RedHawk Tales
December 5, 2025
A Look Ahead...
December 11: 5th Grade field trip to Harshman Middle School
December 12: 1st and 2nd Grade Field Trip to see The Nutcracker
December 19: Records Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
December 19-January 4: Winter Break
Wings of Support from Mr. Newlin
Holiday Help
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!
Child Safety Presentations
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.
Student Council take Flight
Sidener Academy is a Unified Champion School!
With sports as the foundation, Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools bring together youth with and without intellectual disabilities to build inclusive communities, reduce bullying, and promote healthy activities.
Broad Ripple Middle School Open House
Broad Ripple Middle School Open House
Monday, December 8th
6:00-7:30pm
Parking: South side of building (large parking lot)
Enter through Door 8
This event is for students and families. Prospective students and families will have an opportunity to tour the building, meet staff and administration, and ask questions about Broad Ripple Middle School.
Tour/open house r.s.v.p. link : https://forms.gle/pX8r7ZPZAcfHcxHL6
This link will be updated for tours after winter break. While is not required to r.s.v.p. for the open house, they like to have an idea of those who plan on attending.
Donors Choose
All donations are appreciated!!
Ms. Bunch is "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
High Flying Sports Highlights
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.
Saturday, December 6th Game at Arsenal Tech at 1:00 (Round 1 Tournament)
Saturday, December 6th Game at Arsenal Tech at 2:00 (if win Round 1)
Address for Arsenal Tech: 1500 E. Michigan St. Indianapolis, IN 46201
Admission:$2 per person, $5 for family, concession will be available
Monday, December 8th Game at 7:00 at CFI 84 (if win 2:00 game on Dec. 6th)
Address for CFI 84: 440 E. 57th Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
Wednesday, December 10th Game at 6:00 at Arlington (if win Game on Dec. 8th)
Wednesday, December 10th Game at 7:00 at Arlington (if win the 6:00 Game)
Address for Arlington: 4825 N Arlington Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46226
Community Perch
Harshman Food Pantry
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.
Community Food Pantry Locations
- 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.
PTA Information:
Opportunities to earn passive income for the PTA, which supports students, teachers, and families.
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
Tax-deductible Donation
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
Please let the PTA board know if you have any questions. Go RedHawks!
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