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Deirdre V. Cryor
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Challenge Foundation
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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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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
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Varsity Field Hockey to State Semifinals!
| Our Wildcats Varsity Field Hockey play in the State Semifinals tonight at 7:15 PM  at All-City Stadium!
Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. All City Stadium, 1700 E Louisiana Ave, Denver (near South High School). Bundle up and come cheer on our Wildcats!
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Forgiveness, Healing and Justice
| St. Mary's Academy High School welcomed Father Michael Lapsley on  Tuesday morning. Father Michael lost both hands and an eye to a letter bomb while working to end apartheid in South Africa. In a powerful presentation, Fr. Michael spoke with the high school students about forgiveness, healing and the justice of restoration. It was an extraordinary presentation that had the students riveted to his words and ideas. Father Michael has created the Institute for Healing Memories. We are grateful to the Loretto Community who invited him to visit Denver during their Jubilee year.
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SMA Senior named John Lynch Star of the Month
| Senior Volleyball Team Captain Jesse Vega-Parkins has been selected as  the John Lynch Star of the Month for October! The Star of the Month program recognizes Denver area middle and high school student-athletes for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and community involvement.
Scroll down to Athletic News to read more. Congratulations Jesse!
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Annual Fund: A Facelift for the Forum
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It's time for the Forum to be updated. Thanks to this year's Annual Fund  and funds raised in 2011-2012, renovation of the High School Forum will begin in June.
Plans and discussion for this exciting update are underway. Renovation will include updating the lighting, the acoustics, the entrances and much more. The Forum is the location for so many community activities at SMA: HS Mass and Town meetings, Grandparents Day, Fifth Grade Continuation, Back to School Nights, BINGO night, and much more! Stay tuned for more details for this update of the center of our community. You can help Fund the Forum through your Annual Fund contribution.
The 2012-13 Annual Fund also will support Division investments, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Athletics, Teacher Appreciation and greatest need. To make a gift online click here.
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Let's Play BINGO!
| Join us for a SMA Community Event, Tuesday, October 30, 5:30 - 8:00 in the  HS Forum. First game starts at 5:45. Pizza, snacks and beverages available for purchase. Wear your Halloween costume! Prizes and fun all night long! Click here for more information. Please RSVP to Molly del Monte at mdelmonte@smanet.org.
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Community News
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- The Colorado Legacy Foundation, Donnell-Kay Foundation, History Colorado and Facing History and Ourselves is sponsoring What Matters & What Counts in Education, a monthly lecture and discussion series that brings together academics, teachers, administrators and community members to explore pressing questions facing educators today. Academy President Deirdre Cryor will speak this month on the question: How do we shape a culture that not only inspires students to achieve, but also helps them develop skills as democratic citizens? Miss Cryor will speak on October 30, History Colorado.
- Lower School Science teacher Deb Kasberg has been selected to present her Fire Ecology unit at the Colorado Science Conference for Professional Development on November 16.
- Kelsey Vroomunn, High School French teacher and Blended & Online Learning Specialist, has been selected as one of 50 educators invited to Google Teacher Academy in Mountain View, CA this December, where she will become a Google Certified Teacher.
- 8th through 10th grade girls, join the Girl Scouts of America and
 SMA for an amazing journey into the food network! Come to this four-week series and enjoy good food with friends, starting October 29. Get down to the science and roots of complex and global food issues, give back to your community through service and learn about an array of careers in one of the fastest growing occupational fields. For more information email beth.ryan@gscolorado.org.
- Attendance reminder: Please call or email your division office if your child will be ill, tardy or absent.
- Reminder from the Tech Office: All Staff and Faculty emails are first initial and last name @smanet.org. Please be sure to update your address book. (For example, Susan Smith is ssmith@smanet.org)
- Our Kids Our Schools launched a new website and
 introduced its new name: Wholesome Food Services. Everything you currently enjoy about the website is the same, just better. All student and school information was transferred to the new site. Your log in email stayed the same, but for security reasons you need a new password. As a result, every member of OKOS received 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. http://wholesomefoodservices.com/.
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Special Events
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- Healing of Memories: The Journey of Individuals, Families,
 Communities and Nations. A conversation with Father Michael Lapsley, an Anglican priest who lost both hands and an eye to a letter bomb while working to end apartheid in South Africa. Following his involvement in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in South Africa he developed a method for addressing trauma and victimhood and does workshops all over the world. Sponsored by the Loretto Community. October 27, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, St. Andrews Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Denver Jewish Day School presents Dr. Harley Rotbart, pediatric  specialist and nationally recognized parenting expert, on the topic of No Regrets Parenting. This is a free program on November 5, 7:00 PM in the Upper Division Strear Family Gymnasium. Please RSVP to dmartin@denverjds.org or call 720.449.9522 for more information.
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Cherry Hills Village Mayor Doug Tisdale has announced a competition for the creation of student-produced videos  celebrating the beauty, history, legacy and value of the High Line Canal Trail that traverses through Cherry Hills. Entries will be due by January 7, 2013. The winning entries will be broadcast over the Cherry Hills Village Cable TV Channel. For more information click here.
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Lower School News & Events
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News: 
- The next SMA Cub Scout Pack 861 meeting is November 8 at 3:00 PM at SMA. The Scouts have been busy this year with rocket launches, go carts, homemade boat races and more! For more information about the SMA Cub Scouts please contact Amy Quinette at amyquinette@aol.com.
- Lower School Birthday Book Club. Looking for a special way to
 celebrate your child's birthday? The Lower School's librarian and teachers have compiled a list of books they "wish" would be added to the Lower School library. You can purchase one of these books on their wish list, and donate the book to the library, in honor of your child's birthday. A bookplate/sticker will be placed on the inside front cover of the book to commemorate the donation. More information in this week's Friday Folders.
Events:
- October 26, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Red Ribbon Week
- October 31, 11:00 - 11:30 AM, LS Parade
- November 1- 2, Academy Closed, Fall Break
- November 8, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, LS Room 5, Cub Scout Pack Meeting
- November 9, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Kindergarten Presentation
- November 15, Picture Re-take Day
- November 16, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Drama Club Thanksgiving Play
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Middle School News & Events
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News:
- Tuesday was Community Service Day for several CATs; Mrs.
 Fonseca's CAT traveled to Morning Star Preschool, Mrs. Rutan's CAT to Martin School of Early Education and Mrs. Cencula's and Mr. Rodger's CATs went to Meridian Retirement Community. The MS has a long standing relationship with these agencies and CATs travel there throughout the school year volunteering their time.
- Every Tuesday a different CAT takes a turn preparing and packaging food for their Wednesday trip to St. Elizabeth of Hungary to volunteer at their daily soup and sandwich line for the homeless. St. Elizabeth's is located downtown on the Auraria campus and serves lunch to about 150 homeless men and women daily.
Events:
- 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
- November 8, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, Choral & Instrumental Concert, HS Forum
- November 9, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Trimester 1 Closing Ceremony
- November 12, Trimester 2 Begins
- November 15, Picture Re-take Day
- November 15, 11:40 AM, MS Prayer Service
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High School News & Events
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News:
- SMA High School Recognizes 2012 AP Scholars. The Advanced Placement Program offers several AP Scholar
 Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. This year SMA has 13 AP Scholars, with an average score of 3.84, three AP Scholars with Honors, with an average score of 4.08 and nine AP Scholars with Distinction with an average score of 4.45. Click here to read the detailed list of all AP scholars.
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The SMA High School Model UN team recently hosted a joint  conference with Kent Denver, which explored potential problems and current issues relating to space. Fifteen schools, resulting in 250 delegates, participated in the meet from around the tri-state area. Freshmen Iriana Belen and Katie Remington received honorable mention in their first meet of the year. Juniors Hadley Hustead and Meg Korbel received best delegation and the delegates' choice award. The next meet will be held by the University of Colorado at the Boulder campus. At that meet the girls will debate issues ranging from child soldiers to the second Kashmir crisis.
- This summer High School students who have completed Spanish Three have the opportunity to join a two-week trip trip to Cádiz,
 Spain from June 29 to July 13. The trip is open to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors. An informational meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 8 at 5:00 in Ms. Krueger´s room. A representative from the school in Spain will be present to answer questions. Please make every effort to attend, but if unable email questions to bkrueger@smanet.org or epfeifer@smanet.org. ¡Nos vemos pronto!
- The HS Fall Play, The Effects of
 Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, runs October 25 - 27 in the High School Forum. To reserve tickets please email Roberta Hamilton Griggs at rgriggs@smanet.org. Tickets are also available each night at the door. This play is not recommended for young audiences, PG13.
Events:
- 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
- November 9, HS Winter Sports Practice Begins
- November 13, 9:55 AM, HS Mass
- November 14, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, HS Fall Sports Awards Ceremony, HS Forum
- November 17, HS Fall Ball
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Admissions News
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- The All Academy Open House is Saturday, November 10. If you
 would like to volunteer at Open House, we need you!! Please contact Seely Greenberg in the Admissions Office at sgreenberg@smanet.org. 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. Be sure to share with your neighbors the date of the Open House. Click here for more information.
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Advancement News
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- 2012-2013 SMA Directory Addendums and a Page 52 sticker to place over the incorrect page in your copy have been printed. Lower School families will have their copy in Friday Folders. Middle School and High School families will have their copies sent in the mail.
- 2013 Gala Meeting, Tuesday, November 6, 8:15 - 9:45 AM, Sanders
 Board Room. Come and learn about this year's Gala and volunteer opportunities.
- November 20 is Grandparents' Day! Grandparents are invited to a pancake breakfast and a performance by SMA's musical groups. Grandparents then join grandchildren in their classrooms. Invitations were mailed to all Grandparents on record this past Monday. Please RSVP to Molly del Monte at mdelmonte@smanet.org.
- 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 dollar amount reloaded: $45,090
- SMA Net: $2,255
This is such an easy way to support SMA! 58 cards reloaded is less than 10% of what we distributed. We have great room for growth in this program. Keep re-loading!
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Alumnae News
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- Becoming Van Gogh opened this week at the Denver Art Museum.
 A Wildcat Weekly Shoutout to our own Timothy Standring, father of Hadley '05 and Zoe '07, and the DAM's Gates Foundation Curator of Painting and Sculpture. Dr. Standring brought together this extraordinary show that will be at the DAM until January 20. Denver is the only city showing this collection. SMA Alumnae are invited to a special visit and tour on November 17. Click here to RSVP.
- In honor of International Day of the Girl, Allison Grenney '06, visited
 the High School to share the news about her new non profit EduKate. EduKate sells unique USA-made tote bags (in Rifle, Colorado!). Profits from the tote bag sales go to support education for girls of need throughout the world. It's all empowerment through passion, Allison said.
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Earlier this month, the MacArthur Fellows Program announced this year's honorees. We thought this was a good time to give a Wildcat Shout Out to our SMA Alumnae who have received the "genius grants."
Jane Lubchenco '65, received the MacArthur Fellowship in 1993. Today, she serves as Under Secretary of Commerc
 e for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. Pam Solo '64, was honored by the foundation in 1989. She is Founder and President of the Civil Society Institute. The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowships to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction. There are three criteria for selection of Fellows: exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work.
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Athletic News
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News:
- Senior Volleyball Team Captain Jesse Vega-Perkins has been selected as the John Lynch Star of the Month for October! The Star of the Month program recognizes Denver area middle and high school student-athletes for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and community involvement. Jesse has played Varsity Volleyball all four years, earning letters her Junior and Senior years as a setter. She is Senior Editor of Literary Magazine, Senior Student Association Secretary, on National Honor Society, National Art Society, and CHSAA Academic All-State First Team with a GPA of 4.16. Jesse is involved in community service at Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver and Habitat for Humanity. Congratulations Jesse!
Upcoming Games:
- October 24:
- 4:00 PM, Boys 7th/8th Soccer vs. Graland @ GCDS
- 4:00 PM, MS Field Hockey vs. Graland @ SMA
- 7:15 PM, 2012 Field Hockey State Semifinals vs. Palmer Ridge @ All-City Stadium
- October 25:
- 4:00 PM, MS Tennis vs. Alexander Dawson @ ADS
- 4:00PM, MS Cross Country SMA Monster Dash
- 4:15 PM, 7th & 8th Silver Volleyball vs. Stanley British @ SBPS
- October 26:
- 1:30 PM, Varsity Volleyball @ League Tournament, Colorado Academy
- October 27:
- 1:30 PM, Varsity Volleyball @ League Tournament, Colorado Academy
- October 29:
- 4:00 PM, 6th, 8th Silver & 8th Navy Volleyball vs. Cherry Hills Christian @ SMA
- 4:00 PM, MS Tennis vs. Graland @ GCDS
- October 30:
- 3:30 PM, Boys 7th/8th Soccer vs. Denver Christian @ DC
- 4:00 PM, 6th & 8th Silver Volleyball vs. Denver Christian @ DC
- 4:00 PM, MS Field Hockey vs. Stanley British @ SBPS
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Inclement Weather Policy
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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.
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Carpool Reminders
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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:
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