Smore logo
remove_red_eye 302
page background
Logo

Studio Notes

the Renaissance newsletter

Studio Notesthe Renaissance newsletter

October 2026 October 2026

Gatsby Screenshot
zoom_out_map

πŸ‚ Happy fall! πŸ‚

Renaissance has created, celebrated, and collaborated our way through quarter one. From planning an RSA mural for our hallway to finding our heart centers in yoga among the chaos of homecoming week, our students have been settling into their projects and creative processes.


This October also brings us our first all school field trip to the Appleton Performing Arts Center (PAC) for a rendition of The Great Gatsby. As an art school that focuses on art experiences, art appreciation, and artistic growth, these field trips are a way for our students to connect to the stages and spaces of our community. It is a privilege of the Renaissance experience that our students and staff do not take for granted - plus, it is fun!


Here is a preview of some of the art we will experience this year: A one man performance of The Great Gatsby, the artistry of 360 ALLSTARS Urban Circus, nature photography of Anand Varma, and the harmony of music and space in the Music for Young Listeners: The Planets symphony concert.


Thank you for supporting your students and Renaissance as we journey through the arts this school year. Without you, these opportunities wouldn't be possible, and we value all that you do for our students!


With love,

πŸ’›Ms. L

πŸ“– Renaissance Academics πŸ“– πŸ“– Renaissance Academics πŸ“–

Books lined up
zoom_out_map

Honors ELA 9

Ninth graders in ELA are wrapping up reading and now writing their own personal writings. They will start the next unit by exploring the various figures of Greek mythology before reading parts of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Through the unit, they will have an opportunity to rewrite and perform some of Odysseus' greatest feats.
Drawing of a government building
zoom_out_map

Honors Civics

We have started our unit on the foundations of political philosophy and social contract theory. So far we have discussed Aristotle and citizenship, compared Hobbes and Locke’s views of the state of Nature, and are moving on to Rousseau and Thoreau. At the end of this unit students will be writing a paper answering this essential question: What should governments expect from their citizens and what can citizens expect from their government?
Overview image of books
zoom_out_map

Honors ELA 10

Students are completing their reading and discussion of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 before writing their own thematic analysis to close out the first unit. Carrying the themes of F451, students will then be introduced to basic rhetorical concepts to closely analyze MLK's "Letter From Birmingham Jail" contemplating how people respond to real-life abuses of power. The unit will end with written and artistic responses to issues relevant to students today.
Drawing of silouettes
zoom_out_map

Honors Humanities

Students wrapped their initial exploration of individual values and the Greek concept of arete before developing group presentations researching some of the foundational world civilizations. Continuing in the ancient world, students will explore Greek philosophy and drama before briefly examining the legacy of the Roman empire. This first unit will culminate with a written comparison of cultural themes across the ancient world.
Open book with flower
zoom_out_map

Honors World Literature

Students have been traveling the seas with Odysseus, encountering Cyclops, Sirens, and more. Along with reading portions of The Odyssey, we are also exploring artistic representations of the epic and comparing them to the original mythology. Students are analyzing the varying impacts each adaptation has on both our understanding of the myth itself and the themes each tale captures. We will end our Greek Mythology journey with The Penelopiad, a retelling of the story from the perspective of Penelope and her twelve maids. But that won't end our mythology investigation - where in the world will we visit next?
Open book with pages in shape of heart
zoom_out_map

AP English Language

After a review of rhetorical appeals (Ethos, Pathos, and Logos) within various advertisements, students studied the ways Context/Exigence and Purpose/Audience impact the moves a speaker makes. We are diving deep into Rhetorical Analysis and building a better understanding of the AP Exam's FRQ #2. These rhetorical analysis skills will lead us into a look at American Culture and The Contemporary American Dream. Through The Great Gatsby, past AP FRQ excerpts, and a selection of TED talks and essays, students will practice Rhetorical Analysis and turn a lens on our developing American identity.
Open book with flower
zoom_out_map

Honors US History

Students have taken the history that they have learned about the early American experience and written short fiction stories to demonstrate their understanding of this period. They have written about a bunch of different subjects including puritan witch trials, Arawak Indians meeting the Spanish, starvation in Jamestown for example. This is a great way for students to dig into a subject and make history come alive. Next we will be learning about the revolutionary war and early America.

Open book with pages in shape of heart
zoom_out_map

AP US History

We continue to learn about and explore early American history. We are getting to the American Revolution and have learned all about the decades leading up to this event. We continue to practice the different elements of the AP Test including short answers and document based questions.
report card doodle
zoom_out_map

MID-TERM GRADE REPORTS

The quarter ends on October 29th, and a mid-term progress grade will be reported via Infinite Campus by November 5th. This is an update on current student progress and is not a permanent grade. The grade that is reported at the end of the semester after January 14th is the grade that will reflect on a student transcript and GPA. The mid-term grade is a great opportunity to check in with your student and take any actions needed to get where you want to be by the end of the semester!

🎨 Renaissance Arts 🎭 🎨 Renaissance Arts 🎭

Doodles of dollars, coins, wallet
zoom_out_map

Art Fees

Thank you for your patience as we organized our art and field trip fees into Infinite Campus this fall. Tia will be finishing those shortly.

Please take a look at your Fees and Dues and pay them as soon as possible. Thank you!

Students doing light dancing
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Architects of Dance

with Kat Abderholden

πŸ’Œ Important Information πŸ’Œ πŸ’Œ Important Information πŸ’Œ

Talking points app screenshot
zoom_out_map

Talking Points App

You may have noticed communication from the AASD schools coming through via SMS on your cell phones. Both Ms. L and RSA teachers may be using this method to contact home throughout the year. Many families find it easier to use the TalkingPoints App to navigate the communications from our school and teachers. You can find and download it FREE in your phone app store or via these links: πŸ“² Apple iPhone App Store πŸ“² Android Google Play Store App


Upcoming Apparel Order

Renaissance is organizing an apparel order this year, so please be on the lookout for more information! Ideally, we will open the store in November, and apparel will be delivered to students before winter break. Ordering information will be shared with families via Infinite Campus email and TalkingPoints app/texts when it becomes available.


Student Absences

When calling students out, both the morning school and RSA should be contacted. If an appointment will cause a student to miss RSA time, please make sure to call our office or use IC to let us know. Our office phone number is (920) 852 - 5611.

Absence Request Screenshot
zoom_out_map Show in original size

πŸ’¬ RSA Charter Board πŸ’¬ πŸ’¬ RSA Charter Board πŸ’¬

Stick figures talking
zoom_out_map

RSA Needs You!

The Renaissance Governance Board is still looking for members! What does the Governance Board do? We work to support RSA, celebrate successes, navigate challenges, and ensure RSA is maintaining the standard of its charter goals. We are looking for parents, community members, and artists of all kinds to join our team! This is the primary way that our families and general public can connect to and support our school's future.


The committee holds open public meetings for about 30-45 minutes every month or two either in person or virtually. Our meeting agendas and virtual links can be found on our website calendar. Please contact Ms. Lichttenegger at lichtteneggerc@aasd.k12.wi.us if you would like to join our group as a member or to simply observe our meetings!


πŸ’›πŸ’œThe next meeting is on October 28 at 4pm πŸ’œπŸ’›

πŸ“† Important Dates πŸ“† πŸ“† Important Dates πŸ“†

  • October 27 - The Great Gatsby PAC Field Trip (Buses load at RSA @ 11:50am)
  • October 28 - RSA Charter Board virtual meeting 4pm (Meeting Agenda)
  • October 29 - Practice ACT/ iReady West ONLY (ALL West Students arrive at 7:55 for activities, Traveling Students arrive as normal and will be in LGI 1:05 - 1:30. Block 1 begins at 1:35pm)
  • October 30 - No School (Professional Development day)
  • November 11 - Appleton West Veterans Day Observation (Schedule TBD)
  • November 16 - 360 ALLSTARS Urban Circus PAC Field Trip (Buses load at RSA @ 11:50am)
  • November 20 - West Theatre Matinee of The Hobbit (Schedule change TBD)
  • November 25 - November 27 - No School
  • December 23rd - Tentative Registration date for 2nd semester classes
Check out & follow our RSA Facebook!
Check out & follow our RSA Instagram!
CASSANDRA LICHTTENEGGER
CASSANDRA is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters
Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter