Wednesday News for the week of August 29, 2012

Welcome back to school!  Our first two days have been busy and productive.  We all got reacquainted and enjoyed getting to know the new students and faculty in our community.  On Wednesday, Middle School students (grades 6,7,8) had an extended morning homeroom that featured "iPad Driver's Ed" to familiarize them with the expectations for iPad use.  We conducted our first mandatory fire drill.  It is so wonderful to hear the sound of children in the building after the quiet of summer. Thank you for the gift of your children!  We love them!

Please check the school calendar frequently for updates.  If you require assistance sharing our SMS Master Calendar with your mobile device, please contact Mrs. Hatch.

A friendly reminder that it is imperative that each family return "The Big 4" so that iPad deployment can take place for all students.  We have had wonderful cooperation but we do have a number of responses still missing.  A reminder sheet is being sent home today (Thursday, 8/30) to families that are missing forms.  Once a class has the majority of forms in, iPad deployment takes place.  Grade 7 received their iPads today!  If less than 5 students are missing paperwork, we will deploy devices and the students that have not had all forms turned in will "look on" with a friend until his/her iPad can be given to him/her.

Please keep in mind that our email domain has been changed.  If you are emailing teachers, please use the updated links on the school's website or remember the new naming convention for email addresses (i.e., first initial, last name@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net - jdoe@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net).   There are a couple of exceptions to this naming convention.  If you wish to email the school office about a general concern (e.g., a change to dismissal for a student), please send your email to SMSOffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. If you need to email the health office, please send your email to HOffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  A complete listing of email addresses appeared in a recent post.  Scroll down the blog to view this post.

An updated used uniform spreadsheet is available, click here.

Library volunteers are needed. Mrs. Ray, our school librarian, is looking for 2 volunteers each week per class.  She will need them to start next week (the week of 9/3/12). The library volunteer coordinator is Angie Bautista.  Her email is abautista@me.com and she will have the details if parents are looking for more information.  Anyone willing to volunteer should contact Angie directly.  Click here for the library schedule.

Do you know a boy entering 1st – 5th grade who loves the outdoors, crafts, games, and learning new things?  Cub Scouts is the family-oriented program of the Boy Scouts of America designed for elementary school aged boys.  Pack 175, Simsbury is holding its annual information and recruiting night on Wednesday, September 5th at 6:00pm at Parish Center of St. Mary’s School, 946 Hopmeadow Street.  Come check us out!  For more information, contact Joan de Grandis at 860-404-0422 or pack175cubmaster@comcast.net

You are invited to the St. Mary's Parish Picnic  onSunday, Sept.9th from 3-5 PM in the north (playground) parking lot. This year we are honoring Father Metzler for his years of dedicated service to St Mary's Church and School by dedicating the Parish Office on Massaco St. to him with a short program at 4 PM. Click here for more information.

CHOICE News -

The CHOICE desk is open Monday, Tuesday, & Friday 8:45-9:30am and Friday, 3:00-3:20pm.  Orders sent into school via kid mail will be filled on the next staffed CHOICE day.

Click here for information regarding vendors currently offering special bonus rates.