SCPA ~ Upper School Newsletter

Mark Your Calendars ~

PSAT/NMSQT Exam - Oct. 11
Picture Re-Take Day - Oct. 17
All School Lions Marathon - Oct. 18
No School - Oct. 19-20 & 23-24
End of Quarter 1 - Nov. 2
No School - Nov. 3
Conferences - Nov. 9 &10
No School - Nov. 23 & 24

From the Principal's Desk

Happy Homecoming!

Last week we had a great time celebrating Homecoming. I have to say that this year’s celebration was one of the most exciting yet. Students in the Upper School shared their enthusiasm and enjoyed a wide variety of fun-natured competitions. Attendance at this year’s dance was one of the highest ever. Students came out to support their classmates at the soccer games, during the volleyball matches, and on Friday Night’s football game! Nice catch Gus!

I want to thank all the students for their spirit and excitement during the advisory challenges. The song contest was amazing and who could forgot Ms. Wolfgram and Ms. Seichter losing the hallway decorating contest!

Prep Homecoming this year set a high bar and I am especially grateful to the teachers who encouraged our students and chaperoned the dance, Student Council and Mr. Brown for planning and organizing so many fun activities. I also want to thank Mr. Prins, Ms. Tiff, Mr. Brown and Mr. Siem for their leadership and helping to make this week a great one.

This truly was a team effort!

Mr. Sachariason (“breaker of phones” sorry Chloe)

Upper School Announcements

Guatemala Vision Team ~ Attention students interested in serving on the Guatemala trip next summer. We will have another informational meeting on Wednesday, October 11 in room 211 during lunch. Students that can't make the meeting should pick up an application in room 211. We will also have a Parent and Student Informational Meeting on Thursday, October 12 at 5:30 in room 211 . If parents cannot attend the meeting the y should contact Karen Vidlock or Karissa Crouse to discuss the trip .

Picture Re-Take Day ~ Picture Re-Take Day will be October 17 starting at 8:30 am in the PAC. Students can have their photo re-taken by returning their photo packets or if they missed Photo Day, they can get their photo taken for the first time.

Math League ~ Math League’s first Contest will be next Tuesday, October 17 . Please see Mrs. Bhatia to schedule a time on that day, that works for you. Practice Meetings will continue on Mondays, during Lunch, in Room 233.

Chione Quintet In Concert ~ The Chione Quintet will be performing at SCPA on Friday, October 27, at 6:45 pm . The group is coming as a part of the Concert Band Retreat on the same evening and will also conduct some clinics with the upper school students. Other SCPA students and families are welcome to come and hear some great music!

Service Club ~ Service Club will be hosting a team for Rake-a-Difference Day on Saturday, October 28 from 9:00am-12 noon . Every year, upper school students can earn service hours by raking lawns for Stillwater community members. Students that are interested in being on the SCPA Rake-a-Difference team, please sign up on the bulletin board by the upper school office. See Zoe Schroeder or Ms. Vidlock for questions.

Parent/Teacher Conferences ~ Conferences for students in grades 5-12 will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 9 & 10 from 4:30-7:00 pm . Click here for more information.

Yearbook ~

The 2017-2018 US/MS yearbook is now on sale! Order your yearbook online at Balfour.com for $50 before prices go up on November 1.

Seniors, please submit your senior portraits to [email protected] by December 22.

Parents of Seniors,You can purchase a baby ad for your senior on FeePay for $40. Be sure to send your message (no more than 50 words) and baby picture to [email protected]. There are a limited number of baby ads available so purchase yours today!

SCPA Girls & Boys Soccer - Section 4A Tournaments

Saturday, October 14th

SCPA – Despite playing their entire season’s without a true home field, both the boys and girls soccer teams posted record setting seasons this fall.

The boys claimed the MCAA Conference Championship and finished their season with a 13-2-1 overall record. The girls team posted a 10-4-1 record. The most wins in the programs history.

These outstanding seasons were reflected in the seeding for the upcoming Section 4A tournaments. The girls were seeded 4th and the boys seeded 2nd in their respective tournaments. These high seeds will result in each team hosting their first tournament match on the New Lions Field on Saturday, October 14 .

The new Lions Athletic Complex has been under construction since early this spring but whether or not the fall teams would have a chance to play on the field was an ongoing question due to weather and construction delays. But through great cooperation from the general contractor on the project, Adolph and Peterson Construction, arraignments have been made so that the teams will be able to play their section matches on the new field.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SATURDAY’S MATCHES:

Game Times: Girls Match – 2:00 pm
Boys Match – 4:00 pm (opponents to be determined)
Gates Open: 1:30 pm

Ticket Prices: Adults – $8, Students – $6 (one ticket is good for both matches)

Please bring your own chair! There are no bleachers currently on site.

Concessions will be available on site. No carry ins.

College Counseling Corner -

Mathew Williams

Consider visiting 2-3 Colleges over

the MEA break!

PSAT Reminder for Juniors - Wednesday, October 11!

Get a good breakfast at home that morning, as the two breaks during the exam are very short and not designed for prolonged snacking and/or conversation.

Please arrive at school at 8:15 a.m. for check-in at the PAC

Plan to be in your seat at 8:30 a.m. to begin testing

Students will be excused from the exam at roughly 12:00 p.m.

Please leave your cellphone and/or smartwatch in your car or in your locker!

What to Bring into the PAC

• Two No. 2 pencils with erasers

• An approved calculator

W hat Not to Bring into the PAC

• Any devices, including smartphones or smartwatches, that can be used to

record, transmit, receive or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content

• Protractors, compasses, rulers

• Highlighters, colored pens, colored pencils

• Dictionaries

• Food and drinks — including bottled water (water and/or snacks must be

left in the atrium)

College Admission Season

The excitement (and pressure) of the college admission season is underway for members of our senior class! Every student moves at a different pace, but it should be noted that the very first firm admission deadlines that many seniors must meet is November 1 . Mr. Williams will be making a concerted effort to meet with all seniors to assist them in clarifying and solidify their application plans. Please contact him with any questions or concerns you have.

For parents, you may want to turn your attention to college financing. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed starting October 1. The FAFSA is the form to complete if you would like your student to be eligible for federal and state grants, loans and work-study (a job on campus). You can learn more and get the process started at www.fafsa.ed.gov .

College Visits

I hope that all students -- but particularly seniors and juniors -- will take advantage of the MEA break to explore colleges! Arrangements for a college visit can be made by telephone or by visiting the websites of the schools of interest to you. Get out there and explore!

If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me .

Mr. Mathew Williams

SCPA College Counselor

(651)395-5926