News for the Week of 4/3/13

Fourth grade is diving deep for information! 

Students in fourth grade are exploring ocean life & linking their knowledge to the  creation of poetry using their iPads and Apps like Educreations and Scribble Press.  Apps like these allow users to create content using many sources including photos captured from the internet.  They also encourage creative expression through drawing and even allow recording of audio.

Our next school Mass will be on Friday, 4/5/13, at 9am in the church.  Everyone is welcome to join us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Report Cards will be distributed next Friday, 4/12/13.

School is closed from 4/15 - 4/19 for spring vacation.

Open House for Prospective Families - Do you know someone who is wondering if St. Mary's School might be the right place for their family?  We hope you will encourage them to come to Open House on Thursday, April 4th at 6:30pm in Parish Center.

If  have posted an "Open House" sign please be sure to take it down promptly after Open House and return it to the school office.  Thanks for helping us publicize this event.

Don't forget to set your alarm!  Friday, 4/5/13, beginning at 5am, SMS will be the "cool school" featured on WFSB.

Home & School Association News -

Family Fun Night is almost here - We're hoping to see lots of families on Friday, April 5th from 6-8:30pm in the Parish Center. We are looking for SMS students from each grade to put on a school talent show, as well as participate in a fun filled Karaoke night. So all you budding stars & starlets, show us what you can do and have lots of fun in the process. Click here for more details and a downloadable sign up sheet..  Mrs. Howard & Mrs. Figulski are still looking for parents & 7th grade student volunteers to help organize the event. Please e-mail Nancy Figulski, cuplfigs@gmail.com or Mrs. Howard @ michellechoward@yahoo.com, if you are able to help.

CHOICE PROGRAM NEWS

Big Y cards at 6% in April:  We should be receiving our supply of 6% Big Y cards by next week.  They are normally at 2%, so take advantage of the extra profits.

Macy's cards available:  There are currently 10 Macy's cards ($25 each) available in stock (normally they are special-order).  If you are interested in any or all of them, just place a regular Choice order.  No waiting!

CHOICE statements:  Statements will be issued for purchases made through March 31st for families that have not yet completed their CHOICE requirement for this school year.  These statements will come home by April 9th at the latest.  If you do not receive a statement, then you have completed your requirement for the year (thank you!).  Please remember that orders received through April 30th will count towards this year's requirement.  On and after May 1st, purchases go towards next year's obligation.

Community News

St. Mary's Parish 7th &8th Grade Youth Group invites all 7th & 8th grade students to join them at a Games Decathalon on Saturday, April 6th from 6-8pm (after the 5pm Mass) at the Parish Center.  Teams will try their skills at the following events:  Awesome Ball, Balloon Relays, Circle Soccer, Movie-in-a-Minute, Blog Tag and so much more!  Pizza will be served.  Please register by clicking here.

Northwest Catholic High School invites you to "Singin' in the Rain"  on Friday April 5, 2013 and Saturday April 6, 2013 at 7:30pm and on Sunday April 7, 2013 at 2pm. Several SMS alumni including Adrian Hatch, Avery Hatch and Matt Sottile will be performing in this family friendly musical. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Tickets are available by calling the Dramateurs Box Office at 860-236-4221, x240 or by emailing drama@nwcath.org. 

Granny's Attic, one of the world's greatest tag sales will be held this year at Wagner's in Simsbury's Northern Gateway Showroom, 1285 Hopmeadow Street.  Collection dates are Friday, April 19th from 6-8pm, Saturday, April 20th and Sunday, April 21st from 9am-4pm.  Granny's Attic will be open to the public from Monday, April 22nd through Saturday, April 27th.  For more information including guidelines for acceptable items for donation and specific hours of operation, click here.