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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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 Loretto Schools: Going Strong in the Academy President's Blog:
Last week, I attended a meeting at Loretto Academy in El Paso, Texas. Along with a few of my colleagues here, the meeting included administrators from our Loretto school in St. Louis and of course from the Loretto school in El Paso.
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
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Eight Weeks of Giving: Annual Fund Highlights Loretto Value "Stewards of the Earth"
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One of the main tenets of the Sisters of Loretto is to be Stewards of the Earth. At St. Mary's Academy, we pride ourselves on following that tradition. Your Annual Fund donation will continue this tradition by funding the new Xeriscape Area adjacent to the Circle Drive. This will not only beautify our entrance but will also save us more than 381,500 gallons on annual water usage.
During this week of Eight Weeks of Giving, we reflect on all the ways previous Annual Fund dollars have maintained and improved our campus, including constructing the High School Forum and updating campus libraries and science labs. We also acknowledge the numerous ways we currently practice being Stewards of the Earth.
Click here to learn all of the ways SMA's campus is environmentally conscious, efficient and sustainable.
Make your donation today to continue SMA's tradition of being Stewards of the Earth by helping us maintain and improve our amazing campus!
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I.T. Department Grows its Ranks with Five More Mice
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The High School's Mouse Mischief club, which employs High School students to work in the I.T. Department and gain hands-on technology experience, welcomed five new members this semester: Katie Huguez, Anna Jonsen, Naima Riola, Mathilde Von Thun, and Mahlet Zegeye. The program now employs 17 students that also includes Abby Clements, Angela Colorado, Alex Ferguson, Darryl Filmore, Meme Fisseha, Iris Herrera, Kristina Karisch, Jolie Klefeker, Wendy Luna, Raegan Rychecky, Audrey State, and Ivy Wingfield. Affectionately named for a group of mice-which is commonly referred to as a family, a mischief, or simply, a nest-the girls in the Mouse Mischief club work to aid teachers and fellow students, as well as repair devices, and solve everyday technology hiccups inside and outside of the classroom across campus.
Now in its sixth year on campus, the program continues to expand its reach. This year, students are taking their assistance to campus faculty a step further by engaging in a Match-A-Mouse strategy that pairs individual mice with specific Lower School teachers to enhance the faculty's instruction through technology. The specific pairing enables the mice and teachers to develop stronger relationships and work on more long-term projects together such as exploring and maintaining iPad apps.
In addition, area schools have taken a keen interest in the club. On October 22, the mice made a presentation to a gathering of Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) technologists. The club shared the types of technology-based activities students across the campus at SMA use on a daily basis. They spoke about their interest in technology and the fact that their involvement as a mouse has empowered them in the sphere of science and technology, catalyzing their interest in digital design, robotics, public speaking, multimedia creation, and troubleshooting hardware issues. In fact, every year since the creation of the club, one SMA student-many of whom have been mice-has received an award or honorable mention from the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT).
Many of the mice have become the first point of contact for their teachers when technology problems arise in the classroom, and this leadership role has even taken root in their own homes! Our visitors from ACIS schools were impressed with the varied nature of their responsibilities, commenting that they had rarely seen students so poised and confident. We couldn't be prouder of them.
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Community News
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Throughout the month of November, as we remember the faithful departed, St. Mary's Academy makes available a Book of the Dead in which students and faculty can share the name(s) of those loved ones who have died so that they may be remembered in prayer. The book is located in the High School outside of Principal, Ms. McNamee's office.
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Junior Kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Dowling, Ph.D., will join Natalie Rekstad-Lynn of Black Fox Philanthropy at Boulder Country Day School on November 12 from 6:30-8:00 PM to offer a presentation on ways in which families can engage children in making a positive impact in the community and beyond, inspiring a lifetime of contribution. Some key points she communicates are the parents' role in shaping a child's philanthropic values, age appropriate pathways to philanthropic engagement, and practical guidance on how and where to engage children in the community.
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It is Thanksgiving pie time! Join Academy Parents in thanking our SMA teachers, faculty and staff and bring in Thanksgiving pies on Friday, November 20 at morning carpool drop off. We will have Academy Parents members at carpool to help collect pies for the SMA faculty to enjoy for the holiday. The more the merrier!
- High School Fine Arts teacher, Andrew Beckham currently has an exhibit showing at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins. Entitled, Firmament: An Incalculable Distance, the exhibit is on display through January 16, 2016. Click here for more information.
- Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means grocery shopping, baking and entertaining. Please consider using your re-loadable King Soopers card when purchasing holiday groceries. We also have other grocery cards available for purchase including Tony's Market, Safeway, Whole Foods, Sprouts and Natural Grocers. These cards can be purchased in the Business Office in Sanders House or by contacting Kathleen Hogan.
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Lower School News & Events
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 Updated artwork is now at Starbucks (5910 S University Blvd). In support of Denver Arts Week, November 6-14, students shared why they love the arts. The Bird Tweets Support the Arts pieces feature the work of Keely, 5th grade; Isabel, 4th grade; Miko, 3rd grade; Frances, 2nd grade; Jim, 2nd grade; and Victoria, 1st grade. This work will be up until the end of November.
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LS Advanced Band and MS Concert Bands add Holiday Cheer! These bands will be playing together on Saturday, December 5 at Littleton United Methodist Church (5894 S. Datura Street, Littleton) providing Holiday music starting at 7:00 PM. Students and families are invited to remain for the 7:30 PM concert to hear more holiday band music provided by the Colorado Wind Ensemble. Discount tickets available to SMA with prices ranging from $5.00 to $13.00. Please contact Sharon Gayley to order discount tickets by December 3. Come and support our fabulous SMA bands!
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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. 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.
Events:
- Friday, November 13; 8:10 AM: Lower School Mass in the gym. Students wear blue and white.
- Wednesday, November 18; 8:10 AM: Assembly featuring Drama Club.
- Friday, November 20: Grandparents' Day and early dismissal. No EDC.
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Middle School News & Events
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News:
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Trimester I concludes this week and Trimester II begins Monday, November 16. Progress reports will be posted on the Infinite Campus portal before the Fall Break/Thanksgiving holiday.
- Parents of Middle School girls are invited to learn more about the SMA High School by attending an informational parents-only evening with both current and former high school parents. Hosted by the Academy Parents, we encourage all parents of Middle School girls to come Thursday, November 12 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Community Center at SMA. It is sure to be a fun and informative evening!
- In the spirit of the season, students in Mrs. Rosborough's CAT delivered 31 Boo Buckets to children and families at Ronald McDonald House on Friday, October 30. The students had a wonderful time delivering the treats and putting smiles on so many faces. Next year, Ronald McDonald House will have over 60 rooms for families thanks to the new addition on the facility, which served as the backdrop for the students pictured at right.
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Best wishes and safe travels to the group of 18 seventh and eighth grade students who will travel to Peru from November 12-25. Chaperoned by Principal Martha Ashley and teacher Andy Blair, this cultural immersion trip involves collaborative service projects at two elementary schools and two middle/high schools. Students serve as ambassadors for SMA while learning from local leaders and their host families.
- LS Advanced Band and MS Concert Bands add Holiday Cheer! These bands will be playing together on Saturday, December 5 at Littleton United Methodist Church (5894 S. Datura Street, Littleton) providing Holiday music starting at 7:00 PM. Students and families are invited to remain for the 7:30 PM concert to hear more holiday band music provided by the Colorado Wind Ensemble. Discount tickets available to SMA with prices ranging from $5.00 to $13.00. Please contact Sharon Gayley to order discount tickets by December 3. Come and support our fabulous SMA bands!
Events:
- Thursday, November 12; 8:00-9:30 AM: Picture Retakes
- Friday, November 13; 2:30 PM: Trimester I Awards Ceremony in the Commons
- Monday, November 16: Trimester II Begins
- Friday, November 20: Grandparents' Day and early dismissal. No ASA.
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High School News & Events
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 News:
- Congratulations to Daria Boulos, Macey Hills, Sarah Hoogerwerf, Sophia Larabee, and Allie Putze for three fantastic performances of Dixie Swim Club. Deborah Curtis directed and Kristina Karisch led the crew. What a show!
- Junior Food Court is on Thursday, November 12. Tickets are $10 for all you can eat. The SMA Food Store will be closed and there will be no off campus lunch to support this annual fundraiser for Prom. Students may also want to bring extra cash that day to buy raffle tickets for Not So Silent Night tickets and various gift cards.
- HS grades, interim reports, as well as the Finals Schedule are available on Infinite Campus now. If you want to have grades/interim reports for future reference, please print them out as this window is only open for a short period of time.
Events: It's Spirit Week!
- Thursday, November 12
- Winter Sports Practice Begins
- Colors Day
- Freshmen- red
- Sophomores- blue
- Juniors- green
- Seniors- black
- Junior Food Court: 12:00 PM in the Forum. Tickets are $10 for all you can eat.
- Friday, November 13
- SMA Pride Day
- Pep Rally: 9:55 AM in BESC
- Saturday, November 14; 8:00 PM: Fall Ball in the Forum
- Monday, November 16; 6:30 PM: Fall Sports Awards Ceremony in the Community Center
- Tuesday, November 17
- Archdiocese Visiting Team at St. Mary's Academy
- High School Mass: 9:55 AM in the Forum
- Wednesday, November 18: Archdiocese Visiting Team at St. Mary's Academy
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Friday, November 20: Grandparents' Day and early dismissal
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Admissions News & Events
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- Parents of Middle School girls are invited to learn more about the SMA High School by attending an informational parents-only evening with both current and former high school parents. Hosted by the Academy Parents, we encourage all parents of Middle School girls to come Thursday, November 12 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Community Center at SMA. It is sure to be a fun and informative evening!
- High School Placement Test will be Saturday, December 5 at 8:00 AM. Registration is easy. Click here to begin.
- SMA Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten Siblings: Please contact Admissions to RSVP for the required group visit.
- Junior Kindergarten Applicants: December 16 or January 21; 9:00-10:00 AM.
- Kindergarten applicants: January 13; 9:15-10:45 AM or January 26; 8:30-10:00 AM.
Click here for the online application, parent comment form and teacher recommendation!
- 8th Grade Student/Parent Get to Know SMA High School night is on Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 PM at 470 Race St. This event is currently at capacity but we will be happy to take reservations for a wait list. Please contact Gracie Carr. Thank you so much.
- Financial Assistance Portal at sss.nais.org began November 1. New and returning SMA families are encouraged to begin the process of applying for financial assistance. Please apply at sss.nais.org and begin uploading documents requested. For additional information, and to reference the list of documents needed, click here. If you have any questions, please email Gracie Carr.
- Shout out of thanks to: Sarah Swank, Cheryl Fair, Suzanne, Julia and Mia Gabriele, Patricia and Carolina Skinner, Lily Loftus, Kathleen Henderson
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Advancement News
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 Grandparents' Day is next week!
Make sure your child's grandparent has RSVP'd to Molly del Monte via e-mail or at (303) 762-8300.
We look forward to seeing our grandparents on campus for this special day, Friday, November 20.
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Alumnae News
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 Save the dates for the Young Alumnae Coffees:
- Friday, December 18
- Tuesday, January 5
Both events will take place from 9:00-11:00 AM in the HS Forum.
All Alumnae from the classes of 2005 - 2015 are invited.
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Athletic News
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 Congratulations varsity volleyball! Our varsity volleyball team participated in Regionals this past weekend at Coal Ridge High School. The Wildcats were seeded 6th, and played strong games against Coal Ridge and La Junta. Although their season is complete, we congratulate them for qualifying for Regionals and competing in back-to-back years. Way to go Wildcats!
- Take a look at the current Featured Athlete profile on Maddie Bredehoeft, who served as this year's varsity volleyball team co-captain.
- Congratulations to our fall teams for an outstanding season! Athletics will be celebrating our fall season by honoring the field hockey, volleyball, and cross country teams at the Fall Sports Awards Banquet on Monday, November 16 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the Community Center. Dinner is provided for parents and players in attendance during our slideshow and award ceremony.
- 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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