School will reopen Thursday, 11-1-12

We are pleased to share that St. Mary's School will reopen Thursday, 11-1-12.  Below are some important reminders:

Formal uniform begins for students in grades K-7 on Thursday, 11-1-12.  Formal uniform begins for grade 8 on 12-1-12.

All students in grades K-8 will attend the 12:15 parish Mass for All Souls' Day on Thursday, 11-1-12.  Students in grades K-7 should wear their formal uniform.  Students in grade 8 may wear their relaxed uniform.  No physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

The hot lunch scheduled for Wednesday, 10/31, will be served tomorrow, Thursday, 11/1.  Please plan accordingly.

H.S.A. Pumpkin Carving Contest that was planned for Halloween has been cancelled.  You are encouraged to put your decorated pumpkins out on your front step to welcome any trick or treaters!

School will be closed, Wednesday, 10/31/12

We have been advised by the Simsbury Board of Education that school will be closed Wednesday, 10/31/12, as cleanup from Hurricane Sandy continues.  Stay safe.

School will be closed Tuesday, 10/30/12

We have been advised that school will be closed Tuesday, 10/30/12, due to Hurricane Sandy.  Stay safe.

School will be closed Monday, 10/29/12

We have been advised that school will be closed on Monday, 10/29/12, due to Hurricane Sandy.  Stay safe.

Middle school students, please remember that iPads should not be plugged in for charging during the storm or during any power outage.

Middle School iPads - Hurricane Sandy

Please be sure that iPads are not plugged in for charging during the duration of the storm and/or any attending power outages.  Thank you.

Reminders - 10/26/12

Here are several reminders -

Formal Uniform begins on Thursday, November 1 for all students in grades K-7.    Grade 8 students will begin formal uniform on 12/1/12.

Students will attend the 12:15 Parish Mass on 11/1/12 for All Souls' Day.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

A Halloween Invitation from Mrs.Gannatti  - Mrs. Gannatti invites all students to wear orange or black shirts, sweatshirts or sweaters that are appropriate for school with the "uniform of the day" bottom on Halloween.  Halloween accessories (e.g., earrings, hairbows, bracelets) and socks may also be worn.  Please note that students may NOT wear:  Costume tops, tops with violent or scary images, facepaint, makeup, costume gloves or masks and may not bring costume props such as toy weapons.  Failure to use good judgement in regard to holiday attire will result in the privilege not being granted again.

Pumpkin Carving Contest - H.S.A. is sponsoring a pumpkin carving contest open to all students (NOTE - PREKINDERGARTEN STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE) on Wednesday, 10/31/12.  Click here for contest rules and details.

It's time to register for 2013 Ski & Snowboard Club-  Registration forms and payment must be received no later than November 1st.  Click here for more information and registration forms.  Any questions, contact the Ski Club organizer Ray Baker at: ray.scott.baker@gmail.com or 860 214-5046.

Emergency Closings - St. Mary's School follows the Simsbury Public Schools in regard to closures due to emergencies or inclement weather.  If Simsbury Public Schools are closing early, delayed in opening or closed, St. Mary's School is as well.  Assuming internet access is possible, notifications of emergency closing and delays are also posted on the home page of the school's website:  www.stmarysschoolsimsbury.org and are sent out via email and Remind 101 text messaging.

Ski & Snowboard Registration Reminder

It's time to register for 2013 Ski & Snowboard Club-  Registration forms and payment must be received no later than November 1st.  Click here for more information and registration forms.  Any questions, contact the Ski Club organizer Ray Baker at: ray.scott.baker@gmail.com or 860 214-5046.

News for the week of 10/24/12

Mr.Cosham's and Mrs Jehnings' classes got together for a fun popcorn themed day on Friday, 10/19/12! Mrs. Jehnings read a story about corn and the Kindergarteners and First Graders created books about popcorn! The students then had a taste testing of cheese, butter, and kettle corn and  made graphs to show their favorite kind of popcorn! It was a delicious day!  Click here for more photos.

1:1 iPad News - Our skills keep growing!  Kindergarten is BLOGGING!   7th grade "tech buddies" helped Kindergarten students set up their blogs last week and they have been very busy posting pictures of their beautiful work on their electronic portfolios! A very special thank you to Mrs. Raymond for all of her help with this project!  Click here for more photos of Kindergarten students hard at work on their blogs.

A Halloween Invitation from Mrs.Gannatti  - Our SMS celebration of Halloween begins early this year with our Kindergarten and first grade students dressing up in their costumes to visit the Governor's House to share Halloween songs and fun.  Mrs. Gannatti hopes many of you will dress in your costumes join her and Mr. Cosham at Pumpkin Bingo on Friday from 6-8:30 in the Parish Center.  Finally, on Halloween, Wednesday, 10/31/12, we are looking forward to seeing everyone's decorated pumpkins - see details in the Home & School news.  Additionally, Mrs. Gannatti invites all students to wear orange or black shirts, sweatshirts or sweaters that are appropriate for school with the "uniform of the day" bottom on Halloween.  Halloween accessories (e.g., earrings, hairbows, bracelets) and socks may also be worn.  Please note that students may NOT wear:  Costume tops, tops with violent or scary images, facepaint, makeup, costume gloves or masks and may not bring costume props such as toy weapons.  Failure to use good judgement in regard to holiday attire will result in the privilege not being granted again.

Before School Care Update -  At the time our new Before School Care program was launched, financial projections indicated that the program would require regular use by at least 5 students to be viable.  While we began with 5 students, regular use is now down to 3 students.  We will continue to run Before School Care through the end of December but, if regular use does not increase, we will need to discontinue the program.  We hope families that may be using other providers will consider use of our program but also encourage our regular attendees to begin to plan for another alternative if case the program is discontinued when we return from Christmas vacation.

Annual Notification regarding asbestos inspection report and management plan - Click here.

CAN YOU SPARE AN HOUR OR TWO EVERY NOW AND THEN? – If so, then the Advancement Committee would love to hear from you!  We are looking to develop a subcommittee of parent volunteers willing to help from time to time during the school year when special events arise, such as the Open Houses for prospective students and families and also the spring Golf Outing.  Tasks may include hanging flyers in area businesses, or picking up donations, or helping with set up or clean up at an event.  If you want to learn more or are interested, please contact Sue Zordan at jeneltravel@charter.net.  Thank you!

Update regarding Piano Lessons with Mr. Cosham -The piano lesson interest is wonderful and I am extremely grateful for everyone in contacting me. At this time,several lessons slots are still available.  If you are interested, please email me at BCosham@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Thank you again for all of your support.

Library News - As part of our celebration of Catholic Schools' Month in January, 2013, Stacy DeKeyser, author of The Brixen Witch will visit our school and sign copies of the book.  Click here for more information.

Used Uniform Exchange - Lots of gently used uniforms available, including formal uniform items.  Please click here to see the available uniforms from the uniform exchange.  If you are interested in any of the items, please email Kristin Potter at kristinpotter@comcast.net.  Please note that all items are free, and everything has been inspected and should be in excellent condition.

Home & School Association News -

New Reimbursement Form - If you require reimbursement for purchases made for an H.S.A. event. please be sure to use the newly updated Reimbursement Form.  This form is available on the school website under the Home & School tab.  Click here.

This Friday - 10/26/12 - is Pumpkin Bingo! -- Join us for this fun family event from 6:00 to 8:30 in the Parish Center. Bingo cards are sold at the door.  Pizza and baked goods will be available for purchase.  Admission is one non-perishable food item per person to benefit the annual Jack Bannon Turkey Trot food drive.  Click here for more information.  Volunteers needed to help sell food and bingo cards.  Please contact Peg Mancarella our3pumpkins@gmail.com to help.

Pumpkin Carving Contest - H.S.A. is sponsoring a pumpkin carving contest open to all students (NOTE - PREKINDERGARTEN STUDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE) on Wednesday, 10/31/12.  Click here for contest rules and details.

Box Tops for Education - Congratulations to Mrs. Gore’s 3^rd grade class for winning the Fall Box Tops for Education contest!  The third graders will enjoy extra recess time and Mrs. Gore will receive $50 to spend in her classroom.  Everyone did a great job.  The school was able to earn over $350!  The next contest deadline will be announced soon, so keep sending in those Box Tops!

CHOICE News

Clear plastic "zippy" bags should be returned to school via kidmail.  These are the zippered bags (with the clear window, like pencil cases) in which we send home CHOICE cards, and there are currently none left for the Choice desk to use.  Please check your childrens' backpacks and around your house, and send in to school any zippies that you find, so we can continue to send the cards home safely.  Thank you.

For a list of Great Lakes Scrip vendors currently offering special bonus percentages, click here.

Talcott Mountain Science Center invites you to an evening with an author

Enjoy an evening with author, Paul Acampora on Wednesday, 10/24/12, at Talcott Mountain Science Center on Montevideo Road in Avon. Use the link below to download an order form for a signed copy of Mr. Acampora's book, Baseball Crazy.

Click here for more information.

News for the Week of 10/17/12

Reading Groups "there".....

And ....Grade 3 Reading Groups here ... iPad style!

Our Grade 3 Reading Groups are making great strides using their iPads.  With guidance from Mrs. Gore, students are able to download high interest PDF leveled readers that allow students to read similar content with varying degrees of difficulty.  This allows all students to move at the appropriate pace and challenge level.  The ability to address the specific educational needs of each child is one of the many benefits of our 1:1 iPad initiative.  Thanks for your continued support!

Gr. 8 Individual Photos & Class Photo will be taken by Paul Cryan on Friday, 10/19/12.  Click here for more details and information regarding afterschool appointments with Paul Cryan for other students.

Does your child have a love of music? Is he/she interested in taking piano lessons? Mr. Cosham will be offering piano lessons beginning in January when we return from Christmas Break. Mr. Cosham is the music director at his church, Saint John's in Middletown, CT and has been giving lessons for the past three years. Lessons will be given in the church basement in the music room. Please email Mr. Cosham at BCosham@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net if you are interested or would like more information.

Health Office Notifications
 - Notification of Routine Screenings for Students - Click here for more information about routine health screenings including vision (K-­‐6), Audiometric (K-­‐3 and grade 5 and grade 8), and postural or scoliosis (grades 5-­‐8) that will be conducted by our school nurses.

- Notification regarding Fifth Disease - This is the time of year we begin to see fifth disease in our schools.  Click here for more information.

Athletic News - 

Fall Sports: All students participating in fall sports need to have their payments in by 10/24/12

Cross Country= $10

Field Hockey= $25

Soccer= $25

It's time to register for 2013 Ski & Snowboard Club-  Registration forms and payment must be received no later than November 1st.  Click here for more information and registration forms.  Any questions, contact the Ski Club organizer Ray Baker at: ray.scott.baker@gmail.com or 860 214-5046.

Home & School Association News -

The November H.S.A. meeting has been rescheduled.  The meeting is now scheduled for November 27, at 7pm in the grade 4 classroom.

Box Tops are due on October 19th!

Don’t forget to send in your Box Tops by this Friday, October 19th.  The class with the most Box Tops will win the privilege of eating lunch outside and enjoying extra recess time with their classmates. Additionally, the winning class's teacher will receive a gift certificate to purchase something for their classroom.

Please mark your envelope Box Tops Grade ____.

Contact Amy Lillis at amylillis73@gmail.com with any questions.

Book Fair -- Thank you to everyone who contributed refreshments to last week’s Book Signing and the Wine & Cheese after the 5pm Mass on 10/13/12.  Everyone had a good time mingling with parishioners and getting a last look at the Book Fair.  Thank you to Kristin Potter for organizing the refreshments.

Thank you to Ms. Christine Kornacki, SMS Alumna and American Girl illustrator, for her book signing last week.  We appreciate her taking the time to spend the day at St. Mary’s and help support our Book Fair.  Over 50 Sparkle Box books were sold at the Book Fair.

Many thanks to Jennifer Pavlonnis, Karen McKenna, and Amber Hall for all their hard work and to the parent volunteers who helped with the class visits.  The children had a great time shopping for books to add to their home and classroom libraries.  A special thanks goes to the newest member of our Book Fair committee, Laura Williams.

$50.00 was collected for All For Books.  50 books will be donated to the charities Kids In Need and Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. in St. Mary’s School’s name and our school library will receive an additional $50 worth of books. 

The on-line portion of the Book Fair is open until October 19.  Click here to access the online fair.

Our school receives 50% of sales online to be used to buy books for our school.  Free shipping for on line orders and books will be distributed at school and sent home via kid mail. 

Pumpkin Bingo -- Join us for this fun family event.  Friday, October 26, 6:00 to 8:30 in the Parish Center. Bingo cards are sold at the door.  Pizza and baked goods will be available for purchase.  Admission is one non-perishable food item per person to benefit the annual Jack Bannon Turkey Trot food drive.  Click here for more information.  Volunteers needed to help sell food and bingo cards.  Please contact Peg Mancarella our3pumpkins@gmail.com to help.

Pumpkin Carving Contest - H.S.A. is sponsoring a pumpkin carving contest open to students in Kindergarten - Grade 8 on Wednesday, 10/31/12.  Click here for contest rules and details.

Grade 8 -

Thanks to everyone that has already supported our 8th grade's fund raising activities including the Flower Power bulb sale and the carwash on September 15th.  The carwash was a great success and a few of the town's police cars looked particularly shiny after a getting our SMS Deluxe Wash & Dry!  Click here to enjoy some additional photos from this event.

SMS Makes Headlines - Again!

Our Algebra I Class was featured on the cover of The Hartford Courant's "My Towns" section on Sunday, 10/14/12.

Reminder - Everyone is invited to attend the Facilitated Workshop on Tuesday, 10/16, at 7pm in the Parish Center to collect and develop ideas for auction proceeds.  Click here for more details.

News for the week of 10/10/12

Once a month, Ms. Kane's Prekindergarten students join Mr. Cosham's Kindergarteners for some quality iPad time! During a recent visit, the Kindergarteners showed the Prekindergarten children what it was like to be in Kindergarten! They shared apps that they have been using and showed them videos that they created on Educreations and a book that they created on Scribble Press. The students then joined each other for lunch and a fun recess on the playground.  Click here for more photos.

October is Fire Safety Month.  In conjunction with our monthly fire drill, we were visited by the Simsbury Fire Department.  Students in Prekindergarten, and Kindergarten through grade 3 had the opportunity to review fire safety guidelines, learn about our town's volunteer fire department and, best of all, see those fabulous fire trucks up close!

Gr. 8 Individual Photos & Class Photo will be taken by Paul Cryan on Friday, 10/19/12.  Click here for more details and information regarding afterschool appointments with Paul Cryan for other students.

Your input is requested.  Please join us for a Facilitated Workshop on Tuesday, 10/16, at 7pm in the Parish Center to collect and develop ideas for auction proceeds.  Click here for more details.

It's time to register for 2013 Ski & Snowboard Club-  The program will be held at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, and will held on the first 5 Wednesdays of 2013 (January 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30). The club is open to any St. Mary student who is at least 8 years old.

Also, adult chaperones are needed to help on the mountain, in the lodge, and on the bus. Chaperones ski for free!

Registration forms and payment must be received no later than November 1st.

Click here for more information and registration forms.  Any questions, contact the Ski Club organizer Ray Baker at: ray.scott.baker@gmail.com or 860 214-5046.

Home & School Association News

Minutes from September 5th H.S.A. Meeting available.  Click here.

Bookfair continues through Sunday, 10/14.  Click here for more information.  On Wednesday, 10/10, Ms. Christine Kornacki, SMS alumna & illustrator will be our special guest for a book signing.

Appetizers are needed for Saturday (10/13) evening.  We are looking for appetizers for the Wine & Cheese that will take place in the Parish Center in conjunction with the Book Fair after the 5pm Mass on Saturday, 10/13.  If you can supply an appetizer (that is easily eaten and does not have to be heated up), please contact Kristin at kristinpotter@comcast.net.  Appetizers may be dropped off at the Parish Center after 4pm on Saturday or on your way to Mass.  Thanks for your help.

Pumpkin Bingo - Join us for this fun family event.  Bingo cards are sold at the door.  Pizza and baked goods will be available for purchase.  Admission is one non-perishable food item per person to benefit the annual Jack Bannon Turkey Trot food drive.  Click here for more information.

 

CHOICE News -

Big Y cards are now available at 6%.  In October and April, Big Y cards can be purchased at a profit percentages of 6% (regularly 2%).  There are a few $300 cards available.

Max Restaurant Group cards are now available in $50 cards as well as $25 cards.

SMS makes headlines!

We hope everyone will take a few minutes to enjoy the terrific article showcasing our fabulous students using their iPads in today's Hartford Courant on the front page of the CT Now section.

 

You can also read the article online.  Click here.  There is also a photo gallery available from the reporter's visit.  Click here.

How terrific it is to read good news in the paper, and how wonderful to see our students and faculty get such well deserved recognition for their hard work and enthusiastic support of our iPad initiative.

News for the week of October 3, 2012

Our PreK friends celebrated the autumnal season with a trip to Lost Acres Orchards. Click here for even more photos.

Calendar Reminders -

Our October School Mass will be held on Friday, 10/5/12, at 9:30am.  All are welcome to join us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

School will be closed Monday, 10/8/12, for Columbus Day. 

Parents, teachers & school board members are invited to a Facilitated Workshop to Collect & Develop Auction Proceed Ideas on Tuesday, October 16th at 7pm in the Parish Center.  If you are unable to attend this workshop but have an idea you would like to share, please send an email to SMSOffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

 

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held from Monday, November 12 - Thursday, November 15th.  Each of these days will be an early dismissal day at 12:45pm.  There will be no PreK Enrichment or Aftercare on conference days.  If you did not sign up for your conferences at "Back to School Night" on 9/12/12, you have been assigned a conference day and time(s).  Conference schedules will be available on the "Parents Only" page of the school website on Friday, 9/21/12. Click here to access the secure login screen.

Paul Cryan Photography - will take Grade 8 individual student photos and the Grade 8 class photo on October 19th. Orlanda Doskos has volunteered to coordinate after school appointments for Paul Cryan Photography for other students.  Click here for more information.

Lifetouch Individual Student Photos of students in grades Prekindergarten, Kindergarten - grade 7 will be sent home on Friday, 10/5/12.  If your child was absent on photo day or if you would like a retake, Lifetouch will be at school on Monday, November 5th.  If a retake is being done, the original photo packet should be sent to school on 11/5.  If a photo is being taken because of absence on picture day, blank order forms are available in the school office.  Class photos will also be taken on November 5th. Click here for more information.

Reminder regarding Punctual Pick-ups - Please be prompt when picking up students from after school sports practices and games and from our aftercare program.  It is unreasonable to expect volunteer coaches to have to wait with children for extended periods of time after practice or a game has ended.  Our aftercare program ends promptly at 6pm each day.  Families that repeatedly pick up after 6pm (i.e., more than twice) will be invoiced a $10 late fee for pickup between 6 and 6:10pm.  After the first 10 minutes, additional fees of $10 per minute will be assessed.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Grade 8 Fundraising- Thanks to all that supported the Grade 8 Flower Power fundraiser.

Directory Update - Please join us in welcoming Dylan Angus to our 6th grade class. Dylan resides in Bloomfield with his parents Steven & Tricia Angus at 1 Barn Hill Road.  The zip code is 06002.  Home phone is (860) 539-4885.

Home & School Association News -

Bookfair begins Wednesday, 10/10/12, and includes a special evening event featuring Ms. Christine Kornacki, SMS alumna and professional illustrator.  Ms. Kornacki will be signing copies of The Sparkle Box, her newest illustrative work.  Click here for more bookfair information.

Pumpkin Bingo Time is Almost Here!  On Friday, October 26th, from 6:00 to 8:30pm the Home and School Association opens the doors of the Parish Center for the ghosts and ghoulies to come out and play PUMPKIN BINGO!  Admission to Pumpkin Bingo this year is a donation of one non-perishable food item per person.  All donations will benefit the annual Jack Bannon Turkey Trot food drive.  Bingo playing cards are sold at the door and prizes range from $5 - $20!!   Kids may wear costumes, but please leave your super cool and easily misplaced accessories at home.  This is a family event, all children must have adult supervision. Pizza and goodies will be on sale too!  Proceeds for baked good go to our 8th grade class. Come and enjoy this spooktacular event!  Click here to see a flyer with additional information.

Big Y Educational Express Program - Link your Express Savings Card to our school and help us earn free educational supplies.  Click here for more information.

CHOICE News -  Click here for a list of CHOICE vendors currently offering special percentage rates.