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Originally delivered on 2/12/2023 8:35 pm

SUBJECT: Sunday Night News - February 12, 2023

Issue 24, February 12, 2023
The Week @ LaG

Please join us for the next General PA Meeting on 

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Click HERE for the Agenda 

Click HERE for the Zoom link


Thank you to those who participated in last months General PA meeting on 1/18/23. Please click HERE to review the minutes.

School Spirit Shopping Day

We look forward to sharing the next set of new items designed for the LaGuardia High School collection at the February 2023 event on Thursday, February 16th from 2:30-4:30pm in the main lobby. 

Thank you for your continuing support of our monthly engagement initiative School Spirit Shopping Day! The funds raised from the event directly impact many incredible enrichment programs for our students and educators throughout the school year. Your enthusiastic in-person engagement at the event boosts our togetherness and school pride. 

Spring Drama Festival

We are getting ready for another exciting season of SDFs, the culminating experience of four years of drama training. We really want these shows to be spectacular and raise the bar! To make this possible, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!.....Visit our drama-wide SDF Sponsorship Campaign and show some love for our Seniors! CAMPAIGN ENDS March 5th. 

This year 5 amazing productions will be featured: 

Rent - March 14-17

You on the Moors Now - March 28-31

Our Town - May 2-5

The Laramie Project - May 23, 25

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later - May 24, 26

We depend on the support and generosity of our Drama families and friends to continue to produce such high-quality productions—this year, the Drama PA will spend an estimated $70,000 supporting these productions. Support at every level is needed and greatly appreciated!

Marquee, Spotlight, and Encore-level sponsorships give you the opportunity to include an ad or booster in the Playbill—you can congratulate your Drama student, thank a special teacher, advertise a business, or anything else you'd like! Remember, there is one Playbill for all five SDF shows so your booster/ad will be seen by over 5,000 people!

If your sponsorship level includes a booster/ad, we would be happy to design it for you. The firm deadline for sponsorships is March 5, so please don't delay—purchase your sponsorship today! 


Sponsorship Levels
  • Contributor | $25: Name is acknowledged in the playbill
  • Patron | $50: Name is acknowledged in the playbill
  • Bravo Sponsor | $100: Name is acknowledged in the playbill
  • Standing Ovation Sponsor | $250: 1/8 page booster ad in the playbill
  • Encore Sponsor | $500: 1/4 page booster ad in the playbill
  • Spotlight Sponsor | $1,000: 1/2 page booster ad in the playbill
  • Marquee Sponsor | $2,500+: Full page booster ad in the playbill
 
How to Donate
Choose a donation level and enter the amount at the below link

Once again, the playbill will be seen by approximately 5,000 people, so if you know of a company interested in promoting its business, please spread the word! You could also congratulate a specific cast member, thank our faculty, and staff, or bid a fond farewell and good luck to the Class of '23.

Here are some examples from previous years for inspiration!

Rising Stars Update

NOTE: Dates/times are pending permit approval.


Students: Fill out this form by midnight on Monday, 2/13 for FREE rehearsal space during Midwinter Recess (2/18-2/26).

NYC Education Council Election

2023 is a NYC Education Council Election year. The 32 Community Education Councils and 4 Citywide Education Councils make critical decisions regarding your child’s education. Learn about the councils, the election and how to run for a seat by attending a virtual (Zoom) Information Session. Click below for details: 

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/Community-and-citywide-education-councils-cecs/elections-2023-community-and-citywide-education-councils


Application period closes at 11:59 pm on February 13, 2023.

Sports Report
Outdoor Track & Field for Boys & Girls

Interest meet Wednesday February 8th 4:10pm (Weight room 343)

Monday February 13th at 4:10pm (weight room 343)


Practice/tryouts: 

Wednesday March 1st (weight room 343) 

Thursday March 2nd New Balance Armory 216 Fort Washington Ave NY,NY 10032

Monday March 6th and Wednesday March 8th. (weight room)

Tuesday March 7th and Thursday March 9th (New Balance Armory)


Spring Series for boys are usually on Tuesdays and on Wednesdays for girls. (There are 6 of them and they usually start late March. Most other track meets take part on the weekend)


**Please note the practices are usually Mondays and Wednesday weight room but subject to change if there is a track meet) (Tuesdays and Thursdays are practices at the Armory until the middle of April, after then we practice on the dirt track on 72nd street Riverside.

Varsity Boys Volleyball Spring Season

Varsity boys volleyball spring season tryouts are being held in the LaGuardia gymnasium from February 28th - March 4th. Tryouts will run from 4:10-6:00 pm those days and players need shorts, athletic sneakers, and a water bottle. 

The Volleyball season runs from February 28th to May 8th. We practice or have games almost all school days from 4:10-6:00 after school in the LaGuardia gym.


Please complete these forms: 

PSAL medical form

Parent consent form

Please email any questions to coach Jesse Lardner  jlardner@schools.nyc.gov 

Also, prospective players can stop by room 647 and ask for Mr. Lardner.

If you are interested in participating in a spring sport, please sign up by March 7, 2023, and return the necessary PSAL forms to the coach of your interest. 

LaGuardia PSAL Sports Home Page

PSAL Medical form - Copies available in room 229 (Dean's Suite)

PSAL Parental Consent form

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Joan at JWU16@schools.nyc.gov or the coach of the sport.

We look forward to another successful season!

PURCHASE LAG SPORTS MERCH for ALL TEAMS

All teams in season can purchase merchandise HERE

Fundraising
How to Support Our Community

Donate your time - Whether you’re available once a week, once a month, or once a year, please fill out our volunteer questionnaire so that we can reach out to you when an activity suits you. This will allow you to meet and team up with other LaG families who share your interests in our school. Go to our Volunteer Interests, Skills and Resources form here.

Annual Appeal - Your generosity helps LAGHSPA minimize the impact of long-standing NYC DOE budget gaps in our children’s education. LaG teachers and administrators work diligently to make the most of their budget, and the LaG PA provides necessary additional resources. To give online today click here.

Donor's Choose - Fund classroom projects and needs as requested by our teachers.  View our teacher's projects here

Specific Initiatives -  Funding for one-time initiatives or grade specific requests such as Graduation. 

Thank you for fully funding Ms. Curiale's most recent project for specialized art supplies to help students take their paintings to the next level! 

There are several more LaGuardia projects on DonorsChoose that need help with funding.

Many of the special supplies and materials teachers need to carry out their planned curriculum cannot be purchased through the DOE system and are cost prohibitive to both students and teachers. Together, we can help fund these projects!

Let's help Mrs. McGoey give her students an immersive antiracism experience, incorporating both social science and the arts, with an award-winning antiracism scholar! (Time Sensitive)

Let's help Ms. Riley fund her project request for enamel paint and wood panels so students can create paintings in a new style.

Let's help Mr. Abikzer fund his project request for cameras so the students can successfully complete the yearbook and continue covering events as they occur at school.

Let's help Ms. Klein get banker boxes to move old files to a new place, so the file cabinets can be removed to make more space for the students and give them a safe, comfortable learning environment.

Please visit our DonorsChoose page and share with your family and friends. Anyone can contribute and all donations are tax deductible.

Your contributions and/or sharing of these links is greatly appreciated!

Class News
Senior Families / Class of 2023

SENIOR CLASS FIELD TRIP TO CENTRAL PARK, BETHESDA FOUNTAIN

Every year, the Senior Class walks to Bethesda Fountain for their traditional class photo for the yearbook. This year the field trip is scheduled for February 16, 2023, from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM.  The 850 students in the Class of 2023 requires 35 parent/guardian chaperones!  During the trip a large group class photo will be taken and then photos of each studio will follow.  

Volunteer Opportunity: Every LaGuardia parent is welcome to volunteer. There is usually a sizable group of non-Senior parents who are free and willing to help out.  

There is a lot of walking to and from Central Park, Bethesda Fountain and LaGuardia. Each parent is typically matched with a staff member.  All chaperones make sure that Seniors are aware of their surroundings, follow all traffic safety rules, cross at lights, don't stand in the street, etc.  

For students who know in advance they are unable to attend this date, the school will gather their names and work to have them featured in other sections of the yearbook.

Junior Families / Class of 2024

Hello Junior Class Parents!

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, there will be a Junior Class Family Zoom Fellowship Gathering at 7pm.  Reserve your spot by emailing Junior Class Representative, Erica Reaves at: juniorrep@laguardiahspa.org">juniorrep@laguardiahspa.org.  

Hope to see you there!

Sophomore Families / Class of 2025

A WhatsApp group chat has been organized for class of 2025 parents/guardians. Please share your name and your student’s studio when you join. 

Open this link to join 2025 LaG Families WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EO59n6uHJjpI43CajBINZ7">https://chat.whatsapp.com/EO59n6uHJjpI43CajBINZ7

Click here to join the Sophomore families Google group. Please state your name, your child’s name and studio in the "reason for joining" box when asking to join the group.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Google discussion forum are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Parents Association or School Administration.

Freshman Families / Class of 2026

Join the 2026 Families WhatsApp Chat

Join the 2026 Families Facebook Group

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Google discussion forum are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Parents Association or School Administration.

Post-secondary Office

Seniors, please assist the LaGuardia Guidance Department by keeping your Maia Learning account up to date. This includes: entering all known application outcomes (including being accepted, deferred, or denied) using the 'Decisions' tab in Maia and indicating if you applied with or without test scores. Watch this tutorial if you need a reminder about how to complete both of these tasks, click HERE.

We also need you to make sure you followed all previous instructions about requesting your transcripts and assigning your recommenders. If you accidentally forgot to complete these tasks, please connect with Ms. Kleiman akleiman@schools.nyc.gov to be sure your school documents have been sent which will allow for your application to be considered complete. At this time, all mid year transcripts have been automatically submitted to Common App schools. If you need a mid-year transcript sent to a non-Common App school, check your counselor's policy to be sure your records are sent to the places where they are required. Most counselors will require an email request for non-Common App mid-year transcripts to be sent.

By now, all 11th grade students should have either attended live or watched the recording of the Junior Kickoff. All parents/guardians with emails in the NYCDOE system have also been invited to Maia Learning and can watch the recording of theParent/Guardian Maia Training here. Any junior student who has not joined the Class of 2024 Post-Secondary Planning Google Classroom, please do so at this time using your students.net email account and the Class Code: j2kozj2

Studio Updates
ART

Volunteers Needed

We need parent volunteers to help sell merchandise at the All School Spirit Day this Thursday, February 16th from 1:30pm-4:30pm. Please click here to sign up.
Contact Art PA

Tracy Ballas & Marie Wolpert
Art Studio Co-Representatives
art@laguardiahspa.org

DANCE
DRAMA

SUPPORT THE SPRING DRAMA FESTIVAL

Be a sponsor in the Playbill that will be seen by approximately 5,000 people! Click HERE to choose a sponsorship level. 


CONSIDER HOLDING YOUR OWN FUNDRAISER!

A great way to contribute to the Drama Studio is to run your own fundraising campaign. Want to know more? Please take this 10-second survey to let us know! 


OTHER WAYS DRAMA PARENTS CAN HELP OUT NOW

We need parents to take on some crucial volunteer roles, especially parents of Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior students! If you are looking for a fun way to get involved and meet other LaG Drama parents, please consider taking on one of the following tasks:

• Concessions “Captain” for SDFs: We need one parent/guardian (or team) to be in charge of organizing the concessions for each production

• Concessions Sales: sell snacks before SDF performances and during intermission—easy and fun!

PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO SIGN UP TO HELP


DRAMA WILL BE SELLING MERCH AT SCHOOL SPIRIT SHOPPING DAY: THURS. 2/16. Once again, we will be selling Drama merch at the next School Spirit Shopping Day! This is also an opportunity to pick up your thank-you gift from last fall’s Annual Studio Appeal.

MISSED THE LAST PODS MEETING ON 2/8? Thanks to all the parents who attended our last PODS meeting on Feb 8. We were so lucky to be joined by our guests, Halley Shefler and Ariel Strasser, from the ArtsBridge summer program! Applications for this amazing opportunity are due Feb. 15, so if you missed our meeting, we will be posting a link to the Zoom recording and sending out an announcement shortly.

JOIN THE TEAM 

We need VOLUNTEERS!  Come help feed our hard working Seniors and sell concessions at the shows!  SDF food and concession signup.

Please reach out to us! We can use all the help we can get: drama@laguardiahspa.org

Contact Drama PA

Daniel Ott & Emily Yoshikawa
Drama Studio Co-Representatives
drama@laguardiahspa.org

MUSIC

Join Us!

What: Music Studio General Meeting.  We'll be joined by Artsbridge to discuss their Summer Program.

ArtsBridge Summer gives actors, singers, and fashion designers intensive, immersive training in their art form along with specialized guidance on what it takes to succeed in the college admissions process in their major. These programs are for high school and college transfer students who are seriously considering a college major or minor in the arts. Students work with top college faculty from across the country.

*Must start the application process ASAP if interested. Deadline 2/15*

Apply Here

Contact Artsbridge Here

When: Monday, February 13th at 8 p.m.

Where: Zoom; Click Here to join the meeting 


Save The Dates!

March 16, 17, 18 - Operetta: The Merry Widow

April 3 - Riverside Choral Concert at Riverside Church. Details to follow

Contact Music PA

Marcee Smith and Christian O'Connor
Vocal Co-Representative

Rebecca Sherman and Monique Johnson
Instrumental Co-Representative


music@laguardiahspa.org

TECH

Parents of Technical Theatre Students (POTS), please consider supporting students with a gift to Tech Studio. Click HERE to donate. Be sure to use the pull down menu and select Tech. 

The next POTS meeting will be March 22nd.

Thank you, Annie, Carmen, Layla, Louisa & Rina

Contact Tech PA

Louisa Chafee & Rina Cohen Schwartz
Tech Studio Co-Representatives
tech@laguardiahspa.org

Parent Coordinator News

Donuts & Coffee Outreach

The first Friday of every month, parents/guardians are invited to come to my office, Room 211, for Donuts & Coffee Outreach. Parents can stop by anytime between 7:45AM and 10:45 AM. 

For parents/guardians who can't visit in-person, I will have Zoom office hours between 1:00PM and 4:00PM on the same days.

Alumni & Friends

Contact A&F

Zoe Schneider, LaG '89, Director
Zoe@alumniandfriends.org


LaG Arts HS Alumni & Friends Website

Outside Opportunities
Auditions, Opportunities and Free Arts events in and around NYC.

February Writing Contests Open Submissions

Brooklyn Museum Teen Programs

Neighborhood Playhouse Teen Conservatory
Accepting applications for 4 week summer program. Application fee waived for LaGuardia students. 

Dance Italia+Open Arts Young Artists Summer Program
All LaGuardia dancers will receive a 200 Euro discount by stating they attend LaGuardia in their response to this application section "Please tell us about your dance experience, including how long, where and with whom you have studied." Apply by 3/31/23.

Click for more

To submit opportunities or help compile this list weekly, please email us at snn@laguardiahspa.org.

Useful Links
Contact Executive Board and School Leadership Team

For questions about, and/or to submit content for consideration in SNN, please email: snn@laguardiahspa.org.

DISCLAIMER: The LaGuardia High School Parents Association Inc (LAGHSPA) and its officers and elected members do not endorse third-party content shared in our communications, nor do they profit from third-party promotions featured in our communications.

LAGHSPA Photo/Video Disclaimer

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