SMA Now: Online News
September 1, 2007
A group hug with Mrs. Frederick!
A Sweet Beginning
How better to end the first day of school (or second day in High School) than with ice cream? Academy President Deirdre Cryor may have started a new tradition of students and teachers across the Academy taking a break to enjoy a sweet treat in the Quad. Thanks to nice weather, volunteers from Academy Parents, and balloon bouquets, the ice cream social was a festive, special surprise.
Line Leaders, Chocolate Milk, and Lots to Learn
A new school year for kindergartners is really new. They’re busily discovering a new environment, new people, new ways of doing things and they’re enjoying the experience here at SMA.
What did kindergartners learn the first two days
of school?
Here’s what they shared:
Getting in line
What the line leader does
Where the books are
Friday is chocolate milk day
Some phrases in Spanish
Using a pencil
How to paint
How to use a pencil
The best route to the playground
How to say the Pledge of Allegiance
Morning prayer and blessing before lunch
Storing backpacks
The teachers’ and their classmates’ names
How to check out library books
How carpool works
And that’s just the first two days of school!
Wildcats Ready to Pounce
It’s only the fourth day school and already SMA Wildcat
teams are ready to play. In fact, the HS softball team has won two of three games and cross country, volleyball and field hockey teams have participated in scrimmages. 
Eighty-three students are representing SMA on HS teams.
Wednesday was the first day for Middle School sports practice and the fields and gym were filled with 115 students eager to participate on volleyball, field hockey, soccer, and cross-country teams.
Go, Wildcats!
Building Bridges
A large bridge constructed of planks with the names of every high school student written on them will serve as a tangible symbol of Building Bridges, the High School’s theme that will be introduced today at the annual overnight retreat at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado.
"The four corners of the bridge symbolize the four Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect," says campus minister Jerry Welte. During the liturgy, twenty-five colorfully decorated planks representing each advisory will be laid in place to symbolize unity and interdependence. Teachers Don Nelson and Pete Sniegowski built the bridge. It will be a featured element in many liturgies this school year.
While the retreat offers time for reflection, community-building, and serious conversations, it was clear this morning when students boarded the buses that they were ready for fun...and lots of eating!
Exploring Colorado
The week after Labor Day has been set aside as a sixth grade retreat week. In three groups, students and teachers will travel to Diamond Tail Ranch in northern Colorado to engage in team-building, reflection, and fun. Students will be sharing the range with the buffalo, elk, and other wild and beautiful creatures. In addition to exploring rock outcroppings, students will hike to a lake, enjoy a campfire, and sleep in a restored barn. While at school, students will engage in a study of the Colorado Territory. The founding of the school and the culture of the wild west will be emphasized.
On September 10, the eighth grade will be heading south to the Great Sand Dunes National Park for a two-night campout. The tents are ready to load, the food has been purchased, and the students and teachers are loading their packs. In addition to climbing the dunes, other activities include alpine hikes, ranger talks, campsite games, evening campfires, and a talent show in an open-air theatre. Return is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Seventh graders will have their opportunity to explore Colorado when they travel to Keystone Science Center in May.
