Reminders & Upcoming Events Oct. 29, 2020
All-Academy Reminders Complete the Holiday Travel Form by Oct. 30 If you plan to travel outside of Pennsylvania over Thanksgiving or Winter Break (or at any time in the coming months) please complete the Holiday Travel Form by Friday, Oct. 30. Boarding families are also asked to complete the Thanksgiving Plan Survey by Friday, Oct. 30.
Choose Your Favorite Mascot Semifinalists by Nov. 4 Over the past two weeks, the Mascot Search Committee has thoroughly reviewed more than 600 mascot suggestions from the community, resulting in 22 deserving semifinalists. We invite you to take this last opportunity to participate in the mascot search process by telling us your favorite semifinalists. See the Oct. 28 email for the survey link to select up to three semifinalists by Wednesday, Nov. 4, at noon EST.
Admissions Virtual and On-Campus Visit Opportunities
Coming Soon: SSA UPA Cookbook After many years of offering holiday greens to the SSA community, the SSA Unified Parents' Association is moving in a new direction for the 2020-2021 school year involving students, families, faculty and staff on all four Shady Side Academy campuses. The SSA UPA invites you to submit your favorite family recipes for a commemorative cookbook available for purchase in spring 2021. More information on the submission process will be available in the upcoming weeks.
2021 Hillman Performing Arts Series
Reminder: Order Lunches by 9 p.m. on Wednesdays Orders must be placed via the Choosi website or mobile app by Wednesday at 9 p.m. for the following week's lunches. Download the instructional PDF. Browse the PDF menus on the Lunch Menus page before ordering. Upcoming Academy Events
Country Day School Reminders Autumn Festival, Oct. 30 Although the annual Autumn Festival will be a little different this year, we will keep the tradition alive on Friday, Oct. 30. Students are able to dress down in Halloween costumes or any autumn or harvest attire. Costumes that are too scary or have weapons are not permitted. Families are invited to watch the Virtual Parade during assembly, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The classes will have fun activities and treats throughout the day. Students should not bring their own candy to pass out. Register for ASA Winter Term Registration for After School Adventurers winter term is now open. Winter term begins Nov. 23 and runs until Feb. 26, 2021. Families must register in advance for the days of the week they wish to attend. Drop-in students will not be permitted during the winter session. This year, we ask that families utilize after-school only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum. If an emergency arises and after care is needed, please reach out as soon as possible so we can accommodate and assist. Registration closes Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. Visit the ASA webpage to learn more and register. Contact Kristin Link with any questions. Country Day, Junior and Middle School Family Drive-In, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 The Parents' Association is pleased to invite all Country Day School, Junior School and Middle School families to a free drive-in movie night on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. This event will be held at the Senior School Hillman Parking Lot. The movie selection will be announced closer to the date. Due to safety protocols, attendance is limited. Please plan to arrive an hour early on both days. The junior class at the Senior School will be selling salty and sweet snack bags for $10 and water for $1. Please bring exact change or consider your change a donation to the junior class as we are trying to minimize contact and money exchange as much as possible. A flyer detailing this event will be sent home in the coming weeks. Middle School Tour for Fifth Grade Families, Nov. 14 Fifth grade families are invited to take a walking tour of the Middle School on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Staggered 15-minute timeslots are available. Sign up online. Students can have fun with a scavenger hunt to help them start learning about the Middle School. Short-Term Owl Access for Grades 3-5 We have begun a pilot program in grades 3-5 that permits Owl access for our classrooms for students absent for multiple days due to COVID-19 related reasons. Read the Oct. 21 email for more information. Updated Contact Information for PA Vice Chairs If you would like to contact PA Vice Chairs Judy Earl or Erica Gasper, please email JudyEricaSSA2021@outlook.com. Upcoming CDS Events Oct. 30 - Autumn Festival
Nov. 3 - NO CLASSES, In-Service Day (CDS only)
Nov. 12 - Picture Retake Day
Nov. 13 - Parents' Association Family Drive-In, 7 p.m., Hillman Parking Lot, Senior School
Nov. 14 - Middle School Tour for Fifth Grade Families, Middle School Campus, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Nov. 14 - Parents' Association Family Drive-In, 6 p.m., Hillman Parking Lot, Senior School
Nov. 20 - NO CLASSES, Parent Conference Day via Zoom
Junior School Reminders Halloween Celebration, Oct. 30
Register for ASE Winter Term Registration for After School Explorers winter term is now open. Winter term begins Nov. 23 and runs until Feb. 26, 2021. Families must register in advance for the days of the week they wish to attend. Drop-in students will not be permitted during the winter session. This year, we ask that families utilize after-school only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum. If an emergency arises and after care is needed, please reach out as soon as possible so we can accommodate and assist. Registration closes Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. Visit the ASE webpage to learn more and register. Contact Kristin Link with any questions.
Country Day, Junior and Middle School Family Drive-In, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14
Middle School Tour for Fifth Grade Families, Nov. 14
Parents' Association Board Recruitment Information The Junior School Neurodiversity Squad (NDS) is open to all adult members of the school community. We provide information, support, resources, encouragement and visibility to all interested parents, faculty, staff and caregivers. We meet monthly (sometimes a bit more often, and via Zoom for now). For more information, please contact Lisa Avery or Carol Caplan.
Short-Term Owl Access for Grades 3-5
Junior School Parent Book Club The Junior School Parent Book Club is a new project focused on connecting parents and talking about books. We will plan to meet monthly via Zoom to discuss fun fiction and engaging stories. Books will be selected by the group based on shared interests. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Rachel Kutz-Flamenbaum at rkutzflamenbaum@gmail.com.
Uniform Store Upcoming JS Events Oct. 30 - Halloween Celebrations
Nov. 11 - Parent to Parent Event, 6 p.m., Library and Wing Hall
Nov. 13 - Parents' Association Family Drive-In, 7 p.m., Hillman Parking Lot, Senior School
Nov. 14 - Parents' Association Family Drive-In, 6 p.m., Hillman Parking Lot, Senior School
Nov. 14 - Middle School Tour for Fifth Grade Families, Middle School campus, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Nov. 18 - Coffee With the Head and Parents' Association, 9:30 a.m.
Nov. 20 - NO CLASSES, Parent Conference Day via Zoom
Middle School Reminders Halloween Costumes and Advisory Parties The traditional Middle School celebrations will be much different because of our current safety protocols. We will not be able to have either our traditional 6th grade party and parade nor our 7th and 8th grade magic show. We are, however, allowing ALL students to dress in costumes for the full school day. Students will take everything off for athletics, which will run as normal at the end of the day, so costumes are best worn on top of athletic gear. Each advisory will have a party in their homeroom, and many thanks in advance to the Parents' Association for supplying the safe and yummy treats for all!
Form II Parent Information Night at the Senior School, Nov. 10 Form II Parents are invited to Rauh Theater in the Hillman Center on the Senior School campus on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6:15 p.m. for Form II Parent Information Night. Senior School administrators, faculty and students will provide basic curricular information and share some of the unique moments students enjoy at the Senior School. A Zoom link will be provided for families who are unable to attend in person.
Country Day, Junior and Middle School Family Drive-In, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14
Winter Sports Recertification Form Due in Magnus Health by Nov. 16 If your child is playing a winter sport, please complete the PIAA Section 7 Recertification Form in Magnus Health by Monday, Nov. 16. To access the form, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal, click the gold Magnus Health button, and log into Magnus with your Veracross username and password. In Magnus, you should see the PIAA Section 7 form flagged as a "to-do" on your child's Student Health Tracker. The online form can be completed directly in Magnus. This form is required to participate in winter athletics regardless of previous sports participation and serves as an update to the PIAA form submitted in August. If you do not see the Section 7 form in Magnus, or if you have any questions, contact Head Athletic Trainer Chris Rose at crose@shadysideacademy.org or 412-968-3127. Upcoming MS Events Oct. 30 - Halloween Celebrations
Nov. 4 - PA Virtual Coffee With the Head of School, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 - Form II Visits the Senior School (2 of 2)
Nov. 10 - Form II Parent Information Night, 6:15 p.m., Hillman Center, Senior School campus
Nov. 13 - Parents' Association Family Drive-In, 7 p.m., Hillman Parking Lot, Senior School
Nov. 14 - Parents' Association Family Drive-In, 6 p.m., Hillman Parking Lot, Senior School
Nov. 20 - NO CLASSES, Evaluation Day
Senior School Reminders Virtual "Gold" Parents' Night via Zoom, Oct. 29 The Virtual "Gold" Parents' Night is tonight, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. This evening is intended to give you an opportunity to meet your child's teachers for the Gold Session. We will run classes (Gold Blocks A through D) beginning at 7 p.m. Classes will run for 10 minutes with a 5-minute passing period. Please note: You can find your child's schedule on the Veracross Parent Portal. Access Faculty Zoom room links here. The schedule is as follows:
Virtual Coffee With the Head and Parents' Association, Nov. 4 Join School Head Trixie Sabundayo and the PA for the first Senior School Virtual Parent Coffee on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. In addition to hearing Mrs. Sabundayo's initial impressions of the year, you will also have the chance to meet some key Senior School administrators who also will share their insights with you. Join via Zoom.
College Counseling Virtual Coffee & Conversation: Standardized Testing, Nov. 5 The College Counselors invite you to pour your own mug of tea or coffee and join us for this virtual edition of Coffee & Conversation, Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m, designed with parents of freshman, sophomore and junior students in mind. We will talk about the ACT and SAT, when and how to create a testing plan with your student, and provide an overview of the recent changes in standardized testing as a result of the pandemic (to date, as this is rapidly evolving). As always, there will be plenty of time for questions. Join via Zoom. The session will be recorded for families who are unable to attend.
Alice in Wonderland Fall Play Livestream, Nov. 6-8 The fall drama Alice in Wonderland – A Radio Play will be livestreamed Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. Based on a 1937 radio broadcast of Lewis Carroll's classic novel, the play tells the story of a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of peculiar creatures. Learn more at www.shadysideacademy.org/theater.
Winter Sports Recertification Form Due in Magnus Health by Nov. 16 If your child is playing a winter sport, please complete the PIAA Section 7 Recertification Form in Magnus Health by Monday, Nov. 16. To access the form, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal, click the gold Magnus Health button, and log into Magnus with your Veracross username and password. In Magnus, you should see the PIAA Section 7 form flagged as a "to-do" on your child's Student Health Tracker. The online form can be completed directly in Magnus. This form is required to participate in winter athletics regardless of previous sports participation and serves as an update to the PIAA form submitted in August. If you do not see the Section 7 form in Magnus, or if you have any questions, contact Head Athletic Trainer Chris Rose at crose@shadysideacademy.org or 412-968-3127.
Junior Families College Night: Fall Kick-off, Nov. 19 The Class of 2022 and parents will officially kick off their college process at this virtual event, Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. Further details will be emailed directly to juniors and families.
Keystone Virtual College Exploration Presented by the PA Association for College Admissions Counseling (PACAC), Keystone Virtual College Exploration is a month-long virtual college and career event for all Pennsylvania high school students. Check out 300+ sessions on local, national and international colleges and universities, skilled trades, career exploration, financial aid and scholarship organizations, non-college training programs and more. The virtual event runs through Friday, Nov. 6. Times vary but are mostly weekday afternoon and/or evenings and select Sundays. View the sessions and register online.
Yearbook Senior Portraits and Baby Photos
Yearbook Senior Quotes Due Feb. 1
Athletic Training Appointment Scheduling Students can now schedule appointments with the SSA athletic training staff online using this Calendly link. Upcoming SS Events Oct. 29 - Virtual "Gold" Parents' Night via Zoom, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 - Virtual Coffee With the Head and Parents' Association, 7 p.m., via Zoom
Nov. 5 - Virtual Coffee & Conversations: Standardized Tests, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6-7 - Fall Play: Alice in Wonderland, 7:30 p.m., Livestream
Nov. 7 - SAT Administration
Nov. 8 - Fall Play: Alice in Wonderland, 2 p.m., Livestream
Nov. 19 - Virtual Junior Families College Night: Fall Kick-off, 7 p.m.
Nov. 20 - NO CLASSES, Evaluation Day
Varsity Athletics Schedule
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