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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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Snow Days, Glorious Days in the Academy President's Blog:
I start this blog entry with a confession: I like snow days. But I am a school administrator so I am not really supposed to like snow days. I should have the opinion that they get in the way and mess up the schedule. But I have to admit that I do like them.
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
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Lower School is Nominee for National Blue Ribbon School
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 S t. Mary's Academy is pleased to share that the Lower School is among 50 private schools across the country being considered for the National Blue Ribbon School competition.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private schools based on academic excellence and the schools progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The National Blue Ribbon School award is a recognition of exemplary teaching and learning. The Blue Ribbon affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools were students master challenging content.
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Important Admissions News & Events
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 Re-enrollment for 2016-17 is due this Friday, February 5. You are invited to bring your deposits and contracts with you to your student conferences and give them to the division offices. If you have misplaced your contract, we are happy to email you another. Click here to submit your deposit online. Many thanks to ALL for your prompt return of your child's contract.
- 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. Click here to register online or email Gracie Carr to reserve your seat. Questions? Call Gracie Carr at 303-762-8300 ext. 205.
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Prayers to End Gun Violence
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 On February 1, SMA joined the Loretto Community in praying to end gun violence. This call to prayer is an initiative of the Loretto Peace Committee and an invitation to pray in silence at 9:00 AM on the first Monday of the month. At SMA, the teachers in each division adapted this call to prayer to be age appropriate especially in the themes, such as a focus on peace and friendship for the younger students.
We invite parents to join Loretto in spirit on the first Monday of the month to pray for a peaceful world.
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Community News
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Great news! You can now share your best and favorite images from school events with SMA. In turn, we will be able to share more photos with you! Simply scroll to the bottom of the SMA homepage and click on Photo Submissions. To get things started, share your best snowy picture showing how you spent your SMA Snow Day! Your photos might be included in next week's Wildcat Weekly!
 The All Academy musical is coming soon! To buy your ticket to The Wizard of Oz, click here and choose "Standard" ticket. Tickets are $10 each and sold exclusively online. The performance schedule is as follows:- Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 PM
- Friday, March 4 at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 5 at 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 6 at 2:00 PM
- Happy February! Click here for this month's issue of SMA Faith Walk. Please also remember that you can always submit prayer requests online for the monthly Parent Prayer Group.
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Your input is important and appreciated as St. Mary's Academy begins the search for our next Academy President. If you have not done so already, p lease take a few moments to complete the online survey - 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.
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Lower School News & Events
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 News:
- During today's assembly, grades 4/5 presented their Late Start Great Start activity for the month. After presentations about the Loretto Community from Sister Regina Drey and our High School students who have visited the Mother House, the students proceeded to make Valentines for the Sisters of Loretto with their buddy classes. 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.
 Congratulations to all the Lower School and Middle School S-P-E-L-L-E-R-S from today's Spelling Bee: Harrison B., Luca B., Cailtin C., Conner I., Ariana H., Isabella H., Ben J., Rishika K., Aidan L., Nate N., Olivia P., Gabe R., Isaac R., Taylor R., Annabelle S., Jake S., Paree S., Alexis T., Brianna T., Juiliana T. After spelling in more rounds than the audience could keep track, fifth grade participant Paree Sharma took the top prize! She is pictured at right with Ms. Rand and Mrs. Swanson.
Events:
- Thursday & Friday, February 4-5; Conferences, No Classes
- Monday, February 8; 9:45 AM: Grades 3-5 Assembly with Author Naomi Shihab Nye
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Wednesday, February 10: Ash Wednesday
- Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
- LS/MS Mass in the LS Gym at 10:20 AM.
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Middle School News & Events
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Congratulations to all the Lower School and Middle School S-P-E-L-L-E-R-S from today's Spelling Bee: Harrison B., Luca B., Cailtin C., Conner I., Ariana H., Isabella H., Ben J., Rishika K., Aidan L., Nate N., Olivia P., Gabe R., Isaac R., Taylor R., Annabelle S., Jake S., Paree S., Alexis T., Brianna T., Juiliana T. After spelling in more rounds than the audience could keep track, fifth grade participant Paree Sharma took the top prize!
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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.
- SMA's Middle School Winter Getaway is almost here! The Middle School Academy Parents Island Social is Friday, February 19 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM at 2233 S. Geneva St., Denver, CO. The cost is $20 if received by February 18 or $25 at the door. Click here to purchase tickets and please review IC for additional information.
Events:
- Thursday & Friday, February 4-5; Conferences, No Classes
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Wednesday, February 10: Ash Wednesday
- Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
- LS/MS Mass in the LS Gym at 10:20 AM.
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High School News & Events
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- This year's FIRST Robotics theme is laying siege to a castle by navigating through treacherous defenses (moats, ramparts, drawbridges,...), launching 'boulders' (which are 10" diameter foam balls) at the castle windows, and then climbing the castle walls- ALL while being defended by 3,120 pound robots. Under the guidance of HS teacher and Robotics Coach Dave Gesler, Sara Stoupa, and her teammates Zoe Roberts, Ceili Sauer, Riley Fitzpatrick, and Sophie Finke have been prototyping this boulder launch system to reliably/consistently 'deliver' a boulder to the upper castle windows, which has been done with excellence! Take a look at one of the demos from last week.
 Congratulations to senior Alexandra Ferguson, who has been selected as a 2016 Colorado Affiliate winner of the NCWIT (National Center for Women & IT) Award for Aspirations in Computing. Her recognition comes in light of her computing-related aspirations and for her demonstrated, outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology/computing; solid leadership ability; good academic history; and plans for post-secondary education. Pictured at right, Alexandra is one of almost 2,100 young women who is an Affiliate Award recipient this season! She will be attending the Colorado Affiliate Aspirations Award ceremony at the University of Colorado at Boulder in April.
- 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 through February 9. All donations are greatly appreciated!
Events:
- Thursday & Friday, February 4-5; Conferences, No Classes
- Tuesday, February 9; Diversity Day
- Wednesday, February 10: Ash Wednesday
- Late Start for Students. Classes begin at 9:00 AM.
- High School Mass in the Forum at 9:00 AM.
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Advancement News
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 Do you want to make a big impact at the Gala? Become a sponsor! Sponsorships range from $1,500 to $10,000 and all levels include reserved seating and complimentary beverages at the Gala, an invitation to the Pre-Gala VIP Reception, online and in-print recognition and an advertisement in the Gala catalog. For more information, click here.
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Alumnae/i News
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- Congratulations to 2012 Middle School alums Andrew Mccormick, Charlie Scott, Austin Campbell, Cydney Billups, current SMA senior Claire State, and Mackenzie Austin who are all on their way to play NCAA Division I sports in college. Six athletes (and counting?!) from one class is quite impressive! They will be headed to the following:
- Andrew Mccormick- Creighton University Golf
- Charlie Scott- Air Force Academy Football
- Austin Campbell- Penn State Track and Field
- Cydney Billups- Texas Soccer
- Claire State- Johns Hopkins Swimming
- Mackenzie Austin- Georgia Diving
If you have updates about other SMA alumnae/i, please send them to Molly del Monte.
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 Are you an alumna who is also a current parent? The Alumnae Board would love to have you as a member! The Board meets once per month during the school year to plan alumnae events and assist with alumnae fundraising efforts. Members serve as liaisons between SMA and the greater alumnae community. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 23 at 5:00 PM in the Sanders House Board Room. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Molly del Monte.
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Athletic News
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 Come cheer on your SMA Wildcats Basketball team as they compete, away, against league rival, Kent Denver on Friday, January 5.
- Good luck to our SMA Swim and Dive team as they compete in their League Meet Championships on Thursday and Friday at Colorado College. Pictured at right are a few team members at the recent pep rally! Click here to read more about their season.
- 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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