News for the Week of 10/3/19

The hot lunch order period for November will open on Monday, 10/7/19.  Orders may be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal through Friday, 10/11/19.  No late orders can be accepted.  Please send in payment as soon as your order is complete.

On Monday, 10/7/19, all students may wear PE uniforms as we participate in Kindness in Chalk.  The raindate for this event is Wednesday, 10/9/19.  

Our October School Mass will be on Tuesday, 10/8/19 at 9am.

School will be dismissed early at 12:45pm on Friday, 10/11/19.  There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare available.

School is closed on Monday, 10/14/19, in observance of Columbus Day.

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences for students in grades K-8 will be held from Wednesday, 10/23/19- Friday, 10/25/19.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  PreK Enrichment will be available until 3:20pm but there is NO aftercare available.  A Sign Up Genius will be available soon for conference scheduling.

* A reminder for families using bus transportation, Simsbury Public Schools are closed Wednesday, 10/9/19, in observance of Yom Kippur.  Bus students may arrive home significantly earlier than usual (e.g., as much as 10-15 minutes earlier).  Please be sure procedures for safe arrival are in place.

Just in Time for the Holidays!  Order your delicious frozen Lyman Orchards Pies and Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough!   Order forms will be coming home with all students on Friday, October 4, 2019. Please be sure to check backpacks. Frozen pies and cookie dough will arrive on November 19, 2019 - pick up times will be announced soon! Please note that all orders must be picked up on November 19, since all items arrive frozen and there is not freezer space here at school to store orders. All sales benefit SMS Knights United Family & School Association. Orders will be accepted until Monday, October 21.

CHOICE Corner - Congratulations to the Pericat Family - this month's winner of the September CHOICE Challenge. The Pericat's received a  $50 Lands End gift card!  Place a CHOICE  order in October for your chance to win Free Pizza Friday for one child for the month of November.

Formal Uniforms are Coming! Students in grades K-7 will begin to wear the formal uniform on Friday, November 1 (Eighth grade students have the privilege of wearing the relaxed uniform until 12/1). Just in time for the uniform transition, Lands' End is offering a 30% discount on uniforms. Please be sure to use our school code when shopping for uniforms - 900132150 and to use your CHOICE cards when making your purchases!

Athletic News

Basketball Season is starting soon! Open to students in grades 2-8.

Below is important information for the 2019-2020 season.

Initial participation permission was granted by the athletics permission form made available over the summer. You can find the form here if you need to update:

Parents and Children both need to read and sign the athletic handbook (new this year).
Click here

To finalize your basketball sign up, please send in your participation fee by October 11th. Your child will not be added to the roster or receive a jersey until the fee is received. (Fees Below)

There is a maximum $250 cap per family. Checks payable to St Mary School.

JVC 2-3rd $50

JVB, JVA, Varsity Grades 3rd-8th $150

At your coach's discretion, practices will begin as early as the week of October 28th.

-Practices for grades 2-6 will be held during the week. Each team will have 1-2 practices M-F. Games on Saturday.

-Grades 7-8 (Varsity) Practice on Mondays from 6-8pm at Ethel Walker and on Saturday mornings at Westminster. Games Thursday or Friday and home games Sundays.

If you would like more information about the season or program please contact Mr. Gangloff.

Annual Asbestos Notification - In compliance with AHERA Regulations, we are required to inform all of the above-mentioned individuals associated with St. Mary’s School of the Asbestos Inspection Report and Management Plan.  This report/plan is on file in the Principal’s office and is available for review by any member of our community during normal business hours of the school.  Please make your request to review this file to Margaret Williamson, Principal. Click here to download and print a copy of this annual notification.

BOX OF JOY is coming!  St. Mary’s School is very excited to partner with Cross Catholic Outreach as we participate in this hands-on project.  The shoe box project encourages families to personally shop, select, and pack small gifts for needy boys and girls in developing countries.  Your thoughtfully prepared box may be the one gift a child may open this Christmas. It’s not too early to start planning. For those interested in participating, shoe boxes will be sent home on Friday, October 25th, and need to be returned on Wednesday, November 6th. Look for more information coming next week.



Community News

Northwest Catholic Open House Northwest Catholic High School invites prospective students and parents to attend their annual Open House on Sunday, October 20, 1:00 - 3:00 PM. NWC will offer an Entrance Exam (HSPT) on Saturday, October 26, 8:00 AM. You can register for the exam online at (HERE) Walk-ins are welcome! Please contact Andrew Selig at aselig@nwcath.org with any questions.

News for the Week of 9/25/19

Looking Ahead to October -

School will be closed on Tuesday, 10/1/19, for a faculty in-service.

The hot lunch order period for November will open on Monday, 10/7/19.

Our October School Mass will be on Tuesday, 10/8/19 at 9am.

School will be dismissed early at 12:45pm on Friday, 10/11/19.  There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare available.

School is closed on Monday, 10/14/19, in observance of Columbus Day.

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences for students in grades K-8 will be held from Wednesday, 10/23/19- Friday, 10/25/19.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  PreK Enrichment will be available until 3:20pm but there is NO aftercare available.  A Sign Up Genius will be available soon for conference scheduling.

* A reminder for families using bus transportation, Simsbury Public Schools are closed on Monday, 9/30/19 and Wednesday, 10/9/19, in observation of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  On these days, bus students may arrive home significantly earlier than usual (e.g., as much as 10-15 minutes earlier).  Please be sure procedures for safe arrival are in place.

After School Club pick up! For the safety of the children the following procedures take effect immediately:

• Beginning today (9/25/19), CLUB pick up will be in the parking lot on the Iron Horse Blvd. side of the building. You are familiar with this area as it is where the school's main entrance is and you drive through it for 3:20 pick up.

• Please note that CLUBS only will have this pickup spot and you will drive out by going back towards the Post Office, not by driving around the school as you do at 3:20.

• Parents picking up from After Care will still pick up in the North lot area as you have been doing. There is NO change to After Care pickup.

• One last reminder, for 3:20 pick up (regular dismissal), NO cars are to enter the property at the traffic light. All cars come around the building on the one-way driveway. 

• Also, children will only be released to the cars that are parked in the first two rows and then cars will be directed to exit by the teacher on duty. When you are driving in the parking lot, it is imperative that you drive very slowly.

Spirit Day
Monday, 9/30/2019, benefitting Catholic Relief Services for Hurricane Relief.
$5 donation
Acceptable out of uniform allowances:
PE uniforms, spirit clothes, sneakers, headbands, socks, nail polish

Choice Corner:
What's in your neighbor's or co-worker's wallet? A family came in on Monday and placed a significant Choice order after bringing the in-stock order form to work. Their co-workers often go to Chipotle for lunch, stop at Starbucks on the way in, and Amazon is their go to shopping.

Dr. Jessica Bookland

On September 24th, at the Aqua Turf, we honored our  HOPES (Help Our Parish Elementary Schools) St. John Neumann Award recipients. This year, we have several people who were recognized for their outstanding efforts on behalf of St. Mary’s School.

·      Dr. Jessica Bookland

·      Mr. Tim Sullivan

·      Mrs. Doreen Mikan

·      Mr. Phil Mikan

From left, Mr. Tim Sullivan, Mrs. Doreen Mikan & Mr. Phil Mikan

Did you miss your chance to attend the Virtus Training?

St. Mary's Parish will be offering a training class.
Sunday, September 29th,  6pm in the
Forcucci Faith Formation Center (lower church).

Please let Michelle Howard in the school office know if you plan to attend.

News for the Week of 9/18/19

Looking Ahead - School Will be Closed - Tuesday, October 1, for a faculty in-service.

Car Wash This Saturday!  A Clean Car is a Happy Car - Help our 6th and 7th grades raise funds for their field trip this Spring.  You can purchase an advance ticket for $5 from any 6th or 7th grader or come to the car wash on Saturday, 9/21/19 from 9 until noon in the north (playground) parking lot.  Thanks in advance for your support!





Our Vex Robotics Club has had its opening session and we are very excited to be fielding 4 teams this year!  The Robotics Club is open to students in grades 4-8 and meets regularly after school.  Our thanks to Mr. Prausa and Mrs. Raymond for continuing to facilitate this club!

Please join us in congratulating our HOPES (Help Our Parish Elementary Schools) St. John Neumann Award recipients. This year, we have several people who are being recognized for their outstanding efforts on behalf of St. Mary’s School.

·      Dr. Jessica Bookland

·      Mr. Tim Sullivan

·      Mrs. Doreen Mikan

·      Mr. Phil Mikan

Whether it has been serving lunch, handling box tops or serving on the School Board, these individuals have helped make St. Mary’s School work. They will be publicly recognized at the annual Archdiocesan HOPES dinner next Tuesday, September 24 at the Aqua Turf.  While these individuals are in the spotlight this year, we hope you know that we appreciate the efforts of all our very dedicated volunteers.  The time, treasure and talent you so generously share with us helps make our school the warm, productive and inviting community it is.

It's time to pick up your beautiful mums!  Those that ordered mums from the Grade 8 fundraiser may pick them up outside (weather permitting) the Parish Center on Friday, 9/20/19, from 2-4pm or after all Masses this weekend, 9/21-22/19.  Thanks so much for supporting our 8th grade!

Kids In Business is back in business this fall! Register Now!

We will kick off this after school club on Monday, 10/7, for students in grades K-8. Participants will learn factors to consider when brainstorming ideas, how to choose a product and a price, and ways to market our sale. They will produce items for sale to our community at the SMS Festival of Trees on Saturday, 12/7. 

Each participant must donate a minimum of half of their profits to a charity of their choice. Last year, over $400 dollars was donated by our wonderful entrepreneurs!

Dates: 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, and 12/2

Time: 3:45pm - 5:00pm in the Reading Room of the Magowan Center

Cost: $10 per participant

To register, please contact Mrs. Carrie Herron, second grade teacher, at cherron@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net by 10/1/19.

Choice Corner:

We are happy to report that since "What's In Your Wallet?" was 

launched at Back to School Knight 20 families have signed up with 

GL Scrip and are getting into the groove of using the app.

Check out what one of our new families to GL Scrip has already earned: 
In just the past 10 days, this family has stocked up on grocery cards, pharmacy, gas, and some treats (Peachwave) - Remember, ALL places they normally shop, spending no more over their regular budget-  They have already earned $30 towards their Choice obligation!
 Now, if they had considered participating in Choice just 2 weeks earlier, the furniture purchase they made would have earned them an additional $200!

Our Lost & Found is overflowing. If you are missing something please look in the Lost  & Found bin outside the office before September 27th. All items left after the 27th will be donated. 

News for the Week of 9/11/2019

The Hot Lunch Order Period for October is now OPEN - Hot lunches for October may be ordered through Friday, September 13 via the Educonnect Parent Portal.   This is your only opportunity to order hot lunches for October.  Please send in your payment as soon as your order is complete. No late orders can be accepted.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Every year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fundraisers to help defray costs associated with their field trip and graduation activities.  Your support is gratefully appreciated!

Beautiful Fall Mums Now Available for Order!  Orders need to be placed by this Friday - 9/13/19!

Click here to download and print an order form for mums.

Interested in Boy Scouts? 

There are 2 troops affiliated with St. Mary's. 

Troop 175 is the Boys Troop, and Troop 1175 is the Girls Troop.

Troop 175 has a rich history in Simsbury, and Troop 1175 has just begun theirs. 
Please see flyers for contact information for both troops.

Grades 6 & 7 will be hosting a car wash to off set the cost of their spring field trip. 
Come get a squeaky clean car for $5!

September 21st
9-12pm
North Parking Lot

Check out just a few of the random acts of kindness the students performed at school on September 11th, the National Day of Service 

Check Out Our New Television Program - Designed to spotlight the Campus Connection and our school's Blue Ribbon status, Fr. Matera and Mrs. Williamson discuss the impact for our school, and our parish community.

You can find the link to the television program on the church's website Here

News for the Week of 9/4/19

Back to School Night for Parents - This Friday, September 6th is "Back to School Night for Parents". Babysitting is available for children ages 3 and up who are toilet trained.  Click here to sign up for babysitting. 

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.  "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. 

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 9. 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, 9/6) at 6pm in the Art/Music Room of the Magowan Center. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, September 9th, to take individual student photos of all students in  PreKindergarten and Kindergarten through grade 7.  Order information will be provided soon but even if no photos are ordered, a picture will be taken for the school's yearbook.  Students except those in 8th grade may wear non-uniform clothing that is appropriate for school on picture day.  Students in our PreK 3's and eighth grade students will have individual photos taken on September 19th. 

Hot Lunch Order Period for October - Hot lunches for October may be ordered beginning Monday, September 9 through Friday, September 13 via the Educonnect Parent Portal.   This is your only opportunity to order hot lunches for October.  Please send in your payment as soon as your order is complete. No late orders can be accepted.

Band & Instrumental Music Lessons Begin Monday, September 9 - All student musicians should plan to bring their instruments and band folders (provided by Mrs. Morse to returning students last week) to school on Monday, 9/9.  Students new to band who do not yet have instruments should still plan to go to their assigned lesson and band practice during the school day.  Students new to band will be provided with a band folder by Mrs. Morse on 9/9 or the following week.





September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 10th at 9am in the church. All are welcome to worship with us. Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.








Virtus Training for New Volunteers - We always welcome volunteers at school to assist with things like hot lunch service, library and occasionally, when teachers may need an extra pair of hands but ALL volunteers must complete Virtus training.  There will be a Virtus training session here at SMS on Tuesday, September 10th at 6:30pm in the grade 5 classroom.  Please contact the school office to RSVP.  If this day and time do not work for you, other Virtus training sessions are available.  Click here and when prompted to "select your organization", scroll down and select the Archdiocese of Hartford to find available sessions. 

 Students in Mrs. Gore's fifth grade accepted a fun STEM challenge last week.  Students were challenged to “create” something using only pipe cleaners and aluminum foil.  No scissors, glue or tape were used.  Students create the Eiffel Tower, a Butterfly Garden, a parachuting boat and a garden swing.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Every year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fundraisers to help defray costs associated with their field trip and graduation activities.  Your support is gratefully appreciated!

Beautiful Fall Mums Now Available for Order!

Click here to download and print an order form for mums.

More "Back to School" Smiles

We're so happy that Owen has joined big brother, Jack, here at SMS!

Welcome to Grade 1, Bennett!

Keeping busy in Kindergarten!

Community News -

Check Out Our New Television Program - Designed to spotlight the Campus Connection and our school's Blue Ribbon status, the program will air on the Tuesdays of September, 2:30PM and 9:30 PM, and and the Thursdays of September, 11AM on Channel 5 and digital channel 1084.  The program will also be available on the St. Mary's Parish website in September.

St. Mary's Parish Picnic - Everyone is invited!  All school and church families are welcome at our Church picnic on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 3-5PM in the North parking lot (In case of rain in the Parish Center). Kane’s Market will be grilling hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs, you bring a side dish or dessert to share. Enjoy food, fellowship, and fun with music and games. Sign-up sheets at all entrances to the church or click here. Your RSVP requested for food count by Wednesday, September 18. Hope to see you there!