Welcome Back to School!

Our first day of school is one week away!  

There's still time to visit the "Back to School" page of our blog for those last minute school supplies and other information.  There's also lots of great reminders in this blog post so please take a minute to read through all we have shared with you this week.  Finally, if you have not already done so, please open and read your "Back to School" email packet.  These packets were sent out to all enrolled families on Monday, 8/20/18.  If you did not receive one, please contact the school office.  The email contains lots of information and links to many required forms for the new school year.  We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Important information about traffic flow - During construction, our north (playground) parking lot will need to be used for staff parking.  Three important things to keep in mind:

* Early Drop Off will be in a primary unit classroom instead of the parish center.  Please drop off in front of the first and third grade classrooms.
* Regular morning drop off  begins at 8:20am.  Prior to 8:20am, there is no adult supervision in the parking lot and students may not be left unattended - especially with the construction in progress.
* Afternoon carpool pickup will begin at 3:20pm dismissal.  Bus dismissal will also be in the north parking lot but will not begin until the carpool lot is mostly cleared.  

Click here for a helpful diagram for morning drop off and here for afternoon pickup.

Thursday, 8/23/18 from 6-7pm - PreKindergarten Summer Playground Playdate- Families with students entering our PreKindergarten are invited to a summer playground to get acquainted and to meet our PreK teacher, Miss Kane. Please RSVP to Toni Chagnon at tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Friday, 8/24/18 -Hot Lunch Order Period for September Opens.  All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal -https://stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net/  User names and passwords were included in the "Back to School" email packet sent to all families on Monday, 8/20/18. 

Prior to placing your hot lunch order, please carefully review the ordering procedures that are on our school's website - http://www.stmarysschoolsimsbury.org/smsparents/lunch/ .  Lunches may ONLY be ordered during the "open order" period.  If you miss an "open order" period, you will have to wait until the next order period to participate in hot lunch.  "Open order" periods will be announced via an email and via the school blog.

Last day to place orders and submit payment to office is Friday, 8/31/18.  No late orders can be accepted.  Your hot lunch order is not considered complete until your payment is received. 

Hot Lunch will begin on Friday, September 7.  Until hot lunch begins, all students should bring a brown bag lunch each day.  

Hot Lunch Volunteers are needed! If you are Virtus trained and can help us serve hot lunch, we look forward to you volunteering. Click here to sign up. We are able to offer hot lunch only because volunteers step up to serve, so we hope you'll consider helping out, even just occasionally. It's a great way to share in your child(ren)'s day! Training is provided on your first day of volunteering.

Summer Playground on Sunday, 8/26 - Meet new friends and catch up on all your summer news with old friends!

We are excited to share that there will be an SMS Summer Playground on Sunday, August 26th at 5pm in our north (playground) parking lot.  Families are invited to bring a picnic supper to this event.  Please keep in mind that this is not a "drop off event" but rather an opportunity for families to come together before the start of our new year. To RSVP, please contact Toni Chagnon at tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Used uniforms will be available during the summer playground and there are still some appointments available for iPad Orientation for incoming 6th grade students and students new to middle school.  Click here to sign up for an orientation meeting.

 Tuesday, August 28^th

Students entering grade 6 and newly enrolled students entering our grades 7 or 8 are invited to “A Morning in Middle School”.  Sixth grade students should plan to attend from 10-11:30am. Students new to our grades 7 or 8 should plan to attend from 10-11am. Students will familiarize themselves with their daily class schedule and meet their faculty mentor. Students may wear casual attire suitable for school to the "Morning in Middle School".

There will be a “Meet & Greet” for students entering PreKindergarten from 9:30 – 10:30am and for Kindergarten – Grade 4 from 10:30-11:30am in the classrooms.  A parent or guardian should accompany the student.

Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 29th.  It will be a full day of school for all students and early drop-off, prekindergarten enrichment and aftercare will all be available.  The school’s website has reservation calendars available for these programs.

Click here for early drop off information, registration & reservation.

Click here for PreK enrichment information, registration & reservation.

Click here for aftercare information, registration & reservation.

The first two weeks of school will be very busy.  We encourage you to check the school’s Google calendar frequently to stay up to date.  We also strongly recommend that you join our Remind text community and subscribe to this blog and to the blogs authored by any teachers your child(ren) have for homeroom or subject areas.  Click here for helpful information about school communications. A few key dates to keep in mind:

Virtus Training - Anyone who wishes to volunteer at school (including chaperoning field trips) or at after school events attended by students must complete Virtus® training and have a background check completed. There will be a Virtus® Training session on Tuesday, September 4th at 6:30pm in the 5th grade classroom. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. If you need to attend Virtus® Training and cannot come to the session on September 4th, go to www.virtusonline.org/virtus/ and then click on First Time Registrant to find other training sessions in our area.

Friday, September 7th is "Back to School Night for Parents".  Babysitting WILL be available!

All parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend "Back to School" night beginning at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. This is your opportunity to meet your child(ren)'s new teacher(s) and learn about the daily classroom routine. This year, we are excited to share that "Back to School" night will be a fun SMS immersion experience designed to share all facets of our community's culture, events and opportunities. Learn about all we have planned while enjoying a light adult beverage of your choice.  A Sign-Up Genius will be coming soon so that you can sign up for babysitting.

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 11.   There will be a meeting for parents with students beginning instrumental music and band lessons for the first time this year.  This meeting will take place right before "Back to School Night" (Friday, 9/7) at 6pm in the grade 5 classroom. If you have a student entering grades 4-8 that is interested in beginning instrumental music and band, please plan to meet in the grade 5 classroom at 6pm. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 11th at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to worship with us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Each year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their graduation activities and field trip.  Two of these fund raisers will help us get our school year underway.  Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for your support!

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 5th

St. Mary’s School Grade 8 Fundraiser

Click here to download & print Joe Pizza flyer.

Please dine in or take out on September 5th from Joe Pizza and support the 8th grade class. A percentage of profits will be donated by Joe Pizza to support 8th grade activities. 

All you need to do is bring in the flyer or just mention St. Mary's School to the server or when you place your order/pick up. 

Click here to download and print an order form for beautiful fall mums!  Available in several sizes and colors, these will definitely put you in a "pumpkin spice" frame of mind and help our 8th grade!  All orders & payments must be received in the school office NLT Friday, 9/14.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Gr. 8 mum sale" in the memo line.  Mums will be available for pick up in the Parish Center on Friday, 9/21 from 2-4 pm and after all Masses during the weekend of 9/22-23.  Thanks in advance for your support!  

Community News

Raising Good Digital Citizens/Keeping Kids Safe Online - As the school year resumes and children resume technology use for educational purposes, there is legitimate reason to be concerned about on-line safety and responsible use.  One particularly good resource for parents is Common Sense Media.  All parents are encouraged to visit this website as it offers a wealth of information applicable to safe and appropriate navigation of the digital landscape.  Click here.

Summer Fun & Travel

"Hallo" from Salzburg, Austria!
The statue of Virgin Mary, located in Domplatz (Cathedral Square), stands in front of the Salzburger Dom Cathedral which was founded in 774 and where Mozart was later baptized.
Alejandro (8th) & Gregory (5th).

The Omar family traveled to Washington, DC.

Summer Blog Post #3 - 8/15/18

"Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, we believe in your triumphant assumption into heaven where the angels and saints acclaim you as Queen. We join them in praising you and bless the Lord who raised you above all creatures. With them we offer you our devotion and love. We are confident that you watch over our daily efforts and needs, and we take comfort from the faith in the coming resurrection. We look to you, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. After this earthly life, show us Jesus, the blest fruit of your womb, O kind, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary."  (https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=117)

Summer Office Hours
The school office is on "summer hours".  The office will be routinely staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-1pm and by appointment as needed.  Both email and phone messages will be checked regularly.

Summer CHOICE Sales - CHOICE cards will be available for sale whenever the office is open. 

School will reopen on Wednesday, August 29.  This will be a full day of school with both PreK Enrichment and Aftercare available. 

 "Meet & Greet" for younger students and "Morning in Middle School" for students entering grade 6 will be on Tuesday, August 28th.   PreK Meet & Greet for child and parent/caretaker will be from 9:30-10:30.  Meet & Greet for Grades K -4 for child and parent/caretaker will be from 10:30-11:30.  "Morning in Middle School" will be from 10-11:30 for students entering 6th grade. Students new to 7th & 8th grade are also invited to participate in "Morning in Middle School" from 10-11am.  Students attending "Meet & Greet" or "Morning in Middle School" are encouraged to bring in their classroom supplies.

Getting Ready for a New School Year - Again this summer,
the school blog has a "Back to School" page.  The "Back to School" page  is always available from the top menu bar of the school blog.   This page is your "go to" source for supply lists and summer assignments and summer reading.

Be sure to be on the look out for your "Back to School Mailing"  - Email Delivery Expected NLT Monday, 8/20/18.  Again this year, this "mailing" will be sent to you electronically at the email you have designated as your primary family email address. If you are not sure that the email address we currently have on file for your family is the "best one to use", please send the email you want used to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. Put "Back to School Mailing email"in your subject line and we will be sure to update our school database(s).  Please note - If you have not returned your Family Enrollment Form & Fee for 18-19, you will not receive a "Back to School" email packet since your enrollment remains incomplete until these are received.  Please contact the school office with any questions. 

iPad Orientation Meetings for Rising 6th Grade Students & Students New to Grs. 7 & 8 -  

All students entering 6th grade and students new to SMS for grades 7 and 8 are required to meet with Mrs. Hatch prior to beginning iPad use. Each student must be accompanied by at least 1 parent/guardian.  During this brief meeting, iPad use guidelines will be reviewed along with basic information regarding good digital citizenship. Students will also receive their school email credentials and if all required forms and the iPad coverage fee have been turned in, students will receive their iPad at this meeting. If required forms and fee have not been turned in, iPad use will begin upon receipt of all required items.  Click here to reserve your meeting time.

Summer Playgrounds - Catch up with your friends & meet some new ones!

There will be a playground play date for incoming PreKindergarten students on Thursday, August 23, from 6-7pm at the SMS playground.

All SMS families - new & returning - are invited to a "Back To School" Playground Playdate on Sunday, August 26, at 5pm at the SMS playground.  Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and supper!

Please note that these playground playdates are not  "drop off" events. These are opportunities for our families to attend together to get acquainted and/or reacquainted as we start a new school year.

Virtus Training - Anyone who wishes to volunteer at school (including chaperoning field trips) or at after school events attended by students must complete Virtus® training and have a background check completed. There will be a Virtus® Training session on Tuesday, September 4th at 6:30pm in the 5th grade classroom. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. If you need to attend Virtus® Training and cannot come to the session on September 4th, go to www.virtusonline.org/virtus/ and then click on First Time Registrant to find other training sessions in our area.

Hot Lunch Order Period for September will open on Friday, August 24th - Orders will be accepted until Friday, August 31.  This will be your only opportunity to order hot lunch for September.  Please note that the hot lunch program will begin serving on Friday, September 7th.  From August 29 - September 5, no hot lunch will be served and all students will need to bring a brown bag lunch.  Again this year, all orders for hot lunch must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  Your Back to School email packet will include your parent portal credentials.  Payment may be brought in when stopping in for "Meet & Greet"/Morning in Middle School or sent in on the first day of school.

Hot Lunch Volunteers are needed!  If you are Virtus trained and can help us serve hot lunch, we look forward to you volunteering.  Click here to sign up.  We are able to offer hot lunch only because volunteers step up to serve, so we hope you'll consider helping out, even just occasionally.   It's a great way to share in your child(ren)'s day!  Training is provided on your first day of volunteering.

Uniform Exchange - We are happy to share that the  "SMS Used Uniform Shop" is now open for business during regular summer office hours and by appointment!  There is a great selection of all uniform items available at all grade levels for both the relaxed and formal uniforms as well as PE uniforms. 

Please feel free to stop by during summer office hours (Tues-Thurs, 9am-1pm) or call to make an appointment if you need a different time frame for your shopping and we will try to accommodate your schedule. 

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Each year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their graduation activities and field trip.  Two of these fund raisers will help us get our school year underway.  Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for your support!

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 5th

St. Mary’s School Grade 8 Fundraiser

Click here to download & print Joe Pizza flyer.

Please dine in or take out on September 5th from Joe Pizza and support the 8th grade class. A percentage of profits will be donated by Joe Pizza to support 8th grade activities.

All you need to do is bring in the flyer or just mention St. Mary's School to the server or when you place your order/pick up.

Click here to download and print an order form for beautiful fall mums!  Available in several sizes and colors, these will definitely put you in a "pumpkin spice" frame of mind and help our 8th grade!  All orders & payments must be received in the school office NLT Friday, 9/14.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Gr. 8 mum sale" in the memo line.  Mums will be available for pick up in the Parish Center on Friday, 9/21 from 2-4 pm and after all Masses during the weekend of 9/22-23.  Thanks in advance for your support!  

Summer Fun & Travel

Greetings from St Peter’s Church at Marien Platz (Saint Mary’s Square) Munich
from Clarissa, rising 7th, Sienna, rising K & Hutton, rising 4th.

Community News

Summer Blog Post #2 - 8/1/18

Summer Office Hours
The school office is on "summer hours".  The office will be routinely staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-1pm and by appointment as needed.  Both email and phone messages will be checked regularly.

Summer CHOICE Sales - CHOICE cards will be available for sale whenever the office is open. 

School will reopen on Wednesday, August 29.  This will be a full day of school with both PreK Enrichment and Aftercare available. 

 "Meet & Greet" for younger students and "Morning in Middle School" for students entering grade 6 will be on Tuesday, August 28th.   PreK Meet & Greet for child and parent/caretaker will be from 9:30-10:30.  Meet & Greet for Grades K -4 for child and parent/caretaker will be from 10:30-11:30.  "Morning in Middle School" will be from 10-11:30 for students entering 6th grade. Students new to 7th & 8th grade are also invited to participate in "Morning in Middle School" from 10-11am.  Students attending "Meet & Greet" or "Morning in Middle School" are encouraged to bring in their classroom supplies.

Getting Ready for a New School Year - Again this summer, 
the school blog has a "Back to School" page.  The "Back to School" page  is always available from the top menu bar of the school blog.   This page is your "go to" source for supply lists and summer assignments and summer reading.

Be sure to be on the look out for your "Back to School Mailing" in August. Again this year, this "mailing" will be sent to you electronically at the email you have designated as your primary family email address. If you are not sure that the email address we currently have on file for your family is the "best one to use", please send the email you want used to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. Put "Back to School Mailing email"in your subject line and we will be sure to update our school database(s).  Please note - If you have not returned your Family Enrollment Form & Fee for 18-19, you will not receive a "Back to School" email packet since your enrollment remains incomplete until these are received.  Please contact the school office with any questions. 

iPad Orientation Meetings for Rising 6th Grade Students & Students New to Grs. 7 & 8 -  

All students entering 6th grade and students new to SMS for grades 7 and 8 are required to meet with Mrs. Hatch prior to beginning iPad use. Each student must be accompanied by at least 1 parent/guardian.  During this brief meeting, iPad use guidelines will be reviewed along with basic information regarding good digital citizenship. Students will also receive their school email credentials and if all required forms and the iPad coverage fee have been turned in, students will receive their iPad at this meeting. If required forms and fee have not been turned in, iPad use will begin upon receipt of all required items.  Click here to reserve your meeting time.

Summer Playgrounds - Catch up with your friends & meet some new ones!

There will be a playground play date for incoming PreKindergarten students on Thursday, August 23, from 6-7pm at the SMS playground.

All SMS families - new & returning - are invited to a "Back To School" Playground Playdate on Sunday, August 26, at 5pm at the SMS playground.  Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and supper!

Please note that these playground playdates are not  "drop off" events. These are opportunities for our families to attend together to get acquainted and/or reacquainted as we start a new school year.

Virtus Training - Anyone who wishes to volunteer at school (including chaperoning field trips) or at after school events attended by students must complete Virtus® training and have a background check completed. There will be a Virtus® Training session on Tuesday, September 4th in the 5th grade classroom. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. If you need to attend Virtus® Training and cannot come to the session on September 4th, go to www.virtusonline.org/virtus/ and then click on First Time Registrant to find other training sessions in our area.

Hot Lunch Order Period for September will open on Friday, August 24th - Orders will be accepted until Friday, August 31.  This will be your only opportunity to order hot lunch for September.  Please note that the hot lunch program will begin serving on Friday, September 7th.  From August 29 - September 5, no hot lunch will be served and all students will need to bring a brown bag lunch.  Again this year, all orders for hot lunch must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  Your Back to School email packet will include your parent portal credentials.  Payment may be brought in when stopping in for "Meet & Greet"/Morning in Middle School or sent in on the first day of school.

Hot Lunch Volunteers are needed!  If you are Virtus trained and can help us serve hot lunch, we look forward to you volunteering.  Click here to sign up.  We are able to offer hot lunch only because volunteers step up to serve, so we hope you'll consider helping out, even just occasionally.   It's a great way to share in your child(ren)'s day!  Training is provided on your first day of volunteering.

CHOICE News - The profit percentage for Lands End is now 15%.  Shopping for school uniforms with CHOICE cards is a great way to work on your family's CHOICE obligation.  Lands End cards are available in the school office in various denominations or may be ordered on-line using GL Scrip's Prestopay option.  Click here for more information.

Used Uniform Exchange - Click here for an updated inventory of items available from the Used Uniform Exchange.

Athletic News

Hurray for Fall Soccer -   Our program is 5th-8th Co-Ed soccer. We play Friday afternoons. It's an easy commitment and a fun opportunity for the students to play with their classmates. We will play 6 games 2 at the end of September and 4 in October. To sign up, just initial the box next to Fall Soccer on your 2018-19 Permission Slip for Physical Education, Field Day & Athletics Form.  This form will be part of your electronic Back to School Packet and must be completed for every student in grades K-8 each year.  The Back to School Packet will be emailed to you in mid-August.

We are also looking for a Soccer Coach.  If you are Virtus trained and have some soccer knowledge and have been inspired by the World Cup then let us know you are interested in coaching!  Please email - adirector@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or call the school office.

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Alumni News -
Madeline Mancarella, SMS Class of '11, had the opportunity to spend some time in Italy this summer as part of a three week study abroad experience in conjunction with the Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento. Madeline, along with twenty-one fellow Western New England University students, took two classes, Italian Cultures and Covering Italy. Students were immersed in the local culture, studied and reported on the country's rich history and contemporary culture, toured the beautiful Amalfi Coast and the Pompeii Ruins while learning about the Italian food and wine industry. Madeline is working toward a degree in Communication with a concentration in Media Theory and Production.

Some of the SMS Class of '14 enjoyed a pre-college send-off reunion.
It's wonderful to see so many great colleges & universities represented
in their choices!  We wish them all the best as they begin this exciting chapter.

Summer Fun -

Mrs. Gore and her daughter, Sarah,
 got chummy with the “Cubby Bear”
 at Wrigley Field in Chicago!

Sean O. (rising  Gr. 7) in Ek Baalam, Yucatán Peninsula Mexico. 

Tomb of Ukit Kan Lek Tok.