To view the entire Parent News, please click "[Message clipped] View entire message." at the end of this email.
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Dear Parents,
On January 30, 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (nCOV) a public health emergency of global concern. A helpful video about the Coronavirus can be watched here:
Coronavirus
.
A high red warning Level 4 travel advisory alert has been issued cancelling flights to and from China. Most recently, on February 25, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provided a press conference updating the country about the coronavirus (COVID-19).
St. Teresa’s Academy has been watching the outbreaks closely. The CDC has emphasized that there is not currently a coronavirus pandemic in the United States, yet the global situation is being closely monitored.
In addition to concerns about the coronavirus, please be aware that we are in the midst of the flu season. Last year, STA invested in the revolutionary new 360-degree, touchless disinfection and sanitizing system from Earthsafe. We have four handheld, electrostatic sprayers on our campus. All rooms in our buildings are currently sprayed twice a day.
Should there be a need to cancel school because of widespread outbreak, Academic Principal Barbara McCormick advises that our Virtual Learning protocols will commence enabling students to continue their studies at home.
I have consulted with our school nurse, Angela Sweeny, who shared some important information for our community:
- Wash hands thoroughly and frequently.
- The flu vaccine is encouraged to reduce flu symptoms (but it won’t prevent coronavirus illnesses).
- Remain at home if you have symptoms of fever, chills, headache, and lack of energy.
- Refrain from returning to school until you are fever-free with no medication for 24 hours.
- Practice respiratory etiquette and cover mouths and noses for coughs and sneezes.
- Seek immediate medical care if symptoms become more severe, such as high fever or difficulty breathing.
- Clean all high-touch surfaces daily.
Lastly, across the world, people of Asian descent are experiencing microaggressions and inappropriate remarks directed towards them about the coronavirus. This situation is not a joking matter. At St. Teresa’s Academy, we stand against bias, intolerance, and racism. Our community is one of love and acceptance, where we love the dear neighbor without distinction. Bias incidents are taken seriously and will not be tolerated. Per our code of conduct, a bias incident is conduct, speech, or expression motivated, in whole or in part, by bias or prejudice. A safe school climate is our top priority.
If you have any health-related questions, feel free to contact our school nurse
Angela Sweeny
. I will continue to keep you informed of important issues. Thank you for your prayers and support.
God Bless You,
Dr. Siabhan May-Washington
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Upcoming Events:
March 2, 2020
Sophomore Class Registration
March 3, 2020
Mass - Advisory Group A
March 4, 2020
Late Start - Schedule 4
Evening Liturgy, 6:00 p.m.
Star Parent Association Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
March 5, 2020
Incoming Freshman Course Registration
March 6-7, 2020
Relay for Life
March 8, 2020
Father-Daughter Bags Tournament
March 9-12, 2020
STA Be You Week
March 10, 2020
STA Giving Day
Mass - Advisory Group B
March 13-22, 2020
Spring Break
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March 24, 2020
Mother Evelyn O'Neill Ceremony
March 25, 2020
Late Start - Schedule 4
March 26, 2020
Sophomore College Planning Night
March 27, 2020
Readers Theatre:
These Shining Lives
Performance
March 30, 2020
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
March 31, 2020
Women's Circle of Giving Grant Award Meeting
March 31-April 3, 2020
Kairos Retreat
April 3, 2020
Catered Lenten Seafood Boil and Fish Fry
April 5, 2020
Mother Daughter Luncheon and Senior Fashion Show
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The annual registration fee of $350 was included on your March Smart Tuition invoice. This payment is due by
March 10
.
All accounts must be current in order for your daughter's schedule and course selections for the 2020-21 school year to be finalized.
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English Course Book Exchange
STA sophomore
Rebecca Hoff
has created a Book Exchange for all English courses offered at STA. English books may be dropped off in crates located in each English classroom. The English department will distribute collected English books to students in subsequent classes, saving families the expense of buying new books. Rebecca created the Book Exchange as part of earning her Gold Award in the Girl Scouts.
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Relay for Life
March 6-7, 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Cancer has touched everyone in some way. Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser cancer walk for the American Cancer Society. The event runs overnight because "cancer never sleeps." St. Teresa's Academy is working diligently toward reaching their $30,000 goal!
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Father-Daughter Bags Tournament
March 8, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
STA Gymnasium
Sign up now to try your hand in the Father-Daughter Bags Tournament hosted by the St. Joseph's Society. All father figures are welcome! Space is limited to 50 teams, but all are invited to watch. $40 per team, proceeds will help support camp beautification projects at STA. Pizza by the slice from Pizza 51, soda, and water will be available for purchase. Proceeds from pizza sales will benefit Give Safe Water.
Click here
to register.
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STA Giving Day
24 hours | 154 donors
March 10
Your gift on STA Giving Day helps St. Teresa’s Academy students claim their vital voices and equips them with the skills needed to make a profound impact in the world.
What an enormous difference you can make through your gift on this one Giving Day! Your contribution helps to support financial aid; a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum; a top-notch faculty and staff; STA’s STEAM emphasis; an extraordinary campus ministry and service program; a wide variety of extracurriculars; and much more.
The goal for STA Giving Day is to receive gifts from 154 donors. The donor goal represents the number of years since the founding of STA in 1866.
Watch your email and social media accounts for details on how to give. ALL gifts are valuable!
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What Were You Wearing
Exhibition
March 14, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
All Souls Unitarian Universalist
4501 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO
Tori Johnson, Kansas City Academy senior, has curated an exhibition titled
What Were You Wearing
for her senior capstone project
.
The art exhibition is based on student-survivor descriptions of the clothes they were wearing during their sexual assault. STA students are invited to attend. If a student should need to talk about their own experiences during the exhibition, three MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) counselors will be on site.
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STA Shooting Stars Theatre Proudly Presents
READER'S THEATRE:
These Shining Lives
March 27, 7:30 p.m.
M&A Auditorium
Admission is donation only: pay what you can! All donations will fund future Shooting Stars events
Based on the women working in the Radium Dial Factory in the 1920’s,
These Shining Live
s chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable, exploring their true story and its continued resonance.
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National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony
March 30, 11:05 a.m.
Parents of current and new NHS members are invited to attend the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. A light lunch will be provided by the Star Parents Association.
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Join STA Mothers in the Circle!
March 31, 6:00 p.m.
Windmoor Center
The Women’s Circle of Giving is filled with philanthropic women who come together to help fund projects not covered by STA’s operating budget. Half of the funds are distributed to STA families in financial crisis, while the remaining half is available to faculty and staff members who apply for grants.
By pooling their funds, the WCG members maximize their philanthropic efforts. Every member has an equal say in where the funds are awarded. The grant application review meeting will be held on
Thursday, March 31
(you need not be present to vote).
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Catered Lenten Seafood Boil and Fish Fry
Friday, April 3 (during Lent)
STA Campus
$50 per person
The first 50 people who sign up will devour a catered Louisiana Lenten Seafood Boil and Fish Fry, including live entertainment by Road Trip, a classic rock journey through the decades, featuring John Ammatelli and Josh Batz, parents of students in the classes of ’20 and ’23.
The mouthwatering menu includes:
- Louisiana Shrimp
- Fried Catfish
- Louisiana Fixings
- Refreshing Beverages, including wine and beer
The feast is generously hosted and donated by Angele & Brian Ashley, parents
of students in the classes of ’21 and ’23.
Click here
to sign up now!
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Education Summit 2020: Systems Change
April 4, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The National World War I Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO
The Education Summit 2020: Systems Change will focus on big ideas and challenges in education. Five topics will be addressed: community relations, curriculum transformation, discipline redesign, human resources, and social-emotional health and well-being. These issues hit at the very core of inequity in education.
Click here
to learn more and register.
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Mother-Daughter Luncheon & Senior Fashion Show
April 5
Kansas City Marriott Downtown
Marriott Tower - Basie Ballroom
200 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO
12:00 p.m. Cash Hot Chocolate Bar and Photos
1:00 p.m. Luncheon
Register online by clicking
here
. No refunds after March 11.
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Stars Walk-of-Fame and Color Throw
April 24
During the annual Walk-of-Fame and Color Throw, students will be putting on their walking shoes to help support the school's mission of educating young women to think critically, encouraging them through Catholic values to love the dear neighbor without distinction, and empowering them to change the world.
Here's how it works:
Students were given 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 six envelopes OR 2) buy out of the program with an $80 donation. Students who return all twelve envelopes will win great prizes!
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.
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.
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Grandparents' Day
May 3, 1:00 - 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
before Thursday, March 12, to sign up.
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ECYBERMISSION Expo
All 9th grade biology students completed amazing projects for the
eCybermission competition
! Forty teams worked for numerous weeks to produce, plan, build, and test their solutions to problems they identified in the community. This is the second year all freshman biology students have participated.
While official competition results and feedback will not be available until much later in the school year, the eCyb
ermission Expo provided teams with the opportunity to present their work to an immediate, authentic audience. On February 26, students' families, the STA community, and STEM professionals had the opportunity to spend time with each team to discuss their engineering-design process and solutions.
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Social Study Teacher Accepted into Holocaust Advanced Learning Program
Social studies teacher Alicia Stewart has been selected to attend an advanced learning program for educators who are seeking to deepen their learning and understanding of the Holocaust and strengthen their knowledge and skills to effectively teach this history to their students. This summer, Alicia will travel to Jerusalem, Israel, where she will participate in a nine-day intensive learning experience taught by some of the world’s most experienced and respected Holocaust educators and historians. Located on the campus of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, participants will be taken on expertly guided tours of the Yad Vashem museum and the campus and engage in pedagogical workshops, daily lectures by senior historians, and group work. The seminar also provides participants with guided trips to some of Israel’s most famous historical and cultural sites to enhance their understanding of the Jewish story and provide perspective on the life that was built after the horrors of Hitler’s genocide against the Jews.
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STA Freshman Recognized for Serving the Dear Neighbor
Lisa Sowle
, class of 2023, was named one of five national finalists in the 2020 US Soccer SheBelieves Hero Contest. An elite panel of former U.S. Women's National Team Olympic and World Cup veterans selected five finalists that fans voted on to become the 2020 SheBelieves Hero. Lily founded Lily's League, a charity that collects soccer gear for kids in Haiti.
Click here
to learn more. Congratulations to Lisa on her amazing work serving the dear neighbor!
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Annual Women's Symposium Exposes Students to Enlightening Topics
On February 28, freshman and sophomore students will spend a powerful day learning from experts on a wide range of social justice and women's issues. Students will choose from 27 breakout sessions led by experts from a variety of organizations and corporations. Topics include: Economic Justice by The Grooming Project, Cross-Racial Friendships by Ogletree, Deakins, International Aid/Disaster Relief by the Heart to Heart International, Equal Pay by the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City, and the Media & Body Image by Thalia House.
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FBLA Competition Awards
On January 28, STA students competed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) district competition. The following FBLA members placed in the event. The asterisk indicates those that qualified for the state competition.
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- Eleanor Hatley - 4th - Health Care Administration*
- Morgan Mos - 4th - Insurance & Risk Management*
- Madeleine Sage - 4th - Introduction to Information Technology*
- Zoe Hoss - 4th - Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure*
- Evelyn Parker - 5th - Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure*
- Yalei Wilcox - 4th - Networking Concepts*
- Madeleine Sage - 5th - Networking Concepts*
- Ellie Bolch - 1st - Introduction to Business Procedures*
- Georgia Winfield - 2nd - Future Business Leader
- Anna Albritton - 3rd - Electronic Career Portfolio
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- McKenzie Heffron - 4th - Client Service
- Annie Kelley, Jacqueline Hawley, Brynne Kelley - 4th - Digital Video Production
- Marie Bruck, Olivia Akers, Yalei Wilcox - 4th - Business Plan
- Morgan Mos, Abby Farmer, Elizabeth Torrey - 2nd - Graphic Design
- Ella Sowle, Abby Fellows, Olivia Akers - 3rd - Website Design
- Anna Lack, Eloise Medbery, Sophie Harlan - 3rd - Broadcast Journalism
- Julia Flores, Grace Decker - 3rd - Emerging Business Issues
- Maddie Gentry, Kelly Anne Greene, Evelyn Diamond - 2nd - Sports and Entertainment Management
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Black History Month Recap
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STA celebrated Black History Month through a series of wonderful events hosted by The Black Student Coalition. The events and initiatives were available for all students, faculty, and staff to enjoy and learn about the importance of Black History and how contributions have shaped the Black Experience in America. Each week was given a theme to cover a wide array of topics. The entire STA Community (students, faculty, and staff alike) enjoyed and engaged in the planned activities.
Health and Fitness
February 3-7
Black History Month was literally kicked off with a kickboxing class. Students, friends, and family were invited to join in a
Nicki Fit KC
Hip Hop Cardio Class with a live DJ, Fitness Warriors, and plenty of exercise.
Black History Month Movie Festival
February 10-13
Black Student Coalition presented the first Annual BSC Movie Festival. Students enjoyed the following lineup:
- Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History: a Netflix variety special starring Steve Agee, Derek Basco and Brad Berryhill
- When They See Us: In 1989, a jogger was assaulted and raped in New York's Central Park, and five young people were subsequently charged with the crime. The quintet, labeled the Central Park Five, maintained its innocence and spent years fighting the convictions, hoping to be exonerated. This limited series spans a quarter of a century, from when the teens are first questioned about the incident in the spring of 1989, going through their exoneration in 2002 and ultimately the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.
- The Pursuit of Happyness: Life is a struggle for single father Chris Gardner. Evicted from their apartment, he and his young son find themselves alone with no place to go. Even though Chris eventually lands a job as an intern at a prestigious brokerage firm, the position pays no money. The pair must live in shelters and endure many hardships, but Chris refuses to give in to despair as he struggles to create a better life for himself and his son.
- The Blackkklansman: Ron Stallworth is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. He creates a team to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream.
Poverty Simulation and Greek Step Show
February 17-21
- GIVE (STA's student-run volunteer organization) worked in conjunction with Catholic Charities to bring a poverty simulation to STA on President's Day (pictured below). This free event was open to all STA, Rockhurst, and Sion students. Students assumed the roles of those facing poverty and were given a scenario to work through in groups. Through this experience, participants' beliefs about poverty were challenged and deeper understandings were reached of the realities faced by many low-income people.
- Dr. Brandy Palacios provided a brief history of Black Colleges and Universities. Following Dr. Palacios's talk, members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and Delta Sigma Theta sorority informed students about their organizations and performed a step routine.
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Summer Enrichment Programs
on college campuses are listed on the
STA website
. New information is added weekly. Programs vary by content, length, cost, etc. and provide the opportunity to meet students from around the globe and experience college life firsthand. Some programs are for college credit and some may offer financial assistance.
Freshman Parents
- Freshmen will receive their PreACT scores and original test book through freshman seminar this spring. They will also receive a brief introduction to the college search and planning process.
Sophomore Parents
- Please mark your calendars for
Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the M&A Auditorium
. Parents and sophomores are strongly encouraged to attend the College Planning Kick-Off Night. Sophomores registered with Naviance and Scoir, online college planning tools, in late February and parents will be given registration information at the evening program. Topics for the evening are the college search process and college visits.
Junior and Senior Parents
- Please refer to your individual March College Planning News for information regarding ACT & SAT, deadlines, scholarships, and much more.
Senior Parents
- Please forward copies of ALL scholarship letters (not just those you plan to accept) to
Debi Hudson
.
AP Exams
–
May 4-15
. Check the
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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STA Be You Week
March 9-12
Be You Week, formerly Kindness Week, is fast approaching and preparations have begun 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!!!
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On
Wednesday, March 4
, at 6:00 p.m., an evening liturgy will be held to celebrate the season of Lent as a community - students, parents, siblings, faculty, and staff are all welcome. Weather permitting, the liturgy will begin in the Quad at the cross at 6:00 p.m. and process into the Chapel for Mass. A blessing of all Winter Athletes in attendance will be offered. Following Mass, a simple soup supper will be served as a time for fellowship. This liturgy will be held instead of a morning Parent/Daughter Mass this month.
On
Saturday, March 7
, Denise Simeone from STA's Campus Ministry will lead a Lenten retreat with Cele Breen, SCL. The retreat's theme, "Lord, let your mercy and kindness be on us, as we place our trust in you," (Psalm 33:22) will offer retreatants a time to reflect upon the Scriptures of the Lent and Easter seasons. Details below.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Registration and refreshments: 9:00 a.m.
Retreat: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Xavier Hall
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
1001 E 52nd Street
Kansas City, MO
People of all faiths are welcome. Pre-registration is helpful; walk-ins are welcome. Suggested donation: $15, but donate whatever is possible, pay at the door. Bring a friend who has never attended one of the retreats for free.
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2019 Scholastic Arts Awards
Congratulations to the following students, whose artistic efforts have been recognized by the 2020 Scholastic Arts Awards in the Missouri Art Region.
Silver Key
Mara Kugler - Fashion Design
Liz Ritchey - Ceramics and Glass
Adi Zahner - Ceramics and Glass
Honorable Mention
Adi Batz - Ceramics and Glass
Emily Douglas - Ceramics and Glass
Zoey Ford - Fashion Design
Katherine Kallas - Painting
Autumn Shemitz - Drawing+Illustration
Cecilia Torres - Graphic Design
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Creative Junior Receives Three Awards
Congratulations to
Adi Zahner
, STA Class of 2021, on her award-winning ceramic teapot! Adi's remarkable teapot, titled A Modern Artifact, won a Silver Key in the Regional Scholastic Art Awards; was selected for inclusion in the 2020 Senate Art Exhibit, which showcases fine arts programs in 34 Missouri Senate Districts; and was chosen for the National K-12 Ceramics Exhibition in Richmond, Virginia, where it will be seen by thousands of visitors from all over the world. Way to go, Adi!
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Need spirit wear for an incoming freshman, or to cheer on the Stars at a lacrosse or soccer game? Students can wear spirit wear from the Star Shop on Fridays.
Stop by the Star Shop, located in the Goppert Center, or check out Star merchandise
ONLINE
. You may 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 have temporarily changed to Monday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
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We need your help! Please consider volunteering for one of the following opportunities:
Stars Walk-of-Fame and Color Throw
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available leading up to the Walk-of-Fame scheduled for Friday, April 24. Please join when you can!
Relay for Life
A variety of volunteer opportunities are needed to support this fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Click below to sign up.
Father-Daughter Bags Tournament
Help is still needed to help set up and lay down the gym floor for this March 8 event.
Star Shop
Open daily after school and during special events. Click below to sign up now!
Adoration in the Windmoor Chapel
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.
Note: You can coordinate with your daughters free periods so you can be in Adoration together. Please review the available slots. Thank you!
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Rideshare Safety Precautions
Is Uber safe? Is Lyft safe? Taking a few precautions can help you sit back and enjoy the ride.
- Share your trip with others. If you need to travel alone, consider taking the carpool option. It allows you to ride with others who have a similar destination.
- Keep your personal information confidential.
- Request your ride before you go outside.
- Sit in the back seat and wear your seatbelt.
- Know your surroundings. Use the app to follow your driver’s progress before they pick you up and while you are en route to your destination.
- Check the driver’s ratings and read the feedback before you confirm a pick up. Cancel the request if you are not comfortable with the driver.
- Verify the identity of the driver and car before entering the vehicle. The ridesharing app will show you the driver’s photo, the vehicle’s license plate number, and the make and model of the car.
- Uber will provide you with a pin number to use as verification before entering the car.
- If your personal safety is threatened, call emergency personnel immediately.
- If something doesn’t feel right, don’t get into the vehicle.
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Summer camps at STA are designed for campers to have fun, learn, and develop their skills. Sports camps are great for girls in grade school through high school to work on team concepts, wellness, and physical conditioning.
Camps include:
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Art Workshop
Basketball
Clay
Cross Country
Golf
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Invention Project
Lacrosse
Music
Soccer
Softball
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Sports Performance
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
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Click here
to register and to check for specific dates, times, location, and recommended ages.
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Tryouts for the 2019-20 spring season begin
March 2, 2020
, for Lacrosse, Soccer and Track and Field. Click below to view the tryout schedule.
Explore the Update to discover exciting news about winter sports!
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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!
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