On Friday, students in grades 3-5 showcased their talents during SEA's Annual Evening of the Arts.  The event showcases the many musical and artistic individual talents that our students posess, as well as group performances in both music and dance.

The evening showed there is no shortage of talent among SEA's students, who entertained with solo piano and vocal performances for much of the evening.  Evening of the Arts culimated with a massed choir for grades 3-5 followed by a "Flash Mob" style dance that students (with the help of beloved coreographer Ruben Jackson) have worked on during Music and PE since returning from Spring Break!

"By preparing music, I learn to sing different tones and languages in songs.  By preparing art, I learn to paint different ways.  By preparing dance, I learn to have fun with dancing!  I also learn to cooperate.  In the end, it turns out really good.  I also practice a lot." - Madison Jones - 4th Grade

Way to go talented SEA students!!

From poems, flowers & keepsakes to home cooked meals, our teachers and staff were recognized for their efforts as the heart and soul of SEA.  In the Staff Lounge, a variety of breakfasts, lunches and even a sweets table continued to demonstrate the affection students and parents have for the staff.

A Car Wash provided by SEA's very own 5th graders and a Door Decorating Contest were highlights of this amazing week, with Mrs. Delius taking the prize for BEST DOOR DECOR!  Special thanks to all our "Door Designers" for their efforts and to Barbara Rodriguez and Cathy Riley for organizing a truly memorable Teacher Appreciation Week at Sweetwater Episcopal Academy!  To view all the clever and creative doors CLICK HERE.

Getting up close and personal with a giraffe was only one of the many adventures offered in Expedition Africa where in addition to Giraffes students encountered a wide variety of African wildlife including birds, primates, gazelles, lemurs, antelopes, rhinos, and of course, giraffe.  During a walk through La Selva or "the jungle" exhibit jaguars, many species of monkeys and tropical birds, and capybaras, the large guinea pig-like animals were on display.  Finally, the day ended with a visit to the new Dinosaur Encounter – featuring 16 prehistoric beasts that come to life.  Students traveled back in time more than 65 million years to explore the world of dinosaurs through the ages.

For more pictures of our 2nd Grades day at the Brevard Zoo - CLICK HERE.

This past weekend, SEA faculty, family, & friends participated in the Longwood/Altamonte Springs Relay for Life.  Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the event was held at Lyman High School and ran from 2pm Saturday until 8am Sunday morning.

The relay opened with a Survivors Lap and then team members took turns walking laps all afternoon & into the night.  The Sweetwater for Survivors team raised over $1,700 for cancer research through the generous donations of SEA families and friends.  We were the first team to “pay it forward,” using a portion of our donation to register for the 2013 event. Plan to join us next year!  CLICK HERE for photos of the event!

On Thursday, 2nd Graders at SEA performed their Spring Show, "A Kids Life"....  It was amazing to see the joy they discovered with Grandma & Grandpa while being "unpulgged", due to some sort of large scale, massive, extra terrestrial-induced power outage that shorted all of their technology! 

Today 3rd Graders at SEA made Apple Mummies by covering apple slices with a dessicant made from baking soda and salt to draw out the moisture.  Part of the process is guessing how long the process will take.  Stay tuned to find out...  CLICK HERE to see our photos.

The life of a soldier when not fighting was mostly spent drilling on battle techniques and strategies. The rest of the time was trying to overcome boredom. With limited communications, considerable time was spent between battles planning and regrouping. Days would be spent making meals, doing laundry, cutting firewood and writing letters to home. Horse racing, gambling and games such as cards and dominoes helped to relieve the boredom. Soldiers would also sing songs and tell stories around campfires.

After the presentations, the students played chess, dominoes backgammon, checkers, marbles, cards, and dice games.  They also ate home-made beans, cornbread, and drank ale (ginger) and fresh apple juice.  What a day it was in the life of a Civil War soldier here at SEA!  For more photos CLICK HERE.

There was an army encampment and we learned how the soldiers slept in tents, cooked their food, fired their muskets, and were treated by the surgeon for illnesses and injuries.  We reviewed our American History as we followed the timeline through the indoor/outdoor museum.  We said goodbye to Virginia at the Norfolk airport and hello to Orlando at 8:20 p.m.  On a scale of 1 – 10, this year’s trip was a 10! 

Day 1: The 5th grade students had a busy first day in VA.  We arrived to sunny cool weather. First stop Jamestown Island which was the site of the original Jamestown Colony. We saw the glass blower creating a vase. We enjoyed the replicas of an Indian Village, English Ship and Fort.Dinner in an authentic Colonial Williamsburg Tavern.  We ended the day as African slaves singing, dancing, and hoeing tobacco.