From the President Terri McGrawHello SCAPA friends!
February will be just as exciting! Grab your sweetie & come to SCAPA to have lunch with your child on Valentines Day (Feb. 14th) where you will enjoy the “Young at Hearts” big band. They will be performing from 11:00am-12:00 noon. You can listen and dance to the big band sound- great music! It's worth your time- very fun! February also brings KMEA for vocal, band and orchestra students. Everyone is hard at work preparing for Dance SCAPA, Macbeth and Hairspray. Tickets are now on sale for Dance SCAPA and Hairspray, by calling the Lexington Center Box Office at 233-3535. These two performances will be at the Opera House. Don't forget to send in your "Box Tops" for education and please use the Amazon portal located on the main SCAPA Bluegrass web page if you are planning on ordering anything from Amazon. It doesn't charge you more, Amazon just gives a little back to the school through this. The main SCAPA page is www.scapa.fcps.net. If you have a current 5th grader, please don’t forget to attend the 6th grade orientation that will be held on February 15th from 6:00-7:30 pm at SCAPA. It is Very Important that a parent representative attend! Just a reminder…We will be in school on February 11th to make up for a snow day. We will still be off on the 21st of February for President’s Day. Let me know if you need anything and... See you around school! Terri McGraw |
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Feb 2011
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From Beth Randolph, Bluegrass PrincipalDear SCAPA Family, As unpredictable as the weather is, one thing you can count on is that Stu Silberman always puts the students’ safety first. So we will miss a day if the weather is bad or threatening. This is understandable and desired. However, as the missed days accumulate, it creates a new pressure on students, teachers, and administrators as instructional days dwindle before the state testing begins. It is for this reason that students need to be even more mindful to pay extra close attention in class, work a bit harder on assignments, and go above and beyond what is expected of them by their teachers. In short, they need to take on even more of the responsibility for their learning. For some students, this comes naturally. At SCAPA, we are fortunate to have many of these self-starter, motivated learners. Research shows that self-starter students think deeply, repeatedly, and in multiple ways about ideas and concepts. Self-starter students have a high level of engagement with their studies, focusing intently on the topics being studied. When weather forces schools to close, sustained concentration on school subjects needs to occur at home. When school resumes, students need to limit distractions that could hinder this type of concentration. Unfortunately, cell phones, for some, have been that distraction the last few weeks in our classrooms. Just to review our school rule regarding cell phone usage, students are to turn their cell phones off when entering the school building. The phones are to stay off until school ends at 3:45 P.M. This means that no texting or phone calls should be occurring during the school day on a cell phone. Of course, if students need to reach parents during the school day, an exception can be made or the school phone may be used. If a student is caught violating this rule, the cell phone will be confiscated and parents contacted to retrieve the mobile device in person. The rule was made to free students, at least during the school day, from the many temptations found on cell phones. SCAPA wants to encourage and promote self-starter student behaviors. Our steadfast goal is to produce students that know how to study and achieve at high levels. In the end, we want our students to be prepared for life and whatever career they choose. For this to happen, sometimes even middle school students need to learn to focus on their studies and turn the electronic social machine off. Have a fabulous month! I look forward to seeing you around the SCAPA halls and at SCAPA functions. I’m forever grateful for your unbelievable support. Sincerely, From Vicki Ritchie, LHS PrincipalDear Parents,
In addition, many of our students have taken the mid-year MAP assessments in Reading and math. We will use this data to help focus on the skills students need to master. We will have a final assessment in late spring to make sure our students are making a year or more of progress in both areas. Although I have mentioned it in several newsletters, I would like to continue to point out that juniors will take the ACT here at Lafayette on March 15, 2010. We have two more Saturday sessions for juniors to practice questions for the exam on February 23 and March 11. For more information, please see our webpage under “TCA ACT Parent Letter” or call our counseling office. Vicki Ritchie Vicki Ritchie Art is Not an Electiveby Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman
During the holiday break I had a chance to do some reading. My older son brought home a book he was assigned to read for a college course. He told me I would enjoy it. He was right! I guess after 20 years he knows me pretty well. Asher explains that he does not draw or paint what a thing or person looks like, but how he feels about the way it looks. He spends one passage describing how he “feels with his eyes.” It was a stunning revelation for him, and for me as I read it. I was reminded of listening to musicians talk about what colors, experiences, landscapes, feelings sound like. Dancers describe and express these with movement – writers with words. All of them in an effort to communicate, to connect, to share, to make what is internal and personal, external and communal. Fortunately, Asher does encounter adults along his journey who appreciate his gift and encourage him to become the great artist he is meant to be. His mother happens to be among them, in spite of what it costs her personally. One day she brings him a book by the artist Robert Henri titled “The Art Spirit.” Chaim Potok includes several excerpts from Henri’s book which are profound observations regarding artists, of any discipline: “If you want to know how to do a thing you must first have a complete desire to do that thing. Then go to kindred spirits – others who have wanted to do that thing – and study their ways and means, learn from their successes and failures and add your quota. Thus you may acquire from the experience of the race. And with this technical knowledge you may go forward, expressing through the play of forms the music that is in you and which is very personal to you.” This paragraph really struck a chord as I had written something similar in November: “As our children strive to become themselves, it is essential that we also expose them to examples of excellence. When it comes to ‘being yourself’ as an artist, it is necessary to first study and even emulate the masters. No great artist (of any discipline) starts off in their own style. They spend years learning the skills and techniques developed by generations of artists before them. They practice and refine their talent until they are ready to create their own unique version of art.” Henri writes, “Every (artist) who has shown the world the way to beauty, to true culture, has been a rebel, a ‘universal’ without patriotism, without home, who has found his/her people everywhere.” Through art, each artist conveys truth. But it is ‘A’ truth, not ‘THE’ truth. It is their vision of the thing, not the thing itself. In that sense, all art is a metaphor. In sharing their art, the artist invites us to know him/her better and as a result we learn about ourselves as individuals as well as the greater collective. As parents of artistically gifted and talented children, this next quote from Henri should ring true. To the artist he says, “You can do anything you want to do. What is rare is this actual wanting to do a specific thing: wanting it so much that you are practically blind to all other things, that nothing else will satisfy you.” So it was with Asher Lev. So it is with many of our children. It is hard to describe to someone who has not observed it, what it is like to witness your child so engaged in their art, their writing, their music, their dancing, their acting, their singing, that they lose all sense of time and place. It is through their art that they come to know and, in turn, express who they are in relationship to the world and what that means to them. Henri adds, “An artist has got to get acquainted with himself just as much as he can. It is no easy job, for it is not a present-day habit of humanity.” The challenge of getting to know one’s self is a lifelong process. And the process is enhanced by also getting to know one’s world. Since you can’t do what you don’t know, it is important to learn as much as possible. The more you know, the more you can do. There is no such thing as useless knowledge. The musician who understands physics and the workings of the smallest state of matter may one day compose an Atomic Symphony. The dancer who appreciates the miracle of biology may create the Dance of the Human Cell. The actor who studies the complexities of numbers and their relationship to nature may someday be asked to portray a brilliant mathematician. Every piece of information informs the artist. There are those, like Asher’s father, who view the arts as a waste of time, energy and resources. If anything, they view art as optional, perhaps an elective. They would have our children believe that considering the arts as a career choice is foolish. To them I ask, “Who would we be without our art? What would we be without art?” Earliest humans, and every culture since, created ways to communicate not only with one another, but with those in the future. We long to tell our story. We long to give meaning to our existence. We do this through art.
Pink foresees the dawning of a new era in which the arts are not optional. The arts are not an elective. The arts are a necessity. Art is essential. Prior to her role as SCAPA Arts Facilitator, Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman was a Parent/Family Life Educator and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She was the author of The Parents’ Toolbox for The Lexington Family Magazine as well as Pastoral Parenting for the Church of the Resurrection newsletter. (Please check the SCAPA Calendar regularly for updates)
2011 Dance SCAPAAll art is intended to communicate. Dance uses movement to accomplish this goal. Come experience the art of movement and celebrate the diversity of dance at this year’s Dance SCAPA! Tickets on sale now at the Lexington Center Box Office, 233-3535. Performances Friday, March 11 at 8pm and Saturday, March 12 at 2pm and 8pm at The Lexington Opera House. “Hairspray” Cast AnnouncedCongratulations to the cast of Lafayette SCAPA’s production of “Hairspray!” Get your tickets now by calling 233-3535 or go in person to the Lexington Center Box Office. Performances are Thursday, March 31 at 7pm; Friday, April 1 at 8pm; and Saturday, April 2 at 2pm and 8pm in The Lexington Opera Hous Cast for “Macbeth: A Kid’s Cautionary Tale” AnnouncedCongratulations to the cast of Bluegrass SCAPA’s production of “Macbeth: A Kid’s Cautionary Tale…” Performances are Thursday, March 24 at 7pm; Friday, March 25 at 8pm; and Saturday, March 26 at 2pm and 8pm in Beeler Auditorium. MACBETH.........................Wolfe CASALS Artwork on Display at IAKSSIf you happen to visit the IAKSS offices during the month of February, be sure to take a look at the artwork on display from our 4th, 5th and 6th grade SCAPA visual art majors. The Twins Have Arrived!Congratulations to Sebree and Jim Rizzo on the safe delivery of their twins, Doran Marshall and Cora Eileen! They are all home and getting to know each other. We wish them every happiness! Let's help our neighbors and community by...Collecting for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-- February 7-15th. Friends of the Arts School (FOAS) MeetingsMark you calendars for the meeting dates in 2010-11 All FOAS Meetings will be held in Bluegrass SCAPA, Room 146 at 6:00pm on these dates:
Meeting Minutes
SBDM Meeting Minutes |
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Students of the MonthCongratulations to the following students of the month for exhibiting outstanding character values! Be sure to read their individual profiles on the wall in the Bluegrass SCAPA foyer.
Geography Bee
All-County Honor Band Filled with SCAPAStudents
1
Last week students auditioned for the All-County Honor Band. There were
641 Fayette County students that auditioned for the band. SCAPA made up 48 of
those students. As difficult as it is to make this elite band, 38 of our students (or
79%) were selected. Out of this group, 68% are seated first or second chair for
their instrument and 45% are first chairs. What an impressive feat! Way to go
SCAPA students, Mrs. Barker, and Dr. Akel! Here are the band members and
their placements in the All-County Band: Science Fair Winners Move OnThe SCAPA fourth and seventh graders did a wonderful job on their science fair projects this year. After two concentrated mornings of intense judging, these winners were declared last week. All of these students will compete in the Fayette County Science Fair on February 12th at Bryan Station High School. Thanks so much Ms. Beals and Mrs. Sergent for all the work you have done to make this science fair so successful.
SCAPA’s Spelling BeesSCAPA’s Spelling Bees are in full swing. The elementary bee produced a champion on Friday morning after several hard fought rounds. All the elementary students participated and they gained a new appreciation for what it means to be crowned a spelling bee champion. If anyone has ever watched the national spelling bee competition, you know just how tough the words can be. Although our bee did not reach those proportions, we did use a Scripps Howard list and we followed the same rules established for the county and national bees. Congratulations to SCAPA’s elementary champion Sarah Gleeson. She will represent our elementary school in the county bee. Our middle school bee will be Thursday afternoon in Mrs. Aldridge’s room at 4:10. Please encourage any middle school student who is a good speller to participate. Although we aren’t asking all middle school students to participate, we need a good showing by our superb spellers so that we can select two fine representatives for our school.
All-state ensembles filled with outstanding musiciansEvery year across Kentucky, high school students compete for spots in several all-state music groups. After making the first cut, they qualify for live auditions in December. Those who win seats travel to Louisville in February for three days of intense rehearsals with renowned conductors. The groups then perform as featured ensembles at the Kentucky Music Educators Association’s in-service conference. Congratulations to the following SCAPA musicians: All-State Concert Band
All-State Symphonic Band
All-State Symphony Orchestra
All-State Commonwealth Strings Orchestra
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We’re writing short stories in English, doing reader’s theatre and other creative things to learn about events leading up to the American Revolutionary War in Social Studies, and focusing on division in Math. Nothing out of the ordinary right now, but I could mention the very strong effort given by all on the MAP Reading and Math tests, and how that will serve as a firm foundation for the Learning Checks sent recently by the district. Nothing to get stressed about, just an opportunity to show what they know. - Keith Lindsey
When the weather permits, the 4th grade students are presenting book talks about award winning picture books during class in Mrs. Gunn's Language Arts.. Each student had the opportunity to draw the title of a Caldecott Award winning book to explore, making note of plot, characters, sequence of events and illustrations. Some research was required to try to discern how the illustrator created the artwork and whether the author/illustrator had other books published. The presentations follow a rubric that focuses on the presentor's awareness of the material, audience for whom the presentations are written and given, and parameters for the written book talk that must accompany the presentation. Students began their book talks today, and the reception has been very positive.
The 8th graders explored static electricity by using the Van de Graaff generator during our electricity unit. The 7th graders learned about heredity by making “Baby Mars Mellows." And we made Cartesian divers and popsicle stick catapults during our December “Fun Block”.
BG Band
BG Dance
Bluegrass Vocal
LHS Orchestra LHS Band
LHS VocalSCAPA’s Chess Team Wins Big at Regionals
SCAPA’s Chess Team did amazingly well on Saturday at the Quad C Regional Chess Championships. Because the middle school and high school sections were combined, SCAPA was crowned the regional champions beating all middle schools and high schools in the region. Incredible congratulations go to our team consisting of Taylor Bagley, Carson Crovo, Nathan Rayens, David Seder, and Congrui Zhang. Individual finishes were as follows: 1st Place – Taylor Bagley 4th Place – David Seder 5th Place – Carson Crovo 6th Place – Nathan Rayens 7th Place – Congrui Zhang Team placements consisted of: 1st Place – SCAPA, Bluegrass 2nd Place – LTMS 3rd Place – Sayre High School 4th Place – Tates Creek Middle School. These students and our team will now move on to the state championships in Louisville in March. Congratulations to our whole team and to Coach. - Ed DeMoll.
Gabrielle Barker recently won first place and $1,000 in the 2011 VSA Kentucky Young Soloist Program. Adjudicators awarded Gabrielle a perfect score, and now she is eligible for the VSA International Young Soloist Award. A committee of distinguished music professionals will select the two award recipients who will receive $5,000 and an opportunity to perform in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center. Entries will come from 92 national and international VSA organizations.
We would like to make plaques to hang outside each of the arts rooms with the names of graduates and what they are doing professionally. Mr. Love has one on the wall just outside his door. Every year he takes his new 4th graders out in the hall, reads the names of past students and what they are doing, and tells the current students that if they dedicate themselves to their work, someday their name will be on the plaque. This is a great motivator! We want every arts teacher to have the opportunity to do the same thing. Please send me your name, year you graduated, major and what you are doing professionally so that we can expand and maintain this tradition. My address is carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us. We are looking forward to hearing from you and celebrating your success.
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The Arts Roundtable is a place where we can share valuable information about the essential role of the arts in our lives and the lives of our children. (Please submit items to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman, carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us, by the 20th of each month.) |
Submit information to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman (carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us)
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The Arts Bookbag is a place where we can recommend books about the arts that we have found to be informative and inspiring. (Please submit titles to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman, carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us, by the 20th of each month.) |
Children
SCAPA FUNdraising Opportunities
There are 3 ways that you can financially support SCAPA all year long with minimal effort!
Remember that when you contribute to SCAPA it benefits every student, grades 4-12, in every arts area. You can make a difference!
General Mills Corporation, sponsor of the Box Tops For Education program, has been involved in giving to educational programs since 1996. Over the past 13 years, participating schools have earned over $300 million dollars in funding. The Box Tops program is a simple way for our school to receive money without having to write grants, sell products, work hours, or buy things we don’t want or need. As a parent, relative, or friend of SCAPA, all you have to do is clip the “Official Box Top Coupon” off of the products you already buy and use. A complete list of these products can be found at boxtops4education.com. After clipping, send the box tops to school with your student. Each homeroom teacher has a container in their classroom for collection. Each month, the box tops are collected and counted, with the top collecting homeroom earning a prize. Come on SCAPA Penguins, keep clipping and collecting those box tops. Let’s make this an awesome box tops year.
Please download a copy for each of the FCPS approved volunteers in your family. Completed forms may be turned in to Ms. Barbara Talbert at the front office of Bluegrass SCAPA. Thank you so much for your commitment to making SCAPA great!
Please be aware that a records check is required in order to participate in volunteer activities in the Fayette County School system.
Wow, January flew by! What a great Science Fair, what a great Speech Team, and what a great Chess Club! We've got it all!
The snow has been unprecedented so far this winter and who knows what we still have in store. I trust everyone has been safe and I appreciate people’s efforts to come to school when it is in session. I know the students love a day here and there, but most seemed genuinely glad to get back to the business of school when school resumed last week. With these unplanned stops and starts, we need for parents to be especially mindful that students stay on top of their schoolwork. Working together, we can make even these breaks productive educationally. To keep abreast of how the days will be made up, please check out our 
Our students and staff are working hard to continue our momentum into the spring semester in spite of all the stops and starts due to the weather. We are scheduling our underclassmen for next year’s courses. Please make sure to touch base with your student to make sure you have seen his or her schedule card for the 2011-2012 school year. Schedule cards are due this week for most students.
The weeks just roll quickly with or
without the snow. Last week in addition
to two snow days and the science fair, we
also had our Geography Bee finals. The
contestants coming out of their grade level
competitions competed in the multipurpose
room on Thursday. The
questions were tough, but after hard
fought rounds, Amir Abou-Jaoude was
declared our winner. He now will take a
written test to see if he can advance to the
next level of
competition. Good
luck, Amir! Thanks,
Mr. Spaeth, for
providing this
wonderful opportunity
for the students.
The speech team had a productive
weekend as they competed in two
tournaments on Saturday in Hodgenville.
The day was long and exhausting, but the
team came away all smiles as they
soundly beat all the competition in
attendance. The extra bonus is that many
new students prequalified for the state
tournament in March. Congratulations
SCAPA Speech Team, Ms. Stayton, and
Ms. Donohue on the wins.
