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,
The Lenten season is a special time when Catholics and many other denominations voluntarily engage in deeper reflection and repentance. During the 40 days of Lent, some individuals may choose to fast as well as engage in moments of quiet solitude and prayer. In addition, our Campus Ministry department and theology classes will facilitate a variety of meditations, activities and discussions about Lent. Ultimately, the manner in which people choose to participate in Lent is a deeply personal decision.
Although the majority of individuals in the STA community are Catholic, many, in fact, are not. The wonderful thing about our community is our embrace of all people and recognition of our universal human dignity. St. Teresa’s Academy strives to foster inclusivity for all our members. We have the capacity to comprehend different beliefs and voices and hold complex conversations, all while remaining steadfast in our Catholic values and mission.
There is certainly greater ease and comfort in listening only to those whose virtues, values and opinions mirror our own. Such an existence, however, is a limiting way to live. Education is about continuous discovery and respect for a diversity of people and the beliefs they may hold. In learning to lean into discomfort and navigate differences -- whether related to race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs or geography -- a discovery of commonalities and shared humanity emerges.
The Lenten season beckons us to empathize, care for and love others, especially those who may be quite different from ourselves. God demonstrates his love for us time and time again. As it is written in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.”
Correspondingly, in the St. Teresa’s Academy community we remain committed to extending love, grace and acceptance to all.
God Bless,
Dr. Siabhan May-Washington
President
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Upcoming Events:
March 1-2
Kairos Retreat
March 3-6
Shooting Stars Theatre
"Disenchanted The Musical"
March 4
Incoming Freshman
Course Registration
March 8-10
STA Giving Day
March 8
Current Freshman
Course Registration
March 9
Current Sophomore
Course Registration
March 10
Current Junior
Course Registration
March 11
Parents in Prayer
March 11
Dr. Lisa Damour, Psychologist
Parent/Guardian Discussion
March 19
Feast of St. Joseph
March 12-21
Spring Break
March 25
Sophomore College Planning Night
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March 26
Sophomore Retreat
March 28
Father Daughter Event
March 30
Mother Evelyn O'Neill
Award Ceremony
April 1
Holy Thursday
1/2 Day of Classes
April 2
Good Friday
No Classes
April 5
Easter Monday
No Classes
April 6
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
April 7
Women's Symposium
April 7
Star Parents Association Meeting
April 8
Parents in Prayer
April 9
Relay for Life
April 11
Mother Daughter Event Featuring the 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 2021-22 school year to be finalized.
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STA Shooting Stars Theatre Proudly Presents "Disenchanted The Musical"
March 3-6
(only available for streaming for 4 days!)
All tickets are $5
Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. Who needs 'em?
Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in the hilarious hit musical that's anything but Grimm. The original storybook heroines are none too happy with the way they've been portrayed in today's pop culture, so they've tossed their tiaras and come to life to set the record straight. Forget the princesses you think you know -- these royal renegades are here to comically belt out the truth.
Starring: Darcie Hingula, Liv Collet, Molly Symmonds, Isabel Mayer, Arwen Dickson, Mamie Magdline, Grace Patenaude, Lia Uhlenhuth, Ally Fox and Macy Cherra.
Purchase tickets and stream here.
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STA Giving Day
March 8-10
3 days | 200 donors
We have a great, high-energy campaign planned for this year, with opportunities to give as well as volunteer (or both!). We will kick off Monday, March 8 in conjunction with International Women's Day -- a fantastic way to celebrate our students and alumnae!
Your gift on STA Giving Day will equip St. Teresa’s Academy students with the skills needed to make a profound impact on the world.
A gift of any size will make an an enormous difference! Your contribution will support financial aid, a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, top-notch faculty and staff, STA’s STEAM emphasis, an extraordinary campus ministry and service program, a wide variety of extracurriculars, and much more.
This year's goal is to receive gifts from 200 donors -- a 30% increase from last year. Let's do this!
Watch your email and social media accounts for details on how to give. ALL gifts are valuable!
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Father Daughter "Dream Team" - Dance & Cornhole Tournament
March 28, 3-6 p.m.
STA Track & Field
Get ready for a fun-filled father daughter event! All father figures are welcome! Registration fee is $20 per person.
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National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony
April 6, 12:20 p.m.
This year's National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be held during lunch/advisory period, with attendance limited to students only. Details and viewing options will be shared in an upcoming email.
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Relay for Life
April 9
Freshmen & Sophomores - 4-6 p.m.
Juniors & Seniors - 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Cancer has touched everyone in some way, and it continues to do so during the pandemic. Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society (ACS). STA’s event is a shorter, hybrid one this year -- rather than overnight -- but still offers a fun, meaningful experience for students to raise money and awareness for the ACS with their peers. STA is working diligently toward reaching our $30,000 goal!
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Mother Daughter Event & Senior Fashion Show
April 11
STA Quad
1-2:30 p.m.
$10 per person
All STA students and their mothers or special friends are invited to attend the annual St. Teresa's Academy Mother Daughter event. Join us in the Quad for this traditional event with a new twist! Bring your own picnic lunch and blanket.
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Women's Circle of Giving
April 15
The Women's Circle of Giving (WCG) is composed of philanthropic women who join together to fund projects not covered by STA's operating budget. Half of funds raised by the WCG are distributed to STA students in need, while the remaining half is available to faculty and staff members in the form of grants.
By pooling their funds, 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, April 15 (details to follow; you need not be present to vote).
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Stars Walk-of-Fame
April 23
Stay tuned for details about this exciting annual event!
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Grandparents' Day - Virtual Mass
May 2
We invite students and their grandparents to celebrate Mass on Sunday, May 2 with Father Don Farnan. A link to the virtual ceremony will be shared with the school community on April 30.
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Annual Enrollment
Annual Enrollment has opened for the 2021-22 school year, and was due to be completed by February 26, 2021, before course registration. Please review the instructions that were provided in a separate email.
Zero Hour Student Course Registration
Students must report to campus during Zero Hour (7:30 a.m.) to meet with their advisor and complete the online course registration process on the following dates.
- Monday, March 8 - Freshmen @ 7:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 9 - Sophomores @ 7:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 10 - Juniors @ 7:30 a.m
If the parent of a student has not completed the online process for the Annual Enrollment Form, then the student may not complete the online course registration process outlined above.
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Honor Roll Status
Students and parents can now see honor roll status in PowerSchool by logging in and scrolling to the bottom of the main page (Grades and Attendance).
Please note that honor roll data has only been stored in PowerSchool for the last two years, so not all semesters will be populated for juniors and seniors.
If you have any questions about accessing this information, please contact STA Registrar Alexa Varady (avarady@stteresasacademy.org).
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Attendance
With the new semester underway, we want to take this opportunity to clarify the ATTENDANCE/ VIRTUAL PROTOCOLS. Please read thoroughly and share with your student.
Students must continue to check in daily on our Health App (downloadable phone app or on the STA website under the Current Students tab). When checking in, students must choose from the following options:
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On Campus: This is for students at STA for the day or any portion of the day. For late arrivals, please complete before 10am.
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Approved Virtual: This is reserved only for STA-Announced Virtual Days (due to hybrid or weather), for students with a specialized learning plan (long- or short-term) approved through Barb McCormick, or COVID-related situations.
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Absent: This is for being off campus (all day) for any other reason— Sick, vacation, mental health day, sports, etc.
In the event of an absence:
- A parent/guardian must call the Attendance Line at 816-501-0011 (select #5) or email Mrs. Wilson (awilson@stteresasacademy.org).
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A parent/guardian must report any and all absences each day. When doing so, please state the following: student name, time away from school and the reason for absence.
- Do not request virtual learning. Your student can join Teams to stay up to date with her classes but will not be counted present in attendance.
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Student Newspaper Cover Design Earns National Award
STA's student newspaper, The Dart, earned 2nd place honors in The National Scholastic Press Association's Clips & Clicks contest for its compelling cover design. Created by student Grace Ashley, the design depicts a young woman struggling with mental health issues.
The competition honors the work of student journalists from across the nation.
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Annual Women's Symposium Explores Life and Career Journeys
On Wednesday, April 7, STA students will have an opportunity to hear from women who have made an indelible impact on the lives of others. The theme of this year's virtual event is "Journeys." It will feature Sister Barbara Moore as keynote speaker, along with a panel of young alumnae whose career paths are both inspirational and motivational. In addition, we will present this year's Distinguished Alumna Award, recognizing an STA alumna who has positively and substantially influenced her profession, community or society at large. The day will conclude with an activity designed to inspire students to contemplate their own future journeys.
To accommodate the day's itinerary, we will follow a special schedule. All students must report to advisory no later than 8:30 a.m. (attendance is mandatory). The day will conclude at 3:05 p.m. Permission for off-campus periods for 1, 2 and 9 will not apply. This will also be a formal uniform day.
Additional details about the symposium will be available on the STA website.
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Black History Month Recap |
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In February, the Black Student Coalition (BSC) had a month full of wonderful programming for all students, faculty, and staff to enjoy and learn about the Black Experience in America.
The month's theme was "Where We Started and How It's Going." The schedule of events included:
Entire Month: Black Firsts at STA
A social media campaign celebrated Black History being made at St. Teresa’s Academy by highlighting the Black Firsts at STA.
Week 2: BSC Premier of The Plaid Table Talk Show
The Plaid Table Talk is a recorded show covering "Curious Conversations" with curious people. Everyone has a seat at The Plaid Table.
During the premier episode students from different backgrounds sat down and had a curious conversation about race and its effects on the American and STA experience. Click here to watch.
Week 3: Black Culture Week
BSC invited all of the STA community to celebrate various aspects of Black culture with the following in-person events:
- Black Hair Show
- The Black Church Experience
Star Galaxy Committee
The first Star Galaxy meeting of the spring semester took place Tuesday, February 16. The committee had a thought-provoking conversation using the same questions discussed during the premier episode of The Plaid Table Talk.
The next Star Galaxy Committee Meeting will be on Tuesday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
Meeting ID: 954 316 2080
Passcode: sta1234
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Please email Brianna Walker, STA Director of Equity, Outreach and Inclusive Education, with any questions. (bwalker@stteresasacademy.org) |
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Summer Enrichment Programs - Visit the STA website to view a list of upcoming college campus summer enrichment programs. New information is added weekly. Programs vary by content, length, cost, etc., and provide opportunities to meet students from around the globe and experience college life firsthand. Some programs are for college credit and some may offer financial assistance. Many are virtual opportunities.
Sophomore parents - Please mark your calendars for Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m. to attend STA's virtual Sophomore Family College Planning Night. Parents and sophomores are strongly encouraged to attend. Sophomores registered with Naviance and Scoir (online college planning tools) in early March. Topics for the evening include the college search process, how to connect with colleges, and the rise in test-optional admissions. Watch your email for a separate message from College Counseling with a link and speaker details.
Junior and Senior Parents - Please refer to your individual March College Planning News for information regarding college visits at STA, ACT & SAT, deadlines, junior seminars, scholarships, and much more.
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Senior Parents - Please forward copies of ALL scholarship letters (not just those you plan to accept by email to Debi Hudson in STA College Counseling (dhudson@stteresasacademy.org).
AP Exams - May 3-17. 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.
AP Exam Webinar - Revolution Prep is hosting a webinar -- "Intro to AP Exams" -- on Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. The webinar will familiarize parents and students with the AP content, and how to succeed on these rigorous, college-level assessments, and why they matter. Learn more and register here.
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Stress Management Discussions
As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our STA community, we have arranged a series of discussions on Thursday, March 11 with New York Times best-selling author and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour. These discussions regarding the important topic of managing stress and anxiety during COVID-19 are available separately for teachers, students and parents and scheduled as follows:
- Teachers - Zero Hour
- Students - Lunch Hour
- Parents - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
During the parent portion, Dr. Damour will present "Managing Stress, Anxiety and Parenting Under COVID-19." She will share insights specific to parents/guardians and discuss the psychological science that is key to understanding stress and anxiety responses in high school girls, both under everyday conditions and at times of heightened concern and disruption. Topics include:
- How to keep pressure and tension from reaching toxic levels
- How to parent effectively in the current circumstances
- The most reliable strategies for managing ongoing stress
In addition to being an acclaimed author, Dr. Damour is a Yale graduate who is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. To learn more about her, click here.
Please join us for this important conversation.
Watch your email for a link.
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Virtual Visit Behavioral Health Initiative
Diversity Telehealth is partnering with STA to offer its first telebehavioral health pilot program for STA students and parents. The purpose of offering virtual therapy sessions is to promote STA’s health and wellness mission to “strengthen the lives of students by identifying and reducing the health barriers to learning, decreasing absenteeism, and promoting student health and safety.”
- Registration dates - March 8-March 15
- How to register - Contact Dr. Shelley Cooper (scooper@diversitytelehealth.com) or call 913-710-3818
- The pilot runs from March 16 through April 30
Based on survey response preferences, a list of counselors conducting virtual visits will be provided for your selection.
Dr. Cooper will be available via Zoom every Wednesday from March 17 to April 28 between 1-2 p.m. to answer any questions about this offering. Launch and enter Meeting ID 973 242 3044. Waiting room access only (no password).
FAQ documents will be provided to interested students and parents.
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Strategic Planning Process
STA is pleased to share information with you regarding our ongoing strategic planning process.
This year STA is utilizing a new Design Thinking Process developed by Mandi Sonnenberg, STA's director of STEAM Projects and Education. As illustrated below, this model utilizes a thoughtful, fluid and iterative approach to develop innovative strategic concepts.
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Faculty, staff and select board members are participating in Design Thinking workshops to create our 3-5-year department strategic plans -- all the way down to lesson design. We are carefully considering input from faculty, staff, student and parent surveys, which are providing us with crucial insight into our strengths and opportunities.
We would be remiss if we didn't thank you for your participation in this work. We received more than 200 survey responses from parents and more than 450 responses from students, which have provided us with invaluable information.
Please stay tuned for additional updates as we progress through this important planning process.
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Faith Formation and STA Mission for Faculty & Staff
On March 3, STA will host Sister Mary McGlone, CSJ, as she guides STA faculty and staff through thought-provoking dialogue.
In this second part of a two-day series, Sister Mary will lead us in a conversation titled "Moving Into Mission." This discussion will challenge our thinking around curriculum and programs as we prepare for the future, and lead us through an inquiry into deepening our faith formation and understanding of STA's mission.
As always, we look forward to Sister Mary's thoughtful guidance on our spiritual and educational path.
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Need spirit wear for an incoming freshman, to cheer on the Stars at a lacrosse or soccer game, or just need a refresh on STA Gear? (Remember, students can also 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 can pick up your merchandise at the Star Shop or have it shipped to you.
Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. when school is in session.
Email the Star Shop (starshop@stteresasacademy.org) with any questions, and follow us on Instagram to see the latest in Star gear! |
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Please consider volunteering for Giving Day.
Numerous volunteer activities are available during this three-day, fun-filled event. Sign up now.
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Summer camps at STA are designed for campers to have fun, learn and develop their skills. Athletic camps are great for girls in grade school through high school to work on team concepts, wellness and physical conditioning. |
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Athletic Camps
Basketball
Cross Country
Dance
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Sports Performance
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STEAM Camps
Art Workshop
Clay
How to be an Environmentalist
The Science of Toys and Games
Mythbusters!
Boats, Planes, Rockets and More!
Coding/Programming
Engineering & Construction
Sport Science
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Click here to register and to check for specific dates, times, locations, and recommended ages.
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Tryouts for the 2020-21 spring season begin March 1 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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