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Deirdre V. Cryor



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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy 
The Wildcat Weekly includes news from the Academy and updates on events and activities. Watch for the Weekly in your email inbox every Wednesday afternoon.  If you have news to share, please email Kat Challis in the President's Office at [email protected]. And, be sure to click here to read my weekly blog. 
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President 
Happy Thanksgiving!

Please note that Tuesday, November 26 is Grandparents' Day and a half day of school.  Dismissal will be by division, no ASA or EDC will be available.

School will be closed Wednesday through Friday for Thanksgiving.  We hope you have a happy and safe holiday! (We will not publish a Wildcat Weekly next week.)

Dr. Carl Pickhardt to speak at SMA tonight!

We welcome Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D to SMA tonight, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
in the Forum. A psychologist, Dr. Pickhardt has more than twenty-five years in private counseling, lecturing and writing on the topic of adolescence, including his book Surviving Your Child's Adolescence: How to Understand and Even Enjoy the Rocky Road to IndependenceDr. Pickhardt has been on ABC, NBC, CNN and NPR, as well as sourcing major articles for Time Magazine and the Wall Street Journal.  Please click here to RSVP for this event.

Introducing a New Blog on Teaching and Learning              
with Kelley King and Gender-Based Brain Research
Check out the link on the left side to read how our teachers are implementing gender-based brain research thanks to our work with consultant Kelley King.  
 
Kelley King is the author of the book Writing the Playbook A Practitioners Guide to Creating a Boy-Friendly School.  She has been on campus this Fall and we look forward to seeing her again this Spring.
Faculty Feature: Andy Rodgers, MS Social Studies
What is your education?
I have a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History and Education from the University of Wyoming.

 

How many years have you been at SMA?  

This is my 20th year at SMA. 

 

What is your working/teaching experience beyond SMA?   

For the past 15 years, I have been invited to the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute where I do research and write curriculum guides.  I have six teacher guides published and have published eight online papers on different aspects of American History.  I have also taught at South Middle School and Aurora Hills Middle School. 

 

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

My best experiences are every time I try something new.  We have such great students who allow me the opportunity to learn, to laugh and to simply enjoy what we do here. 

 

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

I am a huge University of Michigan fan. I spent 12 years in the Colorado Air National Guard.  I retired with the rank Master Sargent.  I spent two weeks in Colombia along the Amazon River with my unit. 
Upcoming Admissions Information Events 
Spread the News! Our Admission Events are filling up quickly!
  • Lower School Preview Day - Tuesday, December 10, 8:30-10:00 AM
  • Middle School Preview Day - Thursday, December 12, 8:30-10:00 AM
During Preview Days, visitors enjoy a detailed and comprehensive visit to the division on the scheduled days. Please call or email to learn more about our Admissions Program.
Community News
  • SMA has been named one of the five finalists in CHSAA's national anthem singing competition! In order to win this competition, we need your vote! Please click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page and vote for "St. Mary's Academy group"!   
  • Thanksgiving Pies Needed! It's that time of year again...Each year St. Mary's Academy families buy or make pies which are then dropped off at the school and given to our teachers and staff in gratitude for all they do. Bake or buy your favorite flavor and bring on Monday, November 25!  Thank you from Academy Parents! 
    • Who: For our Faculty and Staff
    • What: Thanksgiving Pies

    • When: Monday, November 25

    • Where: Drop off in your carpool line in the morning. Academy Parents volunteers will collect your pie right from your car!

    • Why: Because we appreciate our Faculty and Staff!!  

  • Thanksgiving is just around the corner, don't forget to purchase your grocery cards in the SMA Business Office!
    • Participating stores include Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Albertsons, King Soopers, Safeway, Sprouts, Tony's Market and Whole Foods
    • Questions?  Please contact Jackie Neal at [email protected] or 303.762.8300 ext. 284.
  • Grandparents' Day is Tuesday, November 26. We look forward to seeing many of our SMA grandparents on campus. 
  • SMA Nuggets Night - Purchase your Discounted Tickets NOW!                                                                  Friday, January 17, 2014 at the Pepsi Center
    Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers
    SMA's Honor Choir will sing the National Anthem
    12 students will be selected to be a part of the Red, White & Blue Crew! (stand on the court next to the Nuggets players during the National Anthem). Twenty-five students will be selected to "High Five" the Nuggets players as they enter the court for pre-game warm-ups!  

  • The All Academy Musical auditions for Peter Pan will be in the Forum on December 2, 4:00-6:00, December 3, 6:00-8:00 and callbacks as needed on December 4.  To audition, you need to prepare a song with sheet music, a one-minute monologue or story and be ready to dance.  Click here to learn more about the auditions and the show.  If you have any questions please email Roberta Hamilton Griggs at [email protected].  

  • The High School Astronomy Club is hosting a viewing of Comet Ison on Thursday, December 5, 6:00 - 7:30 AM on the westernmost playing field. Also on Friday, December 6, 7:00 PM, the club is hosting a screening of Star Trek (rated PG-13) in the Forum and a Star Party to benefit the purchase of a hydrogen alpha solar telescope for SMA.  Suggested donation is $5. For questions please contact Pete Sniegowski, [email protected] or Iswari Natarjan, [email protected]
  • SMA Giving Trees will be up in the Lower School and Middle School entrances November 18 through December 6. 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 December 6.

    Grocery, Target, T.J. Maxx and Old Navy cards are especially convenient since they are available to purchase in the LS, MS and Business Office. THANK YOU

    for your generosity in this season of sharing!
  • For the second year, the SMA Presto Orchestra will perform at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, prior to a Colorado Ballet production of The Nutcracker. The Presto Orchestra includes both LS and MS students.  The performance is scheduled for Saturday, December 14.  The matinee begins at 2:00 PM  The Presto Orchestra will perform for a full 45-50 minutes in the lobby of the Ellie Caulkins, once the doors open at 1:00 PM to the general public.  Please click here for more information and to order your tickets today!  
Lower School News Events

News:

  • During the month of November the Lower School is collecting items for Newborns in Need and Friends of St. Andrew Hospitality Center for Late Start/Great Start.  The Newborns in Need Program provides necessities for 3,500 babies born each year at Denver Health.  The Friends of St. Andrew Hospitality Center collection was for the Annual Thanksgiving Basket Program that serves 200 households in Aurora.  The SMA Cub Scout Pack #861 collected all the food items on Tuesday and loaded up cars for delivery to St. Andrews.    

Events:

  • November 22, 8:10 AM, Assembly, Drama Club   
  • November 26, Grandparents' Day/Half Day of School
  • November 27-29, Academy Closed, Thanksgiving Break
  • December 2, Classes Resume
  • December 4,  3:00 PM, Cub Scout Pack Meeting, Lower School
  • December 6, 8:10 AM, Assembly, LS Band/Orchestra
  • December 10, 6:30 PM, HS/LS Christmas Concert, Forum
  • December 12, 2:30 PM, Beginning Concert
  • December 13, 8:10 AM, Assembly, Drama Club 
  • December 18, 8:10 AM, Assembly, First Grade, "Silent Mice, Holy Mice"
  • December 20, Half Day of Classes, No ASA/EDC
  • December 21 - January 5, Academy Closed, Christmas Break    
  • January 6, Classes Resume 
Middle School News & Events

News:

  • The Middle School Drama Class performed The Seven Nasty Princesses, by Edith Weiss, which was the perfect show for this particular group. The 8th grade girls, Lauren Bondy, Ali Leen, Hanna Mankus, Geneva McElvaine, Wylie Schwartz, Kailey Silverberg, and Erin Turner were the entitled princesses; their poor, unsuspecting mother was played by Khaili Rowan, and the two boys roles were filled perfectly by Ben Litvak and Jon Hustead. The conniving, yet ultimately helpful, witches were perfectly executed by Lauren Falacia and Alexis Ihaia and their younger co- horts: Lydia Fisseha, Brooke Meier and Paula Ursua-Garcia. The maids, who finally overcame the injustices set against them, were played by Zara Antal, Catie Groves, Adeline Harrington, McKenna Nading, Kamryn Sakic, Sophia Taylor and Madlyn Ward. The newly renovated Forum was filled with appreciative parents, friends, faculty and Middle School students. Please click here to see more photos. 
  • Last Friday, the Middle School students celebrated the end of the Trimester with an Awards Ceremony. Teachers gave awards to honor students' work in math, social studies, language arts, science, religion, foreign language as well as for Fine Arts, PE and Sports.  The students showed great support of their classmates with cheering and high fives as awards were distributed.   

Events:

  • November 21, 6:30 PM, Get to Know SMA High School Night for current 8th Grade Students & Parents
  • November 22, 3:00PM, MS Mixer  
  • November 26, Grandparents' Day/Half Day of Classes
  • November 27-29, Academy Closed, Thanksgiving Break
  • December 2, Classes Resume
  • December 9, 9:30 AM, MS Orchestra to Meridian
  • December 11, 12:00 PM, MS Mass/Prayer Service
  • December 17, 6:30 PM, MS Concert, Forum  
  • December 20, Half Day of Classes, No ASA/EDC
  • December 21 - January 5, Academy Closed, Christmas Break 
  • January 6, Classes Resume 
High School News & Events

News:

  • The High School Model UN Team competed at the University of Colorado High School competition in Boulder.  Competition included seven Councils with seven awards given over the course of the weekend.  Tenth grader Abby Clements represented India in the General Assembly SOCHUM (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) and received Best Delegate.  Congratulations Abby!      
  • The Junior Class hosted a Food Court to raise money for the upcoming prom. The Junior Student Council assigned each advisory a different food to bring in according to the decided theme: summer and winter foods. The results were fantastic. In the summer foods section there were hamburgers, complete with various condiments and fixings to choose from, a make-your-own milkshake bar, featuring multiple types of ice cream and add-ins like Oreo cookies, and much more. The winter foods were also a success. There was an extravagant selection of cold-weather desserts, like pumpkin and pecan pie, and an array of soups, stews, and chilis. Students greatly enjoyed their money well spent at the food court, and even pitched in to help clean up. In the end, this event raised a substantial sum of money for prom, and students ate one of the best school lunches that they can recall.  (Thank you Emily Norwood '15 for this great report!)
  • Last week Ms. Sharp's Chemistry classes attended the Colorado-Wyoming Junior Academy of Sciences "Medicine and Science 2013" Annual Conference at the Anschutz Medical Campus. They listened to leading researchers on the topics of Bioengineering, Breast Cancer, Stem Cell, Abusive Head Injury and saw a current virtual anatomy model used in the medical school.   

Events: 

  • November 21, 10:00 AM, STUCO Town Meeting
  • November 23, 8:00 - 11:00 PM, HS Fall Ball, Forum
  • November 26, Grandparents' Day/Half Day of Classes
  • November 27-29, Academy Closed, Thanksgiving Break
  • December 2, Classes Resume
  • December 6, 10:00 Am, HS Town Meeting
  • December 10, 6:30 PM, HS/LS Christmas Concert
  • December 11, 11:30 AM, HS Clubs Meet
  • December 12, 10:00 AM, HS Mass
  • December 20, Half Day of Classes, No ASA/EDC
  • December 21 - January 5, Academy Closed, Christmas Break
  • January 6, Classes Resume  
Admissions News

  • The Admissions Department wishes our entire SMA community a blessed Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time together in the days ahead and please know that we are so grateful for your dedication to this school and for all that you do for SMA.
  • Eighth grade girls, it is not too late to sign up for the SMA High School Placement Test being held on December 7 from 8:00 - 11:45 AM. Please click here to make a reservation or call 303-762-8300 ext. 241. Students who take the test at SMA and score between 90 and 99% are eligible to apply for the SMA Merit Scholarships. If you have any questions, please contact Gracie Carr at [email protected].
  • If you would like to meet Kathryn McNamee and three amazing St. Mary's Academy Seniors, please join us for High School Information night Thursday, November 21 at 6:30 PM at 470 Race Street. Please contact Gracie Carr [email protected], to confirm your reservation as space is limited. 
Advancement News

  • THANKS for reloading!  Here's an update on the results from September 8 through November 2 from our King Soopers Reloadable Grocery Program:
    Number of cards reloaded: 132
    Total $ amount reloaded: $42,989
    SMA Net: $2,149
    132 cards reloaded is 18% of what we distributed.  Are you remembering to reload your card?  We have room for growth in this program!  Thanks to everyone who participated in our Grocery Certificate program - every dollar helps. Keep reloading!
  • Thank you to all of our families who have made a commitment to the 2013-2014 Annual Fund. To make your Annual Fund contribution click here, or pick up a donation envelope in any school office. Thank you! You may click here to see a list of our contributors as of November 19, 2013.

  • Parent Volunteer Opportunities are a great way to meet other parents across other divisions.  Volunteering at Grandparents' Day or SMA Prayer Group are just a few of the opportunities. Please click here to read about all of the available Volunteer Opportunities and to sign up today!
Alumnae News
  • Young Alumnae Luncheon 
    Classes of 2009 - 2013 
    Thursday, December 19 at 11:30 a.m. in the           High School Forum 
    RSVP by Tuesday, December 10 to Molly del Monte at [email protected].
  • Thanks to the many alumnae who help with day-to-day life at SMA. Last week, Jennifer Sandoval '03 brought a group of Japanese students to visit the High School. Nadia ElKaissi '08 is coaching our award winning Robotics team in the High School. And, Allison Grenney '06 coached our tennis team --another award winning team! Thank you to our alumnae!
Athletic News
News:
  • Check out the Wildcats in action!  KeepMe Photos is taking both High School and Middle School athletic team pictures this year.  All of the team and individual portraits, along with action shots of every team, are posted on their website at, www.keepmephotos.com/SMA.  You can browse and order prints and various custom photo products.  Create unique gifts for family and friends.  Order before December 5 and receive your order in time for the Holidays!  If you have any questions, call Teresa Schiavone 303.810.2055. 
     
  • National Signing Day is a very exciting day for high school student-athletes across the country. The recruiting road can be long and signing the National Letter of Intent is a big reason for celebration. Last week the High School honored senior Alexa Beckwith, an outstanding student-athlete, who signed with the University of Missouri. Alexa is a three-time Colorado State 4A Diving Champion and three-time All American. She holds the school record for six Dives and the meet records for the Denver East Invitational and the Independent League Championship. She has been honored as the Denver Post Athlete of the Week, a John Lynch Award winner and as the 2012 Sportswomen of Colorado for Diving. Please click here to read more.
  • Volleyball Team Captain, Senior Carrie Deline was selected as the John Lynch Star of the Month.  The Star of the Month program recognizes Denver area middle school and high school student athletes for their accomplishment in academics, athletics and community involvement.  Please click here to read more.   

Games:

  • November 23:
    • 9:00 AM, JV & Varsity Basketball Scrimmage vs. Englewood, Strasburg @ SMA
  • December 3:
    • 4:00 PM, Girls 8th Navy & Girls 7th Navy Basketball vs. Peak 2 Peak @ SMA
    • 5:30 PM, JV & Varsity Basketball vs. Denver Christian @ SMA with Varsity Dance Team Performance at half time. 
  • December 4:
    • 3:45 PM, Girls 7th Silver & Girls 8th Silver Basketball vs. Graland @ GCDS
    • 3:45 PM, Boys 7th and Boys 8th Basketball vs. Graland @ SMA 
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