RedHawk Tales

January 30: Family Movie Night is TONIGHT from 5:30-7:30 PM

January 30-February 3: Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser

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!)

March 25: Battle of the Books Championship

Congratulations to our students demonstrating "Diversity, I am open to learning from people who are different from me." Way to go!

Redhawk Families,

We are so happy to welcome our students back to school! Even with the interruptions caused by this week’s weather, it has been wonderful to see our classrooms filled again with energy, learning, and familiar faces.

As a reminder, our school experienced days off this week due to inclement weather. These decisions are always made with the safety of our students, families, and staff as the top priority. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we navigate winter weather conditions together.

As we return to our routines, our focus remains on high-quality instruction, strong attendance, and consistency for students. We are excited to continue the important academic work underway and are looking forward to a strong and productive week next week as students fully re-engage in learning.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and patience. We are grateful to have our students back in the building and look forward to continued growth and success.

Warm regards,

Dr. Milanda Penn

Families are invited to join us for a fun and cozy Family Movie Night! The movie night will take place TONIGHT from 5:30-7:30pm. The movie will begin promptly at 6pm. We'd like to shout out Flex Brewhouse in Carmel and Landmark Keystone Art Cinema for their donations of popcorn!

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!

Mrs. Bunch posted an announcement in Schoology for students interested in Battle of the Books and created a Folder with all of the information they need. If they are interested in participating, they must let her know ASAP!

Participating students must commit to reading a minimum of 10 of the 20 selected books and completing the required forms for each book read. The final battle is scheduled for March 25th at Northwest Middle School. In order to prepare for the battle, Mrs. Bunch will begin meeting with participating students on Thursdays during Genius Hour.

All interested students in grades 3-5 should reach out to Mrs. Bunch at bunchdebra@myips.org.

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. 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).

School Smiles on-site Dental Care is returning to Sidener on March 25th, 2026! The in-school clinic begins at 11:30 am and will provide cleaning and other services to students with completed registration forms. Flyers were sent home with students this week. Please see flyers for further information and use the QR Code to sign your student up for dental care or visit www.schoolsmiles.com/student-signup !

Please see the attached letter from Nurse Terrell about how to stay healthy during this time of year.

Once again, the Sidener Academy PTA has sponsored a mobile planetarium that brings outer space to our students right at our school. Thank you also to Mr. Seib, for running the planetarium for our Red Hawks!

The Countdown is on to 2026 Camp Registration

It may feel far away in the middle of winter, but summer at Happy Hollow will be here before we know it. Registration for Happy Hollow Children's Camp 2026 Signature Summer Camp is open, and we are already looking ahead to another season of adventure, connection, and growth. From outdoor exploration to lifelong friendships, camp offers kids the chance to unplug, try new things, and discover more about themselves in a place they can truly belong. Any family that qualifies for free or reduced lunch can pay as low as $80 for a week of camp from Sunday evening till Friday morning.

Questions can be sent to Abby Bartley, Camp Director at abartley@happyhollowcamp.org

https://www.happyhollowcamp.org/summer-camp

This winter, Seeds of Caring is inviting your classrooms to take part in simple, hands-on service projects that make a difference in our community - and truly need their help. They’re hoping you'll encourage your teachers to get involved! These projects fit naturally into classroom time and help students practice empathy, gratitude, and civic responsibility. They can also work especially well as a meaningful Valentine party activity. In February, youth are invited to create gratitude for first responders, thanking those who show up for our community during moments of crisis. After you register, you’ll be provided with clear instructions, guided education, flexible drop-off options, and support every step of the way. Thank you for helping kids grow into caring, empathetic leaders!

Ready, Set, School! Kindergarten Readiness

Multiple Locations in January

Help your child with pre-kindergarten skills in this workshop led by a former kindergarten teacher! Perfect for children ages 4-6.

Register here.

We still have spots available for anyone interested in pickleball. THERE ARE ONLY 2 SESSIONS LEFT! Students have been learning all about it in PE class. Please reach out to Mr. Ruble at rublep@myips.org if you are interested.

• 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.

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

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