September 17, 2018
Elementary Hosts Water Palooza
St. Mary’s Academy will host young leaders from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) for a special event called Water Palooza on Friday, September 28 from 9am to 2:30pm at St. Mary’s Academy Elementary, 6905 Chef Menteur Blvd, in New Orleans East.
Water Palooza will feature hands-on activities and demonstrations designed to connect the next generation with water, how essential it is to everything, and how we are all responsible for taking care of it.
Organized by WEF’s Students & Young Professionals Committee (SYPC), as part WEFTEC 2018 – WEF’s 91st annual technical exhibition and conference, the event is designed to promote participation, foster networking and knowledge exchange, and encourage involvement in the cause of clean water within the water profession and the local community.Read More
Teaching the Game of Life
St. Mary’s Academy elementary students now have the opportunity to learn the game of tennis plus a whole lot more thanks to A’s & Ace’s, a non-profit founded in New Orleans in 2008. Students in grades 1-4 are given free tennis classes, life skills and academic assistance twice a week during their physical education class period.
According to organizers, tennis is more than “just a game” and is the least important component of A’s & Aces’ tripartite mission. While character developing life-skills and academic support are critical to having successful, productive lives, the sport of tennis also provides the ability to build social, academic and career networks through playing a fun, life-long, global, non-contact, co-ed, team and individual sport.
Founded in 2008 by David Schumacher, a tennis pro, tennis teacher and former women’s tennis coach at Tulane University; and Anna Monhartova, a nationally ranked college player at Tulane, A’s & Ace’s also conducts after school programs, weekend and summer literacy and tennis programs across the city.
September 10, 2018
SMA Expands Curriculum to Include Yoga
It’s been two years since Adrianne (Ajax) Jackson opened the doors to Magnolia Yoga Studio on Basin Street. Driven by the desire “to support growth, healing, and empowerment through the art of yoga and community,” she is the first African-American to open a yoga studio in New Orleans.
Now this dynamic young woman is making history once again by offering students at St. Mary’s Academy the opportunity to benefit from this ancient practice. This year, she is leading classes twice a week at the school, thanks to a partnership between the Magnolia Yoga Studio and funding from SMA alumna Jasmin Bindom.Read More
September 17, 2018
Rooted in Music
Congratulations to SMA 7th grader Justin Sterling who has been selected to perform with a group of Roots of Music students at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, Canada. The students will be traveling from September 13th-17th.
Justin has been a member of Roots of Music for 4 years and plays the snare drum.
September 17, 2018
Meet the Teacher
St. Mary’s Academy will host Meet the Teacher Night for all middle and high school students on Wednesday, September 19 at 6PM in Austin Gymnasium. The gatherings will provide parents with opportunities to meet school faculty and staff; learn about academic expectations and classroom curricula; and receive information on school rules and upcoming events.
Alumnae Spotlight
Arriane Craig Jolla
Arianne Craig Jolla is a 1997 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Dillard University and a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of New Orleans. She currently serves as the Executive Director and Lead Instructor of Hype Academy.
Arianne, a Louisiana-Certified school teacher since 2001, exited the public school system in order to devote full-time energy to the further development of HYPE Academy’s programs and to promote the success of its students. In August of 2017, Arianne released her debut book, Teach Your OWN Kid! Schools Can’t Do It Alone. She is also the host of the Teach Your OWN Kid! Podcast. She is married to Mr. Joshua Jolla who is also joining us today