YOUR FEEDBACK IS NEEDED!

As an STA parent, you are a key stakeholder and your feedback is vital to St. Teresa's Academy as part of our school accreditation process with the North Central Association/AdvancED. 

As an institute dedicated to continuous improvement, it is important that we routinely examine a variety of data to assess our current status, confirm our strengths, and identify our areas for growth. Accredited schools are held to high standards and meet the expectations of all colleges our graduates plan to attend. 

As part of this process, your help is needed. Please complete the Parent Survey of School, which covers the following five areas.
  • Purpose & Direction
  • Governance & Leadership
  • Teaching & Assessing for Learning
  • Resources & Support Systems
  • Using Results for Continuous Improvement
Forty percent of parents must complete each survey. The survey should take approximately ten minutes. Responses, which are confidential, are housed in the AdvancED eProve Survey System and reported in aggregate form only. In addition to accreditation usage, the reports will be shared with STA Administration.

Your time is greatly appreciated and valued.
Please click the button below to begin the survey. The survey will remain open through November 15.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL

St. Teresa's Academy's improvement process is a journey and every five years we are reviewed by an external team of educators as directed by the AdvancED Accreditation protocol. In the spring of 2019, St. Teresa's will be involved in an onsite engagement review to assesses the following areas: Leadership Capacity, Learning Capacity, and Resource Capacity.

STA faculty, staff, and students have been hard at work on the student performance goals outlined below. We are proud to share the results of those efforts. Please keep in mind that we are an ever-evolving institution always "moving towards the more" to better serve the community.

Goal One:  Students will become strong readers of nonfiction by identifying key details to create an analysis of the author's arguments, then synthesizing the text with previous information to create a comprehensive interpretation of the material.

Goal Two:  Students will utilize critical thinking skills to process, identify, analyze, and evaluate specific, relevant information in order to produce original coherent arguments.

I'm happy to present our progress toward these goals with the results of ACT testing by the St. Teresa's Academy class of 2018. One-hundred percent of last year's graduates took the ACT test and earned an average composite score of 26.4, compared to a national average of 20.8.

Group
Percent Testing
Average Composite
STA 100% 26.4*
Missouri 100% 20.0
Kansas 71% 21.7
Nation 55% 20.8
* STA data reflects the highest score if ACT was taken more than once.

Additionally, 87% of STA 2018 graduates met the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks in at least three of the four core subject areas tested (English, math, reading, and science). The graphic below shows a comparison.

Benchmark scores: English = 18, Math = 22, Reading = 22, Science = 23
 
Student ACT Reading five-year trend scores have continued to maintain equivalent sub-scores for fiction vs. nonfiction reading, therefore reaching the school's measurable performance goal.

Student ACT Science five-year trend scores have remained steady above 24 with a five year average of 25.1 reaching our performance goal set at a 25 class average. The Academy's students have achieved the second measurement for this goal by increasing the percent of students reaching the science college readiness benchmark of 80%.

Student ACT Math five-year trend scores have remained steady above 23 with a five year average of 24.1, just shy of our performance goal set at a 24.5 class average. The Academy's students have achieved the second measurement for this goal by increasing the percent of students reaching the mathematics college readiness benchmark of 80%.

A recent addition to ACT is a STEM benchmark score of 26. Twenty-one percent of students nationally and 15% of students in the state of Missouri reached this benchmark. For the STA Class of 2018, 46% of students reached the STEM benchmark which is the highest percentage in the last four years!


Dates to Remember:
Nov. 1
 All-Saints Day School Liturgy
Nov. 7
 Junior Class Mass
Nov. 7-10 Monty Python's Spamalot: School Edition
Nov. 8 Parent/Daughter Mass & Adoration
Nov. 14 Sophomore Class Mass
Nov. 17 BLOOM Auction
Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Prayer Service
Nov. 21-23 Thanksgiving Vacation 
Nov. 26 Classes Resume
Nov. 28
 Freshman Class Mass
Nov. 30  Senior Retreat

Blessings,
Barbara McCormick
Principal of Academic Affairs
UPCOMING EVENTS

Prepped and Ready, Parenting into the Teen Years
November 6
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Rockhurst High School, Rose Theatre
Parents today face new challenges, but there are steps that can be taken that make a difference. Problems can be addressed before they become too big. Dr. Shayla Sullivant, MD, DFAACAP, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, presents this important topic. Dr. Sullivant is in practice at Children's Mercy Kansas City. She is partnering with the community to empower parents with information to prevent some of the painful experiences that she has witnessed. Space is limited. Click here to RSVP.
 
 
  Monty Python's Spamalot: School Edition
November 7th - 10th, 7:30 p.m.
Book and Lyrics: Eric Idle
Music: John Du Prez


BLOOM Auction
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Goppert Center Gymnasium
Join us for this fun-filled evening on Saturday, November 17, in the Goppert Center Gym on the St. Teresa's Academy campus. The BLOOM Auction will be filled with colorful blossoms, delicious food and drink, and silent and live auction entertainment! Bring your family and friends to share a table among the blooms. 

Proceeds from the BLOOM Auction benefit students' financial assistance, as well as the education, programs, and facilities provided by St. Teresa's Academy. 

Purchase your BLOOM Auction tickets here.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and the event here.
Donate an item for the live or silent auction here.

Auction Raffle - The winner takes home $10,000 in cash! 
The STA student raffle kicked off on Thursday, September 27. Students are the best sales people! No need to go door-to-door - family and friends are often a student's best and most willing customers! There are great incentives for selling, too. Students who sell 10 tickets will receive a pair of STA logo pants. These pants, instead of the uniform skirt, may be worn to school through Christmas break. The drawing for $10,000 in cash will be held at the BLOOM Auction on Saturday, November 17. The winner need not be present to win. Purchase tickets (only $10 each) online here.

KAIROS 2018-2019 Sign-Up
Junior and senior students will be able to sign up for the January 8-11, 2019, Kairos retreat through the link sent to them via email or on the Interim Week registration page. The first 36 students of good academic and character standing will be accepted. Students will need a credit card and a correct parent email address to register. 

We do not deny students the opportunity to attend Kairos because of financial concerns. Anyone seeking scholarship assistance should speak with Mrs. Carrie Jacquin in the Learning Center or Mrs. Robin Good in D204. 

Registration for the last two retreats of the year (April 2-5, 2019 and May 28-31, 2019) will open after the winter break.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR STA ROBOTICS MEET
First Tech Challenge (FTC) Meet @ STA
Saturday, December 1, 2018
There are two meets:
    Meet 1: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Meet 2: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Ideally, volunteers could do both meets. Lunch will be provided.

STA's annual robotics meet is coming up and volunteers are needed! Positions are available that require no training (registration/check-in, concession sales, etc.), as well as those that need some training (reading a manual and taking an online quiz). Students may volunteer for some positions. Thank you for your help in making this meet a success!

To find out more and sign up, please click here. 
BUSINESS OFFICE

It is important to keep your account current to avoid a hold on your daughter's academic records and PowerSchool access. As a reminder, your account must be current by the end of the semester in order for your daughter to receive her 2nd semester schedule. A $25 late fee is applied to each delinquent payment. Please contact the Business Office with any questions.
ACADEMICS

Day of the Dead Tradition Honored

People in Mexico celebrate the Day of the Dead , a Mexican tradition that combines Aztecs and Christians beliefs, the week of October 28.  Learning about culture is one of the Foreign Languages Standards. It is especially important that Spanish students at STA know the culture of a neighbor country.

This year, two altars have been set up at the entrance of M&A. Everybody  at school  is invited to bring pictures or objects to celebrate the lives of the loved ones that are no longer here.  Students played a very active part in the making of the altars. They made flowers, colored skulls, and brought things from home to make the ofrendas (offerings).  Lisa Dibble, art teacher, helped a group of students to make wonderful skulls, as well as contributing one herself.

"Cell Phone Free" Project
Students in Shana Prentiss's Speech classes volunteered to put away their cell phones during the school day for a two-week period. Phones were given to Ms. Prentiss in the morning and were given back at the end of the day. At the end of the two weeks, students wrote a reflection on the experience. The project was an an optional assignment, replacing one of the required exercises. 

Feedback from the participating students included:
  • "I genuinely felt "set free" in a way. I loved the feeling of not being bound to my phone and allowing myself and my friends actually get into a conversation. I am looking forward to the rest of the week."
  • "What I like most about not having my phone with me at school is how much more productive I am. In my frees this week I've been able to focus better without my phone to distract me. Because of this, I come home with less homework and get more sleep. Another thing I have enjoyed is not having to keep up with everything on my phone. I've enjoyed the freedom of not having to check my phone all the time. Instead of worrying about missing out on something, all I have to worry about is school work."
HSPT Prep Course for 8th Graders
STA will again offer a high school placement test review on our campus. This six session, $140 course will take place from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in the Windmoor Center: November 6, 8, 13, 15, 27, and 29. For more information or to register your daughter, please visit our website. 

National Honor Society
NHS applications opened on November 1. The application deadline is November 15. Criteria: junior or senior, 93.0 or higher cumulative GPA as of June, 2017 (and prior to induction in February, 2018), a minimum of 15 hours of service to STA, a minimum of 15 hours of community service to a non-profit organization, leadership, and character. Service hours must be from March 15, 2018, through the application deadline. To access the National Honor Society application, please click here.

2018 Teresian Yearbook Receives Recognition
The 2018 Teresian yearbook has been inducted into the Walsworth Gallery of Excellence. The annual Gallery of Excellence showcases the best yearbooks printed by Walsworth. Only a small percentage of yearbooks published are included in the distinguished collection. Books are chosen based on their superior examples of theme, coverage, design, photography, and copy. Congratulations to the 2018 Teresian staff!

STEAM

STA Students Attend the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture Event
On October 24, a group of STA students attended the 2018 Harry S. Truman Distinguished Lecture on the campus of Avila University. New York Time best-selling author and inventor William Kamkwambo (pictured) spoke about his inspired autobiography, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, which tells the story of human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. Through his grit, ingenuity, and hope, Kamkwambo built a windmill that brought electricity and water to his village and changed his family's life forever.

Students enrolled in STA's new Research & Design: The Windmill Project course next semester will be reading Mr. Kamkwamba's autobiography as part of their curriculum, as well as AP Environmental Science students who are studying sustainability. Beyond being a fabulous example of STEAM, this was an opportunity that inspired the soul.
STEM/STEAM CERTIFICATE


The STEM/STEAM Certificate was introduced in the spring of 2016. The Class of 2018 had five students graduate with the Certificate. This year approximately a dozen seniors are the program and we currently have seven juniors in the program. Students may apply anytime in the spring semester of sophomore year or fall semester of junior year.  Requirements for the Certificate include:
  • 93. cumulative GPA at the time of application. 
Requirements below must be completed by March 1 of senior year to receive designation at graduation and on the transcript. 
  • Course Requirements: 
    • Math - 4 credits, Science - 4 credits (biology, chemistry + physics or an AP level science course required for STEAM) (biology, chemistry & physics required for STEM). STEM/STEAM Electives - 2 credits (math, computer science, science, &/or digital medium courses). Courses will determine STEM Certificate or STEAM Certificate designation. Online Personal Finance may not be used to meet course requirements.
  • E-mentor (assigned in the junior year)
  • Membership in a STEM or STEAM-related club or extracurricular activity
  • Three job shadow/STEM/STEAM-related professional events totaling 9 hours
  • Ten hours of related volunteer experience (tutor in math hub, STEAM summer camps, KC STEM Alliance, etc.)
  • Maintain an online portfolio or Google Docs folder with STEM/STEAM-related projects, papers, PowerPoints, etc. 
  • Meet quarterly as a Certificate cohort with Ms. Weller about STEM/STEAM opportunities.
For more info and a link to the application,  click here  and scroll down to the STEAM Certificate Program. Questions - contact  Debi Hudson .
COLLEGE COUNSELING

Senior Parents
Check your email for our monthly senior family college planning news. The newsletters contain valuable information on deadlines, college visits, scholarships, financial aid, and more. Many application deadlines are fast approaching. Please check in with your daughter on her progress. The FAFSA is now open! You may apply for federal financial aid by visiting their website at  www.fafsa.gov .
 
Junior Parents
You should have received an email in early October with a college planning newsletter and advice on visiting college campuses. If you did not receive it, please contact Debi Hudson at  [email protected] . The college counseling department held a junior class meeting on October 16th to discuss the ACT & SAT registration process, dates, timeline, frequency, locations, and much more. The ACT & SAT registration process is the responsibility of the family, STA does not register students for these standardized tests. STA is a test site for the April and June ACT, but students must register and they are not guaranteed placement at STA. Please register at  www.actstudent.org.  See your October College Planning News for details. We strongly encourage juniors to begin testing in February or April.
 
Upcoming events: 
  • Mini Courses on College Planning - 1st session will occur in November during a free period.
  • Individual meetings with juniors about senior year course selection and college planning (January through late February)
  • Junior Parent College Info. Night on Thurs., January 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the M&A Auditorium. 
  • Monthly college planning emails will begin in January.
PSAT Score Return (Juniors & Sophomores)
Juniors & Sophomores - PSAT score access is online and will occur in early to mid-December. Students will receive an email from the College Board when scores are available and access procedures. Original test books will be returned to students through advisory in mid-December. 
SCHOOL COUNSELING

Attention Sophomore Parents!!!
Would your daughter be interested in attending the HOBY Leadership Seminar?
 
What is HOBY?
  • Founded in 1958, HOBY's mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide sophomores selected by their schools the opportunity to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning, and motivation-building experiences. HOBY also provides adults with opportunities to make a significant impact on the lives of youth by volunteering.
How do I register my daughter?
There is a cost for the HOBY Leadership Seminar, which will take place June, 2019. This will be a three-day seminar held at TBD Location in Missouri (Likely a College/University Campus). To be selected as an HOBY Ambassador, your daughter will need to complete an essay of 100 words or less and submit it to Mrs. Whitcomb. The theme of the essay will be: "Describe the most rewarding and challenging aspects of being a leader in your school and community." This essay will need to be completed by NOVEMBER 30, 2018. Registration is due by December 7, 2018 (including payment).

Questions? Please email Amanda Whitcomb at [email protected].
Important Senior Ad Yearbook Information

Senior parents: You should've received an email from publications adviser Riley Cowing in mid-October containing a packet with information regarding senior ads for the yearbook. The packet includes where you'll send payment, how to order a senior ad, and what the ads will look like on a page for reference. Please reach out via email ([email protected]) if you have any questions regarding this process or did not receive that original email. 

By Monday, December 10, please fill out the attached order form and submit payment to Riley Cowing. The information may be returned either by mail or by sending the information with your daughter to classroom G106, Goppert Center. At the beginning of second semester, more information will be forwarded to you regarding what you need to send in as far as pictures and messages for the senior ad itself. Thank you so much! 

CYBER MONDAY SALE
Monday, November 26. New sale items and free shipping on all orders over $100!

CHRISTMAS SALE
Saturday, December 1st, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the new Star Shop in the Goppert Center. 
Spend $50 or more and receive 10% off your order. Special merchandise will be debuting at the Christmas Sale. One-hundred percent of all sale proceeds benefit St. Teresa's Academy.

Click here to shop the Star Shop online!

BLOOM Auction - Saturday, November 17
Star Shop - Daily after school (Monday - Thursday) and special events

Starcups - Friday mornings
athleticlogo
ATHLETICS

Ellie Bichelmeyer Named HyVee Athlete of the Week
STA's Ellie Bichelmeyer, senior volleyball player, was selected as HyVee Athlete of the Week. The honor was announced on KMBC 9 and KSHB during the week of October 8. Ellie  is a four-year varsity starter, one of the team captains, and outside hitter for the Stars. She will be attending Rice University in the fall.

Fall and Winter Sports Update
Click on the button below for exciting updates as fall sports come to a close. Check out the dates and details of winter sport tryouts and schedules!
FINE ARTS

Kansas City District Honor Choir Results
Congratulations to Margaret Jordahl, soprano, and Elise Malone, alto, for their selection to the 2018-2019 Missouri All-State Choir! The rigorous and highly competitive Missouri All-State Choir Auditions were held at Oak Park High School on Saturday, October 27. They will each be representing the KC Metro as members of the prestigious choir at the Missouri Music Educators Association State Conference at TanTarA Resort in January. Way to go, STARS!!!

Fifteen STA students completed the rigorous audition for the KC Metro District Honor Choirs at Oak Park High School. Each of these 15 students were named to one of the two honor choirs and six qualified to audition for the Missouri All-State Choir.

Please help us congratulate the following STA singers:

KC Metro District Choir:
Soprano
Arwen Dickson - 10
Darcie Hingula - 10
Margaret Jordahl - 12 - State Choir Qualifier
Mia McManamy - 10 
Eden Schulte - 12 - State Choir Qualifier
Kylie Schuster - 11 - State Choir Qualifier
Alto
Elise Cressey - 12 - State Choir Qualifier
Nicole Ficklin - 12 - State Choir Qualifier
Elise Malone - 12 - State Choir Qualifier

KC Metro Women's Honor Choir:
Soprano
Lauren Daugherty - 12
Alto
Mia Falcon - 11
Mary Grace Greene - 11
Faith Rauen - 12
Liv Richardson - 11
Jane Stevenson - 11
TEEN DRIVER SAFETY

The cold weather is nearing, and with days shorter and bad weather, road conditions are at their worst. As you would expect, the highest number of traffic accident deaths occur in the summer and winter months. 
 
Did you know an astounding 40,100 traffic deaths occurred within the U.S. as reported by the National Safety Council for the year 2017? They also state teens 16-19 are 1.6 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident than an adult. 
 
Here are some Driver Safety Tips for Teens provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles to help your child avoid being one of those statistics.
  1. Keep your Cell Phone Off
  2. Don't Text
  3. Turn your Headlights On
  4. Obey the Speed Limit
  5. Minimize Distractions
  6. Drive Solo
  7. Practice Defensive Driving
  8. Choose a Safe Car
You might have heard this many times, but it's a fact that teenage drivers account for more auto accidents than any other age group. It is also the "Number One" cause of death among teens. There is no substitute for driving experience and wisdom that age brings, but applying these tips will enhance your odds that your child won't become a teenage accident statistic.