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A group of musicians, likely students, performing on stage with various string instruments such as violins and cellos, against a dark background.

Staff Shoutouts

Testing Resources

Dorothy Elstone
Coordinator
Testing and Accountability 
String Theory Schools

PSSA Dates

ELA:
4/24/23 - 4/26/23

ELA Make Up Dates:
4/27/23 - 4/28/23

Math:
5/1/23 - 5/2/23

Math Make Up Dates:
5/5/23 and 5/8/23

Science:
5/3/23 - 5/4/23

Additional Make Up Dates:
5/3/23, 5/4/23, 5/9/23, 5/10/23

How to Prepare Your Student for the PSSAs Our students and teachers have been hard at work preparing for our important testing milestone, the PSSAs!

The PSSAs are standardized tests that Pennsylvania students in grades 3 - 8 take
annually. Everyone has been working diligently in school to prepare academically and mentally for these upcoming assessments. The PSSAs not only gauge student proficiency related to the academic standards, but also measure the success of a school based on student performance on these tests. Click the button below to view frequently asked questions about the PSSAs.

PSSA FAQs for students and families

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in a child’s life, and family support is absolutely necessary for a strong performance on the PSSAs. Click the button below to view information and helpful tips for families to help their students prepare for the PSSAs. Any support that parents and guardians can offer their students will give them an advantage on testing day. This includes:

  • Getting plenty of sleep the night before the test
  • Eating breakfast in the morning
  • Arriving to school on time
  • Having a positive attitude about the test

Please be in touch with the school or with me (delstone@stringtheoryschools.org) if you have any questions about the PSSAs.

Additional information may also be found on the Pennsylvania’s Department of Education’s website, www.education.pa.gov, under the "Instruction" link.

Wishing all of our students the best of luck on this year's PSSAs!


 

Innovation

Activator of the Month

A group of dancers in a studio, performing various dance moves and poses, with some in the foreground and others in the background.
Meet Dance Teacher, Theresa Pelicata!

This month's activator is Arts and Sciences Dance Teacher, Ms. Theresa Pelicata. Ms. Pelicata brings a wealth of dance experience and knowledge to her students from her years as a dancer and Rockette in New York and now as a dance studio owner. Check out this article to learn more about Ms. Pelicata, what her students have been up to this school year, and her plans for the Spring Concert at the Kimmel Center!

READ THE ARTICLE HERE! about Meet Dance Teacher, Theresa Pelicata!

Teaching & Learning

Sign Up for Particle Pedagogy!

The 2022-2023 Particle Pedagogy Series focuses on innovative best practices in teaching and learning. Sessions are intended for all STS staff as well as educators outside our school network. Registration for these sessions is open and may be shared with others! Learn more and sign up for the April session below:

Particle Pedagogy Series
- Session 7 -
April 11th
Vine Street Campus
4:30pm - 6:30pm
Tech Tools: Distinguished Classroom

Facilitators
Stephanie Mann Minor & Stephanie Costello 

sIGN UP FOR THE APRIL SESSION!

Community Events

Mayoral Candidate Forum

String Theory Schools worked with the Philadelphia Branch of the NAACP to plan Growing Philadelphia: A Mayoral Candidate Forum on Technology, Innovation and Public Education. The forum took place at Philadelphia Performing Arts, Vine Street Campus, and was moderated by the President of the Philadelphia Branch of the NAACP, Catherine Hicks. Philadelphia 2023 mayoral candidates answered questions at the forefront of voters' minds, including their visions for the future of education in Philadelphia and how they plan to incorporate technology and innovation into their plans for the city. You can watch a recording of the forum HERE.

Top of the Class

Trip to New York and Masterclass with Broadway Star, James T. Lane

PPA, Vine Street Campus

Performing Arts Vocal, Contemporary Dance, Classical Ballet, and Theatre Majors traveled to New York City this month to see performer, James T. Lane, star as Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway. After the show, James went out into the audience to visit with the high school students and answer their questions. 

The following day, James traveled to the Vine Street Campus to give those same students a masterclass! It was a truly memorable learning experience. James is originally from South Philadelphia, and his ability to connect with the students and encourage them to pursue their passion in the arts and work hard was inspiring to everyone in the room. By the end of the class students were dancing and singing with confidence as they performed an excerpt from the number "All that Jazz" from Chicago.

You can find news coverage of the masterclass HERE.

A group of people, both men and women, standing in a row in what appears to be a dance studio or rehearsal space, with exposed ceiling pipes and lighting fixtures visible in the background.
A group of people, mostly young adults, are gathered in a studio-like setting with a white wall and various equipment visible in the background.
A group of people, dressed in casual attire, are gathered in a spacious room with exposed ceiling pipes and a large television screen on the wall. In the foreground, a person in a blue shirt is standing and interacting with the group.
A man in a blue shirt is leading a group of people, likely dancers, in a studio setting with exposed pipes and equipment visible in the background.
A group of people, mostly young adults, standing in a line in a large, open indoor space with exposed ceiling pipes and lighting fixtures.
A group of people, dressed in casual attire, are engaged in what appears to be a dance or movement-based activity in a well-lit studio space with exposed ceilings and equipment.
The image shows a group of people, both men and women, standing in a dance studio setting with exposed ceiling beams and lighting fixtures.
A group of people, likely dancers, are practicing or performing in a studio setting with exposed ceiling pipes and lighting fixtures.
A large group of people, mostly seated, in a spacious room with large windows overlooking a cityscape in the background.
A large group of people, mostly young women, posing together in a studio or rehearsal space with various lighting fixtures and equipment visible in the background.

Drive-In Movie Day 

Arts and Sciences

Dean of Culture, Ms. Erica Mack, started a fun, new tradition for kindergarten through fourth grade students at Arts and Sciences, Drive-In Movie Day! This event also served as a fundraiser for the upcoming Spring Concert at the Kimmel Center. Students were invited to bring in "cars" they made with their families at home to sit in while watching a movie at the end of the school day. There were also treats for students to enjoy during the movie, and staff members even wore parking attendant costumes! We are so impressed by the creativity of our students and their families who participated in this event!

A crowded indoor space filled with people in red uniforms, various toys and equipment, and decorative diamond-shaped patterns on the walls.
The image shows a group of young children sitting in colorful, cardboard vehicle-shaped structures on a wooden floor, with chairs and other equipment visible in the background.
A young child sits in a toy car on a wooden floor with painted lines, suggesting an indoor play area or educational setting.
The image shows two children sitting in cardboard cars, with other children and adults in the background, in what appears to be a festive or celebratory event.
The image shows a group of children in red shirts playing with cardboard vehicles on a floor with painted lines, surrounded by other children and adults in a classroom setting.
A large, brightly colored, cardboard race car sits on the floor in a room with various framed photographs on the walls.
A crowded indoor space filled with children playing and interacting with various toys and structures, with colorful decorations and equipment visible in the background.
A crowded room filled with children's toys, furniture, and decorations, with a stage and lighting equipment visible in the background.

Applied Arts and Mathematics

PPA, VINE STREET CAMPUS

Students in Mr. Phillips' Applied Arts class are working on a project that has a great deal of underlying math. He explains that the project utilizes only a compass and a straightedge to sub-divide circles into equal parts of various quantities, all based on bisecting a line and various points of rotation. By using only these materials, students are emulating the work of ancient geometers. In a description of the project, Mr. Phillips writes, "There's a total of 12 exercises, culminating with the Golden Ratio / Fibonacci Series".  

The examples of the work shown  are that of School of Design students Kassidy, Karla, and Madison. Mr. Phillips explains, "These are preliminary exercises; practices toward a bigger design project that will involve using geometric patterns to design to a light screen and a floor mosaic. As part of the study, we will discuss Islamic architecture and its use of geometric patterns." He also adds that these students did excellent work and that "good line work isn't as easy as it looks".

An all around fascinating project, and we look forward to seeing the next phase of student work!

A hand-drawn sketch depicting a complex geometric pattern with intersecting lines, curves, and shapes, creating a visually intriguing and abstract composition.
A hand-drawn geometric shape, resembling a stylized heart or flower, is centered on the page against a plain background.
A hand-drawn geometric design featuring intersecting lines and curves, creating a symmetrical and intricate pattern on a textured paper background.

Mentorship and Sharing in the Performing Arts

Arts and sciences
PPA, west & vine street campuses

Connecting with and learning from peers is an important experience for young artists. This month, Arts and Sciences middle school dance majors joined classical ballet and contemporary dance majors at Performing Arts, Vine Street Campus, for ballet and Horton modern classes. Performing Arts, West Campus, music majors also traveled to the Vine Street Campus for three days of sharing and performing for one another in strings, band, and vocal music classes.

A group of people, some wearing dance attire, posing together in what appears to be a dance studio or rehearsal space with large windows in the background.
A group of dancers, both male and female, are practicing their routines in a large, well-lit studio with exposed ceiling beams and equipment.
A dance studio with several dancers in leotards and tights practicing their moves, with a woman in the foreground performing a graceful ballet pose.
A group of people in workout attire are performing synchronized dance or exercise movements in a large, well-lit studio space with exposed ceiling ducts and equipment.
A group of dancers, dressed in black leotards, performing synchronized movements in a well-lit dance studio with exposed ceiling beams.
A group of musicians, primarily young people, are playing various string instruments on a stage in a dimly lit performance setting.
A large orchestra performing on a dimly lit stage, with the conductor standing in front of the musicians and the audience visible in the background.
A group of musicians, primarily playing string instruments, are performing on a stage with a curtain backdrop.
The image shows a group of young musicians playing cellos on a stage, with a larger orchestra visible in the background.

Multicultural Fair

PPA, East & WEST CampusES

East and West campuses hosted their annual multicultural fairs this month. Students learned about different countries by reading books, creating projects, and making art and food. (Ms. Abbruzzi's class at the West Campus even made milk chocolates when learning about Switzerland!) The Multicultural fair is a celebration of the cultures of the world that our students and families look forward to every year!

East Campus
A group of young children in red shirts stand in front of a colorful, decorated backdrop featuring paper umbrellas, flowers, and other vibrant elements.
A group of young students, dressed in school uniforms, stand together in a classroom setting, with one student holding a globe in the foreground.
A young child with a bright, cheerful expression wearing a white shirt and a headband with yellow leaves, standing in front of a concrete wall.
The image depicts a display of various Italian-themed items, including a red and white checkered tablecloth, figurines, and a wall display with the word %22Italy%22 spelled out in large letters. The background features a collage of images and memorabilia related to Italy.
A colorful and vibrant display of various decorations, including paper cutouts, streamers, and other festive elements, adorns the exterior of a building, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere.
West Campus
The image shows a group of young students in a classroom setting, engaged in various activities and interactions. The foreground features two students embracing each other, while the background reveals a lively and colorful classroom environment with posters, artwork, and other educational materials displayed on the walls.
Two young boys are standing in a classroom, one wearing a white shirt and the other a red sweater. The background includes colorful posters and displays on the walls, indicating an educational setting.
Two young girls wearing school uniforms, one with a navy blue shirt and the other with a plaid skirt, are standing in a classroom setting with colorful artwork and posters on the walls.
A colorful and vibrant classroom display featuring a Madagascar-themed backdrop with various red, googly-eyed characters, flags, and informational materials pinned to the wall.
A bulletin board with various items pinned to it, including sunflowers, posters, and other documents, set against a blue and yellow background.
The image depicts a group of people, likely students, gathered in a classroom or educational setting, with various displays and posters on the walls.
A group of children, both boys and girls, are gathered around a table in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with an adult instructor standing and interacting with them.
The image shows two young students, one with blonde hair and one with dark hair, sitting at a table and working on an arts and crafts project together. They appear to be cutting and assembling pieces of red and white paper, likely creating holiday-themed decorations or crafts. In the background, other students can be seen working on similar projects.

STEAM Night

Arts and Sciences

Arts and Sciences Innovations in Science, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, and French Majors shined in their STEAM Night presentations! STEAM Night is an annual tradition at Arts and Sciences where our creative arts and science majors put their talents and hard work on display. Everyone in attendance was blown away by the time, creativity, and skill students put into creating their STEAM Night projects.

A young woman stands in front of a large neon sign that reads %22Creative Writing 22-25%22 in a classroom setting with bookshelves and other educational materials visible in the background.
A vibrant and whimsical display of colorful, handmade plant-like creatures with open mouths and expressive features, set against a backdrop of framed artwork and a green, textured environment.
A colorful and vibrant display featuring various decorative elements, including birdhouses, a welcome sign, and a terrarium, set up on an orange tablecloth.
The image shows a display table with various science-related items, including a model of a solar system, worksheets, and informational posters on the background.
A colorful and whimsical indoor space filled with various decorative elements, including hanging jellyfish-like structures, plush toys, and a cozy seating area with draped fabrics.
A vibrant and colorful display of plush toys, artwork, and textiles in a classroom or art studio setting.
A colorful and vibrant display of various artistic drawings and illustrations, arranged in a folding screen-like format, showcasing a diverse range of creative expressions.
A colorful display of various handmade items, including signs, boxes, and baked goods, set up on a purple tablecloth in what appears to be a school or community setting.
A colorful display of various toy cameras arranged on a yellow background, with a sign that reads %22Strike a Pose%22 above.
A group of people, mostly young, are gathered around a bulletin board displaying various papers or documents, with a starry background visible behind them.

Read Across America Week:
Wacky Wednesday

PPA, West campus

A week students across America look forward to every year, the students at West Campus went all out on Wacky Wednesday this month!

A group of diverse children, some wearing colorful and playful outfits, gathered in a classroom setting with a vibrant mural on the wall behind them.
A young boy wearing a shark-themed t-shirt and glasses stands in front of a large poster featuring the book %22One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish%22 by Dr. Seuss.
Two young women are posing together in a room, one wearing a red and white outfit with a headband, and the other wearing a pink shirt and a tulle skirt. The background appears to be a classroom or office setting with filing cabinets and other furniture visible.
The image shows a group of four young children standing together in a classroom setting, with various educational posters and materials visible in the background.
The image shows a smiling young person wearing a colorful clown costume, including a bright wig and nose, standing next to another person wearing a black sweatshirt in what appears to be a classroom or office setting, with various framed artwork and decorations visible in the background.

The Varsity Softball Team is Undefeated!

PPA, Vine Street Campus

The varsity girls softball team at Performing Arts is undefeated so far this season!

High school student and softball player, Gianna Masci, was also featured in the South Philly Review this month! Last month we shared that Gianna received the Philadelphia Coaches Association Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for the Public League. Read the article here!

The image shows a baseball game in progress, with a player in a red uniform crouched behind home plate and another player in a red uniform batting. The background includes a chain-link fence and trees, indicating an outdoor sports field setting.
A group of young people, likely a sports team, gathered together on a field with trees and buildings visible in the background.
The image shows a person in a black shirt and red pants standing on a baseball field, with trees and buildings visible in the background.
A person in a baseball uniform stands at the plate, preparing to swing a bat, with a baseball field and fencing visible in the background.
A group of five young women wearing sports jerseys and standing in front of a baseball field with trees in the background.
A group of people, likely a sports team, posing together in a park setting with tall buildings visible in the background.

Pi Day

arts and sciences

Science and Innovation teachers Ms. Angela Palumbo and Ms. Amanda Taggart organized a fantastic to celebrate Pi Day this month. Students not only studied up on the importance of the number π, but later got to go outside and through pies at their teachers! It was a messy but fun day filled with learning and laughter from students and teachers alike.

A group of people, mostly children, standing on a street lined with residential buildings, some wearing colorful winter coats and others in hoodies.
A group of children in colorful clothing are gathered in an outdoor setting, surrounded by trees and buildings in the background.
A group of young people, some with colorful hair and clothing, are posing together and making playful gestures in an outdoor setting with buildings and trees visible in the background.
A group of people, including children, are gathered in front of a large, colorful mural that says %22Happy 3/14/15%22 on a city street with residential buildings in the background.
A person with braided hair is seen peering through a colorful, abstract mural on a wall.
The image shows a young child wearing a green jacket and holding a green toy, standing in what appears to be a crowded outdoor setting with various people and objects in the background.
A group of children wearing colorful winter coats and jackets, some holding stuffed toys, standing in an outdoor setting with adults and other people in the background.
Two children, a boy and a girl, are standing together outdoors. The boy is wearing a green Minecraft t-shirt and appears to be laughing, while the girl is holding a pink stuffed animal.
Three young girls in winter coats and hats stand in the foreground, smiling and holding snowballs. In the background, a crowd of people can be seen, suggesting an outdoor setting.