Southwood Academy of the Arts

6th Graders Need to Get Tdap Vaccines

Parents of 6th graders, if your student has received his or her Tdap vaccine, please turn in that documentation to Mrs. Rosa, the school nurse. At this time, there are nearly 120 students who are missing this documentation. **YOU MAY NOT ATTEND 7th GRADE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITHOUT THIS VACCINE!** If your student needs to get this vaccine, please call your doctor and make an appointment immediately. If you cannot get in with your doctor, please contact the Minute Clinics, Urgent Care, or the Health Department and make an appointment with them. Southwood Academy’s main office would like to have these by the end of this school year so we can run your child’s schedule over the summer.

Order Your Yearbook

If you would like to order a yearbook, use the link below! Information was sent home with students through their arts classes. Yearbooks are $45. If you have an 8th grade student, you may order a yearbook and order an 8th grade recognition ad! The 8th grade recognition ad sale ends February 3rd, 2023! If you have yearbook questions, contact Mr. Powell.

* If you are not sure if you ordered a yearbook, check this list of students who will get a yearbook in the spring when they arrive!

Access Testing for ELL Students

Access Testing for ELL students at Southwood Academy will be February 13th-16th. Testing often takes place in the Media Center classroom.

IGP Information for 8th Grade Students

Not every 8th grader has signed up for an IGP meeting! The last day for an IGP meeting is Tuesday, January 31st!

Both Westside and Hanna have the same registration form. Parents, please set up an Individual Graduation Plan or IGP meeting with either Dr. Chamblee or Ms. Doolittle. Your meeting can be virtual or in person. During the IGP meeting, students will review the course catalog for their freshman year of high school, and the high school registration form will be completed. A PDF of the high school catalog, the high school registration form, and links to sign up for a meeting are below. For more information about IGPs, careeer clusters, and more, visit Ms. Doolittle's website.

Extended School Day

Students who have received a letter about extended day must get it signed by their parents and attend a minimum of two of the dates unless their letter mandates that they attend all four. These meetings will be held in the Media Center from 3:30 to 4:30 and will be Tuesday, January 31st; Wednesday, February 1st, and Thursday, February 2nd.

Get Ready for Spirit Week

Spirit Week is coming up! Southwood will be kicking off spirit week on Friday, February 3rd and will be continuing all throughout the next week. The first day is Southwood Day, where students will dress in the Southwood colors, black, gray, and violet. The next day, Monday, is Surfers and Bikers day, where students will dress as a surfer, a biker or both. Tuesday is professional day or retired day; Wednesday is neon or camo day. Thursday is Light and Night, which can be any form of light or dark, including things like heroes or villains from movies or TV. The last day is Fandom Friday, where students can dress as anything they are a fan of, and the choice is up to you! The Spirit Sword will be given to the arts area with the highest percentage of participation, so make sure you show your spirit every day!

*Theatre currently holds the Spirit Sword. Who will earn it this year?

Report Cards Mean Honor Roll Lunch

Thank you, Southwood Academy PTO! Honor Roll students really appreciated the Honor Roll lunch!

Get Ready for Anastasia

Want to see a fantastic show with some incredibly talented students? Don't miss Southwood Academy's production of Anastasia: The Musical opening Friday, February 3 at 7:00 PM. Order your tickets online today to save your seat.

The story of Anastasia is about a young lady who has lost her memory and is trying to get it back. She is assisted by Dmitri. Vlad tries to stop her from uncovering her past of being the princess of the deceased czar. According to Nolan Rose who plays Dmitri, SAA's production isn't exactly the same as the Atlanta production because "the choreography and there are different blockings or stage directions." Nolan has really enjoyed working with the cast and crew!

Clemson STEM Day

Clemson STEM day is a program for middle school students. The goal of this day is to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Activities include hands-on engineering and science demonstrations and interactions with current Clemson engineering students. STEM day is on February 4th, and students may attend the morning session from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM or the afternoon session from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Student IDs

New student IDs have been distributed. Students need to wear their IDs throughout the school day. If a student forgets his or her ID, the first one is free. Temporary stickers are $1. If an ID is lost, it will cost $3 for a new ID and $2 for a new lanyard. IDs will be required at all times this year.

Clear Bag Policy for Anderson 5

As part of our ongoing effort to provide a safe and secure school environment for our students and staff, Anderson School District Five will be implementing a clear bag policy for high school and middle school football games. Further adjustments to this policy may be enacted prior to the beginning of winter sports. Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:

Purses - larger than a clutch bag
Camera cases
Briefcases
Backpacks
Cinch bags
Tinted/printed pattern plastic bags
Diaper bags
Mesh bags

Diapers and other baby supplies can be carried into the stadium in a clear bag. Infant formula, milk, or medicine needing refrigeration is allowed in a small soft-side cooler, and is subject to search at the gate. For additional information, please check out the image below.

A5 Transportation News

Parents, A5 Transportation is excited to promote a new opportunity for you to get in contact with the Transportation Department. You can now text CONCERN to 98127 and gain quick access to:

Submit a new bus stop request
Submit a question, comment, or concern
Learn about the new Traversa Ride 360 parent app (this app is how parents get notification of late buses)

Anderson 5 Needs Bus Drivers

Anderson School District Five is in immediate need of bus drivers. The current salary is $17.43 for new drivers and up to $25.82 for equivalence drivers. On-site paid training is offered at a rate of $16.43 per hour. This includes, but is not limited to, classroom training and behind-the-wheel training. Certified bus drivers are guaranteed 30 hours per week and could work up to 40 hours per week. Full-time drivers qualify for state benefits and participation in the South Carolina Retirement System. If you are only interested in driving a morning or afternoon route, part-time positions are available. Please check out the interest form below.

Strings Reminders

Strings students have a lot of upcoming events this spring! Every Friday at 7:45 AM students will rehearse for the National Orchestra Festival. On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 students will have an After School Rehearsal until 4:30 PM. February 24-26 select students will attend All State Orchestra at Cane Bay High School, Summerville, SC. On Thursday, March 2, 2023 students will have an after school rehearsal, as well as a Concert at 6:00 PM followed by a National Orchestra Festival question and answer. On Thursday, March 9, 2023, Concert Performance Assessment will happen at Wade Hampton High School. Finally, from March 15-19 National Orchestra Festival in Orlando, Florida will occur.

Beta Club News

The next Beta Club Meeting will be Tuesday, February 21st at 7:45 am in the PAC. If you cannot attend the meeting, please email your sponsor.

Newsletter Club

In order to provide more time, the Newsletter Club staff will meet Monday mornings 7:45 am in the media center classroom for assignments. Wednesday work sessions will be during 3rd block and 8th grade lunch. If you cannot make a meeting, please check in with Mrs. Spencer.

Creative Writing Club

Creative Writing students meet every Tuesday morning in Miss Paradis's classroom! Students who attended worked on a short piece of literature about something that happened to them that morning. There were no guidelines, so everyone has the freedom to write in any form or style.

Southwood Academy's YCI

YCI is starting back up at Southwood Academy of the Arts! YCI, Youth Commission International, is a Christian organization that talks about God and fellowship. YCI is 7:30 am every Thursday in the Performance Arts Center, and Mr. Pendergrass (the 8th grade science teacher) is the supervisor. There will be games and snacks. All are welcome!

Games Club

Games Club meets on Wednesday mornings in the media center. Games Club members are listed on a spreadsheet and do not need to get a pass. If you haven't been attending for a while, your name will be dropped from the spreadsheet. If you are interested in joining Games Club, there will be a sign up sheet in the Media Center. During our club meetings, students play games like checkers, chess, cards, Uno, Battleship, Sorry, Clue, Jenga, Trouble and more. If you like to work on puzzles, there will be a puzzle table as well. Unplug and join in the fun!

Archery News

Congratulations to the 21 students who made the SAA Archery Team! Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Practice is not required, but is highly recommended. If you cannot make practice, talk to Coach and he will help you find time. Archery team will compete on March 4th at the T. Ed. Garrison Arena. Admission will cost $10 as well as another $12 for a team T-shirt

Wyldlife News

This week Wyldlife will have Wildlife Club! Wyldlife will happen from 7:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday the 31st, at the Point Church. Students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite animal or any wild outfit. If parents or students have questions they can call 670-857-8767.

Cafeteria Online Payments

Students may purchase meals and extra sales items with cash, checks deposited onto their account, or funds deposited into their account online. Students cannot purchase extra sales if their account balance is negative. To view your child’s balance or make payments on their account, visit this site. You will need your child’s student account number to create an account/log in and view their meal account.

Bus Information

Students will not be allowed to ride the bus with friends or neighbors unless that is going to be their permanent stop. If your student needs to ride the bus and have a stop created, please fill out this form.

*The Robert Anderson Sports Bus is now available after school!

Early Dismissal / Appointment Policies

Procedure change for any dismissal during the school day due to COVID19 precautions:

When you arrive at school, please call the office: 864-260-5205 to let us know you are here to pick up a student for dismissal.
Make sure to have your license ready and press the buzzer for entrance.
Once the door is unlocked, be prepared to show your license through the window while you will remain in the foyer. Please DO NOT enter the office area.
We will have a sign-out sheet in the foyer. Please know that we will get your student to you as quickly as we can.

Book Love Month

Several ELA teachers and Mrs. Spencer celebrate Book Love Month during the month of February. Students who fill in Read 3 & Review 3 Book Review Forms will be part of the random drawing for Book Love prizes in the Media Center. Mrs. Boswell, Mrs. Liles, Miss Paradis also have special read-aloud and other activities to promote reading and just how important reading is!

Read 3 & Review 3

Read 3 of the SC Junior Book Award titles, and write 3 book reviews for them. That is what Read 3 & Review 3 is all about! The 20 SCJBA nominees are being promoted with a display and Mrs. Spencer's website. If you need to review the titles, check out the presentation above. If you have already read a book or two on the list, fill in the book review form! All forms are due February 16th, so you have plenty of time to read and participate!

Westside Softball Tryouts

Are you a student that is interested in trying out for the JV or Varsity Westside Softball team? Softball tryouts are held on Monday Jan. 30th and Tuesday Jan. 31st from 4pm-6pm at the Westside High School softball field. To participate, you must have an updated physical and all forms completed on Planet HS. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Staton.

TL Hanna Baseball Tryouts

Baseball tryouts at TL Hanna will begin on Monday, February 6th from 4-5:30 pm. Players must have all PlanetHS forms complete in order to tryout. More information can be found at www.tlhannasports.com. If you have questions, contact Daniel Crenshaw the Head Baseball Coach.

Early Dismissal Days

Anderson Five will utilize three early dismissal days during the 2022-23 school year to support staff development, teacher conferences or end-of-semester exams. When utilizing early dismissal, lunch will be offered to students. Elementary students will be dismissed at 11:00 AM and Southwood Academy students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM.

Early dismissal will be implemented on the following dates:

May 31, 2023

June 1, 2023

Please add these dates to your calendar!