Summer Information
This page contains all of the information you should need over the summer to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, by campus. This page will be updated over the summer as information becomes available so please check back frequently. Have a great summer!
Senior School
Important Dates
June
Veracross Parent Portal Login Credentials Sent With Instructions for Family Information Update and VC Pay Student Billing Account
Tuesday, June 30
Household Forms Due in Veracross
Saturday, Aug. 1
Medical & Athletic Forms Due in Magnus Health
Friday, Aug. 7
Online Bookstore Opens (free shipping Aug. 7-21)
Monday, Aug. 17
Preseason Athletics Begin
Thursday, Aug. 20
Reopening Orientation for New Parents, Zoom, 6 p.m.
Reopening Orientation for All Parents, Zoom, 7 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 31
Freshman & New Student Orientation (no busing)
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Academy Opening Day
Important Documents
- 2021-2022 Preliminary Academy Calendar
- Senior School Online Calendar
- Senior School Dress Code The 2021-2022 dress code will be available later this spring/summer.
Residential Life & Boarding
Course Registration
Summer Reading & Language Assignments
Summer reading information will be available mid-May.
Language Packets - coming mid-May
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Latin
- Spanish
Summer Math
Additional resources for students who have placed into Calculus - please check back soon for these resources.
CHS Calculus Worksheets
ALEKS Testing Information for Parents and Students
AB Calculus Worksheets
ImPACT Testing
The ImPACT baseline concussion test is mandatory for all newly enrolled Senior School students prior to participation in athletics. Check back in July for information on how to register for testing.
Questions? Chris Rose, Head Athletic Trainer, crose@shadysideacademy.org.
Senior School Preseason Athletics
Letters from the coaches for the fall athletic teams below will be posted here over the summer with information about preseason. Email the coaches below with any questions. If your sport or PE does not appear in the list below, the sport will start after Labor Day.
Cheerleading
TBD
Crew, Boys and Girls
Pam Ciardi Lloyd
Cross Country, Boys
Paul Ejzak '89
Cross Country, Girls
Susan Whitney
Field Hockey, Girls
Betsy Gorse
Football
Chuck DiNardo '00
Golf, Boys
Mark Hessler
Kyle Smith
Golf, Girls
TBD
Soccer, Boys
Ed Ellsworth
Soccer, Girls
Mary Lynch
Tennis, Girls
Jeff Miller
Family Information Update
The Family Information Update process will change in 2020 due to the Academy’s switch to Veracross as our family database system. In June, parents will receive their Veracross Parent Portal login credentials with instructions on how to complete required household forms in Veracross and medical and athletic forms in Magnus Health.
Transportation Services
Transportation services to SSA take two forms:
- publicly funded school district buses
- privately contracted by the school
These services make it possible for Shady Side families to be served from diverse locations in Allegheny, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Parent Volunteer Forms
- Limited contact volunteer (parents helping at events with faculty present)
- Substantial contact volunteer (parents alone with students with NO faculty present)
Please complete the appropriate form prior to volunteering and submit to:
- Country Day School: Denise Durkt, front desk
- Junior School: Megan Vrcic, front desk
- Middle School: Kristan Fisher, front desk
- Senior School: Donna Ponzi (scan and email forms)
Middle School
Important Dates
Monday, May 18
Language, Music and Athletic & Activity Selections Due
June
Veracross Parent Portal Login Credentials Sent With Instructions for Family Information Update and VC Pay Student Billing Account
Tuesday, June 30
Household Forms Due in Veracross
Monday-Tuesday, Aug. 3-4
Summer Prep
Saturday, Aug. 1
Medical & Athletic Forms Due in Magnus Health
Wednesday, Aug. 19
Reopening Orientation for New Parents, Zoom, 6 p.m.
Reopening Orientation for All Parents, Zoom, 7 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 31
New Student Orientation
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Opening Day for All Students
Important Documents
- 2021-2022 Academy Calendar
- Middle School Online Calendar
- Middle School Dress Code - check back in June
- Class Supply Lists - check back in June
Course Selection & Placement
Questions: Mr. Brian Johnston, Assistant Head of School, 412-968-3154
Language, Music and Athletics Selection Form - due May 18
Read Language Department Chair Kelli Wood's letter with details about the language choice. Click to watch videos from the language teachers and students who took languages that may help with your decision.
Information:
Athletic & Activity Selections
Questions: David Vadnais, Athletic Coordinator
Language, Music and Athletics Selection Form - due May 18
Athletic & Activity Descriptions 2021-2022
Summer Reading Assignments
Sixth Grade
Summer Reading Letter
Summer Reading List
Summer Reading Annotated List
Summer Reading Worksheet
Seventh Grade
Summer Reading Letter
Summer Reading Assignment Overview
Summer Reading List
Summer Reading Annotated List
Eighth Grade
Summer Reading Letter
Summer Reading List
Summer Reading Annotated List
Summer Reading Survey
Middle School Preseason Athletics
Preseason Athletics start dates will be posted as they become available later this spring.
GRADE 7/8 COED SOCCER
Location: Middle School Snyder Field
GRADE 7/8 BOYS FOOTBALL
Location: SSA Senior School Turf/Gymnasium
GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY
Location: Far Fields
The Far Fields are about 1/4-mile down Riding Meadow Road from the Middle School.
All other fall athletics and activities will meet on the first day of school:
GIRLS TENNIS
COED CROSS COUNTRY
GRADE 6 COED SOCCER
GRADE 6 BOYS INSTRUCTIONAL FOOTBALL
COED INTRAMURALS
DRAMA: FALL PLAY
STUDIO ART
Family Information Update
The Family Information Update process will change in 2020 due to the Academy’s switch to Veracross as our family database system. In June, parents will receive their Veracross Parent Portal login credentials with instructions on how to complete required household forms in Veracross and medical and athletic forms in Magnus Health.
Transportation Services
Transportation services to SSA take two forms:
- publicly funded school district buses
- privately contracted by the school
These services make it possible for Shady Side families to be served from diverse locations in Allegheny, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Parent Volunteer Forms
- Limited contact volunteer (parents helping at events with faculty present)
- Substantial contact volunteer (parents alone with students with NO faculty present)
Please complete the appropriate form prior to volunteering and submit to:
- Country Day School: Denise Durkt, front desk
- Junior School: Megan Vrcic, front desk
- Middle School: Kristan Fisher, front desk
- Senior School: Donna Ponzi (scan and email forms)
Junior School
Important Dates
June
Veracross Parent Portal Login Credentials Sent With Instructions for Family Information Update and VC Pay Student Billing Account
Tuesday, June 30
Household Forms Due in Veracross
Saturday, Aug. 1
Medical & Athletic Forms Due in Magnus Health
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Reopening Orientation for New Parents, Zoom, 6 p.m.
Reopening Orientation for All Parents, Zoom, 7 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 31
PK-5 New Student Orientation (all PK & K students must attend)
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Academy Opening Day, Noon Dismissal for PK & K
TBD
Hopes & Dreams Conferences - No Classes
Important Documents
Summer Refresh 2020
Summer Refresh is a new virtual program designed exclusively for current and newly enrolled Shady Side Academy students. The program provides SSA students entering grades 1-12 the opportunity to review and solidify foundational concepts in language arts, math and study skills in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year.
Visit the Summer Refresh 2020 webpage for more information and to register.
Summer Reading Assignments
Transportation Services
Transportation services to SSA take two forms:
- publicly funded school district buses
- privately contracted by the school
These services make it possible for SSA families to be served from diverse locations in Allegheny, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Family Information Update
The Family Information Update process will change in 2020 due to the Academy’s switch to Veracross as our family database system. In June, parents will receive their Veracross Parent Portal login credentials with instructions on how to complete required household forms in Veracross and medical and athletic forms in Magnus Health.
Parent Volunteer Forms
- Limited contact volunteer (parents helping at events with faculty present)
- Substantial contact volunteer (parents alone with students with NO faculty present)
Please complete the appropriate form prior to volunteering and submit to:
- Country Day School: Denise Durkt, front desk
- Junior School: Megan Vrcic, front desk
- Middle School: Kristan Fisher, front desk
- Senior School: Donna Ponzi (scan and email forms)
Country Day School
Important Dates
June
Veracross Parent Portal Login Credentials Sent With Instructions for Family Information Update and VC Pay Student Billing Account
Tuesday, June 30
Household Forms Due in Veracross
Saturday, Aug. 1
Medical & Athletic Forms Due in Magnus Health
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Reopening Orientation for New Parents, Zoom, 6 p.m.
Reopening Orientation for All Parents, Zoom, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Academy Opening Day (PK/K noon dismissal)
Thursday-Friday, Sept. 3-4
Popsicle Playdates During Recess (details and time for each class to come)
Thursday, Sept. 10
Hopes and Dreams Conferences - No Classes
Important Documents
Summer Refresh 2020
Summer Refresh is a new virtual program designed exclusively for current and newly enrolled Shady Side Academy students. The program provides SSA students entering grades 1-12 the opportunity to review and solidify foundational concepts in language arts, math and study skills in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year.
Visit the Summer Refresh 2020 webpage for more information and to register.
Summer Reading Assignments
Transportation Services
Transportation services to SSA take two forms:
- publicly funded school district buses
- privately contracted by the school
These services make it possible for SSA families to be served from diverse locations in Allegheny, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Family Information Update
The Family Information Update process will change in 2020 due to the Academy’s switch to Veracross as our family database system. In June, parents will receive their Veracross Parent Portal login credentials with instructions on how to complete required household forms in Veracross and medical and athletic forms in Magnus Health.
Parent Volunteer Forms
- Limited contact volunteer (parents helping at events with faculty present)
- Substantial contact volunteer (parents alone with students with NO faculty present)
Please complete the appropriate form prior to volunteering and submit to:
- Country Day School: Denise Durkt, front desk
- Junior School: Megan Vrcic, front desk
- Middle School: Kristan Fisher, front desk
- Senior School: Donna Ponzi (scan and email forms)