Thursday, February 23, 2017

News for the Week of 2/23/17







The holy season of Lent begins on Wednesday, 3/1/17.  Students will attend the 12:15pm parish Mass for Ash Wednesday.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.


Hot Lunch Order Period for March is now OPENOrders and payments for March hot lunches will be accepted until Friday, 2/24/17.  Payment should be sent into school as soon as your order is submitted. NO orders can be accepted for March after 2/24/17.


Our second grade has been learning about counting money.  Students
recently shopped at the "Keany Korner Store" for school supplies
as part of their practice.  No word on whether there is an SMS discount!
Congratulations to our grades 5 & 6 boys' and girls', grade 7 girls', grade 8 girls' and grades 7 & 8 boys' basketball teams on their outstanding seasons.  These teams will begin participation in the Deanery play-off tonight -Thursday, 2/23.

Get ready to celebrate our 60th Anniversary! 

Tickets are now available for A Knight at the Gala at Farmington Gardens on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 6:30pm. The evening includes dinner, beer & wine, dancing, entertainment by speed painter Rob Surette (amazing heroart.com), and a silent & live auction.

Take advantage of this special offer during the month of February!
- $90 per person, table of ten $900 if purchased by 2-28-17. Ticket price will go to $100 per person, table of ten $1,000 on March 1st.

To purchase your tickets using our preferred method, please send payment to Toni Chagnon in the school office.  Checks should be payable to St. Mary's School with "Gala" in the memo section.  If you wish to pay by credit card, click here.  Please contact Toni Chagnon for more information 
860-658-9412tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net  
Proceeds raised from this event will support our school technology program.


2017 Talent Show is Coming!  The SMS Talent Show will take place on Wednesday, April 26th at 6pm in the Parish Center.  Please click here for important guidelines for all participants and to download a sign up form.  All Talent Show Sign Ups must be turned in to Mr. Gangloff NLT Friday, March 3, 2017.



SMS School Board NewsThe Saint Mary’s School Board Nominating Committee has started the process to identify potential school board members for next year. Potential candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. There is no requirement for board members to have children at Saint Mary’s School. We want to ensure we have the best talent serving on the board. The needs we will be looking to address for the upcoming term will include individuals with a financial or CPA background skills or individuals with skills focused on advancement, marketing and strategic planning. Potential candidates must believe and support Catholic education and be willing to serve a three year term.  If you are interested in being considered to serve on the School Board, please contact Claude Howard at claudeoh@gmail.com. Please include in your e-mail information about your Parish(Town), occupation, if you have or had students at Saint Mary’s School and your specific talents available to the board.



Ice Cream News! -  Due to inventory changes at Fitzgeralds, there will be new ice cream selections available at SMS beginning next week.  These selections replace the old varieties.  Choices will include:

Edy's Slow Churned Cups (Mint Chip, Chocolate Fudge Chip, Vanilla & Caramel Delight) - $1.25
Edy's Strawberry Fruit Bar - $1
Nestle Cookies 'n Cream Bar - $1
Nestle Ice Cream Sandwich - $1
Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream Cup - $1
Roseti Italian Ice (Lemon, Cherry or Blue Raspberry) - 50 cents



Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class are exploring a non-fiction type of writing called "How To Writing". To help model a piece of writing, Mrs. Jehnings chose the topic "How To Blow Bubbles". Well, the best way to experience something is by doing it. So first grade spent some time blowing bubbles.  Students are now working with a partner to sequence write about the experience.



2017 Altar Server Training for New Servers
New altar servers are needed at Saint Mary’s Church and School. Are you interested in joining this wonderful ministry? All children in the 4th grade or above are invited to join us.

Classes will meet Saturdays from 1-2pm, February 25, March 4, 11, and 18 (please attend all 4 sessions). Please call the parish office (860-659-7627) or contact the altar server coordinator (ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org) with any questions.




Munson's Chocolates Fundraiser!  Again this year, our 7th grade class is running a Munson's Chocolates Fundraiser to offset costs associated with their field trip to Boston.  Order forms were sent home with all students on Friday, February 10th.  Extra order forms are available in the school office. All orders and payments are due NLT Wednesday, March 1.  Chocolates will be available for pick up the week of 3/27 or 4/3 in time for Easter giving.  Date and time for pick up will be announced soon.



Calling all girls!
Here is a message from Amelie C. in the third grade:
“If you have long hair and are thinking of cutting it, DON’T. I, Amelie, in the third grade am donating my hair to Beautiful Lengths which is a program to help women battling cancer by donating real hair for wigs. I hope you will join me during Lent in this community project. More details will follow.”

On Monday, March 27th, St. Mary’s will sponsor a hair cutting event for girls (and women) to donate 8 inches of hair for this program. So, please consider donating and stay tuned for more information!  A permission slip will be available soon.

Looking Ahead to the Month of May - Please make note of an important change to our school calendar.  It has been decided to combine our band and vocal concerts this spring.  Our Spring Concert will take place on Monday, May 22, at 7pm in the Parish Center.  All students in Grades Kindergarten - 8 participate in the vocal portion of this concert and their performance is considered part of their music grade.  Please be sure to keep this date in mind as spring extra curricular activities are scheduled since student attendance at the concert is considered mandatory.  Details regarding concert attire and arrival time will be announced prior to the concert in May.


Box Tops for Education 

LAST CALL FOR BOX TOPS!  YOUR BOX TOPS ARE NEEDED NLT THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH!
 Your Box Tops can be sent into school and turned in to the homeroom or you can send them directly to Richard Kuziak, Kindness of Michael in Grade 6.  Any Box Tops that are saved after February 24th may be sent to school at your convenience or sent directly to Mr. Kuziak.  Thanks to all for clipping and saving those Box Tops and our special thanks to Mr. Kuziak for coordinating the Box Tops program for us!





Family Fundraiser with the Hartford Yard Goats!  It's almost time to think about baseball.  We are looking for someone willing to coordinate a family night at the brand new Dunkin' Donuts stadium. There's even an opportunity for our band and/or chorus to perform. Please contact Mrs. Williamson if you would like to work on coordinating this event.

Community News

St. Mary's Parish Invites You - 

Women’s Day of Reflection with Amy Ekeh
“Finding your Strength in the Weakness of my Cross” will be the theme of this day of reflection on Saturday, March 4 from 8am (Mass) – 12 noon in the Parish Center. Spend the morning with your sisters in Christ as we explore, discuss and pray while we examine this Lenten Theme. Take the time for yourself and bring a friend- we are sure you will find something special in this morning of reflection. Contact Susan Falkner – 860-651-4655 or falknerr@comcast.net to RSVP.


Parish Evening of Relection "Rediscovering a Felt Presence of God" will be the theme for this evening of reflection on Tuesday, February 28th at 7pm.  Bill Walsh, Associate Retreat Director at Holy Family Retreat Center, will lead a discussion on recapturing the wonder of God's presence in our lives.



The Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church invite women aged 16-35 to a Discernment Retreat from April 21-23.  For more information, visit www.sistersofcharity.com or email sisterjoanclare@gmail.com.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

News for the Week of 2/15/17






Hot Lunch Order Period for March is now OPEN- Orders and payments for March hot lunches will be accepted from 2/15/17 until Friday, 2/24/17.  Payment should be sent into school as soon as your order is submitted. NO orders can be accepted for March after 2/24/17.


Calendar Reminder - Friday, 2/17/17, is  a 12:45 early dismissal for professional development.  Please note that there will be NO PREKINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT OR AFTERCARE AVAILABLE ON  FRIDAY, 2/17/17.  Please make note of this and plan accordingly.  




Extra, Extra - Read All About It!  Click here to read the latest issue of the SMS Times.  
Our thanks to Mrs. Howard for continuing to proctor this publication and kudos to
our fourth grade reporters and editors.



Safety Reminder - Please DO NOT send glass water bottles to school.  Glass bottles present a significant safety hazard when they fall and break.  











Long Winter Weekend Ahead! School will be closed on both Monday, February 20th & Tuesday, February 21st for a "long winter weekend".







Moms in Prayer will be meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd at 8:30am in the lower church library. This is a make up session for the meeting that was cancelled on February 8th because of the two hour delay that morning.





Get ready to celebrate our 60th Anniversary! 

Tickets are now available for A Knight at the Gala at Farmington Gardens on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 6:30pm. The evening includes dinner, beer & wine, dancing, entertainment by speed painter Rob Surette (amazing heroart.com), and a silent & live auction.
Take advantage of this special offer during the month of February!
- $90 per person, table of ten $900 if purchased by 2-28-17. Ticket price will go to $100 per person, table of ten $1,000 on March 1st.
To purchase your tickets using our preferred method, please send payment to Toni Chagnon in the school office.  Checks should be payable to St. Mary's School with "Gala" in the memo section.  If you wish to pay by credit card, click here.  Please contact Toni Chagnon for more information
860-658-9412/ tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net



The 8th grade varsity basketball players were given flowers
and special mention at the game at St Paul's Kensington .

CHOICE Program Reminder - Participation in the CHOICE program is mandatory for all families with students enrolled in grades Kindergarten - 8.  Families that have not participated in the program by purchasing CHOICE cards or by "opting out" will be receiving an email reminder statement from Mrs. Budnick.  All CHOICE commitments must be fulfilled NLT April 30, 2017. Purchases made after April 30th will be credited to next year's CHOICE commitment.  If you have any questions about the CHOICE program or your family's commitment, please contact Mrs. Budnick in the school office.



2017 Altar Server Training for New Servers
New altar servers are needed at Saint Mary’s Church and School. Are you interested in joining this wonderful ministry? All children in the 4th grade or above are invited to join us.

Classes will meet Saturdays from 1-2pm, February 25, March 4, 11, and 18 (please attend all 4 sessions). Please call the parish office (860-659-7627) or contact the altar server coordinator (ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org) with any questions.




Munson's Chocolates Fundraiser!  Again this year, our 7th grade class is running a Munson's Chocolates Fundraiser to offset costs associated with their field trip to Boston.  Order forms were sent home with all students on Friday, February 10th.  Extra order forms are available in the school office. All orders and payments are due NLT Wednesday, March 1.  Chocolates will be available for pick up the week of 3/27 or 4/3 in time for Easter giving.  Date and time for pick up will be announced soon.

First Grade Students enjoyed a "Grand Prix" experience in PE.



Calling all girls!
Here is a message from Amelie C. in the third grade:
“If you have long hair and are thinking of cutting it, DON’T. I, Amelie, in the third grade am donating my hair to Beautiful Lengths which is a program to help women battling cancer by donating real hair for wigs. I hope you will join me during Lent in this community project. More details will follow.”

On a date to be determined between March 1 and April 6, St. Mary’s will sponsor a hair cutting event for girls (and women) to donate 8 inches of hair for this program. So, please consider donating and stay tuned for more information!

Looking Ahead to the Month of May - Please make note of an important change to our school calendar.  It has been decided to combine our band and vocal concerts this spring.  Our Spring Concert will take place on Monday, May 22, at 7pm in the Parish Center.  All students in Grades Kindergarten - 8 participate in the vocal portion of this concert and their performance is considered part of their music grade.  Please be sure to keep this date in mind as spring extra curricular activities are scheduled since student attendance at the concert is considered mandatory.  Details regarding concert attire and arrival time will be announced prior to the concert in May.


Box Tops for Education 

LAST CALL FOR BOX TOPS!  YOUR BOX TOPS ARE NEEDED NLT THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH!
 Your Box Tops can be sent into school and turned in to the homeroom or you can send them directly to Richard Kuziak, Kindness of Michael in Grade 6.  Any Box Tops that are saved after February 24th may be sent to school at your convenience or sent directly to Mr. Kuziak.  Thanks to all for clipping and saving those Box Tops and our special thanks to Mr. Kuziak for coordinating the Box Tops program for us!





Family Fundraiser with the Hartford Yard Goats!  It's almost time to think about baseball.  We are looking for someone willing to coordinate a family night at the brand new Dunkin' Donuts stadium. There's even an opportunity for our band and/or chorus to perform. Please contact Mrs. Williamson if you would like to work on coordinating this event.


Alumni News - We congratulate several alumni from the SMS Class of '13 that have been recognized at Northwest Catholic High School for achieving First Honors in each of their semesters since their freshman year.  Our congratulations to Brett Baker, Gabriela Doskos, Katharine Jessen, Sarah Jessen, Christopher Poniatowski and Allyson Voelker.

We also congratulate Sarah Jessen on recently being named Outstanding Musician at the prestigious Berklee College Jazz Festival.

Community News

St. Mary's Parish Invites You - Women’s Day of Reflection with Amy Ekeh
“Finding your Strength in the Weakness of my Cross” will be the theme of this day of reflection on Saturday, March 4 from 8am (Mass) – 12 noon in the Parish Center. Spend the morning with your sisters in Christ as we explore, discuss and pray while we examine this Lenten Theme. Take the time for yourself and bring a friend- we are sure you will find something special in this morning of reflection. Contact Susan Falkner – 860-651-4655 or falknerr@comcast.net to RSVP.

Relaxed Uniform begins April 17th!  Use the link below for a 30% discount on all Lands' End school uniforms.
Click here to visit Lands' End.  Our school code is 9001-3215-0.



Wednesday, February 8, 2017

News for the Week of 2/8/17







Conferences for PreKindergarten and students enrolled in grades 1-8 will take place from Tuesday, 2/14/17 - Thursday, 2/16/17.  (Kindergarten Conferences have already been held).   

Tuesday, 2/14/17 - Thursday, 2/16/27 will be 12:45pm early dismissal days.  Friday, 2/17/17, is also a 12:45 early dismissal for professional development.  Please note that there will be NO PREKINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT OR AFTERCARE AVAILABLE ON TUESDAY, 2/14/17 - FRIDAY, 2/17/17.  Please make note of this and plan accordingly.  

Sign Up for your conference(s) now via Sign Up Genius - 

PreKindergarten Conferences - Click here.

Grade 1 - Click here.

Grade 2 - Click here.

Grade 3 - Click here.

Grade 4 - Click here.

Grade 5 - Click here.


Middle School Conferences - Click here.




IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WINTER WEATHER POSSIBILITIES - In the (hopefully unlikely) event that there is a delayed opening next week on any of our early dismissal days, that day will become a regular (3:20pm) dismissal day.  Conferences scheduled for 3:45pm or later will take place.  Any conferences scheduled between 1-3:30pm will have to be rescheduled.  If there is a regular 3:20 dismissal, both PreK Enrichment and Aftercare will be available and may be requested by email or phone call to the school office.


Hearts of Gold- Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade have created beautiful valentines to share throughout the school!




2017 Altar Server Training for New Servers
New altar servers are needed at Saint Mary’s Church and School. Are you interested in joining this wonderful ministry?  All children in the 4th grade or above are invited to join us.

Classes will meet Saturdays from 1-2pm, February 25, March 4, 11, and 18 (please attend all 4 sessions).  Please call the parish office (860-659-7627) or contact the altar server coordinator (ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org) with any questions.




Munson's Chocolates Fundraiser!  Again this year, our 7th grade class is running a Munson's Chocolates Fundraiser to offset costs associated with their field trip to Boston.  Order forms will be coming home with all students on Friday, February 10th. All orders and payments are due NLT Wednesday, March 1.  Chocolates will be available for pick up the week of 3/27 or 4/3 in time for Easter giving.  Date and time for pick up will be announced soon.


As part of our Catholic Schools Week activities, students in grades 4, 5 and 6 participated in a Spelling Bee.  Preliminary grade level rounds were held during the week of 1/30/17 and our school final rounds were held on Wednesday, 2/8/17.  Congratulations to our school's top spellers:  Madeline P., Winner & Will O., Alternate from Grade 4; Marleigh M., Winner & James F., Alternate from Grade 5 and Faith P. , Winner & Maggie S., Alternate from Grade 6.  The winning students will advance to the Knights of Columbus regional spelling bee.  The time and place for this event will be available soon.

Gr. 4's top spellers - Madeline P. & Will O.
Gr. 6 top spellers - Faith P. (l) & Maggie S. 
Gr. 5 top spellers - Marleigh M. & James F.



Thanks to all that supported last week's Art Show at the Hill-Stead Museum.  It was a wonderful Cold Winter's Night that spotlighted our students' art work and highlighted the wonderful community we have created here at SMS.  Our special thanks to those that coordinated the event and beautifully decorated the venue and those that prepared the delicious food and beverages.  We also extend special thanks to our art teacher, Mrs. Alane Powell.  Mrs. Powell's creative spirit and encouragement were evident in our students' beautiful pieces of art and we are grateful for the time and talent she shares with us.






Long Winter Weekend Ahead! School will be closed on both Monday, February 20th & Tuesday, February 21st for a "long winter weekend".





Calling all girls!
Here is a message from Amelie C. in the third grade:
“If you have long hair and are thinking of cutting it, DON’T. I, Amelie, in the third grade am donating my hair to Beautiful Lengths which is a program to help women battling cancer by donating real hair for wigs. I hope you will join me during Lent in this community project. More details will follow.”

On a date to be determined between March 1 and April 6, St. Mary’s will sponsor a hair cutting event for girls (and women) to donate 8 inches of hair for this program. So, please consider donating and stay tuned for more information!


Looking ahead to our 2017-18 School Year - Do you have a child who will be eligible for Kindergarten in 2017-18 that is NOT attending our PreKindergarten?  If so, now is the time to complete an application form for next year's Kindergarten.  Click here for an application.  Please note - if your child attends our PreKindergarten it is not necessary to reapply for Kindergarten.  We assume that all PreKindergarten students will attend our Kindergarten unless we are told otherwise.



SMS Good Sports!  Just look at the smiles on our JVB Basketball teams!


CHOICE Program - CHOICE statements have been emailed to all families that have participated in the CHOICE program.  If you did not receive a statement, it means that there have been no earnings applied to your account.  All CHOICE Card purchases made until 4/30/17, will be applied to this year's CHOICE obligation.  Purchases made after 4/30/17, will be applied to your family's 2017-18 CHOICE obligation.  Families that prefer not to purchase CHOICE cards may "opt-out" of the program by sending a check in the amount of the annual CHOICE obligation ( $325 for families with one child in grades K-8, $360 for families with 2 children in grades K-8 or $400 for families with 3 or more children in grades K-8) payable to SMS CHOICE.  Please contact Tammy Budnick in the school office with any questions about our CHOICE Program.

Box Tops for Education - Our school is collecting Box Tops for Education again this year and we hope you've been clipping your Box Tops!  This is a painless way for our Home & School Association to raise money.  The next time we can submit Box Tops is at the end of February so we are requesting that all Box Tops be sent in no later than Friday, February 24th.  Your Box Tops can be sent into school and turned in to the homeroom or you can send them directly to Richard Kuziak, Kindness of Michael in Grade 6.  Any Box Tops that are saved after February 24th may be sent to school at your convenience or sent directly to Mr. Kuziak.  Thanks to all for clipping and saving those Box Tops and our special thanks to Mr. Kuziak for coordinating the Box Tops program for us!



PreK students celebrated being 100 days smarter on 2-7-17
by counting out 100 pennies!

Students in second grade marked the 100th day of school with
a number of fun activities including a 100 second staring contest!


Community News

My Parish App now available for St. Mary's - We are living in a time where technology can assist us in virtually every facet of our lives. St. Mary's parish has a dynamic website that has aided parishioners for the past decade plus a variety of social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). And now, yes, “There’s an app for that!” St. Mary's is now using an app called MyParish, which is available for Apple and Android phones and tablets.  Click here to learn more.


PreK & Kindergarten students worked together to make
Valentine placemats for the senior center.