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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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 Happy Fall in the Academy President's Blog:
What a dynamic time in the school year. Through the remaining weeks of October, we have much to do on campus and in celebration of St. Mary's Academy.
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
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Eight Weeks of Giving: Annual Fund Supports STREAM
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 "I love the new iPads. They help you learn in a fun new way!" - Isabella, Grade 6
Did you know that Annual Fund dollars help to support key campus initiatives such as the cross-divisional 1:1 student iPad program? With a cost of $500 each, your gift this year will help to put iPad technology into students' hands to enhance their learning in Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math (STREAM).
During this first week of the Eight Weeks of Giving campaign, please take a moment to learn more about SMA's use of iPads in the Middle School and STREAM initiatives on campus in this video featuring the sixth grade class and High School student Kristina Karisch.
You can also click here to read more about what your Annual Fund donation will specifically support during the current school year.
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SMAbotics_AG Gearing Up for Saturday's BEST Game Day!
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 With a 24-person roster (SMA's biggest team yet!), the SMA Robotics All Girl team is looking forward to Saturday's Rocky Mountain BEST Game Day competition. Standing for Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology, the host organization provides the 34 participating school teams with identical kits containing all materials and equipment necessary to construct a robot for the BEST competition.
On Saturday, at the Auraria Campus Events Center, the seeding matches among robots will commence at 10:00 AM with the excitement building as the day progresses. The 'round of 8' starts at 2:00 PM and the finals will occur from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
According to High School teacher and Lead Coach, Dave Gesler, "The girls have worked really well as a team and really hard on all aspects of this competition this season." SMAbotics_AG, which is comprised of 12 seniors, one junior, nine sophomores, and two freshmen, have a really strong robot this year and are confident in making it to the afternoon and finals.
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Community News
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 The Standing O's is the new parent group which supports the Performing Arts at St. Mary's Academy. From providing meals and snacks during rehearsals, working the box office, planning play cast parties, and everything in between, the Standing O's provide encouragement and recognition to Performing Ensembles directors and members. Join the Standing O's in supporting the Performing Arts in the following ways: - The first High School Concert is tonight, Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 PM in the HS Forum. The ensembles performing will be The HS Orchestra, the Academy Singers and SAIMARAC! The Standing O's ask that attendees participate in "Cans at Concerts," the Music Sorority's Community Service Project. Although tickets to all SMA concerts are free, we encourage you to share some non-perishable items for a local food kitchen. Depositories are by each of the entry doors.
- The next performance is the comedy, THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB on November 5, 6, and 7 at 7:00 PM in the HS Forum. Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives. THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of thirty-three years-from the time the women are 44-77 years of age. Tickets are $6.00 each. Please contact Roberta Hamilton-Griggs for tickets.
- The SMA Presto Orchestra will once again have the honor of performing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, prior to a Colorado Ballet production of The Nutcracker. The Presto Orchestra consists of LS, MS and HS students. This event will take place on Sunday, December 12. The matinee begins at 1:00 PM, and our orchestra will perform for a full 45-50 minutes in the lobby of the Ellie Caulkins, once the doors open at 12:00 PM to the general public. To place a ticket order, please click here or contact Cherie Swisher. We hope to see you there!
- One St. Anne's is pleased to present An Evening with Brad Corrigan on Monday, October 26 at SAES at 6:30 PM. (Brad Corrigan is a musician and advocate of social justice.) Listen to his music and hear what he has to say about poverty's global impact. Click here to learn more, or click here to RSVP. Kindly RSVP if you plan to attend to ensure enough seating is prepared in St. Anne's Performing Arts Facility.
- SMA's commemorative book will be available at Lower and Middle School conferences this week. Drop by and get your copy or do some early Christmas shopping for out of town family!
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Lower School News & Events
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Parents: Please take a short survey about our Lower School Friday newsletters. We appreciate your feedback! Click here to begin.
- The Lower School Faculty has been busy working with our students on reading and literacy. Each student has had an individual reading assessment, which allows us to individualize their instruction. LS Faculty and staff professional development during Late Start next week will be focused on writing, both for reading and math.
 Shop the SMA Book Fair today! Click here to visit the online site. This is a great resource to send wish lists to family and friends as well as browse an expanded book selection - all ages through adult. All orders ship free to the school! Or, stop by the LS Gym before or after your conferences today until 7:30 PM, Thursday from 12:00-7:30 PM, or Friday 7:30 AM-12:00 PM.
- Speaking of books, SMA's commemorative 150th Anniversary book will be available at Lower School conferences this week. Drop by and get your copy or do some early Christmas shopping for out of town family!
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 Inspired by Pope Francis' call to care for the Earth, second grade students participated in "Catholic Schools: Stewards of our Common Home," a project sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association. The NCTE collected stories from schools across the country. The collection will be presented to the Pope during the World Congress of Catholic Schools next month in Rome. SMA wrote about institutional and classroom actions - the geothermal system in the Community Center and a lesson in second grade. The students listened to The Great Kapok Tree, a tale about the interdependence of all living things, and then wrote about ways they can care for the Earth. Their ideas included picking up trash, recycling, riding bikes, turning off lights, planting a garden, and helping endangered animals.
Events:
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Thursday, October 22; 12:00 PM-7:30 PM: Lower School Conferences & Book Fair, No Classes
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Wednesday, October 28: Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM. Students wear blue and white!
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Thursday, October 29; 5:30 PM: Bingo Night in the Forum. Click here to r.s.v.p.
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Middle School News & Events
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 News:
- Don't forget to sign up for conferences on October 22 & 23! If you did not receive the email, please contact Diane Siennicki at 303-762-8300, ext. 250.
- Shop the SMA Book Fair today! Click here to visit the online site. This is a great resource to send wish lists to family and friends as well as browse an expanded book selection - all ages through adult. All orders ship free to the school! Or, stop by the LS Gym before or after your conferences Thursday from 12:00-7:30 PM, or Friday 7:30 AM-12:00 PM.
- SMA's commemorative 150th Anniversary book will be available at Middle School conferences this week. Drop by and get your copy or do some early Christmas shopping for out of town family!
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Tuesday, October 27 is the 7th Annual Monster Dash cross country race on campus! This is a "costume" race for runners from 11 different middle schools. The costume judging will start at 4:00 PM followed by the start of the BOYS RACE at 4:15 PM and the GIRLS RACE at 4:30 PM in which mummies, pirates, witches and more will be running up the hill near the playground, on the ring road, in front of BESC and around the front of the circle drive. After the meet, there will be a brief awards ceremony.
Events:
- Thursday, October 22; 9:30 AM-7:00 PM: Middle School Conferences, No Classes
- Friday, October 22; 8:00 AM-11:30 AM: Middle School Conferences, No Classes
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Tuesday, October 27; 4:00 PM: Cross Country Monster Dash
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Wednesday, October 28: Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
- Thursday, October 29; 5:30 PM: Bingo Night in the Forum. Click here to r.s.v.p.
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High School News & Events
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 News:
- French students in the High School took part in "Extra Credit French Cooking Night" on Tuesday, October 20, which was held in the High School faculty lounge during dinner time. The nine French students learned how to make traditional French Tomates Farcies (stuffed tomatoes), Spinach & Cheese Quiche, and a Rich Chocolate Mousse. French teachers Kelly Rogers '08 and Ashley Knopp were on hand to teach the girls about cooking and the history of each dish and a wonderful (and tasty!) time was had by all!
- The High School Diaper Drive continues through October 23. Donations benefit the Gabriel Project of Denver. The grade that brings in the most diapers will win spirit points, and an out of dress code day! The advisory that brings in the most diapers will win a treat from Voodoo Doughnuts! We invite students and faculty to participate in the following ways:
- 9th grade: sizes 4-6
- 10th grade: sizes 3-5
- 11th grade: sizes 2-4
- 12th grade: sizes newborn-2
- Faculty without advisories: Wipes
- Get ready for Daria Boulos, Macey Hills, Sarah Hoogerwerf, Sophia Larabee, and Allie Putze to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart in Dixie Swim Club. Meet the members of the Dixie Swim Club at their 22nd, 27th, 31st and 55th college reunions!! Supported by an awesome crew led by Kristina Karisch and Director Deborah Curtis, you do not want to miss this show. Performances are November 5, 6 and 7 at 7:00 PM. For reserved seats, contact Roberta Hamilton-Griggs Please note: this show is rated PG 13.
Events:
- Tonight, October 21; 7:00 PM: High School Fall Concert in the Forum
- Thursday, October 22: Volleyball at SMA, C Team plays at 4:30 PM, JV at 5:30 PM, and Varsity at 6:30 PM. Last home game and Senior Night!
- Friday, October 23; 5:30 PM: 10th Grade Movie Night
- Wednesday, October 28: Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
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Thursday, October 29; 5:30 PM: Bingo Night in the Forum. Click here to r.s.v.p.
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Admissions News & Events
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Please join us or share with a friend one of the many upcoming events and tours!
Tuesday, November 10: Lower School Preview from 9:00-10:30 AM beginning in the Community Center.
Tuesday, November 17: JK/K Coffee from 9:00-10:30 AM beginning in the Community Center.
A huge thank you to all the parents, visitors, faculty, staff, trustees and our WONDERFUL students for two successful events--MS Preview and High School Open House! We welcomed over 200 visitors and 128 perspective students. Thank you for all of your help!
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Advancement News
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It takes a village to make Grandparents' Day great! Volunteers are needed as follows:
- Set-up - the afternoon of Thursday, November 19
- Serve breakfast to our grandparents - Friday, November 20.
 If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kathleen Hogan via e-mail or at 303-762-8300, ext. 284.
You are invited to join the SMA Community on Tuesday, October 27 in the Sanders House Board Room as we kick-off our 2016 Gala, Walk on the Wild Side. Come learn about this year's Gala! We'll have celebratory mimosas and bundt cakes from 8:15-8:45 AM and we'll get down to business from 8:45-9:25 AM. Door prizes will be handed out from 9:25-9:30! Please r.s.v.p. to Kathleen Hogan via e-mail or at 303-762-8300. ext. 284. Click here for more information!
 Join us for Bingo Night on Thursday, October 29! Bring the whole family and enjoy bingo games, pizza, snacks, and beverages. Door prizes, trivia question prizes, game winner prizes and fun all night long! Click here for more information and to r.s.v.p.
Don't forget to make your Annual Fund gift during the Eight Weeks of Giving campaign! Click below to give.
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Alumnae/i News
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Congratulations to former SMA student, Andrew McCormick MS'12 and his Regis Jesuit High School boys' golf team for winning this year's 5A State Championship. Following a clutch play made by his teammate, Andrew birdied the final hole, which secured their victory! Andrew also won 3rd place as individual. His brother, William McCormick MS'15 is on the golf team as well. Pictured at right is the team, with Andrew holding the trophy.
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Athletic News
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Last week, the Middle School golf team hosted their annual Friends and Family Tournament. The golfers were joined by family members, friends, and SMA teachers. The event was hosted at Broken Tee Golf Course on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon where excellent scores
were posted and snacks were devoured. The winner of the boy's bracket was Jack (pictured at right) and John McCormick. The winner of the girl's bracket was Ryanne and Robert Hopp (pictured far right). Amy Hicks won the women 's closet to the pin and Jason Roybal won men's closet to the pin.
In other MS News...
The sixth grade cross-country team started the season full of questions and doubts about their ability to endure long runs. They are nearing the end of season as confident distance runners. Their courage and willingness to push themselves to attain personal records are matched by tremendous team spirit. They are always cheering for each other! You rock, sixth-grade wildcat Runners!
Last week, the 7/8 boys soccer team continued its winning streak (four in a row) with a 9-1 win over Denver Christian!
The sixth grade soccer team is on a roll after two wins last week. Goalie Beau Trotter scored the game-winning goal on a penalty shot as time expired against Stanley British last Tuesday. He also scored three goals against Dawson to seal a 3-1 win!
Sixth grade volleyball BUMPED up their record and won three out of their last four matches. They have SET individual and team goals that help them focus on their successes in practice as well as games. The team's serving percentage in games has really shown improvement. If you walk into the gym before they take the court you'll hear them chanting their favorite cheer: AND WE'RE MARCHING...HERE WE GO...HERE WE GO...HERE WE GO...HERE WE GO!
For details and schedules, contact the Athletics Office, check the calendar on the St. Mary's Academy mobile device App, or visit the website. Go Wildcats!
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