Category: Special Events

Parent Education Events at SAA

4/29/2019

By Science & Arts Academy

We enjoyed hosting Parenting Gifted Children at Science & Arts Academy last week. Professional counselor and author Catherine Gruener talked about the many common parenting challenges and strategies while leading some hands-on parent training exercises.

SAA faculty speakers Carolyn Manley and Tina Centineo shared more on what schools can do to support the social and emotional needs of gifted children.

If you are interested in learning more about our school, please feel free to schedule a tour or parent meeting. All tours at SAA are private, and offer an opportunity to visit classrooms and speak with teachers. Please contact Mindy Hildebrandt, Director of Enrollment.

SAA on Comcast Newsmakers

12/21/2018

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."

Artist Nicolosi Visits SAA

11/16/2018

By Science & Arts Academy

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!

Shane Larson Visits SAA

9/18/2018

By Science & Arts Academy

SAA students and faculty were treated on Friday to a special visit from Shane Larson, research associate professor of physics at Northwestern University, and the Associate Director of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics). Professor Larson’s research interests are primarily in gravitational wave astrophysics and data analysis, but he is also interested in various aspects of cosmology, binary star evolution, gravitational dynamics in exoplanetary systems, and Earth’s climate. Shane works works in gravitational wave astronomy with both the ground-based LIGO project, and the future space-based detector LISA. Learn more about Shane at http://sciencejedi.com

SAA Gallery Night

4/27/2018

SAA Art teachers show off the Gallery Night

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!

Shakespeare Fest

4/19/2018

Today was Shakespeare Fest, an SAA tradition. Students were encouraged to come wearing and most did wear period dress. The gym became transformed into Westminster Market Place and the entire school enjoyed an opening ceremony with a special appearance from Queen Elizabeth, Christopher Marlowe, and William Shakespeare! Plus, a falconer brought his falcon and shared information about the past time. The morning was full of storytelling and visiting various shops and demonstrations students had researched and put together. The afternoon kicked off with an all-school parade and continued with seventh and eighth grade Shakespearean performances.

Third & Fourth Grade Novel Study

1/9/2018

In the December 20th edition of the Des Plaines Journal, an article appeared documenting our culminating activity for the third and fourth grade novel study of the book Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. The text of the article is copied below.

Science & Arts Academy Students Spread Message of Kindness

Third and fourth graders from Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines have just finished reading and discussing the book, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. The main character’s experiences in navigating through childhood with facial differences deeply resonated with SAA students and helped them understand the importance of acceptance and empathy. They culminated their novel study with a field trip to the AMC Randhurst Theater on Thursday, December 7th to view a screening of the movie, Wonder. Students all wore specially created t-shirts with the words “CHOOSE KIND” on the front, in an effort to help spread this important message in and around our community. “Appearances don’t matter. It’s what the person is actually like once you get to know them that matters,” shared Nico Lopez, third grader at SAA. Students learned that the words of Mr. Tushman ring true, “Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”

25th Anniversary Celebration

9/11/2017

25th Anniversary Ribbon cutting at the SAA picnic

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:

"SAA was my start. It's where I truly learned to be myself. I'm so thankful for the lessons I learned and the people I met. SAA will forever be my home. Go Eagles!"
-Trevor Class of '14

Musical Performances at Golf Mill

5/5/2017

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!

Celebrate Earth Day

4/21/2017

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!

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