Director’s Notes Aug 31, 2018
I hope you are having a restful and fun Labor Day weekend!
We had a great parent meeting Thursday night! Thank you to everyone who joined us! If you were unable to come, attached you will find some of the information we covered. Also, contact your student’s teacher to see if there was anything they would like to share with you. Websites and social media are always a good place to find information as well! If you did not get the chance to join pARTners, don’t worry. It’s not too late! You can join on their website. Just go to https://www.nesapartners.net/membership
RootEd: NESA is looking for a parent who would be interested in being our RootEd representative. RootEd is a local 501c3 grassroots organization that promotes neighborhood public schools through storytelling, advocacy, and education. They believe a strong public school system for all children creates a robust economy and well-connected community. A RootEd Representative’s primary role is to use social media and word of mouth to promote the great things happening in his or her school. If you are interested in filling this role for NESA, please contact me directly at spagon@neisd.net.
Clarification about clear bag policy: Thank you for your patience as minutiae of the new clear bag policy are ironed out. I did have many parents asking me about rehearsal bags. Students are allowed to carry a regular (non-clear) rehearsal bag to school to put in their locker or other designated area. They should lock it up as soon as possible once they arrive on campus and not carry it to class. If your students designated bag area is not available immediately when they get to campus, then they can carry that bag until the area opens. For example, if a student arrives on campus at 7:45 for a meeting but their area is not accessible until 8:25, they may carry their bag until their meeting is over and they can access their designated area.
I am also looking into selling a NESA logo duffel bag through the school that will be easy to recognize as the students’ rehearsal bag and should help eliminate questions. We are also looking into selling some clear duffel bags to help eliminate the locker hassle. Stay tuned!
Other opportunities:
A free educational opportunity through Will’s War production in Seguin; free workshops on Monday September 10th with professionals in the industry focusing on playwriting, lighting, directing and acting. See link for more details.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wills-war-free-education-workshops-tickets-49569212850
NESA Director’s Notes 08-23-18
The new school year is upon us and we are looking forward to welcoming the new and old alike to a great 2018-2019 school year at NESA!
If this is your first email from me, let me introduce myself. My name is Sarah Pagona and I am the Director of this amazing school. I am always a resource for you and an advocate for our student’s success. Please never hesitate to reach out to me for anything! My email is spagon@neisd.net and my direct office line is (210) 356-1034. My assistant, Yolanda Almazan, a wellspring of information and aid, is also always available at our NESA office line (210) 356-1033.
Please note: Our mandatory parent meeting is coming up this Thursday Aug. 30th! Please come at 6 to join pARTners, purchase merchandise, and sign up for volunteer opportunities. The meeting starts at 6:30.
As the school year ramps us it is worth noting that the success of this amazing school would not be possible without team work. That team consists of students, parents, staff and community partners all working together to build superlative programs for our students.
pARTners
The best way you, as a parent, can help support NESA is to join NESA pARTners. NESA pARTners is our parent organization, representing all seven of our majors, and supporting the schools programs and initiatives. They fundraise, provide food, supplies, aid in the classroom and afterschool, help in concessions, tickets sales, chaperone field trips… the list goes on and on! Just this summer they have helped us to find donors and raise funds to install a new safe floor for our Theatre classroom. Really the organization is amazing. Please consider being a part of the group that invests in your students’ success, assists in enhancing their educational experiences, and supports every major at North East School of the Arts. You will have the opportunity to join on Thursday and maybe even take on a leadership role!
Reminders:
– Clear backpacks are mandatory. Store your practice bags in your major’s area as soon as possible upon arriving to school.
– If driving, please be prepared to park in the shuttle lot. Give yourself some extra time so that being late is not adding to the first day of school anxiety!
– We will be on a different schedule for the first day of school, so remember to find your designated advisory on the list posted around campus and head to that room at the start of school.
– School starts at 8:55 and ends at 4:15
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday!
Pick up times: If your student is staying after school for rehearsals of any kind, please remember to pick them up in a timely manner. If you cannot pick them up at the scheduled time, please arrange for them to go home another way. If you cannot find a good solution, please reach out to the teacher or I am see if we can’t help solve the issue.
As always I will include any cool community opportunities I have found! See below.
Community opportunities:
Picture You World Photo outdoor photography education program
Picture Your World is an outdoor education program designed to connect youth ages 8-18 to the natural world through the camera lens. The program manager, a master naturalist, and professional fine art photographer work together to engage youth to their environment, teach conservation and foster creativity. The cost per workshop is $20 per student. Fees may be waived for students demonstrating financial need. Registration is available online at www.greensatx.org/events. For questions, please contact Carra Garza at carra@greensatx.org, or, (210) 863-1058.
LifeArt Film Festival San Antonio 2018 Presents Netflix Original Film Premiere
Friday and Saturday, September 14 & 15, 2018
Free General Admission to all screenings and events with RSVP
https://www.tobincenter.org/box-office/2018-09/lifeart-festival-san-antonio-2018?utm_source=Tobin+Center+Events+and+News&utm_campaign=9ede278f4f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_08_16_08_50&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_abb7c511de-9ede278f4f-200688257