Pope Francis

Saludos!

 

We are in the initial stages of the 2016-2017 SPANISH READING

ADVENTURE. We have started working with basic vocabulary

and grammar skills as we keep incorporating conversational

skills in our dialogues. It is with a great sense of excitement that,

after putting God first in our weekly lessons, our elementary grade

level students have discovered that they can just transfer their english

reading skills into spanish and start experiencing this SPANISH READING

ADVENTURE.

 

It is our hope that all students may feel comfortable with this new reading

approach and begin embracing this experience as a blessing from God.  Like  always, every week we try to live and manage ourselves with a sense of self  control as we invest time and energy into learning Spanish.

 

Paz y bendiciones para todos (Peace and blessings for you all),

 

Sra. Velez

              Jenna - Grade 2A                         Sophia - Grade 5B

 

                                            Tiffany - Gr. 7A

 

             Jayla - Gr. 1A                               Gabriel    - Gr. 5A

  

                                             Delaney - Gr. 6B

Four of our SMA graduates, Cameron Dougal, Conor Sears, Julia Puppolo, and Jasmine Nieves presented to a panel of 12 national and international judges last Thursday morning. 

This year, the students were tasked with building the "PERFECT" classroom.  Opting for a traditional approach, CJ2 included a variety of green technologies, space saving ideas and a handicapped accessible wheel chair lift for a classroom stage.  Competing against groups both nationally and internationally this year's team placed 4th.

               

The Schools NEXT project is a project based learning activity 8th graders at St. Michael's participate in as a summary activity to all they have learned through their academic years.  A new theme is provided each year and children are tasked with researching, designing, building, and presenting their group based projects.  This showcase activity demonstrates what we can do here at SMA.  An educational task such as this engages the whole child: incorporating creative thinking, group problem solving abilities, presentation presence, and all of the academic and technological skills they possess.  

               

Student Writing Gallery

Have you checked out our Student Writing Gallery?  Currently, we have math autobiographies from Mrs. McQuade's  fifth grade math class.  Mrs. McQuade asked her students to think about their life in relationship to their math skills.  How has it developed thus far into their school career?  The results were an honest, creative reflection of each student's life as a math learner.

Our third grade students are Wild About SMA!  The pieces they wrote prove it.   Check out the Student Writing Gallery under Student Life on the SMA Web page and see if you agree. 

Checking it out by clicking here.

Lunch Bunch!

 

Lunch bunch will be starting this month. It is a small, informal group session designed to build self-esteem, social skills and increase peer relations. These groups are held during the students' lunch block. Students bring their lunches to my office where they listen to stories, have discussions and participate in activities. This is a great way to meet with all of the students at SMA and for them to get to know me and what my job is.

Some of the different topics we might touch on are kindness, friendship, careers, mindfulness, emotions, and self-confidence. A special invitation is sent to a small group of students in the class. Students are chosen at random and all students will have a chance to participate throughout the year. The students are picked up after their recess and then dropped off at the cafeteria for the end of their lunch block.

The students who participated last year really enjoyed their lunch bunch and have been asking when I will start! I have many ideas and plans for this year! 

We would like to celebrate the many nationalities that make up our SMA family at the Catholic Schools Week Open House on Sunday, January 29, 2017 from 12-2 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together and share food, music, and traditions of our diverse cultures. (Please include extended family members who would like to participate!)

 

A participation form was sent home with your child today. Please fill out this form and return it to school by October 24, 2016.  We will begin organizing the "countries."  

In need of another form? Simply  click here to download.

More details and reminders about the event will follow!                                               

Custodian

St. Michael's Academy seeks a full-time custodian, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Experience preferred. Applications available at the school main office.

St. Catherine of Siena Women's Guild will be holding their annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 5th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Parish Center. Handmade crafts, raffles and Chinese auction, gift baskets, kids toy straw booth, baked goods, foods and gift ideas galore!

Always free parking and admission!