Magic Dragon Day
Magic Dragon Day, symbolized by the Maypole, is one of St. Michael's most cherished traditions. While COVID-19 prevents us from gathering as a full community on May 1, St. Michael's is planning a week of MDD-inspired fun for students with daily themes and activities, April 26-30. Details will be shared shortly.
Submit Your DragonGrams by Friday, April 16: We invite all families to send their child(ren) a complimentary DragonGram, a printed message with words of encouragement and school cheer, via the link below. DragonGrams will be distributed on Monday, April 26. ALL children will receive one. The deadline to submit DragonGrams is this Friday, April 16.
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St M Traditions: The History of Magic Dragon DayOriginally known as Field Day, Magic Dragon Day began more than 51 years ago with students competing on Blue and White teams in relays, jump rope activities, and the ever-popular Blue vs. White tug-of-war. By the 1970s, the day expanded to
include student art and talent shows, class-sponsored booths, and at one point, hot air balloon rides. (Fun Fact: St M alum and current parent, Laura Hamlin Weiler '96, submitted the name Magic Dragon Day and won the event naming contest when she was a third grade Dragon.)
Today, students and families come out yearly on the first Saturday in May for carnival-type games and activities including class booths, a cakewalk, DragonGrams, and the beloved Maypole Dance, a rite of passage for kindergarten students to celebrate the start of spring. The Maypole tradition began in 1969 by music teacher Martha Fraher and continues to draw St M alumni to Magic Dragon Day each spring.
The spirit of Magic Dragon Day will endure, even though we must re-imagine the tradition this year due to COVID-19.
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STUDENT HOLIDAY on 4/13 for
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
A friendly reminder that Tuesday, April 13, is a STUDENT HOLIDAY for parent/teacher conferences and NO CLASSES will be held. Extended Day is also CLOSED.
LOWER SCHOOL: Lower School virtual parent/teacher conferences will be held on APRIL 13. Teachers sent out digital signups. Please contact your child's teacher if you did not receive one.
MIDDLE SCHOOL: For those Middle School parents who would like to conference with a Middle School teacher on APRIL 13, please email the teacher BEFORE April 11 to set a mutual time for a 15-minute Zoom conference. Parents are to review PowerSchool grades before contacting the teacher to set up a conference time.
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ERB Milestone Testing This Week (for Grades 3-8)
In light of the pandemic, we have decided to forego administering the full ERB testing program this year. In lieu of that, on April 14 and 15, teachers in grades 3-8 will be administering an instrument that we will use to assess the effect of the pandemic on student learning.
Click HERE for more information.
As is the case with any standardized test, students cannot study for this assessment. The best preparation is a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast. Middle School students must be sure to bring their fully charged Chromebooks to school each day.
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SHOOD Drive Service Outreach Continues Through Friday
This is the final week of our K-8 SHOOD (Shoes For Good) drive. These donations will be assembled by Middle School students during study hall. Thank you for your support!
The Lower School will collect the following:
-- K/1st Grade: collect two small foot powders each
-- 2nd/3rd Grade: collect two nail clippers each
-- 4th/5th Grade: collect two pairs of running shoe shoestrings
The Middle School will collect the following:
-- Gently used athletic shoes
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Medication Safety Protocol
Spring has sprung and that means allergy season is upon us. If your child needs allergy or asthma medication during the school day, please ensure that Nurse Maben has medication consent forms, along with the medication. Students are not allowed to self-administer medication unless otherwise noted by a physician.
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Eighth Grade Graduation
Given the Governor’s recent guidance on graduation ceremonies, the administrative team is pleased to announce the plans for our eighth grade graduation ceremony.
Click HERE for information.
More details will also be shared within the coming weeks regarding an eighth grade Baccalaureate service and other end-of-year celebrations both for the Class of 2021 as well as for our kindergarten-seventh grade students.
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Sports and After-School Enrichments Schedule
Spring sports and after-school enrichment class schedules and pick-up times/locations for this week are below. Have fun! (No activities on Tuesday as it is Teacher Conference Day)
- Boys' Lacrosse - Monday and Wednesday (green loop pick-up at 4 p.m.)
- Girls' Lacrosse - Wednesday and Thursday (green loop pick-up at 4 p.m.)
- Mountain Biking - Group 3 and 4 on Thursday (yellow/Middle School loop pick-up at 4 p.m.)
- Cross Country - Monday and Wednesday (yellow/Middle School loop pick-up at 4 p.m.)
- Middle School 8th Grade Theater: Thursday, 2:30-4 p.m.
- Adventure Walkers - Thursday (green loop pick-up at 4 p.m.)
- Adventure Walkers - Friday (green loop pick-up at 4 p.m.)
- Lower School Golf - Friday (blue loop pick-up at 3:30 p.m.)
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Have You Registered Yet for Our Summer Camps?
Don't hesitate as camps are filling up fast!
Questions? Please contact Ashley Buffey, Director of Extended Programs/Summer Camps.
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| COVID Reporting Protocol/Form
If someone in your family has symptoms, has been exposed, or is being tested for COVID-19, please inform the School IMMEDIATELY IN WRITING via the COVID-19 Reporting Form link below. The confidentiality of the diagnosed student or faculty member will be maintained. For all health-related questions this year, please contact Nurse Shawnetta Maben at smaben@stmschool.net.*IMPORTANT NOTE: If you submit your COVID reporting form after hours or on weekends, please keep your child HOME until you hear from Nurse Maben on the next school day.
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Let's Be Friends!
Get connected to keep abreast of St M news, events, calendar changes, and information.
Current and past issues of "This Week at St. Michael's" are now archived on our website under "News and Events," as well as under "Community."
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Dates to Remember Please check our online School Calendar for updates. Click HERE for Major Dates for the current 2020-21 school year.
For planning purposes, click HERE for Major Dates for the Upcoming 21-22 School Year.
Never miss an update! Subscribe to our School calendars and receive automatic updates! Please subscribe to the ALL SCHOOL calendar, PLUS the Lower School or Middle School calendar (or both) as needed.
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This WeekSee newsletter for sports and after-school enrichment class schedules this week.
Tuesday, Apr 13
- NO CLASSES/ CONFERENCE DAY/No Extended Day
Wednesday, April 14
- Virtual Chapel, 8 a.m.
- ERB Milestone Testing for Grades 3-8
Thursday, April 15
- ERB Milestone Testing for Grades 3-8
Friday, April 16
- Grandparents' Day (Virtual) for Grades 1 & 2
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COVID-19/St M Operations Info
Click HERE to access our Covid-19/School Operations website page, along with a listing of all parent communications from March on.
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Join us for Virtual Chapel, Wednesdays at 8:05 a.m!
Click HERE for the link.
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