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DEAR PARENTS,
The heartbreaking event that recently took place
in Parkland, Florida, provides another important reminder of the crucial responsibility the physical safety of your children presents.
I assure you that the Board, faculty, and staff of St. Teresa's Academy take this responsibility very seriously, and have precautions and a plan in place to prevent and/or react in the case of a crisis.
Current security measures include:
- An extensive Crisis Plan is in place, which covers multiple scenarios and potential outcomes.
- Practice drills (including lockdowns and active shooter training) are regularly performed.
- A security officer is present on campus every school day and at school-related events.
- School entrances are passcode protected.
- An emergency door locking system that will secure classroom and office doors from the inside will be be purchased and installed throughout campus.
- Lines of communication are open with surrounding neighbors and neighborhood associations to stay informed of suspicious people/activities and area security risks.
- In case of emergency and evacuation, students are instructed to gather at the Country Club United Methodist Church at the corner of 57th Street and Wornall Road.
Please remind your daughters to be vigilant about their surroundings, to use the buddy system, and to keep their cars locked.
I pray our Crisis Plan will never have to be put to the test and that all in our community remain safe. Thank you for your support.
Nan Bone
President
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Thank you for completing the Online Registration Process and submitting the Annual Enrollment form for the 2018-19 school year. You will be billed the $350 registration fee, which is due by March 10, 2018. Students will have completed the online course enrollment process by
Friday, March 2. Both students and parents may log into PowerSchool to review courses selected. Please keep in mind that schedules are made available to you in early August.
Congratulations to the three nominees for Academy Woman from the Class of 2018: Emilie Blanck, Natalie Kistler, and Layne Stowers. These young women reflect the highest ideals that St. Teresa's Academy instills in its students. They are shining stars among many stars at STA! This year the Academy Woman presentation will be made on
Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 2:25 p.m. in the school auditorium.
Barb McCormick
Principal
Upcoming Events:
| March 1, 2018 |
Freshman & Sophomore Online Course Enrollment Day |
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March 2, 2018
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Junior Online Course Enrollment Day
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March 5, 2018
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Parent Book Club Discussion
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March 7, 2018
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Junior Class Mass
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March 8, 2018
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P
arent Daughter Mass/Adoration
Academy Woman Presentation
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March 9, 2018
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End of 3rd Quarter - NO SCHOOL
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March 12-16, 2018
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Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
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March 29, 2018
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MOCSA Seminar for Sophomores
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March 30-April 2, 2018
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Easter Break - NO SCHOOL
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May 20, 2018
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Graduation
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2018-19 tentative calendar dates for planning purposes:
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August 15, 2018
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Orientation for all grades
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August 16, 2018
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First day of class
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November 21-23, 2018
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Thanksgiving Vacation
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December 17-20, 2018
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Semester Exams
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January 9, 2019
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Start of Interim Week
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May 19, 2019
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Graduation
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, March 1
3:30-6:00 p.m. in the Windmoor Center
Visit the Star Shop in Donnelly Hall before or after registration to shop for awesome STA spirit wear.
Parent Book Club Discussion
Monday, March 5, 6:00 p.m.
Zahner Lounge
All STA parents are invited to join the Parent Book Club discussion of the book titled, Some of My Best Friends are Black by Tanner Colby. The chosen book offers a profoundly honest portrait of race in America. In a book that is part reportage, part history, part social commentary, Tanner Colby explores why the civil rights movement ultimately produced such little true integration in schools, neighborhoods, offices, and churches - the very places where social change needed to unfold.
The Club will meet March 5 for a discussion of the book moderated by Michelle Wimes, STA Board President and Director of Professional Development and Inclusion at a Kansas City law firm, and Mary Shortino, STA alumna and Youth Services Information Specialist at the Johnson County Library.
Walk Out for Gun Control
O
n Wednesday, March 7, in solidarity with other Kansas City area high schools, the Human Dignity, Cultural Diversity and Social Justice Clubs are arranging a scheduled walk out for gun control as a result of the many historical shootings on school campuses.
Students are encouraged to use their own discretion whether or not to participate. Those not participating may go to the auditorium.
Students will not be considered absent during the walk out.
The event will take place on the Quad and may include speakers such as local representatives from the State of Missouri or United States legislators.
Moms & daughters clean out your lingerie drawers and help a good cause by donating gently used bras to the STA Book Club's Bras + Bucks drive to support Free The Girls.
During the week of March 19-23, drop off your bras and dollars off in the front offices of M&A and Donnelly or in the Library (D210).
Free The Girls collects clean, gently used, good condition bras and sport bras and ships them to countries such as Uganda, Mozambique and El Salvador. Women in these countries are able to make a living selling the bras and stay out of human trafficking activities. Money donations help fund shipping costs. For more information, contact Carrie Jacquin or visit www.freethegirls.org.
Linger Over Breakfast
Saturday, April 7
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast
Program 9-11 a.m.
Jody Hueschen, CSJA, presents Healing Touch. Healing Touch is a collection of standardized, noninvasive techniques that works with your energy field to support your natural ability to heal.
Click
here for more information and to sign up.
Mother-Daughter Luncheon
& Senior Fashion Show
Sunday, April 8
Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Marriott Tower (200 W. 12th St., K.C., MO)
11:00 a.m. Cash Soft Drink Bar and Photos
12:00 Noon Luncheon
Register online by March 22 by clicking here.
Stars Walk-of-Fame and Color Throw
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The annual Walk-of-Fame and Color Throw will be held on
Friday, April 20. Students will be putting on their walking shoes to support the school's financial aid programs and the Emergency Fund, which supports STA families in financial crisis.
Here's how it works: Students were given ten remittance envelopes to fill out with valid names and addresses of family and/or friends who would be willing to support St. Teresa's Academy. The envelopes will provide event details and a donation request.
To participate in the event: Your daughter will need to 1) address and return to STA a minimum of five envelopes OR 2) buy out of the program with an $80 donation. Students who return all ten envelopes will win great prizes!
NEW Class Challenge This Year
The class with the highest percentage of participation wins a Pre-Walk Tailgate in the Quad and gets to douse their "teacher of choice" with colored chalk!
Addressed remittance envelopes should be returned to STA in the large white student envelope and dropped in the Walk-of-Fame bins in the front halls of M&A or Donnelly. Please remind your daughter to circle her shirt size. Rain date:
Monday, April 23.
We look forward to another very fun day for the students and a successful fundraiser for the school! Those not participating in the fundraiser will go to study hall during the event.
Grandparents' Day
Sunday, May 6
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Your daughter's grandparents' (or special friend's) address is needed to ensure they receive an invitation to this beautiful event. Please click
here to sign up.
The
St. Teresa's Academy Golf Classic
Monday, May 14, 2018
Country Club of Leawood
Call your friends now and put together a team.
Both men and women are invited to join us for a day of golfing fun!
If interested, contact the STA Development Office at 816-501-0385
or
[email protected].
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UPDATE
Academy 150 Capital Campaign
As you can see from the photo on the left, which shows the new Entrepreneurship and Learning Center taking shape compared to the rendering, construction is nearing its end. The vision of the enhanced, state-of-the-art Goppert Center is becoming a reality.
Next year, STA students will benefit from facilities, curriculum, and educational tools that will help to create limitless futures.
If you haven't given to the Academy 150 Capital Campaign (which also benefits endowment and campus preservation), your help is still needed.
Please click here to make your donation now.
Thank you for your support of St. Teresa's Academy.
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The Star Shop will be open during Freshman Registration on Thursday, March 1, from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Stop by Donnelly Hall to pick up spirit wear for your favorite STAR or STA fan!
The Star Shop is now
ONLINE
for shopping and ordering. Choose to pick up your merchandise at the Star Shop or have your items shipped to you. Hours for the Star Shop during regular schedule school days are
Monday
-
Thursday
from
2:45-3:30 p.m
.
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BUSINESS OFFICE
All accounts must be current in order for your daughter's schedule and course selections for the 2018-19 school year to be finalized.
For seniors, your account must be paid in full for your daughter to participate in Class Day on May 16, 2018, as well as any other graduation-related activities. Final transcripts will be held for any delinquent accounts.
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ACADEMICS
National Honor Society (NHS)
NHS welcomed 58 new members at its Induction Ceremony on February 6. For a complete list of members and information on the next selection cycle, click here.
Second Annual Women's Symposium Enlightened Students
On February 23, freshman and sophomore students spent a powerful day learning from experts on a wide range of social justice
and women's issues. The event was kicked off by keynote speaker, Regina Kort. Regina is the daughter of Holocaust survivor, Sonia Warshawski, who is featured in the acclaimed film
Big Sonia. Sonia had been scheduled to appear, but came down with the flu. Regina enthralled her audience with stories, video clips, and photos from Sonia's harrowing life.
After the question and answer section of the keynote address, students chose four breakout sessions to attend. Students selected among 26 breakout sessions led by 35 experts from a wide range of organizations and corporations. Topics included Racial Justice, led by Derecka Purnell from the Advancement Project and Jenee Osterheldt of the Kansas City Star (pictured above); Restorative Justice, with STA alumna Kayla Kratofil; and Equal Pay, conducted by Favel Jens of the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
Students, presenters, and faculty expressed that it was a thought-provoking and educational experience.
Missouri Student Journalist of the Year Awarded to Zoe Butler
The Missouri Journalism Education Association (MJEA) recently announced that Zoe Butler, class of 2018, has been awarded the prestigious Missouri Student Journalist of the Year.
Zoe was selected among many talented student journalists throughout the state. She will now represent Missouri in the National High School Journalist of the Year contest sponsored by the Journalism Education Association. Last month, Zoe was also awarded the MIPA Student Journalist of the Year. Congratulations to Zoe!
FBLA Competition Awards
The following Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members placed in Districts at the FBLA competition held on February 2. The asterisk indicates those that qualify for the State competition on April 8.
Anna Swanson - 4th - Agribusiness*
Rhianna Jones & Gabby Mesa - 2nd - Business Ethics
Emily Livingston - 3rd - Client Service
Anne Chapman & Aspen Cheritto - 2nd - Digital Video Production
Julia Flores, Grace Decker, and Sophia Durone - 5th - Emerging Business Issues
Emily Livingston - 1st - Future Business Leader*
Morgan Saxe & Ava Fitzgerald - 4th - Hospitality Management
Cara Barone - 1st - Introduction to Business Communication*
Ella Norton - 2nd - Introduction to Business Presentation
Josie Fox - 5th - Introduction to FBLA*
Cara Barone - 2nd - Introduction to FBLA*
Ella Norton - 3rd - Journalism*
Grace Decker - 5th - Organizational Leadership*
Georgia Winfield, Anna Albritton, Anne Chapman, Anna Swanson, & Mary Massman - 1st - Parliamentary Procedures*
Sarah Schaefer - 1st - Public Speaking*
Bridget Graham - 2nd - Publication Design
Natalie Kistler - 3rd - Securities and Investments*
Olivia Cook, Mauren Egan, & Taylor Staves - 2nd - Social Media Campaign
STEAM
It's Going to be a STEAMy Summer at STA!
Do you know a 6th - 9th grade girl interested in Coding, App/Game Development, Robotics, or Arts & Theater? If so, STA is the place to be in June! Join us as we celebrate young women in STEAM. Visit our
website to see the expanded offering of Summer STEAM Camps. Robotics and Computer Science classes will be taught in our new Goppert Facility.
Science Stars Summer STEAM Camp
St. Teresa's Academy is excited to be hosting Science Stars again this summer. Science Stars is a co-ed STEAM camp for rising 1st - 3rd graders where students engage in activities that investigate and explore various science and engineering concepts. Curiosity, creativity, and fun!
Camp will run June 11th - 14th from 1:30-3:30 pm. For more information and to enroll, please visit the
Science Stars website.
eCybermission Expo
Twenty-seven teams presented their engineering designs to teams of local engineers, parents and guests on Wednesday, February 21st. Ecybermission is a national STEAM competition for 6-9 graders. Teams of 3-4 use engineering design to solve problems identified by the students in their community. Presentations included voting for the homeless, food insecurity, self esteem, gun violence, and many more. All teams submitted their mission folders the week of February 12th and presented to our community on the 21st.
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COLLEGE COUNSELING
Summer Enrichment Programs
on college campuses are listed on the STA website. New information is added weekly. Programs vary by content, length, cost, etc.
Freshman Parents - Freshmen will receive their PreACT scores and original test book through freshmen seminar this month. They will also receive a brief introduction to the college search and planning process.
Sophomore Parents -
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in the M&A Auditorium. Parents and sophomores are strongly encouraged to attend the College Planning Kick-Off Night. Detailed information will be sent via email to sophomore parents. Sophomores will register with Naviance, an online college planning tool, and parents will be given information and registration codes at the evening program.
Junior and Senior Parents -
Please refer to your individual March College Planning News for information regarding ACT & SAT, deadlines, scholarships, and much more. If you are not receiving monthly College Planning News on the first of each month, please email
Debi Hudson
to be added to the list.
Senior Parents -
Please forward copies of ALL scholarship letters (not just those you plan to accept) to Debi Hudson.
AP Exams -
May 7-18. Check the school calendar for dates and times. These are national dates and times with no late arrivals or changes. Further details about exams will be shared with students in April.
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SCHOOL COUNSELING
STA Be You Week
March 5-8
Be You Week, formerly Kindness Week, is fast approaching and we are getting ready for a fun week with some special events! Be You Week is brought to you by your STA REbeL Chapter.
Each day REbeL members will host events that will focus on spreading REbeL's message of self-acceptance, and changing our definition of beauty .. by just Being YOU!!! Visit
the
REbeL website for more information on this wonderful organization.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Amanda Whitcomb, personal counselor, at
816.501.0039
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MOCSA Teen Exchange Seminar Rescheduled for Sophomores
The MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) "Teen Exchange" Seminar for the entire sophomore class has been
rescheduled for Thursday, March 29.
This is an annual event for our sophomore class and specifically designed by
MOCSA
for STA students. The program will run for one-half day.
Students will have discussion and processing time in small groups as well as watching the film,
Brave Miss World
. Seminar topics include, but are not limited to:
- Discussion of unhealthy and healthy relationships
- Helping young women set health boundaries before dating and relationships begin
- Learning about gender stereotypes and media influence
- Learning about sexual harassment and sexual assault, how to recognize both and what to do if it happens
- Learning to lessen the ill effects of sexual assault and abuse through prevention, education, intervention, and advocacy
This is a valuable and important program held each year for the sophomore class. If you have any questions, please feel free to email
Amanda Whitcomb, personal counselor.
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FINE ARTS
2018 Scholastic Arts Awards:
Congratulations to the following students, whose artistic efforts have been recognized by the 2018 Scholastic Arts Awards in the Missouri Art Region.
American Visions Nominee
Five works, from across all categories and grades, are selected from those earning Gold Keys as the "Best-of-Show" for each local program as nominees for the American Visions & Voices Medals.
Sophie Didier-Ceramics & Glass
Gold Keys
The very best works submitted to local programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national-level recognition.
Briscoe Bailey-Sculpture
Coleman Grace-Ceramics & Glass
Mary Grace Kaplan-Ceramics & Glass
Lizzy Zirkel-Drawing and Illustration
Sophie Didier-Ceramics & Glass
Silver Keys
Stand-out works submitted to local programs that demonstrate exceptional ability.
Tone 'Nae Bradley-Toomer-Sculpture
Tone 'Nae Bradley-Toomer-Fashion
Laisa De La Torre-Ceramic & Glass
Kate Jones-Design
Yasmeen Mir-Painting
Katrina O'Connor-Ceramic & Glass
Lizzy Zirkel-Drawing and Illustration
Honorable Mention
Accomplished works submitted to local programs showing great skill and potential.
Emma Bessenbacher-Fashion
Katelyne Kratofil-Fashion
Mara Kugler-Drawing and Illustration
Grace Laird-Design
Ruthie McKee-Mixed Media
Olivia Michka-Painting
Olivia Michka-Drawing and Illustration
Anna Kate Powell-Digital Art
Annie Riffel-Design
Olivia Robertson- Painting-2 Awards
Olivia Robertson-Drawing and Illustration
Natalie Rovello-Drawing and Illustration
Lizzy Zirkel-Painting-3 Awards
Lizzy Zirkel-Drawing and Illustration-2 Awards
National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition Foundation
Congratulations to freshman Jannely Montagner!
Her ceramic work, Toucan, has been selected for inclusion in this year's Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The work of art will be seen by thousands of visitors from all over the world, many of whom will be in Pittsburgh for the NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) conference.
The decision was based upon an examination of 1,203 entries for this year's exhibition. The work will be included among the best from our country.
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STAR PARENTS ASSOCIATION
We need your help! Please consider volunteering for one of the following opportunities:
Star Shop
Open daily after school and during special events.
Star Cups Cafe
Open Friday mornings.
Adoration in the Windmoor Chapel
One hour shifts (one Thursday a month) throughout second semester.
Stars Walk-of-Fame and Color Throw
Two hours shifts to process envelopes, assemble packets, and bag colored powder.
Grandparents Day
Volunteers are needed to bake cookies as well as set up, serve, and clean up after the event.
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