Announcements
SACS solar eclipse plans
In advance of the total solar eclipse in spring 2024, SACS would like to advise you of our district’s plans.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, the day SACS students and staff are scheduled to return to school following Spring Break, a total solar eclipse will take a spectacular journey across North America and Hoosiers may experience a total eclipse of the sun.
This total solar eclipse – the first to touch Indiana since the 1869 and the last to touch Fort Wayne until 2099 - will arc across Indiana from southwest to northeast. All areas of Indiana will experience 90-100% totality. However, only places within the 115-mile-wide path of totality e.g., Bloomington, Indianapolis, Muncie, will see a total solar eclipse lasting between three and four minutes.
Here in Fort Wayne, the moon will start to cover the sun at approximately 1:53 p.m. and will reach it’s maximum eclipse (99.8%) around 3:10 p.m. The moon will have completely moved off the sun by 4:24 p.m.
SACS will have school and our dedicated teachers are excited to utilize the eclipse as a powerful educational tool. This event offers a real-time learning opportunity, allowing students to witness firsthand the wonders of our universe and delve into the science behind solar eclipses. Age-appropriate lessons may be tailored to engage students in understanding the astronomical phenomena, will hopes of fostering curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the world around them…and beyond.
Many Indiana, Ohio, and other school districts within or near the 115-mile-wide path of totality are choosing to close early or for the entire day. These decisions stem from safety considerations, not due to any inherent danger posed by the eclipse itself, but rather due to the anticipated influx of visitors and traffic congestion in these regions. SACS has been working with state and local officials throughout our planning to remain open.
At the time of the maximum eclipse, Homestead High School, Woodside Middle School, Summit Middle School, Covington Elementary, and Whispering Meadows Elementary students will have been dismissed and will either be home or, enroute home. Aboite Elementary, Deer Ridge Elementary, Haverhill Elementary and Lafayette Meadows Elementary will still be in session.
The Great North American Eclipse is a valuable, rare opportunity for students to witness and learn about the universe. We are excited to safely share this celestial learning event with your child. You are encouraged to visit Indiana Department of Education’s website for further eclipse information and resources.
taste of homestead
Every year, Homestead students gather in groups to design a booth centered around a different country/culture. Each group creates a display or visual aid about the region, and students will pass out a sample snack that represents the culture. Attending students can walk around the cafeteria and learn about many different places around the world. A Taste of Homestead began in 2015 with a combination of students in Homestead’s French, German, Latin and Spanish Clubs, and it has grown to include all Homestead students. This year, guests can sample food from more than 40 different places around the world. Make sure to stop on by at 6 PM, March 20, in the Homestead Cafeteria!
Japan travel opportunity: SPRING 2026
We’re going to Japan in the spring of 2026, and you’re invited!
We’re excited to tell you more about the trip we’re planning with EF Tours, our educational travel partner. Please use this link to register for the March 7th information session to be considered for this opportunity: https://bit.ly/3woKTZX
In this information session, we’ll talk about:
· How this opportunity will benefit you/your student
· What we’ll see and do in Japan
· Everything that’s included in this experience
· How your child can earn academic credit
· How we’re keeping this trip safe and affordable
· How to enroll on this trip during EF’s risk-free enrollment period
There are limited spots available, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Kids Night Out
This year, Spartan student-athletes will be hosting Kids Night Out. This event will encourage elementary-aged students to get active and play games here at Homestead. Younger athletes will get to interact with Homestead athletes. The event will be March 8th, 2024 from 6pm-8:30 pm, and it will be limited to 120 students. Students should enter through door 1 and it is $11 per child. Proceeds will benefit Turnstone, a local organization that helps kids with disabilities. To ensure a spot at this event, scan the QR code on the right!
pickleball tournament
Interact Club is hosting a Pickleball Tournament for doubles! Many students in Homestead have been helping raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Interact Club is following suit. The event will be hosted at Wildwood Racquet Club on March 8 from 4-6 PM. In the event, you are guaranteed at least 2 matches. It costs $40 for one person to sign up, but partners have to sign up separately. If you're interested in a fun time and a generous donation to cancer research, make sure to sign up with this google form before March 6.
Advertisment Design Competition
Each year Fort Wayne Newspapers is excited to bring to our community a free program that allows students to show off their artistic abilities. Historically, Homestead has had many students submit work to this program. A Homestead senior won 1st place last year while Summit Middle School teacher Christine Nicholson had 3 students winning either 2nd or 3rd place in 2023.
This competition is separated into different divisions based on grade level to ensure fairness. Fourth through sixth grade are in one group, seventh through freshmen are in another group, and sophomores through seniors are in the oldest division. In each grouping, the top three artists are awarded varying amounts of money in Visa gift cards, and the art teacher of the first-place winner also gets a $100 Visa gift card. Teachers must sign up before March 8 and tell Fort Wayne Newspapers how many students are participating.
This competition is a fun and rewarding chance for young people to share their talents with their community. If you have any questions, contact Brandie Turner at 260-461-8434.
homestead academic teams casa fundraiser
Isn't Tuesday more enjoyable when you don't have to cook dinner? Join us for dinner at Casa's on Tuesday March 12, 2024 and help support the Homestead Academic Teams! Casa Ristoranti at 7545 W. Jeffersion Blvd will generously donate 10% of all food purchases to the Academic Teams for meals served from 5pm - 9pm. Come have a great meal and help support the Academic Teams!
Do you want to be a published writer or artist?
The Spartana is publishing its first literary magazine, a publication focused on the creative work of Homestead students. This includes any form of writing or artwork a student creates. If you are interested in publishing a piece of literary or artistic work, please contact hannah.zandarski@students.sacs.k12.in.us or keep your eyes peeled for an email with a google form for submission. The cut-off for applications is February 18th. We appreciate your consideration and hope to see your piece in February's edition. Submissions will be reviewed by the Spartana editors and staff for publication
-Isabella Ambrose, Elaina Schilt, Azalea Bennet-Orsini, Yevva Ireland, The Spartana staff
College Career Day
2024 College and Apprenticeship Fair
Homestead will be hosting its annual College and Apprenticeship Fair on Monday, March 4th, 2024 from 6-7:30 pm. This free event is open to all Homestead students and will include 60+ participants including four-year universities, two-year colleges, vocational schools, career representatives, and armed services! To pre-register for this event, click here.
Environmental Club Debit club
The Environmental Center (EC) is an amazing piece of SACS land utilized by many of our Science teachers here at Homestead. The Environmental Center is composed of almost 30 acres of woods with 10 wood-chipped trails with a pond, wetlands, and cabin. The original cabin burned down so Mr. Douglas Waldman’s ecology classes fundraised and hand-built the current cabin during class under the watchful eyes of experts in their appointed fields. Due to his commitment to both his students and preserving nature, the cabin was dedicated in 1984 and named after the man, the myth, the living legend, Wally.
Students in the Environmental Science classes, clubs, or anyone willing to walk the distance can use the EC to fully absorb nature and what it has to offer. People can also rent out the cabin for activities. SACS is able to maintain the upkeep of the Environmental Center thanks to several dedicated teachers and financial donations. Sadly, it can be expensive to mulch the trails and keep the log cabin in fully functioning order. If you are interested in helping SACS keep this learning goldmine that no other district offers within the state of Indiana, consider getting the Homestead Debit Card from Midwest America. Every time this card is swiped, a small donation is made that goes directly toward the upkeep of this treasured piece of land. This is a great way to support the EC, but also students and Homestead as a whole. Feel free to email Ms. Merkling at smerkling@sacs.k12.in.us for more questions!
Aerial View of the Environmental Center
Boardwalks that were paid for from funds raised funds from the Midwest Debit Card purchases and built by Mrs. Merkling, Mr. Jaeger, and Homestead students.
Drivers Education
The class for Driver Education at Homestead has begun on January 22, 2024. Students will receive a CDE form during the first week of class. The CDE form is what a student takes to a local BMV to get their learner's permit. During the second week of class students will also pick a drive time for the summer of 2024. The cost of the driving portion is $315. A student must be 15 years old before January 22 in order to start this class. For more information including date sessions, please click the arrow icon in the upper right corner of the document to the right.
