The Defender
November 10, 2023
A Message from Mrs. Tate
Dear SMA Families,
We continue to add layers to our safety and security plan for St. Michael the Archangel School. As promised, please find an update of measures in-process, ongoing, or planned:
- Shatter-resistant film installation on exterior doors and sidelights (over Thanksgiving Break)
Improved signage throughout the building for emergency procedures (ongoing)
Numbering of outside doors to more efficiently direct emergency vehicles and deliveries (this spring)
Centegix Alert System used throughout the school, church, and grounds; installation process beginning soon. This project was delayed a bit; however, we will receive the newest version of the system just recently released. (In -process)
Off-duty Leawood Police Officers will be present several days a week to enhance security presence. They are fully uniformed/geared police officers who currently work for the Leawood Police. As a best practice, their schedule will not be “published” to the public to enhance security measures. They will be here as availability allows. (Ongoing)
These layers are in addition to the following safety and security measures that are part of our everyday procedures:
All exterior doors are locked during school hours.
There is controlled entrance to the school.
There are 40 security cameras.
The Leawood police have access to seeing through our school security cameras.
A safety film has been placed on the glass of classrooms which prevents the glass from shattering which slows down and makes entry into a classroom more difficult.
Staff wear badges at all times.
Non-staff must wear visitor badges at all times.
Parish Hall doors are locked from before school Mass begins until after it concludes.
All classroom doors auto-lock upon closing.
We have lock-down safety drills in place that are practiced. For security reasons, we cannot share detailed information about our crisis response plan.
We have a School Resource Officer from the Leawood Police Department that makes periodic visits to the school. Likewise, we encourage and welcome the presence of Leawood police to use our parking lots.
Police response time is 4 minutes or less.
Police have school building master keys to enhance response time to any part of the building.
Thank you for supporting our school and parish community. We value the partnership we have with our families at St. Michael the Archangel.
Sincerely,
Diana Tate, Principal
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
may God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do though, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Veteran's Day Dinner-November 11th
Stewardship Renewal
As school families, we demonstrate partnership with the church and school by completing an annual stewardship renewal form for time, talent, and treasure. Stewardship renewal is required for school enrollment -- no exceptions. Please complete your renewal online or return the card you recently received in the mail. Doing so now will avoid the rush of returning it when school enrollment for 2024-25 begins in January! Direct questions to Parish Manager Rob Lisch at rob.lisch@stmichaelcp.org or 913-402-3907.
Wonderfully Made – Fund-A-Need Update
Two years ago, our community rallied to raise more than $250,000 to help fund more robust programming for students with special needs at St. Michael the Archangel. Over the past 18 months, we have used the money to make improvements in our programming. Below is a list of some of the changes or additions we have made to our school to improve the services we provide to all our kids, but especially those with additional learning needs:
Reconfiguration of building spaces and classrooms to provide small group meeting spaces so we no longer provide services in the hallways or pods.
Hired a full-time resource manager to oversee programming and case management for SMA. She also acts as the liaison between our school and the public schools who serve students with IEPs.
Hired a full-time speech pathologist to work with any student needing help, not just those on IEPs.
Purchased new reading intervention curriculum to align with student needs.
Trained special education teachers in new reading intervention curriculum.
Training resource manager and resource teachers in specialized science of reading curriculum and methods.
Purchase of math manipulatives and science of reading materials for intervention in all grades, especially K-2.
Addition of student devices to diminish frustration during testing or practice.
Our plans for the future include introducing additional services and schoolwide training for all teachers to address interventions, differentiated curriculum, and updated materials to address student needs. Thank you for your love, financial support, and prayers!!
2nd Annual Faith Family Thanksgiving Feast
We are excitedly planning our Faith Family Thanksgiving Feast this year! The feast will be held on Tuesday, November 21. All Faith Families will attend an all-school Mass at 10:00 a.m. and then celebrate Thanksgiving with a turkey feast at 11:00 in our cafeteria/gymnasium. All kids will sit with their Faith Families and enjoy the meal, great conversation, and gratitude for the blessing of our school and parish.
Please help us start the planning process by filling out this form. It has the menu, an rsvp for your family and an opportunity to sign-up to volunteer.
This was a huge success last year, and we’re looking forward to continuing the tradition!
Red Bag Program
This year many of our grade levels are adopting a child through the Red Bag Program. This is a great opportunity to teach the children about the less fortunate in our community. If you would like to participate as a family as well, please click on the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4FA8AA22ABF49-45314395-redbag#/
Aquinas Open House
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School is hosting an Open House event on Saturday, November 18th from 9 AM to 12 Noon. All students and their families are invited to tour our school and learn about our college preparatory academics, AP curriculum, and student special services. Discover everything a Saints education offers, including our faith formation opportunities, fine and performing arts, clubs, athletic programs, and more! See you November 18th!
Sign up using this link: Register for Open House
Attention Future Saints!
All Families with middle school-aged students, who plan on attending Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, use this GroupMe QR code to keep up to date on information and events happening in our Aquinas Community!
After School Care Update
We are excited to announce that the After School Care Program through Heartland Campfire will officially begin on Tuesday, November 7. There is still room for additional students to enroll. If you are interested in full or part-time after school care, please click the following link for the registration page: St Michael Catholic After School Care | Jumbula. Care is offered from 3:30-6:00 p.m. on days school is in session. Thank you for your patience and support!
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
VSL Updates
Traditions Table Raffle Tickets
Purchase a raffle ticket for your chance to win a prime table for 8 guests at Defenders' Ball. Raffle tickets are $50 and can be purchased by clicking here. Winning ticket drawn at Family Game Night. You do not need to be present to win."
Guardian Angels
Guardian Angels are present in the Narthex to oversee who comes into the Church as another layer of security. Guardian Angels are needed while the students are at Mass, Rosaries, Stations of the Cross and Penance Services. Please sign up! Guardian Angel available slots are listed here. Before your shift, please stop by the school office to pick up a radio and badge.
It's time for Deck the Doors!
This tradition is a favorite among teachers and students! It's such a fun way for parents to bring some of the joy of the Christmas season to the school. We rely on parents to make it happen. You can keep it simple or go big - the kids just love seeing the decorations! Door decorating will occur the first Sunday of Advent, December 3rd. Claim your door here! New this year: 7th versus 8th Grade Decorating Contest. The 2nd floor North hallway will be reserved for the 7th and 8th grade STUDENTS to get to have some fun. We still ask for a few parents to supervise and guide.
Fun Printable Monthly SMA School Calendar
Please check out the VSL website for a fun and printable SMA monthly school calendar and much more! So many wonderful activities are coming up in November and December! Here’s a direct link to the SMA 2023 November calendar!
Presidential Service Award:
For the past several years, St. Michael the Archangel School has participated in the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program. The award recognizes US citizens who have achieved minimum hours of service over a 12-month period. For St. Michael the Archangel School, this period is from April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024. It is an amazingly simple process - just keep track of service hours. Forms can be found on the SMA website. Hours must be submitted to the front office by MONDAY, April 3, 2024. If you have any questions, email Megan Morris.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:1
Dennis Uniform
August Discount Code-23FACAGISM