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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy 
Welcome to the 2015-16 academic year, our 151st year!  The Wildcat Weekly includes news from the Academy and updates on events and activities happening on campus. Watch for the Weekly in your email inbox every Wednesday afternoon.  If you have news to share, please email Nichole Battleday in the President's Office at nbattleday@stmarys.academy.  And, be sure to read my weekly blog. 
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President

Welcome New Faculty!

St. Mary's Academy is pleased to welcome 15 new faculty and staff to school this year!   

 

A great big warm SMA welcome to: Shelley Ann Baker, HS Science; Jordan Fouts '01, Annual Funds/Grant Coordinator; Megan Honig '06, LS Science; Michelle Irwin '90, 2nd Grade Teacher; Christine Jones, HS Science; Jason Jung, Cross Divisional MS/HS Art & MS Trip Support; Ashley Knopp, HS French Teacher; Sabine Lerus-Watson, MS French Teacher; Kelli Logan, HS Athletics Director; Bridget McGann, 2nd Grade Teacher; Julie Nowasell, Staff Accountant; Florence Swanson, LS Principal; and Casey Zoellner '06, HS Math & English Teacher.

Community News
New Parent Events
We welcome parents to join us for their special events listed below so we can meet you and you can meet each other.  We look forward to hosting these events and seeing everyone there!

Please join us:
  • September 1, 5:30 PM, Grade 9 and New to Grades 10-12 Parent Dinner, HS Forum
  • September 4, 8:15 AM, Grades 1-8 New Parent Breakfast, HS Forum
  • September 8, 8:15 AM, Grades 1-8 New Parent Breakfast, HS Forum 

  • September 11, 8:15 AM, Grades 1-8 New Parent Breakfast, HS Forum


Lower School News & Events
News:

 

Update From Florence Swanson, LS Principal:
 
The Lower School is starting to get busy as teachers return from summer vacations to prepare their classrooms and plan for the upcoming year.  We have had a chance to meet several times, and have some great plans for the 2015-16 school year.  

Our assembly days will be on Wednesday this year, and we will have those on the calendar soon.  This year, students will wear their blue and white spirit wear on those days.  

During the summer I have had the opportunity to be a part of several school tours during the admission process for new students.  As I have walked through this beautiful campus and Lower School taking part in tours, I continue to learn about the history and programs that serve our students from junior kindergarten all the way through high school. What an amazing place this is!  I am so very excited to be leading the Lower School this year.  

Enjoy the last days of summer and be ready for a great year together! 

Upcoming Events:

  • August 26, 5:30PM, JK/Kindergarten New Parents Night
  • September 3, 6-7PM, Lower School Back to School Night for Parents

Middle School News & Events
News:
  • Peru information meeting: Thursday, August 27th, 6-7PM, in the Middle School. This meeting is for parents and students in 7th and 8th grade who would like to learn more about the service leadership trip to Peru November 12th through November 25th.
  • Thursday, August 27th, 9-11AM, is Pre-Orientation Day for students & parents that have never been a part of the SMA community.  Come meet your teachers and familiarize yourself with the Middle School.
  • Friday, August 28th, 9-11:30AM, is Orientation Day for all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the Middle School.  Please wear dress code.
  • Middle School Sports Orientation: Following Middle School Student Orientation on Friday, August 28th, there will be a Middle School Sports Orientation for all athletes and parents.  The orientation will take place in Bishop Evans Sports Center from 11:30-12:15.  The athletic department will cover information regarding Expectations & Responsibilities of SMA athletes, the Wildcat Award criteria, as well as schedules, transportation, safety and general information.  Immediately following the general session, all Fall coaches will meet briefly with their respective teams.
  • Wholesome Food Services, our lunch caterer,  will have a food tasting in the quad beginning at 10:30AM.  Come see and hear about the lunch program for the middle school. 
  • Please remember to bring your middle school forms with you to orientation!  
Upcoming Events: 
  • September 2, 6:30-8PM, Back To School Night for Parents
 
High School News & Events
News:
  • This summer, a group of High School girls were fortunate enough to go on a trip to France.  After a 10-hour flight they embarked on a journey full of museums, wonderful food, amazing sights, and beautiful scenery. They also experienced a night in a hostel, as well as visiting with a host family in their home for their last week in Carcassonne.
  • Please check out the trip journal, written by students, as well as more pictures from their travels in France.
  • During the last week of July, St. Mary's Academy was happy to host the National Organic World Languages (OWL) Bootcamp on campus.  Along with educators nationwide, our teachers Celsa Rutan, Kelly Rodgers, Ashley Knopp and Eliza Pfeiffer participated as well as helped to coordinate the conference   More than 60 educators attended the conference. 
    Elementary through high school teachers familiar with OWL teaching practices as well as teachers brand new to OWL attended the event.  Additionally there were a variety of languages represented, including French, German, Chinese, Hebrew, Spanish and more. 
    Through workshops and conversations, the gathering focused on how students learn best and what practices teachers can use to maximize not only student learning, but student excitement and motivation!  Through collaboration, teachers created resources and tools to demonstrate student growth. 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

  • August 19-20, High School College Counseling Sessions
  • September 1, 5:30PM, High School New Parents Night

Admissions News
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. Thank you to everyone who continues to recommend 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 here. Take a look and contact us if you can volunteer on any of those days. Thank you!

Advancement News

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.

We need you!  Click here for Volunteer Opportunities!

SMA has gift cards available for upcoming events and celebrations!  We've got one stop shopping for you! Questions, please contact Carolyn Wilson in the Business Office at cwilson@smanet.org or click here for more information.

Alumnae News

2015 Volleyball Reunion:
The Alumnae Volleyball Reunion took place on Monday, August 17 and was a great evening of memories, fun and exciting competition.  

The "experienced" alumnae team narrowly beat the "young" alumnae team in three hard-fought matches while members of the Varsity team cheered from the stands!

 


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 again this year.  We hope you can make it!  For more information, click here.

 


Athletic News
Fall Sports season is underway.  For details and schedules, contact the Athletics Office, check the calendar on your mobile device App, or visit the website.
Go Wildcats!
Get Out Your Mobile Device: The SMA App is here!
It has arrived. Download the app today to your iOS or Android device!
Have instant information about sports schedules, resources for classes, late start information or snow days! We would love your feedback! Simply type "St. Mary's Academy" in the search field of App Store. Enjoy this handy tool.

Deirdre V. Cryor
   
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