Author: Sky Wei

Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Jan 26


San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | Jan 26, 2024


FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
Important Dates
Feb 2-4 Starbound Dance Competition
Feb 8 Chinese New Year Family Dinner
Feb 16 'The Tempest' performance
Remarks from our Head of School

Spring is here, flowers are blooming, and our students are thriving! Seniors are receiving great news from colleges, setting the tone for an exciting season of competitions, performances, and a trip to Taiwan. Amidst the buzz, academic challenges like APs and PSAT await, but I look forward to a busy and fruitful semester ahead!

Dr. Sherry Zhang
Head of School
San Francisco High School of the Arts


ACADEMICS
Academic News
by Ms. Erica Campbell

San Francisco High School of the Arts would like to honor three outstanding spellers and the skill they demonstrated in the 2024 Spelling Bee held last Friday in the school library. Congratulations to Ivy Vong, Emily Chen and Diego Donohoe. Way to go!!

The tournament was  judged by Ms. Campbell and Ms. Wu,  Mr. Randazzo, who also was our pronouncer, and Mr. Brandon Yu, the recordkeeper. We have exciting news that all three champions may register by February 1, 2024 for the next round of the Scripps Spelling Bee to be held in Washington D.C.! The next round will be the online testing platform. Students will have access to a study guide of words in order to prepare. 

All of our students in grades 5-8 participated in the bee which was competitive yet fun. Congratulations to all of the students who participated and showed their passion for spelling and positive sportsmanship.

ARTS
Arts News

We are excited to announce the HSArts 2024 Spring Arts Exhibition will be held for the month of March 2024 at The San Francisco American Legion Veterans Gallery at War Memorial and Performing Arts Center! We showcase the incredible talents of our students, teachers and our artist community.

Highlights of the Evening include: 
Student Mastery Artwork Showcase: the crown jewel of our artistic community – the exhibition of our finest collection of student artwork, our artist teachers and guest artists' work. 
Art Competition Winners: Witness the unveiling of the Spring 2024 HSArts Art Competition winners' exceptional creations.

There is a Grand Opening Reception and Silent Auction on Friday evening 3/8: Bid on valuable art pieces in the reception area, and take home a unique masterpiece. 
Live Music Performances at the reception: Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies performed live throughout the evening.


ADMISSIONS
Admissions News
by Dr. Shalina Fung

College tours offer firsthand insight into the learning, living, and growth environment. Key aspects to focus on include academic setting, campus life, career services, and alumni connections. Early tours help students envision their higher education path, fostering exploration and achievement.

This Monday, UC Berkeley's College of Engineering thrivers and HSArts alumni, Joy and Sabrina, generously guided a personalized tour for our 7th-12th graders. Actively involved in professional student organizations, they exemplify success in academia and community contribution. HSArts students gain valuable insights into Cal's academic and social atmosphere through this tour.

As universities announce early application decisions this January, we extend congratulations to a senior for securing admission to the University of Southern California. We eagerly await more great news, celebrating the accomplishments and journeys of our students.

Embarking on these college tours and celebrating achievements contribute significantly to our students' academic and personal development. We support ongoing exploration and eagerly anticipate observing their future achievements.

College Counseling Office



As we interview priority deadline applicants and begin arranging interviews for regular deadline applicants, students impress with insightful questions, showcasing outstanding academic potential and diverse talents in the arts. While seeking a balance of scholastic and artistic aptitude, personal qualities play a pivotal role in our evaluations.  For prospective students who are willing to take on challenges and work hard to achieve excellence, schedule a visit to our beautiful state-of-the-art campus, meet our teachers and students.  As HSArts continues its search for exceptional students with great potential, we assess each applicant on an individual basis following the application deadline.

STUDENT LIFE
Highlights from the Winter Gala Benefit

Throwback to our Winter Gala Benefit. For videos of the performances and other pictures, visit our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook @hsartssf


Photos courtesy of our Media Dept.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Coming soon!

Feb 2-4
Starbound Dance Competition
Feb 8
Chinese New Year Family Dinner (full-time)
Feb 12
CNY Performance at Stratford
Feb 12CNY Performance at Stratford
Feb 16'The Tempest' performance by Theatre Program
Communication is essential and we strive to connect with our students, parents, and families throughout the school year. We will continue reaching out to you with this weekly newsletter. We also encourage you to visit our website and follow our social pages including Facebook and Instagram for announcements, information, and celebrations
1-26-2024
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Events

Winter Wonders 2023 – HSArts

Discover a world of splendor at HSArts’ Winter Wonders 2023. Enjoy exciting dance, music, and theater alongside an amazing art gallery that showcases the artistry and hard work of HSArts students this semester.

On Friday, December 1, students from the HSArts dance, art, music, and musical theater departments join our Young Artists at HSArts to showcase performing and visual arts at Herbst Theatre in the heart of San Francisco.

Buy your tickets today at cityboxoffice.com/hsarts2023

Contact us for more information at info@HSArts.org

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Events

Back to School night

What a great Back to School night ?! We’re happy to see so many families in attendance! Thank you to everyone that came and a special thanks to the Contreras family and our Parents Group ?‍?‍?‍? for arranging such a delicious dinner! ????

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News

Happy Independence Day!

? Happy Independence Day! ??✨

As we celebrate the birth of our nation, we, at HSArts, are reminded of the importance of cultivating not only artistic excellence but also good moral character in our students.

As a private arts school, we believe that freedom extends beyond the physical boundaries of our nation. It encompasses the freedom to express oneself creatively, to explore diverse perspectives, and to develop empathy and kindness for others. ??

We are proud to be a community that values integrity, kindness, and respect. Through our arts education, we empower our students to become not only talented artists but also individuals with strong moral foundations. Together, we strive to foster an environment that encourages honesty, respect, and tolerance.

On this day, let us take a moment to appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures and voices that make our nation so unique. As we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, let us also remember our responsibility to use those freedoms wisely, to uplift one another, and to contribute positively to our society. ?

Wishing you all a joyful and meaningful Independence Day filled with love, unity, and artistic inspiration! ??

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