Redhawk Tales

What is the month of February named after?

• Sidener Book Fair -- February 6-14
• Presidents Day - NO SCHOOL -- Monday, February 17
• SNOW MAKEUP DAY -- Tuesday, February 18
• PTA Meeting & Technology Readiness Event -- Wednesday, February 26 @ 6-7:30 PM
• Sidener "Songs for the Stars" Concert -- Thursday, March 13 @ 6:30 PM

NOTE: The IPS Volunteer Application is open now through the end of February. If you have not completed this process and would like to volunteer this spring for field trips or school activities, please apply now.

All purchases through the book fair benefit our school. Thanks for supporting our kids! Happy reading!

• The Sidener Book Fair is now open and runs through Friday, February 14.
• Set up an eWallet now at the Sidener Bookfair website to allow your student to shop without cash at the bookfair. You must create a NEW eWallet for each fair.
• Shop online at the Sidener Bookfair website from February 6-14.
• Students will preview the book fair with their classes prior to the bookfair opening. Ask them about their wish list!
• All For Book Fundraiser will be the sale of Heart-Shaped Suckers for 25 cents each. Proceeds will help build classroom libraries.

🏀Practice: Tuesday after school to 5:20

🏀Away Game: Wednesday, February 12, 6:00 PM @ Charles Fairbanks 105

🏀IMPORTANT: The IPS Tournament begins this week. Our first tournament game will be at Meredith Nicholson School 96 on Thursday, February 13 at 6:00 PM. Girls need to arrive by 5:30 PM, dressed and ready to warmup.

Boys in grades 5-8 can try out for the IPS Trailblazers Basketball Team. This is a select team program that allows high-level middle school student athletes from the IPS district to participate on team with other students from across the district. Trailblazers’ team members compete in various leagues and tournaments in central Indiana.

WHEN: Thursday, February 13, and Wednesday, February 19, from 6:00-7:45 PM

WHERE: Arsenal Tech High School, enter through door 4

COST: If you make the team, there is a $150 fee (scholarships available upon request - contact varnojj@myips.org)

SIGN UP HERE TO TRY OUT: TRYOUTS REGISTRATION FORM

IPS students in grades 5-8 can participate in a FREE Competition Cheer Clinic facilitated by the IU Indy Cheer Team.

WHEN: Saturdays, February 22, March 8, and March15, from 12:30-4:00 PM

WHERE: The Jungle, 901 W. New York St., Indianapolis (this is the gym inside of the Natatorium on the campus of IU Indy)

COST: FREE -Space is limited to the first 200 students to register.

SIGN UP HERE: IPS Competition Cheer Clinic Registration

Sidener needs coaches for the following sports which begin after spring break. Each one of these positions pays a $600 stipend for your time.

⚽Soccer Coach: 1st Grade

⚽Soccer Coach: 2nd/3rd Grade

⚽Soccer Coach: 4th/5th Grade

👟Track & Field Coach: 4th/5th Grade

If interested, you must have completed the IPS Volunteer Application. If you have been approved to volunteer, then please contact Mr. Crighton at crightons@myips.org.

The IPS Office of Racial Equity and Inclusion is proud to extend an invitation to our parents and guardians to attend the Virtual Groundwater Approach training on February 27, facilitated by the Racial Equity Institute.

Groundwater training is designed to help participants at all levels internalize the reality that we live in a racially structured society, and that is what causes racial inequity. The metaphor is based on three observation:

• Racial inequity looks the same across systems
• Socio-economic difference does not explain the racial inequity; and
• Inequities are caused by systems, regardless of people’s culture or behavior.

To register: IPS Groundwater Training: 2024.25 Registrations (google.com)

Questions: Please contact the Racial Equity & Inclusion Office at racialequity@myips.org or 317-402-1509

In an effort to better support students and their families, IPS has opened The Family Resource Center at Arlington Middle School. Here, visitors can access medical services, mental health support, youth development programs, vision care, athletic opportunities, and resources to help with housing, utilities, and food. The center is open weekdays from 9AM-5PM.

The PTA will hold its first meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, February 26 at 6:00 PM in the school cafeteria. Come out to hear school updates from Dr. Penn and Vice Principal Carter along with opportunities to engage in supporting Sidener students and families. Following our PTA meeting, there will be a technology readiness program sponsored by AT&T and facilitated by Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, Aaron Hamer. This program and updates to school technology was made possible through a PTA secured grant.

As the largest public school district in Indiana, IPS is committed to serving the diverse needs of our students and families. As a member of the IPS community, it is essential to stay informed about legislative developments that could affect our school district. The 2025 legislative session is upon us, and IPS needs your support. With new bills raising critical conversations and challenges to the systems that sustain IPS, your voice matters. There are several bills introduced this year that — if passed — would have profound effects on Indianapolis Public Schools.

To understand what’s happening during this legislative session, and how IPS is advocating for strong, quality education for all students, go to the IPS Legislative Resource Page. On this page you can:

• Stay informed and engaged by signing up for IPS Legislative Updates. You will receive timely updates about statehouse developments and how they impact our schools and community.

• Share your testimonial. Do you have great things that you'd like to share in support of IPS? Fill out the testimonial form on the IPS Legislative Resource Page.

• Find a Sample Letter Template to Write Your Legislator. Your voice is powerful! Legislators care about what their constituents think, and a well-written letter can make a significant impact. We encourage you to write to your representatives and share why you support IPS and the progress we are making.

You can also join IPS parents who are coming together to create a community of support for one another, with a joint mission to advocate for our public schools, our teachers, and our children. To learn more, join the IPS Parent Council.

HARSHMAN WEBSITE

DUAL LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT: Bilingual students interested in dual language courses at Harshman must take a Dual Language Assessment. Students can sign up for this assessment HERE. Students should bring their IPS Chromebook to the assessment.

WEDNESDAY WALKTHROUGHS: Families can visit to learn more about Harshman Middle School every Wednesday at 1:30 PM (when school is in session). Email murphyca@myips.org and drop by to see classes and meet teachers!

If you're thinking ahead to Sidener's spring concert, think space when planning for your student's outfit. Students are asked to wear space-themed attire which can include astronaut suits, alien outfits, space-patterns, NASA attire, or simply the colors blue, purple, pink, or green. This fits in with the theme of the event, "Songs for the Stars" based on the book The Astronaut. All students in grades 1-5 will participate. As a reminder, the concert will be on Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 PM, at the Broad Ripple Middle School Auditorium.

With temperatures going up and down, many jackets and coats are left behind at school. If your child is missing something, be sure to check the Lost and Found table outside the office!

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 $10 by visiting our 24-25 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

Christina Davis, Communications Secretary, info@sideneracademypta.org

Andrea Roselli, Recording Secretary, secretary@sideneracademypta.org

Carolyn Svirsky, Treasurer, treasurer@sideneracademypta.org

Deidre Fallon,Vice President, vicepresident@sideneracademypta.org

Becky Schwantes-An, President, president@sideneracademypta.org

Have something to add to the next Redhawk Tales? Submit to Carolyn Miner by noon on Thursday at minerc@myips.org

The name February comes from the Latin word februa, which means "purification." It refers to an ancient Roman festival of purification that took place in February.