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St. Michael's Academy
:
We have three big weekends coming up!
First, on Sunday, September 15th, our school choir will be singing at the Chalice of Salvation Mass, held annually at the Big E fairgrounds the first Sunday of the Fair. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop Mitch, will be televised live on Sunday at 10 a.m. on Channel 22 (NBC). Tune in then, or come join us at the park. It would be great to have a big SMA crowd!
The next weekend, September 21st and 22nd, representatives from St. Michael's Academy will be speaking at the Masses in our local parishes. As we celebrate our 10th year anniversary, the representatives will be thanking the parishioners for their support of our mission and giving them a brief SMA update. And while they're there, we'll be taking the opportunity to have students from the parish present (in uniform) collecting donations for our annual Walk-a-thon!
Which brings us to our third weekend,
the biggest one of all!
On Friday, September 27th, we'll kick off the weekend with our annual Walk-a-thon, always a fun event for everyone! This is the first of two major fundraisers, and we're counting on everyone to help us reach our goal of $25,000. Please get out there and ask friends and families to support our school. And then on Sunday, September 29th, we celebrate our 10th anniversary Mass, again with Bishop Mitch as our main celebrant. Thank you to all the families who have responded to our invitation to attend the Mass. Remember, our goal is to fill up the church and make it a truly joyful celebration. Please have your child wear their SMA uniform so we can have a sea of red!
Enjoy a nice weekend!
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Important Dates
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Please Make A Note Of These Important Dates
Banking every Wednesday
Sunday, September 15th at 10 a.m.
SMA Choir Sings at the Big E!
Chalice of Salvation Mass - Live!
Main Stage at the Big E
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 5:30
SMA Board Meeting
Friday, September 20, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
SMA School Mass
Hosted by Grade 7
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 11 a.m.
SMA 10th Anniversary Mass
Celebrated by Bishop Rozanski
with student participation
Holy Cross Church
(please remember to return your attendance response)
Please remember to attend Church as a family!
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IMPORTANT BUS INFORMATION!
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IMPORTANT BUS INFORMATION!
As many of you know, we have been having a problem with two of our buses,
Bus #2 and Bus #3, arriving late to school.
In order to alleviate this problem, the Springfield Public Schools Transportation Department through its bus company, First Student, has had to reorganize the routes
.
In the morning, there will now be
Bus #2, Bus #2A, Bus #3 and Bus #3A. THIS CHANGE IS FOR THE MORNING BUSES ONLY.
Students
will continue to ride Bus #2 or Bus #3 in the afternoon.
A letter was sent home with your child indicating what bus will be assigned to pick them up in the morning.
This modification only effects students riding on Bus #2 and Bus 3#.
This change will go into effect on
Monday, September 16th.
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Banking
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Attention All Savers!
Don't forget that banking has begun and will continue every Wednesday! Banking provides a wonderful opportunity to show your child the many benefits of saving money and helps them to develop a sense of responsibility.
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From the Classroom of Mrs. Warbington - Gr. 2
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News from Grade 2
The true meaning of what it means to be a student at St. Michael's Academy was certainly evident the past few weeks as all of our students returned to school and were busy settling into their new routines and getting reacquainted with each other. Grade 2 students were no exception. We had a great start! They came to school prepared and ready to start the new year.
It's hard to believe we just ended our third week of school! You would never know that though by the way the students have settled back into their studies and lots of learning has taken place already!
In religion, we learned about the Blessed Trinity. They learned that God the Father is the Creator, God the Son is the Savior, and God the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier. The students created a standing diorama of the Trinity. We sang, listened to Scripture, and discussed and shared with partners about what it means to be part of a family.
In our English Language Arts, we began by refreshing our memory with previously learned skills. Long and short vowel sounds, ABC order, sequence of events, author's word choice, compare and contrast, and writing complete sentences are just a few of the many skills we will cover this year. We will also read a variety of stories of different genres.
In math, the students have been using their math journals. They are learning new vocabulary words and the meanings to go along with their daily lessons. We are reviewing basic addition and subtraction facts along with reading and writing addition and subtraction stories.
This year our school will focus on Catholic Virtues. Each grade will be working on a special virtue. In second grade, ours is Integrity. We will discuss what it means to be honest, how to build good moral character, and knowing what's right and what's wrong. They will be learning to do the right thing even when they think no one is watching and be reminded that God is always watching. By the end of the year your child will have a better understanding of what it is like to be a better child of God and do His will.
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Counselor's News
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Social Media Info And Tips For Parents
 Parents need to be aware of the various forms of social media and how to keep their children safe and their experiences positive. This is an ongoing process and not a one time conversation. We have put together this list of helpful hints:
- 95% of children ages 10 and up have access to a smartphone. 45% of teens say they are online almost constantly and the latest research reveals 9 hours a day on average. Many young children are watching YouTube videos and TV without supervision. Parents should regulate social media usage by their children of any age.
- Visit different websites and decide which ones you will allow your child to use and require that they get your permission before using anything new. Decide in advance what the consequences will be if your child breaks the rules. Be sure to firmly follow through on consequences.
- Even if your child deletes a text or photo, there is still what is called a "footprint"of what was posted/texted. The delete only removes it from their personal device (even with snapchat). Remind them to NEVER send hurtful messages to others or show themselves negatively.
- College admission reps, activity leaders, scholarship/grant reviewers, and potential employers all check peoples social media usage to make decisions.
- Set limits on when and for how long your child can use social media.
- Openly check all digital devices for what your child is posting and texting and who they are connecting with. You may consider using an app to monitor your child's phone usage. You can get tips/information via
www.netsmartz.org/parents or
www.athinline.org
- Ensure that your child is turning off all electronics at night to protect their valuable sleep time!
- If someone is sending hurtful messages to your child, help them use the blocking/reporting tab built into to most sites. Consider contacting your child's school and/or the local law enforcement agency.
Here is a listing of 10 apps teens are using that parents
need to know about:
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CALCULATOR% -
This app looks like a calculator but functions like a secret photo vault.
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OMEGLE -
A free online chat website that promotes chatting anonymously to strangers.
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SNAPCHAT -
This is the way most teens communicate with each other.
Messages and snaps are sent that disappear within seconds and stories go away after 24 hours.
Teens live for a "streak" of communication.
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WHISPER -
An anonymous app where the creators promote sharing secrets and meeting new people.
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ASK.fm -
Ask an anonymous question and get an answer.
This app has been linked to the most severe forms of cyberbullying.
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HOT or NOT -
Strangers rate your profile.
The goal is to lead to a hook up.
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BURN BOOK -
Post anonymous rumors about people through audio messages, texts, and photos.
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WISHBONE -
An app that allows users to compare kids against each other and rate them on a scale.
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KiK -
Messaging app without filters.
Has built in apps and web content that would be filtered on a home computer.
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INSTAGRAM -
Many kids are now creating fake accounts "finsta" to hide content from parents.
Kids also like to text using Instagram because most kids know parents won't check messages.
for further information or resources.
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Around The School
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Photos From Around The School
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Alumni Spotlight
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St. Michael's Academy Graduate Named
National Merit Scholarship Finalist!
Pictured (left to right) Paul Harrington, head of school; Cameron Dougal; and Cynthia Geiger, assistant head of school.
St. Michael's Academy graduate, Cameron Dougal, has been named a
National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. Dougal, a 2016 SMA graduate and current senior at Pope Francis Preparatory School, was among the 1.5 million juniors in more than 21,000 high schools who entered the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2018 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This test served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1 percent of all U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants from each state.
To become a finalist, Dougal submitted a detailed scholarship application, in which he was asked to provide information about his academic record; participation in school and community activities; demonstrated leadership abilities; employment; and any honors and awards received. Additionally, to become a semifinalist, a student must have established an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirmed his performance on the earlier qualifying test.
Dougal will be notified in February 2020 if he is selected to advance to the finalist level for consideration as National Merit Scholarship winner. All National Merit Scholarship winners for 2020 will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July, where they will join 345,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title in the past.
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Parent Tip
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In order to avoid your child losing articles of clothing, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc., please make sure their name is on all their possessions. That way if something is misplaced, staff will know who to return it to.
If your child does not come home with what you sent them off with, the Lost and Found Box is located outside the cafeteria entrance near the elevator. Many things are left behind without a name and placed in the box. Unfortunately they are never claimed. Please check the box if you are missing items.
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Food For Thought
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"Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head."
- St. Charles Borromeo
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Parish News
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Mary Mother of Hope
 Congratulations are in order to Candice Berry, mom to one of our SMA students, who recently received the
Saint Pius X Award from her parish, Mary Mother of Hope!
Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation, the Saint Pius X Award is presented once a year to persons who have given outstanding service to the parish in the area of faith formation. In his encyclical "Acerbo Nimis," Pope St. Pius X set forth the importance of the catechetical ministry. He encouraged the teaching of religion to children, youth and adults.
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Holy Cross Church
Single Parent Support Group
Holy Cross Parish extends an invitation to all single parents who are currently raising their children from infancy through college age, whether with primary or shared custody.
If you would like the support of others with similar experiences, people who would understand what you are going through, please join us on Wednesday, September 18, at 7 p.m. in the rectory parlor. If you need to be late or leave early, please join us for the time you are available. Not everyone's schedule matches the set time.
The group has provided a great source of strength to those who have participated in the past. Perhaps it could help you as well. For more information, please call Sr. Cindy at 372-6241. You are welcome to "give it a try" if you are currently raising your children as a single parent.
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
 On
September 21st from 5-7 p.m., Our Lady of Mt. Carmel will be holding its annual "
Quarter Auction." There will be vendors, 25 cent auctions, raffle baskets and door prizes. Light supper will be available for purchase. Auction paddle with $5 admission fee.
On
October 5th join with friends for the annual
"Taste of Italy" from 5-8 p.m. The evening will feature 40+ Italian specialties, wine and beverages and a variety of desserts. There will be a cash raffle along with merchandise prizes. Food tickets are $1 at the door.
 On
December 8th from 2-4 p.m. you are invited to "
A Christmas Carol Festival" featuring reverent caroling and narration, stories of faith, living Nativity prayers along with homemade cookies and a gift to bring home.
This event is free!
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Prayer Corner
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St. Michael the Arch
angel, pray for us!
We pray for all St. Michael's Academy students, families, faculty, and staff, and their special intentions.
And we pray for all of our recently departed:
Denise M. Stuart
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.
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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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