The Messenger Vol. IV No. 2

The Messenger

September 2, 2016
Vol. IV, No.2

St. Michael's Academy

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St. Michael's Academy

We had a great first week of school! I was very impressed with all the students who came back to school fully prepared and ready to work. Thank you, parents, for everything you've done to prepare them for the start of school. I also saw some great cooperation in classrooms as everyone worked together to organize supplies, their desks and classrooms. We are definitely off to a good start.

Fr. White from Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebrated Mass with us for the first day of school. He taught the students a valuable lesson about the Holy Spirit. Ask your child about the pinwheels he used in his Homily and see if they remember what the lesson was. It was very clever.

Today we had our Moby Max dress-down day for students who fulfilled the grade level challenge over the summer. The teachers were able to access the program and see the individual progress that students made and the amount of time they spent. Moby Max will continue to be a valuable tool throughout the school year as students continue to incorporate this technology into their learning.

I hope everyone enjoys a nice long Labor Day weekend.

Peace,

Ann E. Dougal

Principal

Upcoming Dates To Remember

Please make note of these important upcoming dates:

Monday, September 5, 2016

LABOR DAY

NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 5 p.m.

Home/School Advisory Board

SMA Conference Room

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Grade 4 Drumming Begins

Saturday, September 10, 2016

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE DAY

Camp Holy Cross - Goshen, MA

See below for details

Connect With Us On Social Media
Like us and check in frequently on Facebook! And while you're there give us a review! Follow us on Twitter And always remember the website is available for information and photo galleries! www.smaspringfield.org

We Need Your Help!

SMA SIGNATURE EVENT!

Looking for something different to get involved in at SMA? We have just the solution!

St. Michael's Academy is planning to host our first annual signature event which will include a legacy tribute and an auction. Our goal is to make sure the evening is exciting, entertaining, and profitable. In order to do this we need help from EVERYONE! Some of the areas to consider are planning, gift solicitation, auction room set-up, checkout, entertainment and decorations. We will need volunteers in all areas.

If you are interested in helping out in any way, being on the planning committee, or spreading the word and generating interest in this huge event, please join us on Tuesday, September 20th at 5:30p.m. in the Conference Room. I f you are interested in helping, but unable to attend the first meeting, please contact Phyllis Lund at p.lund@smaspringfield.org or at 413-782-5246 ext. 1202.

Our hope is to create a one-of-a kind community builder/fund-raiser and host it right here in our own gym. Participation from all families in some way will be the key to success!

If you have experience with major event planning, auctions or catering, please contact us!

From The Classroom Of Mrs. Morrill - Grade 3

Our new third grade students have certainly brought excitement and enthusiasm with them! They have started each day with big smiles and a positive attitude and are "revved up" and ready to learn all sorts of third grade topics, including cursive writing. Their first lesson was about becoming "Bucket Fillers" who will bring happiness and help to their classmates!

The first days were filled with sorting and organizing our desks and supplies. All were delighted to learn about Book Sox although putting them onto their new textbooks proved to be a challenge! Each student was quite determined and it became a great lesson in perseverance. Bucket Fillers were plentiful though as neighbors were glad to help if a classmate was struggling with a tough cover.

We are looking forward to continuing to grow as a class and learn all that third grade has to offer!

First Week Of School

We had a GREAT first week of school!

Thank you Fr. White for celebrating our first day of school Mass! You taught us about the Holy Spirit and, like the wind's effect on a pinwheel, you cannot see the Holy Spirit but you can see His effects.

Students were getting back into the books...

And the cafeteria was alive with chatter as students exchanged summer stories!

PreK and Kindergarten had their own special open house in order to meet their teachers and see their classrooms.

And then joined us for their first day on Wednesday!

Grade 5 Dives Into Science
The Cup Challenge The 5th grade students had a lot of fun in science class this week learning to work cooperatively, practicing effective communication, and finding the solution to a problem as they took "The Cup Challenge"! Each group had to work as a team to stack their six cups in a pyramid using only the rubber band/string tool they were given. They could not use their hands!

Diocesan Pilgrimage Day

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE DAY

Celebrating the Year of Mercy

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. friends and family of all ages are invited to come together for this day of celebration! This special event will be held at Camp Holy Cross in Goshen, MA

Join us to PRAY:

- Learn about Mother Theresa and Dorothy Day

- Pass through a Holy Door of Mercy

- Closing Mass with Bishop Mitchell Rozanski

Join us to PLAY!

- Enjoy the Watterfront and Grounds

- Children and Youth Activities

- Live Music

Bring a chair to ensure comfortable seating. Lunch will be available for a small fee or you may pack your own.

Visit www.diospringfield.org to register!

Parish News
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mt. Carmel invites you to the Taste of Italy! Join us on Saturday, October 1, at 4:30 p.m. in the auditorium of South End middle school on Margaret Street, off Main-- easy access. Lots of homemade Italian specialties and desserts. Buy or sell two $5 raffle books and you get a free chance for a $100 Visa card.


Thank you for your interest in St. Michael's Academy. To ensure receipt, please add smanews@smaspringfield.org to your address book. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our newsletter and emails. St. Michael's Academy 153 Eddywood Street - Springfield, MA 01118 www.smaspringfield.org 413.782.5246 office 413.782.8137 fax