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The Messenger
October 17, 2014
Vol. II, No.9
 
 
St. Michael's Academy
Reminders
News
Upcoming Events
Prayer Corner
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St. Michael's Academy 
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Greetings!


Every day great things happen at St. Michael's Academy. We're grateful to Catholic Communications for sharing the good news with others.

 

Today, Rebecca Drake, editor of the Catholic Mirror, the official magazine of the Diocese of Springfield, came to talk with our eighth graders. She spoke about the mission of the Catholic Communications Corporation for which she works, and about her job as an editor. Our students had an opportunity to review copies of the magazine and to offer feedback from the perspective of a teenager.

 

Throughout the month, other members of Catholic Communications will be speaking to our students about their jobs and mission of providing print and electronic programming including The Chalice of Salvation and Real to Reel, for the Catholic community. All of these individuals do valuable work, getting the word out about all the wonderful things happening within our Church, including what's happening here at St. Michael's Academy.  

 

Next week, in preparation for our Measurement Monday theme of money, our students will be estimating the amount of change donated by faculty and staff in support of Catholic Communications and will be bringing in their own change for a similar activity in their classrooms. All of the change collected will be donated to Catholic Communications in support of their work. We appreciate your support of this endeavor.

 

Peace,

 

Ann E. Dougal, Principal 

 
Reminders
  • There will be NO SCHOOL

    on Friday, October 24 for a Diocesan In-Service day.
  • There will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 4 for Parent/Teacher Conferences.
  • SMA Spiritwear is available through Donnelly's. Click here to check out the variety of affordable items. Spiritwear may be worn to compliment the uniform on Fridays. 

 
Admissions Report
 
Middle Level Admissions Information Night!
 
On Wednesday, October 22, 2014, St. Michael's Academy will be hosting it's first Information Night specifically for the middle level program. The purpose of this program is to educate prospective families about the opportunities that exist for their children at SMA. 
 
We appreciate you spreading the word about this event to family, friends, neighbors and others you may know who are in the process of finding the best education for their student at the Middle Level. 
 
 
Facebook: St. Michael's Academy
Twitter: @smaspringfield
Instagram: @smaspringfield
YouTube: smaspringfieldMA

 

If there is a photo of your child in The Mesenger you would like to have e-mailed to you, please e-mail [email protected]


Advancement Report

 NEW DONOR CHALLENGE!

NDC...NDC...NDC...NDC...NDC...NDC

 

We have an amazing opportunity to raise $25,000 for The Fund for St. Michael's Academy this year. Our school has been blessed by an anonymous donor who has pledged to match the first $25,000 raised from new individual donors to The Fund for St. Michael's Academy. This generous offer will allow all first time donors to make a huge impact. A gift of $10 becomes a $20 gift, and a $25 gift becomes a $50 gift. We are grateful for this incredible chance to double new gifts up to $25,000.

 

Here are some exciting thoughts to contemplate. If every new SMA parent committed to a $25 gift and every parent who has already donated a gift secured one new donor willing to make a $25 gift, we could raise over $20,000.   Please know that any gift of any size is sincerely appreciated and enriches the lives of our students.

 

THANK YOU to everyone who has already donated a gift this year. As of today, our current total for The Fund for St. Michael's Academy is $93,330. Of that amount, $1,032 comprises our New Donor Challenge Fund. Your gift to The Fund for St. Michael's Academy is the primary way that you can partner with us to support the mission of SMA. Gifts can be made online here or in one of the convenient ways described here.

 

If you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at (413) 782-5246 Ext. 1202. We thank you for your continued support and we will continue to keep you in our prayers.

 

 

From the Teacher's Desk...Miss Brown, 7A

 

Students Investigate the Scientific Method

 

About using Scientific Methods

 

 

 

The students in the 6th and 7th grade are becoming familiar with using the methods scientists use to answer questions about the natural world.  Some skills students need to practice are: asking questions, researching the topic, making observations, and describing what they see.  In addition, students will create diagrams, graphs and or tables, analyze data, and draw conclusions.

 

Students investigate real world questions with a scientific approach

  • The 6 graders asked the question, "Who has faster reflexes, boys or girls?" The conclusion reached was girls have faster reflexes.
  • The 7 graders wanted to know, "How much water could a sponge hold?"
  • Presently the 6th grade is investigating how the length of a pendulum affects the swing of a pendulum.
  • Grade 7 will be answering this question, "How can you use scientific methods to determine whether salt affects the hatching and growth of brine shrimp?"

Students will continue to use this method throughout the year in the study of Earth and Life Science.


Kindergarten Visits the Pumpkin Patch at  

McCray's Farm

 

 

   

 

 

Trunk-or-Treat

 

It's baaaack! Time for SMA's annual Trunk or Treat! Join us for this fun family event at St. Michael's Academy on Thursday, October 23rd. Decorated cars ring the parking lot with trunks full of treats for your ghost or goblin to collect. The evening also includes Halloween activities, a photo booth, and a costume parade. Prizes will be given out for costume categories and for the best decorated trunk!

 

Remember all the fun we had last year!


Holyoke Catholic High School Visits SMA!

On Tuesday, our Grade 8 students were able to speak with the Admissions staff from Holyoke Catholic about high school. These students and families have a difficult decision ahead of them and we are happy to be able to provide them with information about different high schools in the area.

 

Attendance Incentive 

 

In an effort to encourage all of our students to have good attendance, 
SMA has instituted a new incentive. Each Monday, a student name will be drawn at random and if that student was in schoolon time, and did not get dismissed early every day the previous week, the student will receive a dress down day on Tuesday. 


This week, a grade six student, Jonise, received a dress down day!

 
 

Give to a Great Cause! 

 

 October's Measurement Monday topic is Money!

 

This year we are using the opportunity to collect loose change to benefit Catholic Communications. This wonderful Corporation reaches out to the wider community, especially the elderly and homebound, through television, technology and print, to promote what's happening in the Diocese.  For more information about this Corporation, click here to visit the Diocesan website.

 

Please send in your coins (or dollars) next week!

 

Upcoming Events
Tuesday, October 21: 
Suzuki Violin Program

Wednesday, October 22: 
Banking
Middle Level Admissions Information Night, 6pm

Thursday, October 23:
Trunk-or-Treat, 6-7:30pm
1st Quarter Ends

Friday, October 24:
NO SCHOOL-Diocesan In-Service Day
Parish Corner

From Holy Name Parish in Springfield - Just a friendly reminder to parents of second graders who will be making their First Communion next spring to please register with the Religious Education Office as soon as possible.  Applications are available at the Church and at the Rectory.  Classes have begun, but it's not too late to enroll.  Any questions, please contact Claudine Bouchard Collins at 733-5823, ext. 123.

 

Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 PM, a concert of live music and personal story by Barry Kingston of New Spirit Inc: "Messages from Heaven, A Musical Journey through Medjugorje,"  in OL Mt. Carmel Church, 123 William Street, Springfield. Freewill offering, refreshments follow concert.

Prayer Corner
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!

We pray for all St. Michael's Academy students, families, faculty, and staff, and their special intentions.

This week we pray in a special way for J. Scott O'Gara, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Pikula, Kathleen Cowles, Indevez Fuller.

Our prayers continue to be with Mr. Rancitelli, who is undergoing treatment for a cancer recurrence. Each week, a different homeroom sends him cards. If your family would like to send a card, please send it to school with your child, clearly marked for Mr. Rancitelli. His family has set up a blog to write about this experience. Click here to read the blog. 

We also remember in our prayers the deceased: Eugene Lavoie and Robert Santaniello.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.
St. Michael's Academy - 153 Eddywood Street - Springfield, MA 01118
413.782.5246 office - 413.782.8137 fax