High School Newsletter
DECEMBER EDITION
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Dear St. Mary’s Academy High School Parents/Guardians,
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​I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and that this first week of December finds you basking in the glow of spending time with loved ones.
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As we are entering the last month of 2020, I would like to thank everyone for a great 1st semester. To say this school year has been unique is an understatement. I am so proud of our school staff, students, and parents on how they have handled the changes Saint Mary’s Academy have had to make due to COVID.
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We are so fortunate to live in a community that rallies together whenever there is a crisis. Currently, our scheduled return date is January 5th. We can only hope that the second half of the year has in store for us much more on-campus activities and in-person learning, I am certainly looking forward to the time when we are together again.
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In the meantime we continue with virtual learning in December. As we finish up the first semester of the school year and look ahead to the 2nd semester, we cannot stress enough the importance of student engagement in both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Course content is progressing and it is imperative for students to keep up with their school work.
Please continue to encourage and require your daughters to participate in virtual classes, complete homework, and attend regularly. Final exams take place the third week of this month. It will be important for students to be up-to-date with all coursework and assignments. Parents, please be sure to periodically check your daughter’s progress on Canvas and/or through PowerSchool.
In closing, as we bring this year to a close, I want to reiterate my gratitude for your continued support to our school during these unprecedented times, and truly wish all good health and good spirits throughout the holiday season, and a home filled with love and joy. In the New Year, I look forward to the end of this pandemic, I feel confident that when we all return together, it will be with a greater sense of belonging and a renewed perspective on all of the values that make Saint Mary’s Academy High School such a special place.
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During the Holiday Season with so much to do and so much going on, it's easy to miss the meaning and the richness of it all. Remember to be present in the lives of the people you love. It's not all about the gifts, it's about the experiences and memories with those you love. During break, I hope all have time to laugh and relax with family and friends, either in person or virtually. Please remember to be safe as you go through the holiday season, making good decisions now is essential as we keep kids in our schools and get us through this school year.
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Have a great Holiday Season!!!
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Adriana Williams
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This monthly newsletter is designed to help keep you informed about the happenings at school and other useful information. Feel free to email me should you require further information.
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Remote Classes
December 1-17
Start at 9:00 a.m. unless noted
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Loretto Leaders meeting
Wednesday, December 2
Colorado Gives Day
Tuesday, December 8
Prayer Service - Virtual
Tuesday, December 8
11:20 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Students only
Prayer and Conversation for Parents
Wednesday, December 9
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Zoom
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(Virtual) Coffee and (Real) Conversation with Ms. Iswari
Wednesday, December 9
5:00 p.m. Zoom
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Hanukkah
Friday, December 10
Student Town Meeting
Friday, December 11
11:20 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
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Snack Attack
Monday, December 14
3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Half block classes
(except some foreign language and some theological studies)
December 14 & 15
Exams
Wednesday, December 16
9:00-10:00: Block A
11:30-12:00 = American Sign Language I
12:15-12:45 = American Sign Language II
1:30-2:30: Block D
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Thursday, December 17
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9:00-10:00 Block B
11:00-11:30: Theological Studies I
1:00-2:00: Block C
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End of HS Quarter 2
Thursday, December 17
Winter Break
Dec 18- Jan 4
Academy Closed
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Christmas
Friday, December 25
December 1-17
Schedule for almost every day of online learning will start at 9:00 a.m., but will follow the regular day schedule of::
A: 9:00-10:00 Lunch: 12:00-12:35
1: 9:00-9:30 C: 12:40-2:10
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2: 9:30-10:00 7: 12:40-1:23
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B: 10:05-11:35 8: 1:27-2:10
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4: 10:05-10:48 D: 2:15-3:45
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5: 10:52-11:35. 9: 2:15-2:58
Adv.:11:40-12:00 10: 3:02-3:45
Loretto Leaders meeting
Tuesday, December 2
The Loretto leader award is usually gifted to a person who exemplifies the four Loretto School Values, respect, community, faith, and justice. One student from every grade as well as one faculty member is chosen by the Student Council, as they showcased these four values throughout the quarter. The ceremony reminds us of how amazingly valued the community is at SMA. (Please note that this award cannot be given to a member of any student government group).
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This time the awards were given to the following students: Julia Stehno, Hana Husmann, Claire Qualls and Bree Horn. And to the faculty member: Mr. Phil Gentry, Congratulations to all!
Colorado Gives Day
Tuesday, December 8
What is Colorado Gives Day?
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The St. Mary’s Academy Five Weeks of Giving campaign will culminate with Colorado Gives Day on December 8, 2020. Colorado Gives Day features a $1 million incentive fund. St. Mary’s Academy will receive a percentage of this $1 million fund – the more money we raise on Colorado Gives Day, the higher percentage we receive.
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Annual Fund
Five Weeks of Giving Campaign
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The Annual fund supports your children in building bright futures. Give With Heart and support the Annual Fund during our Five Weeks of Giving Campaign, running from November 9 to December 8, Colorado Gives Day.
St. Mary’s Academy would not be the welcoming community that we are without your participation or your generosity. Because of YOU, St. Mary’s Academy is the exceptional school that we all know and love.
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CLICK HERE to donate to the Annual Fund. Your gift will have an immediate impact on the students, teachers and community of St. Mary's Academy.
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CLICK HERE to see exactly how the 2020/2021 Annual Fund is being spent.
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CLICK HERE and hear from our students about how the Annual Fund impacts their lives.
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A virtual prayer service meeting will be held via Zoom.
This is a student only event
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The modified schedule will be as follows:
Block: Period:
A: 9:00-10:00 1: 9:00-9:30
2: 9:30-10:00
B: 10:05-11:15 4: 10:05-10:38
5: 10:42-11:15
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Prayer Service: 11:20-12:15
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Lunch: 12:15-12:55
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C: 1:00-2:20 7: 1:00-1:38
8: 1:42-2:20
D: 2:25-3:45 9: 2:25-3:03
10: 3:07-3:45
Prayer Service
Tuesday, December 8,
11:20 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Zoom
Prayer and Conversation for Parents
December 9th, 9:30 AM
Zoom
– Prayer and Conversation for Parents –
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This is a hard time for many, especially parents. So, St. Mary’s Academy is offering an opportunity on Zoom for parents to get together to pray for each other, their children, and parents and children in our community and around the world.
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This month we have a guest speaker, Father Sam Morehead, Pastor of All Souls Church. Father Sam will be talking about Advent.
The format will be an open time of sharing what is on our hearts and minds, praying for the students requests, listening to Fr. Sam talking about Advent, then a brief time of silent prayer together and Fr. Sam will close with a prayer.
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If neither of these work for you, please let Adriana know and she’ll find a time. Blessings on you all. To register for this event, please click here
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More information? Prayer Request? Questions?
(Virtual) Coffee and (Real) Conversation Wednesday, December 9, 5:00 p.m.
Zoom
This session will be recorded for anyone who is unable to attend.
Zoom Link: Zoom Link for Coffee and Conversation
Agenda: 1. Remote Learning Model
2. Finals, academic expectations, wrapping up this quarter
3. High School Initiatives and Updates
4. Next steps for January
5. Feedback and Q/A Session
Hanukkah
Thursday, December 10
Student Town Meeting
Friday, December 11
11:20 AM - 12:15 PM
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Student town hall meeting with our principal Iswari, with the following modified schedule for the day:
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Block: Period:
A: 9:00-10:00 1: 9:00-9:30
2: 9:30-10:00
B: 10:05-11:15 4: 10:05-10:38
5: 10:42-11:15
Town Meeting: 11:20-12:15
Lunch: 12:15-12:55
C: 1:00-2:20 7: 1:00-1:38
8: 1:42-2:20
D: 2:25-3:45 9: 2:25-3:03
10: 3:07-3:45
Snack Attack. It will be a special drive-through event in the HS parking lot. We will have tables set up with individualized snack bags and a special goodie bag for each of you as you drive through the HS parking lot. The plan has been made keeping everyone’s health and safety as the utmost priority and following all the COVID-19 precautions in place. So, please make sure your daughter completes her wellness SchoolPass, mask up, and enjoy this drive-through event. Ast her to get festive with her attire and maybe even dress up her car a little bit.
STUCO members will be present(socially distanced, of course) to greet and wish your daughter. Some of the faculty members will be guiding them through the parking lot and cheering them on for completing a fantastic quarter. Spoiler alert: They might even spot Mr. Sniegowski dressed up like a giant Christmas gift or might see Mrs. Boss in her Elf outfit! And, wait for it, there will be music (all favorite Christmas Carols) and lights in the parking lot :) If your daughter is not able to make it to this event or are having trouble finding a ride to the event, please send an email to Ms. Forward. We will help her, and we will get the goodies delivered to her.
Snack Attack.
Monday, December 14
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Exams
December 14th-17th
Exam Schedule
Note from Ms. Iswari: The Finals are modified for this quarter (shorter in length) and individual teachers will assign either a project, an assignment, or a test. The teachers will communicate the specifics with the students.
Monday, December 14 and Tuesday, December 15
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Half block classes (except some foreign language and some theological studies listed below) will be holding finals during class time on these days. This will include AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP United States History, Chinese I, II, III, IV, Drawing and Painting, French Multiculturalism, Jewelry, Theological Studies 2, Theological Studies 3, and Theological Studies 4. Teachers will be sharing specific information with the students in these classes.
Wednesday, December 16
9:00-10:00: Block A
11:30-12:00 = American Sign Language I
12:15-12:45 = American Sign Language II
1:30-2:30: Block D
Thursday, December 17
9:00-10:00 Block B
11:00-11:30: Theological Studies I
1:00-2:00: Block C
Students will need to be a part of their classes only during the designated finals time listed above.
No final exams will be given early.
End of HS Quarter 2
Thursday, December 17
Winter Break
Academy Closed: No School
Dec 18- Jan 4
Christmas
December 25
Express Your Thanks
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Right now, our SMA community is stronger than ever. Our healthcare workers and hospital staff are providing compassionate and collaborative care. Our educators are showing innovation and persistence to make sure learning doesn't stop. SMA faculty and staff are working together—many of them remotely—to ensure students and employees in need receive support. And our student body is lending a hand and uplifting each other in new ways. For all this and more, we say thank you. We're grateful to you, our SMA family, for rising to the challenge in these unprecedented times. We encourage you to share your gratitude by filling out the form below. You are welcome to visit our Wall of Thanks.
Would you like to save this calendar for your personal use? You may click on the "calendar" tab on top of this page, where you can save the events on google calendar.
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Parents please make sure to check out the rest of my website, specially the "news and events" page. As well as the "articles" page, where you will also find interesting information.
While navigating through the website should you require a password, make sure to enter sma please do not share this password, the website contains information intended only for the St.Mary's Academy community. Thanks!
As always, I encourage you to please continue to refer to our school website, and our social media pages for additional information. For your convenience, helpful links and resources are posted on this page as well.
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Readiness to Reopen FAQ This FAQ follows up on questions raised from our Reopening Plans, and shares our latest improvements on campus.
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SMA Family Handbook: It is important for students and parents/guardians to refer to the handbook with any questions. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to reach out.
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SMA Calendar : This is a good resource for upcoming events; it doesn't necessarily have all the details but it has all the big stuff.
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Community Portal Everything you need as an SMA family - in one place.
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PCR PCR is used for all student billing. Please note that later this fall, we will be be providing upgraded services, including 2021-22 admissions contracts, renewals/re-enrollments, and student billing, through SchoolAdmin. This will take the place of PCR and will be accessible here. Watch for more information..
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Powerschool PowerSchool offers access to student schedules, report cards, and transcripts. New students and parents will receive PowerSchool account/login instructions later in the summer.
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Canvas Canvas is a learning management system (LMS) that allows teachers to provide instructional support, class calendars, assignments, and resources for students in a safe online environment.
SchoolDoc SchoolDoc is our new, powerful and secure website to manage essential health-related data, along with other SMA parent authorizations that you can now complete online! It replaces PCR Forms.
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Digital Tutoring Services (we have 30 SMA High School students ready to help!)
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Naviance Naviance helps students reach their goals by developing skills critical for college, career and life.
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St. Mary's Academy Prayer Requests Have any prayer requests? You can send them here confidentially and the SMA Prayer Group will pray for your intentions.
Athletics Teams & Schedules.
Athletics Calendar Includes all the games.
SMA latest news Find out the latest news.
All Girls High School Full information about High School.
High School Academics Information about the curriculum.
High School Resources All the High School resources.
Volunteer opportunities All School volunteer opportunities.
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SMA Apparel SMA Online Apparel Store is Always Open!
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St. Mary’s Academy Important Dates 2020-21 Calendar of all school important dates
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Health Authority Updates:
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4545 South University Boulevard
Englewood, CO 80113
Telephone
(303) 762-8300
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Website:
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St. Mary's Academy
High School
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Bill Barrett
President
bbarrett@stmarys.academy
Iswari Natarajan
High School Principal
inatarajan@stmarys.academy
Pamela Applegate
High School Assistant Principal
and Social Studies Teacher
papplegate@stmarys.academy
Julie May
Counselor
jmay@stmarys.academy
Phillip Gentry
Director of College Counseling/
Math HS