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CASA PTO Volunteering with CASA’s PTO allows the opportunity to stay connected with your child’s school, get to know the CASA staff & teachers and contribute to enriching your child’s experience at CASA. We need many volunteers throughout the year to help in the PTO activities - from chaperoning, to providing refreshments and your most precious commodity – your time! More info coming soon for the CASA PTO! PTO Brochure

Adam Shickley Special Education ashickley@casa-arts.org 717-732-8450 EDUCATION: Master's of Art in Autism Spectrum Disorders, West Virginia University Master's of Art in Literacy Instruction. Special Education, Reading Specialist, Social Studies, West Virginia University Mr. Shickely has been teaching at CASA for 4 years . He is originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His family includes his wife, Jenny; and daughters, Bethany, Abby, and Emily. In his free time, Mr. Shickley loves to play video games, participate in Scouts BSA as a Leader, saltwater fishing, paddle sports, whitewater rafting, and backpacking. What brought you to CASA? I believe that the arts are a critical part of education. The skills learned by being creative, and collaborative go way beyond the confines of what is painted, or the lines you recite in theater. Where did you work and what was your role prior to coming to CASA? I was a Special Education case manager for the CAIU. I worked at the Diakon Center Point Day Treatment program. I taught literacy, social skills, and social studies. What is your favorite part of working at CASA? The energy of our students. What is your connection to the arts? How are you an artist? It sounds silly, but in an old school they had a question, "If you could be any actor who would you be and why?" I always answered with Hugh Jackman, so I could be Wolverine, and Jean Valjean. I have always loved the arts, and my one big regret from my high school years, was not getting involved with the plays, and musicals. I learned guitar at 30, and love to play (although badly). What do you feel is your impact on our school community, students, and culture? I hope to show that there can be a balance in the world. That I can easily talk about sports, but also love the arts. I love building relationships with students. I hope that at the end of the students' time at CASA, I am seen as someone that helped them find success, when sometimes that feeling didn't come easily. What advice do you have for our students? Challenge yourself. In your arts, you challenge yourself for growth, bring that same passion to the classroom, even when it's hard. Do you advise any clubs at CASA? Esports Fun facts about Mr. Shickley : I love to catch, and quickly release sharks from the beach. Even though I have 3 daughters, we are involved in Scouts BSA, and I am and Assistant Scoutmaster of an all female troop. Resources Special Education Resources 21st Century Skills

SOCIAL STUDIES CASA requires students to have 3 credits of Social Studies for graduation. Social Studies courses are offered both live-taught and online. LIVE-TAUGHT SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE OFFERINGS U.S. GOVERNMENT Course Overview: This social studies class will focus on U.S. Government and provide students with the opportunity to learn about the government of the United States at the federal, state, and local levels. Students will explore the purpose of government and will examine how various governments meet the needs of the people. Students will examine the duties, responsibilities, and individual roles of citizens in a democracy, as well as prepare them to become contributing members of American society. This course is offered to students in grades 9, 10, and/or 11. Units of Study: Foundations of American Government The Constitution The Legislative Branch The Executive Branch The Judicial Branch Liberty and Justice for All Politics, Policies, and Economics Cumulative Project and Citizenship Exam WORLD HISTORY Course Overview: World History is a survey course that examines the major events and turning points of world history from ancient times to the present. You will learn about the geography, societies, economies, governments, cultures, and interactions of various civilizations throughout world history. The class is taught from a conceptual framework and will use primary and secondary sources in order to help students acquire an informed perspective. This course is offered to students in grades 10, 11, and/or 12. Units of Study: Foundations: Early Humans, Cities, Societies, and Empires The Middle Ages, 500-1450 The First Global Age, 1450-1750 Liberal and National Revolutions, 1760s-1800s Industrialization, Labor, and Society, 1750-1900 Imperialism and Colonialism, 1760-1900s World War I, 1914-1918 The Interwar and World War II, 1920-1945 The End of Empire and the Cold War, 1945-1989 Globalization, 1980s-Present AMERICAN HISTORY Course Overview: This American History course is designed to further your knowledge of our nation. You will develop an understanding of social, political, economic, and cultural experiences that have played a crucial role in shaping the history of the country and the globe. Upon a successful completion of this course you will be better prepared to engage in civil discourse and fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship. This course is offered to students in grades 11 and/or 12, and is offered every other school year. Units of Study: American Beginnings to 1877 Bridge to the 20th Century, 1877-1917 Modern America, 1920-1945 World War II and Its Aftermath, 1945-1960 Living with Great Turmoil, 1960-1980 Passage to a New Century, 1980-Present AP U.S. HISTORY Course Overview: Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) is an AP course to prepare students for the APUSH exam. This is a college level course and as such there is much to cover both within and outside of the classroom. You will be expected to spend at least an hour each day reading and completing other assignments outside of the classroom in order to augment what we are learning within the classroom. You will be writing and becoming masters of intense multiple choice, short answer, Document Based Questions (DBQs), and Long Essay Questions. There is no longer a push to cover an enormous amount of material but, rather, cover particular themes in history. This course is offered to students in grades 11 and/or 12 who meet the requirements, and is offered every other school year. Thematic Learning Objectives: American and National Identity Politics and Power Work, Exchange, and Technology Culture and Society Migration and Settlement Geography and Environment America in the World ONLINE SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE OFFERINGS U.S. Government World History American History World Geography Macroeconomics Microeconomics Early American History Early World History AP U.S. History AP U.S. Government AP Psychology AP Macroeconomics AP Microeconomics Back to Academics

< Back Grief and Mourning Basics When a loved one has died, there is help. Knowing that others have felt similar emotions decreases isolation. This author has decades of experience across the country, helping normalize the grieving process. There are other good articles on this site. https://www.centerforloss.com/grief/grief-mourning-basics/ Previous Next

Brian Massey 9th Grade World Literature 10th Grade World Literature bmassey@casa-arts.org 717-732-8450 EDUCATION: Bachelor's of Music in Musical Theatre, Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory of Music Teaching Certification in Secondary English, Penn State University Mr. Massey is from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. His family includes his father, who lives locally and is currently running for the state Senate. His brother's family, including his two nieces, live outside Washington D.C. In his free time, Mr. Massey enjoys traveling, theater, hiking, kayaking, volleyball, tennis, video games, and working out. What brought you to CASA? Having a background in the performing arts, as well as a love for all art forms, I was excited about the opportunity to work with students who are passionate about the arts. It is my hope to utilize my performing background to make English class more interesting and engaging for the students at CASA! Where did you work and what was your role prior to coming to CASA? I taught 8th grade English at Middletown Area Middle School and have also acted professionally as a member of Actors' Equity Association. What is your favorite part of working at CASA? Working with staff and students who share my love of the arts and the fact that it feels like a family atmosphere here. What is your connection to the arts? How are you an artist? In the world of theater, I have performed professionally, directed, and choreographed. I have also worked behind the scenes on countless productions. Besides being a singer, I play the trumpet, French horn, and basic piano. I also have trained extensively in dance and have even taught tap and swing dance at a dance studio in Ohio. What do you feel is your impact on our school community, students, and culture? It is my hope to help the students at CASA to see the importance of being very well-rounded in order to become a successful artist. I also hope to show them that it is okay to have multiple passions in life! What advice do you have for our students? Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that exists in the school, from your teachers to your peers. Get involved in any way possible and try to get to know as many of the students as you can. You never know what connections they may have to help you in the future! Fun facts about Mr. Massey : I once played a game of foosball against Neil Patrick Harris. I took a trapeze class for the first time this summer!

Displaced / Homeless Students Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School aims to assist all students in their educational endeavors even if they don’t have permanent housing. Homeless or displaced families should contact the Main Office immediately upon their displacement so the school can provide assistance in coodinating their child's education. CASA's Homeless Student Policy Please contact: Ms. Alexis Bonham at abonham@casa-arts.org Mr. Matthew O'Connor at moconnor@casa-arts.org 717-732-8450 Pennsylvania Department of Education - Education for Homeless Youth Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program

Board of Trustees Meeting Dates Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2024-2025 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2023-2024 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2022-2023 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2021-2022 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2020-2021 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2019-2020 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2018-2019 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2017-2018 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2016-2017 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2015-2016 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2014-2015 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2013-2014

Matthew O'Connor School Operations Manager moconnor@casa-arts.org 717-732-8450 ext. 7514 EDUCATION: Temple University B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management Concentration in Event and Entertainment Management What brought you to CASA? I didn't attend CASA for high school, but my younger sister Riley was a student here from 2019-2023. She was a big part of what made me interested in working here after graduating from Temple, and I really wanted to feel like I was contributing something positive with what I was doing during my day. Where did you work and what was your role prior to coming to CASA? I had worked in a few different roles during college (including a lot of time at independent movies theaters like Midtown Cinema here in Harrisburg during the summers between semesters), but my first professional experience was an administrative internship with Open Stage of Harrisburg in 2022. That's what largely got me interested in staying in arts-adjacent fields and places when I was thinking about what I wanted to do after graduating. I originally majored in Sport and Recreation Management at Temple, so that allowed me to work at a few different major sporting events and teams over the course of my time studying in Philadelphia, including helping set up some of the promos for when the Phillies went to the World Series in 2022 and when the Eagles played in the NFC Championship game in 2023. What is your favorite part of working at CASA? I love the environment and the people I'm around. It's great being surrounded by things like art and music all the time as well as extremely talented students who have a passion for that sort of thing, too. What is your connection to the arts? How are you an artist? I've always been a movie guy. Since I was a little kid, some of my earliest memories were watching classic movies with my parents, and to this day it still makes me really happy introducing people to a lot of the older things they might not have seen yet. I've also been working hard at improving my electric guitar playing, though I think I have a while left to go to catch up to the skill level of our musically inclined students. What do you feel is your impact on our school community, students, and culture? I'm not always the most visible person at CASA, but I make sure a lot of the essential but behind-the-scenes tasks and duties are taken care of for the students here. I'm like the Samwise Gamgee of the Academic Wing. What advice do you have for our students? There is no rush. It's alright if you don't know exactly what you want to do with your life right now and way more people than you realize feel the same way. My career path has been all over the place so far, but I don't regret a second of exploring new things after graduating high school and finding the many different subjects and fields I liked to spend my time around. Take your time, try out all you can find that looks interesting to you, and enjoy the ride. Do you advise any clubs at CASA? I advise the Dream Big Society! Fun facts about Mr. O'Connor : I collect vinyl, and I have what essentially amounts to an entire basement full of records sitting at home in various shelves and milk crates. My first album (and still my favorite of all I own) was The Stranger by Billy Joel and my favorite bands are Blink-182, The Menzingers, and My Chemical Romance.

DANCE Creativity and individuality as well as precise technical skills are the focus of the dance curriculum at CASA. Emphasis is placed on modern dance due to its expressive nature, classical ballet for its discipline and structure, and classical jazz techniques to achieve a well-rounded experience. Cultural forms are also introduced through guest artists. Harrisburg Area Community College partners with the CASA dance program by providing master classes, workshops, and mentoring opportunities through the Performing Artists Series of the college. The academic thrust of the program is based on the study of dance history, technique theory, and health awareness. Choreography and performance production is explored both through academic study and active participation in the creation of original dance compositions and formal performance. Resume, portfolio development, and audition preparation focus on each student’s future aspirations. Upperclassmen Dance students begin the process of assisting with the development of the End of Year Performance titled, CASA Live!, early in the year. Every Thursday, students from all programs work together in the Integrated Arts curriculum. Six various art disciplines: creative writing, dance, film and media arts, music, theatre and visual arts, collaborate to discover a theme, and develop the end of year program while cultivating an appreciation for the various art disciplines. During the course of a 9-month period, students break into small groups consisting of various arts disciplines to discuss and create scenes that later develop into fully realized components of the performance. Each class is asked to embellish scenes, using dialogue, music, prop suggestions, movement, and film interpretation as related to the chosen theme and thesis. The result? An artistic rendering of a theme more closely related to performance art than a high school musical or narrative play. More importantly, students learn the art of working together ---all the highs and lows of collaboration that accumulates into an original, crowd-pleasing performance for the community to enjoy. Please email Molly Misgalla at mmisgalla@casa-arts.org for more information. Audition Requirements & Application Mid-Year Dance Shows End-of-Year Dance Shows

CASA Film Festival | West Shore Theatre, starting at 5:00 p.m. Grades 9-10 5:00 p.m. / Grades 11-12 8:30 p.m. Tickets: (sold at the door) are $5.00 for each screening / CASA students are free. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Care Solace Support We are thrilled to announce that CASA has partnered with Care Solace to provide an amazing new resource for all of our students and families! At CASA, we believe in supporting the whole child, and that includes mental health and well-being. That is why we are so excited to offer Care Solace—a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service that connects you and your loved ones to mental health care when you need it most. What is Care Solace? Care Solace is here to help you find care that fits your needs, whether it is counseling, therapy, or support for substance use. Their team is available 24/7, in over 200 languages, to assist you in navigating local mental health providers and get you the help you need fast! How Does It Work? It is simple! Just reach out to Care Solace at any time, and they will take care of the legwork. Whether you need assistance for yourself, your child, or another family member, Care Solace will make sure you are connected to the right resources, so you never have to worry about doing it on your own. How to Get Started: It has never been easier to get access to mental health supports at CASA. You contact Mr. Shickley or Mrs. Resto to get the process started, you can self-refer by visiting caresolace.com/casa-arts or calling 888-515-0595 to be connected with a care coordinator who can assist you right away. We are incredibly excited to offer this valuable support to our families, and we encourage you to take advantage of Care Solace whenever you or your family needs a little extra help. Together, we can ensure that every student thrives—inside and outside the classroom. Read More from Care Solace