Reminders for Friday, 10/31/14

Happy Halloween!  It was a day of fun and fanciful costumes today for all of us - big & small.  Thanks to everyone who made "Trick 'a Trunk" and classroom celebrations such a fun events. Be safe if you are Trick or Treating tonight!

Don't forget!  Turn your clocks back one hour at bedtime on Saturday, 11/1.  You wouldn't want to arrive at school an hour early on Monday!





Paul Cryan Photography - Portrait photos taken at the Paul Cryan studio in Avon will be coming home on Friday, 10/31/14.  If you don't receive your photos, please contact Paul Cryan at (860) 676-1350.

Formal Uniform Begins on Monday, 11/3, for students in Kindergarten - Grade 7.  Students in the 8th grade are given the privilege of wearing the relaxed uniform until December 1st.

There's no snow on the pumpkins BUT the deadline for Ski & Snowboard Club is here!  Your registration & payment are due NLT 11/3/14.

 The signup deadline for SMS Ski & Snowboard Club is Monday, November 3.  To date only 3 students have registered. A minimum of 20 are needed for the program.   A minimum of 20 are needed to hold the cost at $75 per student. Only 2 students have registered for the bus transportation. Please try to register in time. Late registration will be available but it will have a $25 late fee. ****If we do not get 20 participants the program may have to be cancelled.**** 

Annual Senior Luncheon Will Be Here Soon! St. Mary School is hosting our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for Senior Citizens on Wednesday, November 19th in the parish center. Again this year, each grade is being asked to contribute specific items to help prepare the meal. A Sign Up Genius has been setup for each class to make it easy for you to see what is needed and to sign up to help. **NOTE** Corrected link now available for sign-up - Click here to access the Sign Up Genius. Non-perishable items should be sent in by Monday, November 17th. Please be sure that they are clearly labeled for the Senior Luncheon. Non-perishable items should be sent in by 9AM on Wednesday, 11/19. Your contributions are vital to our success. If you know of an area senior citizen that would like to attend our luncheon, please tell them to sign up by calling the Simsbury Senior Center to make their reservation at 860-658-3273. Seating is limited, please encourage them to call ASAP!

PLEASE NOTE - NO STUDENT HOT LUNCH IS SERVED ON SENIOR LUNCHEON DAY.  ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING A BROWN BAG LUNCH.  Milk is still available.

Home & School Update - The HSA meeting originally scheduled for 11/11/14 has been moved to 11/18/14.  The meeting will be at 6:30pm in the grade 8 classroom.

SMS Featured on OCS Facebook Page - Today the Office of Catholic Schools posted two stories featuring SMS on their Facebook page.  Please feel free to "share" these stories with your Facebook friends and remember to "like" the OCS page!

Avery Hatch, SMS Class of 12, with
her senior sponsor, Michael Valentine

Matt Sottile, SMS Class of '12, at NWC
Junior Investiture

Alumni News - Each year, Northwest Catholic High School celebrates Junior Investiture. On this prayerful day, students in their Junior Year are officially recognized as upperclassmen.  Each junior has a senior student as their "sponsor" for this important rite of passage. The day includes a prayer service, retreat and special luncheon.  In the evening, families of the Juniors come together for a brief prayer service and community supper. Congratulations to those alumni of the SMS Class of '12 that are currently juniors at Northwest Catholic.  Their Investiture Ceremony was held on Wednesday, 10/29.

Do you have alumni news to share?  Please send it along to dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  We love to hear about our alumni's accomplishments, achievements, successes and community service!

News for the Week of 10/29/14

Don't forget!  Turn your clocks back one hour at bedtime on Saturday, 11/1.  You wouldn't want to arrive at school an hour early on Monday!

Students in Mrs. Jehning's First Grade class are learning more about the way Jesus teaches us about love and the Great Commandment. To coincide with this study, the students are creating a daily reflection book on their iPads.  Students are typing and illustrating their entries using an app called Book Creator.

Our next school Mass will be on Friday, 11/7, at 9am in the Church.

Our first marking period closes on Friday, 10/31/14.  Report Cards will be distributed to students in grades 1-8  on Friday, 11/7.  Students in Kindergarten will receive their first report cards in January.

 Please remember that Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held from Monday, 11/10-Thursday, 11/13.  We request that a conference be scheduled for every student in the fall regardless of current academic progress. If you did not sign up for a conference by noon on Friday, 10/24, a conference day and time has been assigned for you by the school office.  Please take a moment to check the appropriate sign-up genius for your assigned day and time.  Click here.  You may make adjustments if needed.   As conference days get closer, please be aware that you will receive a reminder of your assigned conference two dates prior to the event from Sign Up Genius.  Please contact Tammy Budnick at the school office with any questions regarding conference sign up.

Please remember that Monday, 11/10 - Thursday, 11/13 are  12:45pm early dismissal days.  There will be PreKindergarten Enrichment available on these days  but there is NO aftercare available.  Friday, 11/14, will be a regular, full day of school.  

Last Call for Ski & Snowboard Club Registration - The signup deadline for SMS Ski Snowboard Club is Monday, November 3.  To date only 3 students have registered. A minimum of 20 are needed for the program.  Only 2 students have registered for the bus transportation. A minimum of 20 are needed to hold the cost at $75 per student.  Please try to register in time. Late registration will be available but it will have a $25 late fee. If we do not get 20 participants the program may have to be cancelled. 

Formal Uniform Begins on Monday, 11/3, for students in Kindergarten - Grade 7. Students in the 8th grade are given the privilege of wearing the relaxed uniform until December 1st.

Just in time for this uniform transition, beginning  November 3rd through November 11th, take advantage of Lands’ End’s Friends & Family 30% Off on school uniforms. Click here or call 1-800-469-2222. Our school code is 9001-3215-0.  Keep in mind that the CHOICE program has Lands End gift cards available for daily sale with a 16% percentage rate. Paying for your school uniforms using CHOICE cards helps your family complete its CHOICE commitment.
advantage of Lands’ End’s Friends & Family 30% Off on school uniforms. Enter the Promotion Code: FAMILY and PIN:1800

Next Wednesday is St. Mary’s School Fall Open House.  Open House is next week on Wednesday, November 5^th at  6:30 PM in the Parish Center.   Our families are our best school ambassadors.  If you know a family interested in St. Mary’s School, please invite them personally to attend the Open House.  It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our amazing school.

8th Grade Fundraising - With Halloween just around the corner, here's a scary notion...so too is the annual St. Mary's School Annual Poinsettia sale that benefits our 8th grade class!!  Check out the blog next week for more details! Don't be scared off by the sale!  It's not a trick...it's really a treat!

Annual Senior Luncheon Will Be Here Soon!  St. Mary School is hosting our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for Senior Citizens  on Wednesday, November 19th in the parish center. Again this year, each grade is being asked to contribute specific items to help prepare the meal.  A Sign Up Genius has been setup for each class to make it easy for you to see what is needed and to sign up to help. Click here to access the Sign Up Genius. Non-perishable items should be sent in by Monday, November 17th.  Please be sure that they are clearly labeled for the Senior Luncheon.  Non-perishable items should be sent in by 9AM on Wednesday, 11/19.  Your contributions are  vital to our success.  If you know of an area senior citizen that would like to attend our luncheon, please tell them to sign up by calling the Simsbury Senior Center to make their reservation at 860-658-3273.  Seating is limited, please encourage them to call ASAP!

PLEASE NOTE - NO STUDENT HOT LUNCH IS SERVED ON SENIOR LUNCHEON DAY.  ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING A BROWN BAG LUNCH.  Milk is still available.

Home & School Association News

Save the Date - Fundraiser at the Shoppes at Farmington Valley, Canton

Let your Christmas shopping help St. Mary's.  We invite you to come to Barnes and Noble, Dish N Dat and Ben & Jerry's  in Canton on Thursday, December 4th from 4-9pm.  A portion of all sales from each of these establishments will benefit St. Mary's Home and School Association.  Come join the fun and get some Christmas shopping done at the same time!

Mark your Calendars

Thursday December 11th from 4 - 7 pm. is family fun night. Come join us at Blue Fox Rock N Bowl  on the Simsbury/Granby town line for some bowling and laser tag fun. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

Mark your Calendars - Fundraiser

Another opportunity for Christmas shopping! We invite you to come to Neckers Toy Store in Simsbury on December 11th. A portion of all sales will benefit St. Mary's Home and School Association. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

St. Mary's Stars -  Congratulations to the students that performed in the FMI 2014 Eastern Regional Band Concert on Saturday, 10/18/14, at St. James School in Manchester. 

This band is composed of selected students from 21 area Catholic schools including SMS. Students that participate in the Regional Band are also eligible to audition for the FMI All-State bands that will perform in New York City and at a all-state concert at Central Connecticut State University in the spring.

Participation in this band requires an audition and attendance at several Friday night and Saturday morning rehearsals. We commend these students for their dedication to practice and also their parents for the sacrifices they make so that these students can attend the necessary rehearsals. We also want to take an opportunity to thank our FMI Instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, for all her help preparing our students for their auditions and then with the required musical selections.  Click here for a list of this year's participants.

Thank you, St. Mary’s School Class of 2013!  On Sunday, 10/26, Father Matera and Father Santiago blessed the new sign for our school and parish center.  This beautiful new sign was made possible through the generous donations of the SMS Class of '13 and their parents and special friends. We believe that the power of the Holy Spirit and the blessings of our patroness, the Blessed Mother, draw families to our community but we are grateful for a beautiful new sign to spotlight our location!

Community News

The Teen Space at Simsbury Public Library has a number of exciting events coming up. Click here to download flyers with more specifics about each event.

Saturday, November 1 - Halloween Movie Marathon

Thursday, November 13 - Teen Advisory Board Meeting

Thursday, November 20 - Hunger Games Double Feature

Wednesday, November 26 - WII Wednesday

Farmington Valley YMCA invites your Family - "Day of Giving" - Spend the day or just part of the day on Saturday, November 1 helping area families with yard clean-up.  Click here for more information.

Annual Turkey Trot Non-Perishable Food Collection - Again this year, our school will be collecting non-perishable food items to benefit the Turkey Trot food drive.  Donations may be sent in beginning on Monday, 11/10 until Tuesday, 11/18.  Please be sure all donations are clearly marked "Turkey Trot" so they do not get confused with Senior Luncheon donations.  Click here for more information about this food drive.

Join Simsbury Girl Scouts - or Support Them by Purchasing Girl Scout Cookies!  Representatives of Simsbury Girl Scouts will be holding an Election Day Booth Sale on Tuesday, November 4th from 10am-noon at Eno Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury (first floor foyer).  There will also be a recruiting night on Tuesday, November 4th from 7-8pm at Eno Hall in the Youth Room on the lower level.  Click here for more information or contact Loretta at LLincoln@gsofct.org.

News for the Week of 10/22/14

Students in Mrs. Gore's fifth grade had a special guest last week. Mrs. Gillen, our middle school language arts teacher, came in to do a lesson about citing sources for research papers.  This lesson was a timely one, since fifth grade will be writing a research paper about explorers . Mrs. Gillen gave students some wonderful information to use as they begin their research.
In addition to explaining the correct MLA method to cite  sources, fifth grade students also learned how to use the website, easybib.com to cite sources.




October is the month of the Holy Rosary - There will be a Rosary Prayer Service on Monday, 10/27, at 9:30am in the Church.  All are welcome to attend.  No physical education uniforms should be worn for this prayer service.  Sneakers may be brought to school if it is a P.E. day.

Our next school Mass will be on Friday, 11/7, at 9am in the Church.

Our first marking period closes on Friday, 10/31/14.  Report Cards will be distributed to students in grades 1-8  on Friday, 11/7.  Students in Kindergarten will receive their first report cards in January.

If you have not already done so, please take a moment to sign up for your Fall Parent/Teacher Conference.  Click here to access the appropriate Sign-up Genius.  Please remember that conferences will be held from Monday, 11/10-Thursday, 11/13.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  There will be PreKindergarten Enrichment available on these days  but there is NO aftercare available.  Friday, 11/14, will be a regular, full day of school.  Please note that if you have not signed up for a conference by noon on Friday, 10/24, a conference day and time will be assigned for you by the school office.  You will receive a reminder of your assigned conference two dates prior to the event from Sign Up Genius, you may then make an adjustment if desired.  Please be aware that the Sign Up Geniuses for conference sign-up will be temporarily unavailable for view from noon on 10/24 until 10/31 so office staff can assign conferences to families that have not signed up on their own.  Please contact Tammy Budnick at the school office with any questions regarding conference sign up.

VIRTUS Training Session available at SMS this week.  Virtus traning will be held at SMS in the 7th grade science classroom on Thursday, October 23 at 6pm.  To attend the training session at SMS, please RSVP to Mrs. Budnick via email at tbudnick@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or 860-658-9412.  

Formal Uniform Begins on Monday, 11/3, for students in Kindergarten - Grade 7.  Students in the 8th grade are given the privilege of wearing the relaxed uniform until December 1st.  Just in time for this uniform transition, Lands' End is offering 25% off all purchases and free shipping.  Our school's code is 9001-3215-0.  Please keep in mind that you can help complete your family's CHOICE commitment if you make your uniform purchases from Lands' End using gift cards purchased from CHOICE.  There are plenty of Lands' End cards in stock right now!



It is time for St. Mary’s School Fall Open House.  Open House is on Wednesday, November 5^th at  6:30 PM in the Parish Center.   We need your help promoting this event to your friends, family and neighbors.   Please stop by the school office and pick up a yard sign to place in front of your house or business.  Please feel free to take 2!  Also, our families are our best school ambassadors.  If you know a family interested in St. Mary’s School, please invite them personally to attend the Open House.  It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our amazing school.

Please support the St. Mary’s School Annual Fund for 2014-2015.  Did you know the Annual Fund is the best way possible to help make a financial difference in the future of St. Mary’s School.  It helps keep tuition affordable.  The Annual Fund enhances programs and services offered to students and faculty.  Every gift counts, every child benefits with the Annual Fund.

 

Employee matching gift programs are a great way to support St. Mary’s

School..  Many employers offer their employees the opportunity to make charitable contributions through payroll deduction.  These corporations, large and small, either match contributions dollar-for-dollar or a set percentage of your paid gift. 

St. Mary’s School is also an eligible charity in the United Way Campaign.  If your corporation participates in the United Way Campaign, please consider selecting St. Mary’s School to benefit from your donation.

Donations can be made online - Click here.  Thank you for your support!

SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB REGISTRATION DEADLINE QUICKLY APPROACHING.  FORMS & PAYMENTS DUE NOVEMBER 1.

Winter and snow fun are coming soon and its time to sign-up for the Ski and Snowboard Club!  This is always a great time for students and parents.  Students need to be at least 8 years old on January 7, 2015.  The Club has a 5-session program from 3-8pm on Wednesdays at Ski Sundown in New Hartford that starts on January 7, 2015.  Roundtrip bus transportation from SMS, lessons and rental equipment are also available.  Please see the 2015 forms and FAQ on the school website - Click here.  As in past years, the Club will need chaperones and snack helpers.  Click here to use the Sign-Up Genius to select a time slot.  All registration forms and payment are due November 1st, 2014.

Pumpkin Bingo is This Friday, 10/24/14! - Please join us for our annual pumpkin bingo on Friday, October 24th from 6-8:30pm in the Parish Center  It's great fun for the whole family.  Come in costume and participate in our costume parade.  As always, we will be selling pizza by the slice from Little City.  Bingo cards will be sold $1 per card.  Please keep in mind that this is a family fun event - all children must have adult supervision.

Rain Date for 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!  Due to inclement weather, our first meeting has been changed to Monday, October 27th from 9am-noon.  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!

URGENT REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR 
Trunk or Treat!!!!

Grades PreK - 3rd will be attending Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 31st from 2-2:45pm.  We are in need  of people to volunteer to decorate their cars for this event.  Any parent in these grades who wish to participate in this volunteer event, please contact Jennifer Pavlonnis at jpavlonnis@yahoo.com.  Please click here for more information.

The Social Saturday event originally scheduled for November 8th has been postponed.  Look for details regarding a new date coming soon!

Save the Date - Fundraiser - Let your Christmas shopping help St. Mary's.  We invite you to come to Barnes and Noble, Dish N Dat and Ben & Jerry's  in Canton on Thursday, December 4th, from 5-9pm.  A portion of all sales from each of these establishments will benefit St. Mary's Home and School Association.  Come join the fun and get some Christmas shopping done at the same time!



Box Tops For Education - Fall Contest Ends  this Friday, October 24th.  The grade level that collects the most Box Tops from October 1st through October 24th will win the first contest, and their teacher will receive $25 for the classroom.  The second collection contest will be in February with the winning grade level teacher receiving $50 for their classroom.  The last collection contest will be in May/June.  The October, February and May/June totals will be added together for a final overall total.  The winning grade level teacher will receive $75 for their classroom.

Please send in the Box Tops to your homeroom teacher, but please do not send in any expired Box Tops as they will not be accepted.  The contest is for all grades PreK through 8.

To learn more about the program, please visit www.Boxtops4education.com.

Last year, we collected over $1,000 for our school, so let’s work together to beat that this year.

Don't forget to continue saving  Box Tops for our second contest in February!

Any questions, please email Scott Sirianni at scottmary99@aol.com.  Thanks for your support!

40 Days for Life Campaign - Archbishop Blair invites all of us to participate in the national 40 Days for Life Campaign which began September 24th and continues through November 2.  St. Mary's Parish will actively participate in the campaign on October 29 and November 1.  The campaign has 3 major components:  prayer and fasting,  vigil at an abortion clinic and support for community education.  St. Mary's Parish will hold Eucharistic Adoration on October 29th.  There will be Eucharistic Adoration following the 8:00 AM Mass until 5:00 PM. There will be a peaceful, prayerful abortion clinic vigil at the Hartford GYN at 1 Main Street in Hartford on November 1.  This clinic is located across from St. Gerard's Center for Life.  To participate in either Eucharistic Adoration or the vigil, please use the sign up sheets located in the vestibule of St. Mary's Church.  A minimum hour commitment is suggested, but, any amount of time is welcome.  If you have questions, please contact Louise Carrroll at lcwalk1@cox.net or 860-653-4088 or Maria O'Donnell at 860-651-5733.

Jumpin' for Joy! SMS Named as One of the Top 10 Schools In Connecticut!

Community News

The Simsbury Public Library's Teen Space invites you to drop in for a Teen Halloween Movie Marathon and to Duct Tape Crafts! - 

Annual "Turkey Trot" Non-Perishable Food Collection is coming soon - Again this year, our school will participate in the annual Thanksgiving food drive called "Turkey Trot".  Non-perishable food items may be brought to school beginning Monday, 11/10.  They will be stored in the classrooms until pickup on Wednesday, 11/19.  Please clearly label your donation "Turkey Trot" so it is not confused with food being donated for our annual Senior Luncheon.  The flyer below also provides information about how you can contribute a turkey or make a monetary donation in support of this cause.

Consider Making November 1 a Family "Fall Day of Giving" - The Farmington Valley YMCA is coordinating community volunteers to help other families in the Farmington Valley. Volunteers of all ages are welcome but all children do need an adult chaperone and all volunteers must provide their own transportation from the YMCA in Granby to the designated service locations. Volunteers can do either or both shifts and  lunch will be provided at the Farmington Valley YMCA in between shifts. The raindate is November 8.