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From the Desk of Dr. Molly Grumich
Principal
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Dear Parents & Guardians:
Autumn
We see signs of summer's passing in golden leaves,
shortening days, misty mornings, autumn glow.
We sense its passing in rain that dampens,
winds that chill, Harvest's bounty placed on show.
Creator God, who brings forth
both green shoot and hoar frost,
sunrise and sunset,
we bring our thanks
for seeds that have grown,
harvests gathered,
storehouses filled,
mouths fed.
And, as your good earth rests
through winter's cold embrace,
we look forward to its re-awakening
when kissed by Spring's first touch.
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| FROM THE DESK OF BILL HUBER, ASST. PRINCIPAL & DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY |
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Last Friday I had the privilege of taking 30 students to Hawthorn Leadership Academy for Girls. The request came from Hawthorn administrator, IWA alumna, and former IWA administrator, Julie Hercules. She thought they could help her students adapt to a single gender school, talk about how to deal with change, and how to handle yourself when things don't go how you expect them to.
Our students were absolutely fantastic. Our young ladies came in with a positive attitude and immediately began leading the students in either an art project, small group discussions, or a large team building activity.
IWA students who were in the art room helped the Hawthorn students design tiles that will later be assembled into a giant mural on one of the interior walls. These girls not only helped them design their tiles, but also spoke to them about high school and how although some times are difficult, with the help of family and friends, they can get through anything.
Small groups consisted of around 10 students and 2-3 IWA leaders. Our IWA students led the girls through a variety of activities all centering on being kind to one another and the importance of being kind. Small groups ended with the middle school students asking all kinds of questions to the IWA leaders. One of my favorite questions was, "Is the jumper really comfortable?" Both IWA leaders responded emphatically, "YES!"
Sixth, 7th, and 8th grade students all cycled through the large group as a class. Students who were in the large group played games, learned cheers, and listed to the 10 IWA leaders talk about their experiences at a single gender school and how single gender education has allowed them to transform into the persons they are today.
As I said above, our students were amazing. I was very proud of how they handled themselves, how engaging they were with the young students, and how willing they were to help. These young ladies truly exemplified the Mission of Incarnate Word Academy.
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IWA's Diversity Club prepared and led this year's first school prayer service. The themes were building unity, appreciating diverse gifts and talents, and working together to build a more peaceful world. The choir, led by Naomi Johnson, senior, prayerfully performed "We Lift Our Hands in the Sanctuary," and "Take Me to the King." During the second song, students, led by Geneace Adams, junior, did a graceful praise dance. Jade Gates, senior and President of Diversity Club, composed pledges and responses for students in all four grade levels to read aloud. An example from the seniors: "We, the Senior class, will carry out this oath by spreading love to each other and to those around us."
As the prayer service ended we sang "We are the World" and gathered around IWA's Peace Pole, which we purchased in 2008. The Peace Pole Project was started in 1955 by the World Peace Prayer Society, a non-profit, non-sectarian organization dedicated to uniting people across the globe through the universal prayer, "May Peace Prevail on Earth." To symbolize the oneness of humanity in promoting peace in every nation, this prayer can be written in different languages. Our Theology Department members suggested the eight languages for our pole, representing the various cultures present at IWA, and our outreach to the broader community. These are: Spanish, French, Sign Language, Swahili, Chinese or Mandarin, Hebrew, German, and English. The Peace Pole, located in the circle by the Administration Building, serves as a reminder to demonstrate peace in our lives, homes. communities, and gradually our world.
Sr. Eileen O'Keeffe, CCVI
Director of Mission Integration
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Retreats:
- Freshman Retreat is coming up on Thursday, October 6 at the Maria Center. Ten of our senior family leaders will be leading the day with the girls as they discuss friendships with God and with one another. Please keep the girls in your prayers.
- Sophomore Retreat is coming up on Monday, October 10 at the Cardinal Rigali Center. Members of the Reap Team will facilitate the day. Please keep the girls in your prayers as they spend some quality time reflecting on their lives and their relationship with God and others.
Liturgy:
- Our Memorial Liturgy will be on October 14. Father Oscar Vasquez, S.M. from Chaminade High School will be our celebrant. If you would like us to remember any deceased loved ones who have passed since October 2015, please email me their names and they will be remembered at the Mass. My email is gpitti@iwacademy.org.
- Grandparents and Special Guests are invited to join us for a special liturgy at IWA on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Invitations have already been mailed, and please RSVP to Ms. Pitti by Tuesday, November 1, 2016.
Junior Service:
All Juniors will be meeting on October 3 at mod 7 to receive their Junior Service Packet of information. The girls will be given over 80 suggested service sites for their community service project as well as the required forms that must be completed and turned in to the Campus Ministry Office no later than December 2.
Service Opportunities:
- IWA's team, "The Word Speaks" will participate in the Walk for Autism at Forest Park on Saturday, October 8 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- We are collecting bags of candy to donate to the "Play It Safe" Halloween Fun Fair that will be held at Cardinal Ritter College Prep School on October 29th. The event allows kids in the city of St. Louis to enjoy games and have fun in a safe environment. All donations of candy bags can be turned in to Ms. Pitti by October 17th.
- At least five more volunteers are needed to help from 5:00-10:00 p.m. at the Birthright Gala being held at the St. Charles Convention Center on October 22. Please contact Ms. Pitti at gpitti@iwacademy.org if you would like to volunteer.
- KEEN St. Louis provides one-to-one recreational opportunities for children with mental and physical disabilities, at no cost to their families and caregivers. Autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and down syndrome are just a few of the disabilities that challenge these kids daily. KEEN is looking for volunteers to help with their swim program which is held at The Center of Clayton every other Sunday. If anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Shannon Murphy, an IWA alum at (314) 805-0124.
- Visitation Academy's Campus Ministry Club is sponsoring an event called "Capturing a Cure" and it is a fun day of Capture the Flag, food, henna, and other games held at Viz on Saturday, Oct 15 from 12:30 - 3:30. Proceeds will go to Be the Match, a charity that uses donations to help blood cancer patients afford transplants, find a matching marrow donor, and have a successful transplant. This is in honor of Kate McKee Mitchell, mother of Emma Mitchell, class of 2015, who died of blood cancer in 2015. So if you are interested in participating in this event, pick up an order form in Ms. Pitti's office. Form and money are due this Friday, September 30th.
Geri Pitti
Campus Minister
gpitti@iwacademy.org
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FROM THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT:
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Junior Parents/Guardians: Juniors will be taking the PSAT test during school coming up on Wednesday, October 19. This will be a half day for all students, and Juniors will have no classes as they will be testing all morning. While the PSAT is a practice SAT, and therefore won't have any impact on college admissions, it is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Students who score within the top 3 - 4% are eligible to move on and compete for the National Merit Scholarship. Please encourage your daughters to be well rested and properly fueled for this day!
Senior Parents/Guardians: The Counseling Department has several parent/guardian events coming up! On October 3rd from 6 - 8 pm, there will be a FAFSA Frenzy event held in the Learning Commons. The financial aid director from Saint Louis University will be coming to Incarnate to present information on financial aid and assist parents in filling out the FAFSA. All are welcome to join us for the presentation, but if you would like assistance with the FAFSA that evening, please click
here
to sign up for a time slot.
Additionally, there will be a Coffee or Cocktails with the Counselor event on October 24th. There are two time options for this event: 7:30-8:30 am, and 6-7 pm. Parents are invited to learn more about the college process and ask the college counselor any questions.
Scholarships:
The newest scholarships available are the Fontbonne University Griffin Technology Scholarship (click here)
and Catholic High School Recognition Awards (click
here
.)
For a complete listing of scholarships available, please remind your daughter to see Naviance under the "Colleges" tab.
College Reps Visiting This Week: Ball State University (9/30), St. Ambrose University (10/3), Westminster College (10/4), and University of Missouri - Saint Louis (10/5)
Emma Goldberg, M.Ed, NCC, PLPC
College & Career Counselor
egoldberg@iwacademy.org
Navigating Social Media
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and
ikeepsafe.org, some teens check their social media more than 10 times a day and spend about 44 hours per week online. At this stage of development, teens generally do not have the ability to consistently self-regulate their emotions and are susceptible to peer pressure and bullying. With almost 80% of teens possessing a smart phone which provides constant access to peers and media, parents/guardians need to have open dialogue about online safety. The following are a few tips to help you navigate social media and texting with your child:
1. Set guidelines and time limits for internet/online/texting that allow your daughter room to be social without it taking over her studying and personal time.
2. Encourage your student to see friends in person rather than online and be willing to make arrangements for them to do so.
3. Parents should be monitoring internet usage and keep passwords. Let your daughter know that you will randomly check her accounts to ensure her safety. (Random means about once per week, not everyday!)
4. Have open dialogue about their peer relationships and how social media and the internet affects those relationships. The more you attempt to connect with your child, the greater the chance they will see you as a resource when they are faced with a problem.
5. Check your self. Are you setting a good example of how often you are tied to social media and your phone?
6. Remember that a child's brain is not fully developed until they are 25 and parents will need to set firm rules and expectations to keep young people safe and healthy.
I hope you have found these tips helpful. Please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns.
Karen Banks, M.Ed., LPC
Social Emotional, & Academic Counselor
kbanks@iwacademy.org
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FROM THE ATHLETIC OFFICE:
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Hard Work Pays...
Cross Country
did very well in Warrenton - Brooke Fredrickson 5th, Helen Demarcantonio 15th, and Emily Paridy 18th. Haley Stretch finished 6th in the JV race and all four runners medaled! They will travel to Jefferson City, MO Friday to compete in the Capital City Challenge. Our Golf team
honored their three senior teammates well last Thursday. The draw for Districts was a tough field this year. IWA finished 6th. Ashley Fite qualified for Sectionals by finishing 13th out of 50 golfers with a score of 93.
Softball
had a great week with victories over Ladue (16-1,) Rosati (10-1,) and Nerinx (7-1.) Abby Armentrout hit a 3-run homer in the Nerinx game to contribute to the win. They will travel to Bishop DuBourg today to play at 4 pm. Monday, October 3rd, is Senior Night vs. Ritenour with a 4 pm start. Varsity Tennis had a 8-1 victory over Nerinx last Friday. They also won Team Districts last night at IWA with a 5-1 victory over Clayton High School. Individual Districts begin tonight.
All three
Volleyball
teams have been playing well and fighting to create a new culture in the gym. Freshmen Volleyball took second on the Pacific Tournament earlier this month. All the girls played very well. Varsity will travel to Belleville, IL this weekend to play in the Metro East Classic. Shout OUT to our Cheer and Dance teams for all their hard work and contagious spirit at games. Each performance has shown their dedication to excellence. Booster items are ordered and due in the next week. I will send an email when they arrive and I will deliver them to your daughters.
I will post about our teams and provide special announcements on social media. So please click on the links and follow the Red Knights!
Always a Great Day to be A RED KNIGHT!
Athletic Director
lorlet@iwacademy.org
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Tickets - $10 - General seating
For reservations, please call Meghan Farrell at 314-725-5850, ext. 1109 or email at: mfarrell@iwacademy.org
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REMINDER
A big THANK YOU to all who attended and/or worked the Homecoming. The weather turned out to be perfect, the parade was fun & Powderpuff was entertaining!
Please complete the survey about the day to help with 2017 Homecoming planning - please click
here
.
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2017 Auction Fundraisers
Register for the Simply A-Door-Able Event here
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All are welcome at the Kendra Scott event; no RSVP is required. Come to the store located in Plaza Frontenac onWednesday, November 30th from 5-8 pm & 20% of your purchase will be donated back to IWA.
Check out the Kendra Scott website here.
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Friday, Sept. 30 - Regular day at school
Monday, Oct. 3 - Regular day of school
- Junior service site forms given out
Tuesday, Oct. 4 - Regular day of school
- Jostens here for JR/SR (last names A-L) - mods 7/8
(info about rings & graduation announcements)
Wednesday, Oct. 5 - Late start - HR begins at 9:00 am
- Dress out day for Autism
- Jostens here for JR/SR (last names M-Z) - mods 7/8
(info about rings & graduation announcements)
Thursday, Oct. 6 - Regular day of school
- Fall Play - 7:00 pm (see info above)
Friday, Oct. 7 - Regular day of school
Saturday, Oct. 8 - Walk for Autism
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Incarnate Word Academy | 314.725.5850 | www.iwacademy.org
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