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Memorial Day Parade and Fund Raiser

PARADE DETAILS - RAIN OR SHINE
·         CADETS NEED TO REPORT TO SMA NO LATER THAN 8:15 am
·         CADETS WILL DEPART FOR MAIN STREET & OSPREY PROMPTLY AT 9:15 am
·         PARADE BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 10:00 am
·         CADETS RETURN TO SMA FOR BBQ AND MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVITIES AT   APROXIMATELY 11:00 am

BBQ DETAILS - RAIN OR SHINE
THIS YEAR'S MEMORIAL DAY BBQ WILL BE CATERED BY JANINA'S BBQ (LOCATED AT 3430 NORTH TAMIAMI TRAIL 961-3312).
WE HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH AN OUTSIDE COMPANY SO ALL SMA FAMILIES CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVITIES.
TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE MEMORIAL DAY AND PRIOR TO THE EVENT IN HOPES OF AVOIDING LONG LINES.
TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE BY SENDING IN THE ATTACHED FORM TO YOUR CADET'S JROTC INSTRUCTOR OR DURING PARENT PICK UP ON FRIDAY MAY 22ND BETWEEN 1:00 AND 2:30. TICKETS CAN BE PICKED UP DURING PARENT PICK UP FRIDAY OR ON MEMORIAL DAY AT THE CASHIER STATION. YOU MAY ALSO PRE- ORDER BY E-MAILING YOUR ORDER TO ELKE OLREE AT smadreamteam@hotmail.com

PRE ORDERS ARE NOT NECESSARY BUT HELPFUL!

TO GO CONTAINERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR TAKE HOME LUNCHES !

ALL ENTRÉES SERVED WITH CHOICE OF TWO SIDES and a DRINK:
POTATO SALAD, BAKED BEANS OR CORN
HOT DOG $4.00
HAMBURGER / CHEESEBURGER $5.00
BBQ PORK SANDWICH $6.00
BBQ RIBS $8.00

ALA CARTE ITEMS
FRUIT SALAD $5.00
LARGE TOSSED SALAD $4.00

PLEASE RETURN TO ELKE OLREE'S MAIL BOX

JROTC INSTRUCTOR:________________________________

CADET'S NAME:______________________________

PARENT'S NAME:______________________________

CONTACT #:___________________________________

CHOICE OF: HOT DOG #_____ HB/CHBURGER #______

BBQ PORK SANDWICH #_____ BBQ RIBS #_____

# MEALS ORDERED:___________ AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $____________

CHECK: #________ OR CASH: $________

Used Uniform Drive

On Memorial Day we will be collecting used uniforms. If you have Polo shirts, blue pants, blue belts, PFU shirts or PFU shorts that no longer fit your cadet or will no longer be used by them please bring them in so they can be cleaned and prepared for use for future cadets who have a need.

Please make arrangements to have you or your cadet pick up their medications “before” their last day of classes since if the medication is left, it will have to be disposed of by the county health department.

Thank you for all of your help in caring for “our cadets” this school year. Remember, you will have to have new forms for medications at school for the 2009-10 school year. Let’s keep our cadets healthy by making sure they eat a proper breakfast and stay hydrated. Have a fantastic and healthy summer!!

Attention SMA students and families. Next year, we will be taking a select group of students on a tour of England and France. The tour will run from March 24 - April 1 (during spring break). Highlights will include a visit to the D-Day beaches in Normandy, 2 days in London, and 3 day in Paris. Further details can be found at acis.com under the trip title “London, Loire Valley, and Paris.” Please contact Major Lee at ryan_lee@sarasota.k12.fl.us if you are interested in this exciting opportunity or have any questions.

Major Gillotte's English I Honors students recently visited the Ringling Museum and Ca d'Zan

Please click on the Scheduling link above to access important information concerning scheduling and course selections for school year 2009-10. We are in the process of talking to every parent and student concerning the course selections for next year. It is important that you call 926-1700 ext.259 to set an appointment through Mrs. Downs for a meeting with a guidance counselor.

I’m so glad to hear that the students enjoyed the conference and the opportunity to meet Secretary Peake and General Adams. We enjoyed having you with us! Here is a photo of the cadets with Secretary Peake.

Sarasota Military Academy has coupled with Friendship Volunteer Center to provide MENTORS to students that may need some positive adult encouragement. This program is called “Miracle Mile of Mentoring, and uses volunteer recruits from the “mile” around the campus. Volunteers are trained and receive a security clearance. These volunteers are professionals in the area and are released from work to meet with a student for (approx.) one hour a week, on the school grounds. The activity that takes place during the time that the mentor and mentee spend together is dictated by the need(s) of the student. It may be reading together, doing homework, setting up a time management schedule, setting goals, or simply talking. This is a very successful program and can change a student’s life forever. If you have a child that could benefit from this program, please contact Major Donehew.

On February 14, three SMA cadets and Major Donehew went to Cyesis High School to model a “Read Aloud” to the student mommies and their babies. This program, “For the Love of Reading,” is in its fourth year and is sponsored by the Sarasota Reading Council. After the mommies and babies are read to they go to the school media center where they are presented with a display of children’s literature that comes complete with a soft cuddly animal from the story. The babies get to take their pick.

Scientist referenced in a recent news article “Infants Learn Earlier than Thought” (Seattle Times, February 04, 2009) recommended that parents begin reading aloud to their infants while in utero and continue the practice ever after. I have shared many happy hours reading aloud to students, my children, and now my grandchildren. We have cried, we have laughed, and we have shared hours of conversation about what fun reading can be!

Unfortunately there are kids all over the world that are never read aloud to by their parents. The hope of this program is to advocate and encourage parents to read to their kids.

New Self Defense Classes are forming. They will take place after school Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-3:00PM and Saturdays from 10:00-11:00AM in the SMA Gym. If interested please contact Soke for details.

The underclassman and senior portraits are now available for purchase online at www.southernexposuresphoto.com click on the "Order school portraits" tab at the top right hand side and choose your school logo and then choose your school event. Questions or comments can be made by email or by calling 1-877-594-9081.

Major Donehew's second semester Creative Writing class read their final exams on the steps of the Selby Library after picking up refreshments at the downtown Starbucks. They spent the semester writing a short story and collection of 8 poems each. Visit Major Donehew's web page to find links to see some of the students stories.

SMA Male Color Guard: Josh Payne, Andrew Cerchio, Zach Brodil, and Mike Martino

Awarded to girls who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship; taking the first steps toward financial independence; and making a difference in their schools and communities.

SMA Renews Accreditation With Rave Reviews

SMA has successfully renewed its five year accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The team members were impressed beyond belief with our incredible corps of cadets. We offer a sincere thank you to all the teachers, parents, cadets, community members, SMA Board members, Mayor Palmer, and representatives of the Sarasota District Schools who helped us reach this pinnacle of academic success!

By clicking on the link below, you will see three pages of commendations and only two recommendations. This may be the finest endorsement of a school in the history of accreditation. SMA--where the next generation of America's great leaders is now in training.

Planning for college? A career? The SAT, ACT, PSAT, or AP Exams? You now have free access to an online resource center that can help you with all your preparation. Sarasota Military Academy is pleased to announce that Peterson’s StudentEdge is available for all high school students. StudentEdge gives you access to test preparation, college searches, a scholarship search, financial aid tools, a career assessment, and a resume builder—all in one location and totally free! Students will also get a personalized to do list that will guide them through the planning process. Even 9th grade students can get a head start on college and career prep with the online practice tests and career assessment. You can access StudentEdge by going to www.mystudentedge.com. First time users should go to the Guidance office to get our access code

Something Unique At SMA

Among the many unique features of SMA is the fact that we are a drug free school. This program originated several years ago when five cadets visited the headmaster's office. They wanted to create a policy for random drug testing of every student. Over the next year, they helped to write the policy and seek approval from the School Board of Sarasota County and the Florida State Department of Education. Cadets are called to the sick bay, and all testing is done in complete privacy.

This policy has been in place now for several years. Random testing is done with all faculty, staff, and cadets. We believe that this makes it easier for everyone to "just say no" to drugs. It takes only a moment to assure that our cadets are happy, healthy, and free of harmful

substances.

Essay Competion Award ($3,000, 1,500$, and $750 award) from the Council for America's First Freedom Student Competition. Click here for more info:

FastWeb, an online scholarship search program, is sponsoring Scholarship Bootcamp. Scholarship Bootcamp is available to all students seeking to improve their scholarship application package.Visit the website each week for a section concerning a different topic, and locate the dog tags.Each time you find a dog tag, email us at scholarshipbootcamp@fastweb.com to be entered into the weekly $1000 drawing.The more tasks you complete, the better your chances of winning.

Cadet Steven Headley has an innovative project in mind to help him complete his Eagle Scout award and assist SMA as well. As you may be aware, the ground beneath the picnic tables is currently covered with
white stones. Due to all the pedestrian traffic, the stones sometimes get on the sidewalks. This requires constant attention from our school custodians.

Steven's project is to place bricks engraved with the donor's/student's name to spruce up this area. It's
an excellent way to become part of the legacy and history of SMA.
Please consider donating to this worthy activity.

Recently we have seen an increase in the number of students interested in the possibility of taking dual enrollment classes. Consequently, we would like to share information concerning the process.