News for the week of 10/26/16

Halloween is Coming!  We are celebrating this Friday, 10/28.
In an effort to have a little fun and build community among our students, we will allow everyone in the building to dress up for Halloween on Friday, October 28.

Here are our parameters:

- no clowns
- no weapons
- no masks or face makeup
- no high heels (especially high heels that come with princess attire)
- each grade or group of grades will determine the time that students will wear the costumes; some might change in school and some wear them to school - please follow your child's teacher's instruction.

Parties are only allowed in PreKindergarten and Kindergarten.  These classroom parties may not involve food.

Halloween Pumpkin Bingo will take place on Mon., 10/31, during the lunch waves.

"Treat" for a neighbor in need.  Again this year, our school will participate in the Jack Bannon "Turkey Trot" non-perishable food drive.  We would like to encourage all students to bring a non-perishable food donation to school on Halloween, 10/31, as a treat for a neighbor in need.  Collection boxes will be located in the primary unit and the middle school and also outside the school office.  Turkey Trot donations will be accepted until Friday, November 4th. 

Students in Grades 2 and 5 have concluded their United Nation's study by sharing their presentation boards with families and friends. 

 It was exciting to see how much the students learned and how poised they were in their presentations. Click here to enjoy the second grade's welcoming song.

Formal Uniform Begins Tuesday, November 1 for students in grades Kindergarten - 7!  Students in 8th grade are given the privilege of wearing the relaxed uniform until December 1.  

Our November Open House is Coming Up Soon!  Do you know someone wondering if SMS is the right place for their family? Please encourage them to attend our Open House on Thursday, November 3rd at 6:30pm.  

An RSVP is appreciated, please email Toni Chagnon,   tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net  or call the school office at 860-658-9412.

The Advancement Committee is gearing up for our 60th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, April 21, 2017. This will be our most important fundraising event of the school year and we have several committees that need volunteers. It is a great opportunity to share your talent and time to help our school continue its mission and celebrate its rich history! For more information on how you can help please call or email Toni Chagnon, 860-658-9412 or tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.





Art Club is Coming Soon!  Click here to download and print and registration form.  View details below.

2017 Ski & Snowboard Club Registrations are Now Being Accepted!Even though the leaves are just beginning to turn, it's time to think about Ski & Snowboard Club.

Preparations are underway for the 2017 season at Ski Sundown in New Hartford.  Click here for new information, FAQ and registration forms.

These forms can be completed and submitted beginning now. The deadline for submission without a late fee is TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016.

All students who are age 8 or older on 1/4/17, can participate. First timers are more than welcome.

Bus transportation to and from Ski Sundown will be available if enough bus riders register. Season pass holders can utilize the Club’s bus transportation. Please see the FAQ for cost information and discussion on alternate transportation.

Chaperones are also needed and can ski for free. A Sign-Up Genius site has been established. Click here.

Please consider this activity for your child(ren). We have a great time and welcome new and returning participants.

In Mrs. Jehning's first grade,  the children are learning about neighborhoods, different kinds of communities, community workers, laws and customs.  Students began this unit by constructing a house and writing four reasons why we love our homes.  First grade parents can look forward to seeing these constructions during their conferences next week. 

Veterans' Day Observance - Please Join Us

On Friday, November 11, 2016, our children will be observing Veterans' Day with a special program after morning prayer. We would like to invite families and any veterans to our program that day. Please contact the school office if you plan to join us. Military uniforms are welcome and would be appreciated by our students. We hope to see you then!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR! 

The book fair is under way! There's one last day to stop by the Parish Center to shop a great selection of Scholastic's best books!  Thursday, 10/26 from 9am-1pm.  A special THANK YOU to all of the fantastic volunteers for contributing their time to our fair!

Can't stop in?  Click here to shop online from October 16th - November 1st.  All proceeds will benefit SMS!

Looking ahead, November will bring our annual Thanksgiving Senior Citizen Luncheon.  As always, many volunteers will be needed to assist with this event.  More information will be available soon!

Thanks to all who ordered from the Lyman Pie & frozen cookie dough fundraiser!    Frozen pies and cookie dough will be available for pickup on Thursday, November 17.  Pickup time will be announced.

Grade 8 Fundraising - St. Mary's  8th grade class would like to extend a special thank you to the Rodriguez family and their wonderful staff at Puerto Vallarta restaurant.  Their family restaurant provided a beautiful, relaxing and deliciously successful fundraising event!  Thank you to everyone who enjoyed a meal at Puerto Vallarta on Sunday in support of our 8th grade!

Calling All Student Volunteers - The Prudential Insurance Co. sponsors the Prudential Spirit of Community program and award each year. This is open to students in grades 5-12 who have made a difference through a volunteer project. Click here for more information.  The application deadline is November 8, 2016.

Jamie & Diana Kalamarides, seated right, celebrating at the
HOPES dinner with SMS friends, Scott and Mary Sirianni, seated left,
& standing from the left - Tom & Kristin Potter, Michelle & Claude Howard,
Principal, Margaret Williamson and Father Frank Matera.

Congratulations!  

Jamie and Diana Kalamarides, parents of Joseph, Gr. 5, and Hannah, Gr. 7,  were honored at the 39th Anniversary HOPES (Help Our Parish Elementary Schools) Dinner sponsored by the Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis, Archdiocese of Hartford, and held at the Aqua Turf Club, Southington on September 29, 2016. The gathering of over 470 included pastors, principals and volunteer leaders representing several school constituencies – parents, grandparents, past parents, alumni and friends. Eighty one representatives from 40 schools were honored with the 2016 St. John Neumann Award for Volunteer Service, in recognition of outstanding service to Catholic education at the parish school level.

Alumni News - Our congratulations to Tim Nolan, SMS Class of '14, on his induction into the National Honor Society.  Tim is a junior at Granby High School.








Community News

Clothes for a Cause -The St. Ann's Church Scholarship Committee provides partial scholarships to selected students from the Hartford area who want to attend a Catholic high school. The scholarships assist students (selected by the school staff) at Northwest Catholic High School, East Catholic High School, and St. Paul's High School in Bristol. Each student is guaranteed annual financial assistance throughout his/her high school career. The Scholarship Committee holds four annual fundraisers and the Clothing Sale will be this year's first fundraiser. A collection box is now available outside the school office.  Clothing donations will be accepted until Friday, 10/28. This is a great time to share some of your clean, gently used clothing and accessories for a great cause.  The clothing sale will take place at St. Ann's on November 4th and 5th. 

Simsbury Public Library Announces Programs for Teens & Tweens

 in November.