RedHawk Tales

November 11: Veterans Day Program at 10:00 am

November 20: 4th and 5th Grade Music Field Trip to Clowes Hall

November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break

Dear Redhawk Families,

I am so excited for another incredible week of learning at Sidener! Each day, our students continue to amaze us with their curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Walking through classrooms, I see joyful engagement, students thinking deeply, sharing ideas, and challenging themselves to grow.

Following our ADM adjustments, we are excited about the opportunities these changes bring to strengthen our instruction and schoolwide collaboration. Our focus moving forward is on cross-curricular teaching and intentional integration of the arts across all grade levels. By partnering more closely with our Unified Arts teachers, we are creating meaningful connections between subjects and expanding how students experience learning. This intentional collaboration will continue to set Sidener apart as a school where academics, creativity, and curiosity thrive together.

Quick Reminders

• Attendance Matters: Every day counts! Please help your child arrive on time and ready to learn.

• Communication: Continue to review teacher newsletters and school updates each week for important information and upcoming events.

• Thank You: We are grateful for your continued partnership and support, it truly makes a difference in helping our students soar!

Let’s make it another wonderful week of learning, growth, and Redhawk PRIDE!

With cozy fall vibes and Redhawk PRIDE,

Dr. Milanda Penn

Who: Students in 1st - 5th grades & Modern Band Club

What: Veterans Day Program

When: Tuesday, November 11th @10am

Where: Sidener Academy Gymnasium

What should my student wear? Pants should be black, navy, khaki or solid blue jeans. Tops should be solid red, white, or blue. Please refrain from ripped/bedazzled pants.

Who can attend the program? ALL veterans, active service personnel, and Sidener friends and families are invited to attend in-person! If you need seating accommodations, or use of the stair lift as the gymnasium is sunken, please email Ms. Schafer (schafers@myips.org).

Attendance requirement: The expectation is for all students to attend. Please make sure your student is at school on Tuesday, November 11th and is wearing the appropriate attire listed above.

We'd love your veteran photos! Please email any photos of your beloved veterans that could be displayed at the concert to schafers@myips.org

Each month, teachers select students who go above and beyond in showing the pillars of PRIDE (perseverance, respect, integrity, diversity, excellence). Congratulations to our Students of the Month for demonstrating RESPECT! We are proud to celebrate their achievement with a certificate, pencil, and family car magnet.

Several Sidener students were on Good Morning America supporting the Indianapolis Children's Museum and their 100th anniversary! Thanks for making us proud, Vera, Blaise, Francis, Analese, Alana, Margot, Evie Holland, and Rosalind. Sidener alum and Harshman 6th grader, Micah, was interviewed about what he loves about the museum. Way to to go!

Here is the link to the WRTV broadcast: https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/childrens-museum-of-indianapolis-shines-on-good-morning-america-with-gmis-kaitlyn-kendall

Mr. Gorski's 4th grade class is diving into the fascinating world of mythology! Students are exploring ancient Greek myths, including the story of Persephone, the goddess of spring and the underworld. Through reading, discussion, and being introduced to pomegranates, they're learning how myths were used to explain nature, seasons, and human emotions.

The Harshman Food Pantry is open and ready to help Theodore Potter and 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 Nov. 19, Dec. 3 and Dec. 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/

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

• 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.

Saturday, November 8th Clinic 11:30-12:30, at Shortridge High School,

3401 N. Meridian St. 46208

Tuesday, November 11th Practice until 5:30

Wed., November 12th Game at 7:00 at Farrington 61 vs B.L. 55 White,

4326 Patricia St. 46222

Thursday, November 13th Practice until 5:30

Tuesday, November 18th Practice until 5:30

Wednesday, November 19th Game at 6:00 at Sidener vs Butler Lab 60

Thursday, November 20th Practice until 5:30

Saturday, November 22nd Clinic 10:15-11:15 at George Washington High School

2215 W. Washington St. 46222

See attached flyer for information.

Sidener students are guaranteed a seat at Harshman Middle School. We are passing along information about other middle school options within IPS as well.

• Harshman Middle School, High Ability & Dual Language: School visit on December 11, 9:30-12:00
• William Penn Middle School, A STEM School: To schedule a tour, reach out to Jassarette Estrada, 317-296-4338, estradaj@myips.org
• Broad Ripple Middle School, IB World School: To schedule a tour, reach out to Sharon Harris, harrisSM@myips.org

Dear Parents and Guardians,
With the change of seasons, we are seeing an increase in common cold symptoms among our students. The common cold is a viral infection and a frequent reason for school absences. While most colds are mild, we need your help to minimize the spread of germs within our school community and ensure all students are healthy enough to learn.

When to Keep Your Child Home

It can be tough to decide whether your child is too sick for school. Generally, children with mild cold symptoms (runny nose, slight cough, sneezing) are fine to attend.

Please keep your child at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

· Fever: A temperature of 100.3°F or higher. Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (like Tylenol or Motrin) before returning to school.

· Persistent/Severe Cough: A heavy or uncontrollable cough that is disruptive to learning or causes difficulty breathing.

· Vomiting or Diarrhea: Children should stay home until they are free of vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours and are eating normally.

· General Malaise: If your child is too fatigued, uncomfortable, or irritable to participate in daily activities.

Prevent the Spread of Illness

We encourage you to reinforce healthy habits at home:

· Frequent Handwashing: Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds (singing the "ABC" song twice is a good guide!).

· Cough/Sneeze Etiquette: Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of their elbow, not their hands.

· Avoid Touching the Face: Remind children to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth, which are common entry points for germs.

· Get Plenty of Rest and Fluids: A well-rested and hydrated child is better equipped to fight off illness.

If you are unsure whether your child should attend school, please contact the school nurse for guidance. Ensure the school office has your current, up-to-date contact information in case your child becomes ill during the school day.

The Sidener Academy PTA is looking for a new treasurer! The treasurer does the banking for the PTA, keeps the financial records in order and provides reports to the rest of the PTA throughout the year. This is a great position for someone who wants to help the school, likes organization and details and isn't afraid of a few numbers. Holding an officer position on the PTA is a great way to become more involved and create more opportunities for the students. Carolyn Svirsky has served as the PTA treasurer for the past 4 years and will train you and provide assistance as needed! The PTA bylaws require a Treasurer and ultimately the PTA cannot do its work if the books are not in order. Please reach out to treasurer@sideneracademypta.org with any interest or questions.

Join the Sidener Parent & Teacher Association in its mission to "promote the welfare of Sidener students, raise standards of home life, encourage cooperation between parents and teachers, and ensure the students have the highest advantages in all facets of education and life."

To become a voting member of the PTA, please pay annual dues of $15 by visiting our 25-26 PTA dues link or contacting treasurer@sideneracademypta.org for scholarship assistance. Please do not let financial need prevent you from joining.

All are welcome to join our online Facebook community to connect with other parents, caregivers and school representatives: Sidener Academy Families and Staff Community Page

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