St. Mary's High School Signal weekly newsletter

smpirates.org / Feb. 10, 2023

2023 Yearbooks & Parent Ads - DEADLINE IS TODAY, FEB. 10!

The 2023 yearbook is now on sale at the following site:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/s...

Parents who wish to personalize their child's yearbook can go to the above Jostens' site and choose the link for Yearbook Recognition Ads. After creating an account, they then can create the ad using the tools in that menu. Parent ads must be submitted by Feb. 10. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Kavanaugh, mkavanaugh@smhscs.org.

Parent/Teacher Conferences, Feb. 16-17

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student's current grades and/or placements for next year, we encourage you to schedule a parent/teacher conference on February 16th or 17th. Please click the link to schedule https://ptcfast.com/schools/SM...

As teachers work with placement under the leadership of Department Chairs, feel free to schedule a conference with the Department Chair in regards to a finalized academic plan.

Department Chairs:

Math: Paul Hartman

Engineering: Mike Kloenne

English: Robin Knoepke

Social Studies: Katie Ghent

Science: Maxine Hennessey

Fine Arts: Rosario Weston

World Languages: Svitlana Benson

BIG NEWS! Japan Trip 2024

You have the opportunity to travel to Japan in the summer of 2024! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you will not want to miss.

Bring yourself and your family to Mr. Smith’s in-person information session on February 13 at 6:00 pm to learn more about the tour to Japan and how you can be a part of it. Please register for the meeting here: https://bit.ly/3YaCgdY.

RMACAC Spring College Fair, Saturday, March 4

All students are invited to attend the city-wide college fair on March 4 from 9:00-11:30 am.

Pine Creek High School 
10750 Thunder Mountain Ave
Colorado Springs, 80908

For more information and to register, please click here

Senior Scholarship Opportunities

The Kinnikinnik Chapter of the National Society DAR will be awarding a $1,500 scholarship to a Pikes Peak area high school senior. The application deadline is March 24. Students may pick up an application from Mr. Baxter in the Counseling Center.

The Colorado Council Volunteerism/Community Service Scholarship is now available.  This $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to students who have shown extraordinary service to their community. Follow the link to apply: https://www.coloradocouncil.or.... Deadline is March 1.

Attention Seniors: “Best & Brightest”

The Gazette recognizes the "Best & Brightest" seniors in the Colorado Springs region each year.  Applications will be reviewed for academic achievements and intellectual curiosity, outstanding character, evidence of leadership and community involvement. Go to https://gazettecharities.org/b... for more information and to download the application. The deadline is March 17.

Junior Students: College Visit Opportunity

Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania is offering a free fly-in program to visit their campus in the fall.  For more information please follow the link: https://www.swarthmore.edu/adm...

Please notify Mr. Baxter by the end of February if you would like to be nominated for the program.

Mass at OLP, Sunday, Feb. 19

Join Fr. Joe as he celebrates the 8:30 am and 10:30 am masses at OLP on Sunday, February 19.  Wear your St. Mary's gear in support. If you are interested in volunteer hours that day, please contact Mrs. Krasovec at rkrasovec@smhscs.org.

Students for Life Club Meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 14

Students for Life will have their monthly club meeting, Tuesday, February 14, starting at 7:30 am (zero hour) in room 501, Mr. Kloenne’s Engineering Room. We will hear recaps from the annual March for Life, discuss upcoming activities for 40 Days for Life and the Marian House, and have some Valentine's Day treats along with our birthday recognitions. All are welcome!

UCCS GenCyber Day, Thursday, March 16

UCCS is assisting Tennessee Tech University in getting the word out on a full-day GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp for high school students. This is an amazing and engaging way to show high school students just how cool cybersecurity is, especially in light of the endless education and career opportunities.

 Here’s a quick rundown for GenCyber Day at WiCyS 2023:

  1. When: Thursday, March 16, 2023: 8:15am to 2:30pm

  2. Location: Gaylord of the Rockies

  3. Cost: Free

  4. For more information, CLICK HERE

  5. To register, CLICK HERE.  NOTE: Registration is limited to the first 120 students!  

Parent Volunteer Hours, SMHS Gala 2023

Do you need volunteer hours? Are you interested in helping with the Gala on April 15 at The Antlers? Please come share your ideas and help us plan! We will meet at 7:30 am (zero hour) on Tuesday, February 21 in the "Old Business Office'' next to the Counseling Center. No need to sign up; just show up! Please contact Ramon Falt with any questions (rfalt@smhscs.org).

Volunteer Opportunity, Catholic Charities Shamrock Shindig, Friday, March 17

8 to 10 SMHS volunteers have been requested for one shift from 5:30 - 9:00 pm. Dinner will be provided. Duties include greeting, check-in assistance, live auction assistance (scribes/runners).

No silent auction this year. Dress code: white shirt and black pants.

Cheyenne Mountain Resort
3225 Broadmoor Valley Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

To Register to Volunteer:

 Below is the link each individual must submit before volunteering. Once Catholic Charities receives or confirms applications, they will send more detailed instructions to the volunteer for the evening.

Catholic Charities/Marian House Group Member Application

Two of the questions included in the application are listed below:

“Please select your church/community group/company/military affiliation. If not included in the pick list please select “Other or Not Applicable”

  • Please select:  St. Mary’s High School 

“If you are registering for a prearranged group activity, please select it. If not listed, please email us at Volunteer@CCharitiesCC.org to let us know.” 

  • Please select: 2023-03-17 SMHS Shamrock Shindig Volunteer 5:30pm to 9pm

Student Volunteer Opportunity, St. Paul Catholic Church ‘Parents Night Out’ 

St. Paul Catholic Church is hosting a Parents Night Out event on March 4 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm, and they are looking for volunteers! If you are interested or available to help out with this event, please sign up here - https://www.signupgenius.com/g...

 All teen volunteers must have a parental consent form signed along with a quick training session before the event. 

 If you have any questions - please contact Allison Reida in the Parish Office: areida@stpaulcos.org or 719-219-2710.

Board Meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 21

A special thanks to the parents and faculty who joined us for the January board meeting this week. Mark your calendars, the February board meeting date has CHANGED. The fourth Wednesday of February is also Ash Wednesday this year. In order to ensure all our community members have the opportunity to attend Ash Wednesday Mass, the February board meeting will now be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6:00 pm, in the Resource Center. The school calendar is updated and reflects the change. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

NHS Coat Drive

The National Honor Society is sponsoring a Coats/Hat/Gloves Drive now through Friday, February 17. Please bring in your new or gently-used items to Mrs. Ramzy at the front desk or Mrs. Cichon in the registrar/counseling office. Thank you! 

College Athletic Signing Day

Senior parents - If your student is interested in pursuing college athletics and is close to signing with a specific college, please notify Mr. Tommy Darneal, athletic director, at tdarneal@smhscs.org.  We are setting up a date for College Signings soon.

FAFSA Update

The free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is now available. All families who plan to have a student attend college in the fall of 2023 will need to complete the form. Sooner is better! Click the link to get started. 

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply...

Re-Enrollment is Currently Open

To receive your $1,000 tuition discount and/or apply for tuition assistance please complete your re-enrollment application and FACTS application by FEBRUARY 15.  As an extra incentive, families who complete the re-enrollment application will receive a BOGO code to purchase your Gala tickets!  

Important Dates:

February 15 - re-enrollment application and FACTS application due (first round of tuition assistance/tuition discount & receive BOGO Gala tickets)

March 15 - tuition assistance offers

April 15 - last day to pay for registration fee $500

April 16 - registration fee increases to $600

June 1 - registration fee increases to $750

Sports Games, Feb. 10 - Feb. 17

Please come out in support of our many wonderful sports teams!

Girls Swimming @ State Tournament, Feb. 10-11

Boys Wrestling @ Regionals, Feb. 10-11

Girls & Boys Basketball vs. Ellicott, Feb. 11

Boys Basketball @ Vanguard, Feb. 13

Girls & Boys Basketball vs. La Junta, Feb. 14

Girls & Boys Basketball vs. Florence, Feb. 15

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, Feb. 15th: Parent Open House (prospective parents)

Thursday, Feb. 16th: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Friday, Feb. 17th: NO SCHOOL, Parent/Teacher Conferences

Monday, Feb. 20th: President's Day, NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, Feb. 21st: Board Meeting 6pm

Friday, Feb. 24th: Spanish Trivia Bowl (Morning Assembly Schedule)

Wednesday, March 1st: End of 3rd Quarter

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @smhscscolorado for the latest information!