SMA Now: Online News
February 1, 2008
Fliers and Announcements
Feb 4 and other dates:
Morning Coffee and Conversation with Deirdre Cryor
Feb. 24: SAIMARAC singing at Interfaith Gathering. Call 303-765-3111 for tickets. Related article
Feb. 28: Book Club Meets
Next Year's Kindergartners Visit SMA
Soon to be kindergartners visited SMA for the first of two Kindergarten Round-ups to take a small step towards 
kindergarten. While their parents had the chance to meet one another over coffee, the children spent about an hour with the kindergarten teachers participating in activities typical of a kindergartner’s day. They played with manipulatives, drew and cut, “read” books and recited numbers and the alphabet. While the students were becoming familiar with new surroundings, teachers got a headstart on getting to know each student individually. Kindergarten Roundup is also a valuable tool for teachers to assess the incoming students. (photo above)
Parents interested in enrolling their children in SMA’s kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year are invited to call Paulette Jackson, Admissions Associate, to register for the next Kindergarten Roundup on February 26. Mrs. Jackson can be reached at 303.762.8300, ext. 205 or paulette_jackson@smanet.org.
Kudos to...
...Leigh, grade 11, who was selected to perform in the chorus of the 2007-2008 Opera Colorado season. Leigh will be performing in Don Pasquale, February 8-17, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
...Austin, grade 8, who was featured in a story on Channel 9 on January 22. He and other children lobbyed the state Senate to support a iull requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids for children.
Anchors Away; Set Sail on April 25
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this year’s Gala. The Gala committee is hard at work to make sure that this year is even more successful than last year!
Invitations for the event will go out before Spring Break, but plan ahead. This year’s Gala is shaping up to be one not to be missed.
Don’t forget to do your part by donating an item to the auction! Need ideas? Restaurant gift certificates, golf packages and sporting event tickets are always hot items!
There are also many volunteer opportunities: jobs to be done before the Gala, the day of and during the event. Questions? Contact Anna Modic, Events/Annual Fund Coordinator, at 303-762-8300 ext. 282.
* Attached please find the forms for auction donations, sponsorship opportunities, sponsorships/ads.
HS Students Match Wits in the Brain Brawl
Sighs, cheers, intense listening, and funky costumes — the Brain Brawl trivia contest on January 23, proved to be an exciting yet mind-bending event for HS teams hoping to make it to the finals. Held in conjunction with the annual Talent Show, teams from each grade competed to answer trivia questions in nine categories including math, sports, geography, science, pop culture, history, art/music, English/Literature, and grab bag (a miscellaneous category). A team of seniors won the Brain Brawl finals.
Do you want to test your “Brain Brawl” intelligence? See if you can answer any or all of the following Brain Brawl questions.
Answers: 1. (23), 2. (Canada), 3. (Mt. Elbert at 4,399 feet), 4. (A Nebula), 5. (Iambic pentameter)
Courage for the Journey
The second annual Courage for the Journey on January 31 was an inspiring event for Middle School boys and their dads and mentors. Thank you to the parents who organized this special experience! (photo above) More Photos
Middle Schoolers Perspectives on Sixth Grade
How is sixth grade different from fifth? What’s the greatest challenge about sixth grade? How are values and morals taught in Middle School? Parents of students in grades 3, 4 and 5 asked these and many more questions to four sixth grade panelists at a recent MS Principal’s Coffee.
The students spoke about important aspects of the Middle School program: core subjects, support they receive from teachers; mixed grade advisory program and fine arts classes; outdoor education program and physical education; and being a newcomer to the Middle School and sometimes a newcomer to SMA.
Besides getting the students’ perspective, MS Principal Martha Ashley gave insights into the ways in which Middle School provides exceptional opportunities for personal, academic, and spiritual growth for the present and the future. (photo above)
Save the Dates:
Summer Adventure is Waiting to Happen
Session I: June 16-27
Session II: July 7-18
Session III: July 21-August 1
Sports Camps: August 4-8
Activities include arts and crafts, technology, cooking, recreation, science, performing arts, sports, and USA Chess camp. Academic classes are also available.
The Academy Adventures brochure will be available on the SMA website after March 1.
Stu Cabe Encourages Students to Spread Kindness
Stu Cabe returned to St. Mary’s Academy on Tuesday, January 22, to talk with Lower and Middle School students about the importance of treating people with respect and kindness.
Using funny and sometimes poignant examples from his own life, including a very embarrassing moment on the baseball field when he was in middle school, Mr. Cabe explained to the captivated audience that their bodies and brains easily memorize habits, like the way they cross their arms (left over right or right over left), how they button their shirts or put on their pants, and the way that they talk to each other. He urged the students to retrain their brains to say only positive things.
At the end of his talk, Mr. Cabe gave each student ten forget-me-knots (small pieces of colored yarn) and he challenged each person to give them to another student along with some kind words. As he has done in his previous presentations at SMA, Stu Cabe left the students with a deeper understanding of the importance of breaking negative habits and the importance of acting and speaking with kindness.
SMA HS Students and Faculty Show Their Talents
On Thursday, January 24, St. Mary’s Academy HS students and faculty put on award-winning performances for the standing-room only crowd at the annual HS Talent Show. The evening began with a show-stopping performance by “Tina Turner and Friends” (Kathyrn McNamee as “Tina Turner,” Sallie Dalton as “Ike,” and “Friends” that included Mary Kolbach, Kay Wall, and Clare Lovett) singing their signature hit “Proud (St.) Mary.” Although they were a hard act to follow, the show continued with many very funny and very talented acts. A few highlights include piano performances of “Beethoven #8” and “Valse,” a “Prayata Mix” break dance, and “SMA Exposed: Straight from the Vending Machine,” a hilarious skit performed by teachers who impersonated HS students. The cast included Don Nelson, Dan Weiss, Andrew Beckham, Peter Sniegowski, Gerry Harnett, Jerry Welty, and Ms. Mac.
Thanks to all of the students and faculty who worked to make this year’s Talent Show a huge success.
