St M Traditions: The History of Magic Dragon Day
Originally known as Field Day, Magic Dragon Day began more than 53 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, Dragon Cakes, inflatable games, 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.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, May 4. Stay tuned for an "All You Need To Know About Magic Dragon Day" email which will go out the week of the event, containing the schedule, parking info, and more.
Go BLUE TEAM! Go WHITE TEAM! Go DRAGONS!
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| Conference Day/Student Holiday On MondayThis is a friendly reminder that NO CLASSES will be held on Monday, April 15, as teachers will conduct end-of-quarter parent conferences.
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| Teacher Appreciation Week Gratitude Dear St. Michael's Parents' Association and Dragon Families, We are feelin' the LOVE! Thank you for all SO VERY MUCH for your kindness during Teacher Appreciation Week.
With grateful hearts, St M's Faculty and Staff
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| Join Us This Week for Dragon Dialogues
We invite all K-8 parents/caregivers to join us for our upcoming Dragon Dialogues, titled “Powerful Words--Teaching Children About Harmful Words.”
These are scheduled this week on Tuesday, April 16 (Middle School families), and Wednesday, April 17 (Lower School families), both at 8:20 a.m. in the Perkinson Arts Center. While each presentation will be tailored to the specific Lower or Middle School division, families are most welcome to attend whichever session best fits their schedules.
We hope our St M families will make every effort to attend. Thank you!
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2024-25 Dress Code Update
Thank you to all who shared their dress code feedback at the end of 2023.
As you can expect, the responses contained a wide variety of opinions and ideas. Our school's dress code is designed to foster a safe, respectful, and focused atmosphere for all students. We believe that appropriate attire contributes to a positive learning environment and helps prepare students for success both academically and socially.
After much internal discussion, St. Michael’s will continue with our current dress code guidelines for the 2024-25 school year with greater attention given to adherence and enforcement.
We ask families to partner with us in reviewing the dress code with their children and assisting students with making appropriate choices about their school attire before they come to school. Thank you!
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Lower School Changes to the Last Two Days of School
June 4-5, 2024: Please Read
On June 4th and 5th, only students attending closing ceremonies should come to campus. This is a change.
Originally, on Tuesday, June 4th, students in grades K-3 were coming to school at the regular carpool drop-off time and were being dismissed at 12 noon. Due to concerns around safety and traffic management, we have determined that students who are not attending either their own closing ceremony (grades 4-7) or a sibling’s closing ceremony should NOT come to school on Tuesday, June 4th.
Likewise, on Wednesday, June 5th, ONLY students and siblings attending closing ceremonies should come to campus. Students who are not participating in closing ceremonies for grades K-3 will NOT come to campus that day.
Any students coming to campus are expected to go to the closing ceremony with their parents.
LOWER SCHOOL END OF YEAR SCHEDULE
Monday, June 3, 2024
- Noon dismissal for grades K-7
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
- Closing ceremony for grades 4&5 at 8:30 a.m. (students in grades 4&5 arrive at 8 a.m.)
- MS closing ceremony at 10 a.m.
- No school grades K-3 (unless attending closing ceremony of sibling)
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- Closing ceremony grades 2&3 at 8:30 a.m. (Students in grades 2 & 3 arrive at 8 a.m.)
- Closing ceremonies grades K&1 at 10 a.m. (Students in grades K&1 arrive at 9:30 a.m.)
- No school for students in grades 4&5 (Unless attending closing ceremony of sibling)
Thursday, June 6, 2024
- 8th Grade graduation at 9 a.m.
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Magic Dragon Day Needs
Stuffed Animals Wanted:
The much-loved Pet Palace, where students can use their Magic Dragon Day tickets to select a stuffed animal friend, returns to Magic Dragon Day this year! Please bring in your washed, gently used stuffed animals. Collection bins will be placed in the Lower School and Middle School front offices.
Gently Worn Clothing Wanted:
The Dapper Dragon also returns to Magic Dragon Day this year. Shop this curated selection of gently worn spirit wear, cotillion dresses, and blazers. Collection bins are in the Lower School and Middle School front offices.
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ALL NEW Zooventures at St M!
Get ready for an unforgettable experience this summer at St. Michael's with our new and exciting camp programming in partnership with the METRO RICHMOND ZOO! Your child will have the opportunity to learn about, see, and engage with live animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles!
Every Thursday starting from July 11 to August 1, an experienced zoo keeper will guide your child through an educational and interactive session with the animals at St M.
- If your child is already signed up for Afternoon Adventures Camp that week, they are automatically enrolled in the Thursday programming at no extra cost.
- If your child is not signed up for the week, there is still time to register OR
- COME JUST FOR THE DAY! Simply drop-in for the Thursday programming. What a fun playdate idea with friends! The drop-in fee is just $45.00 and your child will be able to participate in the entire Afternoon Adventures program from 12-5 p.m
- Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity for your child to have hands-on experience with wildlife this summer!
- Click HERE for weekly zoo themes
- Questions? Contact Natasha Reed.
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Hot Lunch: Place Your Orders, April Vendors
APRIL MENUS ARE OPEN! Moe's is now being offered on Mondays and Jersey Mike's is offered on Thursdays!
Regular Menus are open up to 5 days out from delivery and 24-hour menus are open until noon the day prior to delivery.
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Show your DRAGON PRIDE with St M Spiritwear!
Visit our spiritwear website below to place online orders for St M apparel. Orders are delivered to the school and sent home in backpacks.
Every FRIDAY is DRAGON DRESS DAY! Wear St M spiritwear or blue/white with pride!
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| NEW Illness Reporting Form
For the health and safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff, thank you for informing St. Michael's if your child is ill and/or has a suspected contagious illness. Please complete this form from the perspective of the student (or faculty/staff member) who is ill.
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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 RememberClick HERE for KEY DATES for the 2023-24 school year (updated as of Sept 6).
Looking ahead, click HERE for key dates for the upcoming 2024-25 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 as applicable for your student(s).
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St M Handbook
Click HERE for the 2023-24 School-Family Handbook.
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This Week
Monday, April 15
- Q3 Conference Day/No Classes
Tuesday, April 16
Wednesday, April 17
Thursday, April 18
- G Day
- 1st Grade Grandparents' Day (Mitchell)
Friday, April 19
- A Day
- 1st Grade Grandparents Day (Reining)
- 4th Grade Minds in Motion Put Together Rehearsal, 1-3 p.m.
- NOTE: See the Master Calendar for Sports games and practices this week!
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