MSM Family Connection Newsletter
March 31, 2023
An Easter Message from Principal Katie Spillman
Dear MSM Families,
Next Sunday we proclaim: Alleluia! He is Risen! as we celebrate the feast of Easter. In the Gospel we hear of Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb. Mary runs to share her incredulous joy with the other disciples. On the way she encounters the Risen Christ who tells her not to be afraid and go forth to share the amazing news that truly He is Risen!
Each and every one of us, like Mary Magdalene, is called to proclaim that love is the answer and despite the darkness that can be in our own lives and in our world, we cannot be afraid. I am thankful for our students who daily bring laughter and spirit to our Mount community as they nurture meaningful friendships that got us all through the dreary and long days of March. We are all ready for Spring! May your family experience the true joy of this holy season and have a wonderful break.
Congratulations National Honor Society Inductees!
The Mount St. Mary Academy chapter of National Honor Society inducted 20 new members on
Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Ms. Mary Balkin Cannata, Esq. '08, a Senior Associate at Lippes Mathias LLP, gave the keynote address. Inductees were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character.
We congratulate: Averie Bartell, Alexis Birkemeier, Sienna Capitano, Lily Cook, Diana DeAngelo, Adelaide Garvey, Emily Harrigan, Brianna Huddy, Juliet Jenkins, Eden Krebs, Olivia Kuty, Isabella Moore, Campbell Murphy, Rebecca Sander, Samantha Simmen, Lucy Voelkl, Sarah Wilhelm, Sophia Wolf, Natalie Wroblewski, and Taylor Zajac.
Congratulations Mounties!
Important MSM Safety Policies and Reminders
From the Desk of Principal Katie Spillman:
The safety and well-being of all community members is at the heart of what we are about at Mount St. Mary Academy. We thank you for your family’s partnership in ensuring that we are upholding our daily safety measures.
A few reminders of our current protocols - and we ask that you review these with your child to reinforce their importance in keeping everyone safe:
Current Students:
Students are assigned a FOB and a school ID that they should have on their person at all times. If either item is missing, the student needs to report this missing item immediately to the main office.
All students are assigned a locker that must be locked with the provided school lock at all times. Students should not share their locker combination with others. If a lock does not work, students should ask the Main Office for a new one. If their combination is not working, the Main Office can also assist.
All students with parking privileges (Class of 2023 only) need to register their vehicle information with the Main Office and make sure their parking tag is prominently displayed in their vehicle. Please see School Life for a parking pass if a new pass is needed.
Students need to use the Pius Door (front) or the Breezeway door (student lot) for entry and exit. Side doors and/or faculty door use is not permitted.
Never open the door to someone who is waiting for entry. Our Main Office will unlock any doors for visitors or fellow students.
Students are not allowed to order and receive DoorDash or other delivery services, as stated in our handbook.
If a student feels ill during the school day, the student must report to the school nurse. The school nurse will call home to arrange for parent/ guardian to pick up if the child needs to go home. Too often the child is texting/ calling the parent without the health office being made aware of illness.
If your child is out sick or absent, please call our attendance line first thing in the morning to report absence. Our main office/ attendance needs to account for every student in our care. A note must be turned in upon return to school.
Visitors:
All visitors need to enter through our front Pius Door entrance or our student parking lot Breezeway door. Visitors ring the bell, identify themselves and the purpose of visiting and immediately report to the main office to sign in.
Please do not open the door for anyone that is not visiting with your party.
Visitors will only be allowed to go to the room/person they are visiting. They must return to the main office to sign-out and return their visitor’s pass.
If parents/ guardians have items they need to drop off to their students, please come to the Main Office and we can assist you with getting items delivered to your students.
As you visit our school, please remember that if you see something out of the ordinary or concerning, please say something to an employee.
Thank you for your cooperation and support and always reach out with questions or concerns.
MSM's Serve Club Creates Easter Baskets for Local Students
Students in MSM's Serve Club created Easter baskets for the students at Nativity Miguel, St. Monica's Campus in Buffalo. Mounties worked together to assemble a total of 18 baskets!
Pictured below from left to right: Arames Bowles' 24, Olivia Klump '24, Kendra Allen '25, Emma Cooper '24, Isabella Moore '25.
Great job Mounties!
Congratulations Mounties of the Week!
Not pictured: Juliet Jenkins, Campbell Murphy, and Ms. Antoinetta Castaldo
Mounties of the Week are recognized for making the MSM community a better place by showing their positivity, kindness, and true Mountie spirit.
Congratulations to all of you and thank you for helping to make Mount a better place!
Host an Exchange Student in the Fall of 2023
Hosting a foreign exchange student is an amazing opportunity! MSM has been participating in the Dortmund exchange program for over 20 years. Please help us continue this amazing tradition by considering hosting Ines (age 15, sophomore). For more information please see below, or contact Mrs. Elizabeth Suchan-Reitz esuchan-reitz@msmacademy.org directly and she will provide you with Ines' biography.
All German students come to Buffalo with their own spending money and health insurance, and all speak English. Students who attend MSM in the fall pay their own tuition. MSM families who have participated in these programs have had wonderful experiences. There are also unique opportunities through this program to visit your host student in her home country and explore some of her culture after her stay in the United States!
If you are interested or have ant questions, please contact Mrs. Elizabeth Suchan-Reitz at esuchan-reitz@msmacademy.org or Ms. Lynn Engle, Buffalo-Dortmund Sister City Exchange Program coordinator, at lengle29@gmail.com or 716-989-8849.
MSM Prom 2023: A Night on the Red Carpet!
Class of 2024 Retreat Reminder
Register for MSM Summer Camps Today!
High School Placement Test Practice Exam is April 22, 2023
Third Quarter Fine Arts Spotlight Award Winners
Congratulations to our Third Quarter Fine Arts Spotlight Award Winners!
The following Mounties are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to MSM's Fine Arts programs:
Dance:Aubrey Collins, Divine Ishimwe, Katie Attea
Visual Arts: Kallista Bertini, Carina Jachlewski, Lily Englert, Anna Gambino
Instrumental: Ella Szczepankiewicz, Lily Clark
Vocal Arts: Maeve Garvey, Anna Karassik, Bridget Ludwig
Chrysalis 2023: Free Photo Download Courtesy of Prime Legacy Photography
Thank you once again to all of our MSM families, friends, and alumnae who came together to support Chrysalis 2023! Prime Legacy Photography not only donated their time and talent to photograph the event, but has also generously provided a link to download the photos free of charge!
Click HERE to view, download, or share the photos.
Thank you Prime Legacy Photography for your generous donation!
Financial Aid Applications for the 2023-24 School Year Due April 1, 2023
The Financial Aid application process for returning students has begun and applications are now being accepted.
Please visit: www.fairapp.com
School code: 113
Password: msma113
The due date for applications for the 2023-24 school year is: April 1, 2023.
"Me and My Guy Dance" is Friday, April 14th!
Join us for a night of Disco Fever at MSM's annual Me and My Guy Dance on Friday, April 14th! This fabulous Disco/1970s themed night will be held from 6:30PM - 10:00PM at Banchetti by Rizzo's.
Click HERE to print the RSVP form and for attire, payment, and seating information.
Form and payment are due by April 11, 2023.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Suchan-Reitz at esuchan-reitz@msmacademy.org.
Remember to Turn In Your Dash's Receipts!
MSM band members sort and tabulate the total sum of the receipts and Dash's gives FREE money (2.5% on the dollar) to schools that participate in their "Tape Saver" program. Most importantly, all money earned directly supports our MSM music program. Last year over $1000 was raised for the Music Boosters, so please support our talented MSM musicians and turn in your receipts today!
Transportation Requests Due April 1, 2023
Attention Parents/Guardians:
School transportation requests for MSM students requiring bus transportation for the 2023 - 2024 school year must be submitted in writing to your student's home school district by April 1, 2023.To do this, visit your home school district's website for forms and additional information.
Please follow the sample instructions below to request transportation for your student:
Visit your home school district's website. For example: If you live in Amherst, NY, visit the Amherst Central School District website and click on the transportation tab. Complete and submit the transportation request document by April 1, 2023.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Kimberly Adam: kadam@msmacademy.org
Counselor Connections
LunchTime Cafeteria Payment Portal is Now Available for Set Up
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Mount St.Mary Academy and Metz Culinary are pleased to offer LunchTime, our new Cafeteria Payment Portal.
LunchTime is a safe, secure and convenient way for parents or guardians of students to manage school lunch purchase payments. You will have the opportunity to track purchases, create reminders and set up automatic payments.
Please click HERE for more detailed information and for the link to set up your daughter’s account.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Coram of Metz Culinary Management: ma1144@metzcorp.com or (716) 877-1354 ext. 417
Scholarship Opportunity for Catholic High School Students in Grades 9 -11
Please click the following link for more information, scholarship contest rules, and scholarship application.
Refer a New Family to MSM and Receive a $500 Tuition Credit
Any current MSM family (registered for 22-23) is eligible for a one-time tuition credit of $500 if they refer a new family with a student in the class of 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027 to our school! Important details: New family must register, not just inquire. Contact Ms. Suchan-Reitz in the Office of Admissions for more details: esuchan-reitz@msmacademy.org
MSM Thunder Athletics Calendar
Click the link below to visit the official Mount St. Mary Academy Thunder Website for a calendar of upcoming athletic events. Come out and support our Mounties in action!
Mount St. Mary Academy
Mount St. Mary Academy, founded by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, is a Catholic, private, college preparatory school for young women. Within a nurturing and academically challenging and inclusive environment, the Academy strives to develop the whole person’s gifts and potential. Guided by our Catholic tradition, and rooted in Gospel values, we empower scholars to be leaders dedicated to lifelong learning, moral integrity, social justice, and service to and inclusion of others.
We Believe in You!
Email: information@msmacademy.org
Website: https://www.msmacademy.org
Location: 3756 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, USA
Phone: 716-877-1358
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msmacademy
Twitter: @msmacademy