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. The current yearbook purchase offer that includes the option for personalization ends January 27th, 2023. 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!

All-County Band at AU

The students shown above made the All-County Band and practiced at Anderson University after school Thursday, January 12th and all day Friday, January 13th. The songs that were played include “Lexington March,” “Into the Light,” “Arabian Dances,” and “September.” This concert was performed on Saturday and was conducted by Dr. Carter.

Miss Whitaker

Southwood Academy welcomes their new high school dance teacher Miss Whitaker. Miss Whitaker has taught at dance studios previously and graduated from Anderson University. She is currently working on her Masters from the University of Florida. Her hobbies include going to coffee shops, hiking, sailing, and spending time outside. She loves the fun atmosphere with the students and enjoys all of the arts classes here at Southwood Academy.

Mrs. Gunn

Mrs. Gunn is Southwood Academy’s new special education teacher. She is in her final year of the PACE program. In the past, she has taught at the Bridge Academy and has worked as a health administrator for over 20 years. She attended University of South Carolina for her undergrad and University of Phoenix for her Master's degree. She is married and has two teenagers, two rabbits, and a cat. Her extended family lives in Augusta, GA. She enjoys rockhounding and likes to make the gems she finds into art or jewelry. Mrs. Gunn loves her students and “feels that they have so much to offer and wants to see them grow.”

Mr. Burton

Southwood Academy welcomes Mr. Burton! He will be helping with all grades as the ELA academic interventionist. He will help students who feel like they need a little extra help and answer any questions. Mr. Burton graduated from Anderson University and has served at Belton Middle School and Calhoun Academy of the Arts. When asked about what he thinks about Southwood Academy so far, he said that the faculty, students, and staff have been very welcoming and he believes that he meshes very well with the community here. He says that the teachers are very nice, have excellent communication skills, and make sure that the students will excel in school. He likes golf and plays bassoon with the Anderson University Orchestra. He also plays piano, and his favorite genres to play are classical and jazz.

IGP Information for 8th Grade Students

8th grade student IGP meetings have started, and they need to be completed by the end of January! 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.

Chorus Field Trip

On Thursday, January 26th, Southwood Academy’s choral students will be going to Anderson University for a choral workshop. 7th and 8th graders will be singing “The Road not Taken,” and everyone will sing “Music Alone Shall Live.” They will leave SAA at 9:30 AM, and will return around 11:45 AM. 6th graders will have lunch as soon as they return, but everyone else will follow their normal lunch schedules. Parents must fill out the field trip permission form as soon as possible. This field trip is not mandatory, but attendance is strongly encouraged.

Mrs. Mundy's Exciting News

Welcome to the SAA family, little Beckett! Mrs. Mundy is on maternity leave! She will return in about 12 weeks. Her baby was due on February 9th, but he clearly did not want to wait. While Mrs. Mundy is home, Mrs. Vollmer will cover for half of her absence, and Mrs. Pabst will cover for the remaining time. While she’s gone, her classes will be reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham and The Man who Loved Clowns. They will also be reviewing for SC Ready.

6th Grade Science Amusement Parks

These pictures are of the amusement park projects that were completed in Miss Silvey's 6th grade science class. In these projects, the students had to create amusement parks using the simple machines they have been learning about in class. Simple machines include pulleys, screws, inclined planes, and more.

Report Cards Mean Honor Roll Lunch

Report cards were distributed Thursday, January 19th. Several grades or teachers require that students get their report cards signed, so please take care of that! Becauase the 9 weeks just ended, the PTO will sponsor an Honor Roll Lunch on Friday, January 27th!

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.

6th Grade Theatre

This week 6th grade Theatre are starting monologues from classical straight plays. They will be working on these monologues for two weeks and performing them the week of January 30th.

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.

Help Us Reach Our Goal!

We finally reached our goal to save 10,000 water bottles from the landfill! Newsletter Staff's next goal is to reach 20,000. Fill up your reusable bottle at the water fountain between the 6th and 7th grade hallways and help us reach our goal!

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.

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.

*Video Information: Under the leadership of Mr. Keith White at TLHS and Mr. Mark Lyon at AIT, several videos have been created by students as part of a fun classroom assignment while using younger students and staff of A5 as the actors. We appreciate the partnership from Nevitt Forest and North Pointe with providing such talented student actors. There will be more videos to come…this is just the beginning!

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 Thursday, January 26, 2023 chosen students will attend All County Clinic. 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.

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!

*In February, the Games Club will sponsor a Chess Tournament. Fill in the form below if you are interested in participating!

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 is Crazy Sock Club! Wyldlife will happen from 7:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday the 24th, at the Point Church. Students who want to dress up should wear their craziest socks. 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.

Media Center Schedule

Monday, January 23rd - Crittendon circulation, 3rd block TKAM

Tuesday, January 17th - Nickles circulation, 2nd & 4th blocks TKAM

Wednesday, January 18th - Games Club, Gunn class visit 10:30-11, Newsletter 3rd block

Thursday, January 19th - Vollmer/Mundy circulation, Watsons & Turning checkout

Friday, January 20th - Paradis circulation, Anne Frank & Watsons checkout

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!

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!