| Oct. 25, 2012 In This Issue: Recent News Stories | All-School News | Junior School News
Middle School News | Senior School News | Calendar Recent News Stories Playoff Update: Field Hockey, Boys & Girls Soccer, Girls Golf Junior Named to PMEA District 1 East Honors Jazz Band Junior School Teacher Named to Endowed Chair Position SSA Baseball Players Hold Clinic for Special Needs Players Eighth Grader Wins Silver Medal at Head of Ohio Regatta Sophomore Named to PMEA District 1 Honors Band SSA Students Raise $1,300 on Wear a Hat for Cancer Days Middle School Teacher's Book Wins Award See all of the latest SSA News Shady Side Academy Announces Strategic Plan
 President Tom Cangiano and Board of Trustees Chair Mary Jo Dively formally announced Shady Side Academy’s new five-year strategic plan to the community on Friday, Oct. 19, at a celebratory event held on the Senior School campus. Approximately 350 SSA parents, alumni, students, faculty and staff gathered in the Hillman Center for Performing Arts to hear the Academy’s strategic vision for the future, in an engaging event highlighted by student performances, videos and presentations by faculty, students and alumni. Download the plan brochure, watch the Strategic Vision video and view the event slideshow. Senior School Fall Play A Midsummer Night's Dream Nov. 1-4 Please join the Gargoyle Society for the fall production of an adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, opening Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. and running through Sunday, Nov 4 in the Peter J. Kountz Black Box Theater. The play stars seniors Justin Barnes and Julia Gasbarro as Oberon and Titania, and is directed by Dana Hardy-Bingham. To pre-order tickets, visit shadyside.showclix.com.
Fall Downtown Luncheon Nov. 7 Sponsored by the Shady Side Academy Alumni Association, this year's Fall Downtown Luncheon will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Allegheny HYP Club, located at 619 William Penn Place, downtown Pittsburgh. The featured speaker is SSA alumnus Jason Lando '95, a police lieutenant with the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The cost for the lunch is $15, which is payable at the door. Please RSVP by Nov. 1 to Lisa Page, director of donor relations, at 412-447-2252 or lpage@shadysideacademy.org. 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. Hillman Series Presents: Duquesne University Tamburitzans
 The Hillman Performing Arts Series presents the Duquesne University Tamburtizans on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students, $20 for seniors and $25 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Hillman Center Box Office at 412-968-3040.
Meet America's longest-running multicultural song and dance company! Eastern European folk music comes alive on stage in a kaleidoscope of sight and sound. Folk instruments such as the bandura, tambura, gadulka and cimbalom are plucked, picked, bowed and hammered while more than 400 extravagant costumes adorn these talented young people.
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 - Saturday Nov. 10, 10 a.m.
- Middle School - Thursday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
- Senior School - Saturday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m.
Parents' Association Winter Plant Sale The Parents' Association is holding its annual Winter Plant Sale. Orders are due by Friday, Nov. 16, and will be delivered to your choice of the Junior School or Senior School on Wednesday, Dec. 5. View the Winter Plant Sale flyer and order form. Contact Laurie Troutman at troutman5@comcast.net or Sarah Woodings at sswpa@aol.com with questions.
Parents' Association Opportunities The Parents' Association offers several ways to support the PA while you shop.
Junior School News
Family Skates Oct. 27 & 28
The next Family Skates will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, from 12-2 p.m. (please note this time was changed from 2-4 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 28, from 2:30-4:15 p.m. in the McKnight Hockey Center on the Senior School campus. 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. Haunted Walk Oct. 29 on the Senior School Campus
The Cangianos invite you to join them in a Halloween family tradition: a torchlit haunted walk through the woods and meadows of the Senior School campus on Monday, Oct. 29, from sundown (about 6:30 p.m.) to 8:30 p.m. The walk takes about 25-30 minutes and at the end of the walk there will be a bonfire, hot cider and some treats. The route will be filled with real live monsters, witches and ghosts; so really young (or impressionable) children may find it too frightening. The walk will be canceled in the event of rain or snow (ghosts don't like to get wet). There is a $5 fee per family which will benefit the SSA Farm. Please contact Linda Cangiano at 412-968-3064 or lcangiano@shadysideacademy.org with questions. View the Haunted Walk 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. Second Grade Canned Food Drive
The second grade has kicked off their community service project of collecting canned goods for the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood. They have set a goal of 1,000 items. Miss Ivy from the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank talked to students about how they can help. SSA's Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Mrs. Mihm, and Director of Communications, Mrs. Roupe, discussed marketing and advertising with the class. Check the thermometer in the main hall to see how many items have been collected. Posters have been created and placed around the school and students made a graph to show how much each class has collected. They also painted a sign that hangs on the fence. Donations will be accepted until until Nov. 15, and 222 cans have already been collected.
Register for In-Service Child Care on Nov. 16
Register online for child care on Friday, Nov. 16, an in-service day. Students will enjoy "Thanksgiving Festival" on the Junior School campus, joining "master chef" David Chottiner as he leads a day of cooking and art projects. The cost is $70 and transportation to and from the Senior School and lunch are included. Fifth Grade Parents Invited to Middle School Open House Nov. 29
The Middle School Open House for Junior School fifth grade parents has been moved to Thursday, Nov. 29, at 9 a.m. (previously scheduled for Nov. 6). This is an opportunity for current fifth grade parents to learn more about the Middle School.
Parents Learn About Singapore Math
Math Night was a huge success as parents and teachers teamed together to learn more about our Singapore Math program in the Junior School. There was a lot of hands-on learning as well as a lot of "Aha!" moments as parents learned how to solve word problems without relying on their high school algebra classes! Parents also had a chance to understand the scope and sequence of the program as they saw an example of how our curriculum spirals throughout the grades.  PK Learns About Fire Safety
PK completed its fire safety unit with a visit to the Wilkinsburg Fire Station on Oct. 16. This was the first time the class had been to this fire station. The firefighters were impressed with the students' knowledge about smoke and how to put out a fire on clothes. This trip was extra special because the Wilkinsburg station has a fire pole and the PK teachers were brave enough to slide down!
Kindergarten Visits Schramms Farm
 The kindergarten class visited Schramms Farm on Oct. 19. Students learned about the fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, including a variety of apples and pumpkins. After a hay ride around the farm, the class was dropped off at the pumpkin field, where they selected one to take home. Students also enjoyed a corn maze, playground and a visit to see pigs and goats. Each student also brought home a bottle of apple cider made from apples grown in the orchard. The class headed back to the school a little muddy and tired, but very excited about their farm experience. View the Schramms Farm slideshow.
Spirit Week 2012
Students, faculty and staff enjoyed Spirit Week in preparation for Homecoming on Oct. 9-12, with Blue & Gold Day, Wacky Wednesday, Crazy Sock Day and Jersey Day. On Friday, students received a special treat of cotton candy! View the Spirit Week 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.
Parents' Association Flavors of Fall Event Oct. 26
The Parents' Association invites you to Flavors of Fall tomorrow, 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. Students Perform Mystery at Shady Acres Nov. 8-9, Dress-Up Day Nov. 8
Thursday, Nov. 8, will be the Middle School's first dress-up day in honor of the student performance of the play Mystery at Shady Acres. Please check the handbook for specifics. Please join us at the Middle School on Friday,, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.in the cafetorium for the family and friends performance. Winter Athletics Begin Nov. 12
The winter season will begin on Monday, Nov. 12. The athletic and activity choices have been posted in the gym hallway for the students to review. Please ask them if they have checked the sheets for accuracy. Students will have the opportunity to make changes through the first week of the winter season, and some groups are already on a wait list status because of the number of students interested. Post-Thanksgiving, Classes Resume Nov. 27
There is a typo in the Key (student planner) for the date of Tuesday, Nov. 27. In the Key Monday, Nov. 26 is an in-service day, and it should say NO CLASSES, but it does not. However, on Tuesday it says both CLASSES RESUME and NO CLASSES. The Monday after Thanksgiving is an in-service day with no school and Tuesday is a regular day with school in session. Please correct that error in your planner. Banned Books Celebrated By Form II Students
Students in Dr. Kajder's Form II English class participated in the American Library Association and National Council of Teachers of English's Virtual Read-Out as part of Banned Books Week Sept. 30-Oct. 6. Students created videos of themselves reading from banned books followed by a rationale for protecting the book or providing some history regarding the challenges that a particular text might have received. View the Banned Books videos.
Spirit Week 2012
Students, faculty and staff enjoyed Spirit Week in preparation for Homecoming on Oct. 9-12, with Tacky Tuesday, Wacky Hats and Socks Day, Team Jersey Day and Blue & Gold Dress Down Day. View the Spirit Week slideshow. Book Fair
 The students browsed tables filled with books by many of their favorite authors at the Book Fair on Oct. 23-24. The library was festively decorated with book genre centerpieces created by Linda Reuter. The book fair wouldn't be possible without the support of parents. Ms. Guering and Mrs. Brunner would like to thank all of the parent volunteers, especially the Book Fair Committee: Eileen Brazinski, MaryDiane Mulvihill and June Navid. Thank you to all the student readers at the Middle School who made the Book Fair a huge success. View the Book Fair slideshow.
Parents' Association Volunteer Opportunities
There are a number of ways to volunteer with the Parents' Association. View the Dates to Remember, sign up for Faculty Fridays or sign up for Bagel Days.
Senior School News Grandparents' Day Oct. 26, Formal Dress Day
Grandparents are invited to spend the day on the Senior School campus tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. This is a formal dress day for students. Athletic Forms Due Nov. 16 for Winter Teams
As a reminder to all parents of PIAA/WPIAL winter sport athletes (girls and boys basketball, wrestling and girls and boys swimming), Section 7 of the PIAA forms must be signed and returned to the Athletic Department before the season starts on Nov. 16. Also, any athlete who has not already turned in Section 4, understanding sudden cardiac arrest signs, must do so before the season starts. All forms can be found on the Parent Portal Downloadable School Forms page under Athletic Forms. Please have the form sent or hand-delivered to the Athletic Department at the Senior School, attention Chris Rose. According to PIAA rules, if your child does not return the form by Nov. 16, he or she will not be eligible to participate until the form is received. Picture Make-Up Day Oct. 30
LifeTouch will hold a a yearbook photo make-up and re-take day on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. If you are ordering photos, you will need to bring a completed order form with you, available from Ms. McConnell.
John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive Nov. 6, Volunteers Needed
The first blood drive of the year, the John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive, will be held on Tuesday, Nov, 6, from 9 a.m-3 p.m. in the Benedum Student Center. John was an SSA student whose life tragically ended too early. Sign-ups will take place the week of Oct. 29. Donors must sign up before the blood drive to ensure appropriate Central Blood Bank staff coverage. Be sure to bring a government-issued I.D. to the blood drive. Students who are 16 years old must bring a parental permission slip. Please consider honoring John's memory by donating. Volunteers are also needed to pass out cookies and drinks, and to stay with students after they donate. Contact Sally Ann Bensure at sabensure@aol.com to sign up.
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.
- We had a great morning on Wednesday, Oct. 17, discussing alumni interviewing and workshopping essays with our seniors. Thank you to the SSA teachers who assisted in reviewing essays on that day.
- On Oct. 18, the college counselors met with the freshmen during a class meeting and covered 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.
Teen Driver Safety Week
Governor Corbett declared Oct. 14-20 as Teen Driver Safety week in an effort to recognize recent changes to legislation regarding a greater effort to produce safe teen drivers. Parents, please take time to talk to your teen about safe driving practices. As a reminder, the speed limit on our Senior School campus is 15 mph. Congratulations to all of our new teen drivers! Musical In Need of Tenor Saxophone
Thanks to all parents who have supported the music program so far this year. There is a need for a tenor saxophone for the winter musical, as there are no local stores that rent tenor saxes. If you have one or know of one that is available for loan, rent or purchase, please contact Stanley Nevola at snevola@shadysideacademy.org. Yearbook Senior Portraits
The deadline for senior portraits, baby pictures and quotes is April 2, 2013. Senior portraits can be formal or informal. - 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. Academian Celebrates 100th Anniversary
This 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. Spirit Week and Homecoming Dance
Students, faculty and staff enjoyed Spirit Week in preparation for Homecoming on Oct. 9-12, with Pajama Day, Wacky Wednesday, Opposite Day and Blue & Gold Spirit Day. View the Spirit Week slideshow. The student council did an excellent job on the homecoming dance, held on Saturday, Oct. 13, on the tennis courts.
Leadership Seminar
 About 10 student leaders attended a leadership seminar on Oct. 16, led by Mr. Jimmy Dowd, parent of sophomore Harper and senior Ollie, using games and initiatives to teach about leadership. Mr. Dowd serves as the curriculum development specialist for Pressley Ridge in Pittsburgh, has a master's degree in instructional leadership and is a certified trainer in multiple curricula. He offered to be the guest presenter at this seminar to give back to Shady Side in thanks for all that SSA has done for his kids.
Nature Writing Students Enjoy Local Parks
Mr. Hendershot’s Nature Writing class took its annual fall hike on Oct. 16, venturing along the Riding Meadow Trail and wandering off onto paths along Squaw Run. The focus was on the transformations of the middle-to-late fall, with leaves beginning to turn and beech trees aflame. Mr. Hendershot and his class ended their field trip at Emerling Park in Indiana Township, reading some of Robert Frost’s fall poems. The student observations of nature ultimately led to polished writing projects of poetry and prose.
Bagel Days
Please consider sponsoring and/or helping to distribute bagels to students at their monthly Form meetings. The Parents' Association provides the students with a snack of bagels and bottled water to enjoy during their meetings. Each form advisor will announce the sponsor or co-sponsors, recognizing those families who provided the snacks for the meeting. Your assistance with Bagel Days is a great way to support the students! For more information and to sponsor and/or volunteer to help, please view the Bagel Days link on the Parents' Association tab on the Parent Portal or contact Ellen Jones at ellenjones@hotmail.com.
Upcoming Events All Academy
Oct. 26 - Eid al-Adha (I)
Oct. 29 - Haunted Walk in the Woods, Senior School Campus, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 - Alumni Reception, Boston, 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 7 - Fall Downtown Luncheon, Allegheny HYP Club, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Nov. 8 - Lunch & Learn, Memorial Hall, 11 a.m.
Nov. 10 - Hillman Performing Arts Series Presents: Duquesne Tamburitzans, 7:30 p.m. Junior School
Oct. 22-26 - ERB Testing for Grades 3-5
Oct. 27 - Family Skate, McKnight Hockey Center, 12-2 p.m.
Oct. 28 - Family Skate, McKnight Hockey Center, 2:30-4:15 p.m.
Oct. 31 - Halloween Parade, 8:45 a.m.
Nov. 2 - Kindergarten Field Trip to Just Ducky Tours, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Nov. 5 - Coffee With the School Head and Parents' Association, 8:30 a.m.
Nov. 7 - Fourth Grade Field Trip to Fort Pitt Museum, 8:25-11:30 a.m.
Nov. 8 - Students Attend Middle School Fall Play Mystery at Shady Acres, Middle School, 9:45 a.m.
Nov. 9 - Parents' Association Flavors of Fall Party, 5-8 p.m.
Nov. 10 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Families, 10 a.m.
Middle School
Oct. 25 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Parents, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 26 - Parents' Association Flavors of Fall Party, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 31 - Sixth Grade Halloween Party and Form I & II Yearbook Signing, 2:15-3:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 - Students Attend Senior School Fall Play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hillman Center, 1 p.m.
Nov. 8 - Fall Play Mystery at Shady Acres for Students, DRESS-UP DAY
Nov. 9 - Fall Play Mystery at Shady Acres for Parents and Friends, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 12 - Winter Athletics Begins
Senior School
Oct. 26 - Grandparents' Day, FORMAL DRESS
Oct. 27 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Families, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30 - School Pictures Make-Up Day
Nov. 1-3 - Fall Play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hillman Center, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 3-4 - Fall Play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hillman Center, 4 p.m.
Nov. 4 - Fall Play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hillman Center, 2 p.m.
Nov. 6 - Applicant Visit Day
Nov. 6 - John Baglier Memorial Blood Drive, 9 a.m.-3 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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Parents' Association MS - Flavors of Fall
Fri., Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. | Invite JS - Family Skate
Sat., Oct. 27, 12-2 p.m. | Flyer
*time changed from 2-4 p.m. JS - Family Skate
Sun., Oct. 28, 2:30-4:15 p.m.
JS - PA Meeting & Coffee
Mon., Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m.
*date changed from Nov. 7 Lunch & Learn
Thurs., Nov. 8, 11 a.m. JS - Flavors of Fall
Fri., Nov. 9, 5-8 p.m. | Invite Winter Plant Sale Orders Due
Fri., Nov. 16 | Flyer & Form
Parents' Association Online
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Hillman Performing Arts Series 2012-2013 
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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Strategic Vision 
Download a PDF of the
Strategic Vision Brochure
which outlines the full strategic plan. The brochure has been mailed to all SSA parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
Tech Tip: Alerts for Athletics and School Calendars
Set up calendar alerts to receive notifications by text or email. Go to the calendar page, click the alerts icon above the calendar and enter your login credentials. In the new window, select the calendar categories (you can also select a specific athletic team), where you would like to receive the alerts (text or email), how often and if you want to receive changes. When you have made your selections, click "Update Settings" to save them. Manage calendar alert settings anytime on the portal in the My Accounts box using the My Subscriptions link.
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