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Challenge Foundation
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SMA Summer
A Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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It Must be August
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 It's been a busy summer here at St. Mary's Academy with a successful British Challenger Soccer Camp, three full sessions of SMA Academy Adventures camp, private music lessons, fun math and writing camps, and closing with the National Organic World Languages Bootcamp (OWL). The campus has remained busy as the teachers prepare for the students' arrival in just a few weeks. We wanted to share a few things and are looking forward to having everyone back for a successful 2015-2016 school year.
Orientation Days are August 27 and 28.
We look forward to seeing you on campus during Orientation Days. Remember that each division has its own schedule those days. You will hear from your school office about what time to be here for Orientation.
While you are on campus, check out the Quad to learn about lunch services, after school activities, pick up your school directory and purchase apparel. We hear there will be a big sale on apparel...up to 50% off prices!! Stop by early!
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Extraordinary AP Calculus Results - 25 out of 25!
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In May, many SMA high school girls sit for more than a dozen AP exams. Due to our impressive teachers, our girls are extremely prepared for their exams and perform with very well. This year, there was an extraordinary result in the national AP Calculus AB and BC exams: all 25 students received the highest possible score of 5.
Teacher Iswari Natarajan wrote in an email to Academy President Deirdre Cryor: "I just checked the scores and I am still in disbelief. We had 25 girls take the test and each one of them got a 5. I looked at the scoresheet again and again to make sure I was seeing it right. It is an incredible result and I am so proud and happy for each one of my students. I feel so blessed and thankful to be part of such an amazing school. I do believe we created some kind of history here!"
Said principal Kathryn McNamee,"This is more than impressive both for students and Iswari! These results demonstrate the enthusiasm students and Iswari share for higher mathematics and students' desire to excel."
According to the College Board an overview of the scores on a national level will be available in the fall.
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Welcome to Florence Swanson, Lower School Principal
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Hello to all of my Lower School students and families! There has been a lot of excitement in the Lower School this summer and I am looking forward to seeing all of you. My husband and I are officially moved from Arizona and have been settling into our new home here in Denver. There has been some work in the Lower School and the entry and front office have had a beautiful makeover. I have enjoyed my summer here at St. Mary's Academy and had a chance to meet and talk to everyone on the Lower School faculty. Their love for their students and this school are evident, and I feel very blessed to be leading the Lower School as this new year begins. Enjoy this beautiful summer and be ready to jump into a fantastic school year! See you on campus soon!
Sincerely,
Florence Swanson
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MS World Issues Teacher Andy Blair Selected for USIP Program
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Andy Blair has been accepted into the first class of the US Institute of Peace (USIP) Teachers Program. USIP is an independent, nonpartisan institution to increase the nation's capacity to manage international conflict without violence. The initial cohort will be comprised of six teachers across the nation. This program is designed to train teachers to build peace builders in the classroom and for those teachers to develop material and share experiences that other teachers could use.
Andy states: "The best part about it is that it will help me develop a better class experience designed around not just learning about World Issues, but becoming people actively doing something to help those issues."
USIP motto: Think. Act. Teach. Train.
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Community News
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Register now for the 12th Annual Graham Family Golf Tournament benefiting St. Mary's Academy! The tournament is limited to 120 players and is filling up fast!
Hole Sponsor opportunities are still available. Click here for more information.
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A Big Thank You from Advancement
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Thanks to your participation and generosity, St. Mary's Academy:
- Raised more than $362,000 vs. our goal of $350,000 for the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund provides resources that our students and faculty use every day.
- Raised more than $50,000 at the 11th annual Graham Family Golf Tournament which benefits performing arts and technology.
- Raised more than $249,000 for the Tuition Assistance Fund and Science at the 2015 Gala.
- Raised more than $5 Million towards our $10 Million Capital Campaign goal.
- Increased St. Mary's Academy Endowment.
Whether you participated in one or all of the fundraising efforts listed above, we want you to know that we appreciate your support of St. Mary's Academy during the 2014 - 2015 school year. Every gift matters!
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Alumnae News
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Thank you for your generosity! SMA Alumnae raised $38,400 for the Annual Fund and achieved 8.6% participation! Your gift provides resources that students and faculty use every day!
Alumnae Volleyball Reunion
Monday, August 17
6:00 p.m.
Bishop Evans Sports Center
The Alumnae Volleyball Reunion is almost here! Come back to SMA and play with your fellow alumnae against the current Varsity Volleyball team. After the game, join us for a casual dinner and reminisce about the days of yore. Thank you to our sponsor, Laura Grisenti de Luna. Click here to RSVP Reunion Weekend 2015
October 2 - 4
Traditional events such as the Golden Graduates Luncheon, Blue & White Reception and Family Day at SMA will be held on SMA's campus. For more information, please click here.
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Advancement News
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As the 2015-2016 school year gets underway, watch for weekly emails about the following:
- Carpool guidelines
- Volunteer opportunities
- New Parent events
- SMA Apparel
- Bingo Night, Grandparents Day, Reunion Weekend
- Back To School Orientation
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Admissions Updates
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We wish to extend a warm welcome to those who are new to our SMA community. A special thanks to our parent and student ambassadors who have done such a spectacular job contacting our new families and students. We are grateful to everyone who recommends SMA to friends, family and neighbors!
The Admissions Department is embarking on a new season of tours, student visits, SMA Preview days, JK/K Coffees, and our High School Open House. We invite you to volunteer to be greeters and guides for these events. If you are interested, the dates are listed under the Admissions tab on the website. Take a look and contact us if you can volunteer on any of those days. Thank you!
-Gracie Carr
Director of Admissions
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High School Costa Rica Trip
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In mid-June 23 SMA students, teachers Ms. Pfeifer and Ms. Rutan and a Walking Tree Travel Representative traveled to Costa Rica. In two weeks the energetic group completed 12 hours of language classes, ziplined, hiked in a cloud forest, lived with families in a farming community, built a wall, painted a mural and surfed like pros. It was marvelous. Please enjoy the photos on the blog.
Thank you to all who made this out-of-this-world trip possible!
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Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party
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Pete Sniegowski (SMA Astronomy Club Sponsor) would like to invite all faculty, staff, students and parents of students at St. Mary's Academy. The SMA Astronomy Club will be hosting a Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party on the night of August 12th behind the Middle School.
The party will start at 8PM and finish up around 10:30PM. Bring a blanket, lawn chair, binoculars or whatever will help you kick back and hunt for shooting stars for a couple of hours. Restrooms will be available in Bishop Evans. We will have at least two of our telescopes set up to view more distant objects than meteors. Come one, come all, just remember that we do have neighbors and we will want to be fairly quiet during the star party.
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Did you know there is an SMA app?
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Our app is available as a free download at the App store. If you want a quick reference for the next event, or game, or many of the resources that you find on our website, you will find this tool very handy. Available for iOS or Android devices.
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