September 1, 2023 Volume X, No. 1 |
|
From The Desk Of The Principal |
|
Greetings!
Welcome Back!
It was a good first week and that’s no small accomplishment! Beginning a new school year is not easy, but everyone has worked hard to provide a smooth school opening for our students: our custodians, administrative staff, teachers and parent/guardians deserve kudos. Thank you for your outstanding efforts on behalf of our students!
Now begins the task of transitioning the students into their new surroundings. It usually takes the month of September for students to settle into their new classroom, adjust to their new teacher’s style and get to know, or better know, their classmates. The month of September is also dedicated to learning the routines and procedures for the new grade level. Once these are established, the real academic work can begin in earnest. You can help by making sure your child is in school every day and all day. The most successful, well rounded students are the ones
that strive for perfect attendance!
Looks like we’re going to have a beautiful Labor Day weekend, a welcome reward for a good first week of school. Enjoy, but make sure your children hit the hay early on Monday night. We need them well rested on Tuesday morning!
Peace and God's blessings,
Ms. Ann E. Dougal
Principal
|
|
Monday, September 4, 2023
Labor Day
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
**NO BUSES - Springfield Public Schools Day Off**
Please provide transportation for your child if they take the bus
|
|
Before and After School Program |
|
Before and After School Billing
Just a reminder that if your child participates in the Before or After School Program, an invoice will be sent home with your child on Fridays. This invoice will include time from Thursday of the previous week through Wednesday of the billing week.
Payments are required on the following Monday. It can be sent in with your child or dropped off at the main office. The envelope must be clearly labeled with their name and classroom so it can be applied to the correct account. Questions should be directed to Melissa Landry at [email protected] or at (413) 782-5246, ext. 1240.
The Before School Program opens at 6:30 a.m. and students should be brought to the outside cafeteria entrance and sign their child in with the staff person on duty. The After School Program ends at 5:30 p.m. and parents need to sign their child out with the staff person on duty. A $25 fee will be assessed for any parent picking up after 5:30 p.m.
|
|
From The Classroom of Ms. Wheeler - 6 & 7 Science |
|
Middle School Students Are Abuzz!
The first week of school is already successfully under way! In science classes, 6th and 7th grade students have been focusing on social science during the first week of school. They have been busy getting to know new and old friends on a deeper level with various ice breakers, activities and team bonding challenges! The relationships and bonds they form during the week will come in handy for a year full of group projects, labs, and learning.
All 6th and 7th grade students are doing great adjusting to exciting rotating classes and exercising their responsibility and privileges as middle schoolers! It’s going to be a great year in the middle school here at St. Michael’s Academy!
|
|
First Day Of School Mass
What better way is there to begin the school year than with a full school Mass? And that's just what we did! Our chaplain, Fr. David Raymond, joined with us to celebrate Mass on Monday. We also thank the Grade 8 students for their participation as readers, altar servers and singers. Great job!
What a great way to start the year!
|
|
Spreading Kindness
We have all seen and heard the saying, "You can be anything you want in this world - so be KIND." Our 4th and 5th grade students are living those words through a special project.
Our virtue of the month is Charity with the definition of "loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul and love your neighbor as yourself." As Catholics, we learn that everyone made by God is our neighbor. The 4th and 5th grade students put this virtue into action this week by taking time to paint rocks and then write inspirational/positive words and phrases on them.
They will be placed around the playground, school and Church as a reminder of what God calls us to do. Keep an eye out for them and the many kindness messages that they carry. And if you find one, please read it and leave it where you find it so it can brighten someone else's day!
|
|
Parent Orientations
We thank all of the parents who were able to attend the grade specific parent orientations. It's always a great way to start off the year and provides the opportunity to meet teachers and learn classroom expectations.
|
|
Happy Faces In Kindergarten
Mrs. Santos sends us a photo of all the happy faces in KA!
|
|
NJHS Students Help Their Maui Friends
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) students have launched a fundraising campaign to help their friends at Sacred Hearts School in Maui. For the month of September, or until we run out, NJHS students will be selling leis for $1 (or more) to aid in their rebuilding efforts. If you would like to support this campaign, we encourage you to send in money with your child.
Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina, on the island of Maui, was struck by a devastating fire that has left the campus in ruins and the community with a great loss. The flames destroyed the physical structures, but nothing will extinguish the Holy Spirit in them and their strong will to rebuild and rescue the students of the Lahaina community.
We appreciate your support!
|
|
Medications At School
It is important that the school nurse partners with the parents/guardians and the pediatricians to receive your children’s medications. All medications need to be accompanied by the proper physician's orders to be administered at school.
If your child/children have medications to be taken at school, especially medications for allergies, asthma, and other medical diagnoses. please contact the school nurse right away. You may find the guidelines and the medication order form on the St. Michael’s website, under the Nurse section by clicking here
|
|
Emergency and Illness Forms
Please note there was an error on the Emergency and Illness forms that were sent home this week. It incorrectly states the division of the carlines. It should read if your child's last name begins with the letters A-L you will drop off and pick up on the Wheeler side of the building. If your child's last name begins with the letters M-Z, you will use the Eddywood side of the building. Preschoolers will continue to use the Arvilla entrance in the back of the gymnasium.
Thank you!
|
|
Faces From The First Week Of School |
|
St. Michael's Cathedral
Calling All Singers!
The St. Michael's Cathedral Choir is looking for new members to share their God-given musical talents. The choir is open to boys in grades 3 and up, and for the first time, girls in grades 5 and up! Adult members are also welcome, and no experience is necessary.
The girls and adults rehearse on Thursday evenings, and the boys rehearse Friday afternoons. The choir sings for approximately 2 Sunday masses a month when school is in session.
For more information, please email Mrs. Duplessis at: [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you soon!
|
|
Holy Cross Parish
Holy Cross Parish is looking for altar servers. If you are a Holy Cross parishioner and have made your First Communion, please consider being an altar server at the weekend Masses.
If you are interested, please contact Cathy Daniel at [email protected] or by calling (413) 372-6239.
|
|
"Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction."
–St. John of the Cross
|
|
St. Michael the Archangel,
Pray for us!
We pray for our brothers and sisters across our nation and across the world. May God give everyone strength during these especially stressful times.
We pray in a special way for all of our families and friends in need:
We pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and surrounding areas who are experiencing the pain and disruption of war. May God protect them.
We pray for our brothers and sisters in Maui who have experienced devasting fires. May God help and be with them.
We pray for our recently departed.
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.
|
|
Thank you for your interest in St. Michael's Academy. To ensure receipt, please add [email protected] to your address book.
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our newsletter and emails. Please note this will remove you from ALL St. Michael's Academy school communications including parent emails and alerts. Thank you!
St. Michael's Academy
153 Eddywood Street - Springfield, MA 01118
www.smaspringfield.org
413.782.5246 office
413.782.8137 fax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
