Paul Tough challenges our culture's belief that intelligence, endlessly measured by test scores, is the sole indicator of value in our education system. In How Children Succeed, he ushers in a tidal change in thinking and argues that non-cognitive skills, or character, are better indicators of success: curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, self-control and grit. The book has been called "absorbing and important" by The New York Times Book Review.  A contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine, Paul Tough is also the author of Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America, which focuses on the steps necessary to improve the lives and education of underserved children. Tough has also contributed to This American Life and The New Yorker, where he has honed his focus upon education, poverty, parenting, and politics.

Please click here for more information and to RSVP. 

In the spirit of the season, please participate

in our SMA Gift Card Drive.

We are collecting gift cards to benefit families in need in our own community and we need your help.

It is easy to share....

1. Take a tag from the "Giving Trees" located in either the foyer of the Lower School or Middle School.
2. Purchase the gift card designated on the tag.
3. Return the gift card to any SMA division office by Friday, December 7th.

The following gift cards are especially convenient to buy -they are available to purchase in the SMA Business Office located in the Sanders House: Bed, Bath & Beyond, Chipotle, Einstein Bros Bagels, King Soopers, Panera, Regal/United Artist, Sports Authority, Safeway, Starbucks,

TJ Maxx/Marshalls

THANK YOU for your generosity in this season of sharing!

Please say hello to our newest staff members in Sanders House:

Susan Hennessy has joined the SMA staff as the Director of Marketing and Communications. In this role, Susan is focussing on the SMA internal and external marketing efforts. She comes to SMA with great experience with the Denver Center of Performing Arts as well as Opera Colorado. Additionally, Susan has been a volunteer for the Gala. And, she is the mother of Maitland who is in our tenth grade.

Gracie Carr has joined the Admissions office as the Interim Admissions Director since our dear Amanda Savage is moving to Utah in January. Gracie worked at SMA 1991 to 2002 in the Fine Arts Department, drama department and the Admissions office. She was the director of SAIMARAC.  Gracie is the parent of two alumnae.

Both Susan and Gracie have been on campus in their new jobs for the past month. If you have a chance, please stop by to say hello.

Wednesday, November 28, 6 - 7:15 PM in the Lower School 

At our Information Night, our fantastic teachers will be on hand to describe the program and our rooms will be available for touring. Our classes are based on individual attention and growth. Our program includes science, music, math, reading, physical education, Spanish, art and more-all supported by a safe, loving community that shapes confident curious learners. For more information please click here. 

What is your education?  

BS Marketing San Diego State University; Masters of Education Regis University

How many years have you been at at SMA?

5 years at SMA, now in my 6th year

What is your teaching/work experience beyond SMA?

I taught for 15 years total, about 8 years in the Cherry Creek School District and a few years in Japan (teaching English acquisition to Primary students). I have taught Religious Education in local parishes for more than 5 years.  This summer, I completed Kinesthetic Astronomy through Colorado Mountain College, and now incorporate these ideas in our science classes.  I also completed Methods of Inquiry class through the Denver Museum of Nature and Science this past summer.  I completed Fire Ecology Institute through Project Learning Tree and have designed a new unit for Science which I presented at this year's Colorado Association of Science Teachers Conference.

What awards or honors have you received?

I am an Honors Graduate of Regis University. I was inducted to Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society

What would you name as an exciting or memorable classroom/curriculum moment you have experienced?

I really enjoyed the Grandparents Day when I was teaching the Solar System unit and we invited Virginia Swigart '55, sister of John Swigart (astronaut from the Apollo 13 mission). She brought some great photos and shared great stories of the media coming to their house through the ordeal, as well as stories about her brother jumping off the roof!  

What is something about yourself to share with SMA community that we might not already know?

I am married to Kevin, retired Navy pilot, now flying for Netjets, Inc. I have three sons, Michael (a graduate of Colorado School of Mines), Brad (attending University of Arizona), and Dan (accepted to US Naval Academy for Fall 2013 class).  I have continued Bible studies in my parish, Our Lady of Loretto, with Old Testament, Gospel of Matthew, Acts and now Revelation and Psalms. I enjoy incorporating things I learn in my Religion classes.  I am looking to organize a LS Lego activity after school to gear our students up for the MS First Lego League team.  I enjoy triathlons, biking, hiking, tennis, windsurfing, watching my son's high school athletics and reading my Nook!

News:              

Events:        

• November 28, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten Information Night

• November 30, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, 5th Grade Presentation

• December 5, 8:15 AM, LS Mass 

• December 6, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Cub Scout Pack Meeting, LS Room 5

• December 7, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Beginning & Advanced Band/Orchestra

• December 12, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, LS/HS Concert, HS Forum 

• December 18, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Primary Performance  

• December 19, Half Day of Classes No ASA/EDC

• December 20 - January 6, Academy Closed, Winter Break

• January 7, Classes Resume 

News:

• On November 8th, the MS Drama Class, 18 students from sixth to  eighth grade, performed a staged radio play based on Orson Welles' The Shadow Knows. We called our version The Bells of St. Mary's.The students had less than six weeks to put together their show and did a great job, it was lots of fun!  Click here to see more photos. 

   

• The MS Robotics Team was in their first Lego League Competition at Westminster High School. They competed in two categories, service and robotics.  The service component revolved around developing technological solutions to aid senior citizens, and the robotics challenge got students to develop robots to 'master' as many challenges as they can. Since the MS has a long-standing connection with Meridian Retirement Community, they have partnered with two of its residents, Harriet & Lucille, to identify issues the team can work on. They have converged on an 'e-neighbor', a system that utilizes many of the robotics sensors to automatically assist the elderly. The students made prototype systems using our robotics equipment to present to the judging panel. The team placed overall 9th of a field of 24 teams with a very slim point difference between 9th and 1st place.  Considering this is the team's first year, it was an outstanding showing!    

Events:        

• November 29, 8th Grade Girls' Parents Coffee   

• November 30, 3:30 - 5:00 PM, Mixer

• December 1, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, HS Placement Test 

• December 18, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, MS Concert, HS Forum  

• December 19, 11:30 AM Early Dismissal, No ASA/EDC

• December 20 - January 6, Academy Closed, Winter Break 

• January 7, Classes Resume

News:    

• Last week, Spanish 4, Conversation and Culture and Spanish Film visited the Museo de las Americas. There, the group analyzed the posters and prints of José Guadalupe Posadas, a turn of the century Mexican artist.  He is most famous for his Calaveras which satirized the Mexican upper classes.  The students also viewed some of the current political street art from the Asaro Collective in Oaxaca, México  and the Beehive Collective based in Maine.  After the discussion the ladies created their own prints in the style of Posadas.   

• American History and American Literature classes watched Steven  Spielberg's Lincoln on Monday, November 19, exactly 149 years after Honest Abe delivered the Gettysburg Address.  Students in AP United States History have just started their study of the Civil War, so this was a perfect teaser to get them excited about the course material. About 150 students and teachers enjoyed the film, the fun and, of course, the free popcorn. 

Events:        

• November 27, 10 AM, Town Meeting 

• December 12, 9 AM, HS Mass 

• December 12, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, LS/HS Concert, HS Forum 

• December 17 - 19, HS Final Exams 

• December 19, 11:30 AM Early Dismissal, No ASA/EDC

• December 20 - January 6, Academy Closed, Winter Break  

• January 7, Classes Resume

Please take note for some upcoming important events for the Eighth grade girls and their families.    

• November 29, Eighth Grade Girls' Parent Coffee:  Another opportunity to meet with High School Principal Kathryn McNamee and several High School students.  

• December 1: HS Placement Test at St. Mary's Academy. Placement test reservations are required.  Please click here to register online, email stwining@smanet.org or call 303-762-8300, ext. 241.   

• Young Alumnae Luncheon, December 18, 11:30 AM in the HS Forum.  Alumnae from the classes of 2008-2012 are invited back to campus to reconnect with one another.  Click here to RSVP.

• With significant tax uncertainty for 2013 - now is the time to focus on year-end planning strategies. Such strategy includes charitable giving. In addition to outright donations you might consider being a 2013 Gala Sponsor. Gala Sponsor levels are $1,750, $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000.

  For more details please click here or call the Advancement Office at 303-783-6227. Thank You!

   
• Save the Date for SMA's Nuggets Night, January 18! 
   Click here for more information. 
   
• Just in time for the holidays ...   

St. Mary's Academy is expanding the Grocery Certificate Program to include the following Scrip offerings:

Bed, Bath and Beyond ($25), Chipotle ($10), Container Store ($25), Crate and Barrel ($25), Einstein Bagels ($10), TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods ($25), iTunes ($15), Macy's ($25), Panera ($25), REI ($25), Sports Authority ($25), Starbucks ($10, $25), United Artist/Regal ($25), Walgreens ($25), Whole Foods ($25, $100).

Beginning November 12 you may purchase gift cards for these companies in the SMA Business Office (Sanders House 1st Floor). 

SMA nets 3% - 10% (depending on the business) which will benefit endowment at St. Mary's Academy.

To maximize the return for SMA - we would prefer payment by cash or check allowing SMA to avoid credit card processing fees - thank you!

Whether you reload at King Soopers, purchase grocery cards, or purchase Scrip cards - THANK YOU for the many ways you support SMA!