Recaps & Good News Feb. 11, 2021
Dear Shady Side Families,
Here's a question I've been getting pressed on a lot lately:
"Mr. Griffith, did you kill the snow day !?!"
I totally get it. Snow days have always meant students could sleep through their alarm clocks, watch movies all day, or go sledding and have snowball fights with a neighbor. It's darn near an annual rite-of-passage for gosh sakes!
This year, however, at Shady Side and schools far and wide, snow days have meant students fire up their laptops for Zoom discussions about Hamlet and photosynthesis.
So let's set the record straight. Mr. Griffith loves snow days like the rest of you. And, no, this tradition is not gone forever at Shady Side. There is much to say in defense of snow days, and they are always a welcome respite from winter tedium. In fact, I did call a traditional snow day just recently in December for these very reasons. How soon they forget! My kids and I pulled the sleds out of the basement that day and let it rip!
But let's talk facts: we have already lost a goodly number of instructional days this year due to important COVID-19 safety protocols, and we simply don't know what further impacts may be around the corner as the pandemic continues. So every class session really matters right now, whether in-person or online.
Shady Side is a school of joy, spontaneity, and spirit, but we also aim to develop critical, grade-level skills and content knowledge to prepare students for the real-world challenges ahead. And we cannot do that effectively if, during a global crisis, we sacrifice valuable teaching and learning because kids just love sleeping in or watching Frozen for the 27th time.
Here's a promise — the snow day will be back at SSA with vigor. And I truly can't wait. But for now, let's manage our snow day blues and continue doing all we can to make the most of the precious opportunities we have to be together, teach and learn as a community, and make each day count.
I want to wish all students and employees continued safety and good health — and that they don't peg me with snowballs between snow day Zoom sessions.
With gratitude,
Bart Griffith '93 President
Follow Bart Griffith on Instagram at @ssa_prez
13 Seniors Named National Merit Finalists These academically talented students will continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships offered this spring. In Memoriam: Angela Irvine, Former Senior School English Teacher Irvine, who taught English at the Senior School from 1972 to 2015, passed away February 8, 2021, at the age of 81. She was known for her quick Southern wit, love of language and literature, and deep care for her students and colleagues. Speech and Debate Team Competes in Hampton Talbot Tournament Freshmen Hari Viswanathan and Deven Nahata, and junior Riley Doyle placed in their events. Sophomore Wins Tournament, Ranks Fourth in PA in Lincoln-Douglas Debate Nichole Poltinnikov won the Championship Division of Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the virtual Monty Python Invitational on Feb. 4-6. Middle and Senior Schools Donate Two Carloads of Food to Catholic Charities Families donated individually packaged food items for Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh's daytime shelters, which serve Pittsburgh's homeless population. Freshman Leads School Supply Drive for Hello Neighbor During the week of Jan. 11-15, Senior School families donated new school supplies to support resettled refugee families in Pittsburgh. Middle School Science Olympiad Places 11th at Solon Invitational Rohan Shrishrimal and Hari Viswanathan earned first place in the Write It CAD It event. SSA Students Win 71 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards The winners included 19 eighth graders from SSA Middle School and 20 students at SSA Senior School. Twelve students won Gold Keys for 16 works to advance to the national competition. One student, junior Marnie McCormick, won awards in both art and writing.
Country Day School Valentine's Day Decorations A team of parent volunteers decorated the exterior of the building with Valentine's Day decorations for faculty, staff and students to enjoy. College Counseling Webinar Wednesdays: Athletic Recruiting A recording of the webinar is available on YouTube for parents and students who missed the Feb. 3 event. Junior School Second Graders Engineer Cardboard Sleds Each student received a piece of cardboard and duct tape to create a sled to test on Cowboy Hill. Country Day School Sled Riding Students brought sleds and snow clothes to school and spent time sledding on the hill near the field and playing in the snow. Alumni Musician Visits Senior School Jazz Combo Craig Davis '90 shared his expertise with the Senior School Jazz Combo.
Thursday - January 28, 2021 Loss 35-49
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