RedHawk Tales

December 18: Last student day for 1st semester

December 19: Records Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

December 19-January 4: Winter Break

January 5: WELCOME BACK, Start of 2nd semester

January 19: No School in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.

January 29: Enroll Indy Round 1 lottery ends

Dear Sidener Families,

As we move into this final stretch before winter break, I want to begin by thanking you for your continued partnership and support. This year has brought several staffing changes, and I am deeply appreciative of the grace and understanding you have shown as we work to maintain stability, strong instruction, and a sense of community for our students.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge how I communicate about those changes. While I would love to be able to share every detail when resignations or retirements occur, I am always careful not to violate the privacy or comfort of any staff member, whether current or former. For that reason, I may not always be able to share as much as families might wish in the moment.

What I will continue to do, however, is communicate when positions have been filled and new staff members are joining our Sidener community. It is important to me that you know who is working with your children and that our new Redhawks feel welcomed and supported as they transition into their roles.

As we lean into the festive season, I hope you and your families are able to find moments of warmth, joy, and rest. Our building is buzzing with learning, celebration, and community, and we are grateful to partner with you during this special time of year.

A few important reminders as we head into the break:

• Start Times & Attendance: Please ensure students arrive on time each morning and are ready for learning at the start of the school day. Consistent, on-time attendance is critical to their academic success and sense of routine.

• Last Day Before Break: Our last student day before winter break is December 18, 2025 .

• Return from Holiday Break: Students will return to school on Monday, January 5, 2025. We look forward to welcoming everyone back rested, recharged, and ready for a strong start to the new year.

Thank you again for your ongoing partnership and for trusting us with your children. It remains an honor to serve your families.

With appreciation and warm holiday wishes,

Dr. Milanda Penn

Sidener Families,

Each year during the holidays Sidener Academy collects gift cards to support some of our families in need. These gift cards help to provide food over the long break from school as well as spreading some holiday cheer by providing an opportunity to buy gifts.

If you are able, please consider donating gift cards to this cause. Cards to grocery stores or stores like Wal-Mart and Meijer are the most helpful for supporting the needs of our families. These donations can be left in the front office with Mrs. Drummer. The Student Services team will divide out the donations among approximately 15 families and send these home the week of December 14th.

Thank you for your generosity!

Beginning the week of December 15th, our school social worker will be visiting each classroom to give child safety presentations. These presentations will cover good touch/bad touch and physical abuse, as well as how seek out help from trusted adults and safely help others who may be experiencing abuse. We will be using the same district approved presentation used in previous years. If you would like to opt your child out of this presentation, please notify Mr. Newlin at newlinc@myips.org by no later than Friday, December 12th.

Here are a few ideas from Mr. Newlin...play winter bingo or make some tasty treats!

This month, we are proud to recognize students who have shown outstanding integrity. These students consistently make honest choices, take responsibility for their actions, and do the right thing-even when no one is watching. We celebrate their positive example and the leadership they bring to our school community. Congratulations to all of our Students of the Month!

Indiana Pacers Fundraiser for Sidener Academy

Sidener Academy PTA has partnered with the Indiana Pacers to participate in an exciting FUNdraiser opportunity! Sell tickets to select Pacers games, win some really neat Pacers prizes and help raise money for our school! It doesn’t matter if you’re a student or teacher, everyone can participate and have FUN at a Pacers game!

We will have our very own school night at a Pacers game with a check presentation at center court during halftime! Everyone will be together cheering on our hometown Pacers on Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 7pm when the Pacers take on the Charlotte Hornets.

If you can’t make it to our school night game, we have three alternate games to choose from on January 28th, February 2nd or 3rd!

ORDER ONLINE: Purchase your tickets online. You can even share the offer with family and friends via social media, email and text! It will be easier than ever to sell lots of tickets and earn prizes! Simply go to Pacers.com/Hornets for more information and to purchase tickets.

Beast Academy is now available for students at Sidener Academy! This exciting math enrichment program was created specifically for gifted students to challenge them beyond the curriculum. Students work through difficult problems and learn the “why” and “how” of mathematical concepts. With above-grade-level challenges, this program will improve your student’s math abilities. Students can log in from school or home to practice. Reach out to your student’s teacher for more information.

Girls Basketball Schedule

• Please pick up player in the front of the building.
• For away games, you will need to provide transportation to the game.
• For home games, players will stay after school.

Tuesday, January 6th Practice until 5:00

Thursday, January 8th Practice until 5:00

Tuesday, January 13th Practice until 5:00

Thursday, January 15th Practice until 5:00

Saturday, January 17th Clinic 11:30-12:30 at George Washington High School

Address: 2215 W. Washington St. 46222

Tuesday, January 20th Practice until 5:00

Wed., January 21st Away Game at 6:00 at Ernie Pyle 90

Address: 3351 W. 18th St. 46222

Thursday, January 22nd Practice until 5:00

Saturday, January 24th Clinic 11:30-12:30 at Shortridge High School

Address: 3401 N. Meridian St. 46208

Tuesday, January 27th Practice until 5:00

Wed., January 28th Home Game at 6:00 vs Clarence Farrington 61

Thursday, January 29th Practice until 5:00

Tuesday, February 3rd Practice until 5:00

Wed., February 4th Away Game at 6:00 at Charles Fairbanks 105

Address: 8620 Montery Rd. 46226

Thursday, February 5th Practice until 5:00

Tuesday, February 10th Practice until 5:00

Wed., February 11th Double Header Home Game at 6:00 and 7:00 vs CFI 84 Blue and CFI 84 Yellow

Thursday, February 12th Practice until 5:00

Please remember that our school day is from 9:00 am until 3:45 pm. We do NOT allow early drop offs in the morning. Also, if you will be picking up your child early, we ask that you notify the office no later than 3:00. Our car riders will start being dismissed at 3:45. Please remember to stay in your car as you pull up to the door. This ensures safety for our students.

If you are in need of before or after school care, you may reach out to The Riley Youth Community Center at 317-297-7078.

Ms. Bunch's project was fully funded!!! Thank you for your support of "Tuning in to Learning: Heaphones for Success"

Mr. Seib is "Building Thinking Classrooms" with his new proposal: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/building-thinking-classrooms-implementat/9797153/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=project&utm_term=donor_86995&rf=directlink-dc-2025-10-project-donor_86995

Mrs. Berg is blasting off to "Mission: STEMpossible": https://www.donorschoose.org/project/mission-stempossible/9775273/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=project&utm_term=donor_86995&rf=directlink-dc-2025-11-project-donor_86995

The Harshman Food Pantry is open and ready to help Sidener Academy families in need! If your family could use a little extra support with groceries, please consider visiting Harshman's food pantry.

The pantry will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 17.

• Indianapolis Division of Community Nutrition & Food Policy (Events & Locations Updated Regularly)
• Community Food Pantries & Food Pantry Search Link
• Community Events Flyer
• WRTV Community Resources

Family resources, including food pantries at schools across the district, can be found here: https://myips.org/family-academy/

Here is a helpful list of Food Pantries by zip code: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Abbff6977-408a-39c7-9710-ca871ae7b6e5.

As temperatures drop and the holiday season approaches, many Hoosiers find themselves needing extra support. Indiana 211 is a free, confidential service that connects Hoosiers with local health and human services. Indiana 211 is here to ensure that individuals and families across the state know exactly where to turn when they need help most. With one call, text, or click, Indiana 211 connects people to trusted, up-to-date community resources available in their area.

Hoosiers can access a wide range of essential services through Indiana 211, including:

• Food assistance programs and local pantries
• Warming centers and shelters during cold weather
• Help with housing, utility support, mental health services, and more

Whether someone is facing a short-term challenge or navigating an ongoing need, Indiana 211 ensures they can quickly find safe, local, verified resources.

How to Access Help
Residents can explore available community resources by visiting in211.org or calling 2-1-1 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Indiana 211 database is updated continuously so every listing remains reliable, accurate and accessible.

The Indiana State Museum is offering many experiences in the next month. Hope you are able to take advantage of all that they have going on!

Kroger's Community Rewards

To participate, Sign up here, search for SIDENER ACADEMY PTA, and click Enroll. Then, Kroger gives back to Sidener each time you shop using your Kroger rewards card--it's just that easy!

Box Tops for Education
Use the Box Tops app to scan your store receipt, and earn cash for Sidener! Sign up here by searching for Sidener Academy-School 59.

Staples Rewards

Need school or office supplies? Shop at Staples! Download the Staples app to enroll or link your existing rewards account to Sidener. Staples then gives 5% back to Sidener with every purchase. Sign up here

Scripps

Need to purchase gift cards? Shop through Raise Right (Scripps) to earn money for Sidener! Enrollment Code: FA5B7A34652L5 Shop here

Make a tax deductible Donation to support Sidener community events, teacher requests and other needs throughout the year. Sidener Academy PTA is a nonprofit organization, and all funds support our students and school community. Donate here

Laura Rain Alford, President, president@sideneracademypta.org

Anh Nguyen, Vice President, vicepresident@sideneracademypta.org

Carolyn Svirsky-Interim Treasurer, treasurer@sideneracademypta.org

Ashley Rice-Recording Secretary, secretary@sideneracademypta.org

Becky Schwantes-An, Communications Secretary, info@sideneracademypta.org