Paul Tough was recently featured on the show Colorado Matters on Colorado Public Radio.  The show was called "It May Be Grit, Not Test Scores, that Matters."  We are excited to host Paul Tough here at St. Mary's Academy in January.  

Please click here for more information and to RSVP. 

Please click here to listen to Colorado Matters on CPR. 

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 since 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!

Mrs. Ashley's presentation titled, Environment, Justice and Empathy: An Inspiring Example of 21st Century Education, will focus on the educational experience of the eighth grade trip this fall to New Mexico to learn from and about the traditions, values, history and culture of the Cochiti people. When describing her presentation, Mrs. Ashley said, "The emphases on real work, critical thinking, leadership styles, social justice, service, environmental science and cultural identity inspire and affirm the value of changing the way we educate."

Mrs. Ashley is one of a handful of presenters that will include educators from Denver charter, public and independent schools as well as national leaders in education.

"TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. At TEDx events, a screening of TEDTalks videos -- or a combination of live presenters and TEDTalks videos -- sparks deep conversation and connections. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis."

Congratulations to Mrs. Ashley!

This week, we asked Andrew Beckham to share his background. We are proud of all of our teachers, but this week everyone at SMA is very proud of Mr. Beckham who has just published his first book, The Lost Christmas Gift. This week it was on the list of bestsellers in Denver!

What is your education?

I am a graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston; I earned my BFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art in 1992. In 2005, I received my Masters in Aesthetic Theory from Prescott College. 

How many years have you been at SMA?

This is my 13th year!

What is your teaching/work experience beyond SMA?

I am a working artist and photographer with an active studio, and I'm fortunate to have gallery representation at both Walker Fine Art, Denver, and Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM. My Literary Agent is Joanna Hurley, and my publishers are Princeton Architectural Press and GFT Publishing. My creative practice in the studio and my professional work with galleries, museums, and publishing is what keeps me energized and excited as an art educator.

What awards or honors have you received?

Fulbright Fellow, Photography, Jerusalem, Israel, 1999-2000.

Nominee, Santa Fe Prize for Photography, 2011.

Artist In Residence, Center for the Study of Place, 2011.

National Endowment for the Humanities, grant recipient, 1996.

Artist in Residence, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, 1992-1993.

Artist in Residence, Rocky Mountain National Park, 1992.

What would you name as an impressive classroom/curriculum moment you have experienced?

Seeing a student realize that she's found her voice in the visual arts! And then seeing her go on to be successful in the arts at the professional level. That has happened again and again over the years at SMA, it it's a true joy to see that experience unfold for a student. 

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

Although I don't often have a chance to play, I am a fierce ping pong competitor!  

News:              

Events:

• 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  

• January 10, 3:00 - 4:30 PM, Cub Scout Pack Meeting, LS Room 5

• January 11, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Prayer Service 

News:

• The MS has been nominated for a $50,000 grant opportunity from Clorox, but we need your help!  In order to win we need you to vote for SMA by clicking here and registering to vote.  Once you have registered, you can find SMA by typing in Englewood, CO in the "Location Search" and then clicking on the "Vote for this" button. 

  You can also vote by texting 1948pbf to 95248. You're not done yet, you will need to vote every day until December 19th.The grant money will go toward enhancing our robotics program.  

• Auditions for Snoopy! The Musical will be held on December 14,  4 - 6 PM in the HS Forum.  Auditions are open to All HS girls and 8th grade boys. Come prepared to to sing a song with sheet music, perform a one-minute comic monologue and dance!!  Questions, email Roberta Hamilton Griggs at rgriggs@smanet.org.

Events:

• 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

• January 11, 11:40 AM, Liturgy Service    

News:    

• Auditions for Snoopy! The Musical will be held on December 14,     4 - 6 PM in the HS Forum.  Auditions are open to All HS girls and 8th grade boys. Come prepared to to sing a song with sheet music, perform a one-minute comic monologue and dance!!  Questions, email Roberta Hamilton Griggs at rgriggs@smanet.org.  

Events:        

• 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

• 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!

• 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).

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!