Pat Barr, Principal
During this Christmas season, I was comforted once again by the wonderful story of Christ’s birth. I love the story of the little drummer boy, the kings who traveled from far away to bring gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus and of Mary and the great sacrifice she offered. Gift giving is at the core of this holiday, beginning with the gift of salvation for all.
St. Mary’s Academy has been the recipient of kindness for many centuries. In the Chronicles written by our founding sisters we learn how grateful they were for the generous treasures that were given to them by a welcoming Portland community: two spoons, three little chickens, an apron full of onions, even a “three-ply carpet” that would serve as a chapel carpet by day and a “mattress” for the sisters at night. Our loving community has continued to supply our school with everything that is necessary to continue our mission in educating young women.
Your generosity has gone beyond our school. At 2:15 p.m. on December 15, hundreds of boxes of fruit, laundry detergent, toothpaste and precious gifts left our building and traveled all over the city to help 36 families in need. It is your generosity that has touched these lives. It is your willingness to sacrifice and share that is teaching your daughter to give.
May the new year bring you great joy, spiritual growth and a heart full of love.
SMA Freshman, clockwise from far left: Isabelle Waitt (holding the box), Mary Root ( blue streak in her hair), Clarice Beasley (in the OSU sweatshirt), Emily McLeod (far right), and Victoria Dorsey (white sweatshirt).
2012-2013 calendar
Several people have asked me about the dates for the 2012-2013 Christmas break. St. Mary’s Academy works with the Archdiocese of Portland and Portland Public Schools to set vacation days. Unfortunately, the dates for next year’s Christmas break have not been finalized. We will post that information on our website when it is available. The first day of school for the Class of 2016, transfer students and LINK leaders is Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. Classes for everyone begin on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Tryouts for fall sports (cross country, soccer and volleyball) are the week of Aug. 20-24. Stay tuned for more, we will post more dates on our website when they are finalized.
Semester exams
Exams are scheduled for Jan. 23-26, 2012. There are two exams on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The first exam each day begins at 8 a.m. and the second exam begins at 10:30 a.m. Dismissal on these three days is either noon or 12:30 p.m., depending on the length of the second exam. Your daughter will know the duration of her exams. On Thursday, there is only one exam that begins at 10 a.m. and will be finished by 11:30 a.m. or noon. Friday, Jan. 27 is a teacher in-service day, so there is no school.
Teachers provide review materials for each class. Review and preparation strategies have been presented to freshman and sophomore students. “Cocoa & Cram,” a review session held in the commons, takes place from 3 – 5 p.m., Jan. 19. Although primarily for freshmen, anyone is free to come and review for exams. Upper grade students and teachers are available to assist students.
Please make sure students are on time for exams. The Student Parent Handbook, included in your daughter’s planner, has a section on final exams on page 10. A good night’s sleep and a solid breakfast are excellent final preparations for test taking.
I hope your Christmas break was joyous and restful. Many blessings in 2012.
