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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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 We've Got Spirit in the Academy President's Blog:
One of the great parts of being Academy President is sharing in fun days with our students.
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
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SMA Senior Named as Candidate for U.S. Presidential Scholar
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 Congratulations to senior Abby Clements, who has been named one of more than 4,000 candidates in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.3. million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2016.
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President Search Survey
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 Your input is important and appreciated as St. Mary's Academy begins the search for our next Academy President. Please take a few moments to complete the online survey by February 18, 2016.
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Community News
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 A big thank you to Academy Parents for coordinating today's Operation Starbucks! The entire faculty and staff of St. Mary's Academy has an extra spring in our step today thanks to your generosity.
- The Standing O's would like to give a big round of applause to the following parents: Liza Allis, Jennifer Buecking, Kerry Cussler, Maria Perez, Stacy Rechtin, Vicky Sullivan and Meredith Wakelyn! Their valuable assistance has allowed after school care to take place for the Lower and Middle School Cast Members who are in the Wizard of Oz. And a huge thank you to Theresa Lorenzo for allowing her room to be used every day. All of you are wonderful! Thank you!
 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.
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Lower School News & Events
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 Students and teachers in the Lower School celebrated National Reading Day on Friday, January 22 by donning their cozy pajamas and bringing in a plethora of great books to read throughout the day. National Reading Day is an annual event, which celebrates literacy and encourages children to read in an effort to develop the foundation they need to become lifelong learners.
- Take a look at Ms. McGann's second grade class movie that demonstrates their work in color blending and creating stop motion video!
- During next week's assembly, grades 4/5 will present their Late Start Great Start activity for the month. After presentations about the Loretto Community from Sister Regina Drey and our High School students, the fourth and fifth grades will ask all students to make Valentines for the Sisters of Loretto to let them know that we are thinking of them! The Valentines will be sent to Sisters at the Loretto Center in Lakewood, the Mother House in Kentucky, and various other locations across the U.S. An electronic card will event go out to those located overseas. After the assembly, buddy classes will pair up to make their cards together.
Update From Florence Swanson, LS Principal:
Dear Parents,
One of the wonderful benefits of having a campus with a Lower School, Middle School and High School is that we care and collaborate often. Our Middle School students can sign up for a mentoring class where they learn how to be leaders, and are then assigned to Lower School classrooms. They work with students, model behavior and encourage our kids. This program is growing, as it has been a big success. We have many High School students who come over each day to work with our Lower School students who need mentoring, review and encouragement. Both big kids and little kids love these kinds of interactions. I look forward to many more connections--the JK-12 SMA family is so strong!
Go Broncos!
Florence Swanson
- Friday, January 29
- Lower School Mass, 8:10 AM in the LS Gym
- Pack the House Night for JV & Varsity Basketball at 5:30 & 7:00 PM in BESC
- Monday, February 1; 8:05 AM: Prayers to End Gun Violence
- Wednesday, February 3; 8:10 AM: Assembly featuring 4/5 and learning about the Loretto Community
- Thursday & Friday, February 4-5; Conferences, No Classes
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Middle School News & Events
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News:
- SPIRIT WEEK 2016 is underway! We are in the midst of a week-long student-led fundraising effort for the Middle School's service partners. Last year, the sixth grade class won the SPIRIT AWARD. Will they win again this year as seventh grade students? Or will there be an upset? Each day, points are amassed for the heaviest coin bottle, cleanest pod, % of grade in theme and % of grade participating in the daily contest. Friday is the finale with each grade decorating their pod. Today's theme was Mix-It-Up (pictured above, students wore crazy colors, crazy hair, mix and don't match!) with the contest being Dance Freeze and/or Jump Rope for St. Elizabeth's. The remaining events are:
- Thursday, January 28
- Dress Theme: Decades Day (8th-80's; 7th-70's; 6th-60's) or Throwback Thursday
- Contest: Obstacle Course for Cochiti Pueblo
- Friday, January 29
- Dress Theme: Disney (8th-Frozen; 7th-Lion King; 6th-Inside Out)
- Contest: Dodge Ball $2 to enter for Peru
- 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.
- Coming Soon! 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 29; 5:30 & 7:00 PM: Pack the House Night for JV & Varsity Basketball in BESC
- Monday, February 1; 11:40 AM: Prayers to End Gun Violence
- Tuesday, February 2; 11:50 AM: MS Spelling Bee
- Thursday & Friday, February 4-5; Conferences, No Classes
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High School News & Events
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- Fun Day and Brain Brawl is taking place in the High School today! Starting with a hardy pancake breakfast, students have been enjoying a morning of fun activities including a campus-wide scavenger hunt, Just Dance videos, beauty salon, a variety of arts and crafts, and movie marathons of Oscar nominated films and Dr. Who. The annual Brain Brawl event, sponsored by National Honor Society, included a team costume contest and rounds of quizzes. It will conclude with the Finals at 6:30 PM on Thursday, January 28 before tomorrow night's Talent Show in the Forum.
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The Class of 2019 would like to thank all who attended in participated in the Annual Mother Daughter Freshman Tea. The cookies and tea were scrumptious, the tables looked wonderful, the performances were outstanding and Mrs. Gracie Carr´s address as an SMA Mama was touching. If you did lend any platters or tea pots they are cleaned and in the hallway across from school store eagerly awaiting pickup.
  - Congratulations to High School teacher and SMA alumna Nina Ehrlich '02 who will serve as an AP Reader for the AP United States History exam. She will receive an all expenses paid trip to Louisville, Kentucky, the first week of June, where a consortium of stellar high school faculty members from across the country will descend on a local convention center to grade essays for seven days straight! She is quite excited about the opportunity, which will naturally provide Ms. Ehrlich with unique professional development and networking opportunities to make her an even better teacher at SMA. Interestingly, one of her favorite teachers from her SMA days, Chad Mott, who is currently an AP teacher at Evergreen High School, will also be a reader.
- 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 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:
- Thursday, January 28; 6:30 PM: Brain Brawl Finals & Talent Show in the Forum
- Friday, January 29; 5:30 & 7:00 PM: Pack the House Night for JV & Varsity Basketball in BESC
- Monday, February 1; 10:00 AM: Prayers to End Gun Violence
- Wednesday, February 3; 4:00 PM: Conferences begin
- Thursday & Friday, February 4-5; Conferences, No Classes
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Admissions News & Events
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 Re-enrollment for 2016-17 is underway. Please return your signed contracts and deposits by February 5.
- Reminder: Lower and Middle School application deadline is this Friday, 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.
- Calling all current seventh graders! We invite you to take the PRACTICE High School Placement Test on Saturday, April 16 in the Community Center from 8:15-11:30 AM. This test is normed for seventh graders but it will prepare students for the HSPT in December 2016. You can register online starting February 1, 2016 or email Gracie Carr to reserve your seat. Questions? Call Gracie Carr at 303-762-8300 ext. 205.
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Advancement News
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- The T. Kevin McNicholas Education Foundation is hosting a celebration dinner on Thursday, February 25. The TKM has been a generous donor to SMA and we encourage anyone who is interested to consider attending their annual event. For more information, click here.
- $25 Gift Card Drive for Gala! SMA is asking every family to donate one or more $25 gift cards to the Gala. Gift cards of all types will be appreciated - clothing stores, box stores, restaurants, grocery stores, entertainment outlets, etc. Remember that you can purchase gift cards in the Business Office and 3% - 10% of the value of these card goes back to SMA!
- Why $25 gift cards? When you play the Spin the Wheel Game at the Gala, you have a 50/50 chance to win a $25 gift card and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $1000 Tuition Voucher for the 2016-2017 school year.
- Where should I turn in my gift card(s)? Turn in your gift cards to your school's office by Wednesday, March 16 and be sure to include your name so we know who donated.
- Special Treat - Every Lower School class, Middle School CAT and High School advisory that donates 7 or more gift cards will get a special treat in May!
Thank you for your support!
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Alumnae News
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 Join your fellow alumnae for a wine and cheese reception before the 2015-16 All Academy Musical, The Wizard of Oz. The reception will be held in the Sanders House from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. At 6:30 PM, we will head over to the High School Forum to get situated for the 7:00 PM performance.
Alumnae receive one complimentary ticket for any one performance of The Wizard of Oz . To claim your ticket, click here. Additional tickets may be purchased for $10.
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Athletic News
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Pack the House Night! The SMA High School and Middle School celebrated Pack the House Night last week with a spirited Pep Rally. We would now love for you to come support your SMA Wildcats as the JV and Varsity Basketball teams compete against Colorado Academy at home, in the CatDome, on Friday, January 29 at 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM. Pack the House Night will be full of fun, music, and prizes for our fans! Join SMA Athletics in cheering on our basketball teams, as well as our JV and Varsity Dance Teams, as they perform during half time. Go Wildcats!
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Speaking of basketball, the Varsity Basketball team had another great win last Friday night. Playing in the Thunderdome on the campus of Manual High School, the team found themselves down by a score of 8-23 early in the second quarter. The Wildcats were able to get within 5 at the half and then continued to chip away before taking the lead 35-34 on a 3-point shot from Dre Gentry. The game went to overtime and led by their lone senior, Journey Simmons, the team came away with a 48-42 victory!
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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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