Happy New Year!
Three cheers for a new school year! For over 67 years, St. Michael's has welcomed Dragons to our vibrant learning community. Congratulations and thanks to all for making the first week such a success. The sense of joy and excitement in our halls and classrooms this week was captivating!
We also extend a VERY warm St M welcome to all of our NEW families and faculty/staff. It's an exciting time to be at St. Michael's!
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| Stay In The KnowFor those who are new to St M, "This Week at St. Michael's" is our weekly newsletter which comes out via email every Sunday morning to help you prepare for the week ahead. You may also find copies of this newsletter on the St M website.
These first few newsletters of the year are unusually long as there is a lot of important information to share. Thank you for your understanding.
Let's Be Friends: Be sure to check out our St M social media gallery to view fun pics and videos from the first week of school. (Please follow and like our pages!)
A REMINDER THAT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, is a SCHOOL HOLIDAY. Extended Day is also closed.
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Back to School Nights for K-8
Save the date(s) for Back to School Nights by division - for parents only
Lower School (LS Grades K-5)
Wednesday, Sept 11, Perkinson Arts Center, 6:30 p.m.
Middle School (MS Grades 6-8)
Tuesday, Sept 10, Singleton Hall
- 6th grade parents will meet with Sra. Corinna, 6th grade coordinator, in the MS Allen Library at 6:30 p.m.
- 7th & 8th grade parents, joined by 6th grade parents, will meet in the MS Great Hall at 7 p.m.
Time has been built into each evening to hold class calendar meetings (to review key school and classroom events, volunteer opportunities, and more). Room parents will share additional information and class calendars. Please plan to attend.
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Reminders: PLEASE READ
- All visitors to the school must enter at one of the front offices and receive a visitor badge. Thank you for supporting our school safety protocols.
- All students should come to school with a water bottle and a snack EVERY day.
- Students should bring their own utensils for lunch.
- Grades K-2 are all nut-free classrooms.
- All Middle School students should bring home their Chromebooks each night, charge them, and return to school with them each day.
- Please, PLEASE label all water bottles, lunch boxes, jackets, and school items with your child's name so that if lost, we can return them to your child.
- Dress your child(ren) for the weather and with sturdy shoes as they will be going outside for learning, recess, and other school activities.
- New families should bring student birth certificates to the front office if they have not already done so.
- Carpool Placards: Please place the nameplate for your student(s) on the front passenger VISOR facing out (NOT on the dashboard as we can't see it.)
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Emergency Notification System Test: Thursday, Sept. 5 (7 p.m.)
St. Michael’s will conduct an annual test of our emergency notification system (ENS) next Thursday, Sept 5, between 7- 8 p.m. Using the email addresses and phone numbers on file for your family, the system will deliver a test ENS message via automated phone call, email, and SMS text message.
- The phone call will come from “804-272-3514” Please add this number to your phone’s address book or contact list as “St. Michael’s School” to ensure receipt.
- The SMS text message will come from “67587”. The body of the message will begin with “STM ENS:”.
- The email alert will come from the sender “STM ENS” with the email address “stmcommunications@stmschool.net”. Please add this email address to your email client’s address book to ensure delivery to your inbox.
If you do not receive an alert on Thursday evening, please email Michael Jones, Director of Technology (mjones@stmschool.net).
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Picture Day: September 17
We are happy to announce that Picture Day is coming soon for all K-8 grades on Tuesday, September 17!
Families will have the opportunity to purchase pictures after viewing a proof. Proofs will be brought home by students around 2 weeks after picture day. A portion of the sales goes back to the St. Michael's Parents' Association!
NOTE: All students will be photographed regardless of whether they choose to purchase photos, as these photos are used for the annual yearbook.
Eighth Graders will receive special instructions from room parents re: dress requirements as their portraits are more formal in nature.
For any questions, please contact HJ Virginia Photo at 804-256-3246 or photo@hjvirginia.com.
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ERB Week: Sept 30-Oct 4 for Grades 3-8
What we call the "ERBs" is actually the Comprehensive Testing Program produced by the Educational Records Bureau (hence ERBs). ERB is a non-profit organization that provides admission and achievement assessments used by independent schools across the county. The specific test our grades 3-8 students take is a leveled assessment for high-achieving students across a variety of subjects including reading, listening (3rd and 4th grades only), vocabulary, writing, and mathematics. Our faculty uses ERB results as a tool in curricular and instructional review. More details will be sent out closer to the date.
For planning purposes, please note that per our handbook, it is NOT possible for students to make up missed achievement tests. Thus, thank you for not scheduling student doctor appointments for the full week of Sept 30 during the first two hours of each day.
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Welcome NEW Staff Members
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to two new staff members joining our Extended Day team: Kevin Dunn Jr. and Ricky Shultz.
Mr. Dunn is no stranger to St M having served last school year as a substitute teacher in our Extended Day program, as well as a St M summer camp teacher. He comes to us with coaching and mentorship experience with Pro Skills Basketball and has been a student teacher at Chalkley Elementary School as he completes his degree in Elementary Education.
Mr. Shultz brings a wealth of experience to our community, having worked as a teacher in the Hopewell Public Schools and as a college-level tutor. He is widely recognized for his patience and compassion in teaching, making him a valuable addition to our team. Additionally, Ricky has over 20 years of experience as a baseball hitting coach in the Richmond area, showcasing his dedication and passion for mentorship.
We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the positive impact they will undoubtedly make at St. Michael’s.
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Eighth Grade Camping Trip
Our 8th graders will partake in a much-anticipated annual overnight camping trip, September 19-20.
Click HERE for an information letter for eighth grade families with all the details, including drop-off info at the Stony Point Trader Joe's parking lot, along with a list of what the 8th graders should bring.
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Middle School Choir (6th-8th Grades) Now is the time for Middle Schoolers to register for Middle School Choir! Under the direction of Dawn Childs, the ensemble's objective is to build vocal skills, expand musical knowledge through various musical styles, and create community partnerships within St. Michael's and beyond. Students do not need to audition, and everyone is welcome!
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Directory Updates Needed by TODAY, September 1!
Did you move this summer? Has your email or phone number changed? Do you want School communications to go to a new email address?
Please send any changes by September 1, as we are finalizing the School directory. Returning families need only to review their current listing (in last year's directory) and forward all new/corrected information via the form in the button below. Thank you!
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Volunteer Today!St. Michael's is a vibrant learning community because of strong volunteer support from our families. We count on you! There are ample opportunities to get involved at St M. It is also a perfect way to meet members of our school community.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities HERE. Sign up to volunteer below. (Additional classroom volunteer opportunities will be shared through class calendars.)
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The Dragons' Lair Yearbook Staff Needs Volunteers!
Do You...
... have a student playing on an Intramural or Middle School sports team?
... have a student involved in Campus Life (Chapel Pals, Reading Pals, Robotics, SCA, etc)?
... want to help design your student's grade level yearbook pages?
We'd LOVE your help on the yearbook! All grade levels needed! Every volunteer receives support in learning what's involved and completing their assignments and the time commitment is flexible to any schedule.
Contact Jaclyn.Witthoefft@gmail.com or 804-357-5105 for more information. Thank you!
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| Illness Reporting Protocol/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.
Upon receipt of this information, Nurse Maben, 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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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 above-waist St M spiritwear or blue/white with pride!
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Let's Be Friends!
Get connected to keep abreast of St M news, events, calendar changes, and information. Plus, see photos from the first week of school!
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 updated KEY DATES for the 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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This Week
Monday, Sept. 2
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Wednesday, Sept. 4
Thursday, Sept. 5
Friday, Sept. 6
- A Day
- Dragon Dress Day: Wear St M above-waist spiritwear or blue/white with pride!
NOTE: See the Master Calendar for Sport's practices and games and this week!
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