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FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,

As Thanksgiving approaches, the faculty and staff give thanks for the many blessings your daughters offer during the course of their high school years. Your support of St. Teresa's Academy and our guiding mission ensures that generations of young women will continue to benefit from the remarkable education and empowerment provided at STA.

In April, we will host 10 students from our sister school, St. Joseph in Le Puy En Velay, France. The school was founded in 1850 and is built around the original kitchen where the Sisters of St. Joseph began their mission to serve the dear neighbor. 

At this time, we need families within the STA community to host these students from April 20 - May 1, 2020.  
  • Each family will host the student for 11 days. 
  • It's a wonderful opportunity to "serve the dear neighbor."
  • Your daughter may enhance her French speaking skills and learn more about France.

The students are traveling with an adult instructor from their school. She will remain in Kansas City while the students embrace home stay visits with STA families.

The students were selected through an extensive application and interview process. The girls range in age from 13-14 years and are looking forward to being a part of the STA "sisterhood" experience. 

If you are interested in opening your home, please complete the Host Family Application by clicking the button below.  

Gratefully,
Barbara J. McCormick
Principal of Academic Affairs 
UPCOMING EVENTS:

November 1, 2019
All-Saints Day School Liturgy

November 4, 2019
Informational Meeting for Prospective Parents

November 5, 2019
Mass Advisory Group B

November 6-9, 2019
Once Upon a Mattress

November 6, 2019
Late Start, Schedule 4

November 9-11, 2019
Hawthorne and Ivy Shopping Event

November 12, 2019
Mass Advisory Group C

November 13, 2019
Late Start, Schedule 4
Star Parents Association Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
November 14, 2019
Parent/Daughter Mass & Adoration

November 15, 2019
Senior Air Bands

November 16, 2019
Relay for Life Dodgeball Tournament

November 18, 2019
Informational Meeting for Prospective Parents

November 19, 2019
Mass Advisory Group D

November 20, 2019
Late Start, Schedule 4

November 22, 2019
A Night to Shine Auction

November 26, 2019
Thanksgiving Prayer Service

November 27 - December 1, 2019
Thanksgiving Break
Business Office
Your November Smart Tuition billing may include choir dresses and fall sports travel. Please login to your account to view your invoice. Contact Cheryl Givens ( cgivens@stteresasacademy.org ) in the Business Office with any questions .
Parent/Student Handbook Update
The following change is being made at the Help Desk regarding loaned technology items. High volumes of students have been requesting pens, stating they have forgotten them at home or lost them. The loaned pens are not being returned. 

Help Desk Loaner Items:
  • Pens
  • Chargers
  • Tablets

Students are to take responsibility for bringing all tools to class with them each day. Students may borrow pens, tablets or chargers for a period of 7 days. Any device not returned on the 7th day will be automatically billed to the family. An email reminder will be sent to the student one day prior to the 7th day (due date).
Upcoming Events
NASA Aerospace Engineer Presentation
Friday, November 1
M&A Auditorium
Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo , aerospace engineer from NASA Langley Research Center, will be welcomed at STA to highlight several of the amazing projects going on across the agency, as well as the opportunities to intern and work at NASA . Alicia is a member of the Atmospheric Flight and Entry Systems Branch of NASA and primarily works on Mars exploration. Here's the kicker...she does the bulk of her work remotely from her home in Lee's Summit, Missouri! So often when students consider a career in a STEAM field, they really have no idea of the scope or increasing flexibility of possibilities. Repeatedly, studies have indicated that a major factor contributing to the dropout of women in STEAM careers is believing they have to make a choice between family and career. Alicia is an excellent example of someone who is making it work! An invitation to attend her presentation has been extended to a group of interested female students from Bishop Miege and KC Girls Prep.

This is not a school-wide required event, but please encourage your student to attend, if you feel she would be interested and benefit from this experience.
HSPT Prep Course for 8th Graders
STA offers a High School Placement Test Prep Classes on our campus. This six-session, $140 course will take place from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. on November 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, and 21. For more information or to register your daughter, please  click here
Once Upon a Mattress
Music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson
November 6-9, 7:30 p.m.
M&A Auditorium
If you thought you knew the story of The Princess and the Pea , you may be in for a walloping surprise! Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. Family fun for all ages!

Click here to purchase your tickets now!
Hawthorne & Ivy Shopping Event
November 9, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
November 10 & 11, 11:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
7142 Wornall, Kansas City, MO
You're invited to a special shopping event at Hawthorne and Ivy benefiting St. Teresa's Academy! This local boutique in Waldo offers a wonderful selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and more. Mention STA at checkout and 20% of their proceeds will help support St. Teresa's!
Dance Team Fundraiser at Kendra Scott
Tuesday, November 19
4:30-6:30 p.m.
412 Nichols Rd., Kansas City, MO
Enjoy sips, sweets, and jewels! Shop Kendra Scott 's fine & fashion jewelry along with the home and charms collections. Twenty percent of all purchases will benefit the STA Dance Team. Can't make the event? Phone orders can be made the day of the event at 816-448-8323, or feel free to stop in the store prior to the evening and mention STA. Please note that online orders will not count.
paris
"Paris in Depth" Trip - Enrollment Deadline!  
The enrollment deadline for the "Paris in Depth" Trip is  November 20, 2019 . The trip is open to students and parents. Please contact Alice Amick for enrollment information or questions about this eight-day trip, to depart in mid-June 2020.  Merci!   aamick@stteresasacademy.org
Spark Your Christmas Spirit with the Opening Doors Christmas Homes Tour 
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Food Provided by Bread & Butter Concepts, Wine and Signature Cocktails
Explore the warmth and beauty of four exquisite homes, adorned in sparkling lights, stunning trees, and elegant décor in celebration of Christmas. 

The generous STA supporters who are opening their doors during the Christmas Homes Tour include:

  • Julie and Mike McCann, Stratford Gardens Neighborhood
  • Elisa and Angelo Trozzolo, Country Club Neighborhood
  • Tiffany Melton Meeks and Rowdy Meeks, Somerset Manor
  • Emily and Matt Eckles, Indian Fields Neighborhood

General Admission Tickets: $30 | VIP Tickets: $60
SAVE THE DATE: STA Annual Trivia Night!
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Mark your calendars for the STA Annual Trivia Night! It's always a popular event for those who like to challenge their brain, as well as those who just love to embrace a good theme. Full details to follow!
A Night to Shine Auction
A Night to Shine Auction 2019
Friday, November 22, 2019
Attend this fun-filled evening on Friday, November 22, in the Goppert Center Gym on the St. Teresa's Academy campus. The  A Night to Shine  Auction will be filled with bright lights, delicious food and drink, and silent and live auction entertainment! Bring your family and friends to share a table among the stars. RSVP by clicking the button below.

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

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and the event  here .

Donate an item for the live or silent auction  here .

Shop the Amazon Wish List to easily donate by clicking here .
Academics
National Honor Society
NHS applications opened on November 1. The application deadline is November 15 . Criteria: junior or senior, minimum of 93.0 or higher cumulative GPA as of June 2019 (and prior to induction in February 2020), 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, 2019, through the application deadline. To access the National Honor Society application, please click here .
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 in the program and, currently, seven juniors participate. 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. 
  • eMentor (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 .
Guest Lecturer on Apartheid
On October 28, AP World History students welcomed guest lecturer, Dr. Matt Graham , senior lecturer of history at the University of Dundee in Scotland. Dr. Graham's area of expertise is South African history and he spoke to the students on apartheid. 
Battle of the Brain Competition Underway
The sophomore physical science classes participated in the 2019 Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains. Every two years, students from around the metropolitan area participate in a K-12 STEM competition to determine the next Science City exhibit. The three classes proposals included Music on the Brain , Kids and Cars , and The Comfort and Wellness Zone . Judging is underway. Good Luck Stars!
Day of the Dead Celebration
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition that combines Aztec and Christian beliefs. Learning about culture is one of the Foreign Languages Standards and it's especially important that Spanish students at STA know the culture of our neighbor country.

The Day of the Dead is not a sad day in Mexico, but a day to dance, eat, and celebrate the life of the deceased.

This year, two altars have been created at the entrance of M&A. One of the altars is dedicated to Frida Kahlo and for the other, everyone has been invited to bring pictures or objects to celebrate the lives of the loved ones that are no longer here. Students are a very active part of the making of the altars, creating flowers, skulls, and bringing pictures from home to make the ofrendas.
Interim Week
Enrollment for Interim Week 2020 opened on Wednesday, October 30, for all students. Students have been asked to rank their top 5 choices. The registration time stamp, grade-level seniority, and order of preferences will be used to create each student’s Interim Week schedule. We will do our best, but we cannot guarantee that every student will receive their first choice. Students will be notified of their Interim schedule in mid-November.

This year, a host of unique and thought-provoking experiences have been added, including new corporate and community partnerships, and student-led courses.

Click here to view the Interim Week 2020 course catalogue. While many classes are free, some do require a fee which will be charged to your Smart Tuition account. Please keep this in mind when helping your daughter select her courses.

We are looking forward to another amazing Interim Week (January 8-10, 2020)!

If you have any questions, please email Kelly Fast , Experiential Education Coordinator. 
Campus Ministry
Adoration Opportunity
On November 14 , all are invited to Adoration in the Chapel of St. Joseph in the Windmoor Center from 7:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up to spend a class period in Adoration or to stop by any time that day.
Freshmen Give Day of Service
The freshman class gathered at Shawnee Mission Park to collect seeds from a native prairie with naturalists from Bridging the Gap and Kansas City Wildlands. Prairies are one of the most threatened ecosystems in our environment, so by collecting native seeds that will be planted prior to spring, students played a role in restoring a vital part of creation in our area.
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  dhudson@stteresasacademy.org . The college counseling department held a junior class meeting on October 4th 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: 
  • Junior Seminar on College Planning - 1st session will occur in November during a free period. 
  • Individual meetings with juniors about senior year course selection, testing, and college planning (January through late February)
  • Junior Parent College Info. Night on Thurs., January 23, 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. 

Practice ACT Score Return (Juniors & Sophomores) 
Students received scores via the Revolution Prep app on their phone following the test. Scores are housed in each student’s Revolution Prep portal. Parents may access the portal by using their student’s log in and password to download a score pdf at any time. Students took their Practice ACT book home with them following the test on Oct. 25.
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 4-7, 2020. This will be a three-day seminar held at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. To be selected as a 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 26, 2019. Registration is due by December 6, 2019 (including payment).

Questions? Please email Amanda Whitcomb awhitcomb@stteresasacademy.org
Athletics
athleticlogo
Discover exciting updates about fall sports, and learn important information about winter sports tryouts. Click below to read the latest!
STA Golfer Featured Online
Sophomore Savannah Gentry was featured in an article on YouthOnCourse.org about the success and challenges she's faced since pursuing the sport of golf. Savannah Gentry recently competed at the MSHSAA Class 2 State Championships. Click here to read more.
Star Shop
Cyber Monday Sale
Monday, December 2
New sale items and free shipping for orders over $100!

CHRISTMAS SALE
Saturday, December 7
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Star Shop in the Goppert Center
Receive $10 off every $100 you spend! New merchandise will be debuted. Be the first to grab new designs. Shop for sweatshirts, long-sleeved t-shirts, gloves, pullovers, and much more! All sales will benefit St. Teresa's Academy.

The Star Shop is available 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-Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Star Parents Association
We need your help! Please consider volunteering for one of the following opportunities:

Auction
As STA’s largest fundraiser, the money raised through the Auction remains essential in providing our students with financial assistance, as well as the most advanced educational curriculum, technology, and facilities, and the most talented and dedicated teaching staff available.

Your help is needed to make this important event a success. Take a look at the many ways to get involved. 

Star Shop
Your help is needed in the Star Shop during special events, including athletic games and Christmas Sale. Click below to sign up now!

Adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held following the Parent/Daughter Masses in the St. Joseph Chapel. Please sign up here to come spend an hour in prayer before the Divine Presence.

Dates to choose from include: September 12, October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 12, and April 30.

Note: You can coordinate with your daughters free periods so you can be in Adoration together. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Health & Wellness
Social Media
According to a  statista.com  spring 2019 survey, it was found that Snapchat was the most popular social media site for 41 percent of teens, while Facebook was ranked fourth with six percent of teenagers stating it was their favorite. With the shifting tide in social media applications available, Susan Parra-Clements , STA Board of Directors member, suggests parents consult a social media reference guide for help in navigating the world of social media.
Star Cups
Starting this year, members of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will run StarCups, STA’s coffee shop. The Cafe will be open on Wednesday morning from 8:00-8:45 a.m., and Friday mornings from 7:00-7:40 a.m. StarCups offers a variety of items including: hot and iced coffee, chai lattes, smoothies, orange juice, chocolate milk, hot cocoa, muffins, and granola bars.

StarCups allows the members of FBLA to learn fundamental business skills of profit vs. expenses, while at the same time fundraising for this extracurricular activity. Every Wednesday and Friday, students in FBLA volunteer for 1-1.5 hours making drinks, checking students out, and working on customer service.

Encourage your students to come to StarCups in the morning for a nice cup of coffee, a delicious treat, and a fun place to hang out before school. Prices are lower than many local chains and profits are used to send students to State and National competitions.

You can learn more about STA FBLA and StarCups by clicking here .
Giving Back
Give Back to STA Through AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support St. Teresa's Academy every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at  smile.amazon.com , you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to St. Teresa's (when designated as your charitable organization).

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Get shopping and giving now!