Reminders & Upcoming Events
Dec. 5, 2019
All Academy Reminders
2018-2019 Report of Philanthropy It is with our deepest gratitude that we celebrate the culture of generosity at Shady Side in our 2018-2019 Report of Philanthropy. This year's report features an engaging new digital format that spotlights some of the donors, gifts and initiatives that fueled our success. View the 2018-2019 Report of Philanthropy.
Admissions Open Houses
Blue & Gold Fund Family Challenge and Giving Tuesday Results Thank you to everyone who made gifts towards the Blue & Gold Fund Family Participation Challenge and Giving Tuesday! We sincerely appreciate your generosity. Congratulations to the Family Challenge winners: Country Day School kindergarten, Junior School pre-K, Middle School sixth grade and Senior School ninth grade. The winning grades will receive a visit from the ice cream truck in the spring. For more information on how to support the Blue & Gold Fund, contact Megan Chasin at 412-968-3015 or mchasin@shadysideacademy.org. Through your generous Giving Tuesday donations, we surpassed our goal of raising $50,000 in 24 hours and raised just over $87,000 from more than 150 donors! If you would still like to participate and support our amazing students and faculty, please make your gift by June 30, 2019.
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
Dec. 14 - Hillman Series Presents Six Appeal, 7:30 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School
Dec. 16 - Parent Education Program: How to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs & Alcohol, 7 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School
Dec. 21 - African-American Parent Meet and Greet, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., Junior School
Dec. 21-Jan. 5 - NO CLASSES, Winter Recess
Jan. 6 - Classes Resume
Country Day School Reminders Kids Korner, Dec. 13 The annual Kids' Korner holiday shop will open for business on Friday, Dec. 13. The students can shop for special gifts for their family and friends and have them wrapped on site to take home. As an extra bonus, the Pocket Lady will be making a visit again this year so make sure your child brings two quarters to school! More information will be sent home closer to the date. Please contact Carie Pecci or Susie Seefeld with any questions. Holiday Cookie Donations, Dec. 19 With the holiday season upon us, the Parents' Association would like to share in SSA's tradition of gifting the faculty and staff with delicious cookies on Thursday, Dec. 19. See the Dec. 3 email for details or sign up online. 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
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
Play it Forward Pittsburgh Toy Drive New or gently used kids' toys and books are being collected for the third grade's 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
Dec. 5 - Lunch & Learn: Reading & Writing Workshop, noon
Dec. 6 - NO CLASSES, Parent Conferences
Dec. 11 - Play it Forward Toy Drive Donations Due
Dec. 20 - A Gathering of Warmth and Light, 9:15 a.m.
Middle School Reminders
Updated Calendar An updated MS Calendar of Events is now available.
Early Dismissal Transportation, Dec. 6 Students will have an early dismissal on Friday, Dec. 6, at 11:45 a.m. 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.
Cookie Shoppe, Dec. 18 It's that time of year to start preparing for the Cookie Shoppe, a holiday tradition for the faculty and staff, on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Refer to the Nov. 25 email for details or contact Kim Bartolacci with any questions.
Yearbook
Parents' Association Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming MS Events
Dec. 6 - Early Dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 11 - Winter Concert, 7 p.m., Hillman Center
Dec. 17 - CDS/MS Instrumental Concert, 9 a.m., Country Day School
Dec. 18 - Cookie Shoppe
Senior School Reminders
Library Book Fair, Dec. 10-11 The Senior School Library will host a Book Fair in collaboration with Riverstone Books Dec. 10-11 from 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each day. Browse a selection of books and small gift items that can be ordered and delivered to the Senior School before Winter Break. Parents, faculty and staff can purchase books with a credit card. Students can charge purchases to their student accounts. If you do not want your student account to be charged for any purchases, please fill out this form.
College Fundamentals Webinar Series, Dec. 11 Join us for the College Fundamentals Webinar Series on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at noon. Please RSVP by Tuesday, Dec. 10 if you plan on joining the webinar so that we can email you the link and directions. The webinar will be recorded if you are unable to join. This event is open to all families in grades 9-11, but it has been specifically designed to offer additional support to families who may:
This program will review the following topics, among others:
Cookie Shoppe, Dec. 17 It's that time of year to start preparing for our "Cookie Shoppe" event, a holiday tradition for the faculty and staff, on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Refer to the Dec. 4 email for details or contact Kara Conomikes with any questions.
International Program Bring the world to your front door! We are seeking host families for students from China who will be at Shady Side for 2 weeks, Jan. 19-Feb. 1, with a group of students from our partner school in Beijing as part of our Exchange Program. Contact Jessica Parker for information.
Save the Date: Coffee & Conversation, Jan. 23 Join us for a panel discussion and Q&A on student wellness, the admission process and the transition to college, on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. Panelists will include Bob Adkins, dean of admission at Washington & Jefferson College, Kenyon Bonner, vice provost and dean of students at University of Pittsburgh, Bob McCullough, dean of undergraduate admission at Case Western Reserve University and Lauren Warden-Rogers, associate director for student academic success at Carnegie Mellon University. This event is for parents of students in grades 9-12. An email invitation will follow in January.
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
Dec. 5 - Admissions Information Night for Prospective Families, 6 p.m.
Dec. 5 - Choral and Strings Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Hall
Dec. 7 - SAT Administration, 8 a.m.
Dec. 10-11 - Library Book Fair, 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Library
Dec. 11- College Fundamentals Webinar Series, noon
Dec. 17 - Cookie Shoppe
Dec. 21 - Dorms Close for Winter Break, 10 a.m.
Jan. 4 - Dorms Reopen after Winter Break for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY, 5 p.m.
Jan. 5 - Dorms Reopen after Winter Break, 9 a.m.
Varsity Athletics Schedule
SSA Home | News | Calendar | Parents | S-Book Directory | #SSANow | Contact Us
© 2019 Shady Side Academy, 423 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
|