News for the Week of 5/6/20

Governor Lamont has now directed that schools will remain closed through the end of this school year. At this time, the School Office is closed but emails are being checked regularly.

Distance learning continues and we remind you to please notify our school nurse anytime your child(ren) are unable to participate due to illness or other reason.  Nurse Tyrrell can be reached at hoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or at (860) 856-6811 from 10am-12noon on scheduled school days. NOTE - This is a temporary contact number established for the distance learning period only.  Nurse Tyrrell will respond within 24 hours to parent concerns and questions.

Thank you for all you are doing to support distance learning at home!  We were all hoping that somehow we would be able to reconvene for the final weeks of school.  While we are all disappointed, it is important to put health and safety first and to keep our focus on the positives!  Despite the distance between us, we remain #uKnighted in faith, love, hope and determination!   As we persevere through these final weeks of school, please know that we are grateful for your support of your children's academic needs and of our school.  Our teachers continue to invest 110% of themselves every single day to help make distance learning engaging, thoughtful and successful.  Please reach out to teachers as needed for support.  We are anxious to work in partnership with you through this challenge.

2020-21 Family Enrollment Forms and Fees Needed Now! Reminder emails have been sent to families and we extend our thanks to those that have now returned their forms or been in touch about them but we are still waiting to hear from some of you. If you have not already sent yours in, please do so at your earliest convenience. If the current world health crisis is impacting your family's ability to complete enrollment at this time, please contact Mrs. Williamson.  Mail is being picked up and processed on a periodic basis. Having this enrollment information helps us finalize our class lists for the upcoming year and allows us to order books, consumables and other supplies so our new school year can get off to a good start! Additionally, if your family uses Smart Tuition for payments, your completed Family Enrollment Form assures that your payments will begin on time in June allowing the maximum number (12) of payment periods.

CHOICE Balances are due now - The 2019-2020 CHOICE program has concluded as of April 30.  Families that have not met their annual CHOICE obligation are requested to send in the balance due as was outlined on your March CHOICE statement.  As noted on your Family Enrollment Agreement, for families with students enrolled in grades K-8, CHOICE is part of your tuition obligation. If you did not choose to opt-out of participation with a lump sum payment or if your CHOICE purchases did not meet your obligation, you are responsible for the unpaid balance. If you made purchases after your March statement but prior to April 30, an updated statement has been sent to you.  If you have lost track of your statement, please contact Michelle Howard at mhoward@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  CHOICE purchases made after April 30 will be applied to your 2020-21 CHOICE obligation.

Students in Mrs. Janaskie's 4th grade class, and Mrs. Janaskie!, have been enjoying some art enrichment
activities via Zoom with Mrs. Prausa.  It's great to see so much creativity!
Thanks, Mrs. Prausa, for sharing your time & talent!

Sharing the Caring - Some of the scouts in Simsbury troop 175, sponsored by St. Mary’s Church, are constructing face shields.  The face shields are being delivered to 3 area hospitals and are greatly appreciated. The Scouts are making a very important impact and helping to keep hospital staff safe.  Michael C., Gr. 8,  is one of the scouts assisting in this project. To date he has made 138 shields and plans to continue making shields to assist in this effort.

Are you looking for a way to "share the care"? - Mrs. Mortillaro continues to pickup handmade cards for area Senior Citizens every Wednesday.  The bin for drop off is located right outside the North (playground) door.  This has been a very isolating time for many people and a small gesture, like a hand created card, can make a big difference to someone who has been at home alone.

Miss Ciarcia's Kindergarten students are working on
telling time.  Kareem made his clock with moveable hands!
Looks like it is "time to smile"!

#uKnighted & Growing!  Applications for admission for 2020-21 are being accepted now!  If you know someone interested in joining our community.  Encourage them to take a virtual tour.  For convenience, application forms can now be completed and emailed to school and application fees can be paid with a credit card.  If you do share the good news about St. Mary's School, be sure to take advantage of our Family Referral Program.


Community News

St. Mary's Parish is here for you! - Click here to visit the Parish's Coronavirus update page.  This page includes easy links to "Staying Connected to the Word", Parish updates, Parish outreach and very helpful and supportive messages from Father Matera.