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The Defender
December 8, 2023
A Message from Mrs. Tate
Dear SMA Families,
May the immaculate love of Mother Mary envelop you today and always. Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception! In this morning’s homily, Fr. Luke reminded the students that Mary came into the world as the new Eve to crush the head of the serpent. He told the kids that he’s super-afraid of snakes, but Mary is not! In case they tell you, Fr. Luke told them that Mary crushes the serpent with her bare feet because she’s a woman of courage and knows what we sometimes forget: the Lord is with thee. As a woman of courage, she focuses on the greatness and power of the Lord and teaches us to live without fear.
On this Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I wish you and your loved ones the blessings of the Virgin Mary. May she hear all your prayers and fulfill all your dreams. We finished our morning service with the prayer for total consecration of our parish to Jesus through His Blessed Mother.
We’ve had a wonderful week full of activity, celebration, and prayer. Our virtue study this week focused on prayerfulness. Prayerfulness looks like maintaining a spirit of stillness with our body, mind, and heart while praying. Prayerfulness sounds like reverent prayers that glorify God.
We enjoyed seeing all the classroom doors decorated for the Christmas season. They set a festive tone for our St. Nicholas parties on Wednesday afternoon. Thank you to the many parent volunteers who were involved in the planning and implementation of the door decorating and the parties!
We ended the week with a beautiful all school rosary led by our 7th grade! Thank you to our 7th grade students and their teachers for preparing such a beautiful rosary in honor of our Blessed Mother.
May you and your family have a wonderful weekend celebrating Our Lady and the second Sunday of Advent.
Sincerely,
Diana Tate, Principal
Come Holy Spirit, breath and life of God and fill us this day with all that is holy. Give us the courage and strength that you gave Mary. During these days of our final preparations for Christmas, may we, too, hear your words ‘Do not be afraid. I am with you.’
Christmas Gift Fund
A great way to support St. Michael faculty and staff is to donate to the Christmas gift fund. Your donation allows us to pool resources to provide a more meaningful gift...and it's tax-deductible.
Student Council Christmas Fun
On Thursday, December 14, Student Council is inviting everyone to wear their favorite pair of Christmas socks and enjoy some Christmas music in the lunchroom! Students will also receive a small token of our appreciation as they come in to school.
Student Council has primarily been focused on service projects thus far (food drive, essential items drive Veterans day appreciation) and is planning a few fun things for the second semester. We hope we will be able to give back to our great school community!
Thank you! Dean Wheeler, Student Council Sponsor
After School Care is up and running!
We have had a great start to our After Care Program. They are currently accepting new enrollments. Please click here to register. For questions about the program please call Brittney Lewis at 660-232-0878.
We Want Your Feedback
SMA Parents -
St. Michael the Archangel (SMA) School administration is in the process of developing a five-year strategic plan to coincide with the school’s five-year accreditation. The strategic plan will help to guide the school’s work in the areas of operations, Catholicity, and academic achievement over the next five-year period. The School Advisory Council (SAC) is making recommendations to the administration and would like your input to assist in the area of academic achievement. All school families are invited to submit the short survey linked below to share your family’s sentiments and priorities for academics. Let your voice be heard as the committee develops recommendations for the strategic plan. Please complete the survey by December 9th. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/241323/11941
Sincerely,
Joe Ismert
Chair, School Advisory Committee
Uniform Code Reminders
- All boys’ hair must be cut above their ears and collar. Hair should not hang down in their eyes or hang over their ears.
- The length of all girls’ skirts and jumpers must be at the knee. Skirt/jumper length should not hit anywhere on the thigh.
- After Thanksgiving, all boys are to wear long pants. Shorts are not permitted again until after spring break.
Please help your children practice the virtues of respect, responsibility, obedience, and modesty by complying fully with our school’s uniform code. The uniform code is a condition of attendance.
Drop Off Reminder
It is safer for students to exit from the driver's side back seat whenever possible so that children exit curbside. Please help us keep all kids safe by having your students exit the car curbside.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
High School Placement Test
The High School Placement Test is on Saturday, December 2nd.
Register your 8th-grade student to take the test at Saint Thomas Aquinas with this link:
VSL Updates
There is no FUN FIRST FRIDAY in December. We encourage families to support the Christmas Bonus Fund.
DECK THE DOORS
If you didn’t get the see all the wonderful Christmas-themed doors, here’s a link to a slideshow on the VSL website. Thanks to all the parents who made this happen! The students voted and Mrs. Farmer’s class won a pizza party for the 1st place door!
SCHOOL CALENDAR
December is a busy month! Let VSL help you stay organized. Print this beautiful calendar by clicking here!
Dennis Uniform
SMA School Activities
Parish News
DB CLASS AUCTION ITEMS
Every year each class contributes an auction item to DB. We're asking parents to consider something different and change to hosting a class activity. Tickets to the event will be sold at DB. Are you interested in helping out? Have a good idea for a class activity? Fill out this form to get started. Or reach out to Jocelyn Gaddy (Jocelyn.gaddie@gmail.com) or Erin Jurado (erin.jurado@gmail.com) with any questions.
DEFENDERS' BALL
Click here to watch the DB News Episode 4 video!
Tickets are on sale now! Click here to purchase DB tickets!
SMA CANDLES
These limited edition SMA candles would make great Christmas presents. Limited quantity available - get yours before we sell out! Click here to purchase candles!
PARENT TRIVIA NIGHT
Click here to get your Trivia Night tickets! Questions are inspired by the school subjects and we're even asking the teachers for suggestions. Costumes are encouraged but not required.