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       "The Messenger"


          December 14, 2018
  Vol. VI, No. 18
St. Michael's Academy
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St. Michael's Academy 
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I cannot say it enough...the Christmas Pageant this year was outstanding! Every year the students do a fabulous job, but this year it seemed to have a little something extra special. The performances clearly highlighted all the hard work that went into it by students, teachers and musicians. And I'm sure parents have heard those songs being practiced at home for weeks ahead of time! To see so many students come together and perform with such enthusiasm and professionalism, was such a joy. Thank you to everyone who helped to make both nights a great success. What a wonderful way to boost our Christmas spirit!

Next week is our last week of school before the Christmas break. Please encourage your child(ren) to try and stay focused on their school work. It's not an easy week for anyone with all the distractions and excitement. We can use all the help we can get!

May God's peace and blessings be with you.

Ms. Ann E. Dougal  

 


  Important Dates
 
Please Make A Note Of These Important Dates 


Banking and Drumming every 
Wednesday
Violin every Thursday



Sunday, December 16, 2018
Third Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 17, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
Grade 1 Grandparent Event
Holiday Traditions

Monday, December 17 through December 19
Holly Jolly Christmas Store

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
Grade 3 Grandparent Event
Drumming Recital - Gymnasium

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
School Board Meeting

Friday, December 21, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
Annual Christmas Sing-a-long in Gymnasium
All are welcome!
11:30 a.m. DISMISSAL



Please remember to attend Church as a family

 Merry Christmas

Christmas Sing-a-long

We invite you to join us for our annual Christmas Sing-a-long next Friday, December 21st at 9:30 a.m. in the gym.  Each grade will take a turn singing their favorite Christmas carol.

The students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. If you are attending the Sing-a- long, you may take your child home at the conclusion of the program.  Car lines will begin at 11:30 a.m. and buses will arrive at approximately 11:30 a.m. as well.




Attendance
 
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 last week's winner.

                 Fiorella - KB                                Jayden - 5A

             
  Kali - 6B
 


Religion Notes

 Dr. Baillargeon Visits Middle Level Students

It was wonderful to have Dr. Baillargeon, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, join our middle level students for an Advent assembly. 





From The Classroom of Mrs. Ruell - Kindergarten

Christmas Around The World

Grab your passports and get ready to travel with the Kindergarten students as we learn about Christmas around the world! It is always interesting to learn new things, especially at special times such as Christmas.

Our first stop is with our neighbor to the south, Mexico. In this country, children start celebrating nine days before Christmas with a play called, "las posadas" where they go house to house looking for shelter just like Mary and Joseph. 

In Puerto Rico, the main celebration is on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) with lots of food, family and carol singing. As in Mexico, people greet each other by saying "Feliz Navidad"!  

In Ghana, children celebrate from December 20th until the first week in January. This time is spent visiting relatives, watching sporting events, drumming competitions, and lots of singing and dancing. They greet each other with hearty handshakes, and the phrase, "barka da Kirsimati"!

In Vietnam, Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas day. People celebrate in the large cities by throwing confetti and colorful light displays. Because of the early French influence in Vietnam, most homes and churches have a nativity scene as well. A greeting of "Chuc Mung Giang Sinh" is exchanged with family and friends.

In France, children put shoes in front of the fireplace for Pere Noel to fill on December 6th. The nativity scene or "crèche", also is a part of every French home. A traditional goose dinner is served on Christmas day, because geese welcomed the Wise Men to Bethlehem.

Germany gives us the tradition of the advent wreath and the Christmas tree decorated with apple slices and popcorn. In Italy, the children have to wait until January 6th, to open their gifts. They are delivered by "Befana", a kind old witch on a broom. The gifts are received in a large clay vase, called the Urn of Fate! Ireland and England, celebrate in similar fashion with a large yule log that is burned from Christmas Eve until New Year's day. Each member of the family sits upon the log and makes a wish for good luck before it is burned. Candles are placed in windows as a welcome to Mary and Joseph.

Poland offers the beautiful tradition, of the peace wafer. It is blessed and given to the head of the family to break and share with all the guests around the table. While it is being eaten, good wishes are shared for the coming year.

Being able to learn about and share these experiences is what makes St. Michael's Academy so special. Merry Christmas to all!


 Get Ready To Shop!
   
The Holly Jolly Christmas Store

Just a reminder that the Holly Jolly Christmas Store will  begin this Monday, December 17th and run through the 19th.  The store provides a wonderful opportunity for your child(ren) to purchase inexpensive gifts for everyone on their Christmas list.  Items range from $1 to $5, so a little money can go a long way!




 Getting in the Christmas Mood

Wow...What Great Pageants! 
 
All of our students did a tremendous job at the Christmas Pageant on Tuesday and Wednesday evening this week.  From narrators, to character actors, to singers, to choir members; St. Michael's Academy students outdid themselves this year!


              
             



All of the Pageant photos will be available on the website next week.

 Grandparent Event

PreK Students Hop On The Polar Express

The PreK students had a special day today with their grandparents.  After doing a Christmas craft, everyone enjoyed a special reading of The Polar Express.  Thanks to our new document cameras, everyone was able to see each page of the story as they enjoyed cookies and hot cocoa. After the story, the PreK students entertained the crowd with a variety of songs.

We also thank our Tuition Manager, Mrs. DeMars, who also happens to be a grandparent, for sharing her kind words about St. Michael's Academy and the importance of Catholic education.





All the photos from this event will be available on the website next week.

 Student Ambassadors
 
Student Ambassadors Do Great Job!

Our newly created Student Ambassador Program is off to a great start.  The Ambassadors have already helped out at the PreK and Kindergarten Open House, The Christmas Pageant, and today were instrumental at the PreK Grandparent Event.  

Thank you Ambassadors...you are a shining example of a St. Michael's Academy student.  Here are some of the Ambassadors who helped out at the PreK Grandparent event today.


Food For Thought
 
"Advent's intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope."
 
                                    - Pope Benedict XVI

Parish News
   
Happenings at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Hungry? Mt. Carmel will be holding a family pasta supper on Saturday, December 15th at 5 p.m.  There will be crafts for kids and the "Keep Christ in Christmas" posters will be on display.  Bring your entry for this year!  Tickets are $12 and $5 for children 5-12



On Sunday, December 16th, the Bambinelli Blessing will be held at the 4 p.m. Saturday Mass and the  8:30, 10:30 a.m., and 6 p.m. Masses. As in St. Peter's Square in Rome this day, bring your home Infant Jesus to be blessed. Children will also receive 
a gift.



Put your dancing shoes on for the 12th Night Dinner Dance on January 5th at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow..Tickets are $35, available now by calling the rectory at  734-5433, or Paula 262-6563.




Prayer Corner
 
 
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us! 

We pray for all St. Michael's Academy students, families, faculty, and staff, and their special intentions.

And we pray in a special way for our recently departed:

Paul Davis


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