Visit the #SAconnected web page for helpful distance learning tech tips and other resources!
Jag Weekly Week of April 5, 2020
Guiding Principles for Remote Learning
Dear SA Families,
 
As we reflect back on our first full week of remote learning, I wanted to take the time to share with you some guiding principles that independent schools are using as our philosophy for teaching students during this time:

First, we are leading with a focus on connections. Distance learning is all about connecting with others and fostering the relationships we have with our students and families. Secondly, online learning is not about replicating what we do in our on-campus settings. This is why we provided new schedules, tools, and learning platforms. We are so fortunate to have the support of both the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) who offer cohorts that all of our staff are part of to support each other in navigating the details of remote learning. 

Finally, balance is fundamental to keeping our community healthy. We want to balance the amount of teacher-led connections and collaborations while also providing experiences that our students can do on their own.
 
As an additonal resource, we're pleased to share with you the SA Connected Remote Learning page on the school website containing helpful links and resources, both academic and family/community-oriented in nature.
 
Please note the following calendar changes:

Spring ERB testing will not take place. The state of NC has waived these requirements for the year. Many independent schools are looking at options to transition to a fall timeline for testing. More information about this will be provided at a later date.
 
Our official last day for the school year will be May 15. This has been approved by SAIS and meets our instructional requirements for the year. We do at this time anticipate remaining in remote learning until the end of the school year but have the flexibility as an independent school to reopen if the community health circumstances improve. Decisions regarding end-of-year events such as KidsBloom, Field Day, and Graduation are all still being discussed. It is our goal to provide a time to properly celebrate these together as a community and will look to later dates where possible in order to deliver these experiences.

Warm Regards,

Beverly Fowler , Head of School

Upcoming Dates

SA Cookie Bake Day
Wed., April 8
Join in the sweetness - see below for more info!

Good Friday
Friday, April 10
No school for students or staff

Easter Monday
Monday, April 13
No school for students or staff

SA Talent Show
to be shared digitally April 16 , submissions due by April 13 (see below for more info)

Friday, May 15
Last Scheduled Day of School (subject to change if community health circumstances improve)
Jag Spirit Fridays
Every Friday going forward, share pics of your student in Jag gear by emailing us or through hashtag #SAconnected
#SAConnected:
Highlights from our first full week of remote learning
It's been an exciting week as classes found their rhythms, had the joy of connecting virtually and through videos, and shared their enthusiasm for learning. A few highlights from the week are below! Keep these great pictures coming by emailing us or share with hashtag #SAconnected.
Middle School Matters

“I do think that families are the most beautiful things in the world."
~Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Family Podcasts

Looking for something to listen to as a family? Try one of these family-friendly podcasts:

  • Wow in the World- NPR podcast asks thought-provoking questions about a variety of science topics
  • The Past and the Curious- history podcast about topics that kids find interesting
  • But Why- NPR podcast that answers listeners’ questions on topics ranging from politics to science to entertainment
SA Cookie Connect with Mrs. Shelton: Wed., April 8
Mrs. Shelton is sharing her favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and inviting us all to join in the sweetness by baking our own and sharing pictures!

View the recipe here and share your cookie pictures by emailing us.

We'll share the cookie baking pictures on Wednesday, April 8!
Chapel and Monthly Virtues
In this week's remote chapel, guest speaker Pastor Brian Farmer of the First Baptist Church of Salisbury reflects on our April virtue of graciousness and courtesy and how it relates to the current climate and how we interact and connect with one another.
Happy Birthday to You!

Happy birthday to our Jaguars with birthdays April 5-11:

Lucy Heilig (8th Grade), April 6
Mrs. Heather Coulter , April 7
Kingston Lomax (1st Grade), April 8
Bo Brincefield (7th Grade), April 9
Seth Hattaway (4th Grade), April 9

SA Summer Camp: Join us for a summer of experiential fun!
SA Summer Camp is enrolling now and, pending the lift of social distancing requirements, will run as originally scheduled. Deposits are not required until after we have confirmed the start date for camp. Learn more and sign up at:
Activities Fees Refunds
During this time of remote learning, we are in communication with our vendors regarding their ability to refund deposits made for future field trips.  The Business Office is calculating the refund amounts for the unused portion of activity fees and enrichment programs and plans to offer a refund or credit memo for those balances in early May.
PSA Monthly Meeting: Thurs., April 7 at 1 p.m. via Zoom
This month's PSA Meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday, April 7 at 1 p.m. View the March PSA Minutes and April Agenda, and join in the meeting using the below information:

Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 651 428 126
Password: 232243
SA Talent Show April 16: Submit your entries!
Entries due April 13
The SA Talent Show is on for this year and will take place in digital format! We've moved the show back one week from its original date in order to give students more time to submit their acts. As a fun new change this year we will open the show up to our JK and K students as well, and so all students in grades JK-8 are encouraged to take part.

Students are limited to one act each and will submit a 1-minute video clip of their act. A tip : Film your child's video in landscape format (with the smart phone on its side) so that your video fills up the entire screen when presented on a phone, computer, or TV. All of the acts will be shared via video on SA social media on Thursday, April 16 as well as in Jag Weekly on Sunday, April 19.

1-minute video submissions may be submitted to Mrs. Roy . Please also contact her with questions. With the video clip, please include a description: student's name, grade, talent (ex: karate, dance, singing), and name of musical piece/artist if applicable.
Athletics Page for Grades 4-8 in Google Classroom
Coach Wilson has started a Salisbury Academy Athletics Google Classroom page for current 4 th-8 th grade students! This page has off-season workouts and drills for different sports. To visit the page use access code 6zz3vg5.
Coach Wilson's Game of the Week
Salisbury Academy
 2210 Jake Alexander Blvd, N., 
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 636 3002