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The Messenger

March 6, 2015
Vol. II, No.26
 
 
St. Michael's Academy
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It was a quick week at St. Michael's Academy, especially for grades 3-7, as they prepare for standardized testing, scheduled for the next two weeks. Included in this e-newsletter are some helpful hints to help your child prepare for the rigor of testing. Testing is hard work, and the students need all of our support to make the time and effort spent testing a worthwhile endeavor.


 

Next week, we also will have our middle level social studies Cultural Fair. Students in grades 6-8 have been studying the cultures of various countries. On Wednesday night from 6-7 p.m. their projects will be on display in the gymnasium.  Everyone is invited to come and learn a little bit about another culture and to support our students.


Finally, I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that mother nature has certainly been testing our patience. Hang in there. Spring is coming. But until it does, please continue to allow extra time in the morning and afternoon for arrival and dismissal and please model patience for your child.  Thank you!


 

Have a great weekend.

 

Peace,   

 

Ann E. Dougal, Principal 

 

 Reminders
  •  Monday, March 9
     Kindergarten Field Trip                                                                              Springfield Science Museum
                            
  •  Monday, March 9 at 5 p.m.                                                                Couch to 5K Training Kick-off                                                                               
  •  Wednesday, March 11 from 6-7 p.m.
     Social Studies Cultural Fair Grades 6-8                                                      Gymnasium                                                                                                              
  •  Friday, March 13 at 2:15 p.m.                                                                Stations of the Cross                                                                                Grade 5 Leaders                                                                                             
  •  Saturday, March 14 at 9 a.m.                                                                     Couch to 5K Group Run                                                                            Forest Park                                                                                                   
  •  Please remember to contribute to Operation Rice Bowl                              

   
From The Advancement and Admissions Offices

Please remember it is only through the generosity of our parents and community friends that we are able to offer our students a well rounded educational experience with a Christ-centered foundation. Why not consider sending a donation by clicking here.



Student registration for 2015-16 has begun. Please remember to return your registration materials on or before March 27th. This includes:
  • Student Registration Form  (must be signed and returned)
  • 2015-16 Tuition Agreement (must be signed and returned)
  • Registration Deposit

 

If you have more than one child attending St. Michael's, please refer to the Tuition Information sheet previously sent home for graduated registration fees.  After the March 27th deadline, the tuition deposits will increase.

 

We also want families to be aware that if you withdraw your previously registered student after July 1, you will be responsible for one quarter of tuition. If a withdrawal occurs after the start of the academic year, you will be responsible for tuition to the end of the quarter you withdraw in.

 

If, for any reason, your family is experiencing serious financial difficulties that prohibit you from submitting your registration materials and tuition deposit on time, please contact the Tuition Manager, Nancy DeMars, before the March 27th deadline.


 



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


 

Classroom Highlights

From The Desk of ... Mrs. Lofland - Grade 3

Grade 3 Research and Writing

The students in Grade 3A have researched and written reports on several presidents. They did the research at home, wrote their reports in school, and gave an oral report to their classmates.

Four students chose to research John F. Kennedy and found out that President Kennedy was the only Catholic ever elected president. Marcus discovered that Ulysses S. Grant was a gifted writer. Vince found out Grover Cleveland was in charge of the Statue of Liberty and was the only president to get elected twice not back to back.

Several students researched our current president, Barack Obama. They learned President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. Hannah and Audrey completed their reports on Jimmy Carter and Teddy Roosevelt respectively. They discovered those presidents also received the Nobel Peace Prize. 

All in all, the students enjoyed their adventure into research and writing.



Tips to Help Students Prepare for Iowa Testing

During the time leading up to the testing, begin to talk with your student about the importance of giving their best effort during testing. The following thoughts will help you in preparing your child for being ready to give the test his or her all. The night before:  
  • Help your child get to bed on time. Research shows that being well-rested helps students do better. 
  • Mention the test to show you're interested, but don't dwell on it. 
  • Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test. 
The morning of the test:  
  • Get up early to avoid rushing. Be sure to have your child at school on time.  
  • Have your child eat a good breakfast but not a heavy one. Research shows that students do better if they have breakfast before they take tests. 
  • Be positive about the test. Acknowledge that tests can be hard and that they're designed so that no one will know all of the answers. Explain that doing your best is what counts. The important thing is to make your child comfortable and confident about the test.

Japenese Nōtan

Mrs.Connolly's 8th grade Art class has been busy learning about and creating Japanese Nōtan artwork. Nōtan is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark as they are placed next to the other in art and imagery. Nōtan is traditionally presented in paint, ink, or cut paper, but it is relevant to a host of modern day image-making techniques, such as lithography in printmaking, and rotoscoping in animation. The finished products are being displayed on the bulletin board in the first floor hallway. 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!   

 

On Monday, March 2, the students at St. Michael's celebrated the birthday of  Dr. Suess in a variety of ways. The festivities are part of the National Education Association's Read Across America program. Here are photos of some of the creative remembrances:
Is that the Cat in the Hat or Mrs. Zajdel's PreK-4 class?
Jenna from Ms. Baines' PreK-4 class reads quietly wearing 
the hat she made!
Mr. Lapierre, dad of Zoe from Mrs. Warbington's Grade 2 class, visited to 
read and draw for the students.
Zoe shows the likeness between her dad's drawing and the real Dr. Suess!

 

 

Dental Health with Kindergarten

 

 

Dental Hygienist Mrs. Piemonte visited Mrs. Ruell's Kindergarten class to talk about good dental health and how to properly take care of your teeth. 

 

 

 

Grade 4 Chorus Begins

 

Miss Ford from the Community Music School in Springfield began 4th Grade Chorus this week. The students already sound wonderful!

 

 

Great News from SMA!

Congratulations to Mrs. Herron!!

A big round of applause goes out to Mrs.Caroline Herron, Grade 4 who recently received the "Harold Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence" award. Mrs. Herron was surprised by School Superintendent Sr. Andrea Ciszewski and Associate Superintendent Dr. Gail Ferman. Make sure you tune in to Real to Reel this Saturday evening at 7 p.m. on Channel 22, WWLP and watch the segment as Mrs. Herron's receives her award!



CONGRATULATIONS - IT'S A BOY!

We send out additional congratulations to our PE teacher, Mr. Rick Bernard, on the recent birth of his son! Rick, Jr. is doing wonderful and joins mom, dad and sister Savannah in the family!



 

Student Catholicity

As part of the Lenten season, students in Grades 2-8 went to confession this week. 
Fr. David Darcy

Fr. Ryan Rooney

Fr. Mark Glover


Upcoming Events

Monday, March 9-19
Iowa Testing
Grades 3-7

Tuesday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m.
School Mass
Grade 7 Readers

Wednesday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m.
School Board Meeting

Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 
Spelling Bee Competition
St. Mary's Academy

March 22 through 25
NEASC Accreditation Visit

From Cathedral

 

A Message from Our Friends at Cathedral High School

As you may know, the D'Amours have pledged $500,000 to Cathedral High School to be used strictly for tuition assistance. Click here to  help Cathedral High School meet their challenge grant. 



 

School Cancellation/Delays


In the event of inclement weather, St. Michael's Academy follows the Springfield Public Schools cancellation notices (due to bus transportation). If Springfield Public Schools cancel school - we cancel school, if they delay school - we delay school. Please check your local television stations for announcements. We will do our best to send out a Blackboard Connect announcement to our families as well.

 

 

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: 
Ann Alfieri
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cary
Anne Marie Paolino
Mr. and Mrs. David Russell
2013 SSJ Jubilanians

And we pray for the recently deceased:
Sophie Polys
Daniel Champigny

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.

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. 



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St. Michael's Academy 
153 Eddywood Street - Springfield, MA 01118
www.smaspringfield.org
413.782.5246 office 
413.782.8137 fax