News for the week of 6/11/14

Graduation 2014 - A Time of New Beginnings

St. Mary's Class of 2014 on Graduation Day - June 6, 2014

"There is good reason they call these ceremonies commencement exercises.
Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning."  Orrin Hatch

St. Mary's Prekindergarten Class of 2014 on their Moving Up Day - June 10, 2014

Yearbooks -  Yearbooks were distributed last Friday (6/6)  to all students in grades PreK - grade 7 that had books preordered for them (Grade 8 received their yearbooks prior to their graduation).  If you have questions about your yearbook order,please contact Donna Nolan -  Donna' phone is 860 653-6312,  Her email -donna.nolan410@gmail.com.

If a yearbook was not preordered and a student would now like to purchase a yearbook, we do have 17 extra copies available for sale in the school office, first come/first serve.  The cost is $30 and the check should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Yearbook" in the memo section.  Books must be paid for before they will be given to a student.

iPads - Middle school students in grades 6 and 7 must turn in both their iPad and their school issued charging cord and brick NLT Friday, 6/13/14.  All devices will be inspected for physical damage.  If any damage is noted, you will receive a letter explaining the nature of the damage and requesting a check for $49 made payable to St. Mary's School to pay for AppleCare+ repair of the device over the summer.  Students in middle school that fail to return their school issued charging brick and cord will incur a $40 replacement charge.  All students will receive the same iPad for use next year unless the device has to be replaced due to damage.

End of Year Calendar Reminders

Our last day of school is Monday, June 16th and this day is a 12:45pm early dismissal day.  There is no PreKindergarten Enrichment or Aftercare.

There will be prayer service on our last day of school, Monday, June 16th at 8:45am in the church. All are most welcome to join us as we thank God for a productive, positive school year and pray for a relaxing, safe summer.  Everyone is also welcome to attend the annual student Award Service that will begin at 9:30 in the Parish Center.  Parents of students that will be receiving an award will be notified in advance by homeroom teachers.

Summer Office Hours will begin on Tuesday, June 17th.  The school office will be routinely staffed Monday - Thursday from 9am-1pm and by appointment.  Voice mail and email will be checked regularly.

Back To School Mailing will be sent via U.S. mail mid-August.  You can look forward to the many forms associated with all new beginnings!

Calendar Reminders for the start of the new school year -

Middle School iPad Deployment in August 2014- Middle School students (entering grades 6, 7 & 8) and at least one parent/guardian will be required to meet with Mrs. Hatch for a brief (15 minute) appointment prior to the start of school to turn in the required iPad "Big 3" forms (i.e., verify that iPad insurance has been paid, return signed acknowledgements for Parent/Student Handbook and iPad AUP and signed Electronic Use Agreement).  During this appointment, Mrs. Hatch will also review use of the Notability App, school GMail and automatic backup to Google Drive and answer any questions.  A Sign-up Genius will be posted to allow you to sign up for a convenient appointment day and time.  There will be morning, afternoon and evening appointments available during the mid-August time frame.  A family email will be sent out when the Sign Up Genius is available.  Families that do not meet with Mrs. Hatch prior to the start of school will need to be in touch with her to make alternative iPad deployment arrangements.  No student will be given an iPad until this meeting has taken place.

First Day of School for Grades Prekindergarten - 8 will be Wednesday, August 27th.  Other important dates associated with the start of school are:

Monday, August 25 - Kindergarten Parent Meeting at 6pm in the Kindergarten classroom

Tuesday, August 26 - "Morning in Middle School" for all entering 6th grade students and new transfer students in grades 7 and 8 from 9-11:30.  Kindergarten - Gr. 3 "Meet & Greet", 10:30-11:30.

First grade received a beautiful surprise  from Mrs. Elliott and her 8th Grade Academic Literature class. They dedicated a book to the first grade class titled, The Orchid and The Igloo, which they wrote and illustrated themselves. First grade had the pleasure of listening to them read it aloud to them. The book and its message was spectacular! We are so grateful and touched by this wonderful gift. Thank you Katheryn,Lauren, Maddy, Amelia, Vanessa, Caroline, Kurt, Caleb and Liam from the bottom of our hearts!

Home & School Association News

The next HSA meeting will be held next Thursday, June 12^th at 6:30 in the grade 8 classroom.  The proposed 14-15 HSA budget is available for review on the password protected Parent's Only Page of our school's website.  Click here to access the log-in screen.

The agenda for the 6/12/14  H.S.A. meeting is available on the school's website.  Click here.

Congratulations to our Jump Rope Club on 2 fine performances to conclude their season.  Our thanks to their coach, Mrs. Mary Liljedahl and to all the parents that helped turn the ropes!

Something's Cooking in Kindergarten!  

Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Kindergarten had a hands on experience last week making pizza with our in-house chef, Mrs. Hatch! Students began the morning reading a story about pizza and the students then got right to work rolling, flouring, and spreading their dough to be the shape of a small pizza.  Students then added the gooey sauce and cheese to make their personal pizza complete.  When the pizzas were cooked, students enjoyed talking about how many pieces they had and discussing fractions which we had been learning about in Math.  Students had a wonderful time baking! Thanks to Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Spak, Mrs. Moreno, Mrs. Rushin, Mrs. McAnaney and Mrs. Markiv for their help. This week, Kindergarten will explore chemical reactions and states of matter by making ice cream in a bag.  Imagine having to wait a week for dessert after pizza!

Community News 

St. Mary's Church invites  us to congratulate Deacon Arthur Miller and his wife, Sandy at a reception this Sunday, June 15th after the 9:30 Mass in the St Mary's Parish Center. We will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his Ordination as a Deacon by offering our thanks for their service to God, his Church, and our Parish.   

Stop by after the 9:30 Mass or before attending the 11 AM Mass; coffee, juice and donuts will be served. 

The Avon Soccer Club offers a number of programs.  Click here for information about their Fall 2014 recreational schedule.

Northwest Catholic is offering youths entering grades 3-9 in the fall an opportunity to attend their All State Football Clinic.  This instructional, non-contact clinic will run from July 28-31.  Click here for more information and to download a registration form.

Martocchio's Music is offering Summer Jazz and Rock Camp.  Programs are one week long and are open to students entering grades 4 and up.  Click here for more details.

The "Officer Phil" Safety Program visited grades PreK - 4 on Wednesday.  His good advice included:

"Remember, don't talk to strangers, ask before going online, and always always always walk on the sidewalks!"  It was a great visit and his jokes really "quacked" the kids up.