FAC Weekly Update
December 4, 2021
Good afternoon, Fine Arts Center Family
Here is the latest from the halls of the Fine Arts Center...
This Week's Student Leadership Lesson
Learn to Listen
"The first step in teachability is learning to listen. American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote, 'It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear.' Being a good listener helps us to know people better, to learn what they have learned, and to show them that we value them as individuals.
As you go through each day, remember that you can't learn if you're always talking. As the old saying goes, 'There's a reason you have one mouth but two ears.' Listen to others, remain humble, and you will begin to learn things every day that can help you to expand your talent."
Dr. John C. Maxwell - The Maxwell Daily Reader - December 1, page 367.
2022-23 School Year
The application to attend the Fine Arts Center for the 2022-2023 School Year is now open via the GCS Student Backpack account. All current FAC students must re-apply for next year - please take care of this now so that it does not fall off your radar. FAC students do not need to re-audition for their current program - we assess their qualifications through their daily class performance, on-time submission of assignments, and demonstration of progress via grades. Should a current FAC student wish to apply for a different area of study, they will need to go through the audition process for that program. A student who is in good standing with their current program does not need to worry about "losing their spot" if they audition for (and accept an offer from) a new program, as long as they make certain to re-apply for their current program.
Schedule for December 17, 2021
All Greenville County Schools will be running a half-day schedule on the last day of class before the Holiday Break - Friday, December 17. Since a large number of our students take bus transportation to/from their GCS high school to the FAC, and the elementary schools begin dismissal at 11:45 a.m., we need to adjust the FAC Schedule on 12/17 as follows:
- 8:00 a.m. classes - normal schedule
- 9:15 a.m. classes - normal start time
- 10:30 a.m. - dismissal for bus riders to the WHHS bus loop for return to their GCS High School
- 10:40 a.m. - buses depart from FAC to GCS high schools; students to remain at their GCS High School for the duration of the half-day schedule
- 11:05 a.m. - dismissal for all FAC students who attend Wade Hampton HS and Out-of-District Schools (Charter, Private, Home, Virtual). WHHS students will remain at WHHS for the duration of the half-day schedule
- 12:30 p.m. - normal class schedule for FAC students - those in the embedded SC Virtual Courses and those in the Advanced Topics in Theatre Course
- 1:15 p.m. - dismissal for all WHHS and FAC students;
- NO 1:30 p.m. CLASSES
- NO STUDIO TIME AFTER SCHOOL
Congratulations to Morgan Thompson!
Visual Arts Holiday Sale
The annual FAC Holiday Sale is back in person!
Sign in at the FAC front desk and then visit the FAC lobby to make your purchases of visual art student-made books, pottery, and jewelry! The goal of the sale is for students to learn entrepreneurship skills through art. Students earn 50% of the sale proceeds, while the FAC Visual Art areas earn the other 50%.
Holiday Sale Details:
Dates: Wed., Dec. 1 to Wed., Dec. 15
Daily sale times are 8:45 - 9:15am, 1:00 - 1:30pm, and 3:15 - 3:45 pm
Cash, Venmo, and personal checks accepted.
We also need parents to help sell the art! If you are interested, use the Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090949A9AB23A7F85-facvisual
Art Supply Drive
Believe it or not, the winter holidays are already upon us! Although this season brings much joy and fellowship, for children in foster care, separation from loved ones also brings feelings of grief and loss. We all know art - whether it be drawing, writing, or otherwise - can provide a critical outlet for processing complicated emotions. We are working with Greenville County DSS to collect a wide variety of art supplies to support children in foster care not just this winter, but throughout the year.
A box will be available in the FAC lobby from December 6-10 for collection. Click on the picture to view the informational flyer for the event.
The FAC Winter Showcase is Back!
Due to all of the restrictions in place during the last school year, we were unable to hold our winter and spring showcase performances for our students. These events are always a highlight for our students - we enjoy watching each other perform and supporting the work of our classmates. I am pleased to report that we will be returning to the in-person showcase format!
We are continuing to follow the recommendations of DHEC by keeping our performances socially distanced. Therefore, we will be spreading the event out over a two-day period on December 15 and 16. We will be assigning each class to a specific performance time to allow all students to participate. Please note that these performances are for students only - we cannot accommodate parents or other guests due to seating capacity.
COLLEGE CORNER
Scholarship Opportunities
James F. Brynes Foundation
$4500 each year for four years. One or both parents must be deceased, South Carolina resident, pursue a bachelor’s degree, satisfactory academic record, need for financial assistance. www.byrnesscholars.org. Deadline: February 1, 2022.
Watson-Brown Foundation
Provides need and merit-based scholarships to select Georgia and South Carolina students attending accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The scholarships are renewable in amounts of $3000 and $5000. Details at www.watson-brown.org. Deadline: February 8, 2022.
Archibald Rutledge Scholarship
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is once again offering the Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program. This annual program offers twelfth-grade students in public schools the opportunity to compete for a scholarship valued at approximately $2,000. The purpose of the competition is to encourage and recognize academic and artistic excellence. Scholarships are awarded and applicants may participate in one of the following discipline areas: creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts. The deadline is Monday, February 21, 2022.
Silver Pen Writing Competition
Hosted through Cascades Verdae and is open to high school seniors that attend school within a 25-mile radius of the Cascades Verdae. To apply, you must write a 1000 word essay on the assigned topic. silverpen-slc.com. Deadline: February 21, 2022.
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
College Board Opportunity Scholarships are micro-scholarships that high school students can earn by taking steps on their path to college. https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/
FAC STUDENTS PERFORMING IN THE COMMUNITY
Greenville Ballet - Nutcracker
Is Your Child Performing in the Community? The FAC is happy to publicize public performances and art exhibitions that feature our students. Please email Mr. Popat with any details of current or upcoming performances so that we can get the word out to our FAC Family!
Important Dates/Upcoming Events
- December 1-14 - Visual Arts Holiday Sale
- December 6 - Theatre Winter Presentations at FAC; 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. - Same show, two seatings to allow for social distancing.
- December 9 - Strings Chamber Music Recital at FAC, 7:00 p.m.*
- December 15 and 16 - Showcase Performances for Students
- December 17 - Half Day Schedule
- December 20-31 - Winter Break
*Please note that we will have limited seating at performances to ensure adherence to social distancing expectations. Your child's Instructor will provide all information about performances. We plan to Live Stream all events so that those who cannot attend may still enjoy the performance and support our students from home.
The FAC Parent Guild Wants YOU
The FAC Parent Guild is looking for volunteers who want to support the FAC in a variety of ways. Please click on the following link to view our informational handout.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FERVpudbg7VY2pYpUyhKeex_Jg2vSWqe/view?usp=sharing
If you have any questions, please email our Parent Engagement Committee Co-Chairs:
- Anita Pacylowski-Justo - anita@danceartsgreenville.com
- Steve Hairston - steve.hairston@furman.edu
Fine Arts Center - Greenville County Schools
Preparing dedicated students for 21st-century careers through rigorous, pre-professional arts training in a dynamic, inclusive, collaborative learning community.
Core Values
Creativity
Respect
Grit
Identity
Connection
Email: vpopat@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.fineartscenter.net
Location: 102 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC, USA
Phone: (864) 355-2550
Twitter: @FACGreenville