​As students across the world are making a transition to distance learning, educators and parents will no doubt begin to see the unique set of executive functioning challenges that distance learning can present.  

Planning, organizing, and managing time as well as the physical space required to learn and study at home can be difficult to manage. The pull of family, television, video games and free time present enticing distractions. A set routine and the proper materials and supports can be very helpful in creating a structure at home that helps students learn. 

​Use these tips to build on routines established at school, and help your student practice independence at home during distance learning.

By Science & Arts Academy

​Teachers and students from Science & Arts Academy (SAA) in Des Plaines hosted their annual Cut for a Cause Event in March. 

Students, parents, faculty, staff and friends gathered to watch eight SAA students and two faculty members donate eight or more inches of hair each to the organization Children With Hair Loss. This organization provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss.  

​All across the world, school administrators and government officials have made difficult decisions about closing schools. We are in new territory and struggling to learn the best way to parent our children during these unusual and complicated times. Concerns about coronavirus grow daily, and these concerns can cause fear and worry for all of us, but especially our students. It is important to remember our children are looking to us for reassurance and cues on how to react and respond. 

The Science & Arts Academy Student Council challenged the entire school community to be part of the "Food Fight" sponsored by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry's board of directors. From Feb. 1 through March 1, students collected nonperishable food items that would directly support those in need through the Self Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines. Student Council representatives specifically challenged each homeroom to collect at least three nonperishable items per student.  ​Read the article »

By Science & Arts Academy

On March 5, the SAA community gathered for this year’s International Night, themed 'Share Your Cultural Story.”  This special evening is where SAA families have a chance to tell their cultural stories through dance, song, fashion, art and food. 

Our Science Olympiad teams finished strong in their last two invitationals of the season!  

​For The University of Chicago Invitational in January, our teams went up against some of the best in the state. Varsity finished in the top ten out of 36 teams for six events, placing 3rd overall. Junior Varsity finished in the top four out of 16 teams in ten of their events, for an overall ranking of 2nd.
 
At the Kildeer District 96 invitational, there were 43 teams present. Our Varsity finished among the top 5 in eleven events, for 2nd overall with six gold medals!  Our Junior Varsity team won top honors among JV-ranked teams present, earning top 5 medals in 11 events, including 4 gold medals.
 
Please join us in congratulating our teams, parents and coaches for all of their hard work. We are excited for the College of Lake County Regionals in March.   

Tim Costello, Head of School at Science & Arts Academy, has been awarded a fellowship for the 2020 Klingenstein Heads of Schools Program, at Columbia University’s Teachers College. Mr. Costello is one of only 20 to be accepted to the program each year, selected from a competitive pool of school heads from all around the world. 

Our Science Olympiad team braved the Chicago area weather conditions today to compete at Rockford Christian Middle School, in Rockford, Illinois. It was a strong competition with nearly 40 teams at the Varsity and Junior Varsity level from all areas of Illinois, including nationally ranked teams. Overall, our varsity team earned second place and our junior varsity team earned third. Our parents, coaches and the SAA community are very proud! #Kaboom #ScienceOlympiad #SAACommunity

By Science & Arts Academy

SAA's November public parent education event, IQ Testing: Understanding the Process, featured Dr. Vinita Patel. Guests learned more about the process of IQ testing, the various subtests used to determine IQ, the use and interpretation of scores, and more. 
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If you were not able to join us and want to learn more, view the webinar »