SaltLakeArtsAcademyPublicCharterSchool

AnnualReporttotheCommunity2017-18

DearFriends--WearepleasedtopresentyouwithourAnnualReport.Thoughperhapscliché,itisnonethelesstruethatourchildrenareourfuture.Andthefutureisbright—thanksinlargeparttoyourgenerouscontributionsandthetirelesseffortsofourdedicatedfaculty,staff,board,parents,andadministration.TheArtsAcademyiscultivatingthecreativeandcompassionatecriticalthinkersoftomorrow.Iwouldliketosharewithyouafew(ofmany)ofmyexperienceswithourstudentslastyear.Ihadthepleasureofattendingthestudent-organizedandstudent-ledrallysupportingthestudentsofMarjoryStonemanDouglasHighSchool.OurstudentstouchedmedeeplywiththeirstirringtributetothosekilledinParkland.Theyinspiredmewiththeirprofoundunderstandingofcomplexissuesandtheirdesiretoadvocateforasafeenvironmentinwhichtolearn.Ourstudentsaretakingchargetocreatethefutureinwhichtheywouldliketolive.Iwasfortunatetositamong8thgradestudentsduringanadvisory-groupsessiondiscussingconsent.Ourstudentsarelearningthecontoursofappropriateboundariesandhowtobeempoweredupstanders.Theygivemehopeinthistimeof“metoo”thatourfuturewillbemorecompassionate,thoughtful,andrespectful.WhileIwasattendingschooltheaterperformances,musicconcerts,artexhibits,anddancerecitals,thecommitmentandtalentofourbuddingartistsandtheirtirelessinstructorsimpressedandamazedme.Thankyouforyoursupportourartsprogram.Withoutyourcontinuedsupport,itsimplywouldnotbepossible.Ourschool’sdedicationtodailyartsexperiencestranslatesintoincreasedacademicperformance.IhadtheopportunitytoparticipateinadiscussionwithhumanitiesstudentsaboutArthurMiller’sTheCrucible.Inoureraof“fakenews,”thesestudentsastoundedmewiththeirthoughtfulanalysisandrationalskepticism.Iamconfidentthatourstudentsarehoningtheskillsthatwillallowthemtofilteroutthenoiseandtuneintothesignal.Middleschoolisaperiodofchangeforourstudents.Fortunatelyforthem,theArtsAcademyprovidesastableenvironmentforthemtogrowandlearn.Thissoundsettingexistsdespite—orperhaps,paradoxically,becauseof—constantgrowthandchangeofourschoolitself.Weareconstantlystrivingtomeetthedemandsofachangingworldandchangingneeds.Itstrikesmethattheschoolitselfisinthemidstofitsadolescence.Withprofoundgratitude,theboardthanksAmyWadsworthforherdevotionandvisionatthehelmofourschoolforthepastdecadeandahalfsinceitsgenesis.Amyhasdrivenintobedrockthefoundationforalastinginstitutionwithadiverse,talented,andengagedfaculty,staff,andadministrationwhoarededicatedtomoldingyoungmindsforfuturesuccess.Withsometrepidation,lastfalltheBoardacceptedAmy’snoticeofretirementafterthecurrent2018-2019schoolyear.Startingearlylastspring,theBoardbegantheprocessoffindingaworthysuccessor.Wehavecastournetwideanddeep.Boardmembershavespenthundredsofperson-hourssiftingthroughresumes,contactingreferences,andinterviewingapplicants.Wehavebeenoverwhelmedbythesuperlativequalityofapplicants.WearenearingtheendofthatprocessandareconfidentthattheArtsAcademywillbeinsurehandsasitleavesitsadolescenceandcontinuesitsupwardtrajectory.WeexpressourdeepestthankstoScottMessersmithwho,uponcompletinghistermasboardchair,assumedresponsibilityforthesearchcommittee.Thiscommitteealsodeserveshighpraisefortheirmanyhardhoursandthoughtfulefforts.WewishalsotoexpressoursinceregratitudetodepartingboardmemberDonEggertwhosesixyearsofserviceincludedchairingtheboard.Weareprivilegedtohaveaboardrepletewithtalentedprofessionalswhodedicatetousawealthofknowledge,wisdom,andexperience.Iappreciatetheirservice.Onwardandupwardtoabrightfuture.MatthewNelsonChair,GoverningBoard

ArtsEveryDayBuildsCreativeMindsSLArtscontinuestoofferatleastonehourofVisualArts,Dance,DramaorMusictoeachstudent,everydayoftheschoolyear.ThankstotheUtahStateCharterSchoolBoardInnovativeProgramgrant,wewereabletopurchasenewinstrumentsandiPadsforMusicandVisualArts,andupgradeourBlackBoxTheatrelighting.SLArtsstudentsputthesetooltogreatuse!

Inthefall,SLArts’DramaprogrammountedaspectacularGreekPlayFestival,performing“IphegeniaatAulis”and“Electra,”byEuripides.OurDanceprogramproducedtwofull-lengthDanceConcertsfeaturingoriginalchoreographyfeaturingover100students.OurMusicstudentsperformedconcertsthroughouttheyear,includingspecialeveningsforPops,ChamberMusicandaHolidayevent.VisualArtsstudentsexhibitedworkattheTinAngel,andwereshowcasedatourannualSLArtsFestinMay.IntheSpring,SLArts7thand8thGraderscreatedandperformedin“Elements–Water,”across-disciplinarycollaborativeperformanceincludingDance,Drama,MusicandVisualArtsexamininghumans’relationshipwithwater,andaskedquestionsaboutasustainablefuture.DigitalTeachingandLearningInitiative–Year2InYearTwooftheState’sDigitalTeachingandLearningGrant,SLArtscontinuestoemphasizewritingacrossthecurriculum.StudentsuseChromebookstoresearchandwriteinHumanities,torespondtoquestionsandwritereportsinScienceandtocollaborativelysolveproblemsinMath.Weusedoursecond-yearfundingtohelpsupportour1:1studenttoChromebookratio,andtoprovideincreasedProfessionalDevelopmentopportunitiestoourteachers,astheybecomeexpertsatusingdigitaltoolsintheclassroom.Teachersattendedworkshops,in-servicetrainings,educationtechconferencesandstudiedontheirowntimetobecomeproficientinusingGoogleClassroomandotherlearningmanagementtools.Bytheendof2019wehopeeveryteacherinourschoolwillbeaGoogle-CertifiedEducator.

SLArtsDemographicSnapshot17-18• 392Students• 21%EthnicMinority• 11%EconomicallyDisadvantaged• 8%SpecialEducation• 211Girls• 181Boys• 29zipcodesrepresented• Promoted8thGraderswentto10

differenthighschools.• 8th-graderFelixK.wontheNationalGeographicBeeforUtah,

andrepresentedourstateandourschoolinWashington,D.C.fortheNationalBee,wherehewasoneofthetop15finalists.

FinancialReportFY18SaltLakeArtsAcademyfinishedtheyearinapositivefinancialposition,thanksagaintothecarefulattentionofourGoverningBoardandBusinessManager.TheschoolundergoesanIndependentAuditeachyear;theresultsofthoseAuditsareonourwebsite,www.slarts.org,under“Financials.”

Revenue – Fiscal Year 2018 Funding Source $2,642,755 State of Utah $148,937 Federal $216,589 Student Fees and Rental of Building to

Other Nonprofit Groups $135,198 Fundraising $162,861 After School Fees $3,306,340 TOTAL REVENUE

Expenses – Fiscal Year 2018 Category $1,978,398 Instruction – Teacher and staff salaries,

benefits, supplies, equipment. $604,228 Facility – Bond payment, utilities,

improvements, custodial, repairs. $344,418 Administration – Salaries, benefits, supplies

and equipment. $165,892 After School – Teacher salaries and benefits. $114,375 Student Support – Staff salaries and benefits. $61,889 Transportation – UTA Passes / Bus hires. $3,269,200 TOTAL EXPENSES

2018SAGEScoresAsaCharterSchool,SLArtsisheldaccountabletothesamestandardizedtestingasotherpublicschools.Thecurrentlyadministeredtest,SAGE,measuresstudent“proficiency”and“growth”inthreesubjectareas:English/LanguageArts,MathandScience.Thescoresbelowrepresentthepercentofstudentstesting“proficient”inagivenareaforSLArtsand,forcomparison,theStateofUtah.Thecolorbandsbelowfollow“cohorts”ofstudents,sothatyoucanseetheirprogressoverthetimetheyareatSLArts.SciencescoresforGrades6-8arenotavailableasofpublication;Utah’sDataGatewaywillpublishthosescoreswhentheyareavailable.

SLArtsSAGEScores 5th 6th 7th 8thSpring2015 ELA 49 60 56 64

Math 46 45 77 66Science 55 58 53 63Spring2016 ELA 65 48 68 60Math 60 39 77 75Science 67 55 61 65Spring2017 ELA 54 66 78 68

Math 52 58 83 84Science 61 53 61 73Spring2018 ELA 60 57 67 67Math 65 54 72 81Science 62 n/a n/a n/a

UtahSAGEScores 5th 6th 7th 8thSpring2015 ELA 45 45 44 43

Math 49 39 48 43Science 51 47 45 47Spring2016 ELA 47 48 44 42Math 50 42 50 45Science 51 54 48 49Spring2017 ELA 46 47 45 41Math 49 40 48 42Science 50 52 47 48Spring2018 ELA 48 48 45 44Math 50 40 49 45Science 52 n/a n/a n/a

PlanningfortheFutureSaltLakeArtsAcademy’sGoverningBoardbegantheprocessofselectinganewPrincipal/ChiefAdministrativeOfficer,toreplaceourfoundingPrincipal,AmyWadsworth,attheendofthe2018-19schoolyear.ToprepareforthesearchandtheleadershiptransitiontheBoardconductedaSchoolCommunitySurveytogatherdataandfeedbackonschoolculture,operationsandacademics.Over80%oftheFacultyparticipatedinthesurvey,and40%ofSLArtsfamiliesparticipatedinthesurvey,providingimportantperspectivesfortheBoard,administration,facultyandnewleadershiptoconsiderastheschoolplansforthefuture.AnExecutiveSummaryoftheStrategicPlanningSurveyofParentsandFacultyisavailableonourwebsiteatwww.slarts.orgunderthe“Parents”tab.

ACommunityofSupportThroughouttheyear,ourwiderSLArtscommunityhasshowntremendousgenerositytowardsourstudents,teachersandprogramming.AsaCharterSchool,SLArtsstillreceivesabout$550lesspublicfundingperstudentthantraditionalSaltLakeCityschools.Wearesogratefultoourfamilies,grandparents,friendsandpartnerswhomakeinvestmentstohelpusdeliverourprogram.

AnnualCampaign2018Ourlargestannualfundraisinginitiativeraised$68,529from160familiesandfriendsinunrestrictedfundingtosupportartsteachers’salaries,technologyintheclassroomandsupportforstudentsreceivingfeewaivers.GiftstoSaltLakeArtsAcademy’sAnnualCampaignaretheunderpinningsofsomuchthatweoffer.WhileallpublicschoolsfacefundingchallengesinUtah,publiccharterschoolsmustdigevendeepertoofferrich,challengingprogrammingtoourstudents.

NEWCrowdfundingEvent:TheSLArts7OurparentcommunityralliedandreachedouttofamilyandfriendsacrossthecountryforaweekofonlinegivingtoSaltLakeArtsAcademyinMarch.Thankstoa$10,000ChallengeGrantprovidedbyTheCatalystFoundationandaverygenerousAnonymousdonor,ourparents,teachersandfriendsrosetotheoccasion,ultimatelyraising$33,933forourschoolinonlysevendays.Friend-andFund-Raisers!Wehadaballconnectingwithourparentcommunityatour2018ParentPartyatPierpont,andraisedbothfundsandfriendsforourschoolatsmallgatheringsthroughouttheyear,likethewildlypopularFamilyIce-SkatingNight.Alltold,ourparentsraised$17,625tosupportourprograms,andgottoknoweachotherintheprocess.

Donors–InvestinginPublicEducationThefollowingindividualsandorganizationsmadeadonationtoSaltLakeArtsAcademyin2017-18.Everyefforthasbeenmadetoaccuratelyreflectourcommunity’sgenerosity;pleasecalltheofficewithanycorrections.

AnonymousZachandEstherAbendChrisandDeniseAdamsVerlandSanaeAdamsAinsworthCoatingsLLCSusanAndersonandDavidJohnsonTomandMilbreyAndrewsJohnandLoisMargaretArmstrongElenaAsparouhovaRaschedandLunaBanuriChrisBarlowSusanBarnumandChristopherNolanMarriottBartholomewSusanEisenmanandTomBartonKarinBaumgartnerandSarahJoshiDeniseBegueMonicaandKenBellSusanandAlanBellKatherineBieleFrankBillandBrittanyJ.BlackSethW.BlackJenniferBrennanTraceyThompsonandStephenBrownJasonandJenniferBurrow-SanchezMonaCarlsonTheCatalystFoundationYuhongChenLisaCollinsJeanneneandMatthewCookRobertandSesilCratinSarahCreem-RegehrandJohnRegehr

DanandJudithdeBryKenwynDerbyandMikeWoodruffRobertDickandLeanneJohnstonBobDonohoeandAudreyJamesJ.LynnandDianaLadyDouganPaulandTerrellDouganWendellandCandaceDuncanMichaelDunnandMarielleSiraaGlennandRaeganDykeRaymondandSusanEarlLeslieEckfordandMichaelKligmanAmyEdwardsandPerryBrownDonEggertandNancySchmausJulieFaureandTysonBradleyAndrewFrantaandStacyMargolisNancyandLanceFullmerMichaelGalindoCourtneyandRodrigoGarayAdinaHamikGardnerKellyandMitchGoffJenniferGoldman-LuthyandThomasLuthyShelleyGormanJohnandHeatherGrayChristineGreenwoodandJamesHarveySteveGrizzellElizabethGuenzelandJefferyVanBlarcomJenandShaneGuilloryJulieGustinandAlonzoHuntsmanArsalanandShabnamHabibPamelaandEricHandmanGeorgeandSandraHaninkLizaHartandJeffDunn

BillandPhyllisHelmCourtneyHenleyandMatthewPetersonChrisandJulieHirschiJonathanandKarynHodgeLynneHodgeJenniferandTripHoffmanRickandKatieHolzerClaudioHolznerandSarahMunroKaraHouckJodiGardbergandDevinHowellsElisaandDaveJennyGregoryJensenChadJohnsonMarkJonesandSarahHadleyLisaJoss-MooreandBarryMooreSomerandDannyJulioAlexandraKarlAlyshiaandRossKleinKarenandJimKreeckDonaKruegerDaisyLaiandDarrenYoungWonYoungLeeAnnieandColterLeysGeorgeandBeverleyLeysLibertyWellsCommunityCouncilKestrelandJerryLiedtke/TinAngelJulieandGregoryLiversJeffandSooryaLouderRebeccaLucilleandMichaelMeasomChipandDebbieLyonsRobertandKirstenMacIntyreGretaManovaAmyMartinChristineMartindaleSusanMasottiMattandTamaraMateusChrisandAmyMautzRyanMcCormickJenniferMcCuneCharlesandLesleyMcKeeCassieandMattMeduraScottandTammiMessersmithJosephMetzandClaudiaBohnerSusanNagata-BrownandCharlieBrownJulieandMattNelson

MistiandRyanNelsonPhoenixOstermannMartyandDanaOstermillerBetsyandGregOstranderMaryandPeterDanzig/OtterCreekMusicJenneParsonsJenniferPiaCoryPikeandMarkGoddardKrisandMarcusPorterTinaandSheaPorterJacqueBellandBartonPoulsonKristenandSteveQuinnChristinaRichardsandKeithLaneAllisonRichmanElizabethRiveraScottRogersandLindaHartAmieRosenbergandMichaelBeckDanielleRousselandBertRobertsAmyeRowseRyeDinerRebeccaandCharlesRyonNancySaundersMoniSchwaerzlerCatrionaShaferPaulaandDannyShawColleenShinoSaushaandSteveShuputMaureenSimesandDannyTremblayScottSmithGingerandGregSmoakHeatherSoderquistBarbaraTroxellLauraKateandMichaelVanHookEKVanWieLindsayandBrentVerhaarenLauraandDavidVernonAmyWadsworthandDavidRichardsonJenniferandDruWhitlockAmieandChuckWilliamsonStefanieWiedermeyerDavidWilsonJohnS.WilsonStephanieYanniAndyandSheilaYorkinRonandJannaZamir

SaltLakeArtsAcademyGoverningBoard2017-18LunaBanuriDeniseBegueDonEggertJenniferGoldman-LuthyAlonzoHuntsmanJimKreeckJulieLiversChrisMautzMichaelMeasomScottMessersmith–ChairJoaquinMixcoMattNelsonHeatherSoderquistJefferyStevensMaggieTeschAndyYorkinRonZamirSaltLakeArtsAcademyAdministrationAmyWadsworth,PrincipalandCAOMoniSchwaerzler,BusinessManagerJenniferBurrow-Sanchez,DeanofStudentsKatyAndrews,DevelopmentandCommunityOutreachDirectorKathleenFerdon,AfterSchoolCoordinatorJenGuillory,AdministrativeCoordinator

SaltLakeArtsAcademyFaculty2017-18DanArmstrong-MathJudsonArmstrong-MusicLindsayBayles–Humanities7/8JasonCall–Humanities7/8MichaelClark–Science8AmyConn–PE/ReadingSpecialistKarinFenn–DanceKatherinePioli–PEMarieGrudzien–SpecialEducationLamarHolley–Humanities5/6NormaIglesias–MathKevinLee–Humanities5/6KarenLynne–Humanities5/6JoannaMatthes–ClassroomAideHenryMiller–DigitalArtsBetsyRevenaugh–Science7NateRickett–MathDanRose–Science5,MathAnnSimms–MathScottSorensen–SpecialEducationRebeccaTravis–Humanities7/8JeniWhite–Science6ElizabethWilson–VisualArtsHollyWinn–Drama

BuildingCreativeMinds

844South200EastSaltLakeCity,Utah84111

801-531-1173www.slarts.org

Onthecover:“SandhillCranes”byCristaSuggars,8thGrade