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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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 A Jubilee Year: A Year of Mercy in the Academy President's Blog:
Pope Francis opened a Jubilee of Mercy on December 8. As I have read Pope Francis' proclamation, I have been struck by one line.
"Here then is the reason for the Jubilee: because this is the time for mercy."
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
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Eight Weeks of Giving...A Recap
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Thanks to your generosity we set a new record on Colorado Gives Day!
Thank you to the entire SMA Community for making Colorado Gives Day a huge success. We raised $157,553 from more than 200 donations including 38 first time donors. Your support brings vital projects and programs to campus that enables all of our students to thrive!
If you didn't have a chance to make your Annual Gift during the Eight Weeks of Giving campaign there is still time before calendar year-end! Donations to SMA are tax deductible. Be sure to make your gift by December 31, 2015 for it to count in the 2015 tax year. Click here to make your gift today. Thank you!
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Community News
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 SMA's 150th commemorative book is the perfect gift for grandparents or a family keepsake. Sister Regina Drey is happy to personalize, gift wrap and mail copies. Books are available in school offices, in the Sanders House or by email. One book is $40; two or more books are $35 each.
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Graland Country Day School welcomes you to join them on campus in the Anschutz Commons for a talk with Justin Bachman on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 6:30 PM. Justin is an inspiring 18-year-old with Tourette's syndrome, ADHD and a fine motor skills disorder known as dysgraphia, who will bring his message of embracing and tolerating differences to community. He is the founder of Different Like You, an organization that "empowers people to embrace their differences and live loud." The victim of bullying throughout his young life, Justin found the strength and courage to rise above it and to encourage others to do the same. Don't miss your chance to hear his uplifting message! Register online for this free event sponsored by the GPA's Parent Education Network.
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Lower School News & Events
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 News:
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Thank you to the second grade classes who created Christmas cards with personal messages for the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse community. The cards, some of which are pictured at right, are already on their way to Kentucky!
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The Lower School is proud to introduce the new student leaders group: St. Mary's Academy Loretto Leaders (SMALL) "Little Leaders doing BIG things." They are already in action this week talking with teachers about class presentations, informing students about the next spirit day and asking kids to brainstorm what playground equipment they would like on the playground. Stay tuned for their next big idea!
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Lower School will be collecting cash and checks for The Katie Adamson Conservation Fund for the December Late Start Great Start Service Project. Collection will run through December 18. Please click here for more information.
- Congratulations to the SMA Advanced & Presto Orchestras for their fantastic round of recent performances. From concerts on campus to playing at the Meridian and Ellie Caulkins Opera House, they have been a busy bunch.
- Thursday, December 17; 8:10 AM: Lower School Assembly featuring band, orchestra, and choir. Students wear blue and white!
- Friday, December 18: Half Day of Classes, no EDC/ JKAC
- Tuesday, January 5, 2016: Classes Resume
- Wednesday, January 6, 2016; 8:10 AM: Lower School Assembly featuring JK/K
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Middle School News & Events
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 News:
- Congratulations to seventh grade student Emilia (Minci) Puskas who competed in the 2015 USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Albuquerque, NM. She placed 23rd in the Girl's 3000m Run 11-12 Age Division, making her an All-American! A member of the Parker Panthers team, her team also placed first in the competition. Pictured at right, Minci showed off her new hardware at school on Monday.
- Congratulations to the SMA Advanced & Presto Orchestras for their fantastic round of recent performances. From concerts on campus to playing at the Meridian and Ellie Caulkins Opera House, they have been a busy bunch.
- Save the date! The Middle School social of the year is Friday, February 19. Mark your calendars and plan to spend an evening with your SMA Middle School friends and enjoy great music and beach volleyball at The Island. More information to come.
Events:
- Friday, December 18: Half Day of Classes (CAT Christmas Celebrations Galore!), no ASA
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Tuesday, January 5, 2016: Classes Resume
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High School News & Events
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- Thank you to the Veterans Club for their collaboration with Helping Hands for Freedom to adopt a military family in need this holiday season. Earlier this week, representatives from Helping Hands and the U.S. Army were on campus to pick up the beautifully wrapped gifts. SMA even received a shout-out from Denver Bronco Malik Jackson for their contributions to this cause!
- Principal Kathryn McNamee has been awarded the 2016 Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers (CCFLT) Friend of Foreign Language Award! The award is given to an individual outside the world language teaching profession who has made a significant contribution to the teaching and learning of world languages. Kathryn was nominated by the High School World Language Department and will be honored at a luncheon during the course of the 2016 CCFLT conference in February 2016. Congratulations, Ms. Mac!
- The Class of 2019 is excited to announce the second annual Freshmen Tea Party on January 22 from 2:00-3:30 PM. Watch your emails for the Save the Date and Invitation. Since this is a community event, the Freshmen Student Council is asking for help from families to make this event scrumptious and spectacular. The third week of January we will be asking each advisory to contribute. With your help, it will be a wonderful afternoon of tea, cookies, and bonding. Advisories are asked to bring the following:
- Ferguson: Variety of tea bags
 - Weinberg: Variety of tea bags
- Pfeifer: Cookies
- Sniegowski: Cookies
- Jones: Cookies
- Baker: Cream, sugar cubes and a bag of lemons
- Thank you to Academy Parents and all High School parents who helped to host last week's Holiday Style Snack Attack!
Events:
- Friday, December 18: Half Day of Exams
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Tuesday, January 5, 2016: Classes Resume
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Admissions News & Events
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 We wish you and your families a Happy Holiday Season!
- SMA Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten Siblings: Please contact Admissions to RSVP for the required group visit.
- Junior Kindergarten Applicants: January 21; 9:00-10:00 AM. RSVP now!
- Kindergarten applicants: January 13; 9:15-10:45 AM or January 26; 8:30-10:00 AM. RSVP now!
Click here for the online application, parent comment form and teacher recommendation.
- 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.
- On the day we gave the High School Placement Test, SMA welcomed students from 23 different Middle Schools across the Denver Metro area. Thanks to all who braved the test and left with smiles! Congratulations! The results of the test should be mailed by December 18.
- Thanks to all the parent and student volunteers who will be assisting with the MS Preview this week.
- Shout out of thanks to: Heidi Hanzel, Donna Miller, Anna Belfance, Theresa Grover, Hannah Finke, Heid Humber, Monica Lengyel, Jennifer Buecking, Casey Lloyd, Kristin Zinis. We are so grateful for your kind recommendations.
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Advancement News
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The Advancement Office would like to thank you for your support of all of our fundraising activities and events: the SMA Annual Fund/Eight Weeks of Giving Campaign, the Capital Campaign, the 12th Annual Graham Family Golf Tournament, Reunion Weekend, Bingo Night and Grandparents' Day. We appreciate all you have give to our school. Merry Christmas! Charlie Arbogast, Molly del Monte, Jordan Fouts, Kelly Pearson and Kathleen Hogan
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The joy of gift giving that the Christmas season brings makes this a special time of year. Your generosity helps provide additional resources for our student and faculty. Thank you! During this time of giving, we ask you to reaffirm your belief in St. Mary's Academy by investing once again in SMA's students. Make your gift by December 31, 2015!
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Alumnae News
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 Thank you to the many alumnae who made a gift to SMA on Colorado Gives Day! The support of our alumnae is greatly appreciated and impacts each and every student on campus.
- Upcoming Alumnae Events: For more information and to RSVP, click here.
- Friday, December 18 & Tuesday, January 5 - Young Alumnae Coffees
- Tuesday, December 22 - Alumnae Basketball Reunion
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Athletic News
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- The Wildcats certainly made a splash this past Saturday at the Angels Invite held at Manual High School. The SMA Wildcats tied for 6th place out of 14 and had multiple personal best times, as well as State qualifying times to end the meet. The relay team comprised of Lillianna Brooks, Claire State, Mia Gabriele, and Isa Faddick qualified for State in the 200 Medley Relay! Furthermore, Lillianna also established two additional individual State qualifying times in the 100 Butterfly and 200 Freestyle. Along with Lillianna, was senior, captain, Claire State, receiving her State qualifying times in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke. Collectively, the Wildcat swimmers had 90% best times which is a sign on better things to come and more State qualifying times to establish. Next up for the Wildcat swimmers is the Coaches Invite this Saturday, December 19 and Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center (VMAC) in Thorton, CO.
- Parents and players: don't forget to check out our athletics website for more updates on your favorite teams and players. Athletics will be recognizing a variety of athletes over the winter season along with teams and their overall accomplishments!
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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