High School Highlights
SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2020
FROM THE DESK OF MR. HASTY
I am simply amazed by our teachers and students every day! Whether they are on-campus or online learning, investment and collaboration taking place blows me away. It makes me more excited than ever to be back at school and to move forward in the midst of the current pandemic.
However, we cannot move forward if we do not work together! We are working very hard to do everything we can to keep your students safely on campus. There have been some reports that have crossed my desk recently of some rather large gatherings being planned that may or may not adhere to the guidelines set forth by our Academy, the CDC, and the Hamilton County Health Department. While I realize this is a day in time in which there are many opinions about how we should operate, I implore you to consider following the guidelines at all times.
Being together at school, in community with one another, is very special, especially at Silverdale! Already, several in our community have learned that lesson by having to experience COVID-19, spending time in quarantine, or both. All of us want to remain on campus together. Please help us remain open and together by protecting yourselves and your children when we are off-campus.
Thank you so much for your continued partnership, your patience, and your faith in SBA! Our community is stronger than ever because of our commitment to being safe together!
God bless!
COLLEGE APP WEEK IS SEPTEMBER 21ST-25TH
Tennessee’s College App Week begins on Monday, September 21st and we want to celebrate your future!
Monday – Create your TSAC account and apply for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship. Show Mrs. Pardue your confirmation and receive a treat!
Tuesday – Open Naviance and add colleges to your Interest section. If you apply, the College and Career Cafe will have a surprise when you request your transcript.
Wednesday – Complete your Brag Sheet for Mrs. Pardue and return during AIT for a treat by the fireplace.
Thursday – Seniors wear a college shirt/sweatshirt to school with uniform skort/pants
Friday – Coffee/Hot Chocolate with the Counselor – come by the office and enjoy!
VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR 2ND QUARTER
As we approach the second quarter (beginning October 19th), any requests to move to or continue as a student of our Virtual Campus will have to be submitted to the High School administration by the last day of the first quarter, October 9th. Students will only be allowed to switch to our Virtual Campus during the quarter for the following reasons: sickness due to Covid-19, quarantine requirements, or other exceptions made by the administration. Additionally, once permission is given, students must remain as a member of our Virtual Campus for the rest of the quarter.
If you wish for your child to be a virtual learner for the 2nd quarter, please complete this form by October 9th. Here is the Virtual Campus Handbook for your convenience.
BLOOD DRIVE THROUGH SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH
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.
If your child’s temperature is not put into Ascend each morning before school starts (7:55am), he or she will be 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.
VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR
URGENT NURSE NEWS
SICK: *If your child is sick, email awidener@silverdaleba.org AND attendance@silverdaleba.org.* If your child presents with any COVID-related symptoms, your child must be cleared by a physician prior to return (doctor’s note must be sent to school nurse at 423.892.2147 or emailed to awidener@silverdaleba.org).
ASCEND: 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).
If you ACCIDENTALLY click on a symptom that does not reflect your child’s current state, email nurse@silverdaleba.org.
Anne's COVID Corner:
The rationale behind the 14 days of quarantine is because thus far research has shown that individuals can test positive up to 14 days after exposure to someone that has tested positive for COVID. So let's say an individual was tested on day 5 after exposure and tested negative, technically that individual could still be positive for COVID on day 14 after exposure. Thus, right now the CDC recommends that individuals quarantine 14 days after exposure due to this possibility. Now, if in quarantine one were to test positive, then that individual would then follow a different timeline. Unfortunately, at this time, even if one tested negative after exposure to someone that tested positive, the exposed individual would still have to quarantine the full 14 days unless that individual ended up testing positive. There is no "lesser term."
Sincerely,
Anne Widener
School Nurse
o: 423.892.2319 ex. 2260
f: 423.892.2147
DRIVE SLOWLY ON CAMPUS
ORDER YOUR 2020/2021 HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK
SENIOR CORNER
1) Senior Talks sign-ups will be on Thursday, October 1st, at 7:15am, outside the upper school entrance. We are giving the option to the seniors to plan ahead and decide who will be in their group of 4, and only one senior comes in the morning to sign up the group. Masks must be worn and physical distancing must be adhered to. The dates that are available (if we only have talks on Tuesdays) are listed here. If we have to go to two days a week with current lunch restrictions, the second date will be the Thursday of each of those weeks.
We will send the guidelines for all aspects of this special time as soon as we determine which phase we will be in regarding lunches.
2) If you haven't had your formal picture taken yet in the drape or tux, please make sure that is done by December 4th. We use these pictures for various in-house projects and the yearbook so we need them done by this date. You can use any studio you like, just make sure they can send your favorite to Mrs. Bautista electronically.
3) Please make sure you have the Senior Lunch Privilege Form notarized and submitted to Mrs. McDonald so you can go to lunch on Fridays. A parent must sign this in the presence of a notary.
4) Class Verse and Song should be decided by Friday, September 25th.
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.
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) If you are interested in playing baseball this spring, please contact Coach Rorex.
2) 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 Armour 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.
3) 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!
- Wednesday, September 23rd - See You at the Pole - This will be done virtually during Chapel
- Thursday and Friday, October 8th and 9th - The school calendar states that this will be the Childlight Conference, which Elementary and Middle School teachers usually attend. For these days, high school students normally attend school as our teachers don't participate in the conference. However this year, no students will attend school so that our teachers have the time needed to plan for 2nd quarter and update grades.
- Friday, October 9th - Last day of the 1st quarter
- October 12th-16th - Fall Break
- Friday, October 23rd - 1/2 Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Email the teacher directly that you would like to meet with virtually to set up a time.
- Friday, October 23rd - Report Cards available to view, watch for the email for time
Find everything you need related to our Finance Department on the Parent Portal here.