News for the week of 2/25/15

Join us for the Living Rosary - On Thursday, February 26th at 8:50am, the whole school will gather for morning prayer in the Parish Center and participate in a Living Rosary as part of our Lenten devotion. The students of Grade 8 will be leading us in prayer.  All are welcome to join us.  Our intention for this Rosary will be all veterans.

A sight for sore eyes!  Today, the temperature "soared" to 28 degrees with plenty of sun and minimal wind (felt like 20!) and our students were finally able to get outside for recess and play in our enormous piles of snow!

We are hoping for lots more "outdoor recess" days as winter finally (hopefully) begins to wane,  so please be sure your favorite SMS student(s) have all their winter gear so they can play in the snow!

It's time to order hot lunches for April - June! Click here for the order form for hot lunches for April - June.  All orders and payments are due NLT Friday, 2-27-15.  PLEASE NOTE THAT NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED.


Hot Lunch Volunteers Needed -  At this time, we have no one signed up to serve lunch on Monday, March 9th. We are also in need of one additional volunteer on the following dates:  Monday, March 2nd; Monday, March 16th and Monday, March 30.  If you can help us on any of these day, please click here to use the Sign Up Genius or email Mrs. Budnick at tbudnick@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. 

Looking ahead to March - 

Walk-In Wednesdays will begin on March 4 and continue each Wednesday in March.  If you know someone who has been wondering if SMS is the right place for their family, please encourage them to drop by for a walk in visit.  Hours are 9:30-11:30, no appointment is required but if they call ahead, we'll be sure to have an information packet all prepared for them to take home after their visit.

Our March School Mass will be held at 9am on Friday, 3/6/15, in the church.  All are most welcome to join us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

March Parent/Teacher Conferences will be here before you know it!  This year, our March Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, 3/16 - Thursday, 3/19.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm Early Dismissal and there will be NO PREKINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT OR AFTERCARE.  Click here to sign up for conferences.  A conference is strongly encouraged for all students but unlike the Fall conferences, no appointments will be scheduled for you if you do not sign up on your own.  If you do not sign up for a conference and your child's teacher feels one is necessary, you will be contacted by the teacher.

On Tuesday, students in grades K-4, received a special visit from Officer Phil. He gave an informative presentation on the topic of safety using magic tricks, puppets and humor. 

Yearbook 2015 - Your photos are needed!  The SMS Yearbook is a very special keepsake.  It features photos of every student at SMS and many candid shots from the year's activities, athletic events and clubs.  If you have photos from this year's activities, please upload them now!  Photos may be uploaded at community.lifetouch.com.  The password/access code for our school is - WXBRRX (Please note, this is case sensitive.  Use all capital letters.)  Please note that up to 5 images may be uploaded at a time.  Your photos will be accepted until the end of March.  Please be sure that photos are identified by activity and/or grade and include teacher and or student names.

Seventh Grade students work to perfect the scenery for the upcoming presentation of  Shakespeare's
A Midsummer Night's Dream.  This performance for the school on March 13 is the conclusion of
the Grade 7 & 8 Shakesperience residency.

Home & School Association News

HSA Monthly Meeting - Our next HSA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held in the 8th grade classroom. All are welcome!

The Nomination Committee for the Home and School Association is looking for new Board Members for the 2015-2016 school year. The purpose of this team is to strengthen the bond between members of the SMS community, and between the SMS community and St. Mary’s parish.  Current Board Members will provide training and support for the incoming Board Members to ensure a seamless transition. Please consider being part of this vibrant and important organization!

 If you are interested, please contact Noreen Kuziak, Nominating Chair, at 860-416-7662 or nkuziak@comcast.net  OR Deb Poniatowski at 860-916-1335 or  lakewinnie@comcast.net

Community News

New St. Mary's Church Family Directory - Sign Up Now!

St. Mary's Parish Members - Do you ever see people at church and wonder what their names are? Have you ever heard an announcement regarding a member and wished you could put a face with a name? Help is on the way! We are updating our membership photo directory this year, and it will not be complete without you! There is no cost to our church. Each participating family will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 portrait as well as a new directory. Families will also have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits to share with family and friends. PHOTOGRAPH DATES: W Wednesday, 2/25 (2 PM – 9 PM) Thursday, 2/26 (2 PM – 6 PM) Friday, 2/27 (2 PM – 9 PM) Saturday, 2/28 (10 AM – 5 PM) Tuesday, 3/3 (2 PM – 9 PM) Wednesday, 3/4 (2 PM – 9 PM) Sign Up!  To sign-up for a time slot, [click HERE] to schedule your photo session online. It's quick and easy. Make sure to include your email address and you will automatically receive a confirmation email with your date and time, plus an email reminder a few days before your session which includes a link to a $10 discount off any photography you purchase.  Contact us at Portraits@stmarysimsbury.org if you have any questions.

Sylvan Learning Center in West Hartford is offering a FREE Lego Robotics Class on Saturday, February 28, 2015. The Robotics class utilizes Lego kits and basic computer programming to build and animate a robot from start to finish.  No prior experience is necessary, and Sylvan teachers will be leading the class.  The free classes are being offered for students in grades 2-5 in groups of 6-12 students.  Please call us for more information and to reserve a spot, (860) 231-2429.  See flyer below.

McLean Presents - Your Parents - Their Next Chapter - RSVP is requested.

News for the Week of 2/18/15

Snow Day Calendar Changes -  We have now had 4 snow days.  Since one snow day was built into our calendar, we have 3 days to make up. Our schedule for snow day makeups is as follows:

Monday, April 6, 2015 - School will be OPEN for a regular full day of school with PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare available.  This is Easter Monday and was planned as a day off on our original school calendar .

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 & Thursday, June 11, 2015- School will be OPEN FOR A REGULAR FULL DAY of school with PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare available. 

Friday, June 12, 2015 - This is now our TENTATIVE last day of school and will be a 12:45pm EARLY DISMISSAL WITH NO PREKINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT OR AFTERCARE.

If we should have additional snow days, they will be added to our days in June and only the last day will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.

HOT LUNCH MAKEUPS -  The hot lunch that was scheduled for January 12th (yes, that was also a snow day), will be served on Tuesday, 2/24.  We are still short one volunteer, so if you can help, please let Mrs. Budnick know at tbudnick@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

It's time to order hot lunches for April - June! Click here for the order form for hot lunches for April - June.  All orders and payments are due NLT Friday, 2-27-15.  PLEASE NOTE THAT NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED.

Bringing the Past to Life - Students in Mrs. Gore's fifth grade learned about the dress and artifacts from colonial times in a special presentation by Mrs. Elliott and her daughter, Lainey, Gr. 2.

Looking ahead to March - 

Walk-In Wednesdays will begin on March 4 and continue each Wednesday in March.  If you know someone who has been wondering if SMS is the right place for their family, please encourage them to drop by for a walk in visit.  Hours are 9:30-11:30, no appointment is required but if they call ahead, we'll be sure to have an information packet all prepared for them to take home after their visit.

Our March School Mass will be held at 9am on Friday, 3/6/15, in the church.  All are most welcome to join us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

March Parent/Teacher Conferences will be here before you know it!  This year, our March Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, 3/16 - Thursday, 3/19.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm Early Dismissal and there will be NO PREKINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT OR AFTERCARE.  Click here to sign up for conferences.  A conference is strongly encouraged for all students but unlike the Fall conferences, no appointments will be scheduled for you if you do not sign up on your own.  If you do not sign up for a conference and your child's teacher feels one is necessary, you will be contacted by the teacher.

Yearbook 2015 - Your photos are needed!  The SMS Yearbook is a very special keepsake.  It features photos of every student at SMS and many candid shots from the year's activities, athletic events and clubs.  If you have photos from this year's activities, please upload them now!  Photos may be uploaded at community.lifetouch.com.  The password/access code for our school is - WXBRRX (Please note, this is case sensitive.  Use all capital letters.)  Please note that up to 5 images may be uploaded at a time.  Your photos will be accepted until the end of March.  Please be sure that photos are identified by activity and/or grade and include teacher and or student names.

Tired of Winter?  Ready to plan for Spring?  Save the Date for the annual "Fairway to Heaven" Golf Tournament - May 18, 2015 at the Hopmeadow Country Club in Simsbury.  Golf and Tennis during the day, followed by a dinner at the club that evening. Click here for more information.

First Grade students had a compound word "snowball fight" -
Mr. G. joined in the fun!

Home & School Association News

Box Tops for Education -Collection contest closes this Friday, February 20.  The teacher of the winning class will receive $50 for classroom extras.  Please send Box Tops into homeroom teachers.  Please check the expiration date since expired Box Tops are not accepted.  This contest is open to all grades PreKindergarten - Grade 8.  Questions should be directed to Scott Sirianni at scottmary99@aol.com.

School Board News - The Saint Mary’s School Board Nominating Committee has started our process to identify potential school board members for next year. Potential candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. There is no requirement for board members to have children attending Saint Mary’s School. We just want to ensure we have the best talent serving on the board. Key eligibility requirements include having a genuine interest in Catholic school education and a willingness to support the school philosophy and mission. Potential candidates should also be a credible witness of the Catholic faith; a member of a parish; or if non-Catholic, not opposed to the tenets of the Catholic faith. The needs the board will be looking to address for the upcoming term will include individuals with a financial or CPA background skills or individuals with skills focused on marketing, project management and strategic planning. If you are interested in being considered to serve on the School Board, please contact Claude Howard at claudeoh@gmail.com. Please include in your e-mail information about your Parish(Town), Occupation, If you have or had students at Saint Mary’s School and your specific talents available to the board.

Athletic News

Jump Rope Club will begin Wednesday, February 25 under the direction of Mrs. Mary Liljedahl and Mrs. Amy Lillis.  The club will meet from 3:45-5pm in the parish center and is open to students in grades 1-8.  Jump Rope club will meet every Wednesday, when school is in session, from 3:45-5pm until June. If your child(ren) are participating in Jump Rope Club, please be sure to advise the homeroom teacher(s) that he/she/they will stay for jump rope every Wednesday unless you advise otherwise. There is a $15.00 fee to participate.  Please make your check payable to St. Mary's Booster Club. Older jumpers will be taught leadership skills and will assist Coaches Liljedahl and Lillis.  Volunteers are needed to turn rope at 4:30pm on practice days. Click here for permission slip.

Ski & Snowboard Club has finished its season for 2015.  Our thanks to the club's coordinator,
Mr. James Shanley and to all our parent volunteers.

Community News

Simsbury Public Library will be offering a number of great programs in March designed to appeal to middle and high school age students.  Click here for more information.

News for the Week of 2/11/15

It doesn't quite seem possible, but last week on Thursday, we celebrated our 100th
day of school!  Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class created drawings that showed themselves
as they are today and as they think they will be at 100.

February Calendar Reminders  


School is closed Monday, 2/16 & Tuesday, 2/17 for a long Winter Weekend.  School reopens on Wednesday, 2/18, for a regular full day and the remainder of that week is a regular school week.

Ash Wednesday, 2/18/15 - We will join with our Parish family and begin the Lenten season at the 12:15pm Parish Mass.  All are welcome and encouraged to join us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Snow Day Calendar Changes -  We have now had 4 snow days.  Our one "built-in" snow day was used this week on Monday, 2/9. Our schedule for snow day makeups is as follows:

Monday, April 6, 2015 - School will be OPEN for a regular full day of school with PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare available.  This is Easter Monday and was planned as a day off on our original school calendar .

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 & Thursday, June 11, 2015- School will be OPEN FOR A REGULAR FULL DAY of school with PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare available. 

Friday, June 12, 2015 - This is now our TENTATIVE last day of school and will be a 12:45pm EARLY DISMISSAL WITH NO PREKINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT OR AFTERCARE.

If we should have additional snow days, they will be added to our days in June and only the last day will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.

HOT LUNCH MAKEUPS -  The hot lunch scheduled for Monday, 2/9/15, will be served this Thursday, 2/12/15.  The hot lunch that was scheduled for January 12th (yes, that was also a snow day), will be served on Tuesday, 2/24.

March Parent/Teacher Conferences will be here before you know it!  This year, our March Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, 3/16 - Thursday, 3/19.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm Early Dismissal and there will be NO PREKINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT OR AFTERCARE.  Click here to sign up for conferences.  A conference is strongly encouraged for all students but unlike the Fall conferences, no appointments will be scheduled for you if you do not sign up on your own.  If you do not sign up for a conference and your child's teacher feels one is necessary, you will be contacted by the teacher.

Yearbook 2015 - Your photos are needed!  The SMS Yearbook is a very special keepsake.  It features photos of every student at SMS and many candid shots from the year's activities, athletic events and clubs.  If you have photos from this year's activities, please upload them now!  Photos may be uploaded at community.lifetouch.com.  The password/access code for our school is - WXBRRX (Please note, this is case sensitive.  Use all capital letters.)  Please note that up to 5 images may be uploaded at a time.  Your photos will be accepted until the end of March.  Please be sure that photos are identified by activity and/or grade and include teacher and or student names.

Team & Club Photos for 2014-15 Yearbook - Team, club and activity group photos along with grade 8 superlative photos will be taken by a Lifetouch Photographer on Wednesday, 2/18/15, in the morning.  All students that participate in a team sport or club should plan accordingly.  Since this date is Ash Wednesday and we will be attending Mass at 12:15pm with our parish family, all students should wear their formal uniform to school.  

Members of the Basketball teams may bring their jersey to wear over the uniform for the photo, 
Members of the Soccer team will be provided with a jersey by Mr. Gangloff to wear for the photo.
Members of the Cross Country and/or Track team should plan to wear their track jackets for the photo.
Other team sports, including spring sports which will have sign ups announced later this week,  should plan to wear either their PE shirt over the formal uniform or an SMS sweatshirt for the photo.
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts may wear their scout uniforms on this day for this photo.  The scout uniform is permissible for Mass.
Altar servers, chess club, ski &snow board club, cadet and advanced bands, and chorus will all have their photos taken in formal uniform.
Mrs. Gillen will provide Grade 8 students with directives regarding props for superlative photos.

Please note that if a student forgets to bring a team jersey, they will have their photo taken in their formal uniform - no calls home for forgotten items.  Thank you for your understanding.

Tired of Winter?  Ready to plan for Spring?  Save the Date for the annual "Fairway to Heaven" Golf Tournament - May 18, 2015 at the Hopmeadow Country Club in Simsbury.  Golf and Tennis during the day, followed by a dinner at the club that evening. Click here for more information.

Internet Accountability - Do you have concerns about your child(ren)'s on-line activities or the amount of time they spend "on-line", about what websites they may be accessing or what they may inadvertently be exposed to while conducting internet searches?  Have you wondered if you need to be doing more to monitor your child(ren)'s internet activity?  All parents are encouraged to fully explore the options for internet filtering and parental controls available from their internet providers but we would also like to make you aware of an additional fee based service from CovenantEyes.  For more information, click here or call 1-877-720-8000.  Please note that this information is being provided only as a potentially helpful resource but is not required by or endorsed by St. Mary's School.

Home & School Association News

Is a strong bond between our School and the Parish important to you? Do you want to help keep a vibrant community within SMS?  Then consider a position on the Home & School Board.  The HSA Nominating Committee is currently looking for people to fill the positions of President (or Co-President), Vice President (or Co-Vice President), Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary.  Together, the team coordinates events that strengthen the relationship between the Parish and the School communities such as the Fall Festival, Senior Luncheon, the SMS Auction, additional fundraising events and activities throughout Catholic Schools Month, to name a few. The Board also conducts monthly meetings with members of the school administration and School Board, along with interested parents from the School. Please consider being part of an organization that does so much for our community. If you are interested, please contact Noreen Kuziak, Nominating Chair, at 860-416-7662 or  nkuziak@comcast.net  OR Deb Poniatowski at 860-916-1335 or  lakewinnie@comcast.net

St. Mary's Parishioners Needed!
St. Mary's Parish is in the process of creating a new Parish Photo Directory.
This is where they need your assistance. They are looking for people to assist with the check in process prior to photos being taken. The following is the date and time span which volunteers are needed: Wednesday, March 4, 2015, from 4:00PM until 9:00 PM. Please consider signing up for any available time slot(s).  Click here to sign up.

Box Tops for Education -Collection contest continues until February 20.  The teacher of the winning class will receive $50 for classroom extras.  Please send Box Tops into homeroom teachers.  Please check the expiration date since expired Box Tops are not accepted.  This contest is open to all grades PreKindergarten - Grade 8.  Questions should be directed to Scott Sirianni at scottmary99@aol.com.

Community News

Valentines Night - Kids Night In, Parents Night Out

Fundraiser for Sam Spak’s Eagle Project to benefit Mercy Shelter & Housing in Hartford. Sam is an SMS Alum, Class of '12, and is currently a junior at Northwest Catholic High School and belongs to Troop 175 in Simsbury.

Professional Babysitters, Boy Scouts and Mom Helpers to watch the kids in the St. Mary's Parish Center

Saturday, February 14^th, 5:30 to 10:00pm, Games, Movie, Food and Fun to be Provided. 

                           $20 per child/ $50 per family.

Reserve a Spot – Sam Spak 860-214-7027 or Terry Spak 860-214-7360, Email huntspak@cox.net