News for the Week of 5/18/17

Mark Your Calendars!  

Please mark your calendars that we will worship with our Parish family at the 12:15pm Mass for the Feast of the Ascension.  Please keep in mind that no Physical Education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Friday, May 26th is a 12:45pm Early Dismissal.  There will be no PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  School is closed on Monday, 5/29, for Memorial Day.

Looking forward to 2017-18 - Be a part of our school community in a leadership role in our Home & School Association.  We're "starting fresh" and are looking for those who are willing to serve to help us formulate our goals for next year. There will be a preliminary meeting in the Library portable on Thursday, May 25th at 7pm.  Please email Mrs. Williamson if you are able to come - mwilliamson@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. 

Grandparents' & Special Person's Day - We were delighted to welcome many special visitors last Friday to Grandparents' & Special Person's Day and our annual May Crowning.  Many thanks to the volunteers who helped us make this day a success.

This is what learning looks like at SMS!
Why not invite a friend or neighbor to come and learn
more about us during a Walk-In Wednesday?

Walk-In Wednesdays are here!  Do you know someone wondering if SMS is the right place for their family?  Encourage them to drop in to get acquainted during one of our upcoming Walk-In Wednesdays on May 24 or May 31 from 9-11:30am.  

Spring Band & Vocal Concert - This year our Spring Band & Vocal Music Concert will be held on Monday, May 22nd at 7pm in the Parish Center.  There will be a dress rehearsal of the concert at 1:30pm on May 22nd.  Our FMI instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, has provided band students with directions regarding arrival time and concert attire.  Click here for Mrs. Morse's directions for band students. All students in Kindergarten - Grade 8 participate in the vocal music portion of the concert and attendance is considered mandatory since the performance is part of the student's vocal music grade.  If an excused absence needs to be requested, please contact Mrs. Williamson. "Sunday Best" is the dress expectation for the concert unless the teacher has provided other directives for dress.  "Sunday Best" for boys means a collared shirt and dress slacks or walking shorts with shoes and socks.  "Sunday Best" for girls means a dress, skirt, or skort of modest length or dress walking shorts (i.e., knee length) or slacks.  Dresses or tops should be of modest coverage (e.g., no bare shoulders, no open backed dresses).  Girls are expected to wear sensible shoes or sandals.  If "Sunday Best" is not available, the relaxed uniform may be worn.

It's Field Trip Time!  

This week, students in grades 4-8 all enjoyed field trips to destinations including the State Capitol, Old Sturbridge Village, the Connecticut Science Center, Boston and New York City!  While touring the State Capitol, our fourth grade students had the opportunity to spend some time with our favorite State Representative, Mr. John Hampton.  Mr. Hampton is an alumni of SMS and has been a strong advocate for our school and all Catholic schools in matters of educational funding. 

8th grade enjoyed a day in NYC complete with a double decker bus tour
of the city, the musical Anastasia and dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

LAST CHANCE to Order Your 2016-17 Yearbook - LIMITED NUMBER STILL AVAILABLE. The SMS Yearbook is a great momento that features a photo of every student, club photos and candids from all our school year activities.  Don't miss your opportunity to own this important keepsake!  Yearbooks are ONLY available by presale. Yearbooks are $28.   ONLINE ORDERING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE BUT YEARBOOK ORDERS MAY STILL BE SENT INTO THE SCHOOL OFFICE.  A hard copy order form was sent home with all students on Friday, 4/28.   Additional order forms are available in the school office.  If you have questions, please contact Michelle Howard at michellechoward@yahoo.com.

CHOICE News - The purchasing period for CHOICE for our current school year closed on April 30th.  If your family has a balance due for your CHOICE commitment for this year, a statement has been emailed to you.  Please send your balance due into the school office at your earliest convenience- this balance is now considered OVERDUE.  Your CHOICE obligation is part of your tuition commitment.  Purchases made after 4/30, are being credited to your family's CHOICE obligation for the 17-18 school year.  If you have questions regarding the CHOICE program or your family's CHOICE obligation, please contact Tammy in the school office.

Community News

Cub Scout Recruiting - St. Mary's Pack 175 will be recruiting new Cub Scouts at Rocket Day on Saturday, June 3 from 2-4pm at Orkil Field across from the Apple Barn (74 Old Farms Road, Simsbury).  This is open to all boys from Kindergarten to 5th grade.  There will be a free rocket for new recruits to launch!  This is a great opportunity to learn about the program from leaders and cubs.  Email ambrosiochristian@gmail.com for more information.

Community Service Opportunity - The Simsbury Lions Club will hold a car wash from 9am until noon on Saturday, June 3, in the north (playground) parking lot.  They are looking for several 7th & 8th grade volunteers (not more than 6) to advertise the carwash with sidewalk signs on the day of the event.  For more information, contact Richard Kuziak at 860-722-5316 or 860 416-1123.

Kick off Summer with an Annual Tradition - The St. Mary's Carnival!

This year the carnival will run from June 7-10th.  Click here for more information and to learn how you can help.  Our school receives substantial financial assistance from carnival proceeds so this is a great community activity to support as a volunteer and as an attendee!

Tickets are available in the school office until Thursday, June 8th.