NEW MANDATORY PARENT MEETING
Mark your Calendar to Attend

One parent or guardian from each student's family must attend one of the three one-hour sessions listed below. Topics covered during this important meeting include Digital Citizenship and Academy Fund Support. Failure to attend will result in your student's internet connectivity service being removed.

Mark your calendar to attend one of the following sessions:
  • August 16, 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
  • August 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • August 30, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
To learn more about Digital Citizenship, please read the information provided in the Academic section below. Discover more about the essential need for support of the Academy Fund at STA by clicking here.
Dear Parents,
 
We are looking forward to having your daughters on campus at St. Teresa's Academy for the 2018-2019 school year! 

For those new to St. Teresa's, the Parent News is emailed to you at the first of every month to keep you informed of valuable information on school activities, student accomplishments, and important deadlines.
 
At St. Teresa's Academy, " More Starts Here," and the teachers and staff are eager to educate your daughters this year in preparation for their bright futures. This year at STA, we will be celebrating the theme of Family. We hope your daughter will consider the Academy as a "home away from home," as well as an extension of the larger Sisters of St. Joseph family.
 
Please note the following:  
  • PowerSchool will be available for access beginning Monday, August 6. Please log in using the username and password you set up for your account to access your daughter's schedule. Schedules will not be mailed to your home this year.
  • We are happy to welcome the following new faculty and staff to STA: Jamie Banister, Kate Macan, and Joseph Hollo, theology; Riley Cowing, publications/journalism; Sarina Farb, science; Kelly Finn, Jarrod Roark, and Alexandria Warner, English; Amanda Hawley, Latin; Belinda Toma, mathematics; Vanessa Herring, Advancement Director; Laura Snapp, Executive Assistant to the President; Lazaro Torres, Maintenance Technician; Brianna Walker, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator and Admissions Assistant; and Robert Wynne, Director of Safety & Security. We are so very grateful to have them share their talents and expertise with STA. 
We look forward to seeing you at Back to School Night on Thursday, August 30. Enjoy the remainder of summer break.
 
Blessings,
 
St. Teresa's Academy Administration
UPCOMING EVENTS

Fall Sports Tryouts
Monday, August 6
Click here to learn more.

Orientation Day for All Students 
Wednesday, August 15
  • Check your daughter's scheduled time on the school calendar.
  • Complete the School Health Form and verify that immunizations are current.
  • If ordered, pick up uniform orders in the Star Shop.
  • Complete the MSHSAA Health Form, if applicable.
  • Check out Sports Tryout Information for students participating in fall sports.
First Full Day of Class
Thursday, August 16

Mandatory Digital Citizenship/Academy Fund Parent Meeting
One parent from each student's family must attend one of the following sessions, which will be held in M&A: 
  • Thursday, August 16, 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
  • Monday, August 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 30, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Senior College Application Kick-Off Night
Thursday, August 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m., M&A Auditorium 
Seniors are required to attend and parents are strongly encouraged!

Incoming Mother's Breakfast (new moms)
Thursday, August 23 or Tuesday, September 11
7:30 a.m., M&A Commons

Incoming Father's Breakfast (new dads)
Tuesday, August 28 or Thursday, September 6
7:30 a.m., M&A Commons

Back to School Night (parents only)
Thursday, August 30
6:00 p.m., New Parents: 5:30 p.m. (auditorium)

Bloom Auction
Save the Date - November 17, 2018
PARENT PLAYBILL GUIDE

The parent PLAYBILL you received in the mail will provide valuable information to successfully guide you and your student through the 2018-2019 school year. Keep it on hand to refer to when you have questions about contact information, dates, and frequently asked questions.

Bravo to STA's priceless parent community, and an exciting new school year!
BUSINESS OFFICE

The first tuition payment was due July 10. Following are  the steps taken for delinquent accounts:
  • A late fee of $25 will be applied to your account for each delinquent month.
  • PowerSchool will be disabled for the student.
  • Student will not receive class schedules.
  • Student will not be allowed to return 2nd semester if first semester is delinquent.
  • Student will not be allowed to re-enroll for the upcoming school year. 
  • Administration may revoke student's participation in school-sponsored activities, events, sports, retreats, etc.
Tuition payments should be submitted directly to Smart. You can pay online by calling  888.868.8828 or by logging into your Smart account. Checks received at STA will be mailed to Smart, which may cause a delay in posting and a late fee.
ACADEMICS

Orientation
New Student Orientation (freshman and transfer students) will take place on Wednesday, August 15. Students need to wear an STA polo shirt and bring their formal uniform sweater or vest for yearbook photos. All students need to report to the M&A Auditorium by 8:00 a.m. The morning will include meeting advisors, fellow advisees, administration, and faculty. In addition, the Star Shop will be open for those who need to pick up their uniform order. Students will tour the school, receive their Surface Pro 4 Tablets, and learn how to access Moodle and PowerSchool. A snack will be provided and New Student Orientation will conclude at 1:00 p.m. Students should bring a pen or pencil, as well as the completed School Health Form with verification that immunizations are current (if it has not already been provided).

Additional ORIENTATION & photo times on Wednesday, August 15:
Sophomore
12:30-1:15 (Wear STA polo & bring formal sweater)
Junior
1:30-2:15 (Wear STA polo & bring formal sweater)
Senior
2:30-3:15 (Phase 2 Service Validation Due)

The first full day of classes will be Thursday, August 16. Students must be in formal uniform attire (skirt, polo, and sweater or vest) for the Passing of the Legacy Prayer Service. St. Teresa's does not publish a school supply list; individual teachers will communicate any specific supplies needed on the first day of class. 

Digital Citizenship
What is Digital Citizenship?
  • The practice of using the internet and technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly
  • Best practices for responsible technology use
  • Techniques and strategies for responsible use of social media and technology
  • The ability to think critically and discern what is positive to share online and what should be kept private
  • Protecting private information, respecting yourself and others, staying safe online, giving proper credit when using someone else's work, and balancing time spent online and offline.
These technology sessions are designed to assist parents and guardians with the conversations they may have with their daughter when using digital devices. One parent or guardian from each family must attend one of the sessions listed below.
  • Thursday, August 16, 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
  • Monday, August 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 30, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Back to School Night
This event begins Thursday, August 30, at 5:00 p.m. for parents electing to attend one of the three mandatory Digital Citizenship sessions. The New Parent session begins in the M&A Auditorium at 5:30 p.m., while all other parents may arrive at 6:00 p.m., reporting to their daughter's advisory.  

AP Scholars
Congratulations to the students who were named AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor and AP Scholars with Distinction after the May 2018 tests.

With the expanded and enhanced AP offerings at STA, the number of AP Scholars has grown over the past four years:
  • May 2018 - 68 Scholars
  • May 2017 - 59 Scholars
  • May 2016 - 47 Scholars
  • May 2015 - 31 Scholars
COLLEGE COUNSELING

Senior College Application Kick-Off Night
Thursday, August 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m., M&A Auditorium 
Seniors are  required to attend and parents are strongly encouraged!

Catholic College Day at STA
Tuesday, September 11, Activity II, Windmoor Center 
Thirty Catholic colleges and universities will be represented. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are encouraged to attend.

Junior College Planning Night
Wednesday, September 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Rockhurst High School, Rose Theater. Joint program with STA, Sion, and RHS juniors and their parents. Info sessions include ACT/SAT, financial aid & admission timeline, selective admissions, essays & resumes, honors programs, NCAA athletics, college visits, visual & performing arts, and much more.

Kansas City Private High Schools' College Night
Thursday, September 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Rockhurst High School, gymnasium. 
Over 140 colleges will be in attendance. This is an excellent opportunity for sophomore, junior, and senior families. A complete list of colleges attending will be emailed to families in late August.

Debi Hudson ([email protected]) & Liz Majors ([email protected]), College Counselors

Get involved at your daughter's school by volunteering for events and activities. Here's how:
  • Access the SignUpGenius on the STA website within the Parents tab under Parent Volunteers.
  • Click the link below on this monthly Parent E-Newsletter or the Parent Volunteer email.
  • Click the volunteer tile on the STA app.
CAMPUS MINISTRY

Kairos Retreats
The Kairos retreat program, which is open to juniors and seniors, will be coordinated this school year by Mrs. Carrie Jacquin and Mrs. Robin Good.  

Kairos sign-up information will be shared with the junior and senior classes in early fall, but following are the dates for planning purposes in family calendars:
  • October 23-26, 2018 (this retreat is open to seniors only)
  • January 8-11, 2019 (interim week)
  • April 2-5, 2019
  • May 28-31, 2019
Note the January and May retreats will not conflict with classes and coursework.
star shop logo

The Star Shop has moved to its permanent location in the newly expanded Goppert Center. Come by to check out the new space and amazing STA merchandise!

STA Uniform Orders
If you placed a uniform order, it can be picked up in the Star Shop on August 13 and 14 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., as well as during Orientation on August 15. 

The Star will also be open during athletic games this year. Volunteering in the Shop is a great way to get involved at STA! To sign up, click on the volunteer button below. Contact Laura Benge at [email protected] with any questions.
athleticlogo
ATHLETICS

As mandated by MSHSAA, student-athletes are not eligibile for tryouts until they have an annual physical and complete the MSHSAA Physical Exam Form/PRIVIT Instructions form and submit it electronically to the PRIVIT website. 

Tryouts for fall sports begin August 6.