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Parent Teacher Student Organization     ~~~     November 2018 Newsletter

Come meet RCSD School Board rep

Join other families at the next PTSO meeting on Tuesday 11/13 from 6-7:30 in the band room.  Our guest speaker (6-6:30pm) will be School Board representative Liz Hallmark.  

We’ll have our regular agenda items and group discussion from 6:30-7,  followed by crew work from 7-7:30.  Anyone can help out in any crew!   Communications, Title 1, Fundraising, Senior Class Fundraising, Arts Events Support, Teacher Appreciation and Special Events.  It takes a village, so pitch in if you can!

PTSO meetings are a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families and staff at SOTA.  Our remaining meetings will take place from 6-7:30 on 11/13, 1/8, 3/12, 4/9, and 5/28.

We look forward to meeting you!
Your co-presidents,
Michelle Burack and Allison Bosworth

While 10th and 11th graders were busy taking the PSAT on October 10th, the 7th and 8th graders bonded at Lasertron and Horizon FunFX, 9th graders visited SUNY Brockport, and the seniors gave back to our community!  They painted, planted, sang, cleaned, and so much more.  Click here for a full list of senior service projects.  Thank you to the staff for all the incredibly hard work you put in to make this day go so smoothly!!
 
State Senator Rich Funke presenting the 55th District Teacher Appreciation Award to Mr. Arrendell. Congratulations Mr. Arrendell - You RoCK!!!

Check out this video from the Rochester Teachers Association to see how Mr. Arrendell connects with his students.

Arts News

A new partnership was born last month to bridge the gap between the younger and the older generations of Rochester.  The retirement and assisted living company The Village is teaming up with the School of the Arts for the 2018-2019 school year.  The partnership will involve residents of The Village "adopting" students, per se. It is part of an effort to encourage relationships with those from older generations as a learning experience for both groups.  "Our students will gain hundreds of new grandparents and their residents will gain nearly 1,200 new grandchildren," said Alan Tirre, Assistant Principal for the Arts at School of the Arts. "It's really an opportunity for our two communities to come together."

The collaboration will involve many artistic projects, including jazz and choir concerts, and workshops in creative writing, dance and drama.  On Friday November 9th some piano and creative writing majors traveled to The Village to perform, hear some poetry readings by the Village residents,  and enjoy lunch together.

News story available here
Full press release available here

The SOTA Concert Choir and The Village Chorus rehearsing together at the Allen Main Stage Theatre

Friends of SOTA  

That program book that you get when attending a SOTA show?  No school or RCSD funds go into its production.  It is paid for by the Friends of SOTA through advertisement sales.  If you see the wonderful Justine Bentfield, be sure to thank her for making the program book happen!

October was a busy month, with $4,850 awarded in allocations:

  • $1,000 - to supplement the cost of the Senior Class trip to Ohio.
  • $2,000 - to send 150 7th Graders to see live theater at Geva & RBTL
  • $450 - for joint choir event with Brighton High School
  • $1,000 - for a series of master classes (& more) with professional photographer
  • $100 – to assist Senior night for both the boys & girls soccer teams
  • $300 - for refreshments at SOTA’s Alumni Art Show opening

These awards are only possible due to the financial support that the Friends of SOTA receive from our donors.  Please keep us in mind when you receive our Annual Appeal!  (If you don’t receive an Annual Appeal in November, drop us a line at info@friendsofSOTA.org and we’ll get one out to you.)

Sports News  

Winter sports season practices are underway! Information about winter coaches and practice schedules can be found in the Winter Coach Roster.

Games, matches & competitions will get into gear toward the end of November.  Visit the Sports Calendar for a listing of sports events, and come out to cheer on the SOTA Silverhawks basketball, bowling, swimming, wrestling, cheerleading & indoor track teams!

Need more info? Visit the SOTA Athletics webpage, or contact Athletic Director Dave Michelsen at david.michelsen@rcsdk12.org or 242-7682 Ext. 2270.

School Based Planning Team Update 

Our October meeting was very abbreviated because the Parent/Teacher conference date was moved, overlapping the scheduled SBPT meeting time.  Subcommittees gave brief updates with the promise that more time will be given at the next SBPT meeting.  There are currently several subcommittees working on a variety of issues including: late-work policy, cell-phone policy, and professional development.  Parents are encouraged to bring their ideas to the SBPT representatives at the PTSO meeting.  As always, parents and students are welcome to attend SBPT meetings as members of the gallery (gallery members can observe but not participate).  The next SBPT meeting is Thursday, November 15 at 4:15pm in A178.

Approved SBPT minutes

Seen Around SOTA
Professional Pumpkin Carver and 2001 SOTA Graduate, Adam Bierton, demonstrated his pumpkin carving techniques to the Visual Arts majors.  Sophomore Josh Gervais was asked on stage to serve as a model for Adam’s Halloween creation. 
Halloween fun in Chemistry
Judge Miller and Judge Valleriani spent a morning with students in grades 7 and 8 at SOTA - pulling the curtain back on what they do and demystifying our judicial system

Happening Around Town 

Join the Office of Parent Engagement, Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Cecilia Golden and RCSD Departments to discuss what parents need to know about NYS Next Generation Learning Standards followed by Q&A.  November 17th from 10-2 at James Monroe High School.  More information here.

Upcoming Events

11/12 Veteran's Day Holiday

11/13 6:00pm PTSO meeting

11/15 4:15pm SBPT

11/15 6:30pm  Friends of SOTA Board Meeting

11/21-11/23  Thanksgiving Recess

11/29 8:15pm Concert Choir NYSSMA Presentation (Convention Center)

12/7-12/15  Elf Jr The Musical

Full calendar of SOTA events

Counselor Corner newsletters

These are a tremendous source of info regarding local opportunities, college visits, scholarships, and more!

Grades 7-9
Grades 10-12

SOTA Handbook

SOTA STREAM

Keep up-to-date with daily announcements, sports updates, staff interviews, and more!  New videos produced daily.

Contact Us

PTSO Team
Allison Bosworth (president)
Michelle Burack (president-elect)
Becca Haak (communications)

School Based Planning Team (SBPT) Parent Reps
Allison Bosworth
Brian Haak
Martin Presberg
LaShunda Leslie-Smith (alternate)
Keisha Seymore (alternate)

Questions or concerns?  Ideas for future PTSO meetings?  We'd love to hear from you!  Simply reply to this email or send us a note at sotaptso@gmail.com 

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Copyright © 2018 SOTA PTSO, All rights reserved.


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