MSM Family Connection Newsletter
May 5, 2023
MSM's First Ever Giving Day is Thursday, May 11th!
Please join us in support of MSM's first annual Giving Day, a 24-hour digital fundraising celebration dedicated to giving back to our school! This May, we look ahead to the future while we celebrate the 95 years of inspirational women who have come before us. We hope you will consider investing in the future of both our students and our beloved school during this 24-hour digital event!
Visit givingday.msmacademy.org to donate early and to learn more! We hope you'll spread the word about MSM Giving Day to your family and friends!
Your generous support makes a difference!
Complete the Online Survey by Sunday, May 7th
In an effort to facilitate the most rewarding experiences for everyone in our school community, we’ve teamed up with Quilted Squirrel—a full-scale marketing agency in Orchard Park—to conduct research, collect data, and leverage insights as we prepare for the future.
Together, we’ve spent months putting together a plan that will help us make the biggest impact for Mount St. Mary students, families, and teachers.
Put simply, we’re trying to create the most rewarding school community for everyone, period. Do we have your support? If so, please complete this online survey.
Your honest opinions will help us:
● Leverage your values and expectations to unify school strategies
● Shape our school programming and classroom curriculum
● Enhance opportunities for students to succeed in and out of the classroom
● Determine which processes you appreciate most (or least)
● Fortify a school community that celebrates students, families, and teachers
● Establish MSM as a top choice for educational excellence in Western New York
As cherished members of our school community, your perspectives are always at the forefront of our decision-making. We encourage you to complete this survey so that we can continue to provide the best opportunities for our students, families, and staff.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
MSM Recognizes Outstanding Faculty Members
THE JOANNE CHAMPION GRANGER AWARD is presented to one employee who is responsible for some innovation to improve the scholastic curriculum or the social environment at MSM, breaking down barriers, improving cultural understanding, improving the quality of life either in the school itself or within the greater Buffalo community. We congratulate the 2022 - 2023 Joanne Champion Granger Award recipient, Ms. Dana Levy.
Ms. Levy makes learning engaging and fun for her students. She is innovative and creative with her Spanish lessons and her commitment to helping us all appreciate culture and language in new ways. She is a warm and welcoming presence to all and we are delighted to have her as a part of our Mount community.
THE EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD is presented to a member of the Mount St. Mary faculty whose work in the classroom is outstanding. We congratulate the 2022-2023 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, Mr. Todd Glosser.
We are thankful for all the ways that Mr. Glosser has made learning about STEAM and Earth and Space so interesting. It is apparent how much he takes his responsibility as teacher seriously and works hard to make his classroom a place where all students can learn successfully.
THE SPIRIT OF MOUNT ST. MARY AWARD is presented to an employee who demonstrates the qualities so important to our school community. These qualities include believing in our school, our students, and reflecting the mission of Mount St. Mary Academy in all he or she does. We congratulate the 2022 - 2023 Spirit of Mount St. Mary Award recipient, Ms. Julia Murphy '18.
Ms. Murphy brings her joy, enthusiasm and passion to Mount every day. Dance classes are high energy and Ms. Murphy is quick to affirm the good work of her students. She makes herself available to students to listen and encourage them. She truly shares her joy with MSM every day.
Congratulations to these outstanding MSM faculty members!
Pictured from left to right: Ms. Julia Murphy, Ms. Dana Levy, Mr. Todd Glosser
Health Professions Students Visit Kenmore Mercy Hospital
From the Desk of Ms. Elizabeth Reiser:
On Tuesday, April 25th, students in Ms. Reiser's Health Professions class spent the day at Kenmore Mercy Hospital visiting multiple departments and interacting with numerous health professionals. Student feedback included, "There are so many pathways you can take!" and "I learned things I didn't know before and I'm happy I can understand better."
Students interested in shadowing at a Catholic Health facility can apply via https://www.chsbuffalo.org/education/high-school-students/request-experience.
Psychology Class Treated to Adorable "Guest Speakers"
From the Desk of Mrs. Christina Held-Hulsing:
As part of a recent unit on Child Development, Mrs. Held-Hulsing's Psychology students were treated to some adorable "guest speakers." These sweet babies, who are the children of some of MSM's very own faculty and staff, helped students to gain a better understanding of many of the child development milestones they have been studying in class.
Based on their studies of the topic, students created a checklist of physical, cognitive, and social milestones that babies are expected to reach by certain ages. The students then were able to interact with and observe the babies in the classroom, with their favorite toys and books, and watch them explore their new surroundings.
Spring Fine Arts Concert & Art Show
From the Desk of Mrs. Lisa Baco:
Please join us in the MSM Auditorium on Tuesday, May 9th @ 7:00 p.m. for MSM's “Fine Arts Night."
Our program will feature the Concert Band, Gemtones, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble and Dance classes. Artwork from this year’s Visual Arts classes will be on display. A reception will be held after the show for the performers, artists and guests.
*Artwork by Scarlett Sniadecki ‘25*
We hope to see you there!
Counselor Connections
MSM April Spotlight Artists
Congratulations to our MSM April Spotlight Award Winners!
The following Mounties are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to MSM's Fine Arts programs:
Vocal Arts: Georgia MacKinnon
Dance: Ryann Morris
Visual Arts: Ava Taylor
Instrumental Arts: Liv Pyrczak
Congratulations to you all!
Last Chance to Turn in Dash's Receipts to Support MSM's Music Program
Please continue to support our talented MSM musicians and save your receipts today!
Register for MSM Summer Camps Today!
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
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 2025, 2026, or 2027 to our school! Important details: New family must register, not just inquire. Contact the Office of Admissions for more details.
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