: Sorry this edition is a day or two behind, but hopefully, it is just as timely.
It was great to see so many of you at “Academy Premiere Night” last Thursday evening at the Maumee Theater. Seven groups of students presented their original films in front of an audience of over 200 people. We concluded our time with Ed Radtke, our filmmaker in residence throughout January, on Friday and returned to a normal pace of Academy life today. Our “normal pace,” however is still pretty hectic!
Last Saturday nine students participated in the Power of the Pen district writing competition. We look forward to receiving the results next week to discover if any students advanced to the regional competition. Thanks to Bob Scarlett, father of 8th grade student Dominic, and Mrs. Chambers for serving as judges for us.
This Saturday twelve students will represent the Academy as we attempt to defend our crown as district MathCounts champions on Saturday at the UT College of Engineering.
Archery, scuba diving, and swimming—Academy students started “diving into” these activities last week. Through a grant we received from the Ohio Department of Wildlife we joined the National Archery in Schools Program and Mr. Butler and Mr. Szynkowski have been working with @ 20 students each day. Groups of 8th graders started learning about scuba diving last Friday through a program with Aqua Hut on Reynolds Road, and starting tomorrow fifteen Academy students will learn how to swim through a program we developed with the Wolf Creek YMCA. These opportunities replace the students’ physical education class for the time they are engaged in the activity. Next month we’ll be providing unique opportunities in the arts, including pottery and metal working.
This Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. is our first Academy information night for students interested in joining us next year. Please encourage any friends or relatives who may have an interest in the Academy to attend.
A reminder—Tuesday, February 10 is “Academy Career/Service Opportunity Day.” Please complete the yellow selection form that was mailed home so we know if your son will be learning about a career that day or would like to participate in service work. We have organized three service activities: working at Camp Miakonda; painting and cleaning at the Catholic Club; and packing boxes of food at the Toledo Seagate Foodbank. The school day ends at 2:00 p.m. that day as the high school is holding a “House Day” and the SJJ buses will leave at 2:00 p.m. with other buses keeping their usual schedule.
If you still owe for football, basketball, or wrestling fees please send your payment in a soon as possible. We have to pay these fees before the seasons begin and we rely on your help to cover these costs.
Congratulations to 8th grader Dominic Scarlett, who won the Academy Spelling Bee and will represent us at the Lucas County Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Maumee Theater.
Students can look forward to lunch with their high school “Big Brothers” next week.
Thanks to those who continue to support our cell phone collection program. We appreciate your cooperation and trust. So far we have not had any problems as a result of students turning their cell phones in each morning and receiving them back at the end of the day. On Wednesday we‘ll be handing out dress down passes for those students who turn their cell phone in as a token of our appreciation for their cooperation.
Another reminder—no school On Friday, February 13 as we will be here for a staff in-service day and there is no school on Monday, February 16 in honor of Presidents’ Day.
