RedHawk Tales

January 19: NO SCHOOL in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.

January 21-30: ILEARN Checkpoint Testing (Jan. 22-23: 5th Gr./Jan. 27-28: 3rd Gr./Jan. 29-30: 4th Gr.)

January 23: Pacers Fundraiser Deadline

January 29: Enroll Indy Round 1 lottery ends

January 30: Family Movie Night, 5:30-7:30

February 2: BizTown for 5th Graders

February 5-13: Book Fair

February 16: No School in observance of Presidents' Day

February 17-No School for students, Staff PD

March 5: Spring Music Concert at Broad Ripple Middle School (mark your calendars now!)

We are excited to welcome Mr. Peyton Ruble to our school community! Mr. Ruble graduated from Franklin College in May, 2025. Outside of school, he enjoys supporting the Pacers and spending time with his dog, Riley. Mr. Ruble also coaches football at Southport High School and basketball at Franklin Community High School in his free time. We are thrilled to have him as part of our team!

Dear Sidener Families,

As we enter our second week back, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support as we settle back into routines and expectations for the remainder of the school year.

This week, our focus remains on maintaining strong instruction, consistent structures, and the high academic expectations that define Merle Sidener Academy. Our staff is continuing to build momentum in classrooms, ensuring that students are both challenged and supported through intentional teaching and purposeful learning experiences. I appreciate their dedication and your trust in our work.

I also want to acknowledge that, from time to time, unexpected circumstances arise that require flexibility and understanding on all sides. While I remain deeply committed to being present and accessible to the Sidener community, I am also mindful of the importance of family. I appreciate the professionalism and grace our community continues to demonstrate as we work together to navigate scheduling needs and ongoing communication.

In the coming weeks, we will host an upcoming Coffee Chat for families. During this time, I will share updates and engage in conversation around both the academic priorities and operational practices of Sidener. I look forward to engaging with families, answering questions, and continuing our transparent partnership as we work together to support student success. Additional details will be shared soon.

Please continue to monitor school communications for updates regarding upcoming events, meetings, and opportunities to connect. If you have questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out through the appropriate channels so we can support you effectively.

Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and commitment to excellence at Sidener.

With gratitude,

Dr. Milanda Penn

On Thursday, January 22, join Principal Dr. Penn and the PTA for a morning Coffee Chat or evening Virtual Meeting for Sidener and PTA updates and spring semester planning.

9:30am at Sidener Academy, Coffee Chat at Sidener Academy with Dr. Penn and updates from the Sidener Academy PTA.

6PM PTA Virtual Meeting with a prerecorded video update from Dr. Penn:

Google Meet Video call link: https://meet.google.com/anf-rgyo-xem Or dial: +1 402-736-0293 PIN: 656 263 193# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/anf-rgyo-xem?pin=7109721389747

Families are invited to join us for a fun and cozy Family Movie Night! The movie night will take place January 30th from 5:30-7:30pm. The movie will begin promptly at 6pm.

You are encouraged to bring blankets and pillows to create a comfortable setup on the gym floor to enjoy the movie together (don't forget your comfy clothes!). Concessions will be available for purchase, and there will be popcorn provided. This is a pay-what-you-can event and is fully planned and led by our Student Council students. Please come out and support our Student Council as they host their very first event—we hope to see you there!

Please vote on a movie using the link below. Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctqcmYyVVIFcOmCM_g7zMIhGPakyZrSoj1R30svIqK7UoYSw/viewform?usp=header

Who: All students in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades

What: Sidener Academy Spring Concert, entitled “Carnival of Animals” which is a modern twist of a beloved, humorous musical suite by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.

Where: Broad Ripple High School Auditorium; 1115 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220

When: Thursday, March 5th @ 6:30pm (call time is 6:15pm, Modern Band Club call time is 6pm for sound check)

Attire: Students are encouraged to channel their inner animal and wear prints, patterns, designs, and attire inspired by animals!

The expectation is for all students to attend. Students should arrive at Broad Ripple no later than 6:15 pm on Thursday, March 5th. Modern Band Club students should arrive at 6pm as they will perform first and need to warm-up/set up.

All families should prepare to stay for the entire duration of the concert out of respect for all students who have worked diligently for several months. Students will sit with their families when not performing and come up on stage for their portion of the show.

PARKING: Park in the large parking lot off Compton Street (see map on reverse side). There will be volunteers and signs pointing you in the direction to the auditorium.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Are you able to assist with concessions, moving instruments, or guiding families to the correct area? Or maybe you want to help with set up/tear down of decorations and instruments? Set-up will be on the day prior to the performance (Wednesday, March 4th) to ensure ample amount of time. Scan the QR code or visit this website to see jobs/time slots available! Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA9A923A3F5CE9-61469238-sidener

If you have any questions regarding the concert, attendance requirement, attire, or alike, please reach out to Miss Schafer (schafers@myips.org).

Happy New Year from the Sidener Academy PTA!
We wanted to offer some updates as we move into 2026.

Virtual PTA Meeting and Coffee Chat with the Principal

On Thursday, January 22, join Principal Dr. Penn and the PTA for a morning Coffee Chat or evening Virtual Meeting for Sidener Academy and PTA updates and spring semester planning.
9:30am at Sidener Academy, Coffee Chat at Sidener Academy with Dr. Penn and updates from the Sidener Academy PTA
OR
6PM Virtual PTA Meeting with updates from Dr. Penn:
Google Meet Video call link: https://meet.google.com/anf-rgyo-xem Or dial: +1 402-736-0293 PIN: 656 263 193#

Sidener Fundraiser with the Indiana Pacers
Our Winter Fundraiser with the Pacers is still ongoing and we've raised almost $400 so far. Can you help us reach our goal of $750 to help with our many spring events by purchasing tickets or selling to others? Students, families, teachers and friends can all participate and have fun at a Pacers game this winter! During our school night at a Pacers game, there will be a check presentation at center court during halftime and we'll be cheering on our Pacers on Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 7pm when the Pacers take on the Charlotte Hornets. If you can’t make it to our school night game, we have three alternate games to choose from on January 28th, February 2nd or 3rd!

ORDER ONLINE: Purchase your tickets online and share the offer with family and friends via social media, email and text! It will be easier than ever to sell lots of tickets and earn prizes! Simply go to Pacers.com/Hornets for more information and to purchase tickets.

Planetarium Sponsored buy the Sidener Academy PTA

Once again, the Sidener Academy PTA has sponsored a mobile planetarium to bring outer space to our students right at our school. This year, the planetarium is scheduled for the week of January 26 with each class taking a turn inside the star filled dome. Thank you to PTA member and teacher, Mr. Seib, for again running the planetarium for our Red Hawks!

PTA Officer Updates & Volunteers Needed

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.

Legislative Updates on IPS

The Sidener Academy PTA is grateful for the work of the collective IPS Parent Council and their ongoing advocacy efforts regarding Indiana state legislation that will impact IPS students and staff. Our officers have been actively involved in meetings and advocacy efforts with the ILEA, IPS Board, IPS Parent Council and State Legislature. We encourage our Sidener Academy PTA members to connect with the IPS Parent Council as well by contacting them and join their email updates and work by emailing admin@ips-parent-council.org

Thank you for your on going support of the Sidener Academy PTA! We have so much planned for the spring semester and look forward to working with you to accomplish our mission and provide fun opportunities for our school community.

We are nearing the end of a few of our current club sessions. Please see below for the clubs that will be ending and their final meeting dates:

Lego Club-February 23

GEMS Club-March 10

Math Hoops and Games Club-March 25

We are excited to share the new clubs that will be starting soon!

Engineering: Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays starting March 2.

Gardening: Meeting Tuesdays starting March 3.

Newspaper: 6 sessions (Jan. 26, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, Mar. 9, Mar. 30, Apr. 13)

Chess: Thursdays (before school at 8:15 am) from January 15-March 5

Karate: Wednesdays (3:45-5:00) from January 14-May 13

• 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, January 13th Practice until 5:00

Thursday, January 15th Practice until 5:00

Saturday, January 17th Clinic 11:30-12:30 at George Washington High School

Address: 2215 W. Washington St. 46222

Tuesday, January 20th Practice until 5:00

Wed., January 21st Away Game at 6:00 at Ernie Pyle 90

Address: 3351 W. 18th St. 46222

Thursday, January 22nd Practice until 5:00

Saturday, January 24th Clinic 11:30-12:30 at Shortridge High School

Address: 3401 N. Meridian St. 46208

Tuesday, January 27th Practice until 5:00

Wed., January 28th Home Game at 6:00 vs Clarence Farrington 61

Thursday, January 29th Practice until 5:00

Tuesday, February 3rd Practice until 5:00

Wed., February 4th Away Game at 6:00 at Charles Fairbanks 105

Address: 8620 Montery Rd. 46226

Thursday, February 5th Practice until 5:00

Tuesday, February 10th Practice until 5:00

Wed., February 11th Double Header Home Game at 6:00 and 7:00 vs CFI 84 Blue and CFI 84 Yellow

Thursday, February 12th Practice until 5:00

Please contact Audrey Satterblom with any questions...audreysatt@gmail.com

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