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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy 
The Wildcat Weekly is a weekly newsletter for our St. Mary's Academy families published every Wednesday. Look for it to include information, updates and good news from the Premier Academy of the West!
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
SMA Senior Recognized by National Achievement Scholarship Program
Jamilla Dennis has been named an Outstanding Participant in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.  These outstanding students scored in the top three percent of more than 160,000 Black Americans who requested consideration in the 2013 National Achievement Program when they took the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test. The National Achievement Scholarship Program was initiated in 1964 specifically to honor academically promising Black American High School students.  Congratulations Jamilla!      
SMA Alumnae Serve in 
Presidential Administrations

With all the conversation surrounding the Presidential Debate last week at the University of Denver, we thought it was a good time to give a Wildcat Shout Out to our SMA alumnae who have served in Presidential Administrations (both sides of the aisle!).

  • In the George W. Bush Administration, Condoleezza Rice '71 served as the 66th Secretary of State; in the first Bush term she served as National Security Advisor.  
  • In the Barack Obama Administration: Jane Lubchenco '65 serves as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator; Anne Castle '69 serves as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science; Castle oversees water and science policy, and has responsibility for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Athletic Highlights
  • Samantha Schaffer was the top finisher in the MS Girls division at the Kent Denver Sun Devil Invite last Thursday.  Samantha finished in first place with a time of 21:45 and the SMA girls team finished in 8th place.  
  • The boys team finished in 6th place led by Mic Obleski with a time of 22:10. Congratulations to all of our Wildcat runners on a great race!  
  • Scroll down for more Athletic news, scores and schedules. 
Community News
  • Reminder from the Tech Office:  Faculty and Staff emails are first initial and last name (example: Susan Smith is [email protected].) Please update your address books to reflect this format.    
  • The weather was beautiful for Fall Festival on Sunday!  This fun family day had arcade games, crafts, face painting, food, music, magic, a cake walk and much more.  Thank you to all of our volunteers for another fabulous Fall Festival! 
  • The SMA Prayer Group, a monthly prayer group and 24-7 email prayer chain, has started meeting again, every first Tuesday of the month at 8:15 AM in the chapel next to the HS choral room. If you would like to become part of the prayer group, please email Adriana Williams at [email protected].  To submit a prayer request click here.  All petitions are honored and kept confidential.     
  • On Monday, October 15th, Our Kids Our Schools will be launching a new website and introducing its new name: Wholesome Foods Services. Everything you currently enjoy about the website will be the same, just better. All student and school information will be transferred to the new site. Your log in email will stay the same, but for security reasons you will need a new password.  As a result, every member of OKOS will receive an email on Monday, October 15th with a new temporary password to log into the site.  Once logged in, you will be able to change the temporary password to something more personal.
    Thank you for your support during our website upgrade.     
  • Award-winning novelist Margaret Coel will speak about "Denver in 1864" at the Denver Central Library, Sunday, October 21, 2:00-3:30 PM. Admission is free.  Learn what Denver City was like in the year that SMA was founded.  This event is part of Loretto's 200th anniversary celebration in 2012.  For more information about Margaret Coel click here.    
  • The ACIS Circle of Influence (the ACIS counselor's group) presents, Helping Your Child with Life's Frustrations: A Primer in the Latest Techniques. Wednesday, October 17, 9:00 - 11:00 AM at Graland Country Day School. The forum is free and open to all ACIS school parents  Questions and RSVP email [email protected].
Lower School News & Events

News:         

  • The Scholastic Book Fair is October 10-12 in the Lower School Gym.  
  • There were two beautiful days for our Lower School Field Days this past week!  Students were out on Biddle Field running, jumping, throwing balls and hula hoops, kicking, passing and having a fun and active day!  Click here to see more photos. 

Events:    

  • October 10, 3:30 - 7:30 PM, LS Conferences
  • October 11 - 12, LS Conferences/NO LS Classes  
  • October 19, 8:15 - 8:45 AM, Assembly, 3rd Grade Presentation  
  • October 26, 8:15 - 8:45 AM, Assembly, Red Ribbon Week
  • October 31, 11:00 - 11:30 AM, LS Parade    
  • November 1- 2, Academy Closed, Fall Break 
Middle School News & Events

News:

  • Shadow Days in the High School for SMA 8th Grade Girls Have Started!  Our own students are invited to shadow in the High School during the days October 3-16.  These days are reserved for our girls only.  8th graders will spend the day attending HS classes, eating lunch with the high school students and attending High School activities during that day (such as a Town Meeting, a Mass, a special assembly).  It's a great opportunity for the students to get the feel of what it is to be a High Schooler.   Any questions about Shadow Days, please contact the Admissions Office.
  • 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Girls Gold Crown Basketball Tryouts, October 16, 6:45 - 8:00 PM, Bishop Evans Sports Center @ SMA. Click here for more information.    
  • A meeting for the optional Middle School Peru service and learning trip will take place Tuesday, October 16 in the Middle School Library from 7:00-8:00 PM.  Seventh and eighth-grade students may apply to participate in this trip. Applications are accepted beginning Wednesday, October 17 through Friday, November 9. 

Events:    

  • October 11 - 12, MS Conferences/NO MS Classes  
  • October 16, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, World Leadership School Peru meeting
  • October 25, 11:40 AM, MS Prayer Service 
  • October 26, 3:00 - 5:00 PM MS Mixer
  • October 31, 11:30 AM, MS Dismissal
  • November 1- 2, Academy Closed, Fall Break  
High School News & Events

News:   

  • Each semester the HS World Visions class goes on a field trip to different places of worship to further the student's understanding of how different religions practice their faith. Last Wednesday the class visited Temple Emanuel, The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and Pureland Buddhist Temple.   
  • Shadow Days in the High School for SMA 8th Grade Girls Have Started!  Our own students are invited to shadow in the High School during the days October 3-16.  These days are reserved for our girls only.  8th graders will spend the day attending HS classes, eating lunch with the high school students and attending High School activities during that day (such as a Town Meeting, a Mass, a special assembly).  It's a great opportunity for the students to get the feel of what it is to be a High Schooler.   Any questions about Shadow Days, please contact the Admissions Office.  
  • The HS Fall Play, The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, written by Pulitzer prize winner Paul Zindel runs October 25 - 27 in the High School Forum.  It is not recommended for young audiences.  

Events:    

  • October 12 - HS Community Service Day  
  • October 16, 9:55 AM, HS Mass
  • October 19, 8:00 PM, HS Dance sponsored by the Diversity Club 
  • October 25 - 27, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, HS Fall Play, The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds
  • October 29, 7:00 PM, HS Concert
  • November 1 - 2, Academy Closed, Fall Break 
Admissions News
  • Our High School students have been helping to address invitations to our All Academy Open House on Saturday, November 10.  There are many ways to be involved with Open House.  If you would like to be a volunteer at Open House, we need you!! Please contact Seely Greenberg in the Admissions Office at [email protected].  If you're family is nearing fifth grade and you want to visit the Middle School, please attend Open House.  If you are nearing 8th grade, we hope you will come and tour the High School.  Additionally, share with your neighbors the date of the Open House.  It's a great day!  Click here for more information. 
Advancement News
  • 2013 Gala Kickoff Meeting! Tuesday, October 16, 8:45 - 9:15 AM  Sanders Board Room.  Come and learn about this year's Gala and volunteer opportunities.  Click here for more information.
  • BINGO Night at SMA, Tuesday, October 30, 5:30 - 8:00 PM in the HS Forum. Click here for more information!  Please remember to RSVP by October 23 to Molly del Monte at [email protected].   
  • SMA Fall Phonathons are starting in November.  Our current parents are eager to talk to you about SMA's Annual Fund and upcoming events.  Just five minutes of your time could mean so much to the future of SMA.  And if you know you'll be too busy to talk and would prefer to make your gift online, click here.  
  • November 20 is Grandparents' Day!  Grandparents are invited to a pancake breakfast followed by a performance by SMA's musical groups.  Then join your grandchild in their classroom.  Please RSVP to Molly del Monte at [email protected]
  • THANKS for re-loading!  Here's an update on the results for the month of September from our King Soopers Reloadable Grocery program.  
    • Number of cards reloaded: 58
    • Total $ amount reloaded: $45,090
    • SMA Net: $2,255

58 cards reloaded is less than 10% of what we distributed.  We have enormous room for growth in this program!  Thanks to everyone who participated in our Grocery Certificate program; every dollar helps. Keep re-loading!  

 

Alumnae News
  • Thank you to all who attended Reunion Weekend 2012!           More than 375 alumnae and their family members participated in the weekend's events and enjoyed reconnecting with their former classmates and teachers.   Save the date for Reunion Weekend 2013, October 4-6, 2013.  
Athletic News
News:
  • Samantha Schaffer was the top finisher in the MS Girls division at the Kent Denver Sun Devil Invite last Thursday!  Samantha finished in 1st place with a time of 21:45 and the SMA girls team finished in 8th place.  The boys team finished in 6th place led by Mic Obleski with a time of 22:10.  Congratulations to all of our Wildcat runners on a great race!  
  • 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Girls Gold Crown Basketball Tryouts, October 16, 6:45 - 8:00 PM, Bishop Evans Sports Center @ SMA. Click here for more information.    

Upcoming Games:    

  • October 10:
    • 3:30 PM, 8th Navy, 8th Silver & 6th Volleyball vs. Faith Christian @ FCMS
    • 3:30 PM, MS Field Hockey vs. KIPP @ SMA
    • 4:00 PM, MS Cross Country @ Mustang Invitational, Colorado Academy
    • 5:00 PM, Boys 6th Soccer vs. KIPP @ SMA
  • October 11:
    • 4:30 PM, C Level & JV Volleyball vs. Manual HS @ MHS
    • 4:30 PM, Varsity Field Hockey vs. Golden HS @ GHS
  • October 12:
    • 4:00 PM, Cross Country @ Metro League Meet, Holy Family
  • October 13:
    • 8:00 AM, C Level Volleyball @ SMA C Fest Tournament
  • October 15:
    • 4:15 PM, Varsity & JV Field Hockey vs. Fort Collins HS @ SMA
    • 4:30 PM, Boys 7th/8th Soccer vs. Faith Christian @ SMA
    • 4:30 PM, 6th Volleyball vs. Graland @ GCDS
  • October 16:
    • 4:00 PM, C Level, JV & Varsity Volleyball vs. Peak to Peak @ PPCS
    • 4:00 PM, 7th, 8th Silver & 8th Navy vs. Peak to Peak @ SMA
    • 4:00 PM, MS Field Hockey vs. Stanley British @ SBPS
    • 4:15 PM, Varsity & JV Field Hockey vs. East HS @ SMA
  • October 17:
    • 3:30 PM, 7th, 6th & 8th Navy Volleyball vs. St. Anne's @ St. Anne's
    • 3:45 PM, Boys 7th/8th & 6th Soccer vs. St. Anne's @ SMA
    • 4:00 PM, MS Cross Country vs. Denver Christian @ DC 
Inclement Weather Policy
St. Mary's Academy encourages parents to use their own judgment about the safety of roads on snowy days. Teachers waive late arrivals and tests on severe weather days.

 

In the event of inclement weather, St. Mary's Academy might call a "Delayed Arrival" for the campus. On a Delayed Arrival day, all classes will begin at 9:05 a.m.

 

For students who might arrive earlier than the 9:05 a.m. start time, school personnel will be present in the school buildings beginning at 8:00 a.m. In the Lower School, students should go to the gym.

 

The decision to announce a Delayed Arrival day will be made according to the following factors:

  • quantity of snow fallen or forecasted;
  • ability of students and staff to travel to school;
  • ability to clear and maintain parking lots and pathways;
  • ability of school function (heating, water, etc.)

As soon as the decision is made to change the schedule, we will put a message on our main phone line: 303.762.8300, and on our website, www.smanet.org.   Usually this decision is made and posted by 6:00 a.m.

 

Further, we will announce any school closing or schedule change due to weather or other emergency by 6:45 a.m., as best we can, on television stations including: KCNC (TV) Channel 4, KDVR Fox 31 (TV) Channel 31, KMGH (TV) Channel 7, KUSA (TV) Channel 9, KWGN (WB2 TV) Channel 2; and on radio station 850 KOA Storm Center.

 

When school is in session and we have inclement weather, decisions related to activities/athletics will not be made until after 1:30 pm. Weather changes quickly in Colorado, and we will do our best to make the decisions as efficiently as possible. If school is cancelled due to weather concerns, activities and athletics will be cancelled. Information about cancellation of events or school closing is available by calling the school at 303.762.8300.

 

Carpool Reminders

Arrival times for morning drop-off: 

Lower School: 7:45 South Lot

Middle School: 7:30 a.m. North Lot

High School: 8:00 a.m. North Lot

 

Arrival times for afternoon pick-up:

Lower School 3:00 pm South Lot

Middle School 3:15 p.m. North Lot

High School 3:45 p.m. North Lot

 

Lower School Carpool Guidelines:

  • Always exercise patience and drive slowly when on Campus.
  • Only K - 5 students should be dropped off in the south parking lot.
  • Form two lines; do not change lanes. Two lanes is essential to stop cars from standing on University Boulevard.
  • Students must be dropped off in the carpool lanes, not before. Carpool lanes are indicated by orange cones. Students enter school through the LS gymnasium.
  • In order to keep the line moving have students ready to get our of the car (coats on, backpacks in hand, etc.).  Please be considerate.
  • The driver should not get out of the car.  If this is necessary, please park in a parking space.

Friday Assembly: If you plan to stay for Lower School Friday Assembly please park in the North Lot once the South Lot parking spaces are full.

 

Parent volunteers and members of the SMA Advancement Team will be assisting Lower School Principal Mary Jane Frederick with carpool every morning beginning at 7:45 a.m.

 

Middle and High School Carpool Guidelines:

  • Middle and High School students should be dropped off using the north parking lot. The South Lot is ONLY for Lower School student drop off. 
  • High School parents should pull into a parking space to drop off or pick up High School students. Please do not stop directly in front of the High School west entrance.

  • Form two lines; do not change lanes. Two lanes is essential to stop cars from standing on University Boulevard.
  • There is no drop off or pick up at the High School west entrance. 
  • Please merge into one lane in front of Bishop Evans Sports Center and wait until you've reached the designated drop off/pick up area (in front of Bishop Evans) to drop off/pick up Middle School students.
  • If you choose to park your car, you must go meet your child to walk them across the parking lot.

  • Student safety is our top priority.  Please remain calm and courteous during the entire carpool experience. 

     

    Middle School Faculty and SMA staff will be helping in the afternoons from 3:05 - 3:40 p.m.

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