News for the week of 11/13/13

Veteran's Day was celebrated at St. Mary's School at community prayer on Monday.  Students decorated the Parish Center with a Wall of Honor composed of red, white and blue stars bearing the names of service men and women. Morning prayer included special intentions for all veterans and the singing of "God Bless America".  Thanks to all veterans, especially those part of our St. Mary's School family, for your service.

As part of their study of Veteran's Day, first grade students were honored with a visit from Mr. Philip Mikan, father of Andrew and Marisa.  Mr. Mikan shared his experiences serving in the Coast Guard.

Mr. Mikan also showed the students momentos of his grandfather's service.  After surviving the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, the elder Mr. Mikan was honored with a Purple Heart and aBronze Star.  Pictured below, Mr. Mikan, Marisa holding her great-grandfather's medals and Andrew with the flag that draped the elder Mikan's casket.  Above, Mr. Mikan shares his Coast Guard experiences with students.

It's getting chilly!  Please be sure your children come to school with the appropriate outdoor gear for the weather.  Please also remind them of your expectation that they will put their outdoor gear on before going out to play. Unless it is below 20 degrees or raining or snowing, students do wait outside at morning arrival until the first bell at 8:40 and do go outside for recess each day.  Girls may wear sweatpants beneath their jumpers or skirts while waiting at morning arrival or out for recess but these do have to be removed during the academic day.  Please remember that once we have snow, students need to bring and wear snow pants and boots in order to enjoy playing in it.  It is also a good idea to put a spare pair of socks into backpacks so everyone can have warm, dry feet after recess.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will continue through Thursday, 11/14. Dismissal will be at 12:45pm on Thursday, 11/14.  There will be PreK enrichment until 3:20pm but there is NO AFTERCARE on conference days.  Friday, 11/15 is a full day of school. Aftercare will resume on Friday, 11/15.  Conference appointments have been assigned for any families that did not complete their own scheduling.  To access the Sign-Up Geniuses for conferences, click here.  If you make a change to your conference day or time, please be sure to alert the teacher.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Order your Poinsettias now! It's time for the annual 8th grade Poinsettia sale.  Click here for an order form.  All orders and payments are due NLT 11/20/13.  Delivery Date - Friday, December 6th, 2:00 to 4:00pm in the Parish Center or after Masses on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th.


Start your Christmas shopping early!  Your friendly eighth grade students are selling terrific "school spirit" items to help defray costs associated with their class trip and other expenses related to graduation. Items for sale include nylon-backed fleece blankets perfect for sports outings, baseball caps, tote bags for grocery shopping or packing ski clothes, and SMS "fathead" stickers! Perfect for holiday gift-giving or stocking stuffers! Click here for photos, information and order forms. Please make checks payable to SMS and write "Grade 8 Fundraiser" in the memo line. ORDER DEADLINE: MONDAY, DECEMBER, 2nd. Thanks for supporting our eighth graders!
PLEASE NOTE: FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS AND BASEBALL CAPS ARE NOT PART OF OUR SMS UNIFORM AND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE DAILY ATTIRE. 

Ski & Snowboard Club Update - The registration period for the 2014 season has closed.  However new participants can be added up to the start date of January 8, 2014 by paying a $25 late fee in addition to the participation fees.  Please complete the required forms and submit with payment.  Chaperones and snacks are also needed. Click here for all necessary forms and sign-ups.

Home & School Association News

The links for the Sign-Up Geniuses have been emailed so you can donate food for the senior luncheon. Each class has its own sign up. Please clearly mark donations "SENIOR LUNCHEON" to avoid mixing up the donations with the Turkey Trot donations.  Please keep in mind that perishable donations (e.g., pies, whipped topping, cream) should not be sent in until the day of the luncheon (Wednesday, 11/20/13).  A Sign-Up Genius is also available for volunteering your time to help with the luncheon.

Next month our second grade students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.  These students have been studying about this Sacrament and reflecting on what this Sacrament will mean to them as they continue their faith journey.  One of the bulletin boards in our main hall currently displays some of their reflections about the Sacrament.  Father Santiago met with students to familiarize them with the Reconciliation Rooms in our church and to talk with them about the Sacrament.  Second grade students also met with their fourth grade friends to chat about how to "stay connected" with God.  It was so heartwarming to watch these friends share ideas about staying close to Jesus.