News for the week of 9/7/16

Tonight - Wednesday, September 7th is "Back to School Night for Parents".   We are looking forward to seeing you!

This adult evening has 2 events this year. The evening will begin with a meeting for parents with students beginning instrumental music and band lessons for the first time this year.  If you have a student entering grades 4-8 that is interested in beginning instrumental music and band with our Future Musician's instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, please plan to meet in the music/art portable at 6pm. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band.  After the meeting with Mrs. Morse, parents should proceed to the Parish Center for the 6:30pm opening of "Back to School Night for Parents".

  "Back to School Night for Parents" will begin at 6:30pm in the Parish Center.  Mrs. Williamson will have opening remarks and news about our newly revitalized Home & School Association. This will also be your opportunity to visit your child(ren)'s homeroom classrooms, meet teachers and learn more about the school day and this year's expectations for a great school year.

Calendar Reminders

SMS is part of Simsbury Septemberfest from Friday, September 9th - Sunday, September 11th!  Be sure to stop by the SMS booth if your family is enjoying Septemberfest this weekend.  Click here for more information about Simsbury's Septemberfest celebration.

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PICTURE DAY IS COMING SOON for students in Prekindergarten and grades K-7!
Picture Day: Monday, September 12
Picture Day ID: EJ416010Q0
Informational flyers with an attached order form from Lifetouch Photography were sent home with all students PreK, K -7 on Friday, September 2.  

Portrait Order Forms and payment should be brought to school on Picture Day.

  All students will have a photo taken even if no portrait package is ordered for use in our school yearbook.  Students in PreK, K -7 may wear casual dress appropriate for school and portrait photography on Monday, September 12.   Group class photos will be taken on Wednesday, November 9.

Individual photos of students in 8th grade will be taken by Paul Cryan Photography on Thursday, September 15 in the school library.  A group class photo will also be taken.  These photos will be taken in the Library portable. Eighth grade students should wear "business casual" attire representative of their role as our graduating class of 2017 (e.g, Boys should wear a collared shirt and neat trousers. Girls should wear a top that covers shoulders and dresses and skirts should be of modest length.)

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 13th at 9am in the church.  Please note, this is a change to our original school calendar.  There is no school Mass on Friday, 9/9/16.  All are welcome to worship with us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Virtus Training - We hope that many of you will join us as volunteers in supporting our school and students!  All volunteers must be Virtus trained before beginning volunteer activities.  We will host a Virtus training session on Tuesday, September 13th at 6:30pm in the 5th grade classroom.  Please RSVP to the school office if you plan to attend this session. When you arrive for the training, please plan to park in the north (playground) parking lot and enter through the door closest to the portable classroom to access the grade 5 classroom.

It is very important that participants arrive on time for the training session.  In order to receive certification, you must be present from the start of the class.  If this day/time are not convenient for you, there are other training sessions offered through the diocese.  To look for other training sessions in the area, click here.  If you completed Virtus training in a prior year, there is no need to repeat the training.  If you are not sure if your Virtus training is complete, have questions or are unsure if the school has proof of your training, please contact the school office.

Parents Knight Out -  Book your babysitter!  Our parent/guardian community is invited to gather for a "Parents Knight Out" in the Parish Center at 6:30pm on Friday, Sept. 16th.  This will be a great opportunity to meet families new to our community, get better acquainted and share "back to school" stories.  We hope many of you will join us for a relaxed evening of community building.

Teacher Blogs -  Mrs. Mortillaro's 4th grade blog and Senora Jaquez's Spanish Blog are now available.  We encourage parents to subscribe to these blogs to receive all posts to your email.




Grade 8 Fundraising - Every year, our 8th grade students conduct a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their field trip to New York and other graduation related activities.  

8th Grade Mum Sale is Here!!!  Click here for an order form.

--Orders are DUE Tuesday, September 13th--

Here's another great way to support our 8th grade!  There will be a car wash on Saturday, September 17, from 8:30am-1pm in the North (playground) parking lot. Tickets may be purchased on September 10 & 11 after all Masses.  Tickets will also be available at Fitzgeralds on the afternoon of September 11.  Thanks in advance for your support of our 8th grade!

Community News

St. Mary's Parish Invites Families to Worship - "Back to School" time is always busy and sometimes Sunday Mass can be tough to coordinate.  St. Mary's Parish invites all families to worship at 5pm Sunday Youth Masses on September 25, October 23, November 20 and December 4.  These "Youth Masses" are open to all and offer an additional opportunity to worship.

There will be a Fall Festival at the Simsbury Community Farm on Sunday, Sept. 18th from 10am to 3pm. There will be all sorts of activities and an opportunity to learn more about the Farm and Gifts of Love. Click here for more information about the Simsbury Community Farm and Gifts of Love.

First Day Photos

Katarina was all smiles on her First Day in First Grade.