SSA+S

Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences is funded by the state of Florida, tuition free, multicultural, public charter middle school, which strives for academic excellence while providing all students with a small, safe, and intimate learning environment. Visit our website for a long list of our most recent awards and recognitions!

Students are accepted from Sarasota & Manatee Counties on a first come, first serve basis, and subject to schedule availability and ESE parameters required by the student, yet within the SSA+S Charter guidelines. Space is limited. The initial application can be found on our website or can be picked up at the front office.

Grades: 6-8 Hours: 9:00a.m. to 4:15p.m. Enrollment: 630 students Class Size Average: 18:1

SSA+S’ curricula includes a program of studies based on the Florida Sunshine State Standards, with a focus on the holistic approach to educating the “total” child, via an interdisciplinary, thematic approach, focusing on the cognitive , affective and psychomotor domain, coupled with input from community partners and involvement in the service learning program .

Exclusively designed field trips to educational partner facilities, for classroom enrichment, throughout the year.

Visual and Performing Arts Show Choir / “Danz” Team / Entertainers / Jr. Thespians / Cheerleading	Gifted Program & Odyssey of the Mind Competition, Risk Club, Challenge Club	Physical Education & Interscholastic Florida Gulf Coast League Sports – basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, skateboard team, cross country, track & flag football, Karate (Martial Arts)
Band – Concert and Jazz Guitar Club Holiday Parade Jazz Band	Advanced Academics for High School Credit – Spanish 1, Algebra 1, Geometry	School wide Violence Prevention – Bully Prevention, utilizing the 2^nd Step Program is taught to all grade levels, by all faculty.
Computer Technology / Graphic Arts / Ceramics / Pottery – 2^nd semester 2008-09	Foreign Language – Spanish is required for 6^th and 7^th grade only, Spanish 1 optional for High School Credit for 8^th grade	Science Fair – all grade levels are required to participate with a project
VPA Portfolio Development	Read 180 Program / Math Lab	DARE / GREAT Programs & Health
Student Council	Exceptional Student Education	Science Bowl Competition
8^th grade I. B. and MaST preparation	Model United Nations	Scholastic Book Fair
International Fair	Heritage Festival	Field Trip to Holocaust Museum
School Dances	E-pep and Career Choices Exploration	7^th gr Field Trip to St. Augustine
Celebration Dinner & Auction (adults only)	Arts Festival	8^th gr overnight Graduation Trip to Universal Studios
Math Counts	End of the year family picnic	Greek Day / Egypt Day / Roaring 20’s / Explorer Day

Before School Care is a FREE service offered at 7a.m., and is supervised by faculty members. A Sarasota County Food and Nutrition supplied “Grab and Go” breakfast is offered.

After School Care Options: SSA+S offers various afterschool activities and clubs, with differing times and dates. Currently we do not offer a year-round, daily afterschool program. Alternative suggested programs and transportation offered are listed below;

**Please contact these offices directly for their availability and student fees**

Sampling of a few of the afterschool activities offered throughout the year at SSA+S

National Junior Honor Society	Student Council
Service Learning Club	Drama Club
Anime Club	Club Unity
Humane Teen	Martial Arts Competition
Jazz Band / Guitar Club	Interscholastic Sports Program

Visit the SSA+S Website or contact Carl Williams, Assistant Director, ext 202 for specific transportation needs.

SSA+S offers pocket pick-up throughout Sarasota County, utilizing Sarasota County School Bus routes. Manatee County residents are serviced by the SSA+S owned school bus for a minimal monthly fee. Pocket pick up / drop off and seating availability is limited to first come, first serve basis, for the Manatee County Bus.

Students have the option of participating in the Sarasota County Food and Nutrition Lunch Program with the countywide menu, purchasing the A la Carte items such as pizza, bagels, “Clux Deluxe” chicken sandwiches, or bringing their own personal packed lunch. Microwaves are available for use. Mylunchmoney.com is an optional online service, which allows families to add money to their student’s lunch account and track purchases. Applications are available for the free and reduced lunch program through Sarasota County Food and Nutrition at 941-486-2199.

See the SSA+S website for full description of our strictly enforced dress code policy.

Parent / Student Contracts – Required standards of excellence for communication, behavior, and work ethics.

School website – contains upcoming events, an electronic copy of Team News, sports schedules, and the school calendar.

Student Agenda Books – contain a complete student / family handbook, general school information, a daily planner, and a hall pass sign off.

Team News – is a weekly, grade-level specific newsletter outlining each classroom’s activities for the upcoming week, long-term projects, school-wide fundraising and upcoming events, a hard copy of the attendance form, and a note to school.

Parent Teacher Student Society, Inc (PTSS) – 4 mandatory meetings per year + volunteer hours are required per family. (10hrs for 2 parent family & 5hrs for single parent family per year)

Edline – is an online service for parents and students to track their progress. (Activation codes are supplied to each family). This service also utilizes email communication to notify parents of upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and school-wide correspondence.

Connect–Ed – is a telephone broadcast system used to notify parents of a student’s unexcused absence from school that same day. The Executive Director sends family reminders and important notices through this service as well.

Raptor – is Security and Driver’s License scanning system offering initial background checks / security risk, for visitor badge sign-in.

ABC Channel 7 TV Studios	G-Wiz Hands-on Museum
Mote Marine Laboratory	Ringling School of Art and Design
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens	Van Wezel
Ringling Museum of Art	Holocaust Museum – St. Petersburg

Mayor’s Feed The Hungry Campaign	Humane Society
Salvation Army	SPARCC