Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

The BISFA newsletter is going through some updates and improvements. The newsletter will be going out once a month. Information for the newsletter is needed by the 20th of the previous month. The first official will begin in October.

Thank you!

🏦This is important because you can gain regional and national recognition which can make you eligible to receive scholarships. The Scholastic Art & Writing Award is an achievement award, so many colleges will take the award into consideration when determining admissions and scholarships. Once again, we would like to see many of you submit artwork.

🔻🔻🔻

The 2025 Bill Dorsey Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts has been opened. The deadline for applications is Monday, November 10th, 2025, at 11:59pm

The Andrew Bryan Farnen Fund for the Arts, Mathematics, and Technology makes an annual grant in memory of Andrew, who was known for his love of both the arts and sciences, particularly mathematics, at which he excelled.

🚩🚩🚩Applications are being accepted now through December 1st, 2025, at 11:59pm. 🚩🚩🚩

Grants will be made to help students explore their passion through the purchase of musical instruments, art supplies, computers, books, experiences, and other educational materials. It is the intention of Andrew's family to award funds to those candidates who have a strong desire to learn and create -- whether through the visual arts, musical performance, mathematics, or computer science/technology. Pursuing new and thought-provoking topics was at the core of Andrew's personality. It is hoped that these funds will foster the imaginations of young people who likewise have a passion for knowledge, artistic expression, mathematics, or computer science/technology. These funds are not intended to be used for tuition.

✅ Applicants for this grant must be between the ages of 14 and 21 on October 1 of the year in which they apply. Applicants must live in Maryland, with preference given to those residing in Washington, Frederick, Carroll, Howard, or Baltimore Counties.

Grant funds are paid through a qualifying fiscal agent which will disburse funds as qualifying estimates, quotes or expense receipts are received.

Come support the theater department while you croon your favorite...

💽Hits?

🎤Bops?

🎹Jams?

However your generation defines their music, come sing at the Dugout at Veva's on Potomac:

📅November 20th from 4:30 - 7:30 pm.

🎶$5 to participate - all proceeds benefit the BISFA Theater Department

We invite you to 'Walk This Way' and 'Let It Go.' Maybe we'll 'Rock and Roll All Nite...' or at least until 7:30.

Your design should include three elements:

• Swift spacecraft
• Pegasus Rocket
• And/or the mythical Pegasus.

🚩The deadline is November 15.

Submit your logo design to Tanya Smiley at tsmiley@washcolibrary.org

Submissions are needed for the BISFA student Magazine.

Picture day - November 5, 2025

Performances are November 6-8 at 7:00 p.m. and November 8 at 2:00 p.m.

🎫Purchase your Clue Tickets by calling the BISFA Front Office at 301-766-8840

Clue t-shirts, mugs, and more are now available for purchase online.

The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Holiday Spectacular tickets are on sale!

Here are the ticket links:

Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15006329BE03230A

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15006329BE07231F

You can use the links or call the box office at 301-790-2000 to purchase tickets. You may avoid additional fees by going directly to the box office to purchase tickets.

IMPORTANT: Tickets are only sold through The Maryland Theatre's website (via Ticketmaster) and their box office. Any tickets being sold on other websites are fake.

🎫🎫🎫The parent pre-sale is Tuesday, October 28 at 12 pm – Friday, October 31 at 11 AM.

🥀🥀🥀The code is ORPHEUS

National Merit Scholarship Program - Letter of Commendation

Emilee Droneburg, Autumn Taylor

About 34, 000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, commended students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test (PSAT/NMSQT)

CONGRATULATIONS EMILEE and AUTUMN!

Ryan Franco - Eagle Scout

For achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. This rank is the highest achievement in Boy Scouts, symbolizing a young person's strength of character, leadership, and commitment to service.

Maddie Whittington - Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Scholarship Contest Winner

The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Good Citizen program and scholarship contest are intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The student selected as each school’s DAR Good Citizen must have the qualities of ”dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism." Maddie is eligible to enter the DAR Good Citizens Scholarship Contest.

Joy Bergschneider - Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY)

Joy was chosen by staff to be an ambassador for HOBY. HOBY Ambassadors are challenged to return to their communities and perform 100 hours of community service within the next year. Thank you for your commitment to serving the community.

Congratulations to Britany Diaz Castro for winning first place in the Washington Goes Purple Poster Competition! Way to go Britany!

HOMECOMING KING AND QUEEN

Josh and Angela!

OUR HERO!

OFFICER KNODE

Congratulations to Britany Diaz Castro for winning first place in the Washington Goes Purple Poster Competition! Way to go Britany!

Congratulations to Finn Jackson, the 1st Place Winner of HCC's Literary and Arts Magazine, Hedge Apple, Halloween Contest!

🎥The Photo and Cinematography Seniors: Tyler Crutchly, Peyton Fitz, and Taylor Brown attended the festival after creating their film in 3 days titled "2:37"

🎥Their theme was prompted by the festival producers of a Hollywood Mashup between The Blairwitch Project and the Shining. They had to write, film, edit, and submit a 5min 45sec film 72 hours!

🏆They were in the Top 3 Finalists for the Student Category!

Sadie Hull - President

Adyson Hade - Vice President

Autumn Taylor - Treasurer

Gabby Canalas - Liaison

Joyce Liu - Secretary

Eliza Basore- Historian

Juniors and Seniors from Photo & Cinema - Homecoming.

FOR BISFA 2026-2027

🔻🔻🔻Deadline December 6, 2025🔻🔻🔻

There is still a little more time to sell candles. Any money raised by the students offset costs for New York. If students make more than enough to pay for their New York trip, they can use the extra money for the thespian trip.

Candles will arrive mid-November - in time to deliver them before Thanksgiving.

We are now able to take payments via CashApp ($bravoforbisfa) and Venmo (@BRAVOforBISFA).

Make sure any payments sent this way have the STUDENT NAME in the description so your student gets credit for the sale.

🍩Need an easy idea for breakfast during the upcoming holidays? Why not plan on donuts, courtesy of Krispy Kreme and the CW Dept? They freeze really well!

🍩There is no limit on the number of dozens that may be purchased or codes that may be redeemed at ANY Krispy Kreme location.

🍩Dozens may be purchased via cash or check. Checks may be made out to BISFA - CW Dept.

🍩Use the QR code or link on the attached flyer to send the information for your email to receive the digital dozens code.

✅Each discipline has their own link.

✅Funds raised from wreaths and other items ordered through your discipline’s link will go directly to your department.

✅Choose from three shipping weeks when placing your order. Order as early as possible for best availability! Orders may ONLY be placed from November 3rd to November 24th.

📅Week of November 24 (order deadline November 16)

📅Week of December 1 (order deadline November 23)

📅Week of December 8 (order deadline November 24)

✅Check with your Parent Liaison for your departmental link, pricing information, social media links and handouts.

Holiday ornaments are available for purchase. There is limited stock available.

Please reach out to the Parent Liaison for your department with the Parent Guild if you wish to purchase.

Mr. Geiman: geimatod@wcps.k12.md.us

Ms. Merchant: merchbra@wcps.k12.md.us

Mr. Sheredy: shereste@wcps.k12.md.us

Mr Youngblood: youngma@wcps.k12.md.us

Instagram

Facebook

Creative Writing Links

The Phantom

🍔Clue Tech week starts on Monday, November 3rd.

🍔We need to supply meals for 20 cast members and staff all week.

🍔Please be on the lookout for the sign up genius.

Call BISFA Front Office
Performances are November 6-8 at 7:00 p.m. and November 8 at 2:00 p.m.

🎫Purchase your Clue Tickets by calling the BISFA Front Office at 301-766-8840

Clue t-shirts, mugs, and more are now available for purchase online.

Ensure all guardians receive important notifications from Mr. Ryan and the Theater Liaisons this year by:

1. Emailing theaterliaison@gmail.com requesting we add parent/guardian to our distribution list
2. Texting @bisfat to 81010 to join Mr. Ryan's Remind class.
3. Texting @7hc9k6 to 81010 to join Theater Liaison Remind class.

If you haven’t already, please access these important resources…
Vocal Dept. Handbook

Vocal Google Calendar

Vocal Department Website

Mrs. Melissa J. Mackley - Vocal Department Chair macklme@wcps.k12.md.us

11/5 - Tri-M Meeting Band Room 8:15 - 9:00 AM

11/15 - All State Junior Auditions (TBA)

11/22 - All State Senior Auditions (TBA)

The Grade that collectively raises the most Calendar Fundraiser Money

for our New York Trip will receive a Pizza Party/Movie reward!

The Freshmen class is currently in the lead!

Ends 10/31.

**Orders will be delivered to BISFA the week of November 24th!**

We will be planning some amazing fundraisers over this year, more details to come soon!

We will need parent volunteers, too! Watch for emails or posts from Sign Up Genius and Sign Up!!

OOMPa @ BISFA Facebook

BISFA Facebook

BISFA Instagram

BISFA Instrumental Instagram

Callie Hart

oompaatbisfa@gmail.com

240.367.0146

Hello and a warm welcome from the Instrumental Music Department at BISFA!

I’m Callie Hart, of OOMPa – The Organization of Musical Parents and this is my second year as a BISFA Parent.

OOMPA is now a 501 (c) 3 organization and able to accept tax deductible donations.

Contact Ms. Callie Hart if you have any questions about making a Donation of any kind!

Reach out to Callie Hart if you are interested in joining the OOMPa Board!

🎥The Photo and Cinema Seniors, Tyler Crutchly, Peyton Fitz, and Taylor Brown, attended the festival (directly after their Senior Homecoming) after creating their film in 3 days titled "2:37"

🎥Their theme was prompted by the festival producers of a Hollywood Mashup between The Blairwitch Project and the Shining. They had to write, film, edit, and submit a 5min 45sec film in 72 hours!

🏆They were in the Top 3 Finalists for the Student Category! We are very proud of them and their accomplishment.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091540342023 or search for BISFA Photo & Cinema.

Instagram: bisfaphotocinema

Hashtags: #bisfaphotoandcinema

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0bxskGbkSpWu1xyGtUutmw

Parent Guild 2025-26

Denise Hunt: HuntDe@wcps.k12.md.us

Robert Hovermale: HoverRob@wcps.k12.md.us

Co-Presidents

Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com

Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Treasurer
Foundation Members

Rachel Thomas: RachelT@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Visual Arts:

Kristi Bachtell: kristib71@hotmail.com

Stacy Morris: rasberrypetal1@gmail.com

Theater:

Jennifer White: midwifejenwhite@gmail.com

CGDA:

Tara Jenkins: tarakjenkins@gmail.com

Photo / Cinema:

Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com

Vocal:

Inez Schwarzenegger: inez.schwarzenegger@gmail.com

Instrumental:

Karri Dawson: kamajada01@gmail.com
Heather Hall: heatherbarsu@gmail.com
Stephanie Halling: Stephanie.halling@gmail.com
Kelly Harman: Kann1217@aol.com

Creative Writing:

Lindsey Meekins: newmrsmeekins@gmail.com

Dance:

Leah Putterman: Leah.putterman@gmail.com

Shaquita Taylor-Fleming: s.taylorfleming@gmail.com

The Parent Guild:

• Connects parents to teachers & students

• Creates a successful unity between all departments for our students, staff and parents

• Helps to support departmental programs through fundraising with the assistance of The Barbara Ingram Foundation.

• Provides sign-ups for Thanksgiving & Easter Baskets

• Hosts Teacher Appreciation Week in May

• Sells BISFA Gear

• Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:15 PM - all parents are welcome.

Next Meeting: November 5, 2025 5:00 pm

Click the button below to purchase a lamp post online.

You may also complete the fillable form if you prefer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gt1cUQnOLK7codvLCQ2O4Y93JpvupzaT/view?usp=sharing