News for the Week of 12/23/14

Merry Christmas

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.                     And he will be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.                        Isaiah 9:6 The Faculty, Staff and Administration of St. Mary's School Wishes Everyone a  Very Blessed & Merry Christmas! Please be sure to "open" the last few doors of the SMS Advent Calendar - the final two days are our most special gift to you.  Click here.  The Advent Calendar will be available until the Feast of the Epiphany - January 6, 2015. Calendar Reminders for the Start of 2015 Sunday, January 4 - Everyone is invited to attend a Farewell Reception for Father Santiago at noon in the Parish Center.  Father has played an active role in our school community as our school chaplain and we will miss his cheerful, reverent presence at morning prayer and school Masses.  We wish him all the best as he begins his new assignment at St. Anthony's in Bristol. Monday, January 5 - School reopens and our celebration of Catholic Schools' Month begins! Friday, January 9 - School Mass at 9am in the Church.  Everyone is welcome to join us in worship.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass. School Survey - In January, each family with children attending Saint Mary’s School will be invited to participate in a School Survey to provide feedback for the ongoing development of Saint Mary’s School five year strategic plan. We are working toward enhancing our strategic plan to be in step with the Office of Catholic Schools Ministerial Plan, 20†20 Vision: An Eye on Our Future. This plan brings to life four critical domains that have been tested and supported by relevant literature and Church documents: Mission Formation and Evangelization, Leadership and Governance, Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and Operational Vitality. As we work to build out our strategic plan it is important that we continue to look to the future. Our plan is very robust, however we felt it was important to seek broader feedback from the Saint Mary’s Community.  In order to continuously improve in our ability to educate today's students, we ask you to share your experience by completing this important survey. Saint Mary’s School is working with an outside contractor, VOC Analytics, to conduct this web-based survey. VOC Analytics has generously offered its time and expertise so we can obtain this valuable feedback. On behalf of the St. Mary's School Board and Administration, we would like to thank you in advance for your participation in this important survey. You may look forward to receiving the web link for the survey early in January.  Claude Howard, Chairman - St. Mary's School Board It's beginning to look a lot like..... There were some reindeer games in the school office today!