Spring into SMS!
March 1, 2018
"What's new and exciting?"
We get that question a lot here at Saint Michael School. With so much growth in both enrollment and programming, it feels as though there is almost too much good news to share. These are great "problems" to have. In any BOOM, there are the inevitable growing pains. They are to be expected and, I think, celebrated. It's incredible to look back and see how far we've come and, to look forward as we meaningfully create and welcome opportunities that support the mission and vision of our extraordinary Catholic school. Next year, we will graduate our first High School class in 51 years. In a time when Catholic Schools are closing their doors, we are humbled to continue our 144 year legacy of faith and commitment to community as we help nurture the next generation of invested citizens of the world. Saint Michael School is a special place. God is at work here - every day - in our classrooms and, in the hearts of all who enter and really, that's the most exciting news we have the privilege to share.
Enjoy our Spring Development newsletter sharing news, events and - of course - adorable photos of our amazing students!
Ms. Nobile, Middle School Faculty, reflects on Catholic Schools and Catholic Schools Week 2018.
I still remember the feeling I had the first time I toured St. Michael’s with Mrs. Beam on a sweltering late July day three and a half years ago. Despite the packed up classrooms, there was an energy coursing through the veins of the school; the hallways waiting to be filled with students’ laughter and desks eager to hold children yearning for knowledge.
I’m sure the same thing could be said about many educational institutions; but there’s something special about a Catholic School.
I am a Catholic school kid. I have an unnatural affinity to navy blue, and I still leave room for the Holy Spirit when dancing. It is because of my experience that I am able to see the source of this energy.
I often tell my students that I strongly believe in living by one of God’s greatest rules: Love one another. He didn’t stutter or make exceptions. And that is exactly what we do everyday at St. Michael’s, we love one another. That is the source of our energy.
GaGa ball games, the all-school Halloween dance, the Christmas concert, Night at the Museum (insert exhausted sigh here). We like to have fun. And the way we love one another best is when we are having fun, especially during Catholic Schools Week.
CSW events bring out the best in our students. As they establish their reading nooks for Read-a-Thon, students situate themselves in clusters around the classroom happily sharing beanbags and books. But our love for one another is most apparent during, “Are You Smarter than a SMS Student?” Students cheer on not only their classmates but students from each grade as they work together to “beat” the grownups.
Catholic Schools Week is not just a celebration of Catholic Schools, it’s a celebration of our love for one another.
Mrs. Beam Appointed to Vermont AOE Independent School Council - Tara Castricone, 9th grade student and Elizabeth Mazzer, 10th grade student
On November 11th, 2017, SMS principal, Mrs. Elaine Beam, was invited to join the Council of Independent Schools by Rebecca Holcombe, Vermont Secretary of Education. The Council of Independent Schools, a state agency which serves as an advocate for Vermont’s independent schools, is comprised of a group of principals who work together as an advisory group and assist in accrediting independent schools. The chosen principals travel to Barre, Vermont three times a year to review completed school applications.
In an interview with Cori Urban from Vermont Catholic magazine, Mrs. Beam stated, “I am honored to be asked to join other independent school leaders in representing our schools and hope that I can bring awareness to the issues of inequity, especially for our Catholic schools,”. Mrs. Beam also stated, “I can speak for our school when changes are being proposed and, also work with other Independent Schools as education changes.”
Mrs. Beam had some experience with the council when she worked in the public school system, as well as in other private schools. She believes, “she has perspective from both sides”. Mrs Beam is excited about this unique opportunity.
SMS in the news!
New Programs at Saint Michael School - Ava Clark, 8th grade student and Sophie Richards, 7th grade student
Recently journalism club members were given an opportunity to interview St. Michael Catholic School’s Development and Admissions administrator, Mrs. Thies, about the new programs occurring at St. Michael Catholic School. She explained how these new programs are being created to provide students unique opportunities to participate in more activities inside the classroom and, in the greater community.
This model provides students with electives and internships based on their interests, hobbies, and future goals. The school would be engaging with students in more community service based curriculum and, introducing them to more internship possibilities. Most of these programs will only be available to High School students; however, a few internships will be extended to interested 8th grade students in high academic standing.
Two to three new, student-driven opportunities will be offered every trimester; in addition to long-term intern partnerships. Some of the new programs include a Digital Photography course, Bradley House service internship, Omega Optical internship, a metalsmith program, the Green Mountain Club, and additional Fine Arts credit opportunities with Shoot the Moon Theater Company and, a High School specific dramatic play. These are just the beginning and, several new partnerships for the 18/19 school year are already in the works!
Saint Michael School has been actively moving the middle and high school to include more community-based programming, which would enhance the rigorous academic core of subjects. The office and staff would ask the students what they would want to do and listen to suggestions of their liking. From there, the school has committed to providing community programming to give students opportunities to explore their interests in a hands-on setting.
One of the opportunities being included in the new programs is an Omega Optical internship, which would be working with research and development teams that produce optical interference filters. There will be six openings for students in grades 8 through 12. Students must apply for this internship and will be selected by a Faculty team and Omega Optical representatives. Omega Optical is interested in hiring residents of New England and would be willing to hire them right out of high school. Some of the SMS administration followed up with Omega Optical on Friday the 9th of February. They will be sharing details with parents soon.
Mrs. Thies explained that Community Service Internships with organizations like the Bradley House would provide students the opportunity to understand how organizations work and, to partner with programs outside of our regular, community service requirements. Students would be helping with hands-on activities with residents and, possibly some administrative support as well. The program will run twice a week and, will be open to a max of eight students per day.
Clubs and Activities are being added to our current programming, like The Green Mountain Club, a nonprofit established in 1910, located in Burlington, Vermont. Their mission is to have the Vermont Mountains play a bigger role in the life of Vermont’s people by protecting and preserving the Long Trail System, and fostering, through education, the stewardship of Vermont’s mountains and hiking trails. This program would act as community service, and be a fun athletic activity for those who participated in this program. Students will be building trails along with maintaining and cultivating those trails. The club will be open to students in grades 7 through 12. This program is scheduled to start in April of 2018.
The metalsmith program, taking place at Morrell Metalsmiths in Colrain, Massachusetts with Justin Morrell as the instructor, is a 12-week elective occurring for 1 hour a week. There would be 10 to 12 open spots for students in grades 9 to 12 to join. This would be an experiential elective with first priority given to students wanting to enter a skilled, trade field.
Additional theatre electives will be offered on and off-site during the third trimester. The Drama Intensive II will be offered to 9 - 12 grade students with fine arts teacher, Mr. Bob Thies. Students will also be able to apply for an off-site Theater Company internship with Brattleboro based theater company, Shoot the Moon.
Many students at Saint Michael School have expressed interest in photo editing and photography. During the third trimester, 12 students will have access to a digital photography elective with instructor Bill Steele, owner of Gorham Mountain Photography. There will be 10 weeks of class, and 2 of those weeks will take place in Mr. Steele’s Brooks-House photography studio.
A new program currently being developed is a partnership with local engineering and architecture firm, Stevens and Associates. A Fall 2018 CAD and introduction to engineering/architecture elective is in process and, Stevens and Associates has expressed interest in taking on interns who are interested in engineering, environmental engineering, and architecture. Stevens and Associates will be on-site at SMS on Friday, March 2nd for a panel discussion.
These new programs and classes will be an exciting opportunity to try new things and get exposure to community leaders, businesses and experiences. We are excited to see how these new programs will enhance the students experience at Saint Michael School.
Life Sciences Pilot Program with Strolling of the Heifers a HUGE success!
During the first trimester, our 3rd Grade class participated in a Pilot Program partnering with Strolling of the Heifers as part of their Life Sciences curriculum. The curriculum included:
Food Groups
Plant Life Cycle
Pollination
Seasonal/Local Vegetables
Soil/Compost
Seeds
Cooking!
"Working with Saint Michael's third grade class was a fun and rewarding experience for me. I loved having students that were genuinely interested in what I was teaching them. They came to class with open minds and tried many new things, including three different varieties of beets! I would love to work with Saint Michael's in the future, as the students that embody this school make teaching a most enjoyable experience." -
Kristen Riley, Strolling of the Heifers/Life Sciences Pilot Program
We were thrilled to be able to partner with Strolling of the Heifers to provide unique, learning opportunities!
Middle School Retreat Farm Program
Every Friday, from 1 - 3, our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students study all aspects of the working farm. The curriculum aligned programs include:
Livestock Care
Farm Economics and History
Ecology and Biology of the farm and surrounding environment
Food Production and Food Science
Agricultural Technology and Sciences (soil maintenance, greenhouses, etc.)
In partnership with The Retreat Farm, this year-round program presents students with the opportunity for immersive, community education.
"The hands-on learning our daughter has experienced through St. Michael School's community programming has been an opportunity that can't be recreated in a classroom. After studying hard all week in class, she looks forward to Fridays at The Retreat Farm. She loves helping out with chores around the farm, feeding the animals and marking trees for sugaring." - Heather Cutler, SMS Parent
Camp Hi-Rock Team Building Retreat
Upcoming Performances and Events!
SMS Drama Club Performance - Xanadu, Jr.! Thursday, 3/08/18 at 6:00 p.m.
Saints of SMS Golf Open in Honor & Memory of all SMS Alumni - Saturday, May 19, 2018
Calling ALL Alumni!
Via phone: 802-254-6320
Via e-mail: bethanythies@smsvt.info
Visit us: 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301
Contact Us! We'd love to hear from you!
Email: bethanythies@smsvt.info
Website: www.smsvt.info
Location: 48 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 254-6320
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMSVT/
Twitter: @StMikesVT