Header Image
Quick Links
 School Calendars 
 Athletics Website  
 Infinite Campus
 
 SMA in Pictures
 
 Wildcat Weekly Archives
 
Deirdre V. Cryor


Challenge Foundation
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Find us on Pinterest
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
Happy President's Day Weekend!

Enjoy the long weekend! 

Please note that the Wildcat Weekly will not publish on Wednesday, February 20.
 
Another Diving Title for Alexa Beckwith! 
Junior Alexa Beckwith placed 1st in the 1-meter diving competition at the Class 4A Diving Championship last weekend. This is her third consecutive state diving title. The score of 491.30 was her best score this season and also was higher than the score that won her the title last season; this results in a change of the pool record at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.  Congratulations Alexa!  Scroll down to read more Athletic News.
Blended and Online Learning at SMA: 
Online School for Girls

St. Mary's Academy High School recently entered into a prestigious consortium with other independent girls schools across the nation to provide our high school students the opportunity to enroll in online courses through the Online School for Girls.  

 

The Online School for Girls (OSG) is a community of more than 70 of the nation's most prestigious schools committed to all-girls education.  Being a member of OSG allows us to offer SMA students online courses with the same personal attention and high caliber of instruction that we provide in our face-to-face classes...  Please click here to read more about OSG and blended and online learning at SMA.
Faculty Feature: Phil Gentry,
HS Teacher/Director of College Counseling

What is your education?

I have a B.A. from Colorado College and I graduated in 1985.

 

How many years have you been at at SMA?

I am in my 16th year as the Director of College Counseling as well as teaching math; I have coached basketball for 18 years at SMA, and I also coached the cross country team for four seasons.

 

What is your teaching/work experience beyond SMA?

I coached at Colorado Academy for five years while working in my Dad's office processing insurance claims, and before that I worked at Martin Marietta for four years.

 

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

My greatest classroom experience has been watching my students become much more aware of the ins and outs of personal finance and the economy. I really love to see students become aware and develop confidence in their understanding of money as they head off to college, and into their adult life.

 

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

Most people don't know that I was accepted to William and Mary Law School, and was ready to leave for school right before I found my passion for working with kids through my coaching at Colorado Academy. It helped me realize that education was my true calling in life.


Community News
  • St. Elizabeth's School presents A Time of Change: Supporting the Middle School Brain, February 26, 6:00 - 8:00 PM.  For more information and to register please click here
  • The Loretto in Colorado exhibit at the Denver Public Library has been extended through March 17 because of its popularity.  Please click here for more information.
  • The SMA High School Astronomy club is looking for a dark sky site for astronomical observing and the hosting of small St. Mary's Academy community star parties. What we need specifically is a site that is preferably south and east of the Denver area (that's the best region as far as proximity and darkness goes) that is essentially devoid of artificial light-the darker the better. Please contact Pete Sniegowski if you can help at [email protected].   
  • The SMA Prayer Group, a monthly prayer group and 24-7 email prayer chain, meets every first Tuesday of the month at 8:15 AM in the Chapel next to the HS choral room. Please email prayer requests to [email protected] or click here. All petitions are honored and kept confidential.        
Lower School News & Events

News:                

  • The fourth and fifth grade students had an amazing field trip to AmeriTowne last week, where they learned about the free enterprise system and the basics of financial literacy. Prior to the AmeriTowne field trip on February 5, students filled out job applications, interviewed for jobs and ran for Town Hall offices (Judge and Mayor). Additionally, the students established laws, learned how to write checks/use their debit card, learned to record and balance their account in the checkbook register, be a consumer and producer at an AmeriTowne shop, and helped evaluate profit or loss of the shop.  "It is a wonderful day and an extensive curriculum of preparation," said teacher Darla Hamilton.
  • For the January Late Start, Great Start the second grade lead the Lower School to raise about $1,950 for Haitian Families First.  The money raised will go towards tuition, uniforms, books and transportation for 46 Haitian children. 
  • The Kindergarten Cowpoke was a fun Friday Assembly with a special guest performance from our Junior Kindergarten! Click here for more photos of the energetic and entertaining morning. 

Events:

  • February 15, No Classes, Faculty Retreat
  • February 18 - 19, Academy Closed, President's Day
  • February 20, 8:00 AM, 5th Grade to Cathedral Mass
  • February 22, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Primary Dance 
  • February 22, 3:30 PM, Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, LS Gym 
  • March 1, No Classes Faculty Work Day
  • March 7 - 8, LS Conferences, No Classes 
  • March 11, 8:30 AM, 4th Grade Field Trip to History Colorado
  • March 12, LS Health Fair
  • March 15, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Science 
Middle School News & Events

News:

  • The MS Global Connections class gave a presentation about I Love Mountains Day on February 8 to the HS and the MS.  "I Love Mountains Day" will occur on February 14 in Frankfort, Kentucky in support of the communities that are drastically impacted by the mountaintop removal style of coal mining. The Sisters of Loretto have been particularly touched by the stories of these communities and the environmental impacts that are caused in the Appalachian region. The Global Connections class spoke about the background and context of mountaintop removal style of coal mining.   

Events:

  • February 15, No Classes, Faculty Retreat Day
  • February 18 - 19, Academy Closed, President's Day
  • February 21, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, MS Concert, HS Forum
  • February 22, 11:40 AM, MS Drama Performance, HS Forum 
  • February 22, 6:00 - 8:30 PM, The Island sponsored by Academy Parents
  • February 25, Trimester 3 Begins
  • February 25, 2:30 PM Trimester II Closing Ceremony 
  • March 1, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 15 - 28 - Peru Service Trip 
High School News & Events

News:    

  • Presentations of Learning are scheduled for March 15.  If you would like to be a panelist for this outstanding experience in the ninth and tenth grade, please contact Don Nelson, [email protected], for the tenth grade project Understanding 21st Century Problems; and Kristen Ferguson, [email protected] , for the ninth grade project: What Does it Mean to be Human?  These are year-long projects that culminate with a presentation to a panel of "judges." The presentations are on March 15 in the High School. 
  • Senior, Danielle Schablitsky, received a Silver Key for her illustrated book, entitled "A Winter Enigma." It will be exhibited with the other state winners at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design from February 14 through March 2.  Congratulations Danielle!   
  • Two Seniors- Blair Batky and Paige Stock - have been named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. This puts them in the top 15,000 students in the competition.  Congratulations to both Blair and Paige!   
  • The HS celebrated the Twelfth Annual Diversity Day with the theme, Sharing Stories: Together We Can Build Bridges. The day began with an awesome keynote address from Sarah Culberson, actress, author, dancer and co-founder and president of The Kposowa Foundation.  The foundation works to improve education for young people and to help rebuild Sierra Leone. Later, the students broke into small sessions to listen to a variety of speakers about surviving cancer, genocide and alcoholism, Denver Urban Ministries, local women prisoners and more. Lunch featured an international food sampling and fashion show. The day continued with Keynote Speaker, Sarah Castle '02, a four-time Paralympian and Special Assistant US Attorney. This eventful day wrapped up with a performance by Dr. Art Jones and Ms. Dee Galloway of "The Spirituals Project."    

Events:

  • February 14, 9:55 - 10:55 AM, Honors Assembly
  • February 15, No Classes, Faculty Retreat Day
  • February 18 - 19, Academy Closed, President's Day
  • February 22, 10:00 AM, Town Meeting 
  • February 23, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Father Daughter Dance
  • March 1, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 2, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Model UN Trivia Night
  • March 5, 10:00 - 10:30 AM, STUCO Town Meeting
  • March 6, 10:00 - 11:00, Model UN Munchies
  • March 7 - 8, Community Days
  • March 7 - 8, 7:00 PM - 8:30 AM, Senior Lock Out   
  • March 12, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, HS Winter Sports Ceremony
  • March 15, Presentations of Learning
  • March 15, Juniors' Retreat
  • March 16, Prom 
Admissions News
  • The Admissions office is wonderfully busy with re- enrollment and reading applications. Plans for events to welcome new students and families are underway.  We would love your participation! Stay tuned. 
  • Parents Caught in the Act: Karen and Chris Norton, Chris and Rhondi Clark, Rob Clinton and Elizabeth Byrne, and Tom and Kari Tolkacz.
Advancement News
  • SMA 2013 Gala - A Night at the Derby 
    Friday, April 26, 2013 
    An event benefiting the SMA Tuition Assistance Fund   
    • Online Ticket Purchase
      You don't have to wait for your invitation to arrive to purchase your Gala tickets. Click here to purchase them online! The Early Bird ticket price of $125 per person will last until April 8; after that, the price will be $150 per person. Remember, the event will sell out at 450 people so make sure to purchase your tickets today!  
    • Instant Wine Cellar
      Be a part of creating one of the Gala's most unique auction items! The Gala Committee is now accepting donations for wine for the wine cellar auction item. You can bring your wine along with the following information to the receptionist in the Sanders House anytime before Friday, March 8.
      �         Your name
      �         Your phone number
      �         A description of the wine
      �         The value of the wine
      Click here for the Instant Wine Cellar donation form. 
    • THANK YOU for supporting the Gala!  
  • Dates you want to remember!

    • May 2, Grandparents' Day Open House  8:00 - 11:00 AM
    • September 16, Graham Family Golf Tournament, Columbine Country Club

For more information on these events please contact the Advancement Office at 303.762.8300. 

  • THANKS for reloading!  Here's an update on the results for the month of January from our King Soopers Reloadable Grocery program.
    • Number of cards reloaded: 97
    • Total $ amount re0loaded: $69,150.75
    • SMA Net: $3,457.53 

97 cards reloaded is 15% 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 reloading!

Alumnae News
  • Congratulations to our SMA graduates currently at Regis Jesuit High School Boys Division who made First Semester Honor Roll! Click here for a list. 

      
  • Sarah Castle '02 was a Keynote Speaker at Diversity Day in the HS this week. Sarah is a four-time Paralympian and Special Assistant US Attorney.  She has won the silver as a swimmer; and a silver and gold in wheelchair basketball. She also set the world record for the 1500m freestyle in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
  • Audrey Moton '07, a West Point graduate, was featured on NBC Nightly News for a second time in, Petite but Proven: Two women warriors pass elite Army training course Sapper training is for 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 read the full story.
Athletic News
News:
  • Nine student-athletes from the SMA Varsity Swim & Dive Team qualified to compete at the 4A Swimming & Diving Championship last weekend, Alexa Beckwith, Kat Harhai, Kate Melberg, Claire Chrisman, Sophia Richardson, Claire State, Holly Sommers, Madi Norton and Jackie Melberg. Claire State scored in both of her events, placing 15th in the 200 IM and 9th in the 100 breaststroke. She scored 11 points for the team helping SMA place 20th in the state. Alexa Beckwith accumulated the remainder of the 31 points scored by SMA, by placing 1st in the 1-meter diving competition, her third consecutive state diving title. The score of 491.30 was her best score this season and also was higher than the score that won her the title last season; this results in a change of the pool record at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center. Congratulations to all who participated!
  • Senior Sigrid Kite has the opportunity to compete at the next level and play collegiate soccer as she signs with Pepperdine University. Signing the Letter of Intent confirms that Sigrid will receive an athletic scholarship from Pepperdine as she agrees to compete with them. Congratulations to Sigrid, we wish you all the best at Pepperdine

Upcoming Games:

  • February 14:
    • 3:30 PM, Boys 6th Basketball vs. Aspen Academy @ SMA
  • February 19: 
    • 5:30 PM, JV & Varsity Basketball vs. Jefferson HS @ SMA with Varsity Dance Team Performance at half time
  • February 20:
    • 3:30 PM, Boys 7th & Boys 8th Basketball vs. Kent @ SMA with MS 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.

 

Facebook Logo Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter   "Pin It" on Pinterest


� Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.