MSM Family Connection Newsletter
September 27, 2024
Lily Cook '25 Named Commended Student in National Merit Scholarship Program
We are pleased to announce that Lily Cook, Class of 2025, has been recognized as a Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Lily is a dedicated and diligent student who is highly regarded by both her peers and faculty. This year, she is undertaking several leadership roles including Senior Class President, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and Captain of the Varsity Soccer Team. This commendation reflects her commitment, hard work, and exceptional academic abilities.
Congratulations, Lily! We are so proud of you!
We Need YOUR Help at Open House!
We need YOU to volunteer for one of our most important annual events, OPEN HOUSE!
Sunday, October 6 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and Monday, October 7 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Parents can help with hospitality in the cafeteria and welcoming prospective families. Students can give tours, show off their team/club displays, and more.
Please email the Office of Admissions, esuchan-reitz@msmacademy.org, if you're interested in being a part of this important event!
Support MSM's Student Council Fundraiser at Panera!
Grab dinner at Panera on Monday, September 30, from 4 pm - 8 pm, and support MSM's Student Council Fundraiser!
Visit the Panera at 1747 Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda and MSM will receive a portion of the sales when you show the cashier the digital flyer below. You may also use the code FUND4U for online or kiosk orders.
Proceeds will be used by Student Council to plan and fund events at MSM throughout the year.
We hope to see you there!
Important PSAT Testing Day Information
Students in grades 10 & 11 will sit for the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) examination on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. National Merit Qualifying only applies to juniors.
The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered to students in a digital format, which is how it was previously given in 2023. Students will take the exam via Bluebook which will be downloaded to their device in the coming weeks. Students will be able to access full length practice tests and questions to familiarize themselves with this new format before sitting for the exam.
If a student in grades 10 or 11 does not attend school on this day, they will be ineligible for the day’s activities.
PSAT Workshop with Mr. Brian Eldridge
In partnership with Mr. Brian Eldridge of Courier College Prep, we are excited to offer a $25 PSAT workshop to students on Tuesday, October 8, from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Mr. Eldridge will highlight test strategies, time management, practice questions, and more.Please register for the workshop by Friday, October 4, either online or in person with Mrs. MacTurk.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. MacTurk at mmacturk@msmacademy.org or stop by Room 207.
Important Chrysalis Grand Raffle Ticket Sale Reminder!
Chrysalis is Mount St. Mary Academy’s annual keystone fundraising event. The funds raised provide for new programs and equipment, improvements to the facility, as well as help to bridge the gap between tuition and our operating budget.
An important part of Chrysalis that we rely on our families to contribute toward is the Grand Raffle (total amount of prizes is $5,000.) We ask each family to sell 10 tickets (at $10 each) per enrolled daughter. This raffle plays a critical role in raising funds for Chrysalis and paving the way for its success annually.
Since implementing this policy in 2019, we are continuing to give our families an option of how to fulfill their Chrysalis fundraising requirement:
(1) Have your daughter(s) sell her 10 tickets for the Grand Raffle and return payment to the Mount St. Mary safe outside of Mrs. Jennifer Pitz-Jones office on the first floor by January 17, 2025.
(2) Purchase your 10 tickets (per student) outright by Friday, September 27, 2024.
For Option One (selling tickets): Sell all allotted raffle tickets to family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. Share our social media posts regarding the tickets on your platforms if you’d like to get the word out. Your daughter’s name must be written on the seller line to receive credit for your sale. Friends may also purchase raffle tickets online and note that this sale should be credited to your family’s required sales.
Raffle tickets will be mailed to your home before the end of the year for you to begin selling! We certainly encourage our families to help us sell above-and-beyond the allotted 10 tickets per daughter. Extra tickets will be available in the school’s main office or with the Development Department.
Please note: Any payment not received or any difference between the required ticket sales ($100) and what has been fundraised will be added to your tuition account by March 3rd, 2025, through Blackbaud Tuition Management.
For Option Two (paying outright): Send in a check (made payable to Mount St. Mary Academy; memo: Chrysalis raffle) for $100.00 OR ask that the $100 be added to your tuition account in writing via email to Ms. Anne Kohl at akohl@msmacademy.org. Be sure to note it is for the Chrysalis Grand Raffle. Your family will have your name entered ten times into the Raffle. The Development Office will fill out the physical ticket for you; you will not receive any to your home. If you would like additional tickets, please contact Mrs. Marissa Brandel Palumbo ’19. The deadline for this option is Friday, September 27, 2024.
If we do not hear from you for Option Two by the September 27th deadline, we will assume that you are participating in Option One and your family will receive your raffle tickets in the mail by the end of the 2024.
We thank you for your support in this initiative as we come together to ensure the success of Chrysalis and our fundraising efforts.
Questions? Contact Marissa Brandel Palumbo: mpalumbo@msmacademy.org
Emergency Bus Drill
On Friday, October 4th, there will be a district-wide emergency bus drill to enhance the safety and preparedness of our students and staff. As part of this drill, the school day will end early at 2:15 pm. All bus students will be released immediately to ensure a smooth and efficient evacuation process. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our school community.
A Message from the NYS Department of Health
Show Your Mountie Pride and Pick Up Your MSM Lawn Sign Today!
Do you want to show off your MSM pride and help advertise for Open House/Fall events?
Contact the Office of Admissions for a lawn sign! Every MSM family who stakes one on their lawn and sends in a photo to Ms. Hawkins yhawkins@msmacademy.org,
will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Starbucks gift card for their Mountie!!
Stop by Admissions today!!
Important School Life Information
Please Take the Time to Read the Following Important Information Carefully❗
At MSM we strive to create a safe school environment every day. As communicated with our students and families this August, it is a requirement for all students and employees to wear their school ID and fob at all times during the school day. Students should also have their ID/fob accessible before and after school to gain entry into the building and school events.
All returning MSM students should have their school IDs from the last school year. The entire school community will receive their ID cards approximately 1 week after picture day (September 23). All students have already received their fob, allowing secure access to our building. This should be worn on a lanyard in a visible manner.
Our school doors are locked at all times. Access is strictly limited to the doors with an intercom system (Doors 1 and 9). Students, faculty, and staff can access the building using their fob from 6:30AM - 8:00AM and from 2:30PM - 4:00PM. All other visitors must be buzzed in by a staff member and register with the Main Office. Students should not open the door for anyone at any time. If a student should lose their ID and/or fob, that student should report it missing in the Main Office.
Additionally, all students have been issued a locker and a school lock. It is imperative that lockers are locked at all times. Students should not share their lockers and/or lock combinations with other students. If a student experiences any issues with her lock, she can come to the Main Office for assistance.
Please help us in maintaining a safe and secure environment and talk with your daughter(s) about the importance of security measures. This is a required part of our uniform code. A warning is given the first time that the uniform code is not followed. Further disciplinary consequences will be assessed with each uniform infraction. If at any time a student forgets part of the uniform, she may come to the Main Office before the start of the school day to borrow missing pieces.
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
We have two points of drop off for families who drive their students to school. We have noticed an overall heavy increase in traffic in the rear parking lot. The rear parking lot is already logistically difficult due to limited space, faculty, and upperclassmen who drive themselves.
If we could please ask for your assistance in trying to utilize the front loop as much as possible for student drop off that would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, regardless of location, we also ask for your assistance in trying to make drop off as seamless and in as timely a manner as possible.
MSM Cell Phone Policy
Cell phone usage of any kind is not permitted during class instruction, in the hallway during class instruction, or in restrooms. Cell phones must be silenced and out of sight in students' backpacks during class periods.
The cell phone policy outlined here should also be a part of all faculty Course Expectations. Cell phone use should be limited and or not permitted during Advisory, unless given specific permission from the advisor.
When permitted by a faculty/staff member, cell phones must be used in a non-disruptive manner. The faculty/staff member has the final say as to what is disruptive. Cell phone usage is permitted before school, after school, during a student’s assigned lunch period, study halls, and hallway transitions to class. They may be used during lunch and study hall when kept to a quiet noise level; again, the proctor has the final say as to what is disruptive.
Phones cannot be used for making audio or video calls at any point during the school day. Students who need to use their cell phone to call a family member during the school day may request permission to do so from a school administrator or counselor and the call must be made in their office.
The following information outlines consequences for cell phone use violations:
- The first offense will result in a verbal warning.
- A second offense will result in a written warning or phone call home to the student’s parent/guardian. Additionally, the faculty/staff member may also take the student's phone to the Director of School Life, and the student will then be able to pick up their phone from the DSL or DSL Assistant at the end of the school day.
- A third offense will result in the student incurring disciplinary consequences including but not limited to detention, loss of senior privilege, and or etc. For safety reasons, earbuds, over the ear headphones, and other Bluetooth speaker devices are not permitted during hallway transition time to be able to hear general instructions, and/or emergency/safety directives. MSM's cell phone policy is subject to change upon further review by administration at any time. (MSM Handbook, p. 16)
It's Reverse Raffle Time!
Get ready for an evening of excitement at MSM's 14th Annual Reverse Raffle sponsored by Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel!
This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a 1 in 400 chance to win the $10,000 Grand Prize, along with a chance to win other cash prizes totaling $1,600!
Unlike traditional raffles, in our reverse raffle, the last ticket drawn wins the grand prize, keeping the suspense high and the fun going all night long!
Purchase your Reverse Raffle tickets HERE and be part of this unforgettable event!
MSM Soccer Alumnae Event
Support the MSM soccer team tomorrow night, September 28, at the MSM Soccer Alumnae Event! Join us at 2:00 pm to cheer on the MSM Varsity Team as they play Buffalo Seminary at Elmwood Commons. Following the game, enjoy Happy Hour at Fattey Beer Company in Kenmore to visit with friends and raise money for the team!
To R.S.V.P. for the event, click the following link: MSM Soccer Alumnae Event
MSM Thunder Athletics Calendar
Click the link below to visit the official Mount St. Mary Academy Thunder Website for a calendar of upcoming athletic events. Come out and support our Mounties in action!
Archived Family Connection Newsletters
Mount St. Mary Academy
Mount St. Mary Academy, founded by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, is a Catholic, private, college preparatory school for young women. Within a nurturing and academically challenging and inclusive environment, the Academy strives to develop the whole person’s gifts and potential. Guided by our Catholic tradition, and rooted in Gospel values, we empower scholars to be leaders dedicated to lifelong learning, moral integrity, social justice, and service to and inclusion of others.
We Believe in You!
Email: information@msmacademy.org
Website: https://www.msmacademy.org
Location: 3756 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, USA
Phone: 716-877-1358
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msmacademy
Twitter: @msmacademy