News for the week of 12/19/12

Lessons & Carols 2012 was truly a magnificent gift for the Baby Jesus.  Mrs. Gannatti would like to acknowledge the hard work of our students by making Friday, 12/21/12, a Christmas Dress Down Day.  In addition to wearing Christmas hats, socks and accessories, all students are invited to wear red and green casual clothing appropriate for school.  Please help your children make good choices for their attire.  Our special thanks to our vocal music instructor, Mrs. Patty Lepak and our religion coordinator, Mr. Bill Walsh, for their work preparing our students for this annual prayer service.

12:45 Early Dismissal for Christmas Break - Friday, December 21st. No PreK Enrichment or Aftercare available.

Middle School iPads will remain at school over Christmas vacation.  All Middle School iPads will be collected on Thursday, 12/20, since Friday is an early closing day.  Students should put a "sticky note" on the iPad with their name and passcode.

School reopens on Wednesday, January 2nd & our celebration of Catholic Schools' Month begins! Please keep in mind that Before Care will not be available when school resumes in January. 

Please remember that Ski & Snowboard Club begins on the day we return to school - Wednesday, January 2nd and continues on each Wednesday through January 30th.  If there should be a cancellation due to a snow day or early closing,  additional Wednesday(s) will be added.  Skis and snowboards may not be brought to school on the school bus.  Skis, snowboards and other gear may be stored in the Parish Center vestibule during the school day.

Parent Meeting regarding Internet Safety - We have arranged for Officer Dunne from the Simsbury Police Department to join us on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 7pm in the Parish Center to discuss internet safety.  Due to the importance of this topic and it’s direct impact on our children, we are asking that you consider attendance at this meeting a mandatory commitment for at least one parent/guardian from each family.  Middle school students are encouraged to attend as well.

Support St. Mary's as you shop for groceries! Fitzgerald's Foods, ShopRite, Big Y and Stop & Shop all offer easy ways for you to help our school as you do your grocery shopping.  

At Fitzgerald's, it's as simple as dropping your receipts in the St. Mary's bucket on your way out the door. These receipts all get tallied and submitted to the Educational Edge program in the spring. The points these receipts earn can be redeemed for all kinds of free educational supplies. We often use these points to stock up on things like dry erase markers, tape, glue, paint, pencils and colored paper.  

To participate in the Shoprite for Education program, register your Shoprite Price Plus Card at www.shopritefor education.com. Our school code is 18436. This program also provides free educational supplies.  

Big Y's Education Express also earns points for free supplies. Go to www.bigyeducationexpress.com. Our school code is 5681.  

The Stop & Shop's A+ School Rewards program sends us a check at the program's conclusion. To register your Stop & Shop card, go to http://www.stopandshop.com/aplus.

On December 13th, Kindergarten celebrated the Feast of Saint Lucia. There was once a time of great hunger in Sweden. During that time, Saint Lucia appeared with food for everyone in the country. When she appeared, her head was surrounded by a great halo of light. Tradition states that early in the morning on December 13th, in homes throughout Sweden, the oldest daughter carries a special breakfast of coffee and sweet bread to her parents. Usually she is dressed in white and wearing a crown of evergreen branches with seven candles on it.  For more pictures of Christmas in Kindergarten, click here.