Monthly Archives: March 2020

COVID-19 Update: Mount St. Mary campus closed through April 17

(posted at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19)  – UPDATE – Following Governor Asa Hutchinson’s mandate in his press conference on March 19, Mount St. Mary Academy’s campus will now remain closed through Friday, April 17. All school-related events and activities, including athletics, will be canceled during this extended closure, as well.

 

At this time, Mount St. Mary Academy will reopen its campus and resume in-person classes on Monday, April 20. Spring Break will be observed March 23-27, and the school will continue AMI Days on Monday, March 30. As has been the case this week, faculty and staff – including those in the Counseling Department – will be available through email and Google Meet during normal school hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all AMI Days.

 

During this time of unrest and uncertainty, we hope the families of our current students will find comfort in knowing that Mount St. Mary Academy remains committed to its mission to provide an outstanding educational experience for their daughters – one that prepares them to meet the future with wisdom, compassion and integrity. We are proud of our amazing faculty and students for handling the transition to our online learning environment so well and with such a great attitude. After witnessing the success and positive collaboration demonstrated during this past week, we are more confident than ever that Mount’s 169-year tradition of academic excellence will continue despite the rapidly changing environment we are all experiencing.

 

 

(posted at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12)  Following Governor Hutchinson’s order at his press conference earlier this afternoon, Mount St. Mary Academy closed its campus at the end of the school day today, March 12. It will reopen on Monday, March 30.

 

We will be utilizing AMI Days (formerly known as Cyber Days) to continue classroom instruction on Friday, March 13, and next week, March 16-20.  Students should log in to their Google Classroom for assignments and expectations during AMI Days. Faculty and staff will be available through email during normal school hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on these days. This includes those in the Counseling Department who can schedule time to talk with students via Google Meet as needed. Additionally, Facilities Management staff will be on hand to thoroughly clean the campus and prepare for students’ return on March 30. All school-related events and activities, including athletics, are canceled during this closure, as well. We will continue to observe Spring Break on March 23-27.

 

The health and well-being of our school community is of utmost importance and at the heart of our mission. We appreciate your understanding and support. We will continue to communicate any additional details necessary during the time Mount St. Mary is closed to students, parents, faculty and staff through email and text messages. We offer our prayers for all of those affected by COVID-19 and all those who care for them.

Basketball Belles’ season includes state tournament appearance

For the first time in three years, the Basketball Belles enjoyed postseason play. The team’s impressive 16-point win over the Central Tigers in their final regular season game of the year on February 28 earned them sixth place in the 6A Central conference and a trip to the State Basketball Tournament in Bryant.

 

The no. 6 seed Belles were matched against no. 3 seed Har-Ber in the first round of the tournament on March 4. Though the game remained close up until its final minute, the team ultimately lost 43-37 to the Lady Wildcats, thus ending the Basketball Belles’ nearly four-month long season.

 

“I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” MSM theology teacher and head coach Lauren Lawrence said. “Their attitudes and effort have been such a huge part of this year’s success.”

 

Coach Lawrence also praised the leadership of team captains Catherine Althoff ’20 and Kaitlin Tarini ’20. “We’ve also had two of the best senior leaders that helped shape this team into what it was and made this program better by being a part of it,” she said.

 

In addition to their appearance in this year’s 6A State Basketball Tournament, a highlight of the season was winning the consolation bracket of the Spa City Shootout in Hot Springs in December.

 

Congratulations Basketball Belles!

 

Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion and integrity.

Register now for 2020 summer camps at the Mount

Don’t stop playing, learning and creating just because school’s out. Spend your summer at the Mount!

 

Mount St. Mary Academy is once again offering a handful of fun and engaging summer camps during the months of June and July for children entering the 2nd through 9th grades. Campers will be able to sharpen their skills — or try something new! — in the following areas: volleyball, basketball, cooking, and drama.

 

Detailed information, including dates and pricing, may be found on the downloadable registration form at http://mtstmary.edu/summer-camps/. Register by Friday, May 15, to receive the early bird rate for a couple of the camps.

 

2020 Basketball Skills Academy for 4th-8th Graders

UPDATE: The 2020 Basketball Skills Academy, originally scheduled for April 5 through May 3, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Please contact Coach Lauren Lawrence at llawrence@mtstmary.edu if you have any questions.

 

Mount St. Mary Academy is once again hosting its popular Basketball Skills Academy for girls in grades 4-8. Held each spring, the program’s goal is to help young players build a basketball skills foundation and love of the game. Instructors focus on fundamental basketball skills including dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense principles. The program also includes team and individual competition.

 

The 2020 Basketball Skills Academy is scheduled for April 5 through May 3. Sessions will take place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on select Sundays and Mondays in the McAuley Center Gym at Mount St. Mary Academy. The cost per participant for the seven-session program is $125. Space is limited. For more information, contact Coach Lauren Lawrence at (501) 664-8006 or llawrence@mtstmary.edu, or download the flyer and registration form.