Reminders & Upcoming Events
Nov. 21, 2019
All Academy Reminders
Weather Delay & Closing Reminders Now that winter weather is upon us, please take a few minutes to review SSA's weather and emergency procedures and your family's weather and emergency contact numbers. Please log in to the parent portal, scroll to the Weather & Emergency Contact Information box, and click the link to review/update your contact numbers. If you do not see any numbers on this form, you will not receive weather alert phone calls or text messages. Make any necessary updates on the form. If you enter a new mobile phone number for text alerts, within a day or two the phone will receive an automated text message, to which you must reply Y or Yes to complete the sing up process.
Admissions Open Houses
Blue & Gold Fund Family Challenge, Giving Tuesday Support Drive The Blue & Gold Fund Family Challenge is running now through Dec. 3 (Giving Tuesday). The grade at each campus with the highest family participation will win an ice cream party! All gifts made from July 1-Dec. 3, 2019, count toward the challenge. If you have multiple students, your family's gift counts toward each child's grade. Visit the Corporate Matching Gifts page to see if your employer offers a matching gifts program that could double or triple your gift! All gifts made through June 30, 2020, count toward the overall Blue & Gold Fund goal of $1.6 million. Make your gift today at www.supportssa.org. We also invite you to join us for the Blue & Gold Fund Giving Tuesday Support Drive on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4-8 p.m. in the Hillman Center as we write notes, send emails and make calls to encourage others to support SSA. Contact Parent & Special Giving Officer Megan Chasin with questions.
Holiday Greens and Gifts Order Pick Up, Dec. 4 Pick up for the Holiday Greens and Gifts Sale will be on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Junior School from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and at the Senior School from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Contact Amy Oliver or Elizabeth Mendoza with any questions.
Hillman Performing Arts Series: Six Appeal: Ugly Sweater Party, Dec. 14 Dig out those ugly holiday sweaters! Back by popular demand, Six Appeal Vocal Band brings its high-octane Ugly Sweater Party to Pittsburgh just in time for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hillman Center's Rauh Theater. Featuring distinctive a cappella arrangements of traditional and original holiday music, this concert will leave you energized for the holiday season. Wear your best holiday sweater for a chance to win a holiday gift basket! Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a holiday market with handmade gifts from local artisans. Learn more and get tickets.
Parent Education Program: How to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol, Dec. 16 Glenn Hall is a senior prevention specialist with FCD Prevention Works, the leading nonprofit provider of school-based substance abuse prevention services. Join us Monday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m., in the Hillman Center on the Senior School campus for How to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol. Free to all SSA parents, no RSVP required. Learn more about SSA's Parent Education Programs.
Give the Gift of School Spirit this Holiday! The SSA Spirit Store has gear and gifts for the whole family! Get 10 percent off by using the 'HOLIDAY10' discount code now through Jan. 1. Shop online or email store@shadysideacademy.org to shop in-person on the Senior School campus. Order now to ensure an SSA holiday!
Upcoming Academy Events
Nov. 27-29 - ACADEMY CLOSED, Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 2 - NO CLASSES, In-Service Day
Dec. 3 - Blue & Gold Fund #GivingTuesday Support Drive, 4-8 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School
Dec. 4 - Holiday Greens & Gifts Sale Pickup Day
Dec. 14 - Hillman Series Presents Six Appeal, 7:30 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School
Dec. 16 - Parent Education Program: Glen Hall, 7 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School
Dec. 21-Jan. 6 - ACADEMY CLOSED, Winter Recess
Country Day School Reminders Holiday Program, Dec. 19 On Thursday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m., students in JPK through fifth grade will share a holiday-themed program of theater and song with families. The third grade students will be our featured performers as they present a musical drama about the gifts many people share at various holidays. Students will learn and sing about holidays and celebrations including All Souls' Day, El Día de los Reyes, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Diwali, Christmas, Eid al-Fitr, and Chinese New Year. If there are traditions, celebrations, songs, or stories that you would like to suggest for our learning experiences, or if you wish for your child to refrain from certain songs or activities, please contact Tami Fire. Yearbook Photos Please email your photos from school events to Julie Wohlgemuth at SSACountryDayPhotos@gmail.com. This email can be used throughout the year to share any photos for the yearbook. Upcoming CDS Events
Nov. 21 - Fifth Grade Parents Meeting, 6 p.m.
Nov. 22 - Second Grade Flat Stanley Presentation, 8:30 a.m.
Nov. 22 - Fifth Grade Heritage Fair, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 - American Indian Showcase, 2 p.m.
Nov. 26 - Pre-K Gratitude Gathering, 11 a.m.
Dec. 6 - NO CLASSES, Parent Conferences
Dec. 7 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Families, 9:30 a.m.
Dec. 12 - Fourth Grade to Visit Presbyterian Home, 9:15 a.m.
Dec. 13 - K and Fourth Grade Luncheon and Cookie Decorating, 12:15 p.m.
Dec. 13 - Fifth Grade Author's Tea-Fable Friday, 2 p.m.
Dec. 17 - CDS/MS Instrumental Concert, 9 a.m.
Dec. 19 - Holiday Show, 6 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School
Junior School Reminders
Lunch & Learn, Nov. 22 The learning support team will provide an overview of the educational services available to students and their families on Friday, Nov. 22, at 12:10 p.m. We will also be recording the session and posting it on the Parent Portal. A bag lunch can be ordered from the JS cafeteria and charged to your child's account or you can bring your own. Register online.
Giving Tree Extended Deadline, Nov. 26 I you would like to participate in the Giving Tree, please complete this form by Tuesday, Nov. 26. Contact Jennifer Riscili with any questions.
Play it Forward Pittsburgh Toy Drive New or gently used kids' toys and books are being collected for the Play it Forward Pittsburgh Toy Drive through Wednesday, Dec. 11. Stuffed animals or plush items are not permitted. Download the flyer for details.
Uniform Store The Uniform Store is open! Stop in and shop for uniform pieces or drop off gently used items that you no longer need. Prices range from $1-$3 and all proceeds benefit our students.
Yearbook Photos Needed Please share your photos of past and future school events with the Yearbook Committee by uploading them to this Google Photos folder or by emailing them to computer teacher Karen Sandora.
Parents' Association Volunteer Opportunities
Contact our committee leads with any questions or to get involved in specific events:
Upcoming JS Events
Nov. 21-22 - Fifth grade visits the Middle School
Nov. 22 - Lunch & Learn: Learning Support Services, 12:10 p.m.
Dec. 4 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Families (Grades PK-K), 9:15 a.m.
Dec. 5 - Lunch & Learn: Reading & Writing Workshop, noon
Dec. 6 - NO CLASSES, Parent Conferences
Dec. 20 - A Gathering of Warmth and Light, 9:15 a.m.
Middle School Reminders
Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences, Dec. 5 If you have not yet scheduled your conference with your child's advisor for Thursday, Dec. 5, please email Kristan Fisher to schedule it.
Early Dismissal Transportation, Dec. 6 Students will have an early dismissal on Friday, Dec. 6, at noon from the Senior School gym. The school districts that will not provide busing for this early dismissal are: Hampton, North Allegheny, North Hills, Penn Hills, and Plum. Parents of students who ride buses with these school districts will need to make arrangements to have their students picked up.
Yearbook
Parents' Association Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming MS Events
Nov. 23 - Admissions Open House for Prospective Parents, 10 a.m.
Dec. 5 - NO CLASSES, Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
Dec. 6 - Early Dismissal at Noon
Dec. 7 - Winter Concert, 7 p.m., Hillman Center
Senior School Reminders
Yearbook Senior Quotes Due Feb. 3 Parents are invited to review quotes with their students. Quotes are a unique opportunity for seniors to thank those who impacted their lives, share insights/memories and leave a legacy. Senior quotes should be less than 200 words, written in full sentences with no abbreviations and with proper punctuation. No references to drugs, alcohol, cheating, threats or inappropriate behavior. Submit quotes to mobileyearbook@shadysideacademy.org.
Yearbook Senior Portraits and Baby Photos Due March 2 Senior portraits may be taken with any photographer of your choice. Send photos to: mobileyearbook@shadysideacademy.org. Please contact Jessica Basta with any questions. Specifications:
Save the Date for Prom, May 2 Prom will be held at the PPG Aquarium on Saturday, May 2, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. More information will come as it is available.
Volunteer and Support the Parents' Association Please continue to offer your support to the Parents' Association by contacting Margo Jochims to volunteer and by submitting the Bagel Day form. Upcoming SS Events
Nov. 26 - Dorms Close for Thanksgiving Break, 6 p.m.
Dec. 2 - Dorms Open after Thanksgiving Break, 3 p.m.
Dec. 5 - Admissions Information Night for Prospective Families (Grades 9-12), 6 p.m.
Dec. 7 - SAT Administration, 8 a.m.
Dec. 5 - Choir and Strings Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Hall
Dec. 21 - Dorms Close for Winter Break, 10 a.m.
Varsity Athletics Schedule
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