News

Thirty-four Middle School students took the stage for three fun-filled performances of the musical Matilda JR, a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. After four weeks of rehearsals, the students thrilled and delighted audiences with the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

St. Mary’s Community Fund (SMCF) is a student-led, grant-making organization established in 1998. The mission of SMCF is to “educate young women about the importance of philanthropy through hands-on community service, fundraising, and grant-making.”

Second-grade students recently wrapped up a quarter-long collaborative project on birds, flight, and kites with a fun Kite Day at Shelby Farms. The project began in science class with Mrs. Ruhland, where the girls learned about birds, feathers, and wings. 

Last week we hosted an Art Show showcasing and celebrating the work of our Upper School students. The collection, curated by Upper School Art Teacher Mrs. Andrea Fletcher, highlighted the creativity and talent of our students. Students had the opportunity to show their creativity to their families at the reception and show in the Levy Gallery at the Buckman Performing Arts Center.

This month, the SMS Global Education Program had the honor of virtually hosting guest speaker Sam Mihara. In 1942, when Sam was nine years old, the United States government forcibly sent Sam, his family, and people of Japanese ancestry living in the American West to internment camps. Sam and his family were sent to a prison camp called Heart Mountain in northern Wyoming, where he stayed for three years. 

Recently, our North Campus Librarians, Mrs. Catherine Denman and Mrs. Caryn Brannen, organized a book discussion for the 4th-grade students. Joined by special guests, the 4th-grade girls read the book Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Scheerger. 

Dr. Dalton Lyon traveled with a group of girls interested in legislation to Nashville, Tennessee. This was the first conference that has been held in 3 years due to COVID-19 and everyone was so excited to be back in action! This conference gives students the opportunity to to have a hands-on experience in state government. Students can serve as senators or representatives, as justices and lawyers, as department commissioners and lobbyists, or as press corps members.

Senior Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten students turned recycled materials into extraordinary creations at the Tinker Fair. The girls made everything from castles to guitars to elephants. It was incredible to see what the girls created from discarded materials like cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls. One person’s trash turns into a Tinker Fair treasure! ⁠

Before spring break, our Lower School students participated in the 7th annual Maker Fair, a large-scale show and tell where students learn something new. This Lower School tradition offers an opportunity for students to spend the morning exploring, creating, learning, and leading. 

Upper School Health and Wellness Teacher, Jessica Seebeck, works with 9th-grade girls to build healthy habits. Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker and trauma-informed yoga instructor who brings her background in healing into the classroom.

Earlier this month in Middle and Upper School Chapel, we announced the winners of the Mays Prize in Writing. The Mays Prize is St. Mary’s annual fiction-writing contest. Students from grades 1st-12th submit creative writing stories. This year’s prompt, “Growing Up is Magical,” asked students to imagine a character the same age as them and tell the story of something magical that happens to that character during their school day. We are proud of all our entrants for their impressive and inventive stories. This year’s entries were beautiful, inspiring, and magical.⁠

Mary Jensen Nease, RN ’10, the newest member of the Health Center team, loves working with St. Mary’s parents and students. “There is so much life and joy among these sweet girls that I get to interact with!” Mary joined St. Mary’s in August as the North Campus Nurse. Mary, an alumna and PK parent, knows the St. Mary’s community well, but has enjoyed the opportunity to get to know more students and parents.

This week, we wrapped up our Black History Month celebration. From the Early Childhood Center to the Upper School, classrooms across campus studied how Black Americans have contributed and continue to contribute to American history, society, and culture. There are dozens of highlights from this month’s celebrations.

At the beginning of the new year, Auxiliary Programs gained a new Director, Jenny Madden, a new Interim Assistant Director, Briana Morrow, and a new Program Coordinator, Tessa Breakfield. Although all three are new to their positions, they are not unfamiliar faces to the St. Mary’s community.

Last November, we welcomed our new Director of Belonging, Shonda Keys. Ms. Keys' warm and welcoming spirit has already made an impression on our students, faculty, and staff. She has set an example of providing support, encouragement, and meeting people where they are.

Our Senior Kindergarten and 4th-grade students welcomed their grandparents to campus for Grandparents Day just before Thanksgiving. We began the festivities with a reception for St. Mary’s grandparents. The following day, grandparents from near and far gathered to spend the morning with our girls and enjoy a special presentation. Upon arrival, the grandparents received custom gifts of ceramic handprints from the 4th grade and photo coasters from SK.

Junior Georgia Carls and Jean Jackson ’17 recognized for short films.

St. Mary’s Community Fund (SMCF) is a student-led, grant-making organization established in 1998. The mission of SMCF is to “educate young women about the importance of philanthropy through hands-on community service, fundraising, and grant-making.”

Last week we hosted an Art Show showcasing and celebrating the work of our Upper School students. The collection, curated by Upper School Art Teacher Mrs. Andrea Fletcher, highlighted the creativity and talent of our students. Students had the opportunity to show their creativity to their families at the reception and show in the Levy Gallery at the Buckman Performing Arts Center.

This month, the SMS Global Education Program had the honor of virtually hosting guest speaker Sam Mihara. In 1942, when Sam was nine years old, the United States government forcibly sent Sam, his family, and people of Japanese ancestry living in the American West to internment camps. Sam and his family were sent to a prison camp called Heart Mountain in northern Wyoming, where he stayed for three years. 

Dr. Dalton Lyon traveled with a group of girls interested in legislation to Nashville, Tennessee. This was the first conference that has been held in 3 years due to COVID-19 and everyone was so excited to be back in action! This conference gives students the opportunity to to have a hands-on experience in state government. Students can serve as senators or representatives, as justices and lawyers, as department commissioners and lobbyists, or as press corps members.

Upper School Health and Wellness Teacher, Jessica Seebeck, works with 9th-grade girls to build healthy habits. Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker and trauma-informed yoga instructor who brings her background in healing into the classroom.

Earlier this month in Middle and Upper School Chapel, we announced the winners of the Mays Prize in Writing. The Mays Prize is St. Mary’s annual fiction-writing contest. Students from grades 1st-12th submit creative writing stories. This year’s prompt, “Growing Up is Magical,” asked students to imagine a character the same age as them and tell the story of something magical that happens to that character during their school day. We are proud of all our entrants for their impressive and inventive stories. This year’s entries were beautiful, inspiring, and magical.⁠

Last month, the Buckman Performing & Fine Arts Center welcomed sell-out crowds for the Upper School production of Mary Poppins. The spectacular show wowed audiences for six performances. 

Thirty-four Middle School students took the stage for three fun-filled performances of the musical Matilda JR, a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. After four weeks of rehearsals, the students thrilled and delighted audiences with the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Earlier this month in Middle and Upper School Chapel, we announced the winners of the Mays Prize in Writing. The Mays Prize is St. Mary’s annual fiction-writing contest. Students from grades 1st-12th submit creative writing stories. This year’s prompt, “Growing Up is Magical,” asked students to imagine a character the same age as them and tell the story of something magical that happens to that character during their school day. We are proud of all our entrants for their impressive and inventive stories. This year’s entries were beautiful, inspiring, and magical.⁠

Eighth Grade English teacher and JV Lacrosse Coach Claire Zagrodzky loves teaching because “it allows me to pass along my passion for learning and reading. There's nothing I love more than helping students read difficult texts and watching them understand and grasp new ideas. It inspires me to keep learning and reading, too!” ⁠

Last weekend, students in the VEX IQ competitive robotics program competed in the state tournament in Nashville. The robotics program is open to students in grades 4-8. The students must work in teams to build and test a robot under the guidance of program sponsor and Lower School Science Teacher, Meagan Micheal. As members of the robotics team, girls learn valuable critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

This week, we wrapped up our Black History Month celebration. From the Early Childhood Center to the Upper School, classrooms across campus studied how Black Americans have contributed and continue to contribute to American history, society, and culture. There are dozens of highlights from this month’s celebrations.

I am thrilled to be teaching 6th and 7th grade English at St. Mary’s this year! My husband Greg and I have three daughters, and two of them are Turkeys. I am excited about this new adventure. Prior to joining the St. Mary’s team, I taught at Holy Rosary in The Learning Center, a specialized program for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Our oldest daughter's struggles in school ignited a passion within me to help all students realize their full potential. All students can learn; we just have to find the way each student learns best. It is like cracking a code!
 

Last month, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students spent a day imagining, experiencing, and learning about future opportunities. The 8th-grade students spent the morning as Upper School students. The students rotated through several elective and world language classes, including band, choir, art, photography, computer science, global issues, theater, French, Spanish, and Latin. The students got a glimpse of life in the Upper School and the variety of courses that it offers. 

Second-grade students recently wrapped up a quarter-long collaborative project on birds, flight, and kites with a fun Kite Day at Shelby Farms. The project began in science class with Mrs. Ruhland, where the girls learned about birds, feathers, and wings. 

Recently, our North Campus Librarians, Mrs. Catherine Denman and Mrs. Caryn Brannen, organized a book discussion for the 4th-grade students. Joined by special guests, the 4th-grade girls read the book Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Scheerger. 

Before spring break, our Lower School students participated in the 7th annual Maker Fair, a large-scale show and tell where students learn something new. This Lower School tradition offers an opportunity for students to spend the morning exploring, creating, learning, and leading. 

Earlier this month in Middle and Upper School Chapel, we announced the winners of the Mays Prize in Writing. The Mays Prize is St. Mary’s annual fiction-writing contest. Students from grades 1st-12th submit creative writing stories. This year’s prompt, “Growing Up is Magical,” asked students to imagine a character the same age as them and tell the story of something magical that happens to that character during their school day. We are proud of all our entrants for their impressive and inventive stories. This year’s entries were beautiful, inspiring, and magical.⁠

Mary Jensen Nease, RN ’10, the newest member of the Health Center team, loves working with St. Mary’s parents and students. “There is so much life and joy among these sweet girls that I get to interact with!” Mary joined St. Mary’s in August as the North Campus Nurse. Mary, an alumna and PK parent, knows the St. Mary’s community well, but has enjoyed the opportunity to get to know more students and parents.

Last weekend, students in the VEX IQ competitive robotics program competed in the state tournament in Nashville. The robotics program is open to students in grades 4-8. The students must work in teams to build and test a robot under the guidance of program sponsor and Lower School Science Teacher, Meagan Micheal. As members of the robotics team, girls learn valuable critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

This week, we wrapped up our Black History Month celebration. From the Early Childhood Center to the Upper School, classrooms across campus studied how Black Americans have contributed and continue to contribute to American history, society, and culture. There are dozens of highlights from this month’s celebrations.

Senior Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten students turned recycled materials into extraordinary creations at the Tinker Fair. The girls made everything from castles to guitars to elephants. It was incredible to see what the girls created from discarded materials like cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls. One person’s trash turns into a Tinker Fair treasure! ⁠

Mary Jensen Nease, RN ’10, the newest member of the Health Center team, loves working with St. Mary’s parents and students. “There is so much life and joy among these sweet girls that I get to interact with!” Mary joined St. Mary’s in August as the North Campus Nurse. Mary, an alumna and PK parent, knows the St. Mary’s community well, but has enjoyed the opportunity to get to know more students and parents.

This week, we wrapped up our Black History Month celebration. From the Early Childhood Center to the Upper School, classrooms across campus studied how Black Americans have contributed and continue to contribute to American history, society, and culture. There are dozens of highlights from this month’s celebrations.

My favorite thing about sharing my love for art-making is the “Ahaaa moment.” When a child recognizes her full potential for the first time, it is absolutely electric! One way to facilitate this moment is by using the learning environment as another teacher, allowing child-led creativity to flow. I also facilitate creativity in my students by presenting them with problems to solve. Watching creative problem-solving unfold on an individual level is so fulfilling. A student’s experience of making within parameters introduces her to critical thinking.

Our Senior Kindergarten and 4th-grade students welcomed their grandparents to campus for Grandparents Day just before Thanksgiving. We began the festivities with a reception for St. Mary’s grandparents. The following day, grandparents from near and far gathered to spend the morning with our girls and enjoy a special presentation. Upon arrival, the grandparents received custom gifts of ceramic handprints from the 4th grade and photo coasters from SK.

Have you heard adults say, "I just can't learn another language"? Although you can learn a new language at any age, it's certainly much harder as an adult. It's important to start learning a new language early. At St. Mary’s, our students begin learning Spanish in St. Mary's Place. Students are still learning and developing so much at this age, and their brains are adaptive to other languages. If they are exposed to a different language now, it is much easier to continue learning the language as they grow older.

This year, we welcomed a new dining partner, SAGE. We're excited to work with SAGE because they provide healthy quality meals for our students using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. As Food Service Director Chef Stav Goehl and the new dining team have hit their stride, they are churning out a variety of delicious options for our girls to enjoy daily.

It’s a new era of Turkey basketball! Two seasoned basketball coaches recently joined St. Mary’s Episcopal School’s athletic department. Jerry Dover is the new varsity basketball coach. David Norton will lead the junior varsity team. Sarah Williams will continue to support the program as an assistant coach.

What an incredible week for our Middle School teams! We will go into fall break with three runner-up trophies and a championship. MS Golf finished as the runner-up in the Shelby League Championship on Tuesday. MS Tennis won the Shelby League Championship. Congrats to 6th grader Jaiya Siffrard who led the way as a singles finalist. Both the Blue and White Soccer teams won the runner-up trophy in the Shelby League Championships.