By Science & Arts Academy

​Tim Costello, Head of School at Science & Arts Academy (SAA), talks to Comcast Newsmakers about why families value the gifted education that SAA provides, honoring a child's developmental age as well as their academic abilities. "Children are in the company of intellectual peers and they're in an environment where its cool to be smart."

SAA students were treated to an afternoon with Artist Nicolosi, a top contemporary artist known for his signature Pop art portraits of many of today’s top luminaries in entertainment, sports, political and corporate arenas.

Nicolosi ’s friendship with "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee led to the creation of his documentary, Song of the Mockingbird: Monroeville Memories. Together he and 7th & 8th grade students watched the film after learning more about his work and life. Learn more about his documentary here. 

Nicolosi shared many words of wisdom with our students about the power of commitment, staying true to yourself and your gifts, and having the courage to pursue your talents and interests!

SAA and the Committee For The Arts launched a new annual gallery night titled Perspective. Gallery Night took place on the evening of Thursday, April 26th. It featured group projects created by upper and lower school as well as works selected from submissions and classwork throughout the school year. Attendees were able to interact with art and even had a wonderful photo op designed by first through fifth grade students. Students each created a feather but had no idea that the final installation would create wings! To add to the experience, Mrs. Weber coordinated student musicians for an extra layer of artistic expression. We look forward to celebrating this new SAA tradition next year!​

We would like to extend a big thank you to everyone that participated and helped out with the 25th Anniversary Homecoming Picnic. We were pleased to welcome over 600 guests to this special event. Please click here to read the program and view the list of our amazing sponsors and volunteers. We are so grateful for your support!

Special thanks to FSA Picnic Co-Chairs Jennifer Ilko and Amy Wang for all of their efforts supporting this milestone event. Also a big thank you to all of the student, parent, business partner, staff, alumni and alumni parent volunteers that provided such a welcoming atmosphere and helped the event run smoothly.

Special guests included Susan Bartz Herrick, the daughter of SAA’s founder, the late Helene Bartz; State Senator Laura Murphy; Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney; and Marisa Marton from the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, who joined SAA personnel in cutting the ribbon to officially kick off and commemorate the 25th anniversary celebration. Please click here to view a video containing remarks from the specials guests, as well as other highlights from the event.

Other special guests included Fire Chief Alan Wax and four vehicles from Fire Station 61, and Officer Meyer from the Des Plaines Police Department.

The Message & Memories Board at the picnic had some wonderful notes, one of which is shared below:

​The SAA performing groups presented a lunchtime concert at Golf Mill Mall in Niles on Tuesday, May 3.  Thirty-six students involved in our Concert Ensemble, Advanced Ensemble and Choir performed. They shared 12 separate musical numbers that included Meghan Trainor’s “Better When I’m Dancing” and selections from Glee. The audience contained parents of our students as well as many passers-by. The students had a blast!

In honor of Earth Day, and in conjunction with their air pollution project, SAA's Junior Division Community Problem Solvers have teamed up with the Neighborhood Forest organization, and will be distributing 245 crabapple seedlings today!  We encourage each SAA family to make a difference this Earth Day by planting their tree for the future generations to enjoy. Click to watch a video about the Neighborhood Forest organization. We'd love to have a photo of your family planting their tree! Please e-mail photos to Dr. Gueguen. Happy Planting!

The Junior Division CmPS team, Project SMOG (Students Making Outdoors Greener), held a bake sale to raise money in order to buy these seedlings for every SAA family. They raised close to $500, and they couldn't have done it without the generous support from donors and contributors. Thank you for your support in making this meaningful project possible!

A big thank you to the 16 members of our SAA community who bravely cut their hair or shaved their heads to help those living with cancer.  Science & Arts Academy raised over $1300 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation and sent 75 inches of hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. SAA would also like to send a sincere thank you to the stylists from Teddie Kossof for generously donating their time and talent to help with the event. This is the fourth time that stylists from Teddie Kossof have assisted with Cut for a Cause and we appreciate their dedication to service for others! Please consider visiting them for a future haircut. For 30% off your visit, stop by the front office for a coupon!