News for the Week of 4/22

Vacation Fun - The New Britain Rock Cats' Opening Day was last Thursday and the game got underway thanks to Zia S., Grade 3!  Zia delivered the game ball to Rock Cats pitcher Carlos Hernandez.  If you have a vacation photo you'd like to share, send it along to Mrs. Hatch - dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Letter from Mrs. Gannatti - Please be sure to check your email for a letter from Mrs. Gannatti containing important information regarding the 2015-16 school year.





Application for St. Mary's School Trust Scholarships - The on-line application for the St. Mary's School Trust Scholarships is now available.  Click here.  The deadline for applications is April 30, 2015.  For more information regarding these scholarships and the qualification parameters, click here.   For a helpful guide from the PSAS about completing the on-line application, click here. 

IOWA testing begins Monday, 4/27, and continues through Monday, 5/4, for students in Grades 3 -7.  Tuesday, 5/5 and Wednesday, 5/6 are reserved for "make-ups" due to illness. While these tests are one important indicator of a student's academic progress, we do strongly encourage you to help your child(ren) approach these tests with a positive outlook of relaxed confidence.  Unlike many regular assessments, these tests cannot be "studied" for and the best preparation for them is a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast.  Students that may feel anxious should be reminded that these tests are just one measure of progress. Please also keep in mind that it is very important for students to arrive at school PROMPTLY by 8:40AM on IOWA testing days.  Late arrivals will not be permitted into a classroom if the testing has begun until there is a break.  Additionally, we ask that you try to avoid scheduling doctor and dentist visits during the testing period.  Parents are encouraged to send a healthy, protein rich snack (e.g., a cheese stick or small yogurt) with their children each testing day.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

"Fairway to Heaven" Golf Tournament - Enjoy the beautiful spring weather on Monday, May 18th at the Hopmeadow Country Club in Simsbury.  Golf Tournament Registration is OPEN!  Early Bird tickets are available now. Click here to register. Visit "SMSFairwayToHeaven.com" and "/facebook.com/SMSFairwayToHeaven" for more information and updates. 

Sneak Peek - Join us for coffee and a “SNEAK PEEK” at the items for teacup and silent auction prior to "Fairway to Heaven" Golf Outing! Come to the parish center after ALL Masses  during the weekend of May 9^thand 10^th! You can bid on any items of your choice or just get a glimpse of what’s to come!

Grandparents' & Special Person's Day is coming!  One of SMS' most important events, Grandparents" & Special Person's Day, will be held on Friday, May 8th.  Guests are invited to join us for community prayer in the Parish Center at 8:45am followed by light refreshments and student entertainment.  There will also be time to visit in classrooms before the day's events conclude with May Crowning in the Church.  Look for additional details next week.

Athletic News -  

Running Club will begin this Thursday, 4/23/15, and will meet on Tuesday and Thursdays. The club will meet at 7:50am in the Parish Center.  Coach Bonk will lead the team in stretching and running.  The program is offered to grades 3-8th. Please send in a check for $15 to St. Mary Booster club if you would like to participate in this years running club.

Art Show Help Needed!  Our annual art show will be held in conjunction with our Spring Vocal Concert on Tuesday, May 12th.  Our art teacher, Mrs. Raposo, needs some help with labeling student art work and then getting it hung up in the parish center.  If you can help her on 4/29 or 5/1 with labeling or 5/6 or 5/8 (after Grandparents' & Special Person's Day) with the hanging up of art work or 5/13 with taking down art work, please email her at eraposo@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Used Uniform Exchange - Just in time for our change into the relaxed uniform, an updated inventory of used uniforms is available.  Click here.

Lands' End is also having a uniform sale from 4/22 -4/26. Our school code is 9001-3215-0.

CHOICE News - Just a reminder that you have until April 30th to complete your 2014-2015 CHOICE commitment.  This may be done by purchasing CHOICE cards or by writing a check for the amount of your obligation still due to the school.  CHOICE purchases made after 4/30/15, will be credited to your 2015-16 CHOICE obligation.  If you have questions regarding your family's CHOICE obligation, please contact Tammy Budnick - tbudnick@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.




Home & School Association News

Trail Run/Walk Club  

Are you ready to come out from hibernation? The Trail Run/Walk Club is meeting every Wednesday morning at 8:50am at Stratton Brook State Park. Please note the change of venue. All are welcome and encouraged to come for a nice morning of exercise and friendship. We hope to see lots of people there! If you have any questions, please contact Amy Lillis at amylillis73@gmail.com.

Adrian Hatch, SMS Class of '09 & Lokil co-founder, Josiah Macdonald

Alumni News - Congratulations to Adrian Hatch, SMS Class of '09, on his recent success at the RvD (Raymond von Dran) Idea Awards and the Invention Creativity Competition at Syracuse University.  Both competitions provide funding for student start-ups.  Adrian's app company, Lokil, which he cofounded with a classmate, was awarded $3,750 by the RvD and $1,000 by the ICC.  It's the start of a great "app"ortunity!

Students considering Northwest Catholic High School can thank Abby Herron, SMS Class of '12 for a great new video documenting "A Day in the Life of a NWC Student".  This video is shared with all of Northwest's prospective students and provides a great overview of daily life at Northwest.  Take a moment to share Abby's day, get acquainted with Northwest and be wowed by the creativity of our alumni! Click here.




Community News

Heather Goetz, mother of  Greyson in our PreK, has written a  children's book, The Magical World of You.  The book is available for preorder on Barnes and Noble's website at a discount until April 28th. It is a wonderful book for the little ones.  Click here.

Talcott Mountain Science Center invites you to a presentation by Dr. / Lt Cmdr Shawn Soutiere, US Navy.  Dr./Lt. Cmdr. Soutiere has done research into how different light wavelengths can change your circadian rhythms and reset your body's clock for jet lag - and how to prepare soldiers / sailors / marines / airmen for deployment across time zones, and prepare astronauts for space flight!

Please RSVP to (860) 677-8571

The Northwest Catholic Dramateurs will present the musical, Once on this Island, on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at 7:30pm and on Sunday, April 26th at 2pm.  Tickets are $12 each -click here. The musical tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl, who rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love. Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the pompous gods who preside over the island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, the stakes being Ti Moune's life.

The show features several SMS alumni including Lauren Mangine, SMS Class of ’12 as Ti Moune, John Sullivan, SMS class of ’14 as Daniel.  Also appearing in the cast will be Matt Sottile, SMS Class of '12, Avery Hatch, SMS Class of  '12, Ally Voelker, SMS Class of '13, James Sullivan, SMS Class of '14, Mimi Connors, SMS Class of '14.  Lindsay Voelker, currently in our 8th grade, will also appear in the production.

Sylvan Learning Center in West Hartford invites families with students in grades 1-6 to a National STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Bash on Saturday, April 25th from 1-4pm.  Click here for more information.

National Day of Prayer - Thursday, May 7, 2015 - Everyone is welcome to gather at noon on May 7th outside the Simsbury Town Hall for the National Day of Prayer.  There will be a brief ceremony but all are welcome to come and go as their time permits.

Summer Sports Opportunities - The U.S. Sports Institute in conjunction with the Simsbury Recreation Department have some great opportunities for summer sport camps.  Click here for more information.