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HSArts Community Newsletter – Aug 26 – Welcome Back edition


San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | Aug 26 , 2023


FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
Important Dates
Aug 24 Club Fair
Aug 30 Back to School night
Sep 4 Labor Day (no school)
Sep 29 Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations

Welcome Back! What to look Forward to this year:

Aka Highlights from our Calendar

Sep 29 Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
Oct 16-20 School Spirit Week
Nov 17 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day
Dec 1 Winter Wonders 2023 recital
Dec 8 Winter Gala Benefit

There will be many other events throughout the semester, so please stay tuned for more news!

*Editor's note: There's a distinct lack of pictures this week. You can expect more each newsletter. In the meantime, check out our socials:
FB @hsartssf
 IG @hsartssf
IG @hsarts_dance
IG @hsarts_vis
Remarks from our Head of School
Hello, students! 

I want to welcome everyone back to school for the new school year! We hope you had a fantastic break and are feeling refreshed and ready to embark on a journey of learning and growth.

This year, we have exciting opportunities and challenges awaiting you. Whether you're returning students or new faces, we are thrilled to have you as part of our HSArts school community. Our dedicated teachers and staff are here to support and guide you every step of the way. 

I am pleased to announce that there are several teachers joining our faculty team this year, which include our new English teacher Ms. Erica Campbell, both Ms. Aimee Greenberg (returning) and Mr. Brandon Yu as part of our theatre program, as well as our new P.E. teacher Mr. David Qiao. In particular, we’re very excited to have Ms. Rain Zhu back with us after her brief health-related respite. Let’s give them a warm welcome in our community

As you begin this new academic year, remember that education is a key that can unlock countless doors of opportunity. Embrace the challenges with determination, curiosity, and an open mind. Don't hesitate to seek help when needed, as asking questions and seeking understanding are essential parts of the learning process.

Together, we can make this school year a memorable and enriching experience. So, put your best foot forward, work hard, and make the most out of every learning opportunity that comes your way.

Wishing you all a successful and fulfilling school year! Let's make it one to remember!


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


ACADEMICS
New Staff
This year, Ms. Erica Campbell, Ms. Jennifer Zhang, and Ms. Annabel Xia join our academic staff! We're also excited to welcome back Ms. Rain Zhu from her medical leave. Please give them a warm HSArts welcome!

AP Courses
HSArts offers 36 honors and AP courses, and this year is no different! Our 9th and 10th graders will be in Ms. Ginnie Wu's AP Psychology course, one much requested by many students. Our juniors and seniors have even more APs to tackle, from language staples like AP English and AP Chinese to mathematics with AP Calculus and AP Statistics. Mr. Ray Chen is expectedly passionate about his AP Computer Science course, another popular one requested by our students.

Accelerated Math Pathway
The Accelerated Math Pathway (AMP) is a program tailored to many of our students who excel in mathematics and want to strive forward. While most HSArts students will take math at a level above same grade students at most public schools, those in our AMP may get a significant jump in their studies, which will position them to be able to take math APs and more in their upperclassman years. For more information, check out  our AMP page.

Speech and Debate
As part of our ongoing efforts to help our students develop speaking and presentational skills, our middle schoolers will all take Ms. Ginnie Wu's Speech and Debate class this year. This class is tailored to help our students learn speaking and presentational technique, building confidence and developing skills that translate to beyond the classroom. Let's see how they do in our debate and speech contests!

Integrated Science
Mr. Ray Chen is pioneering an integrated science curriculum, combining lab sciences like physics and biology with computer science. This year, students in grade 9 and 10 are taking integrated science with chemistry focus. Stay tuned for news about the fun labs and projects they'll be working on!
ARTS
New Staff and Classes - Department Overviews
This year, we're very excited to have several incredibly talented and passionate teachers join the arts departments. In theatre, Ms. Aimee Greenberg and Mr. Brandon will be at the helm of the acting classes and theatre productions. Joining them is Mr. Daxi Song, our new vocal teacher, who will also lead our new Choir class for theatre and music students. Ms. Yao Wang returns for their dance training and production choreography.

Ms. Sherry Hu (not to be confused with Dr. Sherry Zhang) returns to teach dance bearing and from for our middle and high school dancers. Each of our dance classes (middle and high school boys and girls) will be taking ballet with Artistic Director Mr. Dongsheng Wei and the ballet team, refocusing training on footwork and foundation and diversifying their dance knowledge and training. Ms. Hanna Zhang already has over 20 choreographies planned for our Dance Conservatory, between full-time, after school, and various solos for competitions.

Our visual arts department is growing so much, and we've taken the next step to split the students into three (3) classes: beginner middle school, intermediate middle school, and high school. Ms. Millie Hankinson and Ms. Lucy Cui return to continue their artistic instruction, including a new Workshop class where the intermediate middle school and high school classes come together in a workshop style class, working together with both teachers drawing subjects and models. Mr. Mario Su joins our team this year, leading our beginner middle school class of 5th and 6th graders. Their schedule is designed in a way to allow for a bit of exploring across some of the performing arts programs.

Performances and Events
The Winter Wonders recital is set for December 1st at Herbst Theatre. However, before then, we are planning several performance opportunities, both in school and in the community. The Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration at school (9/29) is an annual celebration centered around the Mid-Autumn Festival (or Moon Festival), where special programs as well as many food riddle, and games will be sure to entertain everyone of all ages. We're also hoping to return to the Academy of Sciences, Stonestown Galleria, and other local fairs and events to showcase programs old and new. Finally, besides Winter Wonders, we will also our winter theatre production and music concerts at school. More details to come, stay tuned!

All in all, we are very excited for this upcoming year! Can't wait to share all that our students are working on.
ADMISSIONS
As the new school year begins, so does the new admissions season! For any prospective families, we invite them to join us at our open houses, private tours, and shadowing days for their first hand experience of our HSArts campus community. Invite your friends or siblings to  sign up for their journey to discover their artistry today!
YOUNG ARTISTS
Our Winter Wonders recital is on December 1st, giving our classes about 2-3 weeks less time to prepare compared to last year! Ms. Hanna, Ms. Ginnie, and the rest of our Young Artists team are eager to get a jump start for our students, and many have already started learning movements and rehearsing their dances. But we're confident our students are up to the task! Let's see what they can do!

If you haven't gotten a chance yet, we highly recommend you download and use Telegram. Our teachers will be sending updates, videos, and other news through the app. Thanks!

STUDENT LIFE
Club Fair - digital version

Want to join a club? We currently have:
- Basketball club on Thursdays
- Yearbook club on Thursdays
- Games club on Fridays
- Study hall on everydays 
- Cooking club once every 2-3 weeks
- Beekeeping club periodically
…with more to come!

Interested in joining the student council? Ask your advisor for more information.

If you want to form a new club, submit a “new club application” or find Mr. Brian for a printed copy.

Ready to sign up? Let Ms. Anne or Mr. Brian know.
CULTURE
Value Contest!
Our school is built on the values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Tolerance, Empathy, Kindness. We want to know what they mean to you.

Pick one to write about - It can be in the form of an essay, a poem, a song, or even interpretive dance! All standard grammar and writing rules apply, and make sure it’s school appropriate.

Submit your document (or video/photo) by Friday, September 15. The best ones will be selected to feature in an upcoming newsletter, and may be eligible for a special prize!

For more information or details, please find Mr. Brian!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Coming soon!

Aug 24

Club Fair

Aug 30
Back to School night
Sep 4
Labor Day (no school)
Sep 29
Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
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
8-26-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – May 31 – Special Edition

TO

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | May 31, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
May 31 5th Grade Graduation
Jun 1 Awards Ceremony (am)
Jun 1 Middle and High School Graduation (pm)
Jun 2 Spring Spectacular recital and art exhibition

Remarks from our Head of School

Learning is a lifelong journey and each year brings new discoveries and accomplishments. Consider the moments when we overcame obstacles, achieved breakthroughs, and experienced the joy of mastering new concepts. These experiences are the building blocks of our personal, academic and artistic growth. A great year of learning also encompasses personal development, character building and the formation of valuable life skills. Think about the friendships we have cultivated, the resilience we have demonstrated and the ways in which we have grown as an individual.

Congratulations to everyone on a great year of learning!


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

Special Edition – Celebrating Learning

Ms. Lona Lou and the Academics Department

Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,

Time flies! At the end of spring semester, we now issue our last newsletter to celebrate an academic year of inspiring learning, and you will see some excellent student sample work here too!

We had a great mid-cycle visit from our accreditation agency WASC’s earlier this year. WASC visiting team was highly impressed with what we have accomplished in the past three years. WASC is all about student learning. Being recognized and congratulated by the visiting team is a testament to our exceptional curriculum and the collective commitment of our entire school community, including teachers, staff, students, and parents, who have worked together to create an exceptional learning environment.

This school year has been filled with countless moments of learning, discovery, and personal triumphs. Congratulations to all our students for their outstanding achievements and for embodying the values of our school. Our students have demonstrated remarkable dedication and enthusiasm for their studies throughout the year. They were delving into complex mathematical competitions (AMC8!), dissecting thought-provoking literature (see their amazing presentations), exploring the wonders of scientific inquiry, and surviving from a Chinese-speaking only Taiwan trip!

At last, let’s express our great gratitude to the teachers, parents, and staff who have provided unwavering support, guidance, and inspiration along the way. It is through the collective efforts of our entire school community that our students have been able to reach such wonderful heights!

MATHEMATICS

Our AP Calculus BC students have just completed their AP Exam this past Monday, May 8th. For the last few weeks, students were hard at work: studying review sheets, working through practice problems, and ensuring they knew all the calculator commands. Prior to that, students jumped into the deep end coming out of precalculus last year; they entered AP Calculus BC running. We finished the AP BC curriculum in 5 months. Calculus is best understood in retrospect since there are only two concepts at the core of calculus: derivatives and antiderivatives (also known as integrals). Once you understand both, you can start to play! You can see how they relate, you can jump from one to the other, and even grasp complicated iterations of either or both. AP students got great at understanding deep thought theorems such as the Sandwich Theorem, Mean Value Theorem, Intermediate Value Theorem and Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. On top of rattling off proofs, students gained a great conception of shapes, their rotation, movements, and edges. I believe our students grasped the visual side of calculus so well because of their work in visual arts and envisioning in dance classes. I am proud of how much our students learned in such a short time, and how robust their analytical skills and background understanding of calculus has become, and I hope they are proud of themselves as well. With hard work comes great rewards! On Tuesday, we celebrated with complimentary coffee from Flywheel and a leisurely, cheerful walk through Golden Gate Park. In the remaining ten classes students have requested lessons about wealth management, study skills for college, and applications of calculus in the real world. We look forward to having more fun learning these things! 

Mrs. Darragh Leddy

SCIENCE

Since computer science became more and more important in our daily lives and also career development, HSArts has been introducing more computer science classes. Starting this school year, our innovative Integrated Science curriculum has incorporated computer science and data science into our core scientific subjects such as physical science, biology, and physics. Students are learning those contents and using computers to build models, to simulate results, and to analyze resulting data. For example, our “Integrated Science – Bio Focus” class is reproducing the current Australia’s rabbit crisis using JavaScript. Students code this real world problem of  “breed like rabbits” by randomly simulating 3-4 liters per year and 1-12 babies per litter per doe rabbit. Another coding project our math students are working on is using repetition to tell if a number is prime. The manual process of telling prime is tedious but JavaScript only needs 8 lines to take input and give output, true/false of prime. Students not only build up their coding skills but also get the important sense that their future careers may benefit from computer science and data science. 

Mr. Ray Chen

HISTORY

Dear Parents and Guardians,
It was an honor teaching your child this year.  I had so much fun in all of my classes.  I hope your child reported to you some of cool assignments we did this year.  That being said, I realize that maybe you are interested how I structure my classes in general and how (or what way) I like to go in-depth with topics and teach critical thinking while at the same time make sure that my students have a solid foundation in historical knowledge and/or scientific literacy.  The best way for me to explain this (my style of teaching) would be to briefly discuss one of my courses from this last year.  So let’s focus on the 8th grade U.S. History course.  
I try my best to design a course that is practical, informative, expands a student’s horizons, improves character, improves life skills, and gets a student ready for the next level of learning.  Although I cannot share everything I do in a short newsletter, hopefully these examples are enough for you to get a feeling into how I teach and approach the subject of history.  So let’s get into it…
The very first day of 8th grade history I gave my students the U.S. Citizenship Test.  I didn’t grade it, it was just a reference.  But guess what?  It was also our final exam this last week.  The class learned about the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states that anyone born in the USA is automatically a citizen.  But our country is also unique and special because people from all over the world can come here, put down roots, and become Americans themselves if they so choose.  They just need to take a test.  Our 8th graders just experienced that (unofficially).  It was a nice (and practical) way for them to learn about our system of government and a bit about civics.  I didn’t have too many other tests with the students this year.  High school is coming up soon.  So they needed to improve their essay writing.  
One of the big essays they must learn to write in high school is called the Document-Based-Question or DBQ.  It’s on all the AP History exams.  Well our students began learning how to write this style of essay with me.  They had to apply their knowledge from the class while analyzing these primary sources of information (the documents) related to the topic.  Then they had to use these documents successfully as evidence in their arguments.  It’s a challenging writing assignment that most middle school teachers don’t introduce.  But I think our kids can handle it.  I love reading primary sources actually.  And this year I went beyond the textbook to give students different perspectives.  
My primary sources focused mostly on the lives of regular people.  For example, we read the journal of a private in the Revolutionary War named Joseph Martin.  He wasn’t a hero, nor famous, but his journal gave kids unique insight into war itself.  We read different articles and journals all year.  There was Doc Hay, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in Oregon who helped anyone who came to him and consequently did so much to promote empathy and understanding between people.  There was Sojourner Truth who risked her life to help African Americans and women (of all ethnic groups) to be free.  There was Jane Addams who wrote an excellent essay trying to convince men (and even women) that the right to vote for all people would be a great benefit to society.  And many more (famous and not famous)…
We also had some practical history lessons.  Our class watched videos of history reenactors and we copied some of their knowledge….like cooking colonial recipes.  We discussed the history of law enforcement (police work) in this country, then had a visit from two police officers from SFPD that talked about their lives and their work on the streets today.  We had a local lawyer stop by and discuss a famous Supreme Court case and also explain how our judicial system works.  
And those lessons on character happened throughout the year, often in subtle ways.  We did not shy away from controversy and the horrific mistakes of the past, but there has been good in people from all time periods too.  History is not always gloom and doom.  It is important for students to know these lessons as well.  So I’d share when I could.  For example, during our unit on World War I, a war filled with so much mechanized death, I was able to find a primary source that detailed an interesting dogfight.  If you remember, “dogfighting” was between two airplanes.  In this case a German and a French pilot were dueling to the death, but the German’s machine gun jammed.  The French pilot saw this and let the man go free.  He wouldn’t harm a defenseless person.  To show mercy in war is a special thing.  To forgive others is a special thing.  Hopefully our students will be those kind of people.    Maybe these stories of mercy and forgiveness will stay with them and be a helpful guide.  
I could go on and on, but hopefully these few paragraphs are enough detail for you to have a window into my style of teaching.  And please feel free to contact me any time you wish about ideas and/or feedback.  One parent this year shared a fantastic series of videos with me from Yale University’s history department.  I’d be happy to hear about, read, or research any kind of topic that would bring history to life for our students (your children).  Take care and have a great summer.  
Sincerely,
Lee Randazzo
History Teacher
ENGLISH
In 5th grade language arts we read a mix of literary and informational texts which strengthened their reading fluency and comprehension skills, as well as expanded their vocabulary. Writing skills improved this year with paragraphs and essays focused on descriptive, narrative, and expository writing. Students followed and understood each of the five stages of the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Essays included a research report, compare and contrast, and a short story complete with an event, narrator and characters. Fifth grade students had plenty of opportunities to learn and practice new grammar skills in order to enhance their writing and communication skills, including recognizing and using parts of speech (particularly verb tenses) correctly.

In 6/7th grade English, students increased their ability to analyze and synthesize information, strengthened their reading skills, and improved their writing proficiency. Sixth and Seventh graders progressed visibly in reading, writing, and vocabulary. We have developed complex writing skills by writing in-depth character analysis. Students have improved their fluency and comprehension skills and are able to apply punctuation, grammar, and syntax skills to their written work. 

In 9/10th grade English, we covered the more difficult reading comprehension strategies, literary analysis, writing methods and more. Students read a diverse selection of world literature organized into thematic units. They refined their listening, speaking, writing, and presentation skills. Over the course of this year students have determined the central idea and purpose of a text, analyzed how authors use historical events to build a claim, written essays to integrate properly cited research, and selected evidence that effectively supports an analysis.

In 11/12th grade English, students focused on the study of British Literature and identified the ideas, values, and themes of a historical period from the early epics to contemporary writers. Students explored the societal issues of various periods through reading novels, dramas, poetry, speeches and non-fiction. While focusing on vocabulary and comprehension, students compared and contrasted how British literature developed in a historical context. Students are able to recognize the elements of various genres of literature and compare and contrast conventional and contemporary poetry.

Mr. David Gallagher
CHINESE
AP Chinese Course Summary
In the 2022-2023 school year, the AP Chinese course will continue to design teaching plans based on the goals of improving listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. During the teaching process, in addition to regular classroom teaching explanations, the teacher uses video, speeches, games, field trips and other means to organize classroom teaching, train students; Chinese language sense, increase vocabulary, and especially strengthen students; speaking ability. Through the accumulated learning, the students; Chinese proficiency has been significantly improved, and their confidence in learning Chinese has greatly increased. This course has achieved the expected teaching objectives and successfully completed the teaching tasks.

AP Chinese課程教學總結
在2022－2023學年，AP Chinese課程繼續本著聽說讀寫技能共同提高的教學目標，設計教案和制定計劃。教學過程中，除了常規的課堂教學講解外，教師利用視頻、演說、遊戲、實地考察等手段，組織課堂教學，訓練學生中文語感，增加詞彙量，尤其強化學生的說話能力。通過日積月累的學習，學生們的中文水平明顯得到提高，學好中文的信心大增。本課程達到了預期的教學目標，圓滿完成了教學任務。

Mr. Qining Cai

STUDENT WORK AND OTHER PICTURES
This is the Create Performance Task from Sabrina. She created an app which implemented an algorithm named “selection sort”. Attached are screenshots and the actual link to let everyone play with this app. 
https://studio.code.org/projects/applab/vhRtKjk8WjKCVuL8yS0sh_T-z977PAcC9G5_GkZFvms

8th Grade Poster about Macbeth

Links to other student presentations and assignments
Presentation by Daphne Ng
Video from Ms. Yoyo’s Chinese Class
Presentation by Eric Li
5th Grade Presentation on the Golden Gate Bridge

Field Trip!
Our Honors Precalculus class visited a satellite company called Astranis. Our students learned how vector calculus is used to direct the satellite, how sine waves are used to measure frequency, and exponential/logarithmic models of possibilities and movement.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
May 31

Spring Music Concert

May 31
5th Grade Graduation
Jun 1
Awards Ceremony (morning)
Jun 1
Middle and High School graduation (afternoon)
Jun 2
Spring Spectacular recital and art exhibition
Jun 3 – Aug 15
Summer Break! Have a great summer! See you next year!

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
 5-31-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – May 5

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | May 5, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
May 6 Spring Art Showcase and Gallery at Stonestown Galleria
May 5-7 Thunderstruck Dance Competition
May 10 St. Thomas the Apostle – Spring Arts Tour
May 11 Stevenson Elementary School – Spring Arts Tour


Remarks from our Head of School

Time flies and we are into the last month of the year! This is our busy time with many tests (big and small) along with the preparation for upcoming performances including the big recital. Yes there could be stress, yes, hard work is needed, but there is the reward of accomplishment afterwards!


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

Spring Arts Tour

Mr. Brian, Event Planner, Performance Enthusiast

Maybe it’s spring. Maybe it’s because May is Asian American Heritage month. Maybe more and more people are getting to know and getting to liking the dances we perform… We have many performances lined up this whole month.

Announcing our Spring Arts Tour! This tour will bring us to 7 locations around the bay area, from nearby schools to Stonestown Galleria to senior centers.

As a cherished opportunity to perform and share our arts, our students will be showcasing several pieces from the upcoming Spring Spectacular show. 

So be on the lookout for more news from our Spring Arts Tour!

ACADEMICS

Featured Academic News of the Week    

Mr. Lee Randazzo, History Teacher

Dear parents and guardians,

Our 6th and 7th grade students got a special treat this week, engaging in “conversation” with a Roman emperor.  Did we have a time machine?  Yes, of sorts.  This emperor wrote a book and we read part of it.  The emperor was Marcus Aurelius and his book was called Meditations.  (Actually the book was a compilation of his journal entries, made after he died in 180).  Our students had to evaluate the advice Marcus had for regular people to live their lives (and write about it).  We also had a great discussion in class about how many of Marcus’s thoughts were not so different from how people think today.  

   

Those of you who have visited my classroom know that it’s full of books. Those books are all related to lessons.  I love it when we can go beyond the textbook (more in-depth) and analyze primary sources from history.  Most other American students would not be exposed to such knowledge until they reach university.  But our middle school students can handle it just fine.    

Take care. 
Sincerely,
Lee Randazzo


ARTS

Featured Arts News of the Week    

Mr. Brian Nieh, still a big fan of Fans


I like fans. Remember this?

Fans are indeed pretty cool. So cool, in fact, that our dance conservatory gentlemen will use their fans to demonstrate the level of coolness in the Chinese dance featured in the upcoming Spring Spectacular recital titled Summer Fan Scholars.

In ancient China, it was typical and expected for gentlemen to develop both their minds and their bodies. This dance, choreographed by Mr. Mike, uses fans as props to blend graceful movements with powerful techniques, showcasing their mastery over their movements.

ADMISSIONS

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
YOUNG ARTISTS
Young Artists News
By Ms. Ginnie, Young Artists Coordinator

Hello Young Artist program dance families,

Just a reminder that we will have two dress rehearsals on campus in May! They will be on Wednesday, May 10th and Wednesday, May 24th. 

Both dress rehearsals will run from 3:30-6:00pm. If students finish early, we will send a message in the Telegram app and parents can respond if they would like to pick up early. We will bring your child out when you pull up to the curb. 

Students will need to arrive with hair in a neat bun (unless their teacher asked for a different hairstyle). We will wear costumes but no makeup for the rehearsal.

Finally, just a reminder that there may be makeup/hair supplies that students need to purchase for the recital!! Having all the necessary supplies is very, very important to ensure that students are neatly groomed and ready for the stage. We sent out an email last week with the subject “Spring Rehearsal and Recital Info” that includes a link to the Supplies Checklist — it is copied here WHAT TO BRING. There are also hard copies available at the front desk.

Thank you!

STUDENT LIFE
Spring Arts Tour – Kickoff at Kaiser
Mr. Brian, Coordinator of Arts Things

On our Spring Arts Tour, we visited Kaiser Permanente in Redwood. In celebration of Asian American Heritage Month, our students performed several dance pieces from our upcoming Spring Spectacular recital. Here’s a short video capturing Ms. Hanna leading our students to do a bit of spacing before the performance from our Facebook page @hsartssf


Stay tuned for more news and media from our Spring Arts Tour, continued next at St. Thomas the Apostle School next Wednesday!

Spring Spectacular Tickets on Sale!
Get your Tickets HERE at City Box Office

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
May 6

Spring Art Showcase and Gallery at Stonestown Galleria

May 5-7
Thunderstruck Dance Competition
May 10
St. Thomas the Apostle School – Spring Arts Tour
May 10
Spring Spectacular Dress Rehearsal #1
May 11
Stevenson Elementary School – Spring Arts Tour
May 16
Charlotte’s Web Open Rehearsal
May 17
Sagebrook Senior Center – Spring Arts Tour, sponsored by NHS
May 19
Charlotte’s Web musical performance
May 19Kaiser Permanente 2nd visit – Spring Arts Tour
May 19-21
Headliners Dance Competition

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
 5-5-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Apr 28

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | April 28, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
May 3 Asian Heritage Month Performance at Kaiser
May 6 Spring Art Showcase and Gallery at Stonestown Galleria


Remarks from our Head of School

Every year around April 20, we will educate students about drugs. This is such a widespread problem in San Francisco and it is only getting worse. I am proud to say HSArts is completely drug free. We will do everything we can to keep our school a clean and nurturing place for all children to learn, grow and bond! 


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

Performances Galore!

Mr. Brian, Event Planner, Performance Enthusiast

Roses are red, April is Grey.
But in a few days, it’s gonna be May~~

With the end of the school year in sight, we have a number of performances, exhibitions, and other events to look forward for. And more pictures!

For the dance conservatory, we’ll be performing at the following locations:
– Kaiser Permanente (May 3)
– St Thomas the Apostle School (May 10)
– Stevenson Elementary (May 11)
– Stonestown Galleria (May 14)
– Sagebrook Senior Center (May 17)
– Ivy Living Senior Center (May 26)
– Herbst Theater (June 2)

We’re also holding a Spring Art Showcase and Gallery at Stonestown on May 6, Spring Music Concert at school (tbd) and our big musical presentation of Charlotte’s Web on May 19, also at school.

And that’s not even mentioning all the AP tests and final exams… our students have plenty to prepare for and look forward to. Let’s finish the year strong, with vigor, and with lots of fun!

ACADEMICS

Featured Academic News of the Week    

Mr. David Gallagher, English Teacher

In English class, we build skills and knowledge in reading and writing which are very important and necessary for success. However, just as important are the skills and attitudes that help students manage their time, work well with others, solve problems, and behave in an ethical manner. These abilities are known as transferable skills because they can be developed in one environment, such as the classroom, and then transferred to future environments, such as a university or the workplace. The absence of these skills in the workplace is called the “skills gap.” 

The success of our students is very important, not only because we personally want them to succeed, but also because our mission statement specifies that “the curriculum nurtures in students universal values and a sense of civic duty so they may positively contribute to the world.” Many of the transferable skills that students need to succeed at SFHSA are the same as those that will help them succeed in college and on-the-job, such as time management, teamwork, honesty, and responsibility. 

In English class, I require my students to hand in their assignments on time, collaborate effectively on group projects, take accurate notes, avoid plagiarism, and use school planners and Google Classroom to know when assignments are due rather than relying on the teacher to provide them with reminders. The lessons they learn as they develop these transferable skills will not always be easy and the consequences they experience on their way to mastering these skills may sometimes cause them to describe me as an overly-demanding or a “mean” teacher. But I am willing to bear this title, and to bear it proudly, if it helps our students to succeed.

Thank you,
Mr. Gallagher


ARTS

Featured Arts News of the Week    

Ms. Hannah Ogden, Theatre Arts Director


Our Musical Theatre students have been working hard all year, learning the fundamental skills of Acting, Singing, and Dance. We are proud to invite you to our final production of the 2022-23 school year, Charlotte’s Web the Musical! This classic story has been reimagined to include toe-tapping musical numbers that highlight all of the technique and skill that our students have built this year. Our performers have spent weeks building their characters, rehearsing their songs, and practicing choreography. Please join us on May 19th at 6 PM in Studio 2 to see our students in action for the final time this year! 

ADMISSIONS

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
YOUNG ARTISTS
Young Artists News from the Competition
By Ms. Ginnie, Young Artists Paparazzi

“Hello! We are shiny.”
Pictured: Dancers from our Wednesday Chinese Dance 1A
STUDENT LIFE
Yearbook Design, Done!
Mr. Brian, making some news out of a slow week

Buckle your seatbelts boys and girls, the yearbook is complete! I received an advanced copy and I must say… *chef’s kiss* Fastastiqúe!

With great nostalgia swelling within, I looked through the pages and pages of perfect snippets of this crazy school year. To know that our yearbook club and Ms. Anne put in so much hard work over many many months… *chef’s kiss* Amazioso!

At our seniors’ self-designed spreads, I recall the years of memories bringing back memories and I just feel… *chef’s kiss* Spectacular!
(speaking of, buy your tickets to the Spring Spectacular now!)

I’m glad I preordered my copy. Did you?

Spring Spectacular Tickets on Sale!Tickets here at City Box Office

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
May 3
Asian Heritage Month Performance at Kaiser
May 6

Spring Art Showcase and Gallery at Stonestown Galleria

May 5-7
Thunderstruck Dance Competition
May 10
Spring Spectacular Dress Rehearsal #1
May 11
Performance at Stevenson Elementary School
May 16
Charlotte’s Web Open Rehearsal
May 17
Performance at Sagebrook Senior Center, sponsored by NHS
May 19
Charlotte’s Web musical performance
May 19-21
Headliners Dance Competition

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
 4-28-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Apr 21

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | April 21, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
Apr 24 PSAT Testing
May 3 Asian Heritage Month Performance at Kaiser


Remarks from our Head of School

We had our first Career Fair led by our Parent Club last week! We had 15 presenters give insights to their professions, which included computer, branding, finance/loan, accounting and chemistry.  It is great for our students to think about where their passion lies and what they want to do in the future. Big thanks to our parents and teachers who made this happen! 


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

*Editor’s note: Pictures from the Career Fair in the STUDENT LIFE section

Virtue of the Month: Responsibility

Mr. Brian, Responsible Man, Responsible Plans

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” -Winston Churchill

Responsibility is one of the most important virtues we can possess as human beings. It’s the cornerstone of our personal and professional lives, and it’s essential for our well-being and success. But what does it really mean to be responsible?

To be responsible means taking ownership of our actions and the consequences that follow. It means being accountable for our decisions and choices, and recognizing the impact they have on others. It means showing up, being present, and doing what needs to be done, even when it’s hard or inconvenient.

Continued in the CULTURE section

*Editor’s note: Sorry for the delay in production! We had a very busy week last week, with events almost every day! Don’t worry, we have pictures. Lots of pictures. Like…get yourself strapped in for all the pictures you’ll get 🙂

ACADEMICS

Featured Academic News of the Week    

Ms. Ginnie Wu, History Teacher

This week we wrapped up the final unit in AP Macroeconomics (International Trade and Finance). Students received their first full-length practice exam to take home and will be completing several more next week. We will also be reviewing select topics from Units 2-4.

Just a reminder to all AP students that there are only two more weeks before AP testing begins! Please make sure to be **responsible** for your own learning, stay on top of your assignments, and reach out to your teachers if you have questions. 

Meanwhile, Modern World History students are discussing the Great Depression and New Deal while English 8 is starting the last assignment in our poetry unit. 


ARTS

Featured Arts News of the Week    

Mr. Brian Nieh, Facilitator of Things, Decidedly not very French


Last week, we welcomed a group of dance students from the faraway island of Tahiti. As part of our Intensive Arts Bootcamp Program, 10 dance students visited San Francisco and our school to experience Chinese dance and learn from our teachers. Speaking mainly French, we had some growing pains to work through to even communicate with them. Luckily, dance is a universal language. And also, a few spoke enough English to help translate.

Several of our students volunteered as student ambassadors, greeting and talking with our Tahiti friends to help them get acclimated to our school. During classes, lunch time, and all the breaks in between, they helped welcome and make the Tahiti students feel at home, so a big thank you to all of them!

The Tahiti students had 6 hours of dance with us each day, having their own classes in the mornings during our academic periods, and then more dance in the afternoon during our arts periods. That’s a whole lot of dancing! Our team of Ms. Hanna, Ms. Annie, Ms. Emily, and Mr. Mike were able to provide a variety of dance content for them to have a full bootcamp experience. They even learned a whole dance in the style of the Xinjiang ethnic group, captured in the farewell showcase last Thursday.

In the future, we will continue to explore opportunities for both students to come visit us and for our students to visit other school, not unlike our recent trip to Taiwan! In fact, our Tahiti friends have already invited us to visit them next year!

ADMISSIONS

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
YOUNG ARTISTS
Young Artists News from the Competition
By Ms. Ginnie and Ms. Hanna, Newspersons of the Young Artists

Our students attended Epic Dance Competition in San Jose during the April 14-16 weekend. We have seen them grow so much as dancers since the last competition a month ago! Competition results are listed below. 


✨ Andy Ispas and Abigail Wong received 1st Place Overall for their duet “Chasing Light” and a Platinum award!
✨ Abigail Wong received Epic Platinum and Platinum for her solos “Out of My Mind” and “Ode to Lotus” respectively, and placed 2nd Overall in her division. 
✨ Emilie Fu received 2nd Place Overall and a Platinum award for her solo, “Dancing in the Rain.”
✨ Kylie Tang and Abbie Tanabe received 3rd Place Overall and a Platinum award for their duet, “Together We Stand.”
✨ Andy Ispas received a Platinum award and 8th Overall in division for his solo, “Courage,” as well as a “Powerhouse” Judges’ Award for his dynamic leaps and jumps!
✨ Kylie Tang received Platinum and 9th Overall for her solo, “Remembrance.”
✨ Madeleine Chan received Platinum and 10th Overall for her solo, “Teahouse Waiter.”

Photos courtesy of our Dance Instagram account @hsarts_dance. Make sure to follow and like!

STUDENT LIFE
Santa Cruz Trip
Recap by Mr. Brian, reporting live from on the scene

On Friday, April 17, we ventured down south to the Los Gatos mountains, to a land that’s the school’s land for outdoor things. There, students engaged in the student council prepared EGG HUNT! 

And hunt they did, uncovering little egglings in nooks and crannies, over, sideways, and under on a magic carpeted egg hunting extravagenza.

The prizes? Lots of delicious chocolates and candies and 8 special tickets to Whack the Easter Bunny Piñata!

*Editor’s note: no real bunnies were harmed in the bunny battery batting session.

After spewing the sweet sweet candied innards of the piñata, we had an egg decorating contest!

We had first, second, third places and a few honorable mentions!

Honorable mention: Ivy Vong
Honorable mention: Dylahn Zamudio
Third Place: Lucas Luu
Second Place: Coco Waissman


First Place: Angela Zhang

And then we had lunch!

All in all, fun times!

We wrapped up our day at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk! Students split into groups and had at it! Rides, beach, sunshine, and lots of food and drinks!


Thanks again to our student councils and Ms. Anne for helping to organize this wonderful day!

Career Fair (in Pictures)
Wednesday, April 15

CULTURE
Continued from the Front Page
Still Mr. Brian, responsibly finishing this op ed piece

Responsibility is not just about fulfilling our obligations and meeting our commitments. It’s also about recognizing our power and agency to make a positive difference in the world. When we take responsibility for our lives and the world around us, we become agents of change, capable of shaping our future and creating a better world for ourselves and others.

Unfortunately, not everyone embraces responsibility. Some people fall into a victim mentality or mindset, where they believe that their circumstances are beyond their control and that they have no power to change them. They may blame others for their problems, make excuses for their failures, and resist taking responsibility for their lives.

“When you think everything is someone’s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.” -Dalai Lama

The truth is that we all have the power to take responsibility for our lives, no matter our circumstances. We may not be able to control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it. We can choose to see challenges as opportunities for growth, to learn from our mistakes, and to take proactive steps to improve our situation.

So how can we cultivate a sense of responsibility in ourselves and others? Here are a few ideas:

First, start with yourself. Take responsibility for your thoughts, actions, and choices. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, and work to develop your character and skills. Set goals and hold yourself accountable for achieving them. Don’t blame others for your failures, but learn from your mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth.

Second, lead by example. Show others what it means to be responsible by modeling the behavior you want to see in them. Be reliable, trustworthy, and dependable. Follow through on your commitments and do what you say you’ll do. Communicate clearly and honestly, and be open to feedback and criticism.

Third, empower others. Encourage others to take responsibility for their lives and their world. Help them develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Support them in their goals and aspirations, and give them opportunities to lead and make a difference.

Finally, remember that responsibility is not a burden, but a privilege. It’s a sign of our maturity, our self-awareness, and our commitment to making the world a better place. So embrace it, cherish it, and use it to create the life and the world you want to see.

As the great Ben Parker once said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” 

Let us all strive to be responsible individuals who take ownership of our actions and make a positive impact on the world around us. Let us lead by example, empower others, and embrace the privilege of responsibility. Together, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
May 3
Asian Heritage Month Performance at Kaiser
May 6

Student Art Gallery at Stonestown mall

May 5-7
Thunderstruck Dance Competition
May 10
Spring Spectacular Dress Rehearsal #1
May 11
Performance at Stevenson Elementary School
May 16
Charlotte’s Web Open Rehearsal
May 17
Performance at Sagebrook Senior Center, sponsored by NHS
May 19
Charlotte’s Web musical performance
May 19-21
Headliners Dance Competition

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
 4-21-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Apr 7

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | April 7, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
Apr 12 Career Fair
Apr 14 Land Day & Santa Cruz


Remarks from our Head of School

We are back! We had a wonderful time in Taiwan. We visited beautiful places, tasted lots of delicious fruit and food, and made many new friends! The most inspiring experience is studying at Niaosong, another arts high school and among many like-minded young artists. This exchange will become our high school’s new tradition in the years to come!


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

Land Day, Easter Event, and Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Oh My!

Mr. Brian, Santa Cruising, Bored-walking, 

April 14. Mark it down: We’re going to the Land! This time… with an Easter theme!

Why hunt for eggs at the park, when you can do it in the lovely Santa Cruz mountains? Our student council has prepared Easter activities for our students to enjoy, which include the classic hunt, egg decorations, and a piñata! 

After some delicious outdoor BBQ and other delicious delicacies, we’ll head down to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. Hang out on the beach, feel the breeze and watch the waves crash to the symphonic soundtrack of the local sea lions.

Or maybe you’re a thrill seeker, and bought the park ride pass for roller coasters galore! Whatever flavor your fun, you’ll find lots of it on our upcoming field trip next Friday.

Who’s excited?

ACADEMICS

Featured Academic News of the Week    

Mr. Ray Chen, Math Science Computer Science Teacher and Enthusiast

We’re approaching the due date of AP CSP’s Create Performance Task. Students are working very hard to create their own programs utilizing functions, data abstraction, procedural abstraction, with good algorithm strategies plus testing. The Create Performance Task is worth 30 percent of the exam score. I’m so sure all students can do very well and get a full score on the Create Performance Task. Also, all students are very confident on getting a 5 on the AP Exam (AP Exam 5 means extremely well qualified for that subject). Let all of us cheer on my 5 AP CSP students who are Sabrina, Eric, John, Olivia and Dylan!

Editor’s note: Go CSP! Add oil! 


ARTS

Featured Arts News of the Week    

Ms. Hanna Zhang, Dance Teacher


Dear Parents,
We finished our tambourine dance a few weeks ago and we hope the girls thoroughly enjoyed their Taiwan trip. We are now planning to learn a new dance called the Yi Dance. The Yi people are known for their exceptional ability to sing and dance, with many rhythmic and enthusiastic movements. These dance routines were developed from the locals’ harvesting and stepping on buckwheat.

For our upcoming performance, the Spring Spectacular at Herbst Theatre, we will be showcasing the free flowing style using Yi movements. We can’t wait for the girls to learn this new dance and showcase their skills. Please stay tuned for further updates. Hanna out.

Editor’s note: Spring Spectacular, new name for the upcoming recital, thoughts? Good, bad, you can do better? Comment down below 😀

ADMISSIONS

Admissions News

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
MSSONS

YOUNG ARTISTS

Young Artists News from the Break

Ms. Ginnie Wu, Dance Teacher and Young Artists Coordinator


Last week we asked our Young Artists families to submit photos of their dancers practicing during the spring break. There were so many wonderful submissions and we wish we could feature them all! Here are some of the photos.

Arlo Juergens (6) mid-cartwheel on a trip to Hawaii.

Audrey Chen (6) works on her back strength and flexibility on a Friday afternoon.

Kylie Tang (12) leads a stretching session for her twin sisters Karina and Keona (8). 

Isabella Chang (9) gets in some practice time at a local park. 
Alexandra Kuchenova (6) works on her leg and back flexibility over the spring break.
Charlotte (12) and Madeleine (9) working hard before bedtime.


STUDENT LIFE


404 Pictures not found… yet
Post Spring Break, we’re still awaiting pictures from field trips and other fun events right around the corner. Stay tuned!

Check out the schedule for the upcoming events down below!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
Apr 12
Career Fair
Apr 14
Land Day & Santa Cruz (Easter event)
Apr 14-16
Epic Dance Competition
May 3
Asian Heritage Month Performance at Kaiser
May 4

Badminton & Ping Pong Tournament

May 5-7
Thunderstruck Dance Competition
May 10
Spring Showcase Dress Rehearsal #1
May 19-21
Headliners Dance Competition

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.
 4-7-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Mar 24

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | March 24, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
Mar 27-31 Spring Break!
Apr 3 Senior Photoshoot
Apr 6 Fish Market Field Trip
Apr 7 Group Photoshoot
Apr 12 Career Fair
Apr 14 Land Day & Santa Cruz


Remarks from our Head of School

Greetings from Taiwan! We (Mr. Ray, myself and eight of our high schoolers) are enjoying our trip immensely. We love the delicious food (especially the famous milk tea), warm hospitality, beautiful scenery, but even more, the cultural and art exchange. We will give you a more detailed report when we come back. Take care!


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

Look! Ahead to these things! Happening!

Mr. Brian, Punctuationally Illiterate

Spring break is upon us! And everyone can enjoy a well-deserved break! Coming back in April, we’re jumping right into a slew of events and important dates, listed at the end but detailed right here:

Apr 3 Senior Photoshoot
Our lovely seniors will don their graduation gowns and take their immortalized photos in the annals of HSArts history.

Apr 5 Last day to pay for Santa Cruz fees for 4/14
Optional, for those who want to ride the rides.

Apr 6 Monterey Fish Market Field Trip
Led by Mr. R, there will be fish.

Apr 7 Group photoshoot
At lunch, all staff and students will take a group photo together!

Apr 7 Last day to pay for Yearbook
Get your moneys in for your very own yearbook! We won’t order extras, so you have to preorder if you want one!

Apr 12 Career Fair
Learn about the jobs and careers of adults in our HSArts community. Organized our Parent Club.

Apr 14 Land Day & Santa Cruz (Easter Event)
This is the big one. We’ll be going down to the Land for an Easter Event before heading to the Santa Cruz boardwalk for a full day of fun!

Keep reading the newsletter for more news on what’s coming up! If we missed anything, let us know down in the comments!

ACADEMICS

Featured Academic News of the Week    

Mr. Qining Cai, Chinese Teacher


正如大家所知道的，我校高中部分學生正在體驗經歷她們美妙的台灣之旅。借此機會，祝她們旅途愉快、一路順風、收穫滿滿！
出發前，AP Chinese班的學生們，對這次旅行充滿了期待，雖然她們已經具備了很好的中文聽說能力，但是把這種能力運用到台灣純中文的交際學習生活環境中去，還是第一次。本著＂學以致用＂的教學原則，過去的一個多月裏，我在課堂上，利用教學遊戲、觀看視頻、模擬對話情境等方式，鞏固學生們所學知識，加深他們對台灣當地語言文化生活的了解，增強她們用中文與台灣當地民眾進行交流的興趣和信心。通過不斷的學和練，學生們說：＂我們是最好的，一定行！＂請您為我們這些優秀而可愛的學生祝福吧！
這次兩個星期的台灣行，不算長也不算短，既是學生課堂所學知識、能力的一次實踐，也是對中文課教學的一次檢驗。相信台灣之行一定會給學生們留下深刻的印象，我們同樣熱切地期待著學生們回來後，跟大家分享她們美妙的經歷和故事。

As you all know, some of our high school students are experiencing their wonderful trip to Taiwan. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them a happy and fruitful journey! 

Before their departure, the students in the AP Chinese class were full of excitement for this trip. Although they already have good Chinese listening and speaking skills, it is still the first time for them to apply this ability to real life. In the past month, I have used teaching games, watching videos, and simulating dialogue situations in class to consolidate their language and deepen their understanding of Taiwan culture. I hope more practice in daily life has enhanced their confidence in communicating with local Taiwanese people in Chinese. Through continuous learning and practice, the students said: “We are the best, we must do it!” Good luck to our lovely students! 

This two-week trip to Taiwan is not only a practice of the knowledge and abilities learned in the classroom for students, but also a test for us Chinese teachers. I believe that the trip to Taiwan will definitely leave a deep impression on the students, and we are eagerly looking forward to the students’ return with their wonderful experiences and stories to share with us.

 

ARTS

Featured Academic News of the Week    

Ms. Lucy Cui, Fine Arts Teacher


Recently we are working on a quick sketch study with pencil. This practice trains students to make art decisions in a short time and move on quickly. 

We have long term art studies to prepare students for solid fundamentals, something like the grisaille painting we did last semester. After a while of long term training, students can make great art work, but at the same time, they become too cautious because they want every marker on paper to be correct. Here comes the quick study. Limited each sketch into less then 15 min, sometimes 5 mins or even 1min. For the fundamental skills they have are already good enough, they only need to get used to making decisions quicker and the result can be pretty good. Like the example photo there, the quick sketch practice page made by Coco (7th) and Niki (8th).


ADMISSIONS

Admissions News

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
MSSONS

YOUNG ARTISTS

Young Artists News of the Week

Ms. Hanna Zhang, Dance Teacher and Young Artists Director


Let’s JUMP into Spring Break ✌️

After School Art

Ms. Lucy Cui, Fine Arts Teacher
This semester for after school class, besides the training in drawing fundamentals and encouraging students creativity from imagination, like usual, we are exploring a different material, watercolor, to support our students’ drawing. 

Watercolor paint is a translucent art medium and the paints are made of pigments suspended in water-based solution. The key for watercolor painting is water control. Students in this class will try watercolor techniques such as wet on wet, wet on dry, washes, underpainting, etc. Of course, different materials and techniques are just things to support ideas. Encourage students to express their imagination and illustrate it to share, to communicate.

In this class, we always start with a master copy of a realistic drawing to improve kids’ drawing skills, something like a simple still life or a landscape painting . After this project is finished, they can pick references themselves and design their own pieces. Training in professional skills first, then keep their imagination active and combine with their skills.


STUDENT LIFE


Taiwan Updates
Our students are enjoying the warmth and humidity of Taiwan. In other words, ‘warmth’ referring to our hospitable hosts but also it’s really hot, and ‘humidity’ referring to the weather, the sweat from the intense training, but also the many many cups of bubble tea already had. While they’re sure to bring back wonderful memories and stories of their Asian adventure, here are a few pictures they’ve shared so far:

Finally, we leave you with this gem:

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
Mar 17-April 1
Taiwan Trip
Mar 27-31
Spring Break
Apr 3
Senior Photoshoot
Apr 5Last day to pay for Santa Cruz fees for 4/14
Apr 6Monterey Fish Market Field Trip
Apr 7Group Photoshoot
Apr 7Last day to pay for yearbooks
Apr 12Career Fair
Apr 14Land Day & Santa Cruz (Easter event)
May 19   
Headliners Dance Competition

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.
 3-24-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Mar 17

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | March 17, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day activities
Mar 17-April 1 Taiwan Trip
Mar 22-24 Parent-Teacher Conferences


Remarks from (not) our Head of School

Psst, it’s Mr. Brian, hijacking this section to wish Dr. Sherry, Mr. Ray, and our high schoolers a wonderful trip to Taiwan! They will do some arts but mostly sightsee and go to night markets and eat delicious foods and have lots of fun… I swear I’m green today for St. Patrick’s day and not from envy. I swear.

Anyways, Bon Voyage!


– Dr. Sherry Zhang Mr. Brian
Head of School Operations Manager, Prolific Fluff Writer, Do-er of Stuff
San Francisco High School of the Arts

Fans, More than Cool    

Mr. Brian, Fan Connoisseur aka a big Fan of Fans

The ancients of ancient China once anciently said: “Fans are the essence of cooling, and cooling is the essence of life.” At least, that’s what they could’ve said. With fans almost as omnipresent as clothing and indispensable as food, ancient Chinese people depended on fans to survive. But how? Why? And, most importantly, really?

It is difficult to measure the fantastic and immeasurable impact of the fan through our current mindset. We must venture to the past and seek the peak of its multifaceted glory. We must journey to ancient China.

But before we hop in the DeLorean, let us first define what a “fan” is. The dictionary defines the fan as a cooling apparatus with rotating blades (not the one we’re talking about), or a device typically folding and semicircular, which creates a current of air for cooling. Sounds definitive enough. However, despite the vast majority of fans being used in said fashion today, the Chinese found many novel applications. So strap on those seat belts and fire up that flux capacitor, we’re heading back to the future! Errr I mean past! Great Scott!

Time Travel down to the Arts section for more!

ACADEMICS

Featured Academic News of the Week    

Mr. Lee Randazzo, History and Science Teacher, Licensed and Passionate Beekeeper


Dear Parents,

How are you?  I am happy to introduce the curriculum involving our honeybees this year.  You may or may not have known that the school purchased a hive and queen last April 2022.  The queen and her children have so far survived the turbulent winter rains. Their survival was helped by our students.  And our students have been learning about the honeybee life cycle in more detail this year in science class.  We cannot take everyone down to work with the honeybees because we have just the one hive and only two protective suits for students.  But I am very grateful to the students who were willing to give up a Sunday in order to travel with me to Los Gatos and help the bees.  

During the fall semester a small group of students came with me to treat the beehive against a nasty parasite called the Varroa Mite. We used formic acid strips to kill the mites and save the bees.  In my science classes students had a lab in which they made bee candy, a sugar paste flavored with spearmint and lemon grass.  This bee candy was an important food source during the wintertime, especially with all the wind & rain.  The bees form a huge “ball” with their bodies, huddling together in order to stay warm.  They need a lot of honey and sugar to feed themselves.  And just a few weeks ago another larger group of students came with me to the hive in order to feed the bees their candy.  

I am currently planning another trip on a Sunday in April or May in which students can have a longer turn with the bees.  There is a lot of work to be done.  We might treat for mites again.  We might even be able to have a honey harvest before school lets out.  We’ll have to see.  The kids love to work with the bees and love seeing them crawl around the hive and fly to & from the flowers.  It’s especially cool to see the queen going about her business laying eggs.  They learn so much biology and ecology with these trips.  I hope more students can participate.  Please let me know if your child is interested.      

Sincerely,

Lee Randazzo

Earth Science Teacher

Editor’s note: Bee-ware, a bee picture (for those squeemish like me)

ARTS

More Fans, Continued from the Front Page

Mr. Brian, with photographical help from Mr. Mike

Fans as Canvases
From water paintings of lotus blossoms to calligraphy, fans were the paper of the past. Back when the artistic fan was invented, around the 2nd century B.C., conventional painting canvases were yet to be discovered, and Chinese often used bamboo fans as objects of artistic expression. These nifty contraptions were totally trendy, portable, and doubly functional as regular fans.
Equally common was the poetic fan, which many poets, upon receiving sudden inspiration, would scribble their strokes of genius onto. These poets often carried many blank fans on their frequent imagination-probing journeys, seeking insights and revelations in foreign cities and distant mountains. When reciting a poem, a Chinese scholar could typically be seen swaying and waving his fan in admiration of lyrical pulchritude.

Fans as Weapons
Much like the ideal ancient Chinese man, both learned and proficient in martial arts (文武雙全), there existed kung fu fans (kung fans for short). At a time when swords, spears, and tigers were readily available, these kung fans were surprisingly the weapons of choice for many warriors, including the famed imperial guards of the Qing Dynasty (and dance teachers). Typically made of sturdy steel, the kung fan was firm and durable when closed and lethally sharp and deadly when open.
While kung fans were mostly used in close range hand-to-hand combat, smaller fans could also be used as projectiles, causing splash damage when opening before impact. They also provided a much-needed breeze in the heat of battle.
The kung fan was equally befitting the stealthier mercenary, its commonplace usage a convenient disguise. Already a great weapon in its own right, small knives or poison darts could also be hidden within the fan’s individual blades, supplying the aspiring assassin an array of deadly options.
This is ironically symbolic. In ancient times, fans were customarily given as parting gifts between friends or lovers and, apparently, between enemies as well.

Of course, fans had many other applications. They were used to indicate social status, swat insects, punish mischievous children, cut steak and meat, and as napping eye masks. But there’s one more significant use worth mentioning…

Fans as Props
The most glamorous of all fans are those that fulfill their function on stage: the prop fans. The fan is no stranger to show biz—many cultures have historically engaged in some form of fan-related performance. While other types of fans faded with the passage of time, prop fans have weathered super sedation to continue to enjoy their lavish thespian lives today.
In the world of theater, prop fans have maintained a steady level of usage, with our Chinese Dance programs being an avid client. Our prop fans come in many shapes, sizes, colors and designs. From the vibrant yellow pairs that unite to form flowers, to the practical fans of the dancing men to the flowing fans of the Calligraphers — our HSArts performances are the closest you’ll get to observing fans in their natural habitat. So if your DeLorean is out of gas, catch our year-end showcase at Herbst Theater on June 2 instead, and you just might find yourself a fan in no time.


ADMISSIONS

Admissions News

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
MSSONS

YOUNG ARTISTS

Young Artists News of the Week

Mr. Sky Wei, Coding Teacher and HSArts Alumni


This project, found on Code.org, is a dance programming activity that allows students to create their own dance animations using block coding. The project is designed to help students develop their coding skills and understanding of event programming, as they learn to create programs that respond to timed events and user input.

Students will be able to choose from a variety of dance moves and sequences to create their own unique dance animations, using blocks to code each step of the program. Throughout the project, students will have the opportunity to experiment with different coding techniques, such as using variables to store and modify data, creating loops and conditional statements, and debugging and testing their code.

The project is designed to be accessible to students with little or no prior coding experience, with support provided at each level to help students progress through the challenges. The project is engaging and interactive, allowing students to express their creativity and develop new skills in a fun and engaging way.

At the end of the project, students will have a completed dance animation that they can share with others, demonstrating their understanding of event programming and their ability to create programs using block coding.
CLICK TO SEE THEIR WONDERFUL WORKS!
Aiden Lau:  https://hsarts.info/aidencode
 Charles Lord:  https://hsarts.info/charlescode
Arianna Yuen: https://hsarts.info/ariannacode
Emma Guan:  https://hsarts.info/emmacode
Maya Ahn:  https://hsarts.info/mayacode
 Sophie Quock: https://hsarts.info/sophiecode

STUDENT LIFE


Cooking Club – Indian Curry and Naan Bread
It was delicious!
Pi Day Champion
Our 7th grader, Jacqueline McCarthy, took home the coveted Pi Recitation Championship after reciting 56 digits of the infinitely long irrational number. She faced close competition from the other students, but ultimately delivered the numbers without a mistake. Her prize? A delicious oreo smoothie from Little Sweet boba shop. Congrats!

Another picture from Cooking Club
Look so happy!
UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
Mar 17
St. Patrick’s Day activities
Mar 17-April 1
Taiwan Trip
Mar 22-24 
Parent Teacher Conferences
Mar 27-31 
Spring Break
May 19   
Headliners Dance Competition

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.
 3-17-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Mar 10

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | March 10, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
Mar 14 Q3 Music and Musical Theatre Open Rehearsal
Mar 15 Q3 Music and Musical Theatre Showcase

 

Remarks from our Head of School

Greetings everyone!

Many of our high school students are excited as they will embark on their first trip to Taiwan next week! It is an arts and cultural exchange with Niao Song, an arts middle and high school in Taiwan. This trip marks the beginning of a long journey that we will embark on together, bringing traditional arts and universal values to the world. I cannot wait to see the endless possibilities that will come out of our joint efforts to promote creativity and cultural understanding.


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

Stars Abound at Starbound

Ms. Ginnie Wu, Dance Competition News Specialist Reporter Extraordinaire

 

Our middle and high school dance conservatory students had another successful weekend at Starbound Talent Competition in Dublin, CA with 5 out of 5 entries receiving Elite Gold, three 1st Place Overalls, and three Judges’ Awards! 
 
In addition, several of our students have committed to Nationals for KAR and Starbound competitions in the summer.
Full-time middle and high school dance conservatory students received Elite Gold, 1st Place Overall in division, a “Precision” Judges’ Award, and Best Costume for their group dance, “Calligraphy.”
Andy Ispas and Abigail Wong received Elite Gold, 1st Place Overall in division, and a “Dynamic Duo” Judges’ Award for their duet, “Chasing Light.”
Andy Ispas received Elite Gold, 4th Place Overall in the age 11-12 division, and a “Powerhouse” Judges’ Award for his solo, “Courage.”
John Wu and Daphne Ng received Elite Gold and Top Winner in their division for their duet, “Sounds of Snowfall.”
Full-time high school dance conservatory students received Elite Gold for their group dance, “Butterflies.” 

More news and pictures of our Young Artists dancers at Starbound below!

ACADEMICS

Featured Academic News of the Week

Ms. Yoyo Zhang, Chinese Teacher

This week in our middle school Chinese Level II class, besides regular learning and reviewing, the students also watch an episode of the 3D cartoon show called Heaven Kid. Based on Confucianism theory, each episode tells a story to teach the students how to be a good kid. After watching the video, the students shared what they had learned from it, such as helping others when possible, encouraging and being happy for others’ progress, being nicer, not disturbing others when they are not feeling well, and working harder. Each student also shared what they wanted to improve on in the future, such as being less angry, helping others more, being nicer, avoiding jealousy, and working harder.

 

ARTS

Featured Arts News of the Week

Ms. Millie Hankinson, Fine Arts Teacher

The high schoolers in the visual arts program continue to expand their visual vocabulary while developing their core technical skills. Right now, they are putting the finishing touches on their third cast study this year and have learned to more capably measure proportions, render form, and interpret and simplify shapes. After their current drawings are completed, they will progress to quick sketches from life — both in the classroom and outdoors — in preparation for a multi-session portrait from a live model later this semester.

ADMISSIONS

Admissions News
 

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
MSSONS

YOUNG ARTISTS

Young Artists News of the Week

Still Ms. Ginnie, with more to report!

Our young artists lit up the stage this weekend at Starbound Talent Competition in Dublin, CA! We took home five Elite Golds, three 1st Place Overalls, and two Judges’ Awards! In addition, all of our students qualified for Starbound Nationals in Tahoe, NV in July. 


Abigail Wong (10) received Elite Gold, 1st Place Overall in age 9-10 division, and 1st in the Folkloric Dance category for her solo, “Ode to Lotus.” She was also one of two dancers at the awards ceremony to receive a Golden Ticket, which allows her to take part in the opening number at Starbound Nationals in Tahoe, NV!

 
Abbie Tanabe (13) and Kylie Tang (12) received Elite Gold and 1st Place Overall in the preteen division for their duet, “Together We Stand.”
 
Isabelle Tseng (9) received Elite Gold, 2nd Place Overall in age 9-10 division, and an “Engaging Performance” Judges’ Award for her solo, “Paper Route.” Kylie Tang (12) received Elite Gold, and 6th Place Overall in the age 11-12 division for her solo, “Remembrance.” 

Madeleine Chan (9) received High Gold and 4th Place Overall in the age 9-10 division for her solo, “Teahouse Waiter.” 
Emilie Fu (13) received High Gold for her solo, “Dancing in the Rain.”

 

STUDENT LIFE

 

Spring Q3 Music and Musical Theatre ShowcasePlease join us on Wednesday, March 15th at 6 PM in Studio 2 for a night of vocal performances (featuring several solos and a group performance of Firework), musical selections from our instrumentalists, and a showing of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Tickets are free, though there will be a goodwill offering basket at the door for anyone who is interested in donating to the Musical Theatre program. All funds raised will go towards our final performance of the 2022-23 school year, which will be announced very soon 🙂 Please RSVP using this link so that we have an accurate estimate of our audience and can prepare accordingly. We hope to see you all on March 15th!

Pi Day Celebrations: Monday 3/13What do you know about pi? Do you know that it is an irrational number, which means that the number never ever ever stops? Do you know that it is the ratio of the length around a circle to the length through a circle? Do you know that its applications are vast and robust: helping us to even estimate the volume of our entire universe? Well, whether you do or don’t, you are invited to celebrate one of the most exciting holidays with us this Monday! Our students will be competing in a school-wide endeavor to recite as many digits, in decreasing size order, of pi as possible. In case that is not exciting enough, we have sweetened the deal! The winner will be treated to boba, and anyone who can correctly list more than 31 digits of pi will receive 10 points of extra credit towards their next math test! Please encourage your child to set a goal of how many numbers they would like to memorize, and work on this endeavor this weekend. Some of our students are off to a head start and can already rattle off 50 digits! We are looking forward to sharing this giddiness around math on Monday, while feasting on pie, and celebrating our hard work. 

Thank you!
-Mrs. Leddy

UPCOMING EVENTS
Coming soon!
Mar 14   
Quarter 3 Showcase Open Rehearsal
Mar 15   
Quarter 3 Music and Musical Theatre Showcase
Mar 17-April 1
Taiwan Trip
Mar 22-24 
Parent Teacher Conferences
Mar 27-31 
Spring Break
May 19   
Headliners Dance Competition
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.
 3-10-2023
Read more
Community Newsletter

HSArts Community Newsletter – Mar 3

San Francisco High School of the Arts Community Newsletter | March 3, 2023

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

Important Dates
Mar 3-5 Starbound Dance Competition
Mar 14 Q3 Music and Musical Theatre Open Rehearsal
Mar 15 Q3 Music and Musical Theatre Showcase


Remarks from our Head of School

Greetings everyone!

We had our Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) mid-cycle visit last week. The visiting committee (consisting of two experienced Heads of School) was highly impressed with our school’s progress in the past three years. We have accomplished a lot amidst the pandemic.  Let’s be proud of our achievements!


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

March is Respect Month

Mr. Brian Nieh, Back in Action, Back at it again, Back pains

R. E. S. P. E. C. T.
Find out what it means to HSArts and our community.

In the comments below!

For me, as an elderly man, I would hope for some of that classic “respect for your elders”. I try my best to live up to that ideal everyday when I talk to other adults, patiently listening to what they have to say even if I’d rather be sleeping or eating or desperately need to use the restroom. 

I’ve also grown up on the “Golden Rule”, which says to treat others how you want to be treated. When you show someone respect, be it respecting their privacy, respecting their personal space, respecting their thoughts and opinions, etc. it’s something you should do and hopefully that garners a similar respect from the other person.

What about you? Share what you think “respect” means (down in the comments below), such as what kinds of respect should people show to each other or how you show respect to those around you in your everyday life. Respect, kindness, empathy… these are all things we all could use more of and we should share with each other whenever we can.

ACADEMICS

5th and 6th Grade Field Trip with Mrs. Leddy 

Mrs. Darragh Leddy, Math Teacher and Field Trip Supervisor

This past Wednesday, the 5th and 6th grade math classes visited Randall Museum. In math class, we recently learned about ratios, proportions, and scale factors. To see the applications of scale factors we have been studying maps. Students had to print out a map that instructed them how to get from school to Randall Museum. I accompanied them, but did not give any direction; not even when they disputed whether they were going the correct direction or not. Students worked together, explaining clearly why their interpretation of the map was correct and were able to listen to each other and come to an agreement. We only went wrong once! We stopped at Corona Heights Park, climbed a huge rock (very carefully), and had clear panoramic views of the city. We played eye spy and had fun taking in the span of San Francisco. We could even see Mt Diablo, which some students learned was not LA. At Randall Museum, students toured other middle schoolers’ science projects that Randall Museum is displaying this month. Our students now have a greater understanding of what a science project entails, and have some great ideas for what they plan to test next year in their very own science project. We also visited animals that Randall Museum is rehabilitating. Students were particularly enamored with the raccoon. We look forward to more field trips, more time outside, and more ideas to test and share our results with our community!


ARTS

Featured Arts News of the Week

Ms. Hannah Ogden, Musical Theatre Director and Acting Teacher


The school year is truly flying by! Quarter Three already?! It feels like just yesterday that our Musical Theatre program was starting its first quarter ever in the fall of 2021, and now here we are, preparing to present the Spring Music and Musical Theatre Showcase over a year and a half later!  The musical theatre full-time and elective students have been working hard in the Acting classes to prepare a heartwarming production of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. This play is a compilation of short stories by Robert Fulgum, placed together to create a snapshot of the human experience. What happened to the confidence, creativity, and wonder of childhood? Why do we as humans sometimes lose our free-spirited nature as we age? This play seeks to explore what it means to be a person and asks the question “What is a legacy? What do I want my legacy to be when I leave this life?” Please join us on Wednesday, March 15th at 6 PM in Studio 2 for a night of vocal performances (featuring several solos and a group performance of Firework), musical selections from our instrumentalists, and a showing of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Tickets are free, though there will be a goodwill offering basket at the door for anyone who is interested in donating to the Musical Theatre program. All funds raised will go towards our final performance of the 2022-23 school year, which will be announced very soon 🙂 Please RSVP using this link so that we have an accurate estimate of our audience and can prepare accordingly. We hope to see you all on March 15th! 



ADMISSIONS

Admissions News

HSArts will continue to provide private campus tours over the next several weeks giving all interested students and their families the opportunity to further explore our programs and offerings.  Please RSVP here to schedule your tour.
MSSONS

YOUNG ARTISTS

Young Artists News of the Week


We have another dance competition, Starbound, coming up this weekend, starting tonight! Let’s all cheer them on and wish them good luck!

STUDENT LIFE


Study Hall and Tutoring
Not quite clubs, but also happening during extracurricular hours, study hall and tutoring opportunities await you!
Looking for a quiet, focused place to do some homework or get some studying in? Each afternoon, there’s study hall! There’s a different teacher supervising each day, ready to answer any of your questions.
We also have a number of teachers available to go over homework, review subject material, or even do a bit of extra tutoring. You just have to reach out and ask!
So drop on by study hall or ask your local teacher about some extra tutoring. We’re all here for you, ready to help 🙂

TRYBE Show

TRYBE is a new sensational circus performance featuring the San Francisco Youth Circus and directed by Veronica Blair.  It’s about 3 young explorers who adventure in the Floridian Wetlands and discover a tribe of people living there.  They learn a lot through different circus acts and comedic bits. 


HSArts 7th grader Giovanni HunzekerHesed is in this show at Circus Center which is right around the corner.  HSArts students can get two for one tickets by using this discount code: 2FOR1.


CIRCUS CENTER

755 FREDERICK STREET

 

3/10 AT 7PM

3/11 AT 2PM & 7PM 

3/12 AT 2PM


For tickets or more information:  http://circuscenter.org/shows



UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming soon!
Mar 3-5 
Starbound Dance Competition
Mar 14   
Quarter 3 Showcase Open Rehearsal
Mar 15   
Quarter 3 Music and Musical Theatre Showcase
Mar 17-April 1
Taiwan Trip
Mar 22-24 
Parent Teacher Conferences
Mar 27-31 
Spring Break
May 19   
Headliners Dance Competition

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.
 3-3-2023
Read more