A Belated Welcome

Welcome to our new families in the class of 2026!
And congratulations to the graduating families in the class of 2021!

In recent years the PTSO has delivered a monthly newsletter to keep families up-to-date on the latest happenings at SOTA.  But... 2020.  There are still many ways to get information.  The best place is SOTA's website.  The calendar is always up-to-date with academic dates, performances, meetings, etc.  If you aren't receiving robocalls form the school, fill out this form to update your information.  SOTA Stream is a video produced by SOTA students and is another great way to hear about what is happening at SOTA.  Part 1 in the Series Black Lives Matter at School will be released on 1/22.  The Counselor Corner for Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12 highlights student achievement, provides resources for student success, guidance for the college application process, and much more.  There is also a SOTA Families Facebook page which is a great place to get information from other families.  If you need to contact SOTA administration, here is the list of administrators and the area they are responsible for.

Welcome (back) to SOTA, and we wish you a healthy and safe 2021!

Returning to School

RCSD has announced that Phase 3 for grades 7-12 will begin the week of February 22nd.  On Thursday, 1/14/21, SOTA's School Based Planning Team discussed the re-opening plan. A couple of items of note:
• Around 38% of students (402) chose the hybrid model and will attend in person starting with RCSD's Phase 3 Reopening Plan - February 22
• Transportation for students will be on yellow buses (not RTS) and will pick up at the same locations as RTS pick-up
• SOTA Administration and Faculty are discussing ways to reduce the amount of screen time once RCSD goes back to following the bell schedule (42 minute Bell times are scheduled to start February 8, 2021)
• Mon/Tues will be synchronous/remote, Wednesday will be the same as it has been, Thurs/Friday will have simultaneous, synchronous, remote and in-person instruction
• Families/students that want to change their preference to "hybrid" from remote can make a request to their house administrator (https://www.rcsdk12.org/domain/5274) - the change is not guaranteed and decisions will be based on classroom and transportation safety

Information will be coming from SOTA Administration with more details.  Full minutes from the January SBPT meeting will be posted here.

School Based Planning Team

The School Based Planning Team is one of four strategies identified by the Rochester City School District Board of Education for schools to use to achieve academic excellence.
 
Responsibilities of the SBPT

• Developing the School Comprehensive Educational Plan (SCEP)
• Monitoring the implementation of the SCEP
• Reviewing and interpreting student data
• Planning professional development to support the SCEP 

RCSD Parent Guide to SBPT

Archive of Minutes from SOTA's SBPT

Are you interested in being a parent rep on SBPT for the 2021-2022 school year?  Elections will be held in the spring.  Contact sotaptso@gmail.com or Cherri Hawkins, our home school liaison.

Friends of SOTA  

Friends of SOTA provides financial support and guidance to promote the academic, artistic and humanistic success of School of the Arts’ students.  Friends of SOTA fills in the gaps with community support to promote positive outcomes for School of the Arts students by supporting everything from college and career prep, to student performances and masterclasses, to scholarships and personal needs.

SENIORS - The deadline for applying for a Friends of SOTA scholarship is April 1st.  Don't miss out!

SOTA STREAM

Yes, SOTA Stream is still being produced by our students!  Keep up-to-date with announcements, staff interviews, and more!  New videos produced 2x/week.

Counselor Corner newsletters

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

Grades 7-9 Weekly Emails

Grades 10-12 Monthly Newsletters

SBPT Minutes

Archive of School Based Planning Team minutes

Contact Us

PTSO Team
Cherri Hawkins (SOTA home school liaison)
Becca Haak (communications)

School Based Planning Team (SBPT) Parent Reps
Brian Haak
Melissa Santiago

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