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St. Michael's Academy
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The students have been practicing very hard for the annual Christmas Pageant. As I'm sure you know, the Pageant will take place next Tuesday and Wednesday at St. Catherine of Siena Church at 6:30 p.m. We have reserved the church for Thursday as well just in case we have snow on Tuesday or Wednesday and have to postpone. We're looking forward to sharing this beautiful experience with all of you!
We will also be welcoming our PreK grandparents on Friday of next week for refreshments with their grandchildren and the reading of The Polar Express. The students are always excited to have their grandparents come in and see their school!
And lastly our 8th graders have begun the building phase of their SchoolsNEXT projects. It is always an exciting time for them to see all their planning take shape in their models.
Enjoy a nice weekend and I hope to see everyone at the Christmas Pageant next week.
Peace,
Principal
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Upcoming Dates To Remember
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Please make note of these important upcoming dates:
Violin every Tuesday
Drumming every Wednesday
Banking every Wednesday
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Third Sunday of Advent
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Students with last names A-L perform
Wednesday, December 14, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Students with last names M-Z perform
Both performances are at St. Catherine of Siena Church
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Snow Date for Christmas Pageant
Friday, December 16, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
PreK Grandparent Event
Reading of
The Polar Express
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Perfect Attendance
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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!
Connor - Grade KA Caitlyn - Grade 4BA
Luna - Grade 6A
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From the Office of Mrs. Freeman - School Counselor
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Random Acts of Kindness
Kindness is a great way to count down to Christmas. Random acts of kindness could help you to enjoy the Christmas season and not be so stressed. Acts of kindness done together as a family, with friends, classes, youth groups, or scouts, bonds and connects the members. Widespread kindness makes a community feel happier.
This year, try something new. Brainstorm a list of random acts of kindness you and your family or friends could do together throughout this month of December. Some ideas are: donate books you no longer use, send cards to our troops, feed the birds, donate new toys for Toys for Tots and give up your spot in the checkout line. Here is a link for other ideas
http://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/24-random-acts-christmas-kindness-kids/
Clear your schedule for kindness. It doesn't have to take long or be overly involved. Small intentional acts of kindness can really brighten someone's day!
Merry Christmas!
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Confessions
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Prepare the Way for The Lord
St. Michael's Academy students in grades 3 through 8 received the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week in preparation for Christmas.
Thank you to the following priests who heard confessions:
Rev. David Darcy
Rev. Matthew Alcombright
Rev. Mark Glover
Rev. Ryan Rooney
Rev. Mark Mengel
Rev. Msgr. David Joyce
Abouna David George
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School Mass
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Feast of the Immaculate Conception
We thank our 3rd grade students this week for being readers, altar servers and choir members for our Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass. We also send out a big thank you to Fr. Gary Dailey from the UMASS Newman Center for celebrating Mass with us.
 
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Grade 5 Happenings
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5th Grade Writers Tea
The Grade 5 students showcased their writing talents today and invited their family members in for tea and a reading.
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Grade 6 Happenings
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Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy
The 6th Grade students were busy this week as they learned about different types of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. They set out to build various 3D models of energy sources including coal formation, oil drilling and natural gas drilling.
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Writer's Gallery
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At SMA we have four portfolio assessments each year. Last year we concentrated on timelines, graphs and diagrams. This year our teachers are focusing on writing skills across the curriculum.
Our first assessment piece this year focused on the Walk-a-thon. The prompt varied in detail and difficulty with four versions of the prompt. Pre-K and kindergarten had to draw and then explain their drawing to a teacher. First and second grade had to write independently and draw. Third, fourth, fifth and middle school students were writing four to five paragraphs with the middle school having a prompt requiring a bit more thought and consideration.
Take a look at the Walk-a-thon assessment samples under Student Life then Student Writing Gallery on the SMA website. Enjoy!
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Christmas Pageant
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Pageant Is Next Week!
Just a reminder that the students need to be at St. Catherine of Siena Church
on Parker Street by 6 p.m. the night of their performance. There are two performances; students with the last name beginning with A-L will perform on Tuesday and students with the last name beginning with M-Z will perform on Wednesday.
The performances will begin at
6:30 p.m.
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Student Council
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Winter Clothes Drive
St. Michael's Academy and the SMA Student Council have partnered to do a Winter Clothing Drive during December. The collection will take place from December 5th to the 16th.
Appropriate items for donation include coats, gloves, mittens, jackets, scarves, socks, hats and earmuffs. These items should be new or gently used and will be donated to the Salvation Army and other charities.
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Hockey and Cookies!
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Girls Scouts Join Forces With Thunderbirds
Calling All Cookie Lovers!
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scout Cookies Sales! The Girl Scouts of Springfield have partnered with the newly formed Springfield Thunderbirds to celebrate a "Cookie Kick-off Event" at the hockey game on January 7, 2017. The Thunderbirds have graciously offered a reduction off the regular ticket price for that game and tickets are available for $12. Game time is 7 p.m. and puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
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Sodexo News
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MILK PRICE INCREASE
We just wanted to remind everyone that our food service provider, Sodexo, has announced that there will be an
increase in the a-la-carte milk price from .50 to .75. The increase is now in effect.
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Parish News
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St. Catherine of Siena
Holiday Ziti and Meatball Dinner - Tomorrow !
Saturday, December 10, 2016
4:30 - 7 p.m.
Last chance for St. Catherine of Siena's Holiday Ziti and Meatball Dinner. Come tomorrow and enjoy some good food, have an opportunity to win a raffle prize, and visit with some old friends and make some new ones! Dinner will include ziti, meatballs, tossed salad and dessert.
Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the Survival Center and receive $1 off your ticket price! All proceeds will benefit the St. Catherine of Siena Parish General Fund.
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Also at St. Catherine of Siena -
"Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother"
"Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother", an extraordinary 8 week study that reveals Mary's unique role in God's Kingdom and our lives. Filmed on location in the Holy Land, Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother will place you in the midst of the powerful drama of her earthly life, taking you through her joys and sorrows. You will learn how she works in our lives today, drawing us ever closer to her divine Son. Mary will become a part of your daily life and help you to become more like Christ.
St. Catherine of Siena Parish invites you to join us beginning January 5, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. in the Parish Center, 1023 Parker St., Springfield. There is a $25 fee to cover the cost of the participant study books.
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Holy Cross Church
 Don't Miss
Breakfast with Santa!
The Holy Cross Knights of Columbus extend an invitation to all to join them for Breakfast with Santa on
Sunday, December 11th, from 9-11 a.m.
in the St. Michael's Academy gym.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children, or $10 for the family. In addition to the pancake breakfast there will also be a prize raffle, activities for the children including a "Keep Christ in Christmas" poster contest
and an opportunity for photos with Santa.
Come and join the fun - all ages are welcome!
For questions or more info please contact Bob Bys at 413-796-5522.
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Prayer Corner
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St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!
We pray for all St. Michael's Academy students, families, faculty, and staff, and their special intentions.
Christine Shukes
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tivnan
Cynthia Dwyer-Fonda
Marlene Gondek
Carol Sherry
Carol Brown
Linda Rheaume
And we pray in a special way for all of our recently departed.
Roger Holt
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.
Please remember to keep Miss Brown in your prayers during this difficult time for her. She will be taking an indefinite medical leave of absence.
Our prayers continue to be with Mr. Rancitelli, who is undergoing treatment for a cancer recurrence. We also ask that you keep
Mrs. Rancitelli in your prayers as well. She recently broke both ankles and her wrist in a bad fall. Each week, a different homeroom sends him cards. If your family would like to send a card, please send it to school with your child, clearly marked for Mr. Rancitelli. His family has set up a blog to write about this experience.
Click here
to read the blog.
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Thank you for your interest in St. Michael's Academy. To ensure receipt, please add smanews@smaspringfield.org to your address book.
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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
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