Special Friday Edition ! News for the Week of 5/13/15

Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class celebrated Cinco de Mayo by designing their own serapes.  Pictured are first grade students with our Spanish teacher, Maestra Puerta.

Hot Lunch Help Needed!  Do you have a few hours to spare to help us serve lunch? We need the following help -

2 volunteers for this coming Monday, May 18
1 volunteer for Weds., May 20th
1 volunteer for Weds., May 27th
Please click here to sign up.

The Golf Tournament is on Monday - May 18th at the beautiful Hopmeadow Country Club in Simsbury!  

Morning Coffee, Day of Golf, Delicious Dinner, Auction - Join us for a full day or whatever part of the day works for you!

***Last chance to register***

Remember that in addition to golf we have a casual coffee gathering in the morning (please RSVP so we have a headcount for coffee) and a dinner and auction in the evening - feel free to choose any event! Click here to visit our website for more information or click here to go directly to our online registration site.  We look forward to seeing you there!  Take a look at some of the fabulous auction prizes!

The School Board will meet on Wednesday, May 20th at 7pm in the lower church.  All are welcome.

Our Spring Band concert will be held on Thursday, May 21st in the Parish Center at 7pm.  The concert will feature selections by our Cadet (Beginner), Advanced and Jazz Bands as well as some special performances.  Information regarding student arrival time and dress is available here.  There will be a dress rehearsal of the concert for the entire student body on Thursday, 5/21, at 2pm in the Parish Center.  Guests are also welcome at this performance.  All musicians should be sure to bring their instruments, music, stands and necessary supplies to school on Thursday for this dress rehearsal.

All Musicians & Parents of Musicians - Please CLICK HERE for important information from Mrs. Morse regarding the school day dress rehearsal, evening arrival time and concert dress.

Friday, May 22nd is a 12:45 early dismissal to begin the Memorial Day holiday.  There will be NO PreKindergarten Enrichment or Aftercare.  School is CLOSED on Monday, 5/25/15, for Memorial Day.

Damien H, Kindergarten, with his Grandma Dot
demonstrates his iPad proficiency.

Grandparents' & Special Person's Day was a huge success!  It was so wonderful to see so many grandmas and grandpas along with other special guests. We commend our second grade for the beautiful May Crowning which was a wonderful tribute to our school's patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Thanks to all who helped organize and present the event!


















CHOICE NEWS - Final statements for families with a CHOICE balance due for the 14-15 school year were sent home with students on Friday, 5/8/15,  Please be sure to check your child's backpack if you still have money owed for your 14-15 CHOICE commitment.  Final payments are due NLT Friday, 5/15.  Reminder - All CHOICE purchases since April 30, 2015 are being credited to your CHOICE obligation for 15-16.  If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Budnick at the school office (tbudnick@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net)

Looking Ahead to 2015-16 - Are You Interested in Serving as a Room Parent Next Year?  

Room parents typically help homeroom teachers coordinate classroom volunteers if they are needed for a special event or project.  They also support class activities or communicate important information by sending out emails to parents when requested to do so by the teacher or Mrs. Gannatti.  In an emergency, room parents may be asked to assist with phone notifications.  Room parents for 8th grade have additional responsibilities associated with the many activities associated with graduation and the New York field trip and yearbook.  If you are interested in serving as a room parent next year, please email Mrs. Gannatti at mgannatti@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net NLT Friday, 5/22.  She will meet with each homeroom teacher about room parent needs for the coming year and selections will be made by the end of May.  If you have being serving as a room parent either this year or within the last 3 years, please be sure to let Mrs. Gannatti know that.  We would like to be sure that people who have not yet had the opportunity to serve are given a chance.

Mrs. Gore's 5th grade students enjoyed a field trip on 5/12 to
Old Sturbridge Village.

Home & School Association

Come Explore an Ocean of Books!

At the Book Fair Under the Sea

Get ready for summer reading at our BOGO Scholastic book fair:

Spring Book Fair hours:

Tues. May 26                12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Wed. & Thurs. May 27 & 28            9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 Fri. May 29                         9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

 Sun. May 31                        9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Book fair volunteers are still needed!  If you are available please contact Karen McKenna at kdsm1120@comcast.net or Bridget Shanley (860-738-8965) bashanley@charter.net if you are available to help.

Special Event for the book fair:

Students in Mrs. Tunsky's 4th Grade went on their field trip last week.
These students visited the State Capitol building and Bushnell Park.

A Day at the Beach!  6th Grade students investigated Hammonasset State Beach with
Miss Tockstein, Mrs. Work, and Maestra Puerta as part of their exploration of marine biology. 

St. Mary's Stars -

Maria Nolan, far left row, & the rest of the Granby Rovers.

We want to wish Maria Nolan and her Granby Rovers U13 soccer team good luck.  They are traveling to Slippery Rock, PA to compete in the Regional Soccer Championships.  They are representing CT as the number one travel soccer team in the state. 


Community News

Talcott Mountain Science Center invites you - 

 Click here for more information.

St. Catherine of Siena invites you to the 2015 "I am Loved" Tour of Destiny Africa. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 10th from 7-9pm at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury. Don’t miss this dynamic and uplifting performance filled with hopes and dreams brought to you by amazing young performers from Uganda who love to share their passion of lively singing, creative African dance and drums! Coming from the toughest of situations, children’s lives are being restored and transformed at the Kampala Children’s Centre, the home of Destiny Africa. The performance will include singing, dancing and stories of transformed lives and an opportunity to donate. A selection of African crafts and other merchandise will be available. All money raised will go to further the work of Kampala Children’s Centre in order to rescue and save more precious children.  For more information, contact Maggie Domashinski at 860-752-9875.

The Simsbury Public Library has a number of terrific programs planned for teens and preteens throughout May and through June.  Planned programs include "Keep Calm and Choose a Career" for older teens,  "Tween Karaoke"  for grades 4-8, the popular Nerdfest along with some other great options.  There will also be a series of Summer programs announced before Memorial Day. There will be 4-6 programs a week for 8 weeks.  Programs will include Technology/Science programs, a series of crafts, a series of Nerdfests and a 4 part yoga series. Additional programs are still being planned.  Click here to visit the Library's calendar for event details. 

Congratulations to Mary M. & ERIK W., Grade 6, on their winning essays in Senator Kevin Witkos' annual essay contest!!  We accidentally gave credit to Erik's brother, Kevin, in last week's post!