Director’s Notes Nov. 22, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving! We have arrived at a well deserved break for everyone. Every year at Thanksgiving I try to stop and reflect on all that I have and all that I am. I think of my year, my family, my friends, my job.  Today, I found myself thinking of how grateful I am to be a part of this wonderful community of teacher, students, and parents that are so hard working and inspiring. Just moments ago I saw a tech student take initiative and lead her class to help clean up the stage area so that her dance peers could prepare for their show. No one asked her to do this. No teacher gave her this instruction. She did it because it needed to be done and because she cared about tech, about the task, and for her fellow NESA students. And this is only one example of what I see here every day. I could speak forever of tales of people going above and beyond to ensure excellence and opportunity for each other here at NESA, but I won’t. How lucky I am to be able to witness and aid in the continued success of such a wonderful school. If you are reading this I am thankful for you. You and I are a part of this place together.

Celebration for Instrumental Music

This week NESA participated in the Region Band competition. We want to extend a hearty congratulations to their teacher Mr. Martinez and the students who placed, in addition to the students who placed at Region Orchestra earlier this month!  Way to go IM!

Ella Flister – Symphony Orchestra, 2nd Violin, Region Orchestra

Ben Welchman – District Band: Trumpet

Sam Schlesinger – District Band: Horn

Sara Dulaney- Symphony Orchestra, Honorable mention, Viola

 

Steppin’ Into the Holidays

When you return from break it will be time to get into the holiday spirit with Steppin’ Into the Holidays!

Steppin’ Into the Holidays runs Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30, Saturday Dec. 7 at 2:30 and 7:30 and Sunday Dec. 8 at 2:30. Tickets are available at https://nesa.booktix.com/

Usher for Steppin’

Need an usher credit? Here is the sign up genius to usher for Steppin’ https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A48A9A62BA5FF2-steppin

 

From NESA pARTners

NESA Parents-

Be on the lookout for an email from your students director, parent rep or post on your individual Major FB pages. Each major is contributing and putting together a themed basket for our pARTners silent auction which will be held Sunday, December 8th during the matinee showing of Steppin’ Into the Holidays. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year!

In addition we are also accepting additional items that anyone would like to contribute. Lessons, tickets for sporting or music events, or any type of gift certificates for beauty, food, or family fun.

Or do you know a business that would like to contribute? Let us know!

All monies raised goes back to your child’s classroom, scholarships, end of year banquet, and master classes.

Sincerely,

Your NESA pARTners Fundraising Committee #nesa #bettertogether #RootEdnesa #weRpartners

 

Other upcoming dates:

Creative Writing Gathering of Poets and Writers- Dec. 10th , 7pm in the LEE Blackbox

Outsiders Film Festival- Dec 13th, 7pm in the theater

Exams start Dec. 17th.

 

 

I will leave this Director’s Notes with a quote from Maya Angelou: “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”

Have a wonderful break.

Sarah Pagona, Director of the North East School of the Arts

Director’s Notes Nov. 16, 2019

Happy Saturday! Beautiful weather to lift the spirits.  And with one week to go until Thanksgiving Break!

Just a few things for everyone to note this week.

Night With NESA

Night With NESA is this Tuesday! This is a huge open house event with performances, a food truck, activities for kids and more! Your student will probably be needed that night, if they haven’t told you already! And we could use parent help too. Get in contact with the director of your student’s program if you are interested in coming and helping, or you can always reach out to me!

Mamma Mia

Mamma Mia has one more run this Sunday at 2:30. We are going to be very close to selling out, so get your tickets now if you are planning on attending! It has been a wonderful fun show!

Steppin’ Into the Holidays

Steppin’ Into the Holidays is coming sooner than you think! Get into the Holiday Spirit! Tickets are on sale now. This show will sell out.  The show runs December 6th,7th, and 8th!

Outsiders Film Festival

Join Cinema for the Outsiders Film Festival Friday, December 13th at 7:00. Dinner and a movie anyone? Tickets are just $8 and they are on sale now.

All tickets can be purchased at https://nesa.booktix.com/

 

College Calling- Seniors!

Seniors- you should be on the LEE senior google classroom. If you are not, you are missing out on information that you need! The class code to join is k7r5iv2

Other News:

Congrats to Creative Writing on their stellar performances today at the Teen Art Fest at the San Antonio Public Library! Pics on my blog and on our social media!

NESA Banquet theme this year is MET Gala: The Evolution of Fashion.

PTSA Thanksgiving Pie Drive. The PTSA is collecting pies for the holiday to give to faculty and staff members at LEE, NESA, STEM, and ISA. If you can help, please click on this link to sign up with your donation. Thank you in advance! https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/8050944a5ab28a2f49-leenesastemisa

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Sarah Pagona, Director of the North East School of the Arts

Director’s Notes Nov. 8, 2019

If you didn’t get to see the Mamma Mia on the news this morning with Where’s Cleto? We will send out the link as soon as it is ready! It was really early in the morning but it was a blast. I am so impressed with each and every one of the almost 100 kids involved in the production that left here after 10 last night and showed back up by 6. Yes, it is hard work, but your passion shows! And a big shout out to our teachers too! Everyone is tired but smiling!

Mamma Mia!

What an opening night! If you missed it, that’s ok. We run 7 more shows! Join us Saturday at 7:30 or Sunday at 2:30.

Steppin’ Into the Holidays and Outsiders Film Festival tickets now on sale

Visit https://nesa.booktix.com to purchase tickets.

Steppin Into the Holidays runs Dec, 6, 7, 8

Outsiders Film Festival is Friday, Dec. 13th.

Upcoming Recruitment Events

Magnet night is Wednesday at Blossom Athletic Center. We could use a few parent and student volunteers.

Night with NESA, our open house and celebration of creativity, is Tuesday Nov. 19th. We could use a lot of help! We are having all kinds of art stations and activities, pop up performances and more. More than likely you child will be needed this day. There will be food trucks and concessions!

pARTners Dinner Meeting

Tuesday Dec. 12, 2019 in lieu of a meeting this month, we are all going to Papoulis’s in the Quarry for a Give Back Restaurant night. 10% of the night proceeds go to NESA pARTners. We would love to see you there!

College Calling

From the Counseling Office:

Attention Seniors : Transcripts requests for the December 1st College Admission or Scholarship Deadline must be submitted no later than Thursday, November 21st –No exceptions.   This is especially important since School Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving break the week of November 25th-29th.  Please see Ms. Norma Folley in the Counseling Office.  Any transcript requests received after the November 21st deadline will be processed after the Thanksgiving break beginning Monday, December 2nd.  Please submit your transcript requests early.

Have a great weekend!

Sarah Pagona, Director of the North East School of the Arts

Director’s Notes- Friday, November 1, 2019

Wow! Hello November. Coming in with a chill! We have so much going on this month, we couldn’t be happier to share it with everyone!

Mamma Mia

In less than a week we will be rockin’ some beachy disco hits here at NESA. Join us! Tickets available at https://nesa.booktix.com/

DO210

Go to DO120 and find our events (Mamma Mia and Steppin’) and vote for them so we rise to the top of the calendar for people looking for fun things to do around San Antonio. You should be able to click on NESA and then like all the events on one page. Here is the direct link: https://do210.com/venues/nesa-north-east-school-of-the-arts

Senior Fees

We are extending the deadline for Senior Fees for another week. The NESA senior fees were $35, cash or check to the NESA office. Forms are on the table outside of my office and here: Senior dues

Papouli’s pARTners night

Nov. 12 Join us for diner at Papoulis’s in lieu of a pARTners meeting. 10% of your check with be donated back to NESA pARTners!

College Calling

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is used by colleges to determine financial aide awards. I would go ahead and call it mandatory for all students going to college. We recommend doing it ASAP because funds are first come first served. They even have an early aid estimator you can do on. Go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa to learn more or start an application.

Other stuff…

Saturday School is starting up soon so if you have excessive absences look out for the information coming from LEE. You must pay the small fee on Thursday if you want to attend on a Saturday.

AP payments are now due Nov. 4th. If you are struggling, just have your student pay in cash or money order (NO checks) in the counseling office. If you are AP 2D, 3D, or Drawing that test has already been paid, you will just need to pay for any additional tests you will be taking.

 

Have a great weekend. We will see you next week!

 

Sarah Pagona, Director of the North East School of the Arts