Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

The BISFA newsletter will go out once a month.

Information for the newsletter is needed by the 20th of the previous month.

Stay tuned!

March 14, 2026

March 28, 2026

April 11, 2026

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The BISFA Academic Team will be competing at Smithsburg High School on Saturday, February 28th from 9:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.

We would love for students and staff to come out and support them

Submissions are needed for the BISFA student Magazine.

🔺If you think your family might be eligible for free and reduced lunch, please check out the link below.

🔺Applications are only good for one school year.

🔺If you have children at other schools where all students received free breakfast and lunch, you need to apply for your Barbara Ingram student.

🔺If you have questions or are not sure if you qualify, food and nutrition services will be happy to help you!

WCPS Food & Nutrition Services

PHONE: 301-766-2890

FAX: 301-766-8738

February

02/4/26 - TriM Induction - 7:00

02/05/26 - Junior Vocal Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor

02/07/26 - All County Band Concert - 7:00 PM - North High

02/13/26 - 2 hour early dismissal

02/20/26 - BISFA Choir Performs at MMEA Convention - Baltimore Convention Center

02/20 - 02/22/26 - Maryland All State Senior Ensembles - Baltimore Convention Center

02/25/26 - Instrumental Festival Preview Concert - 7:00 PM - Maryland Theater

02/26/26 - USMH WCPS Art Exhibition Awards Reception - 6:30 to 7:30 PM - USMH Hospitality Center

02/28/26 - SUPPORT THE BISFA ACADEMIC TEAM! - The BISFA Academic Team will be competing at Smithsburg High School - 9:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.

March

03/02/26 - Culture of Excellence

03/10/26 - HS Orchestra Festival - HCC Kepler Theater

03/11/26 - HS Choir Festival - HCC Kepler Theater

03/12/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Spring Field Trip - The Walters Art Museum and AVAM - Baltimore, MD

03/13/26 - Junior Dance Concert - 7:00 PM - Smithsburg High

03/18/26 - HS Band Festival - North High

03/25/26 - Creative Writing Spring Reading - BISFA Dance Floor

03/26/26 - Maryland International Film Festival BISFA Student Screening - MD Theater Ballroom

03/27/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Senior Exhibition Opening - 6:00 - 8:00 PM - HCC Kepler Theater

April

04/01/26 - End of Marking Period 3, 2 hour early dismissal

04/09/26 - Vocal Dept. Sophomore Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor

04/17/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Spring Exhibition Opening Reception - 5 - 6:30 PM - BISFA Gallery

04/18/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 7:30 PM - Maryland Theater

04/19/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 2:00 PM - Maryland Theater

04/22/26 - New Student Orientation - Maryland Theater

04/23 - 04/26/26 - Dance Dept. to Disney

04/25/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 7:30 PM - Maryland Theater

04/26/26 - Hadestown - Teen Edition - 2:00 PM - Maryland Theater

04/29/26 - Theater NYC Field Trip

May

05/01/26 - 2 hour early dismissal

05/01/26 - Creative Writing Neo Futurist - 6:30 PM - TBD

05/02/26 - Swinging in the Park

05/05/26 - Spring Guitar Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor

05/07/26 - Vocal Spring Choral/Piano Concert - 7:30 PM - Trinity Lutheran Church

05/08/26 - Photo Cinema Senior Show - 5:30 - 7:00 PM - 2nd Floor VG Building

05/08/26 - Visual Arts Dept. - Senior Photography Exhibition - 7:00 PM BISFA Foundation Office

05/08/26 - Senior Dance Concert - 7:00 PM - HCC

05/14/26 - Vocal Dept. Freshman Solo Recital - 7:00 PM - BISFA Dance Floor

05/15/26 - Spring Dance Recital - 7:00 PM - Maryland Theater

05/15/26 - Junior/Senior Theater Showcase - 7:00 PM - Black Box Theater

05/16/26 - Junior/Senior Theater Showcase - 7:00 PM - Black Box Theater

05/19/26 - Creative Writing Senior Reading - 6:00 PM - Maryland Theater Ballroom

05/19/26 - Instrumental Large Ensembles Concert - 7:00 PM - Maryland Theater

05/21/26 - Theater Freshmen/Sophomore Showcase - 7:00 PM - BISFA Black Box

05/21/26 - Vocal Department Celebration - 7:30 PM - BISFA Ballroom

05/22/26 - Visual Arts Department Awards Ceremony - 1:15 - 4:00 PM - WCMFA

05/26/26 - Graduation Rehearsal - 9:00 Am - Maryland Theater

05/26/26 - BISFA Awards Ceremony - Maryland Theater

05/27/26 - Graduation - Maryland Theater

06/03/26 - Creative Writing - Summer Reading - 6:30 PM - BISFA Dance Floor

Congratulations to the following BISFA Teachers for being nominated for the 2026 Teacher of the Year

Christopher Benford

Keon Billings

Kristen Green

Erin Speak

• Ocean City Film Festival: Three films were accepted into the Ocean City Film Festival from last year and will screen this March! Next Chapter, Women in Sports and Echoes of Birdie. Filmmakers Peyton Fitz, Taylor Brown, Talia Francis, Emilee Shy, Grant Bloyer, Evy Renshaw were all involved in creating one of these three films!
• Shippensburg University's Scholastic 144: The following students were accepted into this exhibition. Opening Reception will be January 24, 2026 - 1-3 pm and the Show End Date is February 27. Congratulations to Talia Francis, Emilee Shy, Annabella Buchman and Zaine Beaver!
• Silent Auction Artists: Another congratulations to the following students for having their work selected for our Donor Society Silent Auction. Their work will help our school raise funds and they will be recognized at our event! Grant Bloyer, Owen Comlish, Caleb Hoffman, Wyatt Moon and Angie Morgan.

BRIANNA PRICE - DORSEY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

MARYLAND STATE THESPIAN COMPETITION

Congratulations BISFA Visual Artists! You received the most votes in BOTH categories of the Downtown Hagerstown Winter Holiday Window Display! A big thank you again to all staff, students, and volunteers that helped with making the front window look amazing, as well as the entire lobby area.

Congratulations to the following students who had had their artwork selected to be in Shippensburg University's Scholastic 144 Juried Art Exhibition!

• Finn Jackson - The Next Stop

• Finn Jackson - Foreshadowing/Backstabbing

• Neil Rezvani - Socrates and Ben

• Stanley Stottlemyer - Little Pool

• Stanley Stottlemyer - Fallen Warrior

The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held on January 24 from 1 to 4 pm at Shippensburg University's Kauffman Gallery. Artwork will be on display from January 22 through February 26, 2026. Way to go guys!

LIAM PULLENS

Gold Key:

Rory Curry - Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage - Journey

Kelly Nguyen - Photography - Moving On

Kelly Nguyen - Sculpture - Tower of Babel 2.0

Neil Rezvani - Mixed Media - AHHHHHHH!

Neil Rezvani - Painting - Microevolution

Silver Key:

Yebin Bahn - Painting - Apple Skins

Joyce Liu - Ceramics & Glass - Faded Memories

Kelly Nguyen - Photography - Ocean Breeze

Kelly Nguyen - Sculpture - Just Trying to Feed My Child

Katie Nicholson - Drawing - Still Life Inside a Still Life

Malaika Thiombiano - Illustration - Black Sheep

Honorable Mention:

Lucille Boese - Ceramics & Glass - Bowl for Dad

Lucille Boese - Sculpture - Reaching Bear

Nia Carney - Drawing - Blessed Water

Britany Diaz Castro - Painting - My Passion

Leo Green - Mixed Media - Roadkill

Han Ha - Painting - Brielle in the 20's

Han Ha - Painting - Surrounded by Pink Roses

Kelly Nguyen - Mixed Media - Oceanic Beauty

Kelly Nguyen - Photography - Lotus

Kelly Nguyen - Photography - Relaxed

Kelly Nguyen - Photography - Origin of Chocolate

Katie Nicholson - Sculpture - Winter Wishes

Neil Rezvani - Portfolio Category - Throughout Time

Brielle Thames - Editorial Cartoon sponsored by The Herb Block Foundation - The Billionaire's Bonfire

Malaika Thiombiano - Illustration - Take the Oath

Malaika Thiombiano - Photography - Downtown Hagerstown

Malaika Thiombiano - Comic Art - Grit

Olivia Wood - Ceramics & Glass - Size Doesn't Dictate Beauty

Please note that this list was derived from the official document (attached) released from The Alliance of Young Artists and Writers and may not be match the original winning notifications.

Our cinnamon bun fundraiser, Buns for Your Honey, is currently running!

Dates: January 15 – February 4

Please help support our theater program by sharing the link with local friends and family. Every order makes a difference—thank you!

Mr. Geiman: geimatod@wcps.k12.md.us

Ms. Merchant: merchbra@wcps.k12.md.us

Mr. Sheredy: shereste@wcps.k12.md.us

Mr Youngblood: youngma@wcps.k12.md.us

Instagram

Facebook

Creative Writing Links

The Phantom

Please double-check call times and expectations with your student. Your student may have different rehearsal times. Always have them check the Google Classroom calendar.

Students should bring water and any required materials to rehearsals

Our cinnamon bun fundraiser, Buns for Your Honey, is currently running!

Dates: January 15 – February 4

Please help support our theater program by sharing the link with local friends and family. Every order makes a difference—thank you!

Ensure all guardians receive important notifications from Mr. Ryan and the Theater Liaisons this year by:

1. Emailing theaterliaison@gmail.com requesting we add parent/guardian to our distribution list
2. Texting @bisfat to 81010 to join Mr. Ryan's Remind class.
3. Texting @7hc9k6 to 81010 to join Theater Liaison Remind class.

If you haven’t already, please access these important resources…
Vocal Dept. Handbook

Vocal Google Calendar

Vocal Department Website

Mrs. Melissa J. Mackley - Vocal Department Chair macklme@wcps.k12.md.us

This year, we are excited to change things up and make our Junior and Senior Recitals even more special!

Moving forward, we hope to enhance the recital experience with a few thoughtful touches, including a Dirty Soda Bar, assorted desserts, single flowers available for purchase, and a designated photo area to help capture these memorable moments.

Below is a list of items we are seeking support with to help bring this vision to life.

Junior and Senior parents, please do not feel obligated to help in any way—your only job is to relax and enjoy celebrating your child and their accomplishments!

Thank you for helping us make these recitals extra meaningful for our students and families.

All donations can be dropped off at the school and left in the designated area in the band room.

Click the link below to SIGN UP!

***Be on the lookout in February 2026
for an additional Panera Fundraiser -
Dough For Funds!***

We will need parent volunteers, too! Watch for emails or posts from Sign Up Genius and Sign Up!!

OOMPa @ BISFA Facebook

BISFA Facebook

BISFA Instagram

BISFA Instrumental Instagram

Callie Hart

oompaatbisfa@gmail.com

240.367.0146

Hello and a warm welcome from the Instrumental Music Department at BISFA!

I’m Callie Hart, of OOMPa – The Organization of Musical Parents and this is my second year as a BISFA Parent.

OOMPA is now a 501 (c) 3 organization and able to accept tax deductible donations.

Contact Ms. Callie Hart if you have any questions about making a Donation of any kind!

Reach out to Callie Hart if you are interested in joining the OOMPa Board!

The CGDA students went to MAGFEST and spent the day networking with indie designers. They participated in multiple panels, including an exclusive panel for CGDA students.

Please mark your calendars for these two showcase events:

• Maryland International Film Festival (Student Screening): Thursday, March 26, 2026 Time TBD - More information coming soon!
• Senior Show: Friday, May 8, 2026 5:30-7:00 PM

We have several events where students can earn experience (and SSL hours!):

• Donor Society Event (Feb. 18): I am looking for student volunteers to help us decorate our hallway and department area to welcome our guests.
• Maryland International Film Festival (March 28 & 29): We need student greeters to represent our program and help with the festival. Free T-shirts to student volunteers!

If your child is interested in either of these, please have them contact me directly or feel free to reach out to me yourself.

• MICA Field Trip (Feb. 19): This trip is for upperclassmen. Field trip permission papers will be sent home shortly.
• Department-Wide Spring Trip: We are in the planning stages for a trip for the entire department. More information will be coming soon!

• Musical Video/Commercial Team: Seniors helping with the video for the school musical, Hadestown, are required to attend the PR meetings. They are in charge of creating the commercial for the production. The first meeting is Jan. 28 at 8:00 AM. (This date has already been shared with the students) and there will be more meetings scheduled (about 2 per month until the opening in April).
• Adobe Certification Tests: These will be administered from March 30 - April 1.
  • Seniors enrolled in Senior Seminar will have dedicated time to practice in class.
  • Seniors not enrolled in Senior Seminar will need to study the content independently.

• Spring Film Production: Production is officially underway! A huge thank you to the parents providing transportation and snacks—your support makes these projects possible.
• High School Musical Tech Crew: Any student interested in live event production should watch the school announcements for Tech Crew sign-up information from the Theatre Department. This could be a great opportunity to add to your resume!
• Extra Opportunities: Check the "Ensemble" Google Classroom for a variety of contests, including the 2026 Winter Film Invitational and a National Wildlife Photo Contest.
  • Note: Students can apply for a grant through the department to cover any entry fees for these contests.
• Face Time with the Pros (March 7): This is a fantastic networking opportunity! I strongly encourage all students to take advantage of this event. See attached flyer, I would highly recommend attending this!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091540342023 or search for BISFA Photo & Cinema.

Instagram: bisfaphotocinema

Hashtags: #bisfaphotoandcinema

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0bxskGbkSpWu1xyGtUutmw

Parent Guild 2025-26

Denise Hunt: HuntDe@wcps.k12.md.us

Robert Hovermale: HoverRob@wcps.k12.md.us

Co-Presidents

Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com

Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Treasurer
Foundation Members

Rachel Thomas: RachelT@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Visual Arts:

Kristi Bachtell: kristib71@hotmail.com

Stacy Morris: rasberrypetal1@gmail.com

Theater:

Jennifer White: midwifejenwhite@gmail.com

CGDA:

Tara Jenkins: tarakjenkins@gmail.com

Photo / Cinema:

Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com

Vocal:

Inez Schwarzenegger: inez.schwarzenegger@gmail.com

Instrumental:

Karri Dawson: kamajada01@gmail.com
Heather Hall: heatherbarsu@gmail.com
Stephanie Halling: Stephanie.halling@gmail.com
Kelly Harman: Kann1217@aol.com

Creative Writing:

Lindsey Meekins: newmrsmeekins@gmail.com

Dance:

Leah Putterman: Leah.putterman@gmail.com

Shaquita Taylor-Fleming: s.taylorfleming@gmail.com

The Parent Guild:

• Connects parents to teachers & students

• Creates a successful unity between all departments for our students, staff and parents

• Helps to support departmental programs through fundraising with the assistance of The Barbara Ingram Foundation.

• Provides sign-ups for Thanksgiving & Easter Baskets

• Hosts Teacher Appreciation Week in May

• Sells BISFA Gear

• Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:15 PM - all parents are welcome.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 11, 2025 5:00 pm

🎉For this school year, the BISFA Foundation has given away more than $6,000 to 51 students and $13,400 in enrichment grants.🎉