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 6. 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! Go WHITE! Go DRAGONS!
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Magic Dragon Day Needs
Stuffed Animals Wanted:
The much-loved Pet Palace, where students can use 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 on Monday, April 17, and SMPA volunteers will be at the morning carpool collecting stuffed animal donations on April 18-21, from 7:20-8 a.m.
Gently Worn Clothing Wanted:
The Dapper Dragon makes its debut at Magic Dragon Day this year! Shop this curated selection of gently worn spirit wear, cotillion dresses, and blue blazers. Collection bins will be placed in the Lower School and Middle School front offices on Monday, April 17.
Volunteer for Class Booths:
Room parents for each grade level sent out Sign-Up Genius links for parents to register for shifts for their class carnival game booths. Thank you for signing up to help!
Questions? Contact Katie Bressler or Mary Nedell.
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Conference Day/Student Holiday On Monday
This is a friendly reminder that no classes will be held on Monday, April 17, as teachers will conduct end-of-quarter parent conferences.
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Join Us THIS WEEK at the SMPA Book Fair & Pizza Night!
When:
- Monday, April 17, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m
- Tuesday, April 18, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 19, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Open House)
- Thursday, April 20, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Allen Library in the Middle School
This long-standing St M tradition is back in-person with K-8 books for sale from local bookstore bbgb!
Since it has been three years since the last in-person Book Fair, here's a quick refresher:
- Each Lower School class will get a chance to visit the Book Fair during their library class this week, to make a wish list or purchase books.
- Middle School students will get a chance to visit during their study hall this week.
- If you would like for your child to purchase books during school time, please remember to send them with cash (in a ziploc bag, to hold change), a blank check (with a note indicating the maximum they can spend), or a credit card (also with a note indicating a spending maximum and the necessary pin/CID code).
- If you are sending your child with a check, please make sure it is signed and made out to "bbgb".
- Raffle tickets will be available for a chance at grade-specific (K-2, 3-5, Middle school) baskets filled with books, toys, and other treats; raffle tickets are CASH only, so please be sure to send your child with extra money if they would like to purchase a raffle ticket.
- There will be a Teacher Wishlist board at the Book Fair with lists of books you can choose to purchase for our St M teachers.
- If you do not want to send your child with cash, a check, or card, they can fill out a "Wish List" during their class list and buy books at the Family Open House or online.
- Books will also be available for purchase ONLINE from Monday, 4/17- Sunday, 4/23 via bbgb's website; click on the 'book fairs' tab at the top of the page and look for St. Michael's.
- Parents are always welcome to come during their child's class time to help them select books; a flyer went home last week with your child's class time, or you can email Mrs. Bryan-Diehl (jbryan-diehl@stmschool.net) to confirm time.
- Parents are also welcome to come to the Book Fair with their children after afternoon carpool or Extended Day pick-up. If you are coming after carpool, please pick up your child and then park to attend.
- 15% of all Book Fair sales come back to the SMPA to help support our Dragon community.
SMPA Family Open House & Pizza Night
Join us on Wednesday night to shop the Book Fair and enjoy some pizza and fellowship in the Great Hall!
If you plan to attend the Pizza Night event, please RSVP below so that we can be sure to have enough food for everyone. Suggested donation is $10 per family. This is a family event and NOT a drop-off occasion; children should be accompanied by an adult. We are still looking for volunteers for this event. If you are able to help out, please sign up here.
- RSVP to attend the Pizza Night event: Google SignUp. Suggested donation: $10 per family.
- We are also still looking for volunteers for this event. If you are able to help out, please sign up here.
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Lost & Found To Be Donated on Tuesday
Families, please check the Lost and Found boxes when attending conferences on Monday (Middle School Front Lobby and Lower School Waterfall stairs).
Any unclaimed items will be donated on Tuesday.
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PowerSchool Update
Dear St M families: I would like to provide you with an update to the PowerSchool authentication integration that was previously announced to the school community. After pushing the integration date back last week, PowerSchool has notified St. Michael's that they will not be moving forward with the new authentication integration. They are working on some known bugs in the new system and will reach back out to the school as soon as they are ready to integrate the new system.
This means that the login process for families will not change for the time being. Families will still login to the PowerSchool parent portal using the username and password that was generated when the account was created. Of course, I can personally assist you with login questions or technical issues as they arise.
As soon as a new integration date is scheduled, the school will update families promptly and share details regarding the new login process. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Sincerely, Michael Jones, Director of Technology
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Got Lunch?
Click HERE to place a Yay Lunch lunch order. The weekly deadline is NOON on Sunday.
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Summer Camp Registration Welcome to summer camp, St. Michael’s-style, with exciting offerings for ages 4-14!
Help us spread the word to your neighbors and friends!
Questions? Please contact Natasha Reed, Director of Extended Programs/Summer Camps at nreed@stmschool.net.
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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 linked below. The link is also on the School website.
Upon receipt of this information, St M's school nurse will contact the family. Please keep your child(ren) AT HOME until contacted by Nurse Maben.
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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 RememberFor planning purposes, click HERE for KEY DATES for the 2022-23 school year.
Looking Ahead: Key dates for the upcoming 2023-24 School Year are HERE.
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 needed.
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This Week
Monday, Apr 17
- NO SCHOOL/ CONFERENCE DAY
- Book Fair, 1- 4 p.m., Middle School Allen Library
Tuesday, Apr 18
- D Day
- Book Fair, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Middle School Allen Library
- 5th Grade Religion Field Trip
Wednesday, Apr 19
- E Day
- SMPA BOOK FAIR (8 a.m.- 6 p.m.) AND Family Open House & Pizza Night, 3-6 p.m., Middle School Allen Library and Great Hall
Thursday, Apr 20
- F Day
- Book Fair, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Middle School Allen Library
- 1st Grade Grandparents' Day, 8 a.m. - Noon (Mitchell)
Friday, Apr 21
- G Day
- Dragon Dress Day!
- 1st Grade Grandparents' Day, 8 a.m.- Noon (Reining)
NOTE: See the Master Calendar for all sports games and practices this week!
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