Redhawk Tales

Happy Public Schools Week! How many students are enrolled in IPS schools?

• Dine to Donate @ Chipotle Broad Ripple -- Wednesday, March 5, 4-8 PM
• IPS Family Academy Summer Resource Fair -- Saturday, March 8 @ 11 AM - 1 PM, @ KIPP Indy
• Sidener "Songs for the Stars" Concert -- Thursday, March 13, 6:30 PM @ Broad Ripple Middle School auditorium
• Parents In Touch Day / Asynchronous Learning Day -- Friday, March 21
• Spring Break - NO SCHOOL -- March 24-28
• Professional Development Day / Asynchronous Learning Day -- Monday, March 31
• IPS Solo & Ensemble Event -- Thursday, April 10
• Sidener Spring Fling -- Friday, May 9, 6-8 PM

A quick reminder that IREAD testing will take place next Monday through Wednesday. It is essential that students arrive to school on time and well-rested to perform their best. Thank you for your support!

Discover the Joy of Music with Indianapolis Public Schools! Is your 5th grader ready to start an exciting musical journey? Join our Zoom Information Session to learn more about the IPS Middle School Band and Orchestra Programs. Students can learn to play an instrument, make new friends, and create lifelong memories.

WHAT: Band and Orchestra Zoom Information Session

WHEN: Wednesday, March 5, 7:00 PM

WHERE: Online via Zoom

• Scan the QR Code to join the meeting and get all the details!
• Zoom Meeting ID: 933 2562 9622 Passcode: 863229

WHY Join the IPS Band and Orchestra:

• Affordable Instrument Rental: High-quality instruments at a low cost to serve our amazing IPS community.
• Top-Notch Instruction: Learn from passionate and experienced music educators.
• Build Confidence: Develop new skills and perform in exciting concerts.
• Fun and Friendship: Be part of a supportive and inspiring musical family.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more and ask questions about how your child can embark on this musical adventure. We’re excited to welcome you to the IPS Band and Orchestra family! For questions or more information, contact us at Alex.Entin@musicarts.com or call (463) 221-8197. Interested in renting an instrument? To get started on your online rental, go to www.musicarts.com/rentals

IPS high school students, families, and community members are invited to attend the IPS 2025 Racial Equity Summit being held on Saturday, March 15. This year's theme is Diversity, Perspective, Common Goals: Achieving Equity Together. The summit will encourage collaboration among all stakeholders to work toward a shared goal of equity and inclusion. Following the event’s opening keynote, there will be an opportunity to participate in multiple workshops designed around this year’s theme.

Summit location: Martin University -- 2186 N. Sherman Dr., Indianapolis, 46218.
Event date & time: Satruday, March 15 -- 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Doors open at 8 a.m.).
The event is free and open to anyone – Register here by Wednesday, March 12.

Together, we can create a community where student outcomes cannot be predicted by race or ethnicity. Email the district’s Office of Racial Equity & Inclusion with questions!

With two weeks left until the spring concert, it's time to think about what your student will wear. Students are asked to wear space-themed attire which can include astronaut suits, alien outfits, space-patterns, NASA attire, or simply the colors blue, purple, pink, or green. This fits in with the theme of the event, "Songs for the Stars" based on the book The Astronaut. All students in grades 1-5 will participate. As a reminder, the concert will be on Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 PM, at the Broad Ripple Middle School Auditorium.

The 2025 IPS Solo and Ensemble event will take place on Thursday, April 10 during the school day. Students interested in playing a piano solo, violin/viola/cello solo/small ensemble, or band instrument solo/small ensemble should let Ms. Schafer (schafers@myips.org) know. Participating students will play for the judge and receive a score sheet with comments indicating a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participation rating. Memorization is not required, but the judges do require a score with numbered measures.

GRACIAS to Señora Carney for hosting Carnival Feasts in all ten of your Spanish classes this week and next Monday! The kids always enjoy learning about cultural events, celebrating, and tasting new foods!

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

According to the INDOE, for the 2024-2025 school year, there are 21,055 students enrolled in IPS. IPS is the fourth largest school district in Indiana, after Ft. Wayne, Evansville, and Hamilton Southeastern.