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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy 
Our God is Here in the Academy President's Blog: 

There is a song that I have been singing for years in school Masses - the title of it is Our God is Here. It's got a catchy tune and an easy refrain. We know it at St. Mary's Academy. It's a song our students sing.


Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
Fifth Graders Propose Public Art Ideas to Mock Selection Committee
Since December, fifth grade students have been learning about public art and all aspects of the design process. With Artist in Residence Amy Laugesen, the students have explored the intention of an artist; working with other artists to form a team; the audience perspective; the creation of a concept model (called a maquette) and proposal; the selection process of public art and the opportunity to present to a committee. 

Through these lessons, students received the assignment to develop their own public art project that could be featured in front of the McNichols Civic Center Building or the Republic Plaza. Utilizing the theme "Voice of the Rockies," students had the opportunity to consider the region of the West, understand how art can offer a sense of place, and offer their voice as to what they feel represents Colorado.
 
Art Teacher Kelly Mansfield shared, "Students have been able to build and develop their ideas through a process of inquiry, discovery, and research, as they began to create works of art through the maquettes."
 
Last week, the students completed their maquettes and scored each other's proposals to determine whose ideas would be presented to the final mock selection committee. On March 10, eight groups shared their proposals with an incredible committee of volunteers comprised of art professionals, community members, staff and students who included: Amy Laugesen (our Artist in Residence, Tim Vacca (Director of Programs, Museum of Outdoor Arts), Brooke Jones (Vice President, Random Acts of Kindness Foundation), Beth Dickinson (SMA parent), Officer John Flaum (Cherry Hills Village Police Department), Debra Demosthenes (Robischon Gallery), Kim Siffring (SMA faculty), Henry Gutrich (SMA student), and Caitlin Crysel (SMA student).
 
After proposing very creative and viable art installations, the project from Katie Sullivan titled "Snowflakes are Like People" took the prize for mock installation at McNichols Civic Center Building (pictured below at left) and the piece "One World, One West" from Caley Walsh, Lillan Hamilton, Bridget Sachs, and Emma Lehman was awarded mock installation for the Republic Plaza site (pictured below at right).

Congratulations to all the students for embracing this challenging project. SMA and the mock selection committee were so pleased by the students' enthusiasm and creativity. All maquettes are now available for viewing in the Lower School library and can also be seen during the upcoming Art Show on March 23.

SMA Snapchat Users: Ready Your Phones
Thanks to two High School students, Eden Kim and Ceili Sauer, SMA has two new Snapchat Geofilters you can add to pictures that you take at or around SMA. If your location services are on in the Snapchat app, simply take a photo, swipe right through the Snapchat filters, and find the newly activated SMA Geofilters! The Geofilters give us an opportunity to tag and share our experiences at SMA.

Eden Kim, Alaina Masood, Viridiana Bonilla, Lindsey Burton, and Ceili Sauer--students in the Digital Design & Development class--each designed a Geofilter and submitted it to Snapchat. Senior Eden Kim, pictured at right in pink, and junior Ceili Sauer, pictured at top right, had theirs chosen! The photo at right features one of the new Geofilters. 

Thanks for literally putting us on the map, ladies!  And, thank you to the high school math class who suggested the idea!
Community News
  • The NAIS online parent satisfaction survey will remain open until March 18 and will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. If you have not already done so, please plan on taking some time to complete it soon. Click here to begin the Survey. Your feedback is important and plays a large role in our future planning. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Lindsey Lopez via e-mail or by phone at 303-762-8300 ext. 223.
  • On March 28 at 7:00PM, Dawson School is hosting The Way of Mindful Education with Daniel Rechtschaffen, Marriage and Family Therapist, and author of The Way of Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students. Tickets are $10 and seating is limited so reservations are needed.  Please contact Sarah Amirani at 303-665-6679 or [email protected] to register.
  • Loretto and SMA Praying to End Gun ViolenceSister Regina invites parents to come together on the first Monday of the month to pray for an end to gun violence as the students are already doing in their divisions. The parent group will gather on April 11, the first Monday after Spring Break, at 8:15 AM in the chapel, just east of the High School Forum. It will be a time of silent prayer. If this opportunity does not fit in your day, join SMA and Loretto in spirit. If you have questions, please contact Sister Regina.
Lower School News & Events
News:
  • The annual Lower School Health Fair took place on Tuesday. The students gathered in the gym to start the day with an interactive presentation by Encore Gymnastics and cheered as eighth grader Chloi Clark and senior Samantha Flower demonstrated a variety of skills. We want to thank all of our presenters for sharing health and wellness information including dental health, nutrition, fitness, special needs awareness, hand massage, radiology, water safety, first aid, posture, and service to others.  A special note of thanks goes out to the following parents and teachers who were involved this year; Michelle Lugo, Christine Logan, Straffon Orthodontics, Dara Vino, Sandra and Mike Flower, Dr. Clint Dickason, Dr. Heather Crysel, Dr. Kristin McKinney, Donna Sullivan, Zac Hood and Sara Griffin.
  • Thank you to all the families that donated a $25 gift card to the Gala! We'll have the final list of classes that earned a special treat in next week's Wildcat Weekly.
  • Students in the Lower School have been hard at work, each creating a unique item that will be for sale to benefit SMA's Tuition Assistance Fund.
    • Junior Kindergarten - Photo Blocks
    • Kindergarten - Framed and Matted Zoo Foil Art
    • 1st Grade - Name Art
    • 2nd Grade - Dream Catchers
    • 3rd Grade - Class Song DVD and Music Video
    • 4th Grade - Silhouette Shadow Box
    • 5th Grade - Lazy Susans
The items will not be available for purchase at the Gala. Cash, checks and credit card payment accepted.  Stay tuned for suggested purchase prices. Sale dates are as follows:
    • Wednesday, April 6 - Before and After Lower School Assembly (7:30 - 9:00 AM)
    • Thursday, April 7 - During Lower School Family Picnic (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 PM) 
Events: 
  • Thursday, March 17: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
  • Friday, March 18; 9:30 AM: Kindergarten Field Trip to the Butterfly Pavilion 
  • Thursday, March 24
    • Holy Thursday Prayer Service: 9:30 AM in BESC
    • Half Day of School: 11:40 AM Dismissal
  • Friday, March 25-Monday, April 4: Spring Break, Academy Closed
  • Tuesday, April 5: Classes Resume
Middle School News & Events
News: 
  • Loretto Community member Mary Jean Friel visited Christina Garcia and Ana Fonseca's Middle School Spanish classes to share her work for justice for farmworkers related to working conditions and wages. Students simulated the challenge of carrying heavy baskets of tomatoes by carrying buckets filled with 32 pounds of sand, the weight of the actual tomato baskets. Pictured at right is Fisher Mahoney (red tie), Taylor Rael and Luca Bonnano (back) helping Mrs. Garcia pick up 32 pounds of simulated tomatoes. They also learned about boycotts of Wendy's, the only major chain not supporting increasing Florida farmworkers' wages by a penny a pound, and boycotts of Driscoll strawberries and Haagen Dazs strawberry ice cream in support of the farmworkers in Washington State. 
  • Earthquake! Well, not quite. Mr. Mayfield's sixth grade science classes just completed their earthquake resistant structure project. It was the final project for the unit on plate tectonics and earthquakes. They researched, designed and constructed the models using popsicle sticks, foam building blocks, straws and hot glue. When they completed the construction, they presented their ideas and explained the features that made their structures resistant to earthquake waves. Their buildings were then subjected to an earthquake simulation. After the simulation, the groups discussed ways to improve upon the original design. Many structures proved successful and withstood the quakes.
  • The formal Trimester II progress reports are available for download on the Infinite Campus portal.
  • Thank you to all the families that donated a $25 gift card to the Gala! We'll have the final list of CATs that earned a special treat in next week's Wildcat Weekly.
Events:
  • Thursday, March 17: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
  • Thursday, March 24
    • Holy Thursday Prayer Service: 9:30 AM in BESC
    • Half Day of School: 11:30 AM Dismissal
  • Friday, March 25-Monday, April 4: Spring Break, Academy Closed
  • Tuesday, April 5: Classes Resume
 High School News & Events
News: 
  • Thank you to all the families that donated a $25 gift card to the Gala! We'll have the final list of advisories that earned a special treat in next week's Wildcat Weekly.
  • Celtic Journey: Ireland and Scotland! SMA High School is planning an 11-day student trip in June of 2017. Led by Ms. Horning and Ms. Lee, and facilitated by EF Educational Tours, this is an invitation to a pilgrimage of adventure and personal discovery. Highlights include the Book of Kells in Dublin, the "peace-line" in Belfast, and hiking on the small Inner Hebrides Island of Iona, in Scotland, settled by Columba and his monks in 563. Our trip concludes in Edinburgh. This trip is designed for students of any faith tradition or none, based on the belief that personal reflection in historical places of both wild and "civilized" beauty contribute to our growth as human beings. A parent and student interest meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30 PM in Ms. Horning's room. Applications will be available at that time, and space is limited. This will be a unique and memorable journey!
  • The Pad and Tampon drive has been extended through Friday, March 18. Everything collected will be going to Sacred Heart House! Just a few things to keep in mind:
    • Please bring your items in a sealed bag or box (we can't accept individual items.)
    • If you can avoid cardboard tampons that would be great but whatever you can manage is greatly appreciated! 
    • Collection boxes are in your advisories.
    • The winning advisory will win a sweet ice cream treat. 
Events:
  • Tonight, March 16; 6:30 PM: High School Winter Sports Awards Ceremony in the Community Center.
  • Thursday, March 17: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
  • Friday, March 18
    • Junior Retreat
    • Presentations of Learning
  • Saturday, March 19; 7:00 PM: Prom at Inverness Country Club
  • Thursday, March 24
    • Holy Thursday Prayer Service: 9:30 AM in BESC
    • Half Day of School: 12:00 PM Dismissal
  • Friday, March 25-Monday, April 4: Spring Break, Academy Closed
  • Tuesday, April 5: Classes Resume
Admissions News & Events
  • Welcome to all the new families who have joined the St. Mary's Academy Community in our Lower, Middle and High School! We invite you to attend our upcoming Gala, events, concerts and athletic contests. Our doors and hearts are open to your family.  
  • Susan Twining, our Admissions Assistant, is retiring. We will miss her dearly and are grateful for her dedication and joyful presence on our admission team. Her last day is Thursday, March 24. We would love to have you drop by to wish her well. Thank you, Susan!! 
Advancement News
  • It's time to RSVP for the Gala! Invitations were mailed this week so look for yours in your mailbox. The Early Bird ticket price is $125 per person through April 8; the regular ticket price is $150 per person starting April 9. Don't want to wait to RSVP? Click here to purchase your tickets online.
  • Have you always wanted to go to Rockies Opening Day? Are you a Yankees fan? We have the perfect Rockies tickets up for auction:
    • Opening Day! Two Tickets to Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres
      • Friday, April 8 at 2:10 PM
      • Seats are in Section 137, Row 22, Seats 7 & 8 on the third base line.
      • Minimum Bid: $200
    • Damn Yankees! Two Tickets to Colorado Rockies vs. New York Yankees
      • Tuesday, June 14 at 6:40 PM
      • Seats are in Section 137, Row 22, Seats 7 & 8 on the third base line. 
      • Minimum Bid: $200

You only have one shot to win the tickets! Email your best and final bid to Charlie Arbogast, Director of Advancement, by Friday, March 18 at 5:00 PM. Winning bidders will be announced the week of March 21. Thanks for bidding!

Alumnae News
Make Your Mark! SMA is offering alumnae the opportunity to make a mark and donate a new locker! Brand new lockers will be installed in the High School in August 2016 and for $416, alumnae can make an impression that will last for generations. Your gift will be recognized with a personalized plaque on a locker inscribed with your name, year and personalized message. Please contact Charlie Arbogast with questions.
Athletic News
  • Winter Sports Awards Banquet is tonight! Please join us in congratulating our SMA Winter Athletes at our Winter Sports Awards Banquet. The award ceremony will honor the academic and athletic accomplishments for students participating in Dance, Swimming, Diving, and Basketball
    • Location: Community Center
    • Dinner: 6:00 PM
    • Awards: 6:15 PM
  • SMA Wildcat Lacrosse and Soccer Dominate at Home! Both JV and Varsity Lacrosse and Soccer teams started the season strong with home games during the past week. Both Lacrosse teams pulled away with wins against Conifer for their first game of the season and Varsity continues it's three game winning streak with impressive wins against both Overland and Wheat Ridge. Soccer also came out on top with a win in their first home game of the season, beating Englewood in a 3-2 win in OT! Congratulations to both teams, we look forward to a successful season on the turf! 
  • For details and schedules, contact the Athletics Office, check the calendar on the St. Mary's Academy mobile device App, or visit the websiteGo Wildcats!


   
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