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It's November and the year is moving at a record pace. This month we are continuing with our Works of Mercy initiative and are collecting canned foods, warm winter coats and pocketbooks. The Theater Guild performed the Diary of Anne Frank. Seniors had their overnight class retreat and juniors were given their class rings at the Junior Ring Ceremony. There are so many great things happening at PMA and we are excited to share them with you in this edition of
ePathways.
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Students with their canned food collection
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The Works of Mercy initiative at PMA continued to grow into November. This past month was dedicated to two Works of Mercy: Praying for the Dead and Feeding the Hungry.
As part of our Spiritual Work of Mercy, we carried on the message of All Soul's Day for the entire month and placed a memory book in the main lobby of the school. We encouraged students, faculty, alumni, or any member of the PMA community to contribute by writing in the name of a loved one who has passed away and especially those who have passed away over the past year. The Praying Panthers club prayed for all of these intentions weekly.
As for our Corporal Works of Mercy, the Interact Club held a Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive. We asked each student to bring in five items of either canned goods or non-perishable food items which were given
to Lazarus House who will then distribute them to local families as holiday food basket
s.
Finally, PMA integrated a bit of the Corporal Work of Sheltering the
Homeless when w
e extended the pocketbook drive which began in October. This is for the "Pocketbook Project" which w
as started by a PMA alum to
benefit women who are homeless or incarcerated and hoping for a fresh start. These p
ocketbooks were filled with personal care items to help these women look and feel their best. The pocketbooks were filled by members of the Panther P.A.W.S. Promoting an Affirming and Welcoming Society) and will be brought to
Women's View
for distribution.
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| PMA Coat Drive with a Cause |
On Wednesday, November 9, seven PMA students went to Lazarus House in Lawrence to donate needed clothing. Over the month of October, as part of its Works of Mercy initiative, PMA emphasized the Corporal Work of Mercy, Clothe the Naked and collected gently used coats to be donated for those in need. The group went over after school and organized the coats and placed them on hangers. It was a wonderful hands on experience of charity for the students and the first of many more opportunities sponsored by the Panther P.A.W.S. (Promoting an Affirming and Welcoming Society) club which was inspired from PMA's previous club, Rachel's Challenge.
The seven students who attended were junior Zoe Henderson, and sophomores Sam Mather, Brittany Savage, Meredith Gepski, Zach Robinson, Katie Quinn, and Brady Quinn.
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History Department with David McCullough
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On October 28, the Sophomore class went on the annual history field-trip to the Presidential Wreath Laying Ceremony honoring the legacy of John Adams. The class arrived late morning at the United First Parish Church in Quincy. There, they celebrated the 281st Birthday of John Quincy Adams with tributes to the late President through music and speeches. Notably, Douglas Adams, a descendant of John and Abigail Adams was one of the speakers.
After the ceremony, students were able to tour the Adam's Crypt, which was the highlight of the day for many.
The most memorable moment for the History Department, Mr. Klayman, Mr. Stankus, Mr. Lee, and Ms. Pesaturo, had an opportunity to take a photo with two-time Pulitzer prize-winning, author and historian David McCullough. McCullough is also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian award.
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| French Week...ooooh la la |
PMA was transformed into an
école (French for school) during National French Week, November 4-11. The celebrations began with a French breakfast, complete with c
rêpes and croissants. The members of the French classes decorated the school blue, white, and red with streamers, representing the colors of France. They filled the hallways with posters highlighting famous French people and facts. They also assembled a photo both complete with an Eiffel Tower backdrop and props such as a French baguette, berets, and an over-sized mustache. (You can see some of the staff enjoying it below.) It was a magnifique way to get the entire school involved in une merveilleuse semaine française (a wonderful French Week).
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On Wednesday, November 2,
a group of twelve students from PMA went to see
I'm Not Ashamed
at the Loop AMC . The movie details the life and death of Rachel Joy Scott, a victim of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. Hers is a story of someone who found faith and was transformed in such a way that she impacted the lives of many through her friendship and compassion and continues to do so through her legacy. Just over a week before the shooting, Rachel wrote a paper for one of her classes about how her faith inspired her to live a life for others and encouraged her fellow students to "start a chain reaction" by doing good deeds for others. This is a message that has resonated across the country, as clubs all over the US began to form to accept Rachel's challenge.
The students were amazed by the demonstration of Rachel's faith, even at gun point, and have found a new enthusiasm for the newest club on campus: Panther P.A.W.S. Inspired by the Friends of Rachel club, the Panther P.A.W.S. (Promoting an Affirming and Welcoming Society) club seeks to help contribute to a culture of charity and love both in the world and at PMA through incorporating the Works of Mercy, as well as peer mediation. The club is already off to a great start with their participation in the coat drive and their organizing a "Friends-giving" with the dorm students. Stay tuned to ePathways to see what sort of chain reaction these students may cause.
 On Wednesday, November 16, seventeen PMA students went to see the new Mel Gibson movie, Hacksaw Ridge, starring Andrew Garfield. Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of army medic. Desmond T. Doss ( played by Garfield), won the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to bear arms during WWII on religious grounds. Doss was drafted and ostracized by fellow soldiers for his pacifist stance but went on to earn respect and adoration for his bravery, selflessness and compassion after he risked his life -- without firing a shot -- to save 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. His is a story of religious liberty that spoke volumes to the students who attended. Upon leaving the theater, Junior Zoe Henderson stated, "It really makes me want to go and do something with my life" in imitation of the valiant selflessness of Doss and his conviction to his beliefs.
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The PMA Drama Club performed
The Diary of Anne Frank
on November 11 and 12. The students did an excellent job of presenting the
play's
sensitive
subject matter with grace and dignity. We are proud of the effort the students have displayed to perfect their collective and individual performances. The Drama Club put their heart and soul into this play and it was an unforgettable performance.
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The Class of 2017 became a stronger, more united class after returning from the Senior Overnight Retreat at Toah Nipi Retreat Center in Rindge, NH on November 17 and 18. Nestled amongst a wooded area by a lake, Toah Nipi provided a serene environment for the seniors to hike and explore as new friendships were made and old ones were rekindled. The entire class had an opportunity to bond together over this two day retreat. This opportunity was made possibly by Dave Dumaine who led most of the retreat activities and helped to break down the barriers between the students through games, songs, and witness talks about his faith and how it had led him to serve so many. The experiences Dave, provided helped the seniors to open up to share their emotions and their own personal experiences.
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The class of 2018 at the Junior Ring Ceremony
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The class of 2018 celebrated their Junior Ring Ceremony on Monday, November 21,
at St. Monica's Church. Annually, the ceremony coincided with the feast day of the namesake of our school, the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.
The Junior Class ring ceremony is a long tradition at PMA. The annual event is a time for the student body and the faculty and administration to recognize the junior class's role in leadership of the school as upperclassmen. The ceremony provides us with an opportunity to pause and take time to mark this important milestone. The purpose is to initiate these juniors into this role, as well as to help them begin to focus on their future lives as alumni. The selected token which each student has chosen to bless will serve as a symbol of their connection to the school, both for their time spent here as well as after graduation.
Each junior has the power to do great good or great harm to the reputation and institution of Presentation of Mary Academy by their actions, by the way they conduct themselves, and by their interactions with others. All of which leaves an impression on what PMA is and what it stands for. That power and responsibility now increases as the junior class becomes recognized as upperclassman of the school and even more so when they become alumni.
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Friday, October 28 PMA held its annual Pink Out Volleyball game. This game raises awareness for breast cancer as well as money for the Anne Shields Memorial Scholarship fund. Anne Shields was a long time teacher at PMA who lost her battle with breast cancer nearly 10 years ago.
PMA also held a $2.00 pink dress down day, for all students and staff, to help raise additional funds for this scholarship.
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| Parent/Alumni vs. Student Volleyball Game |
Sunday, November 6 the volleyball team competed against parents and alumni in a Parent/Alumni vs. student volleyball game.
It was a game that boiled down to bragging rights. The more "seasoned and experienced" players wanted to show today's team that they had the skills necessary to beat them. The current volleyball team were fighting for their reputation.
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| CAC Cross Country Luncheon |
Sean Toomey, '17, Shakira Henriquez, '18, and Elaina Latino, '19 were named the CAC Cross Country Champions. They were given their awards at the CAC Cross Country Luncheon on Wednesday, November 16.
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| Halloween, Monday October 31 |
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Halloween....A PMA tradition. Need we say more?
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Yankee Candle Fundraising Drive
The 2016 Yankee Candle Drive is over. Don't worry if you didn't get your catalog order in. Yankee Candle has committed to help PMA all year long.
Anytime you shop online they will make a donation to our school. Visit
www.yankeecandlefundraising.com and enter group #99896054 in the "start shopping" box.
Thank you for your support!
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GoodShop
Christmas shopping is well underway! Don't forget to use GoodShop with any of your online shopping. They have partnered with
over 5,000 stores to offer you daily online promotions and coupons. Plus, they give a percentage of your total back to your favorite non-profit. That could be us!
Before you shop, quickly set up a user name and password and don't forget to assign Presentation of Mary Academy, Methuen, MA as your non-profit of choice! Everybody wins! Happy shopping.
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Amazon Smile
You can support PMA every time you shop online at Amazon.com! Especially now with all of your Christmas shopping.
Through the Amazon Smile program, Amazon will donate 0.5 % of your purchase to PMA. It's that simple. Just make sure you select Presentation of Mary Academy - Methuen, MA as your charity of choice. Or click in the link below to to be taken directly to smile.amazon.com in support of PMA. Doesn't that make you want to smile?
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Or download a printable 2016-2017 school calendar here
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Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 11
3:00 pm
Dupre Center
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Christmas Break
Thursday, December 22 - Monday, January 2
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Classes Resume
Tuesday, January 3
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Travel Opportunity for PMA Families.
The 2016 Europe trip was a blast. Don't miss out on the next one! It is an opportunity of a lifetime!
Current students and their families have the opportunity to travel abroad on a dream European vacation.
PMA is leading an 8 day trip to Lisbon, Seville and Madrid
in June 2017
Spots still available!
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Stay Connected
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