News for the Week of 11/23/16

Please be sure to check your email for a Thanksgiving message from Mrs. Williamson.

School is closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, 11/24, and Friday, 11/25.  School reopens for a full, regular day of school on Monday, 11/28/16.

Students in Mrs. Pabich-Phillips' third grade created
Thanksgiving turkeys out of pineapples!

Hot Lunches for January 2017 should be ordered now!  Effective with this ordering period, there are brand new procedures for ordering hot lunches.  Click here to learn more and then place your January hot lunch order.  The Signup Genius for lunch volunteers for January and the remainder of the year will be available soon.

It's time to get in the "spirit" for the holidays! Stop in to our Holiday Spirit Shop!

Monday, 11/28, through Wednesday, 11/30. 

Our shop is open 8:30am to 10:30am and

 2 pm to 3:15pm each day. 

Monday, visit us in the school library portable. 

Tuesday & Wednesday drop in to the lower church. 

SMS spirit wear, including exclusive items just for Christmas will be available!

Exciting Addition! Choice Gift Cards will also be available to purchase and order just in time for Christmas! It's one stop shopping!   For a limited time, $5 cards to Starbucks & Panera are available along with $25 Amazon gift certificates!

Group Class Photos from Lifetouch - Group Class Photos of students in PreKindergarten, Kindergarten and Grades 1-7 are being sent home with students today (Wednesday, 11/23).  Please be sure to check backpacks for these photos.

An attitude of gratitude!  Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade created "Gratitude Trees" as part of their Thanksgiving activities.

NEASC Accreditation - Parent Survey - As you know this year the school is working on its self-study as part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation process. As we undertake this effort, we seek your input and a survey has been created to surface your thoughts on many aspects of life here at St. Mary's School.  Please take a few minutes and complete the survey.  Click here.  Survey responses are requested NLT 12/4/16.  Thank you!

Formal Uniform begins for 8th grade students on Thursday, December 1.  Please also be reminded that no later than December 1, it is expected that all girls will be attired in the uniform oxford button down blouse that is part of our Lands End uniform code.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Report Cards will be available on the Educonnect Parent Portal to families with students in grades 1-8 on Friday, 12/2/16.  Please note that NO paper copy of the report card will be sent home with students.  You will need your Educonnect User ID and Password to access the report cards.  If you have mislaid this information, please send an email to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net to request this information.   Kindergarten students will receive their first report cards on January 13, 2017.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception - In December, we will worship with our Parish family at the 12:15 Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday, 12/8/16.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

PreKindergarten students enjoyed spending time
with friends in third grade for a special storytime.
Amelie (second from left) had several friends
interested in her read aloud!

Our annual Christmas prayer service, Lessons & Carols, will take place on Tuesday, December 13 in the church.  There will be a 10am dress rehearsal.  This is a perfect opportunity to take photos.  The prayer service will begin at 7pm. Church doors will open at 6:30pm.  All students in grades Kindergarten - grade 8 actively participate in this prayer service and attendance is expected.  If your child(ren) will not be able to attend, please contact Mrs. Williamson.  All students except Kindergarten and 8th grade wear their full, formal uniform for Lessons & Carols.  Kindergarten & 8th grade students will receive dress guidelines from their teachers.  The snow date for Lessons & Carols is Tuesday, 12/20.

Cold Weather Reminder!  We are seeing MANY students without proper outdoor clothing for the colder weather.  We know that many children resist wearing warm coats, hats and gloves but please do your parental best to encourage your children to dress appropriately for the weather outside.  Even though we all know that cold does not "cause colds", being dressed for the weather does make time outside more enjoyable and students do wait outside in the morning and go outside for recess unless the temperature is below 20 degrees or inclement.

It's "Turkey Time" in Miss Ciarcia's Kindergarten!

Grade 8 invites you to brighten your holidays with beautiful poinsettias!

Click here to download a poinsettia sale order form.

Grade 8 Thanks You!  Thanks to all who supported the 8th grade's  gift card raffle.  The winning tickets for the three $1,000 American Express Gift Cards were drawn on Monday.  Congratulations to the lucky winners:  Beth Scully, mother of James, Gr. 7  & Aidan, Gr. 5; Aftercare's own & SMS Alum, Lauren Henzler, SMS Class of '03 & Tiffany Noonan.

Help Our School & A Chance to Win a $500 Gift Certificate to Fitzgeralds!

Click here to download your entry form.
Please note that your Fitzgerald's receipts should be placed in the St. Mary's container located near the exit door at Fitzgerald's.

SMS Stars - 

Our congratulations to our 7th & 8th grade students on their performance of Twelfth Night.  The performance was the culmination of their Shakesperience residency.

Chess Club Tournament Results - After weeks of chess practice, the St. Mary's Chess Club held its third chess tournament at St. Mary's ending on November 18th, 2016. Also, it was the first year that girls participated in the chess club and kudos to Eve P., Gr. 3;  Addy O. and Salla K, Gr. 2! The tournament was divided into 2 groups of 14 participants: the Beginner Group and the Advanced Group. Winners who received trophies are:

Beginner Group

1st place - Ryan G., Gr. 4

2nd place - Landon S., Gr. 4

3rd place - Michael C., Gr. 5

Advanced Group

1st place - Danylo M., Gr. 3

2nd place - Maxim M., Gr. 4

3rd place - Joseph K., Gr. 5

Congratulations to all the winners and great job to the rest of the students who participated and received chess pins!  In addition, a special thank you goes out to Tammy Budnick for providing updates to the parents about the chess club.

Again, I want to thank St. Mary's school and the parents for giving me the opportunity to teach the game of chess to your children. I really enjoyed seeing the students improving their chess skills and having fun.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Omelan Markiw and Family

"It was a dark & stormy night...."  Young authors
in Mrs. Keany's second grade class are working on
"story hooks".  Looks like a cliffhanger in development!