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
Mock Trial Advances to State Tournament
Congratulations to our Mock Trial teams! On February 22-23, St. Mary's Academy competed in the  Colorado Bar Association Mock Trial Regional Competition at the Arapahoe County Court House. The regional competition included 17 teams, only four schools advance. The SMA "A" team qualified for the Mock Trial State Tournament March 8-9 in Fort Collins.  Click here to read more.
Senior Receives Scholastic Art Award
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!  Click here to see some of Danielle's art from "A Winter Enigma".
High School Hosts Nutrition Symposium
The High School students were treated to a Nutrition Program last week that featured a number of big names in the healthy eating, sports and nutrition world.  Panelists included John Lynch, current SMA parent, former Bronco and NFL Analyst, Bryan Snyder, Denver Broncos Nutritionist, Mary Ellen Williams, CFO of LiveWell Colorado, Danielle Kachulis, three-year starter in Lacrosse at Duke University and Kathi Schlegel, current parent with a love of healthy cooking. Topics discussed included making the transition from high school to college; the balance of water, food, exercise and sleep; food rules and affecting positive change, followed by a Q & A session  Each student received a gift bag with goodies from Natural Grocers, LiveWell Colorado, Barnes & Noble and Subway. Thank you to SMA parents Ted and Kathi Schlegel for the idea of a Nutrition Program and for funding assistance via the Boettcher Foundation.
Faculty Feature: Lauren Watel,
HS Science Teacher

What is your education?

I have a B.A. from Colorado College in Biology; a Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington; and a Certificate in Environment, Education and Community from IslandWood.

 

How many years have you been at SMA?

This is my fourth year.

 

What is your working/teaching experience beyond SMA?

I worked and taught at a residential environmental education facility called IslandWood on Bainbridge Island, WA as a part of my graduate studies. Different school groups from the Seattle metropolitan area would come and stay for a week while I took them out into the woods and worked on various topics ranging from environmental and sustainability issues, to history, ecology, art and team building. 

 

What would you name as a memorable or exciting classroom experience?

I have loved seeing the growth that many of our students make through the years. It is such a unique opportunity to be able to teach them over many years and witness their growth and maturity both academically and as young women.  It makes you feel really invested in their future and creates a bond that doesn't easily disappear when they graduate. 

 

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

I am passionate about travel and experiencing other cultures.  Every chance I get, I try to go somewhere, near or far away. I have been to six of the seven continents (Antarctica is still to come), and 35 countries.  However, Colorado is truly home; I am a fourth generation native to this great state!


Community News
  • March is Month of Photography Denver, an event in which museums and galleries across the city all have photography-themed exhibits.  High School Art teacher, Andrew Beckham will have work from his second book Firmament on exhibit at Walker Fine Arts. The opening reception is March 1, 6:00 - 9:00PM, click here for more information.  Mr. Beckham's book will be out in October and is comprised entirely of his photographic work, and features an introductory essay by Blake Milteer, Museum Director and Curator of American Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.  To read more about Firmament click here.  
  • Tickets for the HS Musical, Snoopy go on sale March 4 in the Advancement Office (2nd floor Sanders House) during school hours or call Amy at 303.762.8300 x.285 to place your order (credit card payment required for all phone orders).
    • Performances are April 18, 19, 20 at 6:30 PM and a matinee April 20 at 1:30 PM.
    • Please note: current SMA students and faculty receive one (1) complimentary ticket for one (1) performance.  Students and faculty must still pick-up their complimentary ticket in the Advancement Office.
    • Students and faculty may purchase tickets for additional shows for $6.00 each.
    • Students and faculty will be seated in General Admission, Rows 4 - 8.  
    • Doors open one hour prior to show.     
  • The SMA community is invited to join the HS Astronomy Club to view the Comet PANSTARRS on March 13 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM behind the Middle School. The comet will be most visible at twilight.  Please contact Pete Sniegowski with any questions, [email protected].
  • All SMA Faculty and Staff enjoyed a day at History Colorado during our Faculty/Staff Retreat Day on February 15.  Thanks to a partnership with the History Colorado Center, faculty and staff listened to a presentation from State Historian William Convery, visited the exhibits and participated in an educational program with the History Colorado school programs developer.  The day closed with a prayer service written by Regina Drey SL and Paula Lee that intertwined the state's history with the mission of Loretto and the mission of St. Mary's Academy.  Click here to see more photos of the retreat.     
  • 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 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:                

  • Last Friday's Assembly had the first and second graders front and center! PE teacher Linda Marsh worked hard with the three groups on creating and performing the original dance routines. Click here to see more photos.

 

  • Last week, fifth grade students attended Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. Archbishop Samuel Aquila celebrated Mass which included representatives from half the fifth grade in the Diocese.

Events:

  • 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, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, LS Health Fair
  • March 15, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Science  
  • March 22 - April 1, Spring Break, classes resume April 2
  • April 4, 3:00 PM, Cub Scout Pack Meeting, LS Room 5
  • April 5, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, 4th Grade Colorado History 
Middle School News & Events

News:

  • The Second Trimester MS Drama class, made up of 18 students 6th through 8th grade, presented a cut version of Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, last week in the HS Forum. Isaac Morales brought down the house with his rendition of Nick Bottom. Please click here for more photos. 

Events:

  • March 1, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 15 - 28 - Peru Service Trip 
  • March 22 - April 1, Spring Break, classes resume April 2
  • April 5, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Social, HS Forum
High School News & Events

News:    

  • The SMA Model UN Team has returned from North American International Model United Nations (NAIMUN) with three members receiving outstanding delegate awards! Junior Kelsey Waldron received Outstanding Delegate on the FARC Leadership 2014 Council, in the role of Amparo Victoria Torres. Junior Sara Van Velkinburgh received Outstanding Delegate on the Spanish Civil War Nationalists Council in the role of Juan Yague.  Junior Madison Taylor received Outstanding Delegate on the British House of Commons Council in the role of Alasdair McDonnell.   
  • Seniors Blair Batky and Paige Stock have been named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program placing them in the top 15,000 students in the competition. Congratulations to both Blair and Paige!
  • 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.   

Events:

  • March 1, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 2, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Model UN Trivia Night
  • 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 
  • March 19, 7:00 PM, College Night for Juniors, HS Forum
  • March 20, 9:55 AM, HS Concert, HS Forum
  • March 22 - April1, Spring Break, classes resume April 2 
Alumnae News
  • Rachel Graham '05 is the lead in No Dogs Allowed at the Arvada Center Children's Theater as the dog "El Exigente".  The show runs through April 12, please click here for more information or to buy tickets.
  • Congratulations to our SMA graduates currently at Regis Jesuit High School Boys Division who made First Semester Honor Roll! Click here for a list.

Admissions News
  • We are looking forward to welcoming the SMA High School Class of 2017 on Thursday, February 28 from 8:15-9:45 a.m. in the High School Forum. Parents are welcome to attend a very informal gathering in the high school library while students attend the breakfast. Please RSVP to Gracie Carr: 303-783-6205.
  •  

  • 2013-14 Middle School decisions will be sent on February 28 and Lower School decisions will go out on March 7.
  •  

  • Parents Caught in the Act: Marlo Wagner, Phyllis Chrisman and Amy Quinette. Thank you!!!
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 reloaded: $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!

Athletic News
News:
  • The SMA High School Dance Team had a fun and exciting 2012-2013 season.  Working hard each week they prepared for performances during all of the home basketball games, campus events and the SMA Nuggets Night.  Whether the team was performing at half-time of a basketball game, the Talent Show or a Lower School assembly they received overwhelming support from the community. Please click here to read more and see video of the Team in action!
  • The Middle School Dance Team delighted the residents at Meridian Retirement Center with a team performance as well as individual presentations. Coach Linda Marsh teaches dance and encourages the students to choreograph and share their own work throughout the season.  The 7th and 8th grade girls perform dances during the halftime of the middle school basketball games. 
  • The 7th grade girl's Basketball Team took a break from practice this season and also made a visit to Meridian.  They created and shared a Valentine Bingo game and pampered a special lady with a manicure. The audience and staff at Meridian are grateful for the community service hours all of our middle school students share with them each month.      
  • The Tennis Program has been busy shoveling the courts this week in hopes of hitting the courts for practice soon!
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.