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       "The Messenger"


         October 13,  2017
  Vol. V, No. 8
St. Michael's Academy
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St. Michael's Academy 
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It's hard to believe that our big St. Michael's Academy Signature Event is only two weeks away!  

At the event, we will be paying tribute to our "heritage schools" which are the original 14 Catholic elementary schools in the city of Springfield. We hope to see many of the alumni there and at the same time, raise some funding for our school. Don't forget the cost to the school to educate each child is over $5,700 and our tuition is $4,150.  We do our best to make up the deficit with just a few, fun events during the year.

There are still a limited number of tickets available so if you know any alumni, please extend an invitation for them to attend. If you would like to attend yourself, contact the Advancement Office at 782-5246, ext. 1202. 

It should be a fun and relaxing evening!

Enjoy a beautiful fall weekend.

Peace, 

Ann E. Dougal 
Principal    

Upcoming Dates To Remember 

Please make note of these important upcoming dates:
 
Drumming - every Wednesday
Banking - every Wednesday

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
School Mass
Grade 6 Readers

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
School Board Meeting

Thursday, October 19, 2017
Kindergarten Field Trip
McCray's Farm

Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
T R U
N
  OR TR EA T !!

Friday, October 20th
Diocesan Professional Development Day
*NO SCHOOL*


Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 6 p.m.
ST. MICHAEL'S ACADEMY 
S IGNATURE EVENT
GYMNASIUM


 
Please remember to attend Church as a family.


Signature Event

  Signature Event

Honoring Our Heritage, Celebrating The Present, 
Shaping The Future
October 28, 2017 at 6 p.m.

ATTENTION alumni and friends of St. Michael's Academy. Only two weeks to go!!  Tickets are on sale and going fast. Reserve yours today by calling (413) 782-5246 or emailing p.lund@smaspringfield.org.

Don't miss the fun!

 Perfect Attendance
 
Good Attendance Pays Off !

Congratulations to our perfect attendance dress-down winners! In order to qualify for the weekly drawing, a student must have no absences, tardiness or early dismissals the previous week of school. We select one from PreK - 2nd grade, one from 3rd - 5th grade and one from 6th - 8th grade.  Congrats to this week's winners! 
 
                Payton - Gr. 2B                                     Mia- Gr. 3A


Carmela - Gr. 6A


 
From The Classroom of Mrs. Alves - Art Room
  
Greetings From The Art Room


Hello. I wanted to introduce myself! My name is Amanda Alves and I am the new art educator at St. Michael's Academy. I have been an art educator for over 10 years and I have inspired hundreds of children over the years to think outside of the box, to be driven by what inspires them and to use art as a tool of expression, design and innovation.
 
Using technology, along with tangible art making materials, students will get the opportunity to practice an array of different skills, while working toward an ultimate goal and project. My hopes and dreams for this school year are to get to know all the students to better suit lessons and focus learning on creating and sketching, building and writing.
 
My philosophy on art is simple: art is a tool to make the world around us more beautiful, interesting and to shine a light on how to inspire others using art. I want to teach my students that artists are not just painters who have work in museums, but that artists are innovators, thinkers, scholars, and people who will change the world using visual images, textures, lines and shapes, colors and ideas. I have always felt that all children are true artists at heart. They use their imagination in unlimited ways, naturally, and they are open to seeing things in new and exciting ways. This is why I love what I do! My students are amazing and talented individuals.
 
This will be an inspiring year with great opportunities for students to shine as artists, as community members and as children of God as they reflect back on all that inspires them.




The Fund for SMA
 
The 2017-2018 Fund for St. Michael's Academy
The Sky is the Limit!
 
As we enter the 5th year of The Fund for St. Michael's Academy, we would like to thank our dedicated donors who have supported the mission of SMA over the past few years!  

The GREAT NEWS is we have been granted a new challenge this year.  An anonymous donor has offered St. Michael's Academy the opportunity to raise funds by challenging us to secure more NEW donors, LAPSED donors and encourage established donors to INCREASE their gift.  Our generous benefactor has offered to match the total amount of gifts raised within those three categories.  Can you imagine the possibility?  We believe the sky is the limit! 

Please help us spread the word and encourage anyone who has not made a gift to The Fund to consider making one this year.  If you have made a gift in the past, please consider increasing that amount.  

Thank you and let's see if we can reach the sky!





8th Grade Update

8th Grade Visits Pope Francis High School

Our 8th grade students were invited to Pope Francis High School and had a visit with the science department. They worked with the science teacher - calculating speed and then racing the modified cars in the hallway.





Walk-a-thon

Our link to additional walk-a-thon pictures was not working in last week's newsletter.  Let's try that again!  Click here for more walk-a-thon photos!
 


Around The School

 

  Know A Nurse?

Substitute Nurse Needed!


We are currently seeking a per diem substitute Nurse to work approximately 1-2 days per month (starting this month). Requirements: Current MA RN license and CPR and First Aid Certifications. Call School Nurse, Karen Pomeroy, ( 413) 782-5246 ext. 1129 if you are interested. Thank you!


Girls On The Run
 
Girls On The Run Update

The St. Michael's Academy Heart & Sole team has been working hard and have explored and practiced skills such as recognizing strengths, setting goals, resolving conflict, and healthy friendships.  At the end of each lesson, the girls reflect and record their thoughts in their journals to help them synthesize the "big idea."  Several parents have commented on positive changes they have seen in their girls!  

As many of you know, the programs ends with a 5K run and the girls are gearing up. There is a practice 5K scheduled for 4 p.m. on October 30th.  Show your support by attending and cheering the girls on!  It usually lasts about 60-90 minutes. 

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact kabudrecki@gmail.com.



Prayer Corner
 
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us! 
 
We pray for all St. Michael's Academy students, families, faculty, and staff, and their special intentions:

Teri Szlosek
Rob Newton
David DeSmith
Katherine Lippman
Greg Gethins and Mary Critelli

And we pray in a special way for our recently departed:

Doris Jamilkowski
Parker "P. J." Brown

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 

 Food  For Thought

"A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works  is not based on their number and excellence, 
but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things."
                                        St. John of the Cross 
 Parish and Event News

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena Women's Guild will hold its a nnual Holiday Craft Fair on  Saturday, November 4, 2017 from  9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the  Parish Center located at  1023 Parker St., Springfield.
 
Admission is free and will feature h andmade crafts, b aked goods, r affles & Chinese auction and a k ids toy straw booth. There will also be a seating area with full luncheon.

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Holy Cross Church
Craft Fair

Holy Cross Parish will hold a Fall Festival/Craft Fair on Sunday, October 22nd, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the St. Michael's Academy gym located directly behind the Church. There will be many crafters, vendors, a raffle, bake sale and activities for the kids.  

Start your Christmas shopping early!



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2nd Annual GYSGT Thomas J. Sullivan 
5K Remembrance Run & 2 Mile Walk 

ON October 15, 2017 the 2nd Annual GYSGT Thomas J. Sullivan 5k Remembrance Run & 2 Mile Walk will be in EFP and at Nathan Bill's. Pre-registration is available online now! Runner/walkers can also sign up that morning under the tent. The run/walk will start promptly at 10:30am from the parking lot of Nathan Bill's Bar & Restaurant. Sponsorship forms will be available at Nathan Bills & through the Galaxy Community Council. All runners, walkers, families & friends are invited to an after party on our side patio & tent, which includes live music, food & drinks. Preregistration includes special edition t-shirt, commemorative bib & lunch! 

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St. Michael's Academy 
153 Eddywood Street - Springfield, MA 01118
www.smaspringfield.org
413.782.5246 office 
413.782.8137 fax