Merry Christmas

We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, January 3, 2017!

News for the Week of 12/21/16

Signs of the Season

Students in Miss Kane's PreKindergarten re-enacted the Nativity Story in their Christmas Pageant.

Friday, 12/23, is a 12:45pm early dismissal.  Students who have contributed to the Christmas Food Drive may dress down. Please be sure to follow the criteria that appear below in the blog. Please also help your child(ren) make dress down selections that are appropriate for school.  There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare available on Friday, 12/23.  School reopens on Tuesday, January 3.

Until Friday, 12/23, we are collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Bank at Eno Hall.

Students participating in the food drive will be able to dress down on December 23^rd using the following criteria:

Bring 1 item: Red or Green Shirt of your choice

Bring 2 items: Add pants of your choice

Bring 3 items: Add Christmas hat, socks or hair piece to outfit

The order period for February hot lunches will be announced after our Christmas vacation.  Notification will appear in this blog and also via an all family email.

The Sign Up Genius for Hot Lunch Volunteers for January - June is now available.  Click here to volunteer.

Celebrating SMS & Catholic Schools Everywhere!  In January, we will join Catholic schools across the country in celebrating Catholic Schools' Week from 1/29 - 2/3.  We will begin our celebration at the 5pm St. Mary's Parish Mass on Saturday, 1/28.  This is an opportunity for us to worship together and we anticipate that all school families will attend.  Students should wear their formal uniforms.  The Parish Center has been reserved for an community event after Mass.  If you are interested in coordinating a community building event after Mass (e.g., potluck or pasta dinner?  appetizers?), please contact the school office.

Drama Club begins in January!  Click here for more information about this year's Drama Club.  This club is open to students in grades 3-8.  Students in first and second grades may participate with a teacher's recommendation.

SMS Times - Read All About It!  Volume 1, No. 3 is now available.  Click here to read all the news as reported by our students.  Our continued thanks to Mrs. Michelle Howard for moderating this grade 4 student publication.

Our Thanks to Mrs. Debbie Morse, our FMI Instrumental Music Teacher, for the beautiful sounds of the season on Monday, 12/19, at our Christmas Band Concert.  Congratulations to all of our student musicians on a wonderful concert.

SMS Cadet Band 2016

SMS Advanced Band

Couldn't make it to the Holiday Spirit Shop? No worries, limited quantities and sizes of Pajamas, Athletic Socks, Fleece Jackets,T Shirts, Sweatshirts, Blankets & more, are still available just in time for Christmas! Please contact Toni Chagnon or drop by the office, tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Gift Cards from CHOICE are Great for the Holidays!

Whether you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, filling your oil tank or shopping for all those special someones in your life, the SMS CHOICE program is here for you!  There are lots of great gift ideas in stock in the CHOICE box including cards to area grocery stores, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, Bertuccis and even Little City Pizza along with many others!

For a limited time we have a small quantity in stock of Bath & Body Works in denominations of $25s and $10s and Amazon in $100s and $25s for your Christmas shopping!

We also still have a limited quantity of $5 gift cards available for Starbucks and Panera.

Please do send back in any large plastic 

CHOICE envelopes.  Our supply is dwindling.

Thanks to all that participated in our Toys for Tots Toy Collection!  Thanks to your generosity, Mrs. Budnick's SUV was stuffed with wonderful toys for delivery.  Our thanks to SMS alum, Caleb Budnick, Class of '14, for his help loading up all the toys!

Used Uniform Exchange - Click here for an updated inventory of items available from the Used Uniform Exchange.

Faith in Action - We are so pleased to share that Colleen Langlais, mother of Kelsey in PreK, has been recognized by the Hartford Courant as a "Hometown Hero".  
Mrs. Langlais does extensive fundraising for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), which helps find cures and better treatments for blood cancer patients. All of her fundraising helps LLS fund hundreds of promising researchers at leading cancer centers and universities worldwide.  Click here to read the whole story.

Alumni News - Our congratulations to SMS alumni who achieved honor roll status at Simsbury High School for the Fall semester.

SMS Class of '13 - Griffin Myslow, High Honors; Bradley Bedson, Nicole Gomez-Nieto & Allison Mancarella, Honors

SMS Class of '14 - Domenico Cirielli, High Honors; Spencer Bernard & Parker Myslow, Honors

SMS Class of '15 - Mark Bedson, High Honors; Kurt Bedson, Honors

Signs of the Season

Father Matera joined us for morning prayer and shared
a story about why God chose Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus.

PreKindergarten & Kindergarten students worked together to create
placemats and napkin rings for the holiday dinner at the
Simsbury Senior Center.

Charlotte T., and her friends in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class
decorated gingerbread cookies.

PreKindergarten students worked with their 8th grade buddies to create a Nativity project.

Community News

St. Mary's Parish - Mass Schedule for Christmas

Christmas Eve
4:00 pm*      6:00 pm      10:00 pm
* Mass at 4 pm will be celebrated in both
the Church and Parish Center

Christmas
9:00 am        11:00 am

New Year's Eve
4:00 pm
(Please note: there is no Mass at 5 pm)

New Year's Day
8:00 am      9:30 am      11:00 am

Simsbury Public Library has announced a line up of exciting programs for January 2017 for

teens and tweens.  Click here to view the entire calendar of events.

News for the Week of 12/15/16

The Kindergarten Shepherds & Angels - 2016

Our students put us all in proper state of mind for Christmas on Tuesday night at Lessons and Carols.  This annual SMS tradition was beautifully presented and we extend our special thanks to our vocal music teacher, Mrs. Raimonda Jalinskas and Mrs. Kerri Work, our 8th grade homeroom teacher and Religion coordinator, for all of the effort and time involved in the preparation of this prayer service.  Our thanks to the rest of our faculty for their preparatory efforts and to all of you for sharing in this beautiful school wide remembrance of the Nativity.

Looking ahead to next week - Friday, 12/23, is a 12:45pm early dismissal.  Students who have contributed to the Christmas Food Drive may dress down. Please be sure to follow the criteria that appear below in the blog. There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare available on Friday, 12/23.  School reopens on Tuesday, January 3.

Hot Lunch Ordering Closed for January - The January order period is closed and Educonnect will no longer accept lunch orders at this time. A blog post and reminder email will be sent out when the order period for February is open.

The Sign Up Genius for Hot Lunch Volunteers for January - June is now available.  Click here to volunteer.

Beginning on Monday, 12/19 - Friday, 12/23, we will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Bank at Eno Hall.

Students participating in the food drive will be able to dress down on December 23^rd using the following criteria:

Bring 1 item: Red or Green Shirt of your choice

Bring 2 items: Add pants of your choice

Bring 3 items: Add Christmas hat, socks or hair piece to outfit

Enjoy an Evening of Seasonal Music!  Everyone is invited to join us for our Christmas Band Concert on Monday, 12/19, at 7pm in the Parish Center.  There will be a dress rehearsal of the concert for the school at 2pm.  The snow date for this event is 1/9/17.  Directions for musicians regarding dress and arrival time from Mrs. Morse are available here.  One important reminder:  all musicians should plan to bring their instruments, stands, music and any accessories to school on Monday, 12/19.

Safety Concern - Please do not send GLASS water bottles in with students.  Broken glass is dangerous here at school and even a plastic sleeve does not protect against glass shards on the floor.

Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern, our grade 4 teacher, visited with Miss Kane's PreK last week.  She taught the children what the work of a Sister is and why they dress differently from others. The children listened carefully and asked questions.

Couldn't make it to the Holiday Spirit Shop? No worries, limited quantities and sizes of Pajamas, Athletic Socks, Fleece Jackets,T Shirts, Sweatshirts, Blankets & more, are still available just in time for Christmas! Please contact Toni Chagnon or drop by the office, tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net 

Gift Cards from CHOICE are Great for the Holidays!  

Whether you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, filling your oil tank or shopping for all those special someones in your life, the SMS CHOICE program is here for you!  There are lots of great gift ideas in stock in the CHOICE box including cards to area grocery stores, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, Bertuccis and even Little City Pizza along with many others!

For a limited time we have a small quantity in stock of Bath & Body Works in denominations of $25s and $10s and Amazon in $100s and $25s for your Christmas shopping!

We also still have a limited quantity of $5 gift cards available for Starbucks and Panera.

Please do send back in any large plastic CHOICE envelopes.  Our supply is dwindling.

Signs of the Season

Students in Mrs. Keany's class were excited to participate in
Lessons & Carols this year.

Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class are focusing on the joy of giving and
the importance of gifts that can't be purchased like joy, kindness and friendliness.
Last  week, these students created cards for Mr. Stokes to thank him for
all he does for us here at SMS.

News for the Week of 12/7/16

Spirit of the Season - Our Student Council Invites You to Participate in December's Service Projects -

Click here for your "National Believe Day" Template.

Winter Weather Reminders -  SMS follows the Simsbury Public Schools in regard to all weather related delayed openings, early closings and cancellations.  SMS shares weather related information via Remind texts and by updating the announcement box on the home page of the school's website.  Click here for information on how to join the Remind text community.

Unless the temperature is below 20 degrees or the weather is wet and/or inclement, students do wait outside at morning arrival and do go outside for recess.  Please be sure students have winter weather attire appropriate for the conditions including boots and snow pants if there is snow on the ground.  Please encourage your child(ren) to wear appropriate outdoor gear for the weather.

Read All About It!  Volume1, No. 2 of the SMS News is Hot Off the Presses!  

Click here to read this edition. 

Tomorrow, 12/8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception - We will worship with our Parish family at the 12:15 Mass. Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Since the church parking lot will be in use by Mass attendees, PreK families picking up students at 1pm are requested to pick up in the North (Playground) parking lot.

Hot Lunches for January 2017 should be ordered now! Effective with this ordering period, there are brand new procedures for ordering hot lunches.  Click here to learn more and then place your January hot lunch order.  Your payment should be sent in as soon as your order is completed.  The total amount due will appear right at the top of the screen.  The last day that January lunch orders will be accepted is Wednesday, 12/14.  This is also the final date for payments.  

The Signup Genius for lunch volunteers for January and the remainder of the year will be available soon.

Thanks to all that have supported the 8th grade's Poinsettia Sale.  Poinsettias will be available for pickup in the Lower Church on Friday, 12/9, from 1-5pm.  Questions? Please contact Jen Pavlonnis at jpavlonnis@yahoo.com.








Our annual Christmas prayer service, Lessons & Carols, will take place on Tuesday, December 13 in the church.  There will be a 10am dress rehearsal.  This is a perfect opportunity to take photos.  The prayer service will begin at 7pm. Church doors will open at 6:30pm.  All students in grades Kindergarten - grade 8 actively participate in this prayer service and attendance is expected.  If your child(ren) will not be able to attend, please contact Mrs. Williamson.  All students except Kindergarten and 8th grade wear their full, formal uniform for Lessons & Carols.  Kindergarten & 8th grade students will receive dress guidelines from their teachers.  The snow date for Lessons & Carols is Tuesday, 12/20.

Moms in Prayer - All are invited to the next meeting on  Wednesday, December 14^th from 8:30-9:30am in the lower church library.

Enjoy an Evening of Seasonal Music!  Everyone is invited to join us for our Christmas Band Concert on Monday, 12/19, at 7pm in the Parish Center.  There will be a dress rehearsal of the concert for the school at 2pm.  The snow date for this event is 1/9/17.  Musicians will be receiving directions regarding dress and arrival time from Mrs. Morse but all musicians should plan to bring their instruments, stands, music and any accessories to school on Monday, 12/19.

Couldn't make it to the Holiday Spirit Shop? No worries, limited quantities and sizes of Pajamas, Athletic Socks, Fleece Jackets,T Shirts, Sweatshirts, Blankets & more, are still available just in time for Christmas! Please contact Toni Chagnon or drop by the office, tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net 

Gift Cards from CHOICE are Great for the Holidays!  

Whether you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, filling your oil tank or shopping for all those special someones in your life, the SMS CHOICE program is here for you!  In addition to the many cards for area grocery and department stores and restaurants we keep "in stock", many, many gift cards are available by special order via GL Scrip.  All of these cards can help you meet your family's CHOICE commitment and get your holiday shopping done in record time!  For a complete list of GL Scrip vendors, click here. 

For a limited time we have a small quantity in stock of Bath & Body Works in denominations of $25s and $10s and Amazon in $100s and $25s for your Christmas shopping!

We also still have a limited quantity of $5 gift cards available for Starbucks and Panera.

TO BE SURE YOUR CARDS ARRIVE IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY GIVING, special orders must be placed NLT Wednesday, 12/14.

Alumni News

Our congratulations to Martin Wall, SMS Class of '15.  Martin has achieved High Honors for the 1st quarter at Xavier High School.

Community News

 New Year; A New Catholic Transcript

Beginning late January 2017, the Catholic Transcript newspaper will be transformed into a full color magazine, which will be sent for free to more than 192,000 Catholic households in Hartford, New Haven and Litchfield counties. The new publication will dynamically advance the tradition of a beloved, respected, award-winning newspaper with roots dating back to 1829. 

In magazine format, the Catholic Transcript will continue to be the communications centerpiece of Catholic news and information for our archdiocesan family of faith. Its visibility and relevance will be greatly enhanced thanks to its digital presence, social media interconnectivity, evangelizing content, and distribution 10 times a year to more than double the number of Catholic households than in the recent past.

The Catholic Transcript’s transformation is in direct response to the Office of Pastoral Planning’s Your Voice Counts survey, in which a majority of respondents and focus group participants requested content that is more evangelizing and catechetical in nature, while at the same time, continuing to include important news and information about the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Roman Catholic Church at large.

Signs of the Season

Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class have made ornaments to decorate
their classroom Christmas tree.

Everyone is busy practicing for Lessons & Carols next week including
Mrs. Keany's second grade class.