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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 that school is in session.  If you have news to share, please email Lindsey Lopez in the President's Office at [email protected]. And, be sure to click here to read my weekly blog. 
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President 
Phil Gentry Named 2015 Metro League Hall of Fame Inductee

SMA is pleased to share that High School faculty member and basketball coach, Phil Gentry will be inducted into the Metropolitan League Hall of Fame this month.  This distinguished award honors outstanding contribution and service to the Metro League and high school athletics.  Phil's dedication and accomplishments over the last 20 years as SMA head varsity coach certainly make him most deserving of this honor.  As a Class of 2015 inductee, Phil will join other highly regarded coaches and athletic directors who have made a significant contribution through sport, including our own Kim Vance who was inducted in 2002.   Phil will be honored at the 33rd annual Metro League Hall of Fame banquet on Thursday, May 28.  


With over 230 wins as head coach of our Wildcats, Phil celebrates many accomplishments over the last 20 years.  As the Head Varsity basketball coach he has led SMA to 8 "Round of 32" appearances in the 3A State Tournament, 4 "Sweet 16" appearances, and an Elite 8 appearance in 2007.  He has been honored as Metro League Coach of the Year and led SMA to a Metro League Championship in 1998 and League Division Championships in 2009 & 2010. Additionally, Phil was the head cross country coach for 4 years and led the team to an 8th place State finish in 1996.  

 

As a valued colleague and member of the SMA community, Phil wears many hats as a teacher, director of college counseling, and head coach. His strong values, willingness to help others, and leadership have influenced and impacted countless student-athletes over the past two decades.  Phil has dedicated himself to leading the program, sharing his passion, and providing opportunities to get players of all ages involved in the sport.  He is already back in the gym this spring gearing up for summer league, team camp, and next season.

 

ConCATulations, Coach Gentry! 

Alex Weil Runner Up at State Tennis Finals this Morning
Senior Alex Weil competed in the 4A State Tennis Finals in Pueblo this morning and is the State Runner Up in the #1 Singles position!  She won the semifinals Tuesday, May 12 in her matches against Julie Pentz from Niwot. This morning she played against Tatum Berger from Steamboat Springs, who is this year's state champion.  

Also representing the Wildcats at State were freshman Sarah Emmanuel and sophomore Daria Boulos who competed for #3 Doubles.

 

Congratulations, Alex, on a wonderful tennis career at SMA and thank you to Coach Zac Hood and the entire tennis team for another great year on the courts!

Summer Camp Spots are Filling Fast
Spots for Academy Adventures and Wildcat Sports Camps are still available, but filling fast!

Click here to see the schedule for 2015 Academy Adventures summer camp and additional camp programs facilitated by St. Mary's Academy including Count Me In math camps for Lower School age girls and Get it in Writing essay booster course for Middle and High School age students. 


Wildcat Sports Camps registration is also still available!  Gain skill development and game experience in lacrosse, cross-country, tennis, field hockey and volleyball!  Click here to check out all the athletic camps offered this summer and to register today!
Welcoming Julie Nowasell to SMA's Business Office

St. Mary's Academy welcomes Julie Nowasell as the new staff accountant to the Business Office.  Julie joins SMA after serving as staff accountant at Opera Colorado for the last 16 years.  While her work is mostly done behind the scenes, Julie is often the first person parents, students, and faculty see when entering the Business Office in Sanders House!  Says Julie of her transition to SMA, "I am very happy to be part of SMA's vibrant and nurturing community."  

 

Julie began working in April to support current Business Manager, Patty Disney, as she transitions to CFO at the end of this school year.  Patty will be replacing current CFO/Director of Operations Janet O'Halloran as she celebrates her retirement after 16 years in the role. 

All Academy & Community Happenings
  • Graduation gifts, teacher gifts, Mother's Day or Father's Day gifts!  St. Mary's Academy has the answer!  Order gift cards for all your end of the year needs.  We have a wide range of gift cards available and SMA will receive 3 - 10% on each card sold. Click here for the order form and return to any school office or the Business Office in the Sanders House.  Please contact Kathleen Hogan in the Advancement Office with questions. 

  • Don't forget your 150th Book!  The year is almost over. Do you have your book?  It's a perfect gift for graduation and continuation, a thoughtful hostess gift, and a keepsake your children will look back on with pride.  Sister Regina is happy to personalize and gift wrap your copy.  Click here for an order form. Return it with your payment and you'll have your book the next day!  Books are also available in school offices, in the Sanders House, at LS Friday Assemblies or email Sister Regina.  Price: $40 for one copy; $35 for two or more copies. We will mail books for an additional $5.00 per book.  Your family will enjoy it for years to come!

  • The South University Farmers' Market is now open!  Shop on Fridays between May 1 and October 30, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  The Farmers' Market is located at 6400 S. University at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit.  

  • Helping Boys Thrive Summit, with keynote Michael Gurian on June 12, 2015 at Regis Jesuit High School, Aurora, CO.  For parents, teachers, counselors, and others who wish to engage, explore and educate themselves on the risks faced by today's young men in order to learn how to nurture, support, and educate boys. Some breakout sessions are targeted toward professionals and some to parents. All sessions provide evidence-based practical strategies that can be used in homes, offices, schools, and other environments.  Click here for more information and to register.
Lower School News & Events
News:
  • The musicians of St. Mary's Academy are at it again!  Congratulations to the LS Advanced Band for their performance in the lobby of the Lakewood Cultural Arts Center this last Saturday, May 9.  Pictured above left, they entertained patrons before the Colorado Wind Ensemble Concert and did a wonderful job! Also, pictured above right, the LS members of the Presto Orchestra performed for residents of the Englewood Meridian recently.  For some residents, it is not easy to get out to attend a concert, so SMA takes the music to them. Please join us for our final concert of the year, featuring Lower School and Middle School musicians on Monday, May 18, at 6:30 PM.  Groups featured will be the Lower School Bands, Choir, and Orchestras, and Middle School Choir, Handbells, and Orchestra.

  • Third grade Pioneers, what a great day and a super assembly!  A cherished tradition for third grade students, Pioneer Day took place last Thursday, May 7.  With the help of their teachers and parent volunteers, the students culminated their learning about the Oregon Trail by reenacting activities of the time including churning butter (pictured at right), panning for gold, and hand-washing laundry right on the quad!  Check out SMA in Pictures for more photos of the day very soon!

  • There are still spots available for the Lower School Kids Night Out on Friday, May 15. To purchase your spots, call Molly del Monte in the Advancement Office at (303)762-8300 ext. 283 or drop off a check with Jackie in the Lower School Office. Be sure to specify for which student you are purchasing a spot. The cost is $50 per student. For more information, view page 35 of our Gala Catalog. Spots will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
  • First and second grade dads: Don't forget Donuts for Dads Day is Thursday, May 21 at 8:00 AM!
  • Parents of girls in grades 2-5: Spots for 2015 Count Me In Math Camp for Girls are still available!  Let your daughter join us to enhance her math skills through engaging and purposeful games and activities created specifically for young girls.  With an approach that's out of the box and away from the desk, your daughter will work collaboratively with other girls her age to solve problems and strengthen her math skills-all while having fun!  Click here for online registration.
    • For girls entering grades 4-5 in Fall 2015: July 27 - 31, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • For girls entering grades 2-3 in Fall 2015: August 3 - 7, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Events this Week:

  • Friday, May 15
    • Assembly featuring Band and Orchestra, 8:10 AM
    • Kids Night Out, 5:30 PM
  • Saturday, May 16; 10:00 AM; High School Graduation 
  • Monday, May 18; 6:30 PM; LS/MS Concert in the Forum.
Middle School News & Events 
News:
  • Next year's seventh and eighth grade parents and students interested in applying to travel to Peru as an SMA ambassador this coming November are invited to the Peru trip parent/student information meeting on Thursday, May 14 from 6:30-7:30 PM with Mrs. Ashley in Mr. Easton's room.  You will hear about:
    • Why we offer the trip,
    • What Ollantaytambo, Peru is like,
    • Who the World Leadership School is,
    • What the itinerary has been and
    • How much time and money is involved.
  • The musicians of St. Mary's Academy are at it again.  The Presto Orchestra and the Middle School Orchestra recently performed for residents of the Englewood Meridian.  For some residents it is not easy to get out to attend a concert, so SMA takes the music to them!  Please join us for our final concert of the year, featuring Lower School and Middle School musicians on Monday, May 18, at 6:30 PM.  Groups featured will be the Lower School Bands, Choir, and Orchestras, and Middle School Choir, Handbells, and Orchestra.

  • Spots for 2015 Get it in Writing! camp are still available.  This Persuasive Essay Booster Course is the simple way to master the basic format of every paper students will have to write, from now through college and beyond.  These seminar-style classes give students the individual help necessary to rapidly improve daily class composition.  The course is taught by Ann Ferrell who is an Adjunct Professor of English at Community College of Denver and has also taught at Regis University, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and Red Rocks Community College. If you have any questions about the writing course, please contact Ms. Ferrell directly.  The course will be taking place at SMA on July 6 - 9, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, for students entering grades 6 - 8 in Fall 2015.  Click here for online registration.

  • There are still spots available for the Middle School May Madness Knockout Championship. In this fun competition, students in will compete in a basketball "knockout" shooting contest. Winners in each grade level will receive $25 in gift card prizes, a picture in the Wildcat Weekly and bragging rights! The competition will take place during school hours on a TBD day in May. To purchase your spots, call Molly del Monte in the Advancement Office at (303)762-8300 ext. 283 or drop off a check with Ms. Siennicki in the Middle School Office. Be sure to specify for which student you are purchasing a spot. The cost is $10 per student. 
  • MS students headed to the SMA High School:  Math and Spanish placement tests are being the week of May 18. 
    • Math placement tests for all incoming freshmen are being held on Monday, May 18 at 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM in Room 3 of the High School.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Iswari
    • Spanish placement tests for incoming freshmen who have had previous Spanish courses are being held on Wednesday, May 20 at 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM in Room 6 of the High School.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pfeifer.

Events this Week: 

  • Thursday, May 14
    • Registrations galore for sixth and seventh grade students!
      • Deadline for preferred elective/fine arts forms.
      • Sports Lotteries will be taking place during students' respective PE times. 
    • Peru trip parent/student information meeting at 6:30 PM in Mr. Easton's room.
  • Friday, May 15; Olympic Day!  No regular classes, but students should meet in first period for roll call.
  • Saturday, May 16; 10:00 AM; High School Graduation 
High School News & Events
News:
  • On April 23, junior McKinley Hamilton received recognition from the American Chemical Society as one of the state's top chemistry students this year!  The event took place at the Colorado School of Mines.  Ms. Greta Glugoski-Sharp proudly nominated McKinley for this prestigious award.  She is pictured at right during the special ceremony. 
  • Thank you to the ninth grade families who provided and served a delicious and abundant Tuesday Treats lunch buffet for the last Teacher Lunch event of this school year!  HS teachers shared how much they appreciated the luncheon.  There were many leftovers so teachers will be enjoying lunch for the rest of this week!  Special thanks to parents Paige Burkeholder and Ginny Crise who coordinated the lunch.

  • Spots for 2015 Get it in Writing! camp are still available.  This Persuasive Essay Booster Course is the simple way to master the basic format of every paper students will have to write, from now through college and beyond.  These seminar-style classes give students the individual help necessary to rapidly improve daily class composition.  The course is taught by Ann Ferrell who is an Adjunct Professor of English at Community College of Denver and has also taught at Regis University, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and Red Rocks Community College.  If you have any questions about the writing course, please contact Ms. Ferrell directly.  The course will be taking place at SMA on July 6 - 9 from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM, for students entering grade 9 - 12 in Fall 2015.  Click here for online registration.

  • Math and Spanish placement tests are being the week of May 18. 
    • Math placement tests for all incoming freshmen are being held on Monday, May 18 at 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM in Room 3 of the High School.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Iswari
    • Spanish placement tests for incoming freshmen who have had previous Spanish courses are being held on Wednesday, May 20 at 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM in Room 6 of the High School.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pfeifer.

Events this Week:

  • Thursday, May 14; 9:30 AM; Graduation Practice
  • Saturday, May 16; 10:00 AM; High School Graduation 
  • Monday, May 18; 6:30 PM; Math placement tests for all incoming freshmen.
  • Tuesday, May 19
    • STUCO Elections
    • Ninth Grade Movie Night; 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday, May 20; 4:00 PM; Spanish placement test for incoming freshmen who have had previous Spanish courses.
Admissions News

On behalf of the entire Admissions team, we would like to THANK our SMA families--both new and re-enrolling!  We are so grateful for your participation in the life of SMA and we love educating your children! 

 

If you have any questions pertaining to Admissions, please contact Gracie Carr, Admissions Director, at (303)762-8300 x205.

Advancement News

  • We are just over $30,000 from reaching the Annual Fund Goal of $350,000.  Will you help us get there???  Annual Fund money supports all divisions, athletics, fine arts, performing arts, furniture for the new Community Center, and teacher appreciation.  Help us Be 1 for 100%.  Click here to view the Presidents Partnership list and click here for the latest Grade Level giving list.

 

 
  • There are many other ways you can support SMA!  Here are a few to consider:
    • Matching Gifts- Your employer may double or even triple your gift to SMA.  Obtain information from your company's Human Resources office to initiate a match.
    • Loretto Legacy SocietyAll generous donors who inform SMA of their plans to include St. Mary's Academy in their will or estate plan, will become members of St. Mary's Loretto Legacy Society.  Contact Director of Advancement, Charlie Arbogast to learn more.
    • Donate Your Car- The donation of your car can also benefit SMA!  Click on the image below to learn more.  

    

 

Alumnae News

The final Alumnae Board meeting of the school year will be held on Tuesday, May 19. The Alumnae Board is a group of dedicated alumnae who meet throughout the year to discuss issues within the SMA Alumnae Community, to plan alumnae events and to assist in fundraising efforts targeting alumnae. 

 

Board members serve as a liaison between the school and the alumnae community, and they act as ambassadors for St. Mary's Academy.  Stephanie Landin '81 serves as chair. 

 

If you are interested in joining for the 2015-16 school year, please email Molly del Monte.

Athletics News

Thank you for all who turned out last week to Fill the Hill and congratulations to the MS Boys Lacrosse team, who defeated Kent Denver and remain undefeated.  They play again tomorrow, Thursday, May 14 at 4:30 PM at SMA against Stanley British.

 

Spring Sports Awards Banquet will be Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 PM in the Community Center lunchroom.  Please come support our spring sports athletes as they receive their team and individual awards!

 

For more details and schedules, contact the Athletics Office, check the calendar on your mobile device App, or visit the SMA athletics website.  

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