|
|
Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
|
 Joy and St. Mary's Academy in the Academy President's Blog:
There is a line of poetry, written by Mary Oliver, that chides us
"If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don't hesitate."
This morning watching the annual cowpoke assembly in our Lower School, I think Mary Oliver would award us all a high mark for the unrestrained feeling of joy that washed over everyone in the gym.
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
|
|
|
President Search Update & Online Survey Link
|
 On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Search Committee, Board Chair Robert Flynn and Board Member Phyllis Chrisman will be serving as Search Committee Co-Chairs. They are pleased to share the following update on the search for our next Academy President:
We have established the Search Committee which is an ad hoc committee of the Board of Trustees. This small group of Trustees and faculty will work closely with our search consultants Mathew Heersche and Risa Oganesoff Heersche of Educational Directions.
Matt and Risa will visit the school on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18 and interview members of all groups within the school (students, faculty, parents, administrators, Board members, alumnae and other constituents) as to the qualities we seek in our next leader. We will provide a more detailed schedule shortly. Among the key questions that they will ask all of us are: - What is the culture of our school? What makes St. Mary's Academy a special community?
- What are the perceived challenges and opportunities of the school?
- Where do we, as a school, want to be in 5 years?
- What experience/leadership styles/personality traits will best meet those needs within our culture?
In addition, we would appreciate your input by taking an online survey. It is available by clicking here. The survey will be open until February 18, 2016 so please take a few moments to respond.
|
|
Community News
|
-
St. Elizabeth's School invites you to attend a special screening of Standing in the Gap, and discussion on race in education guided by Rocky Mountain PBS producers Alan Gottlieb & Mateos Alvarez. It will take place on Thursday, February 4, 2016 - 6:00-7:30 PM at St. Elizabeth's School, Denver, CO. Click here for more details and to register.
 SMA Nuggets Night is March 8! Join the Denver Nuggets for the annual St. Mary's Academy Community Night with the Nuggets on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 PM. All participants can join in the VIP Experience prior to the game and 40 select students will be able to take part in the Red, White and Blue Crew and SAIMARAC will sing the National Anthem. Don't miss it. Click here for more information.
- Montessori School of Denver Master Teacher and Love and Logic Trained Facilitator, Mary Bareis-Golumb, will be facilitating a special Parent Education series in November and December: Becoming a Love and Logic Parent®, a seven-module, six-week parenting program designed by the Love and Logic Institute. Answers to many day-to-day parenting challenges including:
- "How can I stop my children from bickering and fighting?"
- "Is there a way to discipline my toddler in public without creating a scene?"
- "How can I get my teenage daughter to come home at the agreed-upon time?"
This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately, and it is a wonderful compliment to Montessori philosophy! The course will take place on Thursdays 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the MSD Library (adults only). Single parent registration is $225 / dual parent registration is $350 and includes all materials. Click here to register for Love & Logic.
|
|
Lower School News & Events
|
 Congratulations to the Kindergarten for a wonderful Cowpoke performance at this morning's assembly, pictured above. The entire Lower School helped to get into the Stock Show spirit by dressing the part. Every cowboy and cowgirl looked great!
-
Guided by our Loretto School values, this month the Lower School is collecting loose change for an organization called Haitian Families First (HFF). This will be our fifth year supporting HFF. The money we raise will be used to send Haitian children to school and provide them with life-saving healthcare. The Junior Kindergarten and First Grade classes are leading this effort. LS parents, please support with your child doing small chores or in looking into their own piggy banks for small change. Individual classrooms will be accepting the change all month. So send in whenever! Click here to view a video was sent by HFF to thank SMA and inspire us to continue our service and support.
- Tuesday, January 26; 8:30 AM: Kindergarten Group Visits. RSVP now!
- Wednesday, January 27: Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
|
|
Middle School News & Events
|
 News:
- On Tuesday, Loveland Basin Ski Patrol Rick Gruban presented Know Before You Go to the Middle School. An avalanche awareness program created in 2004 for middle and high school age youth, the presentation seeks to promote safety while skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking, driving, hunting, bike riding, and more in avalanche terrain. The engaging video and photos Mr. Gruban shared captivated the audience of students and teachers alike.
- Please order your Middle School yearbook today. The cost is $35 and checks may be made out to St. Mary's Academy with "yearbook" on the note line. Please remit the check or cash to Mrs. Siennicki or Mr. Mayfield by January 31.
- Two hours to dance, snack, laugh and play in the Forum is coming on Friday, January 22 from 6:00-8:00 PM. This is the first Middle School social. Dress is slightly up, meaning no t-shirts, spaghetti straps, short shorts, or sportswear. A movie will be provided in the HS cafeteria while the DJ spins the music in the Forum. Parents, teacher chaperones respectfully request your prompt retrieval of students at 8:00 PM in the BESC parking lot. Thank you!
- Save the date! The Middle School Academy Parents Island Social 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, January 22
- MS & HS Pep Rally, 10:00 AM in BESC
- MS Social, 6:00 PM in the High School
- Wednesday, January 27: Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
|
|
High School News & Events
|
- Quarter 2 grades are available for viewing and printing on the portal. To view: Reports>Report card. To Print: File>Print.
- Parents may now sign up for High School conferences by clicking here. Have your daughter's schedule/teacher names available when you do. If you need to CANCEL a conference, please call the High School Office. Conferences will be held on:
- Feb 3: 4-6:45 PM
- Feb 4: 12-6:45 PM
- Feb 5: 7:30-11:45 AM
- The Class of 2019 is excited to announce the second annual Freshmen Tea Party on January 22 from 2:00-3:30 PM. Since this is a community event, the Freshmen Student Council is asking for help from families to make this event scrumptious and spectacular. 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
- The High School Diversity Club is participating in a food drive for the organization DenUM. Denver Urban Ministries is an advocate, educator, and trusted provider of basic human and employment services to vulnerable families in greater Denver. Diversity Club asks High School students to bring canned tomatoes, boxed meals (excluding Ramen noodles), peanut and other nut butters, cereals, and canned fruits. This food drive will run from January 29 - February 9. All donations are greatly appreciated!
Events:
- Tonight, January 20; 5:30 PM & 7:00 PM: JV & Varsity Basketball in BESC vs. Clear Creek High School. SMA Dance Team (pictured above) to perform during Varsity game.
- Friday, January 22
- MS & HS Pep Rally, 10:00 AM in BESC
- Nils from Jostens available to meet with Seniors, 12:00 PM in the Library
- Ninth Grade Mother Daughter Tea, 2:00 PM in the Forum
- Wednesday, January 27
- Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
- Brain Brawl!
|
|
Admissions News & Events
|
-
 Re-enrollment for 2016-17 was mailed January 8. Please return your signed contracts and deposits by February 5.
- Have you registered for your JK/Kindergarten group visit?
- Junior Kindergarten Applicants: January 21; 9:00-10:00 AM. RSVP now!
- Kindergarten applicants: January 26; 8:30-10:00 AM. RSVP now!
- Reminder: Lower and Middle School application deadline is January 29.
- Financial Assistance applications are due February 12. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. While we know your 2015 taxes will not be completed by February 12, we must have your application submitted no later than February 12 to be considered for assistance for the 2016-17 school year. Please begin the process by applying at: sss.nais.org.
-
Thank you for sending friends and families our way. Shout out to: Priscilla Scobie and Amy Von Thun.
- If you have any questions please contact Gracie Carr or Seely Greenberg in the Admissions Office.
|
|
Advancement News
|
 Gala is just around the corner.
Here is everything you need to know now:
- Theme: Walk on the Wild Side
- Date: Friday, April 29, 2016
- Time: 6:00 - 11:00 PM
- Location: The Wildlife Experience
- Attire: "Safari Chic" Cocktail Attire
- Early Bird Price: $125 per person through April 8
- Regular Price: $150 per person starting April 9
The evening includes entertainment by Groove Nation, a silent auction, live auction, cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres. 95% of the proceeds from the St. Mary's Academy Gala benefit our Tuition Assistance Program, with 5% of the proceeds benefiting the Math Programs across all three divisions.
|
|
Alumnae News
|
 Save the Date for these upcoming Alumnae Events: - Friday, January 29: Pack the House Basketball Game
- Friday, March 4: Alumnae Reception before the All-Academy Performance of The Wizard of Oz
- Friday, April 29: St. Mary's Academy Gala, Walk on the Wild Side
|
|
Athletic News
|
-
 SMA Basketball Program Beats Machebeuf in League Win! 1999...That was the last time our SMA Varsity Basketball team beat the powerhouse Buffaloes from Bishop Machebeuf. Our current team (pictured at right) changed all of that last week with a 41-39 come-from-behind victory. Your Wildcats rallied from 12 points down to earn their first league victory of the season and improve their overall record to 7-1. Thank you to all of the students and faculty who attended the game.
Go Wildcats!
-
Once again, our small and mighty Wildcats Swim Team made a splash! With 19 teams at the first annual Mountain Vista Invitational, SMA took eighth place with junior Alex Reddington setting a meet record in the 100 Butterfly. Along with the stellar performance by Reddington, Claire State, Isa Faddick, Mia Gabriele and Reddington established a new State time for the 400 Freestyle Relay! All of the members of the SMA swim team did a phenomenal job with the majority of girls getting personal best times!
This meet sets us up well for our meet recognizing our SMA seniors coming up on Friday, January 22, followed by our home meet Saturday, January 23 at the Carmody Rec Center.
- 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
