RedHawk Tales

March 5: Spring Music Concert at Broad Ripple Middle School at 6:30pm (call time is 6:15pm, Modern Band Club call time is 6pm for sound check)

March 10: 4th Grade Field Trip

March 12: 3rd Grade Field Trip

March 13: End of the 3rd Grading Period

March 16-20: Spring Break

March 25: School Smiles Dentist

March 27: Parent Teacher Conferences/Asynchronous Learning Day for students

April 9: Science Fair

Redhawk Families,

As we wrap up this short week, I want to take a moment to celebrate our students and the strong effort they continue to demonstrate each day. Even with an abbreviated schedule, our students remained focused, engaged, and committed to their learning. It has been wonderful to see their perseverance, positive attitudes, and continued academic growth throughout the building.

I also cannot believe that we are entering the last stretch of the school year, and wow, have our students grown tremendously. Their progress academically, socially, and emotionally has been incredible to witness, and we are so proud of the strides they have made.

We are grateful for the partnership we share with our families. Your continued trust and support allow us to create a learning environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and for entrusting us with your most precious gifts. We look forward to finishing the school year strong together.

Warm regards,

Dr. Milanda Penn

If your student loves design and creating on Canva, there’s a fun competition open right now! Entries are being accepted until February 28, so don’t miss this creative opportunity!

Black History Month Student Design Challenge

Canva Student Design Challenge | Black History Month

IPS Solo and Ensemble Event

The annual IPS Solo and Ensemble Event is sponsored by ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) and is a non-competitive opportunity for students to showcase a prepared piece of music in front of a judge to receive constructive feedback and a rating (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Participation). Students may choose to prepare a solo or an ensemble (3+ musicians) piece.

Who: Any student who would like to perform a solo on piano, violin, viola, cello, or any band instrument.

Deadline to register: Friday, March 6th

Event date: Wednesday, March 25th during the school day; bus transportation will be provided

Location: Thomas Carr Howe Middle School

Requirements: Participating students must currently take or have taken lessons on their instrument within the last 24 months. On the day of the event, musicians must have a copy of the music for themselves and the original copy with measure numbers marked for the judge.

Contact Ms. Schafer (schafers@myips.org) to sign your student up for the IPS Solo and Ensemble Event. Please let her know if your student will need an accompanist for their solo, how long they have been playing, and what current grade of music they are working on (if known).

• 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.

Tuesday, February 24th Practice until 5:00 (IF WIN ON 19th)

ROUND 3 Tournament (IF WIN ON 19th), Wednesday, February 25th

Away Game at 7:00 at CFI 84, Address: 440 E. 57th St. 46220

Thursday, February 26th Practice until 5:00 (IF WIN ON 25th)

Tuesday, March 3rd Practice until 5:00 (IF WIN ON 25th)

ROUND 4 Tournament (IF WIN ON 25th) Wednesday, March 4th

Away Game at 6:00 at Longfellow, Address: 510 Laurel St. 46203

Thursday, March 5th Practice until 5:00 (IF WIN ON 4th)

ROUND 5 Tournament (IF WIN ON 4th), Monday, March 9th

Away Game at 6:00 at Longfellow, Address: 510 Laurel St. 46203

The Winter Contingency Plan has been developed to provide winter sheltering options for people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis during winter.

https://www.chipindy.org/winter-contingency/

Warming Shelter Locations

Birthline can offer free clothing, diapers, wipes, formula, and other baby essentials. We also typically have new or gently used baby equipment; each client can receive one baby equipment item that we have in stock (i.e. pack n play, highchair, bouncer, etc).

Eligibility:

• We give a newborn layette 6 weeks before the baby’s due date
• We give a layette every 3 months from their last layette received until the child grows out of 2T size
• We need a referral for each layette requested with updated sizes and needs
• Referrals can come from a social agency, church, doctor’s office, etc
• Pick up must be at Birthline either by the client themselves or the referring agency member. Please note who will pick up in the top right corner of the referral form.

Interested families need to complete the attached referral form (as detailed as possible) and sent to birthline@archindy.org. Once the referral form is filled out it typically takes us 2-3 weeks to have it ready.

Indiana University School of Dentistry’s Pediatric Clinic and Kid's Club is excited to host Give Kids a Smile. Give Kids a Smile is a nationally held event that was launched by the American Dental Association to draw attention to the unmet oral health needs of America's Children. On this day, free screenings, x-rays, cleanings, and sealants will be provided. This event will be held at the Indiana University School of dentistry on Saturday, March 14th.

Join us for an in‑person Camp Registration Night at the Happy Hollow Indianapolis office.

This drop‑in session is designed to give families hands‑on support with the enrollment process for our Signature Summer Camp. Staff will be available to help parents register their children using our office computers. We will also be available to answer questions and guide families through any part of the application process.

Thursday, March 12, 2026
5:00 PM 7:00 PM

Location:
615 N. Alabama St., Suite 134
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Free onsite parking. Families can come directly to our office in suite #134.

For any questions regarding this in person registration night, please contact Lisa Sweeney, Office Manager at Lsweeney@happyhollowcamp.org.

Save the Date for Southside Saturday on April 18, 2026 at 11:30 AM. This event will take place prior to the Spring Football Scrimmage at 1:00 PM. Join fellow Greyhounds and community members in the tailgate lot beginning at 9:00 AM. Enjoy fun student-led activities, inflatables, and live music. Attendees will hear a special message from UIndy’s Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. An autograph session will follow the conclusion of the scrimmage.

In December, our PTA president, Laura Alford resigned from the Sidener PTA board. Per our non-profit bylaws (available here), our vice president, Anh Nguyun, immediately became our president. At our following executive board meeting, the Sidener PTA officers elected Ashley Rice to serve as our Vice President. Ashley has been our recording secretary and has offered to continue helping in this role until a new secretary is named. Likewise, Carolyn Svirsky continues as our acting treasurer until a new treasurer can be named. We are in need of volunteers to serve as treasurer and recording secretary. Please contact the Sidener Academy PTA at info@sideneracademypta.org if you are interested in helping. Both positions only require a few hours a month and you'll be supporting our Sidener Academy PTA mission to support each child.

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