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.