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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy 

Happy May!  from the Academy President:


May is month full of activities and opportunities! It is a month to show Gratitude. This morning we enjoyed a beautiful breakfast for our faculty and staff provided by the Academy Parents. An Appreciation Breakfast.  And all who were being appreciated appreciated it! Thank you to our parents for such a beautiful morning.



Community News
  • The High School Astronomy Club has put together a scale model of the Solar System near the Sanders House during May 9-13. On Monday, May 9 the Transit of Mercury across the sun was visible. Students gathered around the campus to check out the transit though a telescope. St. Mary's Academy will be celebrating Astronomy Day on May 13.  If you and your family are stopping by the Sanders House, please be sure young children are accompanied and supervised by an adult. 
  • Sister Regina Drey thanks the St. Mary's Academy students for their outpouring of generosity in support of Loretto - St. Albert School in Pakistan and the Loretto Hunger Fund. The Lower School and Middle School raised $1,120 for school supplies for St. Albert's. The Sisters were also able to give the students reusable water bottles to use at school and to take purified water back to their homes. The High School students raised $3,500 for the Loretto Hunger Fund at the Empty Bowls lunch. This was the 20th year the high school has made significant contribution to the Fund that helps food banks and food programs worldwide. Please watch the attached "thank you" slide show.
  • Congratulations to four award winning musicians! Victoria Perez, Maggie Obourn, Caley Tamondong, and Joanie Livadariu. Pictured at right, they participated in the Douglas and Elbert County Music Teachers Association (DEMTA) and all received honors.
  • Video game design camps are being held at St. Mary's Academy the week of July 11. Students learn about game design, history, and different types of games. They actually program their *OWN* video game starting with basic commands making it come to life! Chess camps are also available. Visit www.ActiveLearningCamps.com to learn more and to register.  
  • Academy Parents are looking for various volunteer roles for next year's board. If you are interested in helping in any capacity please contact Academy Parents President Rhondi Clark.
  • Save the date! All SMA families are invited to participate in Catholic School night at Elitch Gardens on Friday, May 20 from 5:00 - 10:00PM. Tickets are a reduced price of $24.99 and must be purchased in advance. If you have a season pass, you may use it, but you must mention that you are part of St. Mary's Academy as only Catholic Schools students will be allowed entrance on this night. Click here to purchase tickets online: Catholic Private Night or click here to fill out a ticket order form and mail to Elitch Gardens. This will replace SMA Lakeside Night. 
Lower School News & Events
News:
  • The Lower School celebrated May Crowning during their assembly last week. The students brought beautiful flowers to adorn our Lady and had a wonderful prayer service.
  • On Wednesday May 4, the fourth graders served as Junior Docents in the St. Mary's Academy Community Center. Each student dressed up as character for Colorado History Month. Molly Brown(s) are pictured right.
  • The Pioneer Day tradition for third grade students continued this year!  On Thursday, May 5, with the help of their teachers and parent volunteers, the students culminated their learning about the Oregon Trail by reenacting activities of the time including baking corn bread, panning for gold (pictured on right), and hand-washing laundry right on the quad.
  • Save the date! Please come visit the Lower School hallway and library for the End of Year Art Exhibit. May 23- May 27. Come take time to notice the greatness of our student's chosen artwork before or after school. Each student was asked to consider an artwork this year that would best share the greatness of who they are. 
  • Thank you to everyone who was involved with with Kids Night Out. The kids had a great time.
Events:
  • Thursday, May 12; 6:30-8:30PM: Dad's Night Out
  • Monday, May 16; 7:00PM: Joyful Noise and LS choir performance
  • Wednesday, May 18; Rising Up Day
  • Wednesday, May 25; Band and Orchestra Open House: click here for more information.
Middle School News & Events
News:
  • The Middle School Talent Show was a success! Eleven acts performed, including the awesome Middle School Rock Band! Congratulations to every performer. Each performer had to audition to be selected to perform in the show. The Middle School is looking forward to even more participation next year.
    Bravo to the Prize Winners:
    • Most Humorous: Kimber Spelts and Sarah Wagner
    • Most Expressive: Kristian Burger
    • Most Original: Nicholas Bogani and Emma Seneshen
    • Audience Favorite: Erin Pearson (pictured right)
  • The Middle School Art show is in full swing. Come visit the Middle School and check out all the amazing art work crafted by the talented Middle School students. Thank you to the Middle School band for performing at the opening. The art exhibit will continue though May 13.
Events:
  • Friday, May 6-13: Middle School Art Show
  • Friday, May 13 Middle School Olympic Day
  • Tuesday, May 17  Middle School Wildcat Awards
  • Wednesday, May 18: May Crowning
High School News & Events
News: 
  • May is the month to honor Mary. The senior class led a prayer service, and the May Queen gave a reflection on Mary, Loretto, and St. Mary's Academy for this year's May Crowning. This year the May Queen is Isabel Forward (pictured right).
  • Attention Parents of Seniors! We have gift cards for dorm shopping!  Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, The Container Store and other gift cards are available for purchase in the Business Office in the Sanders House. This is a great opportunity to get ready for your college dorm shopping and support SMA in the process. Stop by anytime to purchase or fill out the attached order form and send in along with a check. We will send the gift cards home with your daughter.
  • Congratulations to junior Maggie Longenecker. Maggie has been awarded Youth Volunteer of the Year from Warren Village. Maggie has spent time and energy, heart and soul into volunteering with our kiddos in Evening Child Care.
  • Stop by and visit the Coyle Art Gallery! The Class of 2016 includes some extraordinary artists. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to complete the exhibition schedule for the 2015-2016 academic year with a focus on these exceptional young photographers, illustrators, and ceramicists. These students have all grown tremendously over their tenure at SMA, and their accolades include Gold and Silver Keys in the Scholastic Art Awards, participation in the Empty Bowls Project, and completed AP portfolios that are of the highest caliber. 
  • MATH: To start your High School math courses with Accelerated Algebra, Geometry or Honors, you must take our Math Placement Test.
      • Wednesday, May 18 6:30- 7:30PM (HS Room 3)
      • Alternate Date: Monday, June 6,1:00-2:00PM (HS Room 3)
      • Please contact Ms.Iswari Natarajan or by phone at 303-762-8300 x348.  Also, feel free to stop by the High School office for any questions.
      • Please be aware that a calculator is not allowed for the test. The topics are those of a typical Algebra1 textbook. Emphasis on the following: constructing, simplifying, and evaluating numeric and algebraic expressions, including those with integer exponents aspects of linear equations and inequalities, including systems in two variables, and simple application elements of quadratic expressions and equations (factoring, finding zeros), percents, square roots and similar triangles.
  • SPANISH: If you plan on registering for level 2 or above please take the placement test.  We will be looking at your comprehensibility, sentence structure, cultural awareness and how you handle different contexts or topics. The assessment will not be more than 1 hour.
      • Tuesday, May 17, 6:30-7:30PM (HS Room 2)
      • Alternate Date: Monday, June 6 1:00-2:00PM (HS Room 2)
      • We do ask that parents do not leave or go far as the evaluation frequently takes much less than the allotted hour.
      • Please contact Ms. Ms. Eliza Pfeifer or stop by the High School office for any questions. 
Events:
  • Friday, May 13: Last day for Seniors
  • Saturday, May 14 10:00- 12:00PM: Baccalaureate Mass
  • Tuesday, May 17 6:30-8:00PM: High School Spring Sports Award Ceremony
Admissions News & Events
  • The Lower School students will be participating in Moving Up Day on May 18 to meet their teachers and get a sneak peek at their classrooms for next school year!
  • New JK/Kindergarten families, save the date!  SMA will be hosting a JK/K play date on Wednesday, June 8 at 10:00 AM. Parents and future Wildcats are invited to join us on the Lower School playground to meet fellow families who will be enrolling next year. The JK/K teachers, Mrs. Swanson, and the Admissions team will also be available to help answer any other questions you might have as you prepare for school in the fall.
Advancement News
  • We have gift cards for dorm shopping! Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, The Container Store and other gift cards are available for purchase in the Business Office in the Sanders House. Stop on by!

Alumnae News

The Gift of Motherhood and Sisterhood
St. Mary's Academy Alma Mater Month of Giving


 

  • This week we reflect on the power of women as we celebrated Mother's Day and May Crowning.  All of us have been affected by women who have made a difference in our lives. Whether it be the love from our own mothers, teachers who pushed us to fulfill our potential, the values instilled in us from the Sisters of Loretto or lifelong friendships from our sister alumnae, we would not be where we are today without the women who influenced our lives. This week, honor the women who made a difference in your life while you were a student at St. Mary's Academy and donate today. Your gift directly impacts current students and faculty.  Give a gift in honor of Motherhood and Sisterhood by donating today to your alma mater.  Continue SMA's unique Loretto tradition of providing all-girls education for our future agents of change.
  • The Alumnae Decade Giving Competition results are in for Week 1! The 1970s are just ahead of the 1960s with total amount raised, while the 2010s are in the lead with 48 donors! Donate today and get your decade closer to the goal!
Athletic News
  • Senior Journey Simmons accepts Lynch Family Legacy Scholarship! On Friday May 6, Journey Simmons was selected as one of five honorees to receive the John Lynch Family Legacy Scholarship. Journey was presented with a check for $24,000 to help with her college tuition over the next four years. As described on the foundation's website, "The Salute the Stars luncheon is designed to honor student-athletes, including some with special needs, from the Denver and greater Colorado areas. It is the Lynch's intention to recognize what is 'right' with our youth today. The student-athletes who are honored excel in academics, athletics and community involvement." Thanks to a generous gift from Wendy and Lance Nading, many of Journey's teammates and coaches were in attendance to help her celebrate this tremendous accomplishment. Journey will be attending Pomona College in the fall.
  • SMA Tennis Progresses to State Tournament! The Wildcats came out swinging on Thursday in the 4A Regional Tournament hosted by Mullen High School. Five of our seven positions made it to the second day of the tournament. Three positions made it all the way to the finals, where they finished Runner-up and locked up a trip to the CHSAA State Tournament in Pueblo next week. Congrats to all of the participants! Finishing in third place were the doubles teams of McKinley Hamilton / Ali Leen and Viridiana Bonilla / Sarah Emmanuel. Qualifying for state and finishing second were the doubles teams of Daria Boulos / Chloe Armstrong and Gabby Lorance / Delaney Huffman. An exceptional performance came from Freshman Emma Morrissey who qualified for state and finished in second place at the #1 singles position. Overall, the team placed fourth out of nine teams. Go Wildcats!


   
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