DesertAcademy

UPCOMING EVENTS
GREETING CARD MAKING WORKSHOP
HIGH SCHOOL DANCEATHON
FRACOPHONE FUNDRAISER FOR FRENCH TRIP
DESERT ACADEMY HOUSE RAFFLE

ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW EDLINE PROCEDURES IN THE WORKS
3rd QUARTER GRADES AND NARRATIVES
DESERT ACADEMY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH ADW & SHAKLEE
ATHLETIC NEWS & SCHEDULES
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

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UPCOMING EVENTS

GREETING CARD MAKING WORKSHOP
THIS Saturday, February 26, 2:00pm, $30.00, Big Room
Don’t miss the fun, crafty afternoon we have planned for Saturday, February 26 at 2:00pm in the Big Room!  Susan Hart is leading a workshop to show people how to make really clever and personal greeting cards.  So, come and visit with Desert Academy parents and others while you are learning something new.  Susan will provide all the materials.  Snack will be served.  This is one of the Desert Academy parties that we have initiated this year; you’ll hear about more as time goes on.  Cost for the card making workshop is $30 and you may pay at the door.  Call Kay at 992-8284 ext 23 if you have any questions.
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HIGH SCHOOL DANCEATHON
Wednesday, March 2, After lunch
Please help your DA students fundraise for the Dance-a-Thon!!All proceeds will benefit CONANI (Consejo Nacional para la Niñez y la Adolescencia), a Dominican non-profit to benefit orphaned and abused children and adolescents. PLEDGE, DONATE–EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!Gracias! The Desert Academy Leos Club
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FRANCOPHONE FUNDRAISER FOR FRENCH TRIP
Please join us for our Francophone lunch & show fundraising event.
When: MARCH 25 from 1:00 to 3:00
Where: at Desert Academy in the big room
No entrance fee but DONATIONS welcomed as this is our FIRST FUND RAISING event for our next year trip to PARIS.
Help us in advance for this event: we are planning on a raffle, so if you have items to donate, if you would like to participate with a dish, … or even a song!… let Isabelle Thiebaut (ithiebaut@desertacademy.org) or Gabriella Masoni (gmasoni@desertacademy.org) know.

AND, please plan to come March 25 and enjoy French food, French songs, poems, skits…and more!
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DESERT ACADEMY HOUSE RAFFLE
Watch for news of our largest fund raising effort ever!  We are raffling a home and the net profit from ticket sales will benefit our Financial Aid and Merit Scholarship Programs. Our goal is to begin ticket sales in April, so watch for news!  For $100 you could win a lovely 3 bedroom, two bath home just north of Old Town in Albuquerque. We are working with a consultant who wrote a book called, “I Sold My House in a Raffle.”  We are looking for business sponsors to partner with us in a variety of ways – perhaps being a ticket selling spot, sponsoring TV or radio ads, providing a prize that will be given when we have the drawing for the house and more.  If you think your business would like to work with us, call Kay at 992-8284 ext 23 or send an email to krice@desertacademy.org
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW EDLINE PROCEDURES IN THE WORKS
A committee of faculty members is working on new and improved Edline procedures. The goal is timely, consistent, and easy to access posting of grades and assignments. Valuable input has been provided to the committee by numerous Middle School and High School parents. Final recommendations are now being drawn up. Watch for the new Edline soon.
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3rd QUARTER GRADES AND NARRATIVES
The 3rd Quarter ends in two weeks, on Friday, March 4th. Students will be given a grade and a narrative comment at this time. These serve as a progress report for the 2nd Semester grades. They will be posted on Edline from each of your students’ teachers, as they were for the 1st quarter, by Friday, March 25th.
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DESERT ACADEMY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH ADW & SHAKLEE
Shaklee Products are partnering with non-profits across the country to provide financial benefit to those non-profits and to provide the world class products that Shaklee offers.  Desert Academy, in collaboration with The Assistance Dogs of the West, will make products available through our website and both organizations will benefit from your purchases.  Look for the “Shop for Our Cause” button on our website in the near future.

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ATHLETICS

WILDCAT SWIMMING & DIVING NEWS
Desert swimmers and divers with qualifying times and dives attended the New Mexico State A-AAAAA swim and dive championships last weekend. Diver Stuart Sproul came in 2nd and Anton Gress in 15th place. Girls medley relay team (Sananda Lobe, Hannah Lochner, Hayley Hajic, Felicia Tapia) posted a STATE record for being the first 1A team to return for finals and finished out in 13th place (breaking their previously set school record by posting a best time in the preliminary event on Friday). Swimmers Hannah Lochner placed 15th in the 100 Breast, Hayley Hajic broke a school record in the 100 Free, and the girls 400 Free team (Hayley Hajic, Felicia Tapia, Sananda Lobe, Hannah Lochner) broke a school record. There were over 40 schools represented at the state meet and Desert Academy was the only 1A school to send a girls team and boys team to state. It is an amazing accomplishment and congratulations to all swimmers and divers who attended.

The Swim and Dive team will have their end of the season sports banquet this Sunday, 5:00 to 7:00 at Homewise on Siler Road. We will be celebrating the many accomplishments of this team, and athletes, families, and friends are invited to attend. Please contact Bonnie Lochner at thelochners@aol.com if you are attending and have not already let her know. Athlete attire is semi-formal. Great season Wildcats!

TENNIS
Wildcat Tennis Team Kicks Off Practice Schedule
The Spring tennis season has begun! Wildcat tennis players are practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Alto Park from 3:45 – 5:15 pm. Practices will also be held on some Fridays and during ‘Club sessions’ in the school day. Practices will continue over Spring Break–schedule to be determined. Matches will begin after return from Break. It’s not too late to join the team — see Mr. Mehling if you are interested!
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CALENDAR OF MAJOR UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
**  Further details of all school events are also available on our website calendar at: www.desertacademy.org. To access information on our sports activities, please see the athletic calendar under ‘Athletics’ on the home page.

FEBRUARY
Sun 27 – Basketball Banquet, 4:30pm
- Swimming & Diving Banquet, 5:00-7:00pm

MARCH
Tue 1 – 8th Grade River Trip, E Block
Wed 2 – Middle School – Makeup Winter Sports Day
- High School – Danceathon
Fri 4- 3rd Quarter Ends
Mon 7- Fri 18- Spring Break
Mon 21 – Classes Resume

Desert Academy’s much-anticipated Merit Scholarship event will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from
9:00 am-11:00 am. It is open to all prospective students grades 7 through 12.

The deadline to submit the Merit Scholarship registration form is Friday, February 25, 2011 at noon.

The event consists of four parts. Students will:

• Complete an activities and interest inventory.
• Be interviewed by a Desert Academy faculty or staff member.
• Take a two-part standardized test.
• Write an essay.

Up to six grants of $8000 each will be awarded as a result of this event. These awards are solely merit-based and completely separate from any need-based award. A Merit Scholarship award will automatically be renewed for your student each year they attend Desert Academy.

merit Scholarship Registration Form 2011

Come and join us for our FRANCOPHONE LUNCH AND SHOW,

When: MARCH 25 from 1:00 to 3:00

Where: at Desert Academy in the big room

No entrance fee but DONATIONS welcomed as this is our FIRST FUND RAISING event for our next year trip to PARIS!

Help us in advance for this event: we are planning on a raffle, so if you have items to donate, if you would like to participate with a dish, … or even a song!… let Isabelle Thiebaut (ithiebaut@desertacademy.org) or Gabriella Masoni (gmasoni@desertacademy.org) know.

AND, Come on March 25 and enjoy French food, French songs, poems, skits…

DANCE-A-THON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, AFTER LUNCH

UPCOMING EVENTS
VISITOR DAY FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS IS TOMORROW AM
ROMANCE IN RIO, AUCTION & GALA EVENT- SATURDAY NIGHT!
OMNIAC ACT PREP CLASS-REMINDER FOR JUNIORS
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN PRODUCTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS
3rd QUARTER GRADES AND NARRATIVES
ATHLETICS
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
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UPCOMING EVENTS

VISITOR DAY FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES IS TOMORROW
Saturday, February 12, 10:00am-12:00pm
Visitor Day is an opportunity for prospective students and parents to experience 21st century education in action!  After a brief opening presentation, parents and students will split up to get a taste of what Desert is really like.  Parents will attend panel discussions on topics ranging from the International Baccalaureate Programmes to athletics & extra-curricular activities, the Desert community, the arts at Desert, and 21st century education in action. Students will attend classes offered by some of Desert’s dynamic teachers. Information about financial aid, merit scholarship, and college counseling will be provided.  A light brunch will be served.
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ROMANCE IN RIO, AUCTION & GALA EVENT
THIS Saturday, February 12 @ Milagro 139 (139 San Francisco St)
Preview Party: 5:30-6:30, Event Begins at 6:30pm
You may purchase your tickets at the door so plan on joining us!
The fun is about to begin!! You can be part of Desert’s success by participating in this great event.  We will have wonderful food, tango and salsa dancers, a great DJ with dance music, ciapirinha samples (the national drink of Brazil) and so much more.  Consider getting premium tickets that ensure you a reserved table, great Carnivale party favors and admission to the Preview Party.  At the Preview Party, you’ll have guacamole made to order, red and white sangrias and a raffle just for the party – all included, including the raffle ticket.  Our live auction will have great vacation getaways and to see a truly unique item, open the attachment about Mark Pilato’s sculpture.  Please, join us and support Desert Academy’s financial aid and merit scholarship programs!
Address: Milagro 139, 139 San Francisco Street
Parking: In the Sandoval Garage across the street from the Lensic Theater.
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OMNIAC ACT PREP CLASS-REMINDER FOR JUNIORS
Saturday, February 12, 1:00-4:00pm, Portable
The ACT class will begin this Saturday with a three-hour test.  Most juniors will be taking it beginning at 1:00 in the portable classroom.  If you cannot take it then, we are trying to make arrangements for students to take the test on Saturday morning at 9:00, or even Friday afternoon.  Please let Jennifer know immediately, if you cannot take the Saturday afternoon test.
Students should bring $200 checks made out to Omniac Education to the test.  Alternately, they can call 505-796-8279 and pay by credit card.

Below is the ACT prep class schedule:

Tests – Schedule A + B Feb 12th, 2011 – 1:00 PM
March 26th, 2011 – 9:00 AM
Schedule A – Sundays from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Feb 20th, 2011Feb 27th, 2011 March 20th, 2011March 27th, 2011 April 3rd, 2011
Schedule B – Tuesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm Feb 22nd, 2011 March 1st, 2011March 22nd, 2011 March 29th, 2011April 5th, 2011
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“YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN” MIDDLE SCHOOL PRODUCTION
Wednesday, February 16 & Thursday, February 17, 7:00pm, Big Room
Please save the date for Desert Academy’s first-ever middle school production, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” There will only be two Desert performances: Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 16 & 17 at 7pm in the Big Room. The excellent cast is so funny & has worked so hard. They’ve learned their music through hours and hours of rehearsals with Ms. Robinson and are now learning the dances from the choreographers, Alea Campbell and Camille Treaster.  The set is being built by our new technical director Juliana Peterson. Don’t miss this Desert Academy FIRST! Adults are $10 and students are $5.  Space is limited.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

3rd QUARTER GRADES AND NARRATIVES
The 3rd Quarter ends in three weeks, on Friday, March 4th. Students will be given a grade and a narrative comment at this time. These serve as a progress report for the 2nd Semester grades. They will be posted on Edline from each of your students’ teachers, as they were for the 1st quarter, by Friday, March 25th.
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ATHLETICS

SWIMMING & DIVING
The Wildcats have their District swim and dive meet today and tomorrow at the Genoveva Chavez Center. Diving begins today at 5:30. Swimming begins tomorrow morning at 10:00. This is the largest team ever in Desert’s history that has attended the District meet.

On Wednesday after school, the Wildcats swam at the Capital City Invite. Both boys and girls teams took 6th place.

PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED SPORTS SCHEDULE WITH DETAILED INFORMATION FOR UPCOMING PRACTICES/GAMES, ETC. FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14.
Sports_Schedule_Week of Feb 14th 2011
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CALENDAR OF MAJOR UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
**  Further details of all school events are also available on our website calendar at: www.desertacademy.org. To access information on our sports activities, please see the athletic calendar under ‘Athletics’ on the home page.
FEBRUARY

Sat 12 -  Visitor’s Day, 10:00am-12:00pm
Omniac ACT Prep Class – 1:00-4:00pm, in the portable
Romance in Rio Gala – Milagro 139 – Event begins at 6:30pm
Tue 15-16 ERB Testing (all grades)
Wed 16-Thu 17- “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Middle School Production,
7:0pm, Big Room
Fri 18- In-Service, NO SCHOOL
Mon 21 – President’s Day Holiday – NO SCHOOL

OPEN HOUSE # 2  – VISITOR DAY

Saturday, Feb. 12 10:00 am-12:00 noon

Visitor Day is an opportunity for students and parents to experience 21st century education in action!  After a brief opening presentation, parents and students will split up to get a taste of what Desert is really like.  Parents will attend panel discussions on topics ranging from the International Baccalaureate Programmes to extra-curricular activities and school culture, and students will attend classes offered by some of Desert’s dynamic teachers.  Information about financial aid, merit scholarship, and college counseling will be provided.  A light brunch will be served.

ATTENTION:
DESERT ACADEMY WILL BE ON A 2-HOUR DELAY ON WEDNESDAY, 2/9,  due to potentially unsafe road conditions. 1st Period classes will begin at 10:20 AM.  School members are advised to check the Desert Academy voicemail (992-8284), and/or the website after 8:00 AM for any further updates if weather appears questionable.

Click Here To Download The Snow Delay Schedule

“YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN” MIDDLE SCHOOL PRODUCTION
Wednesday, February 16 & Thursday, February 17, 7:00pm, Big Room
Please save the date for Desert Academy’s first-ever middle school production, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” There will only be two Desert performances: Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 16 & 17 at 7pm in the Big Room. The excellent cast is so funny & has worked so hard. They’ve learned their music through hours and hours of rehearsals with Ms. Robinson and are now learning the dances from the choreographers, Alea Campbell and Camille Treaster.  The set is being built by our new technical director Juliana Peterson. Don’t miss this Desert Academy FIRST! Adults are $10 and students are $5.  Space is limited.

We are thrilled to have Jeremy Scahill  visiting Desert Academy this Thursday afternoon from 2:20 til 3:20pm in the Big Room.  Parents are welcome to sit in on what will surely be a thought-provoking conversation.  Thanks to the Lannan Foundation for bringing Mr. Scahill to Desert.