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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 
Swim & Dive Places Second at League Championship
Congratulations to our Wildcats on their top finish at the Independent League Championship meet hosted at Colorado College on February 6 and 7. The meet was full of individual and team accomplishments with swimmers dropping notable seconds and divers posting top scores.  The expectations were high for SMA as the team hoped to improve on their 3rd place finish from last year, and the team did just that as they finished less than 16 points behind the league champion, Manitou Springs, and 55 points ahead of 3rd place finisher, Colorado Academy.  

1. Manitou Springs- 399
2. St. Mary's Academy- 383.5
3. Colorado Academy- 328
4. Kent Denver- 325
5. Fountain Valley School- 220

The Wildcats placed 1st or 2nd in 7 of the 12 events. SMA placed 1st in the following events: 200 Freestyle (2:02.68) Claire State, 200 Freestyle Relay (1:48.67) Sophia Richardson, Claire Chrisman, Claire State, Alex Reddington, and Diving (460.20) Alexa Beckwith. SMA placed 2nd in the following events: 100 Fly (1:01.66) and 500 Freestyle Alex Reddington, 100 Backstroke (1:02.09) Claire State, and 400 Free Relay (3:58.54) Alex Reddington, Claire Chrisman, Madi Norton, and Claire State. Senior, Sara VanVelkinburgh finished 2nd in diving earning her career high 11 dive score of 285.2 as the runner up to her teammate and friend, Alexa. Congrats to Claire State in breaking the SMA record for the 100 backstroke, previously held by teammate Alex Reddington. 

Good luck to our Wildcats at the State Championship meet on Friday and Saturday. SMA will compete in all three relays as well as five individual events and be represented by Alexa Beckwith, Kat Harhai, Kate Melberg, Madi Norton, Alex Reddington, Sophia Richardson, Holly Sommers and Claire State. 
Concert Pianist to Perform for SMA & Loretto
Concert pianist Dr. Denine LeBlanc will perform for SMA and the Loretto Community on Tuesday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Forum. This free concert will include works by Beethoven, Scriabin, Debussy, Gershwin and a few new works written for her.

 

Dr. LeBlanc shares her love of traditional and new music as an educator and concert pianist. She is an instructor of piano at the University of Louisville and teacher of arts and humanities at a Montessori school. Dr. LeBlanc's performance schedule has taken her to concert stages throughout Europe and the United States plus institutes and summer programs such as the famed Interlochen Arts Camp. Her CDs The Sun Shines Bright and Weep No More show her dedication to promoting new piano works by Kentucky composers. She lectures widely and is a published author.

 

"Denine frequently plays concerts at Loretto Motherhouse so it's wonderful to welcome her to Denver and SMA," says Regina Drey SL. "The concerts at the Motherhouse gather an audience from the counties in Kentucky and always feature very accomplished musicians. We are happy to host Denine in Denver."

 

Click here to read more about Dr. LeBlanc and enjoy videos of her performances

All Academy Musical Peter Pan, March 6- 9

Tickets are available for SMA's All-Academy Musical Peter Pan, March 6 - 9.
  Purchase tickets in the Advancement Office (2nd floor of the Sanders House) during school hours or call Amy Albi at 303.762.8300 x285 to place your order (credit card payment required for all phone orders).  Please note that current SMA students receive one (1) complimentary ticket for one (1) performance with seating in the General Admission section.  Student complimentary tickets must be picked up in the Advancement Office prior to the show.  Students may purchase tickets for additional shows for $7.00 each.  Please click here for more information.

Registration for the 2014-2015 School Year Due Now
Please turn in registration forms for 2014-15 as soon as possible. If you have already, thank you!

"In the coming weeks we will be sending out acceptances for new students to join SMA. We want all of our current families to be registered this month so their spots are a sure thing!" said Deirdre Cryor Academy President.  "'Also, we depend on registration forms for making decisions regarding class sizes and teacher responsibilities. Turning in your registration in a timely manner is appreciated and assists us in making good hiring decisions."  
 
You can email or drop off your registration form as well as make deposits online.  If you need a new form or have questions, please call the Admissions Office.
Carpool Safety Reminders and Guidelines
Safety comes first when it comes to Carpool and driving on campus.

While waiting to enter campus, please know that parking on University Boulevard is never allowed. It is unsafe for those on campus and those driving by on University Boulevard.  Cherry Hills Police will ticket you if you park there.  

Please remember to follow all traffic rules while on SMA campus in Carpool line.  Drive slowly, follow the teachers' directions and be aware in the parking lot.  Thank you!!  
Faculty Feature: Linda Deits, 4/5 Teacher
What is your education?
I earned a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration-Managment, from the University of Colorado; a Masters of Business Administration, Finance, from Regis University and an Elementary Teaching Certificate from Regis University.

 

How many years have you been at SMA?

I am completing my 14th year at SMA.   

 

What is your working/teaching experience beyond SMA?

I worked in the Business Affairs division at the Colorado School of Mines for 20 years serving as the Director of Planning and Fiscal Services.  Interacting with the Board of Trustees, students, faculty, and staff was a wonderful opportunity to serve the State of Colorado. I was a special education teacher at Summit Ridge Middle School during my first year of teaching.  

 

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

I am thrilled to be teaching 4th and 5th grade math!  The students are learning to be critical, mathematical thinkers who are able to solve multi-dimensional problems.  When we bring together math skills learned in lower grades and critical thinking skills learned in 4th and 5th grade, the results are dynamic!  

 

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

I graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1975 as a member of the 100th graduating class.  I attended the Colorado School of Mines for 3 and � year prior to enrolling in the Business School at the University of Colorado. 

Community News
  • High School Science teacher Lauren Watel is in Fairbanks, Alaska this week for orientation for her Arctic research experience with PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating).  Please click here to check out Ms. Watel's PolarTREC expedition website and read her journal entries. This June, Ms. Watel will head to Toolik Field Station which is located far north in Alaska for four weeks to work with Dr. Byron Crump of Oregon State University assisting with his project titled: What controls long-term changes in freshwater microbial community composition? The research team will collect water and soil samples and analyze the bacterial communities makeup (using DNA analysis) to determine how they change not only throughout a year, but how larger climate changes impact them as well. 
  • St. Elizabeth's School presents Welcome to the Magical Middle School Years on February 20 from 5:45 - 7:15 PM at neighboring Loyola Church in Denver. Veteran middle school principal, Marsha Hirsch, will share her expertise and provide sound advice for parents as they and their children begin this journey into their teens. With eight years experience as a middle school counselor and 22 years as a middle school principal, Marsha's career has been with the age group she most loves.  Appreciating the uniqueness of the middle school years, Marsha's tips for parents have stood the test of time.  Please click here for more information and to RSVP. 
  • Denver Jewish Day School is hosting a Girls Leadership Institute 2nd/3rd Grade Parent & Daughter Series: Nine Tools for True Friendship this March.  Participate in fun, engaging workshops where you and your daughter will build a common language, practice healthy approaches to conflict and learn authentic communication skills.  Each workshop is 90 minutes long, once a week, for four consecutive Mondays starting March 10.  Please click here for more information and to register. 
  • The Center for Women's Health Research and University of Colorado Hospital invite you to a Let's Talk event about Growing Strong Women -- Physically, Mentally and Emotionally.  Let's Talk is a campaign to educate women and girls on topics of health. The topics are presented by a panel of nationally-renowned experts, physicians and researchers who are teaming up to focus on important health questions that girls and women face every day.  This specific event will cater to girls and women, ages 10 to 99, about caring for yourself and making healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Please click here for more information and to register. 
Lower School News Events

News:

  • The Third Grade put on a wonderful music performance last Friday for their fellow Lower School students, teachers, parents and friends. They told the story of Beethoven's life and performed some of his music on recorders, metallophones and xylophones.   
  • The Destination Imagination "Helping Hands" Team is collecting playground toys for our sister school, Escuela de Guadalupe for Late Start Great Start, February 12 and 26. Please help by donating new toys: balls, frisbees, hula hoops, chalk, jump ropes and toy trucks.  Cash donations are also being accepted to purchase these items and bins to store them in

      

Events:

  • February 13, 9:30 AM, First & Second Grades to Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Cinderella
  • February 14, No Classes, Faculty Retreat Day
  • February 17 -18, Academy Closed, President's Day 
  • February 20, 7:30 AM, School Store Open for Fourth & Fifth Grade
  • February 21, 8:10 AM, Assembly, First & Second Grade Dance
  • February 25, Fourth & Fifth Grades to AmeriTowne
  • February 26, Late Start, classes begin at 9:05 AM  
  • February 28, 8:10 AM, Assembly, Science  
  • March 5, Ash Wednesday, No After School/Evening Activities 
  • March 5, 10:00 AM, LS/MS Mass, MS Commons
  • March 6, 7:30 AM, School Store Open for All Students  
  • March 6 - 8, 7:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 7, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 9, 2:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum 
  • March 12, Late Start, classes begin at 9:05 AM    
Middle School News & Events

News:

  • On Tuesday afternoon, the Middle School hosted the annual Courage for the Journey.  This event, organized and presented by Middle School Dads is an event designed only for the fathers and sons of the Middle School.  A special and unique event on the calendar, Courage for the Journey "is an event to bring together our sons and fathers to talk about things that are important to them.  It opens the door for further conversation, for true conversation among dads and sons," said Mrs. Ashley, Middle School principal.  Please click here to read more about Courage for the Journey.  

Events:

  • February 14, No Classes, Faculty Retreat Day
  • February 17 -18, Academy Closed, President's Day     
  • February 20, 11:40 AM, MS Mass, Commons   
  • February 21, 6:00 PM, MS to The Island
  • February 26, Late Start, classes begin at 9:05 AM
  • February 26, 7:00 PM, MS Concert, Forum
  • February 27, MS Health Fair
  • February 28, 2:30 PM, MS Trimester 2 Ceremony   
  • March 5, Ash Wednesday, No After School/Evening Activities  
  • March 5, 10:00 AM, LS/MS Mass, Commons
  • March 6 - 8, 7:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 7, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 9, 2:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum  
  • March 12, Late Start, classes begin at 9:05 AM
High School News & Events
News:
  • Yesterday was the 13th Annual Diversity Day, a cultural diversity celebration, in the High School. This year's theme Women of the World... We Can Do It! sparked great conversation and reflection. The day was sponsored by the Common Ground Club and included keynote speakers Reverend Heidi McGinness, an ordained Presbyterian Minister and Director of Outreach for Christian Solidarity Movement, and Dr. Kamleh Shaban '02, a Fulbright Scholar who studied Islamic medical ethics in Jordan and is a psychiatry resident at the University of Louisville. Along with breakout sessions on topics including modern day slavery, investing in girls education and starting and sustaining a non-profit, there was an international fashion and talent show as well as food sampling. The day ended with two sets of panel sessions, made up of alums, teachers and parents, and a slam poetry performance.  "We hope understanding diversity and appreciating it is not just a one day event but rather something we continue to talk about and work to make a difference however we can," said faculty member and Common Ground Club Advisor Debbie Horning.    
  • Mouse Mischief has entered the first-ever White House Student Film Festival, a video contest created just for K-12 students, and whose finalists will have their short films shown at the White House.  Videos entries highlight the power of technology in schools and address either how technology is used in the classroom or school or the role technology will play in education in the future. Click below to watch their video.
    Mouse Mischief 
     

Events:

  • February 12, 6:30 PM, 9th Grade Parent Book Club
  • February 14, No Classes, Faculty Retreat Day
  • February 17 -18, Academy Closed, President's Day    
  • February 22, 6:00 PM, HS Father/Daughter Dance, Forum
  • February 24, HS Spring Sports Practice Begins
  • February 25, 10:00 AM, StuCo Town Meeting
  • February 26, Late Start, classes begins at 9:05 AM   
  • February 27-28, HS Community Days
  • February 27, 8:30 AM, Senior Seminar    
  • March 4, 9:55 AM, Honors Assembly
  • March 3, 9:30 AM, Honors Assembly 
  • March 5, Ash Wednesday, No After School/Evening Activities   
  • March 5, 10:00 AM, HS Mass
  • March 6, Presentations of Learning
  • March 6, Junior Retreat 
  • March 6 - 8, 7:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 7, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 9, 2:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 10, 6:30 PM, HS Winter Sports Awards Ceremony, Forum
  • March 11, 10:00 AM, HS Concert, Forum
  • March 12, Late Start, classes begins at 9:05 AM  
  • March 12, 11:30 AM, HS Clubs
Admissions News

  • The Tuition Assistance website, www.sss.nais.org, is ready to accept your application for the 2014-2015 school year.  Please apply ASAP or contact the Admission Office with questions.  If you are currently receiving aid, you must submit an application each year along with the supporting documents. If you have any questions click here or feel free to make an appointment with Gracie Carr at [email protected].

  • Thank you for registering your students in such a prompt manner. If you have not returned your 2014-15 registration, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please call Gracie Carr at: 303-762-8300 ext. 205.
  • High School Admissions decisions are mailed on February 20, Middle School decisions on February 27 and Lower School decisions on March 6.
Advancement News
  • Thank you to our Gala sponsors, especially to our Title Sponsor, Mike Shaw Subaru and Suzanne & Michael Shaw. For a complete list of our sponsors, click here. Interested in being a sponsor? Benefits include reserved seating and complimentary drink tickets at the Gala, recognition on SMA's website and in the Gala invitation and an advertisement in the Gala program. For more information and to sign-up, click here.   

  • 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: 55
    Total $ amount reloaded: $19,385
    SMA Net: $969.25
    Thanks to everyone who is participating in our Grocery Certificate program - every dollar helps. It's never too late to join in by using the card we gave you last fall! Let's all use our cards, RELOAD and support SMA! Need a reloadable King Soopers card? Contact Amy Albi at 303.762.8300 ext. 285. Thank you! 
  • 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 February 11, 2014.

Alumnae News
  • Many alumnae were on the campus yesterday for the High School 13th Annual Diversity Day, a cultural diversity celebration. This year's theme Women of the World... We Can Do It! sparked great conversation and reflection.  The day was sponsored by the Common Ground Club and included keynote speakers Reverend Heidi McGinness, an ordained Presbyterian Minister and Director of Outreach for Christian Solidarity Movement, and Dr. Kamleh Shaban '02, a Fulbright Scholar who studied Islamic medical ethics in Jordan and is a psychiatry resident at the University of Louisville. Along with breakout sessions on topics including modern day slavery, investing in girls education and starting and sustaining a non-profit, there was an international fashion and talent show as well as food sampling.  The day ended with two sets of panel sessions and a slam poetry performance.  Many alumnae took part in the day as speakers and panelist presenters including, Rebecca Britz MS '10, a senior at Heritage High School, abolitionist and defender of human rights, Allison Grenney '06, founder of  EduKate, Taylor Carver '06, founder of Calico International, Latrice Lee '02, Sales Account Coordinator for Rocky Mountain PBS, Nancy Cruz '07, Grant Administrator/Quinceanera Program Coordinator for FRIENDS FIRST, INC., Indya Clark '08, Assistant Director of College Counseling at Arrupe Jesuit High School and Sarahi Hernandez '11 community organizer and activist.  
  • All Academy Musical Alumnae Reception
    Thursday, March 6
    5:00 p.m. Reception in the Graham Family Volunteer and Alumnae Room in the Sanders House
    6:00 p.m. Peter Pan in the Forum
    Join your fellow alumnae for a glass of wine and light appetizers before we head over to the Forum to see Peter Pan. All alumnae receive two complimentary tickets to the production. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
Athletic News

News:

  • Senior Alexa Beckwith has been selected as the 2014 Diving Sportswoman of Colorado for the second consecutive year.
    Alexa is gearing up to compete for her fourth state title this weekend.  
  • Good luck to our Wildcats at the Swim & Dive State Championship meet on Friday and Saturday. SMA will compete in all 3 relays as well as 5 individual events and be represented by Alexa Beckwith, Kat Harhai, Kate Melberg, Madi Norton, Alex Reddington, Sophia Richardson, Holly Sommers, and Claire State.   

Games:

  • February 12:
    • 3:30 PM, Girls 7th Navy, Girls 6th & Girls 8th Silver Basketball vs. Stanley British @ SBPS
    • 3:30 PM, Boys 7th, Boys 6th & Boys 8th Basketball vs. Stanley British @ SMA
    • 6:00 PM, Varsity Basketball vs. Manual @ Manual   
  • February 14:
    • 4:00 PM, Varsity Swim @ State Swim Prelims, EPIC Ft. Collins
  • February 15:
    • 9:00 AM, Varsity Dive @ State Dive Prelims, EPIC Ft. Collins
    • 2:00 PM, Varsity Swim & Dive @ Swim/Dive Finals, EPIC Ft. Collins 
  • February 18:  
    • 5:30 PM, JV & Varsity Basketball vs. Jefferson HS @ JHS
  • February 19:
    • 3:45 PM, Girls 7th Navy & Girls 8th Navy Basketball vs. Kent Denver @ KD
    • 3:45 PM, Boys 7th & Boys 8th Basketball vs. Kent Denver @ SMA 

 

 

Inclement Weather Policy and Notification
In the 2013-14 school year, SMA implemented a Notification System through the Infinite Campus program.  We will use this notification system in the event of a school closure or delay due to weather.  Notification can go via text, voice and email according to the information the school has on your Infinite Campus profile. If you would like to change that information, please call the division office.  
 
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 send a message via Infinite Campus Notification System, record a message on our main phone line: 303.762.8300, and post an announcement on our website, www.smanet.org.

 

Additionally, we will share any school closing or schedule change with the 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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