End of Week Reminders - 11/29/12

The new schedule for hot lunch volunteers for December 3rd - February 1st has been sent out to all volunteers.  If you did not receive a copy via email, please contact Maggie Domashinski, mmdomo@cox.net. A copy of the schedule is available on the Hot Lunch page of the school website.  Click here.  Please remember that if you are unable to come on your scheduled day, it is your responsibility to find a substitute.  Smooth lunch service depends on having enough hands available.  Thanks so much to everyone who volunteers to help with hot lunch - our students are able to enjoy these meals because of the time you share.  If you have not helped with hot lunch before and would like to be added to the next schedule of volunteers, please contact Maggie Domashinski, mmdomo@cox.net.  Hot lunch volunteers get to see our students during the part of the day they all enjoy!

Formal uniform begins for grade 8 on Monday, December 3.

End of Day Dismissal Reminder - If you pick up your children at the end of the school day, please remember that the carpool lot should be used for student pickup not the lot between the church and the school.  If an emergency requires you to use the lot between the church and the school, please be very aware of the school buses which are loading students at dismissal.  If a bus has its red lights flashing and stop sign extended, you MAY NOT pass the bus to exit the lot.  If you do, the driver will report you and you will be ticketed.  Thanks in advance for abiding by the dismissal procedures that keep all our children safe.

Monthly School Mass will be on Friday, December 7th at 9:30AM.  Everyone is welcome to join us at Mass.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Grade 8 Fundraiser - Poinsettia Pickup will be in the Parish Center on Friday, December 7th from 2-4pm and after all Masses on Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th.  

News for the Week of 11/28/12

Signs of the Season are all around us at SMS.  Carolyn is ready for the First Sunday of Advent.

December is a busy month!  Please be sure to check the school calendar regularly.  Here is a quick recap of upcoming events:

• Formal Uniform begins for 8th grade students on Monday, December 3rd.
• Our monthly School Mass will be held on Friday, December 7th at 9:30am.  Everyone is welcome to join us at Mass.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.
• Band & Chorus Christmas Concert - Thursday, December 13th.  2pm Dress Rehearsal (Band Only), 7pm Performance in the Parish Center
• Lessons & Carols - Tuesday, December 18th. 10am Dress Rehearsal, 7pm Evening Presentation in the Church
• 12:45 Early Dismissal for Christmas Break - Friday, December 21st.  No PreK Enrichment or Aftercare available.
• School reopens on Wednesday, January 2nd & our celebration of Catholic Schools' Month begins!

Student Directory Update - Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth Heiden to Mr. Cosham's Kindergarten class.  Elizabeth joins her brothers, Jonathan (Gr. 5) and Christian (Gr. 8), here at St. Mary's.

Looking ahead to Kindergarten 2013-2014 - If your child will be joining us for Kindergarten next year and he/she does not attend St. Mary's Prekindergarten, please complete an application for admission at your earliest convenience.  Click here for our application form.  If your child is currently enrolled in our Prekindergarten, it is not necessary to reapply for kindergarten since your child is already attending St. Mary's.

All new SMS athletic apparel is available! Many items may be worn as part of the physical education uniform! What a great idea for Christmas giving. Click here for more information and an order form.

Paul Cryan Photography - Remember to send in your proofs and orders.  If you have not already done so, please return your Paul Cryan photo proofs and orders at your earliest convenience.  Paul Cryan will be coming to school to pickup returns one more time in the coming days.  After that pickup, you will have to return your proofs to Paul Cryan on your own. These are the 8th grade individual student photos and photos taken of other students during after school appointments on October 19th.

Group Class Photos by Lifetouch- are being sent home on Wednesday, 11/28/12.  These are class photos for students in Prekindergarten, Kindergarten - grade 7.  The Grade 8 class photo was taken by Paul Cryan.

Individual Student Photos for students in Prek, K-7 from Lifetouch may still be ordered.  Please see the information from Lifetouch which follows -
Your child was photographed on 09/17/2012 and we don't want you to miss this important milestone in your child's life.
Call 1-866-955-8342 and provide your Picture Day ID CT022165Q0 to order.
Don't miss this opportunity for a professional quality image. Your child's school portrait captures this moment for you to cherish for years to come.

Grade 8 Poinsettia Sale - Pickup Reminder-  Thanks to everyone who supported this fundraiser! Poinsettia pickup will be in the Parish Center on Friday, Dec. 7th, 2-4pm and after all Masses on Saturday, Dec. 8th and Sunday, Dec. 9th. 

Care Packages for Deployed Marines - You can brighten the holidays for a Marine serving overseas this season by contributing items for a care package.  Click here for more information.

Blood Drive - The St. Mary's Confirmation class of 2013 is organizing, and volunteer staffing, a blood drive on Saturday, January 5th, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Parish Center. Volunteers and Sally Flaig from the Red Cross will be be signing people up for appointments to donate blood at the back of the church after all the Masses on the weekends of December 8th and December15th. Blood donations are at a critical low during the holidays.  Please consider donating.

Home & School Association News-

CHOICE Cards make great Christmas gifts!  Click here for a list of cards currently available with special percentage rates. To guarantee that your gift cards arrive in time for Christmas giving, all special orders must be placed NLT 12/3/12. Cards ordered after that date may arrive in time but delivery is not guaranteed.

News for the Week of 11-21-13

Mr. Cosham's Kindergarten and Ms. Kane's Prekindergarten celebrated Thanksgiving as a family! The Kindergarteners and their PreK buddies had a wonderful time and ate lots of wonderful turkey and pumpkin pie and spent quality time together! Thank you to the Kindergarten parents who helped at this fabulous event! Click here for additional photos.







A Thanksgiving message from Riley in first grade.  Riley has used her iPad and the Educreations App to create a beautiful message that is most appropriate for Thanksgiving and the upcoming Advent season.  Click here.  Thank you, Riley, for reminding us of how we can welcome Jesus into our hearts.

Students in Mrs. Raymond's Algebra I class have been experimenting to determine what substances are the most effective insulators.  Working with their iPads and digital thermometers they have explored the conductivity of various materials including bubble wrap, aluminum foil and styrofoam.  Click here for additional photos.

Our December School Mass will be held on Friday, December 7th at 9:30am.  Everyone is welcome to join us at Mass.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Formal Uniform begins for 8th grade students on Monday, December 3rd.

Hot Lunch Order period for December 2012-January 2013 is now open.  All orders and payments are due NLT Monday, 11/26/12.  WE REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE, BUT LATE ORDERS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NEW ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS. ORDER FORM MUST BE DOWNLOADED AND PRINTED AND COMPLETED MANUALLY. COMPLETED ORDER FORM AND PAYMENT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE. There is also a separate order form for our Family Pizza Lunch that is part of our Catholic Schools' Month Celebration in January 2013. This order form appears on the Hot Lunch page of the school website along with the regular lunch order.  Family Pizza Lunch will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2013. This year all lunches for this event must be preordered on the Family Pizza Lunch order form. There will be no cash and carry meals at the Family Pizza Lunch. Click here to access the Hot Lunch page of the school website. 

Gentle Reminders - 

From time to time, everyone needs to make a change to student dismissal arrangements after the school day has begun.  When this happens, please make every effort to notify the school office no later than noon or as soon as possible.  When changes are not requested until close to the end of the school day, it becomes more likely that your request will not be received.  This can cause confusion and frustration at the end of the day and can even result in your child(ren) following the wrong dismissal plan.  We appreciate your cooperation and certainly understand that sometimes emergencies come up at the last minute.

Our Parent/Student Handbook states:  "hair should be neat with bangs above the eyebrows. Boy’s hair should be above and not touch the shirt collar and trimmed around the ears."  We are seeing quite a few young gentlemen with hair that is "stylishly long" in the front.  Often, this is a distraction to them in the classroom and we are seeing a lot of "hair flipping" to clear their line of sight.  Please get hair trimmed as needed so that your son(s) present a neat, trimmed appearance at school.

Looking ahead to Kindergarten 2013-2014 - If your child will be joining us for Kindergarten next year and he/she does not attend St. Mary's Prekindergarten, please complete an application for admission at your earliest convenience.  Click here for our application form.  If your child is currently enrolled in our Prekindergarten, it is not necessary to reapply for kindergarten since your child is already attending St. Mary's.

All new SMS athletic apparel is available! Many items may be worn as part of the physical education uniform! What a great idea for Christmas giving. Click here for more information and an order form.

Paul Cryan Photography - Remember to send in your proofs and orders.  If you have not already done so, please return your Paul Cryan photo proofs and orders at your earliest convenience.  These are the 8th grade individual student photos and photos taken of other students during after school appointments on October 19th.

Grade 8 Poinsettia Sale - Poinsettia Orders will be accepted until Tuesday, 11/27/12.  Click here for an order form.  Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for supporting this fundraiser.  Poinsettia pickup will be in the Parish Center on Friday, Dec. 7th, 2-4pm and after all Masses on Saturday, Dec. 8th and Sunday, Dec. 9th. 

Home & School Association News-

The next H.S.A. meeting will be on Tuesday, 11/27/12, at 7pm in the Grade 4 classroom.  Click here for an agenda.

H.S.A. is hosting Parents' Night Out on Friday, November 30th.  Click here for more information.

Honor a deceased veteran this Christmas season -  For the 4th year, Simsbury will participate in the Wreaths Across America program.  Click here for more information.  All wreath orders are due NLT November 25th.

Thanks to everyone that donated to the Coat Drive.  Your generous donations will help many keep warm this winter.

Thanks to everyone that helped advertise our Fall Open House for Prospective Families by posting a yard sign.  If you have not already done so, please return your yard sign to school.  We do reuse them.

CHOICE Cards make great Christmas gifts!  Click here for a list of cards currently available with special percentage rates. To guarantee that your gift cards arrive in time for Christmas giving, all special orders must be placed NLT 12/3/12. Cards ordered after that date may arrive in time but delivery is not guaranteed.

Have you ordered your poinsettias? What about your SMS Athletic Apparel?

Beautiful poinsettias are available from our 8th grade again this year.  Click here for an order form.  The ordering period has been extended until Tuesday, 11/27/12.

Sample of some items available 

The next date SMS Athletic Apparel will be ordered is Friday, 11/30/12.  Click here for an order form.

Jazz Band will rehearse Monday, 11/19/12

Just a reminder that Jazz Band will rehearse on Monday, 11/19/12.  Jazz Band students should bring their instruments and music to school.

On Wednesday, 11/21/12, school will be dismissed at 12:45 for Thanksgiving.  School is closed on Friday, 11/23.

News for the week of 11/14/12

Students in Kindergarten & First Grade are using all the tools in their educational toolkits to get ready for Thanksgiving and count their blessings.  Click here for more photos.












Our final day of Parent/Teacher Conferences is Thursday, 11/15/12.  Dismissal will be at 12:45pm.  There will be no Prekindergarten Enrichment or Aftercare.  Firday, 11/16/12, is a full day of school.  Both Prekindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare will be available.

School will be dismissed at 12:45pm on Wednesday, 11/21/12, for Thanksgiving.  There will be no Prekindergarten Enrichment or Aftercare.

Our December School Mass will be held on Friday, December 7th at 9:30am.  Everyone is welcome to join us at Mass.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Formal Uniform begins for 8th grade students on Monday, December 3rd.

Hot Lunch Order period for December 2012-January 2013 is now open.  All orders and payments are due NLT Monday, 11/26/12.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NEW ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS. ORDER FORM MUST BE DOWNLOADED AND PRINTED AND COMPLETED MANUALLY. COMPLETED ORDER FORM AND PAYMENT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE. There is also a separate order form for our Family Pizza Lunch that is part of our Catholic Schools' Month Celebration in January 2013. This order form appears on the Hot Lunch page of the school website along with the regular lunch order.  Family Pizza Lunch will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2013. This year all lunches for this event must be preordered on the Family Pizza Lunch order form. There will be no cash and carry meals at the Family Pizza Lunch. Click here to access the Hot Lunch page of the school website.

Grade 8 Poinsettia Sale- Again this year, beautiful Christmas poinsettias will be available from our 8th grade. All orders are due NLT 11/20/12. Click here for more information & order form.

All new SMS athletic apparel is available! Many items may be worn as part of the physical education uniform! What a great idea for Christmas giving. Click here for more information and an order form.

Thanks to everyone that made the annual Senior Thankgsiving Luncheon a success this year.  We are grateful for your donations of food and the time given to plan, host and clean up after this annual event that means so much to our area senior citizens. Special thanks to Maribeth Mortillaro for coordinating this beautiful event.

All ready for our company!

8th Grade hostesses greet guests

Father Matera said the blessing & enjoyed lunch with us

There was pie for everyone!

Thanks to these and all our volunteers - we couldn't host this annual luncheon without your help!

Parents Night Out is scheduled for Friday, November 30 from 5:30 to 8:30pm in the Parish Center.  Drop your children off for dinner and a movie while you enjoy an evening out.  Details to be posted soon.

The next HSA meeting will be Tuesday, November 27, at 7pm in the 4th grade classroom.  Please attend this meeting to vote on the use of this year's Auction proceeds.

CHOICE News - Planning on giving CHOICE cards for Christmas?  To guarantee that your gift cards arrive in time for Christmas giving, all special orders must be placed NLT 12/3/12.  Cards ordered after that date may arrive in time but delivery is not guaranteed.

Talcott Mountain Science Center hosts an evening with Jacob Komar

Talcott Mountain Science Center invites you to an evening with Jacob Komar, a PhD candidate at Brown University.  Mr. Komar will be presenting on his current work with neural implants & interfacing the brain with modern prosthetic devices.

Jacob, a former TMA student, is at the vanguard of a new technology earning a joint degree in neurophysiology and engineering.

Jacob’s first major project at age 9 involved acquiring computers that were discarded from Talcott Mountain Academy and his sister’s school, restoring them and donating them to families who couldn't otherwise afford them. He called this “Computers for Communities.”

Jacob shares his special talents through volunteer work, which resulted in national recognition including a “DoSomething.org” ‘Brick’ Award”, the “Prudential Spirit of Community Award”, “Angel Soft Angels in Action Award” and “Kohl’s Kids Who Care Point of Light Award.” 

Please rsvp to Talcott Mountain at 860-677-8571.

News for the week of 11/7/12

School will be closed Thursday, 11/8/12, so our faculty can attend the annual Catholic Educators' Conference.  We know you join us in congratulating Mr. Cosham, Mrs. Gore and Mrs. Raymond on their selection as presenters at this year's conference.

Report cards will be distributed to students in grades 1-8 on Friday, 11/9/12.  Kindergarten receives their first formal report card in January.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Monday, 11/12/12 through Thursday, 11/15/12.  Dismissal will be at 12:45 on each of these days.  There will be no Prekindergarten Enrichment or Aftercare on these days.  Conference schedules are posted on the Parents Only password protected page of our website.  Click here to access the login screen.

Before Care Update - In October, we reported that use of the Before Care program had dwindled to only 2 or 3 regular participants.  Unfortunately, it is not possible to continue the program with this level of participation and the program will be discontinued as of 12/21/12.

The annual H.S.A. Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, 11/14/12.  NO HOT LUNCH WILL BE SERVED on this day.  Thanks to everyone who is donating food or helping with this luncheon. Please be sure all your food donations are sent in a timely way.  Carpool families - We ask for your understanding and patience with pickup on luncheon day.  It can be expected that some of our luncheon guests will have parked in the North (playground) parking lot.  Please park around them as best you can and be attentive to the fact that some cars will not move when a row is called.

Hot Lunch Volunteer Reminder - The Hot Lunch Volunteer Schedule is available on the school website.  Please check it regularly to see when you are scheduled to help.  Click here to view the schedule.  If you cannot make your assigned day, please arrange for a substitute.  We have had several occasions with only one volunteer present.  It makes things quite stressful.  We appreciate your commitment to this important service.

Chilly days are here! Just a reminder that students do wait outside each morning and go outside for recess everyday unless it is inclement or below 20 degrees.  Please be sure your child(ren) has(have) the appropriate outdoor gear for the season and that it is your expectation that they will wear their coats, hats, gloves, etc. when going outdoors. Girls may wear sweatpants beneath their skirts/jumpers while waiting outdoors or at recess but these must be removed for the school day.  If & when there is snow to play in, snow pants and boots are required for fun in the snow. 

Paul Cryan Photo Proofs for grade 8 students and siblings that had photos taken during afterschool appointments on October 19th are being sent home Wednesday, 11/7/12.  Please return proofs and orders to school

Grade 8 Poinsettia Sale- Again this year, beautiful Christmas poinsettias will be available from our 8th grade. All orders are due NLT 11/20/12. Click here for more information & order form.

The Leadership Service Committee is having their annual Coat Drive on behalf of the Hispanic Health Council in Hartford, beginning November 5 through November 9. Clean, gently used or new coats are needed for children, teens, young adults, and adults. Each class will collect the coats and grade 8 students will pick them up daily. The Hartford Community are in need of these coats, especially this year, due to the economic conditions.

Congratulations to our FMI Regional Band Musicians - 23 students participated in the FMI Regional Band Concert on October 20th.  Click here for more details.  Many thanks to our dedicated FMI instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, for all her efforts to prepare our students for this concert and to all the parents that made time in busy weekend schedules to drive these students to and from practices on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings in preparation for the concert.

CHOICE News-  Have you started your Christmas shopping?  Gift cards make fabulous presents for those "hard to shop for" people on your list.  For a list of Great Lakes Scrip vendors currently offering special bonus percentages, click here.

The profit percentage for Deitch Oil has dropped from 10% to 5%.

Gift cards to the Max Group restaurants are available in both $25 and $50.

Click here for a CHOICE Order form.

Wednesday, 11/7/12 - All afterschool activities are cancelled

DUE TO THE IMPENDING WINTER WEATHER TODAY, WEDNESDAY, 11/7/12, ALL AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING SPORTS GAMES AND PRACTICES AND AFTERCARE ARE CANCELLED.

Reminders for week of 11/5/12

Be sure to "Fall Back" this weekend!  Eastern Standard Time resumes - Enjoy the extra hour of sleep!

On Monday, 11/5/12,  Lifetouch Photo will be at school to take group class pictures of students in grades Prekindergarten, Kindergarten through Grade 7.  (The group class picture for Grade 8 was already taken by Paul Cryan Photography.)  All students in grades Kindergarten through Grade 7 should wear their formal uniform to school on Monday, 11/5/12.  If Monday is a PE day for your child(ren), please follow the directions provided by teacher(s) regarding bringing the PE uniform or sneakers to school.  Lifetouch will also take retakes and individual photos of any students that were not here for picture day on 9/17/12.  Students needing a retake should bring their photo package to school.  Students needing a picture taken due to absence on picture day should complete a photo order form available in the school office.

On Wednesday, 11/7/12, we are hosting an Open House for Prospective Families.  If you know of anyone wondering if our school might be right place for their children, please encourage them to attend.  Visitors may stop by anytime between 9 and 2 and tour the school and visit in classrooms.

Thursday, 11/8/12, school is closed so our teachers can attend the annual Catholic Educators' Conference.

Report cards will be distributed on Friday, 11/9/12 to students in grades 1-8.

Coat Drive is next week - New and gently used, clean coats will be collected all week.  Coats should be brought to the classroom and will be collected each day.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Monday, 11/12/12 through Thursday, 11/15/12.  School will close at 12:45 on each of these days.  There will be no PreKindergarten Enrichment or Aftercare available on these days.

News for the Week of 11/1/12

Some of you may already be aware that Pope Benedict has proclaimed this as the "Year of Faith".  One of the pastoral recommendations from the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization is that "All of the faithful, called to renew the gift of faith, should try to communicate their own experience of faith and charity ... In this way, it is hoped that the entire Christian people will begin a kind of mission toward those with whom they live and work, knowing that they “have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for every man.”  As we live and celebrate the Year of Faith here at SMS, we will be sharing our activities with you in a new gallery on our school website.  Click here to share our Year of Faith experiences.



There's always something interesting happening in Kindergarten - What do you think was happening in this photo?  Pedicures? 

Nope - painting with feet....  After all, not only fingers are for painting.

Do you know someone who is wondering if St. Mary's School is the right place for their child(ren)?  Please let them know about our Open House for Prospective Parents on Wednesday, November 7th.  Our school will be open to visitors from 9am until 2pm.

Ski & Snowboard Club Registration Extended - Registration for 2013 Ski & Snowboard Club has been extended until Monday, November 5th.  Click here for more information.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 12 through Thursday, November 15.  School will be dismissed on each of these days at 12:45pm.  There will be no PreK Enrichment or Aftercare on these days.  Conference schedules are posted on the Parents Only password protected page of our school website.  Click here to access the login screen.  Please make every effort to keep your scheduled appointments.  If you need to make a change, please contact the school office.  If you trade with another family, please be sure to advise the office of the change so the schedules can be updated and the teachers are prepared to meet with you when you arrive.

Grade 8 Poinsettia Sale- Again this year, beautiful Christmas poinsettias will be available from our 8th grade.  All orders are due NLT 11/20/12. Click here for more information & order form.

The Leadership Service Committee is having their annual Coat Drive on behalf of the Hispanic Health Council in Hartford, beginning November 5 through November 9. Clean, gently used or new coats are needed for children, teens, young adults, and adults. Each class will collect the coats and grade 8 students will pick them up daily. The Hartford Community are in need of these coats, especially this year, due to the economic conditions.

It's almost time for the annual Home & School Association Senior Citizen Luncheon.  This year's luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 14th.  NO HOT LUNCH WILL BE SERVED ON THIS DAY.  In the next few days, you will be contacted by your room parents about needed donations for this luncheon.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation and generosity in regard to these donations. 

Photos from Pumpkin Bingo have been added to the Photo Gallery.  Click here.

School will be closed on Thursday, November 8 for the annual Catholic Educators Curriculum Conference.  We are proud to share that this year, 3 of our teachers:  Mr. Bryan Cosham, Mrs. Virginia Gore and Mrs. Gina Raymond, will be presenters at the conference.  Click here to learn more.

In Social Studies, students in 4th grade brought the Ellis Island experience to life.

News to make you smile - Recently, Terry Spak, mother of Sam, Class of '12, attended a product show sponsored by WB Mason and while there participated in a "Guess the Number of Glue Sticks" contest promotion.  Here is the email she recently received from Elmers Products - "Terry, I wanted to inform you that you were the winner of the Elmer’s Glue Stick giveaway at the WB Mason show.  Your impressive guess of 855 glue sticks was exactly correct.  We will be delivering all 855 glue sticks to the St. Mary’s school in the next few weeks.  We will let them know that the donation was possible based on your outstanding guess.  Thank you for your participation."  Thanks, Terry, for keeping Sam's alma mater in your heart.  Everytime we stick two pieces of paper together, we will smile and think of you!