News for the Week of 1/29/14

IT'S TIME TO ORDER YOUR AUCTION TICKETS!

Auction Tickets Now Available!  The HSA Annual Auction is next Saturday - February 8th! Ticket orders and payments are due NLT this Friday, 1/31/14.  Visit the auction's website for a preview of the evening's events and delicious menu, by clicking here.  The auction committee does recommend paying for your tickets by check to avoid credit card fees.  To do this, you may send your ticket request into school.  Click here for an order form like the one appearing to the left.

The Auction Committee invites you to join in the fun of this year's Olympic theme and feature a photo of your child demonstrating their "Olympian" skills.  Click here for more information.

Family Pizza Lunch is scheduled for Friday, 1/31/14.  Everyone is welcome and invited to come and eat lunch with their favorite SMS student(s).  Student pizza lunches were ordered via the regular hot lunch menu.  The order period for guest lunches has now closed but you are welcome to join us with a brown bag lunch.

The lunch schedule for Family Pizza Lunch is as follows:

Prekindergarten, Kindergarten and Grades 1 & 2:  11-11:35am
Grades 3-5:  11:40am-12:15pm
Grades 6-8:  12:20-12:50pm


Upcoming School Masses - 
 February 7th at 9am
Ash Wednesday, March 5th at 12:15 - We will worship with our Parish family as the holy season of Lent begins.
April 4th at 9am
May 16th at 9am

Retelling the story of Rosa Parks - Learning came to life when First Grade  acted out the story of Rosa Parks. They did a fabulous job of retelling the events that happened in history so long ago. Kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd and 6th grade friends enjoyed the performance. 

St. Mary's School Playground Fundraiser "Dining for Dollars" - As you know, this year's HSA auction proceeds will be used for a new playground.  There is now another way to help raise funds for this important project.  The Avon location of Bertucci's is hosting 2 "Dining for Dollars" benefit nights.  Patrons presenting the "Dining for Dollar" coupon on Wednesday, January 29th and February 5th from 11am - 10pm will have 15% of their purchase donated to the St. Mary's School Playground Fund.  This coupon may be used on both Dine In and Carry Out purchases but is only valid at the Avon location - 380 West Main St (Route 44).  Click here for a "Dining for Dollars" flyer that contains 4 coupons. Enough for your family to enjoy two delicious dinners and also 2 to share with friends to help us have a fabulous new playground!


Head lice are an unpleasant reality that can affect students of all ages and genders.  All schools have established procedures for helping families manage an infestation of head lice.  Click here to learn about our school's procedures.  Our procedures are the same as those used by the Simsbury Public School system.   Click here for a helpful fact sheet about head lice and management of an infestation.

Athletic News - It's time to think about Jump Rope Club!  Click here for more information.

Hot Lunch Volunteers Needed!  We are still in need of lunch volunteers.  Click here for the Sign Up Genius.



Home & School Association News

In keeping with our mission this year to keep the Simsbury food bank stocked this year, please consider donating instant coffee -regular or decaf, hot chocolate, tea, regular coffee, decaf coffee, canned fruit, low sugar canned fruit and individually wrapped or toilet paper in a 4 pack.

HSA is currently forming a nominating committee to find candidates for our outgoing treasurer and president. Please consider joining the committee and have a say in your representation.

The HSA budget report from 1-26-14 is now available for review on the Parents Only secure page of our school website.  Click here to access the login screen.

Christine Kornacki shared insights into the illustration process

Last Friday, SMS Alumna and professional illustrator, Christine Kornacki, met with our students in grades 3-8 to chat about her most recent project, The Sparkle Egg.  To enjoy the presentation she shared with our students, click here.

Today (1/29) students in Prekindergarten - grade 2 met with local author, Fern Michonski. 

Fern Michonski provided an engaging presentation.

Both of these visits were part of our Catholic Schools' Month celebration.

As we finish our celebration of Catholic Schools' Month, don't forget that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week!  Don’t forget to tell your teachers how much you appreciate all they do for you!




Box Tops for Education:  The next Box Tops collection will end on Friday, February 7^th.  Please send all Box Tops to your child’s classroom collection box.  Happy clipping!

CHOICE Program News - Family CHOICE participation statements were sent home with youngest or only students on Monday, 1/27/14.  If you have not already done so,  please check the back packs. This statement reflects CHOICE earnings through December 31st. As indicated on your Family Enrollment Agreement, participation in CHOICE is a mandatory part of your tuition obligation.  Families have until 4/31/14 to raise the required amount of money via CHOICE or to complete the obligation via an "opt-out" payment.  If you have questions about your CHOICE obligation, please contact Tammy Budnick at the school office or via tbudnick@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.