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Deirdre V. Cryor


Challenge Foundation
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
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays From SMA

May this Holiday Season...

enliven our faith,
strengthen our community,
ignite our passion for justice,
deepen our respect for all people.

Our prayers are filled with joy for our community and wishes for peace in the world.  See you in 2013!

 

Registration Ongoing For Paul Tough
Author of How Children Succeed
January 10, 6:30 PM in the SMA High School Forum

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. 

Save the Date for SMA Nuggets Night!
January 18, 7:00 PM

Denver Nuggets vs. Washington Wizards
Come out to watch the Nuggets take on the Wizards and support SMA! Click here for more information.
Kindergarten Roundup - Tell Your Friends!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 8:30-10:00 a.m 

 

Kindergarten lays the critical foundation for your child's love of learning and ultimate academic success. Come to our Kindergarten Roundup to learn about our curriculum, which includes early-learning basics, as well as Spanish, art, drama, music, PE and computer classes. Click here for more information and to register.

Faculty Feature: Katie Rand
Grade 4/5 Teacher

What is your education?

I earned my BA in Writing from Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana  in 2003, and my MA in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Colorado in Boulder in 2011.

 

How many years have you been at at SMA?

This is my first year!

 

What is your teaching/work experience beyond SMA?

I was very involved in journalism during college, writing for campus magazines, interning at news stations and working as an editor at Notre Dame's newspaper, but I decided to make the transition to education during my senior year. I was part of the Apprentice Program at New Canaan Country School in Connecticut for two years, working as an assistant teacher in a 6th grade classroom and as a lead teacher for one section of 5th grade English. From there I was hired as the first 5th grade teacher at The Waterside School in Stamford, CT, a growing school that had been formed 5 years earlier. After two years in Stamford I decided I needed to further my own education, so I moved to Colorado to pursue a Masters. During that time, I worked as a Project Coordinator for an educational consulting firm in Boulder. While in graduate school I also had the chance to teach English to second graders in Mexico and to work as a mentor for the BUENO Center, providing college assistance to a student at AIMS Community College whose family was new to the United States.

 

What awards or honors have you received?

All I can say for this is graduating with honors from SMC and winning an award for the best senior writing project, and graduating with a 4.0 from CU!

 

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

Being part of the admissions process for my departing fifth graders at The Waterside School was one of the highlights of my career. Helping students who might otherwise not have access to an independent school education fill out applications, write essays and prepare for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), and then hearing their excitement when they received acceptance letters to premier New England schools was simply priceless. 

 

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

I have spent about a quarter of my life at an all-boys summer camp in Canada! My grandfather attended Camp Pathfinder in the 1920s and 1930s, my dad and uncle attended as campers and counselors in the 1960s and 1970s, and the year I was born my parents took over as the owners/directors. I spent my childhood summers at the camp, located on an island in Algonquin Provincial Park, with limited electricity, outhouse-style toilets, and baths in the lake. My dad sold the camp when I was 17, but I continued on as a lifeguard, eventually becoming the Director of the Waterfront program. I have also led the program for our 6-10-year-old campers and worked for our fall Outdoor Education program. Pathfinder turns 100 next summer and my family and hundreds of alumni will be gathering for a massive reunion!


Community News
  • Congratulations to High School Art Teacher, Andrew Beckham, who has published his book, The Lost Christmas Gift. Mr. Beckham was featured in the Arts & Culture section of the Sunday Denver Post, click here to link to the article. 
  • St. Mary's Academy has launched a partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). As a PCA partner St. Mary's Academy is offering workshops during the 2012-2013 school year to coaches, parents, and student-athletes. On January 17 we will host "The Second-Goal Parent: Developing Winners in Life Through Sports."  Parents will come away with knowledge and tips to support their child in his/her sports experience.  Click here for more information. 
  • Join the HS Astronomy Club in the new year!  Monday Morning Moon Shine on January 7 at 6:30 AM on the ring road.  A sliver of moon with Saturn above it will be visible.  All are welcome. Please contact Pete Sniegowski, Astronomy Club Advisor, with questions at [email protected]
Lower School News & Events

News:                

  • The LS Drama Club put on a wonderful production of A Cause for Mrs. Claus last Friday at Assembly.  Click here to see more photos of all the holiday cheer around SMA!

  • The LS Presto Orchestra (Grades 3 - 5 Honor Orchestra) performed at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Sunday, December 9. The Colorado Ballet performed its traditional Nutcracker and our LS Presto Orchestra performed before the show in the lobby and again at the intermission.

Events:

  • 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, First Grade Performance
  • January 18, 7:00 AM, Chess Club, LS Library
  • January 18, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Loretto History
  • January 25, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Friday Fitness 
Middle School News & Events

News:

  • The MS had their Holiday Concert Tuesday night in the High   School Forum with the orchestra, band, handbells and choir all performing. Click here to see more photos of all the holiday cheer around SMA!

Events:

  • December 20 - January 6, Academy Closed, Winter Break 
  • January 7, Classes Resume
  • January 11, 11:40 AM, Liturgy Service    
  • January 14 - 18, MS Spirit Week
  • January 23, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Spelling Bee, MS Commons  
  • January 25, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Social, HS Forum
High School News & Events

News:    

  • SAIMARAC visited the KEZW studios to sing some Christmas songs on air last week for the Breakfast Club Choirs of Christmas!  Click here to link to KEZW and scroll down to December 11 to hear SAIMARAC!
  • The HS got into the holiday spirit with some beautiful Christmas sweaters!  Click here to see more photos of all the holiday cheer around SMA! 

Events:

  • December 20 - January 6, Academy Closed, Winter Break  
  • January 7, Classes Resume
  • January 17, 9:55 AM, HS Mass
  • January 23, 7:30 - 9:00 AM, Pancake Breakfast
  • January 23, 12:30 - 3:30 PM, Brain Brawl
  • January 24, 6:30 PM, Talent Show 
Admissions News

Merry Christmas from the SMA Admissions team!   

  • January 16, at 8:30 AM, we will be offering our 2013-14 Kindergarten Round-up. If you or someone you know would like to register please click here or call Seely Greenberg at 303-762-8300, ext. 255.  
  • Re-enrollment contracts for 2013-14 will be sent on January 10. This year we are excited to offer an on-line re-enrollment option! From January 11 to February 1, you have the option to pay for your re-enrollment deposit online with a credit card. This is for deposits only (tuition payments must still be paid by check). Please remember that the contract must ALSO be signed and mailed in or dropped off to our Admissions office.
  • This week marks the start of, "Parents Caught in the Act" where we get to thank our wonderful parents who are in the community promoting SMA to their friends, family, co-workers, parishioners and neighbors. We cannot do our work without you! This week we wish to thank: Jim and Phyllis Chrisman, David and Tracey Gau, Torge and Suzanne Goderstad, Maria and William Pardee and Dick and Kathleen Van Dorn. 
Advancement News
  • 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!

  • The Loretto Legacy Society recognizes the generosity of alumnae, parents, grandparents and friends who make provisions for St. Mary's Academy in their estate plans.  A bequest or life income gift demonstrates a partnership with SMA and its mission to provide an excellent education in the Loretto tradition. For more information contact Charlie Arbogast, Director of Advancement at [email protected] or 303.783.6227. 
  • $25 Gift Cards Needed for the 2013 Gala!  When you Spin the Wheel at the Gala, you have a 50/50 chance to win a $25 gift card AND you will be entered into a drawing to win a $1000 Tuition Voucher for the 2013-2014 school year. Click here for more information.
  • THANKS for re-loading!  Here's an update on the results for the month of November from our King Soopers Reloadable Grocery program
    • Number of cards reloaded: 97 
    • Total dollar amount reloaded: $53,938 
    • SMA Net: $2,696.91

Thanks to everyone who participates in our Grocery Certificate program - every dollar helps. Keep re-loading! 

Alumnae News
  • The Young Alumnae Luncheon was on Tuesday December 19 in the High School Forum at SMA. Alumnae from the classes of 2008 - 2012 were invited back to campus to reconnect with one another and teachers.  

     
  • Audrey Moton '07, a West Point graduate, was featured on NBC Nightly News, "Women prove tough at Sapper training." Sappers are combat engineers or other personnel who support the front-line infantry. The Sapper Leader Course is a 28-day course designed to train joint-service leaders in small unit tactics, leadership skills, and tactics required to perform as part of a combined arms team. Click here to watch the video.
Athletic News

Upcoming Games:     

  • January 5:
    • 4:00 PM, JV & Varsity Basketball vs. Classical Academy Charter @ CAC
  • January 9:
    • 3:30 PM, Girls 6th & Boys 6th Basketball vs. St. Anne's @ SMA
    • 5:30 PM, JV & Varsity Basketball vs. Front Range Christian School @ SMA with Varsity Dance Team Performance at half time. 

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.

 

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