Shady Side Academy: Parents

Sorry, the link you requested no longer exists. Please find a new link in an updated version of the enotice below.

View this newsletter in a browser window.

Feb. 7, 2013

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

Recent News Stories

Five SSA Students Qualify for PJAS State Competition

SSA Junior School Featured in Trib Story on Importance of Recess

Three Senior School Musicians Selected to PMEA Festivals

See all of the latest SSA News

2013-2014 Re-Enrollment Contracts Due Feb. 18

In response to parent feedback, the Academy has changed its payment plan structure for the 2013-2014 school year. SSA will NOT require the tuition insurance program for families who elect the 60%/40% payment plan – the program will remain available as an option. Due to this change, parents of returning students must sign revised 2013-2014 enrollment contracts, even if signed contracts were already submitted. Revised contracts have been mailed and are due to SSA by Monday, Feb. 18. For more information, see the attached letter, which was mailed with the revised contracts. Please direct any questions to the Business Office at 412-968-3132 or 412-447-2242. Note: Families who were previously notified that their contracts were being held for financial reasons will receive their revised contracts once the hold has been lifted.

Weather Text Alert Delivery Issues

We are currently experiencing delivery issues with text alerts sent via AlertNow, the system we use to notify SSA families of weather delays and closures. This is the first year we are using text alerts, and their reliability has proven spotty, especially for Verizon customers. We are working with AlertNow to resolve the issue, but in the meantime, please do not rely on text alerts as your only notification source. If you are not signed up to receive AlertNow phone calls, you may do so using the online form on the Parent or Faculty/Staff Portal. Weather alerts are also sent via email; posted on the SSA website, Facebook and Twitter pages; sent to local TV stations; and recorded on the SSA weather hotline at 412-447-2202. For more information, visit the Severe Weather/Emergency Procedures web page behind the portal.

Gargoyle Society Presents West Side Story Feb. 8-10

The Senior School winter musical West Side Story will be presented Feb. 8-10 at the Hillman Center on the Senior School campus. The story is set in the mid-1950s on the Upper West Side of New York City. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Loosely based off of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Tony, one of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader. Purchase tickets online or by phone at 412-968-3040 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

A Modern Twist: Attack Theatre & Cello Fury, Feb. 16

The Hillman Center for Performing Arts presents A Modern Twist: Attack Theatre + Cello Fury on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Acclaimed for innovation, yet rooted in tradition, Cello Fury and Attack Theatre deliver two dynamic modern performances. Cello Fury’s energetic set includes classical favorites and pop cover songs. Attack Theatre, with "ninja-like intensity," blends contemporary dance with live music, multimedia and interdisciplinary art forms to create passionate pieces that emphasize the humanity in dance. Tickets are only $10-25! Buy tickets online.

The Blue & Gold Parent Challenge Is On...

...and It's all about participation! To build on our great parent support, we are launching the 2013 Blue & Gold Parent Challenge. With the Board of Trustees at 100 percent participation, we are asking our parents to follow their lead and give to the Blue & Gold Fund with a friendly competition this spring. We challenge our parents to reach 100 percent with prizes given at three key dates before June 30.

The grade with the highest parent participation at each of the three schools on May 2 will be rewarded with a Blue & Gold dress-down day (along with other prizes) for students. In addition, special discounts at the SSA Web Store, Farmers Market and next year's Hillman Performing Arts Series will be offered to parents of the winning grades on May 2, June 7 and June 30, respectively.

Parent participation in the Blue & Gold Fund provides funds necessary to cover the Academy's operating expenses each year, enhances the quality of an SSA education, and supports our students and faculty as they explore, engage and excel every day! Every gift counts towards the challenge and makes a difference, no matter the amount. Visit the Blue & Gold Parent Challenge page to see how your grade is doing.

Thank you to all of those parents who have already given or made pledges payable by June 30! Make your gift today.

Class of 2013 College Acceptances

As of January 2013, 70 percent of SSA seniors have already been accepted to a college. Acceptances include Air Force Academy, Brown, Bucknell, Case Western Reserve, Colgate, Dartmouth, Denison, Furman, George Washington, Georgia Tech, Holy Cross, Illinois, Lafayette, MIT, Michigan, Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, Stanford, Tulane, University of Virginia, Wake Forest and Wash U. Congratulations!

SSA 2013 Holiday Card Photo Contest

Academy President Tom Cangiano and his wife Linda invite all current students to submit original winter holiday photograph(s) that may be featured in the 2013 SSA holiday card. The concept of the card is to reflect Shady Side Academy in winter. Students are encouraged to use their imagination as they capture winter shots of all three campuses. Review the guidelines online, submissions are due April 1. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Director of Communications Lindsay Kovach at lkovach@shadysideacademy.org or 412-968-3010.

New Library App Available For Students

Students can download the free Destiny Quest app for iOS devices to gain access to the library catalogs at all three schools. Students can search for books and resource lists from anywhere and log in to their personal account to maintain their shelves, look at new arrivals, place books on hold, and rate and review books for the library and classroom curriculum. While parents cannot log in to Destiny Quest with a student's account, they can select "Try Destiny Quest" to access the catalog. All three school libraries have added the Destiny Quest app to the school's iPads for students to use. Download the Destiny Quest library app.

Health Services Web Page Now Available

Members of the SSA community can now access information about health services on the SSA website. The new page is available on the left navigation menu behind the Portals, and includes FAQs, health and medication policies and important forms.

Lunch & Learn With Carl Kurlander '78 Feb. 27

The second Parents' Association Lunch & Learn of the year will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. in Memorial Hall on the Senior School campus, followed by lunch at noon at Eastover. Alumnus Carl Kurlander '78, a Hollywood screenwriter (St. Elmo's Fire) and television writer/producer (Saved By The Bell), will speak about his body of work, including the nonprofit Steeltown Entertainment Project, the Pittsburgh comeback story My Tale of Two Cities, and his upcoming meeting with Bill Gates related to his newest project on Pittsburgh's role in conquering polio (among other topics)! RSVP to Jodi Palamides at jpalamides@comcast.net by Feb. 20.

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

Register for February Camps
Friday, Feb. 15, is a half day, but students can stay for Hobby Hubs camp until 3 p.m. to learn about the After School Explorers staff's hidden talents and interests. Lunch is included, and limited spots are available on the Fox Chapel Shuttle, which will leave the Junior School at 3:15 p.m. and transport students to the flagpole at the Senior School. After care is also available until 6 p.m. at the Junior School. Classes are not in session on Friday, Feb. 22, but students can join the After School Explorers' staff to learn about the interesting lives of our 43 presidents at the Presidential Potpourri Day Camp. Before care is available beginning at 8 a.m., transportation is available to and from the Junior School, and after care is available until 6 p.m. Register for Hobby Hubs and Presidential Potpourri Day Camp online at www.shadysideacademy.org/inservice. Contact Andrea Benitez at abenitez@shadysideacademy.org or 412-473-4430 with any questions.

Dress-Down Day Feb. 14 , Donate to Hearts for Haiti
There will be a dress-down day on Thursday, Feb. 14, to celebrate Valentine's Day and raise funds for Hearts for Haiti. Students may wear reds, pinks and purples for a $1 or more donation.

Last Family Skate Feb. 16
The last Family Skate of the year will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, from 3-5 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.

Parent Book Club: Parenting for Character
At the head’s coffee on Jan. 17, Ms. McConnell announced that she is starting a book club for Junior School parents. At the next coffee on March 4, we will be discussing the book Parenting for Character: Five Experts, Five Practices, edited by David Streight. The book is available in the front office now. Each book is $5, and you can pay by cash or check, made out to "Shady Side Academy."

SSA Farm at the Junior School
Starting this spring, more SSA students will have the opportunity to grown their own food. The SSA Farm at the Junior School will be composed of three raised beds located near the PK building entrance, as well as portions of the existing garden space. There are four ways to participate:

Come with your student to Build Day on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m.-noon, to help with construction of new beds, prepare existing beds for summer and build benches with planters. No experience necessary.
Join the SSA Farm at the Junior School Committee to brainstorm and guide this new project.
Volunteer with your student to weed, water and harvest produce for one week during summer break (training will be provided).
Share your skills, hobbies and supplies to aid this project (“handy people,” master gardeners, trucks for hauling materials, garden supplies that are no longer used, etc.)

Please contact Tina Nussbaum Wagler tinanussbaumwagler@shadysideacademy.org with questions or to get involved.

PJ Day Raises $334 for Bethlehem Haven Pajama Day
Students, faculty and staff donned their favorite warm pajamas on Jan. 29, donating $1 or more to benefit Bethlehem Haven Women's Shelter. Thanks to everyone's generosity, $334.36 was donated. View the PJ Day 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.

Middle School News

Young Adult Author to Visit Feb. 25
Young Adult author Eliot Schrefer will visit the Middle School on Monday, Feb. 25. Schrefer recently published the National Book Award-nominated novel Endangered, set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a fictionalized, yet plausible, time of civil strife. The subject matter fits beautifully into the sixth grade social studies curriculum and lends itself to the essential themes that English students focus on throughout their three years: identity, empathy and justice. Leading up to Mr. Schrefer’s visit, all students will read Endangered in their English classes. They will receive curricular support to help them understand the book’s setting and will participate in discussions and writing activities. For more details, please read a letter from Mrs. Turner.

Parents' Association Seven Springs Ski Trip Feb. 22
The Parents' Association is hosting a ski trip to Seven Springs on Friday, Feb. 22. Forms and payment are due Feb. 15. View the trip packet. Contact Lori Kaplan at 412-215-3618 with questions.

Purchase Yearbook Ads, Discount Ends Feb. 15
The final sprint to the finish of the year is approaching, and graduation will be here before you know it! One special acknowledgement that you can make to your student is an ad in the yearbook. It's a great way to celebrate their success and ascension through the Middle School. Parents of eighth grade students can receive a 25 percent discount through Feb. 15! Place your ad online. Please contact Kristin Richards at k2richards@comcast.net or Tricia McCormick at gofrogdog@mac.com with questions.

The SSA Farm Comes to the Middle School
The Middle School is searching for students and their families to become invested partners in a first for our school. 2013 will be the first season for a new raised bed flower and vegetable garden as 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 have an opportunity to 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 Mr. McGuigan at tmcguigan@shadysideacademy.org if your child or family is interested.

Form II Senior School Preparation
To help prepare Form II students as they transition to the Senior School for the 2013-2014 school year, there have been a number of events. The final event will occur on April 18, when current Senior School parents will host a roundtable to share their experiences. View the letter from Middle School Head Amy Nixon and Senior School Head Kate Vavpetic.

Sixth Grade Debates Energy Case Studies

On Friday, Jan. 25, the sixth grade class held a town meeting to conclude their Energy Quest project. The students debated the pros and cons of two case studies. The first case study detailed a proposal to install a Marcellus shale gas well in O’Hara Township. The second case study detailed a proposal to install five windmills in Indiana Township. The sixth grade faculty developed the specific case studies and prepared the research materials required for the students to complete the project. Students were assigned roles as town officials, town residents, environmentalists and energy executives, and worked with faculty in each learning area on specific tasks to support the project. At the town meeting, each group presented their arguments to the town residents, who voted to approve or reject the proposals. After the votes were tallied, the town residents voted to reject the installation of Marcellus shale wells. However, the town residents approved the proposal to install five windmills. Congratulations to all of the sixth grade students on their performance during the debate. View the sixth grade energy quest slideshow.

National Black History Month Read-In
National Black Read-In Day On Feb. 4, the Middle School participated in the National Black History Month Read-In. Students and teachers read an excerpt from Day of Tears, by Julius Lester, that illustrated the slave lifestyle during Colonial America. Students discussed questions to better connect with the characters in the book in order to understand the text, and ultimately, the struggle of the African-American community during the 17th and 18th centuries. View the read-in slideshow.

Donations Delivered to Bethlehem Haven Betlehem Haven Delivery
Thank you to all of the families who generously donated blankets and coats to Bethlehem Haven Women's Shelter. Seven boxes of more than 30 items were delivered to the shelter.

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

Spring Athletic Form Due March 4
The WPIAL Parent/Guardian Recertification Form must be signed and returned to the Athletic Department for all students participating in spring athletics before the season starts on March 4. Please have the form sent or hand-delivered to the Athletic Department at the Senior School, attention Chris Rose. Please be aware, according to PIAA rules, if your child does not have the form returned by the start date of spring athletics, March 4, he or she will not be eligible to participate until the form is received.

SSA Farm Summer Internship Opportunities
This summer, the SSA Farm will offer two opportunities for rising sophomore, junior or senior students to gain valuable leadership experience and learn how to grow their own food. Please view the descriptions for each internship and the application, which is due to Mr. Wagler or Mrs. Powers by Friday, Feb. 22. Interviews with Mr. Wagler, Mrs. Powers and Mrs. Nussbaum Wagler will be held between Feb. 25 and March 15. Selections will be announced by April 5. Please contact Mrs. Nussbaum Wagler with any questions at tinanussbaumwagler@shadysideacademy.org. Visit the SSA Farm web page to learn more about the farm.

Service Learning Collecting Jeans
Service Learning is collecting gently used jeans for Teens for Jeans in partnership with DoSomething. Teens for Jeans donates jeans to homeless teenagers living in shelters across the country. One out of every three homeless people is under the age of 18. Donations can be made through Feb. 12 in the Student Center. Contact Amanda Murphy or Mrs. Ament at mament@shadysideacademy.org with questions.

Clipper Dance March 2, Tickets Available Feb. 27
On Saturday, March 2, the Majestic, the flagship of the Gateway Clipper Fleet, will sail from 7:30-10:30 p.m. for the Form VI-sponsored Clipper Dance! Tickets can be purchased for $30 each in McCune Dining Hall Feb. 27-March 1 during lunch periods, checks can be made payable to "SSA Senior Class." Outside guest forms are available in the Deans' Office and must be handed in when purchasing a ticket. Please contact the Deans’ Office or Mr. Fularz at cfularz@shadysideacademy.org with questions.

Submit Written Work to Angles Magazine
Has your child written a college essay that could move a reader to tears or to laughter? Has he or she put together a scathing critique of our current political system? Or a glowing review of one of this year's movies? If so, students can submit their work to Angles Magazine. We're looking for well-written, non-fiction works to publish in the magazine. Essays should be sent to Ms. Garvey at egarvey@shadysideacademy.org. Contact Ms. Garvey or Ayesha Shah with questions.

2013 Commencement Information | Announcement Orders Due Feb. 8
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. Each member of the class of 2013 will be given 10 commencement announcements free of charge in early May. To order additional announcements at a cost of 50 cents each, complete and submit the order form by Friday, Feb. 8, to Mr. Gable in the school office. Students will be billed through the Tuck Shop. Additional materials can be purchased directly from the Jostens online catalog.

Workshop for Form IV Parents Feb. 13
Parents of Form IV students are invited to join Paul Ejzak, Form IV dean, Creighton Runnette, personal counselor, and Wendy Skinner, dean of student life, for a conversation about the social and emotional aspects of being a sophomore at Shady Side. They will talk about decision making and how you can serve as an ally for your child while also making your expectations clear, while at the same time participating in and enjoying their development. We also hope this will be a good forum to meet other sophomore parents. The conversation will be held in Scott Commons on Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 7-8 p.m.

CITYterm Application Due Feb. 14
The application deadline for CITYterm need to be submitted/postmarked by Feb. 14. One of our students, Claudia Mihm, has just returned from a semester with CITYterm and another is currently spending this semester with CITYterm. To learn more about this fascinating program, which thoroughly explores the five boroughs of New York City, see Claudia for first-hand information or Mrs. Parker. Download a CITYterm application at www.cityterm.org/admission-cityterm/apply-now/.

From the College Counseling Office

Several summer opportunities are listed on the College Counseling class pages under the “Resources” tab for freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Opportunities listed include pre-college programs on college/university campuses, traveling abroad and internships.
Many juniors have already had their one-on-one meeting with their college counselor. Juniors who have not already had this meeting should schedule one as soon as possible. Family meetings with college counselors can be scheduled after a one-on-one meeting has taken place.
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.

International Travel Opportunity, Deadline Extended to Feb. 15
Magee Womancare International, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, is offering 10 Pittsburgh-area high school students the opportunity to travel to Nepal and Sri Lanka for three weeks in August 2013, as part of an ongoing exchange program. Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 17 and have some experience with leadership roles, international studies, environmental studies or interactions within multi-cultural groups. Application deadline has been extended to Feb. 15. For more information, contact Jessica Parker at jparker@shadysideacademy.org.

Experience England This Summer
Make friends from all over the world while you live and learn in the historic halls of Cambridge University! A group of Pittsburgh-area students will travel together for the July program (June 30-July 21) of Reach Cambridge, a long-established, pre-college program with courses in business management, medicine, performing arts, and politics and international relations. Many cultural and sporting opportunities are included, as well as excursions to England’s most famous sites such as London, Brighton, Hampton Court Palace and Stratford-upon-Avon. Learn more at www.reachcambridge.com. There is a special discount of $500 for applications submitted by Feb. 15 (use code FEB15TH). For more information, contact Ms. Sanborne, school counselor at Sewickley Academy (mother of David Jimenez ’11), who will be chaperoning the group, at lsanborne@sewickley.org.

Careers in Chemistry Event March 2
The Greater Pittsburgh Women Chemists Committee is hosting a Careers in Chemistry Symposium at the University of Pittsburgh Chevron Science Center. It is open to the public and free for high school students. Register online at www.pitt.edu/~pghwcc or by completing a form available from Mrs. Montemurro. The event is March 2 from 9 a.m.-noon, and the registration deadline is Feb. 23.

Chemistry Contest April 6
The Pittsburgh section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) will be holding its 69th Annual Secondary School Chemistry Contest on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m.-noon. Scholarships will be awarded by the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. Cash prizes will be awarded by the ACS at the annual banquet in May. The April 6 examination is the preliminary qualifier for the U.S. Chemistry Olympiad competition. Please contact Mrs. Montemurro at smontemurro@shadysideacademy.org for more information.

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.

Blood Drive Collects 32 Units
Thanks to all those who donated blood in January. Between the two drives, 32 units were collected. The next drive is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30. Start hydrating!

No Soap Left Behind Collects 5,700 Fluid Ounces.
Many thanks to those who donated shampoo to No Soap Left Behind and Light of Life Mission. More than 5,700 fluid ounces of shampoo, conditioner and other toiletries were collected. Thanks to Mark Antosz for spearheading, organizing and counting. Look for another drive before Spring Break.

Upcoming Events

All Academy
Feb. 15 - Nirvana Day (B)
Feb. 16 - Hillman Performing Arts Series Presents A Modern Twist, Hillman Center, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 18 - Presidents' Day - ACADEMY CLOSED
Feb. 18 - Re-Enrollment Contracts & Dispute Agreement Due
Feb. 22 - MS & SS Evaluation Day, JS Optional Conference Day - NO CLASSES

Junior School
Feb. 9 - Admissions Testing for Grades 2-4, 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 - Admissions Party for Newly Accepted PK and K Families, 9:15 a.m.
Feb. 14 - Dress-Down Day
Feb. 15 - Noon Dismissal, Hobby Hubs, noon-3 p.m.
Feb. 16 - Family Skate, McKnight Hockey Center, 3-5 p.m.
Feb. 21 - Fourth Grade Field Trip to Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Feb. 22 - Presidential Potpourri Day Camp, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Middle School
Feb. 7 - Students Attend Senior School Winter Musical, Hillman Center, 1 p.m.
Feb. 15 - 12:30 Dismissal
Feb. 22 - Parents' Association Ski Trip to Seven Springs

Senior School
Feb. 8 - Commencement Announcement Orders Due
Feb. 8 - Winter Musical West Side Story, Hillman Center, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 9 - Winter Musical West Side Story, Hillman Center, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 - Winter Musical West Side Story, Hillman Center, 2 p.m.
Feb. 11-15 - GlobalFest Week
Feb. 15 - 12:30 Dismissal
Feb. 12 - Collection For Teens for Jeans Ends
Feb. 13 - Sophomore Parents' Night, Scott Commons, 7 p.m.
Feb. 14 - CITYterm Applications Due
Feb. 22 - SSA Farm Summer Internship Applications Due

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