News for the Week of 11/26/14

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  The faculty, staff and administration of St. Mary's School is grateful for each and every member of our wonderful community.  Thanks to all of you for the time, talent and treasure you share so generously with us and most of all, for the wonderful children you share with us everyday.  

Assuming that the weather allows us to come to school tomorrow, Wednesday, 11/26/14, will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  There will be NO Prekindergarten Enrichment & NO Aftercare available on Wednesday, 11/26/14. 

Winter Weather Reminder - Please keep in mind that SMS follows the Simsbury Public Schools in regard to delayed openings, early closings, and closures for a snow day.  If you hear that the Simsbury Public Schools are closed, St. Mary's School is closed. 

"It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."  Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

When we come back to school on Monday, December 1, the season of Advent will have begun.  This year, St. Mary's has a special Advent gift to share with everyone.  Click here to visit our very special Advent calendar.  Each day, you will be able to open a new surprise as we wait in patience and joy for the Baby Jesus.  You can also reach the Advent Calendar right from the home page of our school blog by using the Advent Calendar tab at the top of the screen.

On Monday, December 8th, we will attend Mass at 12:15pm with our parish family to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  All are welcome to join us on this Holy Day of Obligation.  Please remember that no PE uniforms should be worn to Mass.

December School Calendar Reminders -

Monday, 12/1 - Formal Uniform begins for 8th grade.

Thursday, 12/4 - Thanks to everyone that supported the Grade 8 Poinsettia Sale - Poinsettia pick up will be in the Parish Center on Thursday, December 4th from 2-4pm and after all Masses on Saturday, December 6th & Sunday, December 7th.

Social Saturday is Coming on December 6th!  

Click here for a ticket reservation form.

Grade 2 Reconciliation Services -  There will be two Reconciliation services on Saturday, December 13th in the church.  The 9AM service will be for families whose last names being with A through K.  The 11AM service will be for families whose last names begin with L through Z.  If you have any questions, please contact Judy Eagen at 860-658-5919.

Tuesday, 12/16 - Lessons & Carols Prayer Service. Dress Rehearsal at 10am & evening service at 7pm, both in the church.  All students in grades Kindergarten through grade 8 participate in this reverent retelling of the Nativity in prayer, reflection and song.  Student attendance is considered mandatory unless a student is absent or a written note has been submitted to Mrs. Gannatti requesting an exception. Students  in grades 1 -7 wear their full form uniform. Dress guidelines for Kindergarten and grade 8 students will be provided by home room teachers.  Snow date is Thursday, 12/18.

Monday, 12/22 - Christmas Band & Choral Concert.  Dress Rehearsal at 2pm & evening performance at 7pm in the Parish Center.  Everyone is invited to this evening of seasonal instrumental and vocal music.  Directions regarding arrival time and concert attire will be provided to musicians and chorus members by Mrs. Morse and Mrs. Lepak.  Snow date is Thursday, January 8, 2015.

Wednesday, 12/23 - 12:45 Early Dismissal for Christmas break.  There will be NO Prekindergarten Enrichment and NO aftercare.

Monday, 1/5/15 - School reopens and our celebration of Catholic Schools' Month begins!

The regular registration period for the Ski and Snowboard Club is now closed.  Late registration will be available until the program starts January 7. Late registration requires a $25 late fee and completion of the required forms - click here.

Room is available on the bus to Ski Sundown for anyone who has a season pass.  Please contact the group leader Jim Shanley at j.shanley@me.com or the school office for additional information.

The program will start on Wednesday January 7, 2015 and runs each Wednesday through 2/4/15. If a cancellation is necessary due to weather conditions or school closure, the program is extended to the following Wednesday.

Members of the 2014 SMS Chess Club
with moderator, Mr. Omelan Markiw.

Chess Club - After weeks of chess practice, the St. Mary's Chess Club held its second chess tournament at St. Mary's ending on November 21st, 2014. The tournament was divided into 2 groups of 14 participants: the Younger Group of grades 1st and 2nd, and the Older Group of grades 3rd through 6th.  Click here for tournament results and a message from Chess Club Moderator, Mr. Omelan Markiw.  SMS extends warm thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Markiw for moderating this club for the second year.  This generous donation of time and expertise provides interested students with a great experience.

CHOICE News - Gift cards are a great Christmas gift!  No worries about sizes or colors! Just in time for Christmas giving, American Girl gift cards are available from GL Scrip in
$25 and $100 denominations. Quantities are limited since this a  holiday sale only. Send your order in ASAP.

GL Scrip has gift cards available to many popular shopping destinations.  Please take a moment to review the list of available retailers as you make your Christmas shopping list.  Click here.

The deadline for all CHOICE special orders is Wednesday, December 10th.  Orders placed after 12/10/14 may not arrive in time for Christmas giving.

Home & School Association News

Fundraiser at the Shoppes at Farmington Valley, Canton
Let your Christmas shopping help St. Mary's. We invite you to come to Barnes & 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. When shopping at Barnes & Noble, you do need to present a voucher in order to assure a portion of your sales benefits the HSA. Click here to download and print your vouchers.There will also be musical entertainment performed by our very own SMS students along with a display of student Eric Carle themed artwork. Come join the fun and get some Christmas shopping done at the same time!

Family Fun Night - Thursday, December 11th from 4 - 7pm is family fun night.

Please join us at Blue Fox Rock N Bowl on the Simsbury/Granby town line. Tickets will be sold for $15/person which includes unlimited bowling and laser tag!

Neckers - Another opportunity for Christmas shopping! 

We invite you to come to Neckers Toy Store in Simsbury on Thursday, December 11th. A portion of all sales will benefit St. Mary's Home and School Association.

Community News

St. Mary's Parish CHRISTMAS YOUTH CHOIR will rehearse on three Thursdays -12/4, 12/11, and 12/18 - from 5:00 - 5:45pm in the church. All children old enough to learn the words to traditional Christmas carols are invited to participate. The choir sings prior to the 6:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve starting at 5:30pm. Please see Music Director, Gena Sullivan after Mass if you have any questions.

The Edge Religious Education program and The Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring Breakfast with Santa on Saturday December 6th from 8:30 to 10:30 in the St Mary's Parish center. Tickets will be on sale this Sunday in the Church vestibule after 9:30 Mass. Tickets are $10 per person, children under 2 are free. There will be no ticket sales at the door on the day of the event. There will be breakfast, crafts for the kids and a visit from Santa! For more information please contact Stacie Windisch at windischfamily@comcast.net or 8606519424.

Simsbury Public Library Teen Space has some fabulous programs coming up -  The month of December will feature SAT workshops and practice exams, a Hobbit party, an opportunity for art students to work on portfolio development & an showing of that Christmas favorite, Elf.  Click here for all the details.

The Hartford Children's Medical Center was planning to conduct a Mass Casualty Exercise on Tuesday, December 2nd. Student volunteers were being solicited. This exercise has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a date after the busy holiday season.