News for the Week of 9/24/14

Students in Mrs. Jehning's First Grade Class enjoyed stories shared by Molly & Anna's mom.  We are so grateful to all the moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts & uncles, and special friends who make time to share their smiles and talents with us!

Calendar Reminders

Our October School Mass will take place on Friday, October 3 at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to join us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

School will be closed Monday, October 6, for a faculty in-service and Monday, October 13, for Columbus Day.

Hot Lunch Volunteers are Needed! If you have completed your Virtus training and are looking for a great way to share in your child's day, we would welcome your help at hot lunch.  At this time, volunteers are especially needed on the following days -

October 15 - there is only one person signed up

October 20 - there is only one person signed up

October 22 - there are only two people

To sign up to help on these or other days, please click here.

Paul Cryan Photography will be at St. Mary's School on Friday, 9/26/14, to take individual student photos and the class photo for grade 8 only.  Eighth grade students should follow the dress guidelines provided by Mrs. Gillen for these photos.

Again this year, Paul Cryan is available take photos of other St. Mary's students and siblings at photo sessions that will be held on Monday October 20, 2014 at his Avon studio.

Paul Cryan Studios (located next to Riverdale Farms)
40 Avon Meadow Ln,
Avon, CT 06001    (860) 676-1350

Appointments begin at 3:45. Please contact Jennifer Pavlonnis at JPavlonnis@yahoo.com to book your appointments.  ***Photos are of individual students. Offer does not apply to group or family photos.

It's been very busy in Kindergarten! Students in Mr. Cosham's Kindergarten have been especially busy during Guided Reading instruction time! Students have been reading leveled books on their iPads and doing follow up activities (story maps, listing details from the story, illustrating information, etc) to go along with the stories. It is a time when instruction meets the needs of every learner!

"Walk-In Wednesdays" are coming soon!  Do you know someone who is wondering if SMS might be the right place for their family?  Invite them to stop by any Wednesday in October from 9-11:30am to get acquainted and experience a typical day here at school.  No reservation is required but we are happy to make note of expected visitors if people call ahead.  There will also be an Open House for Prospective Families on Wednesday, November 5 at 6:30pm in the Parish Center.  For more information or questions, please contact Angie Connors at aconnors@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Students in Mrs. Gore's Fifth Grade learned about the continents, oceans and hemispheres with "Beachball Geography." Students were able to find all of the continents and oceans and determine what hemisphere they were in using globe beach balls.

Lifetouch Photography will return to SMS on Monday, 11/17/14, to take group class photos of grades PreKindergarten, Kindergarten through grade 7.  Formal uniforms will be worn for these group class photos.  On this same day, Lifetouch will take photos of any students that may have been absent on picture day (9/15/14) as well as retakes for anyone not satisfied with their portrait package.  For retakes, please be sure to send in the original photo package.  Students having individual pictures done may bring "business casual" clothes for their photo but will need to be in uniform the rest of the day.

Sign Up Genius for Parent/Teacher Conferences in November is open.  Click here to sign up for your Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Please keep in mind that all conference days are 12:45 early dismissals.  Conference days are Monday, November 10 through Thursday, November 13.  PreKindergarten Enrichment will be available on conference days until 3:20pm but NO AFTERCARE is available.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Thanks to everyone who supported the car wash last Saturday, 9/13/14 - This event raised an astounding $1286 for the Class of 2015!



There's still time to support the Grade 8 bulb fundraiser.  Click here for more information and ordering details.  Your order is requested NLT September 26th.

Sarah Jesses (r), SMS Class of '13

Alumni News - Congratulations to Sarah Jessen, SMS Class of '13!  Sarah, now a sophomore at Northwest Catholic High School, has been selected to participate in the 2014 NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles sponsored by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Sarah will be playing trumpet in the All-National Honor Concert Band. She will join more than 650 of the most musically talented and skilled high school students in the United States to perform at a gala concert on October 29, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee.

If you have alumni  news to share, please send an email to dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Show your St. Mary’s School Pride!  The SMS oval car magnets are back.  They are available to purchase for $5.00 from the school office.  

Home & School Association News

Ladies’ Night Out - Friday, October 3rd!

Registration ends this Friday, September 26th. We hope you can join us for a night of painting and FUN!!  Visit with old friends, make new friends or bring a friend with you.   You will bring home an original wine glass painted by you!  Don't miss out on this exciting night!  

 Click here for more information.

St. Mary's Gardening Club

 Do you have a green thumb? Come help make St. Mary's as colorful on the outside as it is inside! Our first meeting is scheduled on October 16th at 9:00 a.m.  We will be doing a clean up, planting bulbs and sharing our friendship.  Contact Jennifer Pavlonnis at jpavlonnis@yahoo.com if you are interested in being involved!

Trail Walking/Running

We had a great turnout for our first walk and would love for you to join us! Do you like to run or walk on trails, but need a partner to go with while the kids are at school? We meet on Wednesdays right after drop off (8:50 am) at McLean Game Refuge on Salmon Brook Road in Granby (Rt. 10 - Hopmeadow Street becomes Salmon Brook Road when you cross into Granby). We hope to have several groups running and walking various distances and paces. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Lillis at amylillis73@gmail.com.

Thank you to the St. Mary’s School Class of 2013!  We would like to invite you to the dedication and blessing of our new school and parish center sign.  On Sunday, October 26^th after the 11am Mass, Father Matera will bless our beautiful new sign.  Please mark your calendars now and join us.