side Academy. Join President Tom Cangiano as he officially unveils the Academy's strategic vision for the future in an engaging event that includes student performances, videos, presentations and more. A reception will immediately follow. There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP online by Oct. 12.
Homecoming 2012 Oct. 12-13 The Shady Side Academy community is invited to attend Homecoming weekend Oct. 12-13. View the Homecoming youth activities flyer. Bring your families to the Senior School campus on Saturday, Oct. 13 for the following events: - Alumni Art Show featuring Monica Kapoor '97
- Opens at 11 a.m. in the Benedum Visual Art Center
- Interactive theater performance for children of all ages
- Kids' Karnival
- Noon on the lower tennis courts
- Inflatable obstacle course, balloon artist, face painting and games
- Senior School athletic competitions throughout the day
- Check the calendar for times and locations
Admissions Fall Open Houses 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. - Junior School - Thursday, Oct. 18, 9:15 a.m.
Saturday Nov. 10, 10 a.m.
- Middle School - Thursday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
- Senior School - Saturday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m.
The Middle School Open House for Junior School fifth grade parents is being held Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 9 a.m. This is an opportunity for current fifth grade parents to learn more about the Middle School. SSA Launches Student Voices Blog
SSA has launched a new "Student Voices Blog" written by Senior School students. The blog is designed to give prospective families an inside look at what it's like to be a Shady Side student. View the blog at www.shadysideacademy.org/studentvoices. “The Power of Your Gift" Support Drive Join our parent volunteer team and help us kick off the new year of giving for the Blue & Gold Fund on Oct. 16-17 from 4-9 p.m. in the Hillman Center Wean Room. Trustees, parents, alumni class agents and faculty are welcome to help, no experience necessary. Your dedication and loyal efforts will help us achieve our ambitious goal of $1.15 million and increased parent participation in support of students and faculty. Please RSVP by contacting Rick Munroe ’84 at 412-968-3044 or rmunroe@shadysideacademy.org. Support the Blue & Gold Fund today.
Hillman Series Presents: Illusionist Bradley Fields' Out of Thin Air  Just in time for Halloween, the Hillman Performing Arts Series presents Illusionist Bradley Fields' Out of Thin Air on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students, $20 for seniors and $25 for adults. From 6:30-7:30, enjoy Make-Your-Own-Magic with the Carnegie Science Center with crafts and activities including UV detection beads, liquid nitrogen ice cream and flip books. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Hillman Center Box Office at 412-968-3040.
Bradley Fields’ internationally acclaimed performance, Out of Thin Air!, transcends clichés of waxy black top hats with an innovative blend of medieval theatrics, clever comedy and mind-boggling magic. An expert at timing and slight-of-hand, Fields is one of the most acclaimed magicians in the world.
PAISTA Sponsors Evening with NAIS President Pat Bassett Oct. 30
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 Tuesday, Oct. 30. 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 Oct. 23. Please direct any questions to Lauren Messner at lmessner@shadysideacademy.org, Terri Vosko Haas at thaas@shadysideacademy.org or Lisa Anselmo at lanselmo@shadysdeacademy.org. View the event flyer.
Lunch & Learn with Author Ann Gibbons Scherlis, Nov. 8
The first Parents' Association Lunch & Learn of the year will be held Thursday, Nov 8, at 11 a.m. in Memorial Hall on the Senior School campus featuring Ann Gibbons Scherlis, author of The First Human: The Race to Discover Our Earliest Ancestors. Gibbons Scherlis will speak about her latest work and a trip she took last year to the Denisova Cave in Siberia, where a new kind of archaic human was discovered. RSVP to Jodi Palamides at jpalamides@comcast.net by Nov. 1.
Fox Chapel Farmers Market - Last Day Oct. 24! Shop locally sourced, seasonal produce, food and specialty items from farms and vendors within a 120-mile radius of campus at the Fox Chapel Farmers Market on the Senior School campus. The Farmers Market will be open Wednesdays through Oct. 24 from 3-6:30 p.m. Visit the Farmers Market web page for more details.
Founders Society Reception Held at Hartwood Acres
 Tom and Linda Cangiano welcomed more than 60 Founders Society members to a festive, fall event on Oct. 4 at the mansion at Hartwood Acres in honor of their leadership support of the Academy. Tracy Levy ’84, vice chair for development, praised the Board of Trustees' giving and record-breaking year, and Founders Society Chairs Teresa Anania and Kara Conomikes ’87 graciously thanked Founders Society members and EITC donors for their outstanding commitment, leadership and dedication. Senior Lia Winter spoke about her Shady Side experience, and alumna Pooja Tripathi ’10 serenaded guests with beautiful violin solos. View the Founders Society event slideshow.
Founders Society members contribute more than 75 percent of the total dollars raised for the Blue & Gold Fund each year through their leadership gifts of $1,883 or more. Learn more at www.shadysideacademy.org/supportssa. Parents' Association Opportunities The Parents' Association offers several ways to support the PA while you shop.
Junior School News
Picture Day Oct. 15
Pictures will be taken on Monday, Oct. 15, and students should wear their uniforms as usual. Students received an order form in their backpacks. Please be sure to send the order form and payment with your child on Monday, along with their best smile!
Junior School Math Night Oct. 23
Junior School Math Night will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. We would love to see all parents there (please remember this is an adults-only event). During this event, we will share the tenants of the new math program: Math in Focus: A Singapore Approach. We will also talk about math attitudes and how a parents' attitude can shape a child's attitude about math. It will be a night of fun as we solve challenging math problems from across the grades. Students Invited To Homecoming Youth Cheer Camp
The Senior School cheerleaders are hosting a cheer camp Friday Oct. 12, from 4:30-7 p.m. for students 10 and under in the Mellon Gym on the Senior School campus. All participants will have the opportunity to cheer on the track during the first quarter of the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 13, which begins at 2:30 p.m. Please contact cheerleading coach Taylor Glenn at taylorglenn.pr@gmail.com for more information.
Family Skate Oct. 27, Time Changed to 12-2
The next Family Skate will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, from 12-2 p.m. in the McKnight Hockey Center on the Senior School campus (please note that this time was changed from 2-4 p.m.). Students must provide their own skates and helmets (required, a bike helmet is sufficient). Please contact Erica Strauss at estrauss511@me.com with questions. View the Family Skate Flyer. Flavors of Fall Nov. 9
Join the Parents' Association for the Flavors of Fall event on Friday, Nov. 9, from 5-8 p.m. for an adults-only evening of socializing with parents, faculty and staff. Please RSVP to Wendy Todd at wendytodd@comcast.net. View the invitation. Volunteers are needed for food and drinks, please sign up online. Tuesday Teams Create Rainbow Fence
After meeting with our Tuesday Teams for the first time last week, a rainbow appeared when third grade students wove strips of paper into the fence surrounding our field! On the strips of paper? How we have lived The Shady Side Way and how we're going to live The Shady Side Way! This was a temporary installation that was washed away by the rain, but it was a wonderful display of the Tuesday Teams working together! View the rainbow fence slideshow.
Students Raise $238.25 For Cancer
 On Sept. 28, students participated in "Hats On Day" for cancer. For a $1 donation, students were permitted to wear hats to school to raise awareness about children undergoing chemotherapy and related issues like hair loss, illness and missing school. A total of $238.25 was raised by the Junior School, bringing the Academy-wide total raised to $1,329.75. View the Hats On Day slideshow.
Second Grade Students Create Floral Arrangements
 Second grade students created floral arrangements as a culminating activity of their plant unit. The containers were recycled tuna cans. The students picked leaves and flowers from the William Foster Garden, which and are being pressed. They will use them to make floral bookmarks. The class will also have a plant party where students will eat seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), fruits (mangoes, lemons, starfruit) roots (carrots, beet), leaves (lettuce) and stems (celery). View the floral arrangement slideshow.
First Grade Students Collect Change for Haiti
 The first grade class has placed change jars in every classroom, and students are encouraged to toss in spare change to help support several schools in Haiti. Mrs. Hendershot traveled to Haiti last summer on a Benedum Fellowship and established a relationship with schools there that benefit from the generosity of our students. First graders will collect the jars several times a year, sort money and prepare it for banking. View the Change for Haiti slideshow.
Fourth Grade Students Learn About Transportation
 As part of their study of Pennsylvania history, the fourth grade explored downtown Pittsburgh on Sept. 25 to learn about how transportation has changed since Pittsburgh became a city. Students traveled by various modes of transportation including boats, trains, inclines and foot power.
First Grade Students Celebrate Johnny Appleseed
 In September, first graders read books about apples and famous American Johnny Appleseed. Students made hats depicting a sequencing activity, made apple trees showing the life cycle of an apple, wrote apple poems, taste-tested various apple varieties and made a graph showing their results, and generated words that belonged in the "ap" family. First grade loves apples! View the Johnny Appleseed slideshow.
Sign Up for Faculty Fridays
Sign up to host one of the Faculty Fridays using the online sign-up sheet. If you have any questions, please email Erica Strauss at estrauss511@me.com.
MathCounts After-School Practices Today, Oct. 11, will be the last MathCounts 4-6 p.m. session in October. The MathCounts Thursday 4-6 p.m. session schedule for November-February is as follows: Nov. 1, 8 and 29 (time changed on Nov. 8 to 3:30-5:30 p.m. due to the fall play); Dec. 6, 13 and 20; Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31; and Feb. 7 and 14. The MathCounts competition will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Holiday Inn near Robert Morris University.
ERB Testing Oct. 15-19ERB (Educational Records Bureau) standardized testing will be held on Oct, 15, 16, 18 and 19 for all grades. Read the ERB Testing letter from Mr. Curry and Ms. Katz.
Parent/Student/Teacher Conference Day Oct. 17, NO CLASSES
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 17. There are no classes this day. Please make your appointment to meet with your child's advisor by calling Mrs. Cephas at 412-968-3100. Parent Coffee with the School Head Oct. 23
Please join the Parents' Association and School Head Amy Nixon on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 8:15 a.m. for a Parent Coffee in the cafetorium.
Volunteer for Book Fair Oct. 23-24
The Book Fair encourages students to read quality literature for pleasure and is also a library fundraiser. The library works with Penguin Bookshop to provide current and classic books. This year the Book Fair will be held Oct. 23 and 24 with set-up and decoration taking place the morning of Oct. 22. If you are interested in setting up, or working a two-hour shift during the Book Fair, please use the Book Fair sign-up form. Parents' Association Flavors of Fall Event Oct. 26
The Parents' Association invites you to Flavors of Fall on Friday Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the library. Please RSVP online and include your name, the number of adults attending and what you are planning to bring. Some examples include dips, spreads, sushi, hot appetizers and desserts. Contact Kathy Horne with questions at kathy.mendelson@verizon.net. View the invitation.
Senior School News Service Learning Opportunities On Saturday, Oct. 20, help Redd Up Pittsburgh from 9 a.m.-noon. This is a fun way to be with friends and help beautify Pittsburgh! On Saturday, Oct. 27, help repack food at the Food Bank in Duquesne from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sign up on the Service Learning bulletin board in the Dining Hall. Contact Mrs. Ament with questions at mament@shadysideacademy.org. A Message from the Deans' Office About Homecoming Week
Homecoming is the focus in Student Council these days, and we have enjoyed the spirited dress this week: Pajama Day, Wacky Wednesday, Opposite Day and ending with Blue and Gold Spirit Week (along with jeans for breast cancer awareness) on Friday. The annual Homecoming Dance will be held this Saturday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Weather permitting, the dance will be held outdoors this year in the lower tennis courts. Weather not permitting, the dance will move back to Curry Gym.
Grandparents' Day Oct. 26, Formal Dress Day
Grandparents are invited to spend the day on the Senior School campus on Friday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. This is a formal dress day for students. Yearbook Senior Portraits
The deadline for senior portraits, baby pictures and quotes is April 2, 2013. Senior portraits can be formal or informal. As an option to students and their families, Fred Brand Photography will come to campus on Oct. 15, 16 and 18, during lunch periods, 10:35 a.m.-1:35 p.m., for a fee of $15. A sign-up is available in the Dean’s Office. - Suggested dress for Fred Brand portraits:
- Girls - Simple dark sweater or top with simple jewelry
- Boys - Dark suit or sports jacket with tie or open collar. Polo shirt is acceptable or dress shirt with no jacket
- Requirements for all senior portraits are:
- Digital: 600 dpi, 4”X 5” minimum via email or CD
- Print: wallet size or larger
- Digital or Print: B/W or color
- Any pose is fine. Background should be as neutral as possible. Outdoor shots and casual photos are accepted.
- Senior quotes will be limited to 2,200 characters this year. No profanity or comments of a demeaning nature will be accepted.
- All photos may be submitted electronically or via hard copy. Photos are non-returnable. All quotes must be emailed directly to Elyse Zheng.
Please email Elyse Zheng at ezheng@shadysideacademy.org with any questions. From the College Counseling Office - Seniors, please make sure that your “Colleges I’m applying to” list is up to date. It is vitally important that you do this so that your college counselor and your teacher recommendation writers are aware of your deadlines.
- On Wednesday, Oct. 17, sophomores and juniors will be taking the PSATs at Shady Side. Registration has been taken care of, and information has been shared with students by their advisors. Seniors will take part in a workshop on interviewing and essay writing from 8-11 a.m. and need to bring a draft of an essay they are working on, which will be workshopped with the college counselors and teachers.
- On Oct. 2, the college counselors met with the sophomore class and followed up on topics covered during our evening program earlier in the year. We talked about various ways to build a college application. Topics included academic performance, getting involved in class and in extracurricular activities, leadership and standardized testing.
- On Tuesday, Oct. 18, the college counselors will meet with the freshmen during a class meeting to cover the following topics: getting the most out of your SSA experience, extracurricular involvement, midterm grade reports, the importance of getting to know one’s teachers, and where students can get help and support at school.
- 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.
Architecture Students Design Shed for SSA Farm
 The students of Mrs. Batchelar’s architecture class are working at the request of the SSA Farm to design a shed. The vision is to create a space to store tools and equipment as well as space to work indoors. Students designed and produced the plans for the structure , which includes a porch and 20 X 22 work area with a counter where lights could be hung for starter plants and a loft storage space. Many “green” elements have been integrated into the project, including sky lights, natural lighting, a cupola for air flow and a rain barrel integrated into the gutters. The porch would accommodate on-site educational presentations and provide a shady respite while gardening. The Farm Shed Project was integrated into the course curriculum and the students’ newly developed architectural skills were applied to the project. They are excited to leave a legacy at SSA by designing a structure on the campus. Academian Celebrates 100th AnniversaryThis year is the 100th year of the Academian, and we would love your input and to have your student in the book! Jostens has launched a new website where you can submit your pictures to the yearbook. Any photos that we don't use, students will have access to as part of the purchase of the yearbook. We are hoping that we will get many submissions and have more students represented in the yearbook. Please help us! The site is www.replayit.com. You need to create a login and select Shady Side as your school. Any questions? Would rather email directly? Please contact Elyse Zheng at ezheng@shadysideacademy.org. Everything is Fine Debuts for Students
The play Everything is Fine debuted at the Senior School for students at a special assembly on Oct. 4. The one-act play, which was written and performed by teens, focused on dating violence. A public performance for parents and the community was held later that evening. View the Everything is Fine slideshow. Jazz Combo Available for Private Events
The Jazz Combo is ready to play. Please contact Stan Nevola at snevola@shadysideacademy.org or 412-968-3039 if you have an occasion that needs a small jazz band. They can do a duet, trio, quartet or sextet. There are three gigs planned for October, including Homecoming! Thank you for your support of the arts program at SSA.
Upcoming Events All Academy
Oct. 12-13 - Homecoming Weekend, Senior School Campus
Oct. 16-17 - Blue & Gold Support Drive, 4-9 p.m.
Oct. 17 - Fox Chapel Farmers Market, Senior School, 3-6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 - Strategic Vision Launch Event, Hillman Center, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 - Hillman Series Presents: Illusionist Bradley Fields, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 - Fox Chapel Farmers Market, Senior School, 3-6:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 - Dasera (H)
Oct. 26 - Eid al-Adha (I)
Junior School
Oct. 12 - Second Grade Field Trip to Pittsburgh Zoo, 8:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Oct. 15 - Picture Day
Oct. 18 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Parents, 9:15 a.m.
Oct. 19 - Kindergarten Field Trip to Schramms Farm & Orchards, 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Oct. 22-26 - ERB Testing for Grades 3-5
Oct. 23 - Math Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 - Fourth Grade Field Trip to Fort Ligonier, 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Middle School
Oct. 15-19 - ERB Testing
Oct. 17 - Parent and Student Conference Day, NO CLASSES
Oct. 23 - Parent Coffee With the School Head, Cafetorium, 8:15 a.m.
Oct. 23-24 - Book Fair
Oct. 25 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Parents, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 26 - Parents' Association Flavors of Fall, 6:30 p.m.
Senior School
Oct. 13 - Homecoming Dance, 7:30-10 p.m.
Oct. 17 - Parent Conference Day, Morning Classes Only
Oct. 17 - Autumn Music Concert, Hillman Center, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 - Grandparents' Day, FORMAL DRESS
Oct. 27 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Families, 1 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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Fri., Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. | Invite
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Sat., Oct. 27, 12-2 p.m. | Flyer
*time changed from 2-4 p.m. Lunch & Learn
Thurs., Nov. 8, 11 a.m. JS - Flavors of Fall
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Hillman Performing Arts Series 2012-2013 
Oct. 20, 2012: Illusionist Bradley Fields' Out of Thin Air! Nov. 10, 2012: Duquesne University Tamburitzans Jan. 19, 2013: Enchantment Theatre's The Velveteen Rabbit Feb. 16, 2013: A Modern Twist: Attack Theatre and Cello Fury March 2, 2013: Glenn Miller Orchestra April 13, 2013: Special Event: Reinventing Radio: An Evening With Ira Glass Buy Tickets Online Box Office: 412-968-3040
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