High School Highlights
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2020
FROM THE DESK OF MR. HASTY
This week in Chapel, we discussed answering the question, "Who are you?" For many of our students, the answer is: "I don't know." That answer is a good one, maybe the best one! Our students are still figuring out who they are and probably won't have it figured out for many years to come!
Ultimately, answering this question begins and ends with our character. Our character is the sum total of the attributes that make up and distinguish an individual. These attributes come from within because our nature isn't about what we do; it is about who we are.
Colossians 3:12-14 challenges each of us to surrender ourselves to Christ, building a character that pleases Him and lifts up those around us. Paul writes: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect harmony."
O, that the young men and women of Silverdale Baptist Academy would be these types of people! May their character be built on the identity of Christ. May the outflow of that identity be good fruit, making our community one in which each of us flourishes!
See you on campus!
FROM THE DESK OF MRS. IOANNIDIS
As faculty and staff we constantly evaluate the way we lead our students in their academic journey and cognitive development so that we gradually challenge them to become self-directed learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers and catalysts in advancing the Gospel and transforming our culture. A recent article by Tim Elmore effectively articulates the challenge to give our students more freedom to make choices, to think, and to experience failure and growth by overcoming challenges. Here is what Elmore says about the importance to become less prescriptive with our students:
Thanks to technology, we’ve been able to become prescriptive in our leadership so that young people are required to do very little thinking on their own. Consider this: parents have become prescriptive in their leadership, scheduling every day. Teachers have become prescriptive in their lesson plans, which teach to the test; coaches are prescriptive in their instruction for practices and games. YouTube and Netflix are prescriptive, suggesting which videos to watch next. Amazon is prescriptive, suggesting other products you might like. Employers are prescriptive in their formula to reach the numbers they need and social media apps are prescriptive in their looping format to keep you watching. Someone else does our thinking for us.
This has actually diminished our children’s maturation. When free to play on their own, they learn social and emotional cues. Anthropologists who’ve studied hunter-gatherer cultures say the leaders know their children must have time on their own to be free in order to mature socially and emotionally. I now wonder—did our control of the academic process hinder the social and emotional development of our kids?
What if we were descriptive instead of prescriptive in raising children? What if we allowed them to take on more responsibility, and figure out things on their own? What if we challenged them to advocate for themselves, to take risks, and to be fearless in the face of adversity? By being less prescriptive, we allow our children’s character to grow in resilience, and they will ultimately become the godly warriors, and fearless Ambassadors that can transform culture with the power of the Gospel!
Blessings to all!
ACADEMY CLOSED MONDAY FOR LABOR DAY
TEMPERATURES MUST BE LOGGED IN ASCEND EACH MORNING
In our efforts and commitment to keep everyone in the Academy safe and healthy, we require that all students, staff, and faculty log their temperature into the Ascend platform before coming on campus.
Starting next week, if your child’s temperature is not put into Ascend each morning before school starts (7:55am), he or she will he called out of class to take their temperature and log it into Ascend. Your child will receive an unexcused tardy, which could accumulate and lead to detentions.
It is imperative that Ascend is completed each morning and that this is done before coming on campus to minimize the risk of potential exposure to others. Thank you so much for your diligence in taking care of this extremely important matter each morning.
We understand this is “something new” to interject into your morning routines. That is why we are still reminding everyone with a text alert at 6:45am every morning. Some tips to help you remember:
1. Place the thermometer by your toothbrush or on the kitchen counter by the coffee pot
2. Place a sticky note on the door that you exit
3. Set a reminder to complete the Ascend platform on your phone
These small reminders can make a difference in quarantining an entire class or just a few students. It is our desire to keep our Academy’s doors open for on campus learning, and it will take us all to help minimize the spread of this virus.
If you’re having difficulties with the app, please submit a support ticket.
PINK OUT VOLLEYBALL GAME
The High School Girls Volleyball team, in conjunction with their Pink Out game, will be collecting donations in morning carline Friday, September 11th and Monday, September 14th. All money collected will go directly to the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for children whose parents have battled breast cancer.
Whether your spare pocket change or dollar bills, every little bit helps! This is a partnership we firmly believe in, and we have seen the benefits of these scholarships first-hand.
We also invite you to join us at our pink out games on Monday, September 14th at 5pm & 6pm. All profits from admission will go directly to the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund.
Thank you for your support!
VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR
URGENT NURSE NEWS
COVID Testing Clarification: If a student or staff member receives COVID testing for any reason, then other family members need to remain off campus until COVID test result is negative. (A rapid test would be ideal in order for your children to return to campus as quickly as possible.)
Reminders:
- Complete daily health screenings through Ascend and stay home when instructed to do so; notify Nurse Anne with any questions in regards to symptoms and sickness (awidener@silverdaleba.org).
- Maintain 6 feet of physical distancing wherever possible
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and if soap and water isn't available use hand sanitizer
- Wear your mask properly
- If your child is sick, please email nurse@silverdaleba.org.
Sincerely,
Anne Widener
School Nurse
o: 423.892.2319 ex. 2260
f: 423.892.2147
DRIVE SLOWLY ON CAMPUS
CANVAS INSTRUCTIONS
Student Dashboard - open a browser and type students.silverdaleba.org or click on the "For Students" link at the bottom of our public page www.silverdaleba.org
- We have been shocked at how many students don't know this exists
- Here you will find ALL links for summer and school year information
BITS for Students (Student Help Desk) - From the Student Dashboard, they can click on Student Technology - BITS for the Student Help Desk where they can find ALL the instructions they need. This includes: Canvas, Gmail, Google Apps, WiFi, student printing and much more. Parents have their own Help Desk linked from the Parent Dashboard.
Canvas Login Instructions - Students have had several weeks to get their Canvas account and password straight, however many still struggle (parents too). Canvas help and login links below:
Student Email (silverdaleba.org) - If your child has an SBA email account, instructions for connecting to it can be found Here. Instructions are straightforward and easy to put on your SmartBoard for him/her to follow.
CELEBRATION GUIDELINES
We all love to celebrate milestones whether it is a teacher's birthday or even our child's. These moments are precious and breathe life into our souls. We certainly understand the importance of doing so, but we need to make you aware of some slight modifications to these events due to the ever-changing COVID environment.
- There can be no "cakes" (if it is to be shared with the class) or even "cupcakes" unless they are pre-packaged and/or individually wrapped
- Any chips or snacks will need to be single serve size only
- Any drinks will need to be single serve only (i.e. Juice boxes, bottled water, etc.)
- Due to our current Yellow Phase, all parents will need to let their specific school know the date and time that they will be visiting campus. Visitors in classrooms are very limited and must be screened through the Ascend platform and vetted through the specific school. We understand that this is a new procedure but we are trying to minimize the spread of the virus and keep us on campus. If you have questions, please reach out to us. There are no wrong questions. Please, if you need more clarification on any "party" that you are planning, let us know.
We appreciate you and your partnership with us. Soak in each moment of every day that the Lord has given you.
ORDER YOUR 2020/2021 HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Silverdale Baptist Academy is offering a Student Assistance Program (SAP) to all students. This is a voluntary program that provides various support services designed to meet your child’s social, emotional, and behavioral needs. It is a free service. There is no cost to you or your child.
By completing this form, you are giving us permission to speak with your child should the need arise.
Here is the Parent/Guardian Referral Form that can be used to refer a child to the Counselors.
Silverdale Baptist Academy is excited to offer such an invaluable service to you and your child. Thank you again for partnering with us.
1999 CLUB
Want to join the SBA 1999 Club? Get admission to all home athletic events along with other perks of being a member (membership tiers listed on the site).
The 1999 Club was created last year as a parent-led athletics booster club designed to develop, grow and serve the athletic programs at SBA through moral, physical, and financial support.
Through partnership with school administration and athletic staff, the '99 Club provided more than $20,000 in additional financial support for our student athletes and coaches last year in the form of equipment, facility upgrades, and various other investments in our student athletes.
Joining will take less than 5 minutes!
If you have questions, please email 1999Club@silverdaleba.org or contact one of the club officers below:
Kevin Burke - President
Mark Junkins - Vice President
Sean Vereen - Treasurer
Meleah Meadows - Secretary
Nicole Echols - Elementary School Rep
Justin Holland - Middle School Rep
Shane Gibson - High School Rep
FRIENDS OF THE ARTS AND "TAKE A SEAT" CAMPAIGN
Upon your return to campus, or if you have driven by lately, I'm sure you could not help but notice the progress that has been made on the new Silverdale Center. Our Fine Arts department excitedly anticipates the many ways this facility will improve students' educational experiences with the arts. We are happy to announce some new opportunities for you to offer your support by becoming a "Friend of the Arts" or by participating in our "Take a Seat Campaign". You can find more information here.
Thank you!
SILVERDALE CENTER UPDATES
The latest developments on The Silverdale Center project can now be found online at www.silverdaleba.org/silverdalecenter, where you can even watch two realtime construction cameras! After hours or on the weekend? No problem - just choose a date from the sidebar or watch the timelapse!
ATHLETIC NEWS
1) The Silverdale year-round Online Spirit Store will remain ‘open’ throughout the school year. Items that will be for sale include PE uniforms, outerwear, sweatshirts, and t-shirts.
In addition, you will find some Under Armor pieces that are approved for uniform wear.
Items ordered in this store are expected to be delivered to your child in approximately two weeks from the order date. Check back often, as we will add seasonal items. If you have any questions, please contact athletics.
https://sportsspectrum.itemorder.com/sale
Sale Code: SBA2020.
2) Attending athletic events on campus:
There are a few things we wanted you to know before attending an athletic event. The TSSAA has put in place several protocols we must follow. All fans must be masked and have their temperature checked before entering. Physical distancing guidelines must be followed at all times. The more we adhere to these protocols, the safer our event will be, and helps protect our athletes, coaches, officials and of course you, our fans!
One of the other protocols listed by the TSSAA, as well as our local health officials, is a limit on fan attendance. While those limits vary based upon the facility, we are doing everything we can to maximize the number of fans who can attend each game safely. In order to keep an accurate count and allow our parents/families first access to tickets, we have partnered with Eventbrite to allow for contactless ticket purchases for most events.
To complete your purchase:
Follow this link to see Silverdale home athletic events that will require tickets
Sign up for an Eventbrite account
You can then purchase General Admission tickets up until 3 hours before an event.
Tickets will be available 72 hours before an event and will close 3 hours before scheduled start time.
If you are a 1999 Club member or SBA staff, you will be sent a code that will allow you to claim tickets separate from the General Admission ticket.
If you are unable to purchase a ticket in advance, a limited number of tickets will be available at the gate on a first come, first serve basis.
Please contact athletics if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you next week!
SENIOR CORNER
TO THE CLASS OF 2021 - Welcome to senior year! Please look for exciting information coming soon.
- Monday, September 7th - Academy closed for Labor Day
Find everything you need related to our Finance Department on the Parent Portal here.