Redhawk Tales

Hopefully you have adjusted to the time change which happened last weekend. Have you ever wondered why daylight savings time starts at 2 AM?

• Parents In Touch Day / Asynchronous Learning Day -- Friday, March 21
• Spring Break - NO SCHOOL -- March 24-28
• NO SCHOOL -- Monday, March 31
• IPS Solo & Ensemble Event -- Thursday, April 10
• Sidener Spring Fling -- Friday, May 9, 6-8 PM
• Sidener’s Got Talent show -- May 16, 1:30 PM

We want to welcome Mrs. Maura Mundell as our new Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Liaison! Many students remember Mrs. Mundell, as she retired last year after 16 years of teaching at Sidener (and 32 years teaching with IPS). She is looking forward to connecting with and supporting families as she works to build communication between our school, families, and community partners. If you want to reach out to Mrs. Mundell, you can email her at MundellM@myips.org

IPS held a Winter Art Contest that had 231 entries district wide. We had 8 students win from Sidener Academy! There were only 24 awards given out district wide. Below you will find the students who won an award for either mixed media, drawing, or painting and also a list of the students who submitted artwork. Every artwork (winning or not) will be displayed at Garfield Park Arts Center until the end of the month. This would be a fun exhibit to visit during spring break! The Center is open Monday-Wednesday 2-7, Thursday 2-8, Friday 1-5, and Sunday 1-7.

Winners:

First Grade: Cassian Reigle and Harvey Tornquist

Second Grade: Margot Holland

Third Grade: Amelia Gonzales

Fourth Grade: Ivan Perez, Mariyah Griffin, and Vanesmig Perez Tinoco

Fifth Grade: Monai Collier

Students with Artwork on Display:

First Grade: Riley Posch, Francis Mora, Noa Austin

Second Grade: Max Diaz

Third Grade: Avery Denardo, Carter Davis

Fourth Grade: Hadley Scott, Evan Hannon, and Jeannette Lee

Fifth Grade: Phoebe Reed and Rufus Sheilds

The Sidener Robotics team competed in the 2nd Annual IPS Vex Invitational on February 22. All five teams executed working robots that passed inspection, and the students improved their robots and rankings over the course of the season. Congratulations RedHawks students, coaches Dr. Schwaantes-An and Mrs. Deidre Fallon, and volunteers for a wonderful season!

In Computer Science class his quarter, the third graders built simple machines with STEM activities from Project Lead the Way. Students built inclined planes, levers, and pulleys. After working with these three simple machines, the students then created compound machines to solve a problem - Saving the Tiger!

Students in other grades have explored Project Lead the Way activities, too. First graders have studied the patterns of the sun, moon, and stars. Second graders have studied form and function, as well as pollen and seeds. The fourth grade classes have gone in-depth into computer programming, while fifth graders have explored infection detection and introductory robotics. All grades have also started coding at different levels on code.org. Students can access code.org on their devices at home if you'd like to see what they are doing.

Fifth grade students who are bilingual or at an advanced level of Spanish can enroll in both High Ability and Dual Immersion courses at Harshman Middle School next year. Dual immersion courses are taught entirely in Spanish with no English translation. To qualify students must take a dual immersion test. Testing will be held at Harshman Middle School on Saturday, April 12, at 10 AM. Students should bring their school Chromebooks with them.

Students who qualify for the Dual Immersion Program will take Spanish language arts every year. They will also take the following courses taught in Spanish: social studies in 6th grade, science In 7th grade, and social studies in 8th grade. Students will also take advanced ELA and/or math depending on what they qualified for when entering the High Ability Program. For questions or more information, contact DualLanguagePrograms at myips.org.

Conference Sign-Up Links

• 1st Grade: Mrs. Pappas
• 1st Grade: Ms. Jones-Harris
• 3rd Grade: Ms. Miller

Conferences with 4th/5th Grade Teachers

The 4th/5th grade team will be available in the cafeteria from 9-11:30 and from 12:30-4 to meet with parents. No appointments required unless a translator is needed.

Email the following teachers to set up a conference time:

• Spanish: Senora Carney (carneyn@myips.org)
• Computer: Mrs. Beacham (beachamn@myips.org)
• Library: Mrs. Bunch (bunchdebra@myips.org)
• Physical Education: Mr. Crighton (crightons@myips.org)
• Music: Ms. Schafer (schafers@myips.org)
• Art: Ms. Fillenwarth (fillenwarths@myips.org)

Email Mrs. Miner if you need a translator: minerc@myips.org

The event will take place at the IPS Family Resource Center on Thursday, March 20 from 5:30-6:30 PM. Please register in advance HERE or using the QR code below, as spaces are limited. This event is focusing on grandparents and their rights while raising their grandchildren. There will be an attorney speaking with the group, as well.

Spring elections will be held at our next General PTA meeting on Wednesday, April 30th at 6 PM for all five PTA board positions -- President, Vice President, Treasurer, Communications Secretary, and Recording Secretary. You may nominate yourself or someone else. The PTA Board is a great way to support a strong Sidener community and enhance collaboration between students, families, teachers and administrators. It aims to improve communication between home and school, advocate for student needs, raise funds for additional resources, and ultimately contribute to a positive learning environment for all students. Nominate here!

WHO: 4th and 5th grade boys and girls

TRYOUTS: After school Tuesday, March 18, 3:40-5:15 PM

PRACTICES: EVERY Monday after school 3:40-5:15 PM

MATCHES: Played at Riverside Park, 2420 E Riverside Dr, Indianapolis, 46208

GAME SCHEDULE:

• April 9: 6:15 PM on Field 17 and 7:00 PM on Field 13
• April 16: 6:15 PM on Field 13 and 7:00 PM on Field 13
• April 23: 6:15 PM on Field 13 and 7:00 PM on Field 13

IPS has partnered with the Gridiron Gang to offer FREE Flag Football to 4th and 5th graders! The program focuses on high-level football development training and skills, along with life-skills training and mentoring.

• WHEN: Saturdays at 10 AM -- April 12 to May 19
• WHERE: Broad Ripple Middle School and TC Howe Middle School

If you are interested in enrolling your student, please follow this link to register: IPS 4th-5th Grade Flag Football Registration. Registration must be completed by March 21.

We are thrilled to offer another FREE opportunity for your student this April! We are bringing back Ninja Warrior Program, which was a huge hit during its first and second runs! Limited to 30 students, this program will take place on Thursdays from 6- 7 PM. After the great success and enjoyment the kids had during the first and second sessions, we’re excited to offer it again. To register or learn more about this program, please click on this link: Sidener Ninja Warrior Program.

WHEN: Thursdays 6-7 PM on April 3, 10, 17, and May 1 and 8

LOCATION: 9625 East 150th Street, Noblesville, IN 46060

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Crighton: Crightons@myips.org

Do your kids like chess? Are they interested in finding out? Chess is a great tool to teach decision making, mathematical reasoning and logic. “Learning Through Games” Chess starts next week at Sidener Academy. Great for all levels of play!

WHEN: Thursdays before school @ 8:15 AM, April 3-May 22 (cancellations cannot be refunded or made up)

FEE: $88 (no refunds after April 3)

QUESTIONS: adean@learningthroughgames.com or 317-224-6771

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.learningthroughgames.com/sidener-chess-signups/

During Spirit Week, all students participated in Book Buddies, where a class of older students paired up with a class of younger students to read to each other. Here are a few shots of Mr. Jenkins's 5th graders reading with Mrs. Schubert's second graders.

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

President Woodrow Wilson chose 2 AM, because no passenger trains ran at that time in New York City. The 2 AM adjustment is still considered the best time today, because most bars and restaurants are closed, and most people are at home sleeping.