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The Messenger

November 6, 2015
Vol. III, No.11

 
 
St. Michael's Academy
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St. Michael's Academy 
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Well, the results are in and it's good news for St. Michael's Academy! 

Today we held our annual awards assembly for our Walk-a-thon fundraiser (see below for more details). We awarded certificates to top lap walkers/runners and medals, dress down days, individual class prizes, miscellaneous prizes and one big trophy for top money raised.  And the whole time we're handing out these awards, I'm thinking, "there's no dead weight here at St. Michael's Academy!"  Everyone was involved in this fun activity that promoted fitness and raised money for SMA.  75 parents, grandparents, friends of SMA took time out to volunteer their time at the event and our whole school fundraising participation was at 86% (up 4% from last year)! Obviously the entire St. Michael's Academy community cares about keeping Catholic elementary education alive and well in Springfield.  We have a great school here, and nobody is taking that for granted.  Thank you!!!
 
On another note, next week parents and teachers will meet together to discuss individual student progress.  If any parent has a conflict with their assigned conference time, please contact the school, ASAP.  We're shooting for nothing less than 100% participation in this department!


Have a great weekend.

Peace,
Ms. Ann Dougal

Important Dates To Remember!

Please make note of these important upcoming dates:

Grade 2 Violin - every Tuesday
Banking - every Wednesday
Drumming - every Wednesday

PLEASE NOTE:

Monday, November 9, 2015
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR BEGINS!!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015
**Walk-a-thon Dress-Down Day*
For students who raised $25 or more in sponsorships

Wednesday, November 11, 2015
NO SCHOOL
Veterans Day

Thursday, November 12, 2015
NOON DISMISSAL
Parent/Teacher Conferences
No After School Program

Friday, November 13, 2015
NOON DISMISSAL
Parent/Teacher Conferences
No After School Program
Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for next Thursday, November 12th and next Friday, November 13th. Please note that students will be dismissed at NOON on BOTH days.  There will be no After School Program.

If you have not confirmed your scheduled conference time, please call the office or email m.freeman@smaspringfield,org as soon as possible.

Book Fair Volunteers NEEDED!




Attention Parents and Grandparents! 
We still need your help!!




Volunteers are still needed for several time slots during the Book Fair next week. Please consider giving some of your time to help bring this valuable event to our students.

If you can volunteer on Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Thursday between 1-5 p.m. please contact stephanielapierre@yahoo.com.

Thank you!

Advancement

IT STARTS HERE with RESPECT for one's self and others.  

Our students display examples of this distinguishing characteristic on a daily basis.  Children pause to allow adults to pass through their lunch lines in the cafeteria.  Classmates hold the door for other students whose hands are full.  Often, while on door duty in the morning, I will be greeted first.

Today, once again, our SMA students rose to the occasion.  We had the privilege of welcoming ten United States veterans to St. Michael's Academy this morning. No matter what room you entered, you could sense an intense level of respect, appreciation and courtesy displayed by our students. 

We were honored by the presence of these veterans and continue to be blessed by their commitment to our country.   

Great things happen at this school. Please consider supporting The Fund for St. Michael's Academy by clicking here or calling the Advancement Office, at (413)-782-5246 ext. 1202.  If now is not a good time, mark your calendar for December 1, 2015 and consider a donation on Giving Tuesday. 

Blessings to everyone for your continued support.


News from Ms. Geoffrey - Grade 3

Happenings in Grade 3


It's been a busy start to the year for the third grade!  Coinciding with our ELA lessons, Mrs. Lofland's class has started "Writing from the Heart" to create a personal narrative.  They've taken their writing from brain-storming, to a favorite topic, and to rough drafts.  Following examples from stories, the students wrote their own bold beginnings to get a reader hooked!

In Miss Geoffrey's class, we've been getting to know some of our ancestors in faith.  Each child has chosen a saint they'd like to research.  Using what they are learning in ELA, the students will take their biographies of the saints through all the stages of the writing process, ending with publication.  Ask your student who their saint is!

Both third grades are looking forward to multiplication with thinking about repeated addition and grouping. We are especially thankful for our new Math's Mates program which covers topics some students may not have experienced yet.  The program is getting the students into a great routine with the extra practice and it shows in their growing math confidence!



Academics/Classroom Happenings - 

The Living History Museum Is Coming To Town!

Mark your calendars for Monday, November 16th for the Middle Level Living History Museum. Students are hard at word producing their projects!

Don't miss an opportunity to walk through history as students select a person or era from history and bring it to life.

Grade 8 Conducts Performance Assessments

Grade 8 students have been conducting independent performance assessments in order to understand the basics of the scientific method. These include purpose, hypothesis, materials, procedure, data collection and analysis and finishing up with a conclusion.



Fr. Bernier Brings A Special Guest This Month

The 5th grade students always love Fr. Bernier's monthly visits but this month was even more special... Fr. Bernier's dog came to school. Wonder if he left a little bit smarter?


St. Michael's Academy Celebrates Our Veterans!

Hats off to members of the 337th and 439th air squadrons from Westover Air Force who visited our school today. Military members visited ALL the grades and the students were so impressed and had loads of questions for the group. Thank you Veterans for taking time out of your day, many of you traveling long distances, to present to our students. And a special thank you from the kindergarten class who received a personal lesson on the proper way to salute!

Walk-A-Thon Awards

Well...all the money has been counted and the reports are in. Today was the big day that the Walk-A-Thon awards were announced. Congrats to ALL students that participated in the fun but additional congratulations go out to:

Super Challenge - Classes with 100% participation 
  • Mrs. Ruell's KB class had 100% participation and will receive an ice cream social.
  • Mrs. Lofland's 3A class had 100% participation and will receive an ice cream social.
  • Mrs. Herron's 4B class had 100% participation and will receive an ice cream social.
  • Both 8th grade classes had 100% participation and will receive a pizza lunch.

Ms Kaimi's class, 8B won the extra recess time at Nathan Bill Park by raising the top dollar amount for a home room class.  $1392.00!!! WOW!!!


Here are our top lap walkers and runners!

80 students received medals for raising $75 or more.
 
Top 3 fundraisers for the Elementary Level -$25.00 Gift Card to Toys R Us Brenna, Ryan and Andrew

Kaitlyn was the lucky winner of the $50 gift card raffle for students raising $50 or more.


And the big one...
Top 4 Fundraisers for the Middle Level  - Limo Ride to School:
Brandon, Ava, Danny and Tony
These students will be receiving a limo ride to school on
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16th!*
Get ready to roll out the red carpet!

*Please note change of date for limo ride


Perfect Attendance

Congratulations to our perfect attendance dress-down winners! In order to qualify for the weekly drawing, a student must have no absences, tardiness or early dismissals the previous week of school. We select one from PreK - 2nd grade, one from 3rd - 5th grade and one from 6th - 8th grade. Congrats to this week's winners!

                Mia - Gr. 1                                   Afia - Gr. 4


                                           Colleen - Gr. 8
 

Pope Francis 

A reminder that the Pope Francis High School Open House will be held this Sunday, November 8, 2015 beginning at 1 p.m. at the current Holyoke Catholic High School campus at 134 Springfield Street in Chicopee. 

A placement test for prospective ninth grade students will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 8 a.m. at the Holyoke Catholic campus.




Professional Development

Patti Cutler, Adjunct Professor in both the Education And Psychology Departments at Springfield College provided professional development for our faculty this week. Her topic focused on creating safe environments for our students, using classroom behavioral supports.
 

Book Fair Begins!

The truck is here and the books have been unloaded! Its time for the Scholastic Book Fair. Beginning Monday, Nov. 9th and running all week, students and their families will have an opportunity to shop the fair on:

Monday and Tuesday between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday - CLOSED -NO SCHOOL
Thursday between 8 .m. to noon, 1-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Friday - last call between 8-9 a.m.

Don't Forget the Food Drive!

Food Drive

The middle level Student Council continues to seek food donations for the food drive. They are accepting non-perishable foods through Friday, Nov. 20th. Collected food will be donated to The Gray House.

'Tis the season to think of others!

Please make sure to check expiration dates on donations. We cannot accept any expired products. Thank you.


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:  rosary-beads.jpg
Mr. and Mrs. Laurence LaFleche
Mr. and Mrs. George Kellogg
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Rivers
Lisa Fontaine


And we pray for our recently departed:
Peter Rakouskas

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. 
 


Thank you for your interest in St. Michael's Academy. To ensure receipt, please add smanews@smaspringfield.org to your address book. 

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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