News for the week of October 30th

Just a reminder to turn your clocks back Saturday night at bedtime!  Daylight savings time is ending.  This is also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.






Our November School Mass will be on All Saints' Day, Friday, November 1st.  We will worship with our parish family at the 12:15pm Mass.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.




Formal Uniform begins for students in Grades Kindergarten - 7 on Friday, November 1. Students in Grade 8 are given the privilege of wearing their relaxed uniform until December 1.

Open House for Prospective Families - Do you know a family interested in St. Mary’s School?  If you do, please let us know and we will invite them to the upcoming Open House on November 5^th.  This is a great opportunity for parents and children to meet our faculty and see our school.  Please send in the names and addresses of interested families or e-mail them toAConnors@StMarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, November 4th to take group class photos of students in Prekindergarten, Kindergarten - Grade 7.  All students, Kindergarten - Grade 7 should be in their full formal uniform. The Grade 8 group class photo has already been taken by Paul Cryan Photography.  Lifetouch will also take individual photos of any students that may have been absent on photo day in September or who may have joined our school since Picture Day.  Order forms are available in the school office.  They will also take retakes for any family that is not happy with the portraits they have received.  You do need to return the original portrait package in order to have a retake done.

SMS Ski and Snowboard Club: Parents and students are reminded of the approaching deadline for registration and payment. Both are due this Friday, November 1st. Registration forms and information are posted on the school website under Athletics, Ski Snowboard Club. In addition, many slots are still open for Chaperones and Snack Masters during the ski snowboard sessions.  Click here to access the Ski & Snowboard Club page on the website.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, November 11th through Thursday, November 14th. Each of these days will be 12:45pm early dismissals.  There will be PreKindergarten Enrichment available since PreK does not have conferences in the fall but there is no Aftercare.  If you did not sign up for a conference via the Sign-Up Genius, an appointment will be assigned to you.  Please check the Sign-Up Genius beginning Monday, 11/4, to view assigned appointments and to make any adjustments necessary.

Class of 2014 American Express Gift Card Raffle Winners!
The three lucky prize winners’ names drawn by Father Matera at Pumpkin Bingo were:
1st Prize - Eva Martin - New Brunswick, Canada
2nd Prize - Jane Toner - Simsbury, CT
3rd Prize - Norma Marchesani - Vernon, CT
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle and made it such a great success.

Poinsettia Sale - The Eighth Graders are once again selling beautiful Poinsettia plants.  All orders must be placed by Wednesday, November 20, 2013.  The plants will be available for pickup in the Parish Center on Friday, December 6, from 2 to 4 or after masses on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8^th.  These plants are a wonderful addition to your Christmas decorations and also make wonderful Christmas gifts. Click here for a poinsettia order form.  Orders may be returned to the school office.  Checks should be made payable to “SMS” with “8 ^th Grade Poinsettia sale” in the memo section.  Thank you for supporting the 8^th Grade Class in their efforts to raise funds for their 8^th Grade Trip.

Grade 8 Spirit wear would make a great Christmas gift - Get your holiday shopping done early!
Your friendly eighth grade students are selling terrific "school spirit" items to help defray costs associated with their class trip and other expenses related to graduation. Items for sale include nylon-backed fleece blankets perfect for sports outings, baseball caps, tote bags for grocery shopping or packing ski or snow clothes, and SMS "fathead" stickers! Perfect for holiday gift-giving or stocking stuffers! Click here for photos, information and order forms. Please make checks payable to SMS and write "Grade 8 Fundraiser" in the memo line.

PLEASE NOTE: FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS AND BASEBALL CAPS ARE NOT PART OF OUR SMS UNIFORM AND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE DAILY ATTIRE. ORDER DEADLINE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 2nd. Thanks for supporting our eighth graders!

Help all our neighbors enjoy Thanksgiving - Again this year, we will be supporting the "Turket Trot" food drive.  Please consider donating a non-perishable food item for this important food drive.  We will collect food for this drive beginning Monday, 11/4 through Friday 11/8.  Please mark your donations for the Turkey Trot since non-perishable food donations will also be solicited by room parents for our annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving luncheon.


Aftercare News - The first and third grade classrooms are now being used for aftercare.  When picking up, please enter the north (playground) parking lot and park outside the first and third grade classrooms.  These are the rooms on your right when you enter the lot.  You need to go to the classroom door to pick up your child(ren).  Please share this information with anyone that may have your permission to pick up from aftercare.

Reminder regarding Changes to Dismissal -  All changes to regular dismissal arrangements must be communicated to the teacher and school office.  You may send in a written note in the morning or email the teacher(s).   If you call, please be sure to speak to the Office, do not use the teacher's voice mail to request a dismissal change.  On busy days, teachers may not be able to check voice mail during the school day.  If using email, please be sure to copy smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  This helps assure the office knows how your child(ren) should go home in case there is any confusion.  Please try to request dismissal changes before noon. We understand that emergencies and last minute things will happen but early notification helps assure that teachers are notified and that students go home as they should.

H.S.A. News

Minutes from the 9-4-13 H.S.A. meeting are available.  Click here.

Piano Lessons with Mr. Cosham!  Mr. Cosham has a few spots open for students new to the study of piano.  Please contact him at bcosham@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Why not fill someone's Christmas stocking with the gift of music?

News for the week of 10/24/13

This week, our 8th grade students attended a retreat at the Holy Family Retreat Center in Farmington. Father Michael Santiago, our school chaplain, joined the students on this retreat.

The theme of the retreat was leadership and acting like Christ in the world.  This theme will be extended throughout this school year as our 8th grade students embrace their role as student leaders in our community.

Students were also happy for an opportunity to see Mr. Walsh who left his position as Middle School History, Geography and Religion teacher at SMS at the end of the 2012-13 school year to pursue his desire to facilitate retreat experiences at Holy Family.

All are invited to join us as we pray the Rosary as a community with Father Santiago on Tuesday, 10/29/13, at 9am in the Church.









Our November School Mass will be on All Saints' Day, Friday, November 1st.  We will worship with our parish family at the 12:15pm Mass.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Open House for Prospective Families - Do you know a family interested in St. Mary’s School?  If you do, please let us know and we will invite them to the upcoming Open House on November 5^th.  This is a great opportunity for parents and children to meet our faculty and see our school.  Please send in the names and addresses of interested families or e-mail them to AConnors@StMarysimsbury.eduk12.net


Help us Advertise our Open House - We need your help!  We still have 20 Open House signs in the office.  Please stop by and pick one up.  Please ask friends, relatives, parishioners etc. to place a sign in their yard for a few weeks.  We have an amazing Open House planned for November 5^th and would love to see the room packed with potential families.  Thank you very much for your help.

Parent/Student Directory Update - Please join us in welcoming Alessia Totti to our Prekindergarten.  Please keep in mind that updated family directory information is always available via the Educonnect Parent Portal.

Formal Uniform begins for students in Grades Kindergarten - 7 on Friday, November 1.  Students in Grade 8 are given the privilege of wearing their relaxed uniform until December 1.

Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, November 4th to take group class photos of students in Prekindergarten, Kindergarten - Grade 7.  All students, Kindergarten - Grade 7 should be in their full formal uniform. The Grade 8 group class photo has already been taken by Paul Cryan Photography.  Lifetouch will also take individual photos of any students that may have been absent on photo day in September or who may have joined our school since Picture Day.  Order forms are available in the school office.  They will also take retakes for any family that is not happy with the portraits they have received.  You do need to return the original portrait package in order to have a retake done.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, November 11th through Thursday, November 14th.  Each of these days will be 12:45pm early dismissals.  There will be PreKindergarten Enrichment available since PreK does not have conferences in the fall but there is no Aftercare.  If you did not sign up for a conference via the Sign-Up Genius, an appointment will be assigned to you.  Please check the Sign-Up Genius beginning Monday, 11/4, to view assigned appointments and to make any adjustments necessary.

SMS Ski and Snowboard Club - Parents and students are reminded of the approaching deadline for registration and payment.  Both are due Friday, November 1st.  In addition, many slots are still open for Chaperones and Snack Masters during the ski snowboard sessions.  Click here to access registration forms and a link to the Sign-Up Genius for Chaperones and Snack Masters.

H.S.A. News

Minutes from the 9-4-13 H.S.A. Meeting are available, click here.

The Lyman Orchard pie fundraiser has been extended to Friday, October 25, 2013. Please consider buying a pie for your Thanksgiving or just for good eating as it will be supporting our cultural enrichment event, "Destiny Africa". Destiny Africa is an African Drum band made up of orphans from Africa on tour here in the United States. Having Destiny Africa come and perform their music for us enables the continuation of an important school and orphanage in Africa.

The annual Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, 11/20.  This beloved tradition which serves a delicious holiday meal to over 200 area senior citizens needs lots of help.  If you can help with setup, serving, preparation or cleanup, please click here to use the Sign Up Genius to volunteer your time.

Class of 2014 - American Express Gift Card Raffle -All 300 tickets for the raffle have been sold. 
We want to thank everyone for their support and look forward to the drawing on Friday, October 25th (Pumpkin Bingo) at 7:00pm where the three winners of $1,000.00 American Express Gift Card prizes will be announced. Good Luck Everyone!



CHOICE News - Just a reminder that during the month of October Big Y is currently offering a 6% profit rate instead of the usual 2%.  6% CHOICE cards are available for purchase until our inventory is depleted.

Community News

Simsbury Arts Academy announces an Illustration Program presented by SMS Alumna, Christine Kornacki.  Click here for a downloadable flyer.

Come Zumba with the Simsbury High School Field Hockey Team!  Thursday, October 24th from 5:30-7pm at the Simsbury High School Gymnasium.  Cost is $10 for students and $15 for adults.  SMS alumna, Alex Clark, is selling advance tickets, contact her at alexandraclark33@comcast.net.  Tickets will also be available at the door.

Looking for a new way your family can get into the Halloween Spirit? We are excited to let you know about a new book written by one of St. Mary’s parishioners, Jeannot Bligh. The book, 3 Days of Halloween is a children’s story that uncovers the true nature of Halloween in the Catholic tradition. It is a fast paced, engaging story both children and adults will enjoy. The book is a great way your family can learn more about the Hallomas Triduum.

Come and meet Jeannot at a book signing here at St. Mary’s on Sunday, 10/27, in the Parish Center before and after the 8:20 -9:15AM & 10:50-11:40AM Adult Enrichment Programs!  

Students in Mrs. Jehning's First Grade receive a scoop of popcorn when their behavior is especially commendable.  Last Friday, they filled their popcorn jar for the first time and this week, they celebrated with a well-deserved popcorn party.  Great job, First Grade - Keep up the good work!

News for the Week of 10-16-13

"I'm a Little Acorn, Small & Round...."

First grade students have been celebrating the season with a song called "I'm a Little Acorn".  If you have a first grader at home, be sure to ask for a performance!

Open House for Prospective Families - Do you know a family interested in St. Mary’s School?  If you do, please let us know and we will invite them to the upcoming Open House on November 5^th.  This is a great opportunity for parents and children to meet our faculty and see our school.  Please send in the names and addresses of interested families or e-mail them to AConnors@StMarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Parent/Student Directory Update - Please join us in welcoming Austin Pantano to our Kindergarten.  Current parent/student directory information is always available via the Educonnect Parent Portal.

St. Mary's School will hold our traditional Thanksgiving Luncheon for over 200 senior citizens this year on Wednesday, November 20th. In early November, room parents will be in touch with you as we try to collect food items to be used that day. The 8th graders will serve that day and we will be asking for some parent volunteers as well. If you would like to help with the day, there are several time slots: 9-11 for set up, slicing rolls and pie, filling creamers, 11:30-1:30 for the actual serving of the meal, 1:30-3:20 for the all important clean up with the goal of finishing by the time school gets out. If these times don't work,we do start to set up the parish center the night before from 7-9 p.m. Anyone interested in helping in any way, please contact Maribeth Mortillaro at mortillaroj@comcast.net. Thanks so much for any help you can be.

Used Uniforms - Click here to view an updated list of items available via the Used Uniform Exchange.






Home & School Association News

Lyman Orchard pie orders and payments are due on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. Thank you for your help with this Cultural Enrichment fundraising event

There will be an HSA Meeting on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 7pm.  Due to the vacancy of the Corresponding Secretary position, the HSA will be holding a special election for the positions of:

Corresponding Secretary- candidate Amy Lillis
Recording Secretary- candidate Noreen Kuziak
Co-Vice president- candidate Jennifer Pavlonnis

Mark your calendars for family fun!  Pumpkin Bingo is coming!

Box Tops for Education - Time is running out to get those Box Tops in for our first contest of the year!  Deadline for collection is Friday, 10/18/13.  Box Tops should be brought directly to classroom collection boxes.






Community News

Kindergarten students have been using the Educreations App on their iPads to outline the life cycle of pumpkins.  Their colorful drawings and careful explanations of the various stages of the life cycle are great examples of mobile device technology being effectively used in a classroom setting.

News for the Week of 10-9-13

It's all smiles at Bookfair this week!  And we are hoping to see many of your smiling faces at our Bookfair's special Family Night on Thursday, 10/10.  Starting at 5:30pm, you are invited to meet an author and an illustrator who has a special SMS connection.  See all the details under HSA News below.


Parent/Student Directory Updates - Please join us in welcoming Wendy Thompson to Kindergarten.  Please keep in mind that Parent/Student Directory information is always updated and available to you via the Educonnect Parent Portal.

School will be closed Monday, October 14th, for Columbus Day.
School will also be closed on Wednesday, 10/23/13, for a Faculty In-Service.


Walk-in Wednesdays continue on October 16th & October 30th (School is closed Wednesday, October 23rd) - If you know someone who is wondering if SMS is the place for their child(ren), please encourage them to stop by any Wednesday in October between 9:30 and 11am.  We will also be hosting an Open House for Prospective Families on Tuesday, November 5th beginning at 6:30pm in the Parish Center.

Open House Lawn Signs – Please help promote our upcoming November open house. If you live in a location that can help promote our November 5^th Open House, stop by the front office.   There are lawn signs available for parents to pick-up this week.  Thank you for your support of our school.

Grade 8 Fundraising News -

Class of 2014 American Express Gift Card Raffle

The Class of 2014 is excited to announce its American Express Gift Card Raffle. There are only 300 hundred tickets being sold. They will be giving away three prizes of $1,000.00 American Express Gift Cards. The tickets are $20.00 each. The drawing will be on Friday, October 25^th (Pumpkin Bingo) at 7:00pm. Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, October 2^nd. Please see any 8^th Grade parent if you would like to purchase a ticket. Tickets will also be available at the school office as well as at Family Night at the Book Fair. Buy a ticket and have a chance to win a $1,000.00 gift card!  What a great way to kick off  your holiday shopping season!

SMS "School Spirit" wear & gear is also still available.  Please note, however, that the insulated bag that was originally offered has been replaced with a zipper top tote.  Click here for an updated order form.

Volunteers are needed to help with Art Truck & Library -  Please click here to access the Sign-up Genius.  We still need volunteers on many days and your help is appreciated.

Hot Lunch Volunteers are also needed - Please click here to access the Sign-up Genius to volunteer for Hot Lunch.  Even if you can only help once in a great while, your help is needed!

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be here soon!  Conferences are scheduled for Monday, 11/11 - Thursday, 11/14.  All of these days will be 12:45pm early dismissals and there will be no Aftercare.  There will be PreKindergarten Enrichment since PreKindergarten does not have conferences in November.  If you have not already done so, please click here to access the Sign-up Geniuses for conference appointments.  Beginning on 10/15/13, the Sign-up Geniuses will be closed and those families that have not signed up for appointments will have a day/time assigned for them.  Once all appointments are assigned, the Sign-up Geniuses will be reopened so that you can trade appointments with another family if you need to make a change.

Athletic News

It's Time to Think about Ski & Snowboard Club!  There will be a Parents' Informational Meeting about this year's Ski & Snowboard Club on October 10th at 7:00pm in the Grade 4 classroom. Parents and students are encouraged to attend, especially those who are new to the program or who might need a little reminder on key safety points.

A representative from Ski Sundown will be coming to present on ski and snowboard safety. This is your opportunity to get information about the club activities, ask questions and sign up. All forms will be available to sign up for the program. Attendance is not mandatory and participants can sign up as they have in the past. Click here for registration forms and more information.  If you are interested in chaperoning or providing snacks for the club, please click here to access the Sign-Up Genius for Chaperones & Snack Masters.

Home & School Association News

Fall Bookfair is underway!  Please join us on Thursday evening to enjoy the company of SMS alumna, Miss Christine Kornacki.  We are so excited that she will be with us and hope many of you will be able to join us for her presentation. Miss Kornacki will talk about her lifelong desire to be an artist and her experiences as an illustrator.  Her presentation includes many samples of her beautiful work and also traces the process she follows when illustrating a book.  Her talk should be both illuminating and inspirational for any SMS students who are aspiring artists!

 Miss Kornacki is an artist who has illustrated for the American Girl series.  Her most recently illustrated publication, The First Christmas Night, will be for sale and available for her signature. What a great Christmas gift idea!

Lyman Pie Fundraiser is underway!  Click here for all the details and for a downloadable order form.  All orders and payments are due NLT 10/22/13.   Pies will be available for pick up on Monday, November 18th.

Please remember to save your Boxtops! The first collection deadline is Friday, October 18th.  Click here for more information.

The new and Improved Pumpkin Bingo is quickly approaching! Mark your calendars for October 25th at 6:00PM to join the October fun! The event will be held in the Parish Center. Volunteers are still needed.  Click here to learn more & volunteer.

"Leaving" no creative opportunity unexplored, Grade 8 students assist with creation of a beautiful, Autumnal bulletin board.

Simsbury Heritage Day - Saturday, October 5th

This Saturday, October 5, the Simsbury Historical Society will be sponsoring Simsbury Heritage Day. As part of the living history event, the Second Continental Light Dragoons, a Revolutionary War cavalry unit, will be on the grounds of the Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This is an interactive event, and children and adults will have the opportunity to witness - and participate in - history in action.  There will be cavalry horse drills, marching drills, musket demonstrations and much more.  Food and drink will be available and children's games and activities will be offered.

For more information: www.simsburyhistory.org or on www.Simsburypatch.com

News for the Week of 10/2/13

October School Mass will be on Friday, 10/4/13, at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to join us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.  The Home & School Association will host a coffee in the Parish Center before Mass.  Please stop by for some friendly conversation!

School will be closed Monday, October 14th, for Columbus Day.
School will also be closed on Wednesday, 10/23/13, for a Faculty In-Service.



Carpool Lot - Reminder regarding Spots 1 & 2 -  Just a friendly reminder that spots 1 and 2 in the carpool lot are reserved for the families that have purchased the privilege of these spots of ultimate convenience at the H.S.A. auction.  This year, these spots are reserved for the Bradley and Winkler families.  Please remember to leave these spots open for their arrival.  The great news is the bidding for these spots will open again at this year's auction on February 8, 2014 at the beautiful Riverview in Simsbury.

Grade 8 Fundraising News -

Class of 2014 American Express Gift Card Raffle

The Class of 2014 is excited to announce its American Express Gift Card Raffle. There are only 300 hundred tickets being sold. They will be giving away three prizes of $1,000.00 American Express Gift Cards. The tickets are $20.00 each. The drawing will be on Friday, October 25^th (Pumpkin Bingo) at 7:00pm. Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, October 2^nd. Please see any 8^th Grade parent if you would like to purchase a ticket. Tickets will also be available at the school office as well as at Family Night at the Book Fair. Buy a ticket and have a chance to win a $1,000.00 gift card!  What a great way to kick off  your holiday shopping season!

Athletic News

It's Time to Think about Ski & Snowboard Club!  There will be a Parents' Informational Meeting about this year's Ski & Snowboard Club on October 10th at 7:00pm in the Grade 4 classroom.  Click here for registration forms and more information.  If you are interested in chaperoning or providing snacks for the club, please click here to access the Sign-Up Genius for Chaperones & Snack Masters.


SMS Athletic Apparel is available.  Click here for an updated order form that includes new royal blue mesh shorts.  With the exception of the hat, these items have been approved for physical education wear during the school day.  Please also note that the hoodie sweatshirt may only be worn by Middle School students during the school day.

Home & School Association News -

The Lyman Orchards Pie Fundraiser begins this week!  Order forms will be coming home in backpacks later this week.  You may click here to access an electronic copy of the order form. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit Cultural programs sponsored by the H.S.A.  All orders and payments are due NLT 10/22/13.  Pickup of pies is scheduled for 11/18/13.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's Home & School Association with "Lyman Pies" in the memo section.

Pumpkin Bingo is coming!  Mark your calendars for family fun on Friday, October 25th beginning at 6pm.  Halloween costumes encouraged but leave the scary stuff & any toy weapons at home. Volunteers are needed for this event.  To sign up to help, please click here.



H.S.A. Special Election -  There will be a special election to fill a vacancy on the 13-14 H.S.A. Board of Officers.  Click here for more information.

Fall Bookfair begins on Tuesday, October 8th.  Be sure to join us at Family Night!

Shoprite for Education - It's time to register for this year's program.  Please take a moment to register your Shoprite Price Plus Club Card to benefit our school.  Click here and use our school's code - 18436.  Please note, if you signed up last year, you must re-register to participate again this year.

Community News




Sean Forrest will host a benefit concert at St. Bartholomew's Parish in Manchester, CT on 11/16/13,  to benefit his cause to build a loving home for Haiti's forgotten elderly and to celebrate the launch of his new album, You Will Be Alright.  Click here for more information.