Dear Sidener Academy Families,
I hope this message finds you well! My name is Dr. Milanda Penn, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new principal of Sidener Academy School 59. It is truly an honor to join this remarkable community dedicated to nurturing high-ability learners.
As we embark on this new school year together, my primary goal is to foster an environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and supported. I am committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and staff, ensuring open communication and collaboration as we work towards our shared mission of academic excellence.
As we approach the upcoming fall break, I encourage you to take this opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with your families. It’s a great time for students to reflect on their progress so far and to explore new interests.
I look forward to getting to know each of you and your incredible children. Together, we will celebrate achievements, overcome challenges, and create memorable experiences. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or ideas you may have as I am here to support you and your children.
Thank you for your warm welcome, and I can’t wait to see what this year holds for us!
Warm regards,
Dr. Milanda Penn
Thank you to all of you who volunteer at Sidener! Your support is so appreciated! Thank you to the classroom volunteers, field trip helpers, club leaders, activity organizers, and those of you who helped with the second grade Olympics this week! A special thank you to Ashley Rice who put up our new fall bulletin boards!
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held after fall break, on Friday, October 25. PIT Day will kick off with a Title I presentation at 9:30 AM in the Media Center. October 25 will be an asynchronous day for students. To sign up for a conference time, please see teacher sign up links below.
Please click on the teacher's name to be directed to their conference sign-up sheet:
Mrs. Pappas 1st grade
Ms. Adili 2nd grade
Mrs. Schubert 2nd grade
Ms. Miller 3rd grade
Ms. Murphy 3rd grade
Ms. Burdge 4th grade
Mrs. Rowan 4th grade
Mr. Jenkins 5th grade
Mr. Seib 5th grade
If you need a translator for your conference, please email Carolyn Miner at minerc@myips.org as soon as possible.
The Unified Arts team will be available for conferences from 10am-6pm (lunch 2-3pm). If you would like to meet with your child's Spanish, computer, library, PE, music, or art teacher, please email them directly. Feel free to stop by and say a quick hello otherwise! Translators are available upon request.
Spanish: Senora Carney (carneyn@myips.org)
Computer: Mrs. Beacham (beachamn@myips.org)
Library: Mrs. Bunch (bunchdebra@myips.org)
Physical Education: Mr. Crighton (crightons@myips.org)
Music: Ms. Schafer (schafers@myips.org)
Art: Ms. Fillenwarth (fillenwarths@myips.org)
Volunteers Needed!
Please consider signing up for Trunk or Treat taking place the week following fall break! We especially need folks to decorate their trunks and hand out candy. Trunk decorations have included all kinds of fun themes in the past such as Stranger Things, Pirates, Pumpkins, Pokémon, Hocus Pokus and more—creative ideas welcomed! To sign up to volunteer or donate supplies, click HERE
Thank you!!
The PTA would like to thank students and families for their participation in the World's Finest Chocolate fundraiser. You crushed our fundraising goal of $3,000 by raising $5,300 for our school! This was truly a group effort with over half of our students selling one or more boxes of chocolates! Our top seller was 4th grader Brielle Van Kirk and our top-selling class was Ms. Rowan's 4th grade homeroom. We look forward to all we can accomplish for our school and students this year with the funds raised. Thank you! Thank you also to Becky Schwantes-An, our PTA president, who took 21 pies to the face last Friday as we celebrated our fundraiser success!
IPS ULTIMATE NINJA PROGRAM
WHEN: 5:50-6:50 PM on Thursdays -- November 7, 14, 21, and December 5, 12
WHERE: Ultimate Ninjas @ Hamilton County Sports Complex, Noblesville
If your child wants to participate in this program, you must complete the attached permission slip and waiver and register your student online as well.
Free 2nd/3rd Grade Boys Basketball Clinic
IPS is offering a free boys basketball clinic for 2nd and 3rd grade boys interested in basketball. An elementary girls basketball clinic will be offered during the girls basketball season after winter break.
Clinic dates: Saturdays, 9-10 AM, on October 26, November 9, and November 16.
REGISTER HERE or open the PDF below for a QR code.
CHESS CLUB
Do your kids like chess? Are they interested in finding out? Chess is a great tool to teach decision making, mathematical reasoning and logic. The locally-famous Learning Through Games Group Has coached many state championship schools in Indiana. However, they are mostly known for the fun and child-friendly style of teaching. Great for all levels of play!
WHEN: Thursdays before school @ 8:15 AM, Oct. 31 to Jan. 9
FEE: $98 (no refunds after Oct. 31)
QUESTIONS: adean@learningthroughgames.com or 317-224-6771
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.learningthroughgames.com/sidener-chess-signups/
Cold Spring School’s Robotics Team and School partners’ will host their bi-annual International Day of the Girl Celebration. This day will involve drones, robots, cubelets, makey makeys, take away crafts with GlowForge, AI fun, hands-on experiments, community partners, and much more including a whole lot of fun.
WHEN: Saturday, October 26, 9 AM-noon
WHERE: Cold Spring School, 3650 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis
Registration is not required, but in order to prepare, please do. Please join us to celebrate our girls. Costumes are not required, but enjoyed. This is an excellent opportunity for Girl Scout/Brownie troops to do their STEM badge work.
Click HERE to register, or scan QR code.
