February 2026
SAVE THE DATE!
KUDOS
VPAA DANCE STRAND
Although winter weather forced us to adjust our plans, the Winter Works Concert was a tremendous success. Originally scheduled for Saturday, January 31st, the performance was moved earlier to Thursday, January 29th. Despite the unexpected change, our students rose to the occasion and delivered a beautiful concert featuring an evening of inspiring guest artist work. We are incredibly proud of their professionalism and artistry.
On February 6th, the majority of the Dance Strand attended High School Dance Day at Old Dominion University. Students participated in three classes taught by ODU Dance professors and had the opportunity to connect with current dance majors. It was a full, energizing day of movement and learning — and our dancers returned happily exhausted from the experience!
EXTRA! EXTRA!
As of today, we have 14 seats left for our trip to visit New York City in the spring. Our itinerary is setup and the trip is rolling but our bus isn't full yet. As of today, we are opening up the trip to any current VPAA students regardless of strand and we will take a wait-list of interested parents who wish to join as well. We have a great trip planned, you can see the details of the trip itinerary, payment schedule, details about the venues, and other trip information at the link below:
A few highlights of the trip:
2 Broadway Shows - Stranger Things & Moulin Rouge - Both award-winning shows
Visit to the Whiney Biennial and Museum of Art & Design - New artists and artwork showcased on a worldwide platform
Workshop with the Paley Center focused on Alfred Hitchcock: The master of Suspense - visual storytelling!
Along with great food, time in Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the High Line, and Chelsea Market.
Oh and pictures of the city alllllllll over the place from land, boat, and road!
If your student is interested, please fill out the travel form/medical form in full and submit the first payment in Cash, Check, or Money Order made out to FOTA OR make the first payment from the Payment Links are HERE for all payments if you wish to pay via CC. *** If you make a CC payment please be sure to email either myself or Mr. Schaffer to we know to mark the payments on our spreadsheet and note the name of the student that the payment is for.
As usual, please let us know if you have any questions and we are looking forward to traveling to NYC in March! Contact Erin Richburg or Paul Shaffer.
INFORMATION
Looking for a way to help your strand? No time to volunteer? Please check out the strand Amazon Wish Lists and consider donating essential to directly assist students in the classroom. Items can be shipped directly to the school! Every contribution makes a difference.
Dance Strand: Amazon Wish List
Theatre Strand:
Art Strand: Amazon Wish List
FOTA Updates and Info
Calendars - VPAA & Fine Arts at Salem HS
Check out what's happening in the ARTS
@ Salem High School!!!
Strand Newsletters
Past Information & Newsletters