Reviewing form and phrasing in lower school music classes, Dr. Rob is utilizing a fun new Line Riders application in which cartoon stick figures move along line segments in coordination with the phrasing of music. Students can then match the phrasing with their own movements. Speaking on creative new twists on music education such as this, Dr. Rob shares: "It's almost like I'm a first-year teacher again. I'm having to be more idealistic and creative than I've been in years out of necessity. The kids and I do miss singing, but in some ways it has bred a fresher approach, as I've searched for ideas that I otherwise would not have found."
Jag Weekly Sunday, Jan. 10
Priority Enrollment for SA Families and Parents as Ambassadors
As we welcome an energizing second half of the school year and continue to be so very grateful for our time learning and growing together in person, we also look ahead with excitement to plan for the 2021-22 school year. Priority enrollment for current families begins tomorrow, and you will have until February 12 to secure your child's spot for next year. Information will be sent home with your child in this week's Monday folder.

Because this year we have completed an enrollment contract update as is done periodically, we ask that all families sign a new contract as part of their re-enrollment. To thank you for taking this extra step, we have a fun incentive to offer: All families who submit signed contracts and tuition deposits by January 29 at 3 p.m. will earn entrance into a raffle for $1,000 off next year’s tuition. Those who submit by February 12 will be entered into a raffle for $500 off next year’s tuition.

Additionally, as we look ahead to next year, please keep in mind that our parents continue to be our very best ambassadors in the community! If you know of a family that may be interested in SA, please don't hesitate to share the SA story and put them in touch with me at [email protected]. Thank you for spreading the news of the amazing things happening each day at SA!

Warm Regards,

Allison Doby, Director of Admission
New Years Resolutions in Middle School SEL Classes
A new take on the traditional New Years resolution, students in Mrs. Doby's middle school SEL (Social Emotional Learning) classes each chose their inspirational word for the year. Above, view a word cloud of the "words of the year" combined. Some the most frequently chosen words included: kindness, confidence, smile, persevere, and fearless. Looking at the word cloud, students are focused and have a positive perspective for the year ahead!
What a joy it was to welcome our students back to campus for the first school week of 2021!
Upcoming Dates

Priority Enrollment Begins
Monday, Jan. 11

Staff Workday
Fri, Jan. 15
No school for students

MLK Holiday
Mon., Jan. 18
No school for students or staff

Second Trimester Report Cards Go Home
Tuesday, Jan. 19

SA Spirit Week
Jan. 25-29
Details to come

In-Person Learning Day
Friday, Jan. 29
Fifth grade students were excited to share their models of the Earth's layers that they created over their December E-Learning Week.
Inclement Weather Decision Update and Learning In Person on Friday, Jan. 29
Dear SA Families,

Inclement weather decisions are always such a tough call to make for schools. We receive updates and recommendations from Rowan Emergency Services and a local meteorologist and former SA grandparent regarding potential weather threats and the impact to our community.

Our decisions are made separate from the local school system decisions. It is our goal to give families as much time as possible to make other plans, and the report received last night from the emergency services led several schools in our area to make the call to close. We know that it helps our families to be able to plan ahead when possible, and we chose to not wait until 6 a.m. since the evening report showed models that the winter weather threat would impact our school day. It’s not a perfect model, but it is always under the advisement of area emergency services personnel. This particular storm changed greatly overnight and even into the morning hours.
 
We will change the previously scheduled January 29 E-Learning Day to an in-person school day for all students in JK-8. We greatly appreciate your partnership and understanding as we continue to navigate this difficult year together.
January Lunch Menu
Habeeb Catering is serving lunches for students in grades 1-8 on M-Th. With questions contact Habeeb Catering. Thank you!

Note for Lunches:
If you plan to sign your child up for pasta days, please specify whether your child would like alfredo or meat sauce on each day by circling their choice on the menu. This will be helpful as we plan for portions. Thanks so much!


PSA: Uniform Closet Update
With this year's scaled-back uniform policy we've found ourselves with an overabundance of clothing in the PSA Uniform Closet. For the time being we will not be accepting donations to the closet due to space limitations. Thank you!
Chapel and Happy Birthdays
Thank you to representatives from the third grade class for making the Pledge of Allegiance extra special by leading the Pledge in sign language for this week's chapel.
Our first chapel of 2021 was led by our third grade students with guest message by Pastor Carol Hallman of the First United Church of Christ speaking on our January virtue of "courage." View the SA Jan. 7 chapel here

View all SA chapels going forward by visiting the SA Chapel page each week
Happy Birthday!

Birthdays to be recognized in this week's Jan. 14 chapel (birthdays Jan. 14-20) are:

Brooks Zino, 6th Grade, January 15
Bell Brady, 5th Grade, January 15
Evan Koontz, 8th Grade, January 16
Jacob Baird, 2nd Grade, January 16
Finnegan Avery, 7th Grade, January 17
Sawyer Jacobson, JK, January 17

Staff Birthdays
Mrs. Heilig, January 17
Mrs. Ellsworth, January 20
Athletics This Week


Monday, January 11

  • Varsity boys basketball practice 3:30 – 5:00
  • Varsity girls basketball practice 5:00 – 6:30
  • JV boys basketball practice 6:30 – 7:30

Tuesday, January 12

  • Varsity boys basketball practice 3:30 – 5:00
  • Varsity girls basketball practice 5:00 – 6:30
  • JV boys basketball practice 6:30 – 7:30

Wednesday, January 13

  • Varsity boys basketball practice 3:30 – 5:00
  • Varsity girls basketball practice 5:00 – 6:30
  • JV boys basketball practice 6:30 – 7:30

Thursday, January 14

  • Varsity Boys Basketball Game @ St. Stephens Lutheran School 4:00
  • Carpool
  • Athletes will be dismissed from class at 2:25
  • Address: 2304 Spring Road NE, Hickory 28601
  • Coach Wilson will send an email to parents with SSLS’s Covid Protocols.

Friday, January 15 – No Athletics 
Salisbury Academy
 2210 Jake Alexander Blvd, N., 
Salisbury, NC 28147
(704) 636 3002