News for the Week of 2/28/18

Due to expected unpleasant weather - the Art Show that was scheduled for Friday, 3/2/18,  has  been POSTPONED and will now take place at our school on "Moving Up Knight" on Wednesday, March 14.

Mark Your Calendars - Wednesday, 3/14/18, is "Moving up Knight" Featuring the Art Show. "Moving Up Knight" begins at 6:30pm on Wednesday, 3/14, in the Parish Center.  Parents are invited to arrive at 6pm for an "Art Show Preview".

This year, "Moving Up Knight" will host our Art Show. The parish center will be transformed into an art gallery and cafe.  Delicious appetizers and desserts will be available as tour the gallery and purchase your child(ren)'s beautifully framed artwork.   Please use the Sign Up Genius to let us know you will be attending - Click here.  If you have already RSVP'ed and can still attend, no need to sign up again.

This is also your first chance to get a peek at the classroom(s) and curriculum your child(ren) will experience next year.   You are also invited to take a peek in other grades as well in case you are curious about the curriculum at other levels.  We look forward to seeing you there!  

We encourage you to bring your signed Family Enrollment Form & Fee to finalize your 2018-19 enrollment.

"Moving Up Knight" is for parents.  Students will enjoy "moving up" activities and tour the Art Show during the school day on 3/14. 

Check your Email!  On Friday, 3/2, two important emails will be sent to all SMS families.  The first will provide information about the various types of financial assistance available at SMS and the SmartAid Application process.  The second will introduce our school's New Family Referral Program and explain how your family can earn a tuition discount just by sharing your SMS experience and recruiting a new family to join our community.  During the week of March 5th, all SMS families will receive an email containing the information and forms necessary to complete enrollment for the 2018-19 school year.

Important Calendar Reminders- 

Parent/Teacher Conferences continue through Thursday, 3/1.   You are still welcome to sign up for a conference - To sign up for your Parent/Teacher Conferences, click here. 

Both Thursday, 3/1 and Friday, 3/2, are 12:45pm early dismissal days.  The early dismissal on Friday is for faculty faith formation. There will be NO Aftercare or PreK Enrichment on Thursday, 3/1 or Friday, 3/2. PE Club will be available for those that signed up for  Thursday, 3/1 and will run from 1-2:15pm. 

Friday, March 9 (School was scheduled to be closed) will NOW BE REGULAR SCHOOL DAY.   Both PreK Enrichment and Aftercare will be available.  

Please note that there will be NO HOT LUNCH ON FRIDAY, MARCH 9.  

All students will need a brown bag lunch.  

Athletic News -

The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team had a unique opportunity to play at the XL Center, at halftime of the UCONN vs Wichita State game, back on January 30. The girls kick off March Madness this Thursday (3/1) at 7pm with a first round playoff game against Southington Catholic at Corpus Christi in Wethersfield. The semi-final game is scheduled for the same place on Friday, March 2. Good Luck Knights!


As basketball season draws to a close, all players are reminded to turn in washed uniforms in a plastic zip lock bag with a name written on the bag.  JVC and JVB should have uniforms returned NLT 3/2/18.  Thanks!

Lenten Service Project - Crayons may be sent in through Friday, March 2nd.

Gr 8 Fundraiser - Mixed Bag Designs

Wondering what you can fit in a "Mixed Bag" - Snowgear for 2!
In this bag - 2 coats, 2 sets of gloves and 2 hats in it with plenty of room to spare!
Department store bag (#30909)  - $20 for set of 2
& it's even water resistant!

Catalogs & order forms were sent home with students on 2/23.  Extra order forms are available in the school office & there are also sample bags on display.  Orders may also be placed on-line at mixedbagdesigns.com.  Click on the Fundraiser tab and then click Shop to Support a Fundraiser. Our fundraiser ID is 331625. All orders and payments are due NLT Friday, March 16th.

Community News

2018 Altar Serving Training for New Servers - Students in Grades 4 and up are invited to join the St. Mary's Altar Server ministry.  Preparatory classes will meet on Saturdays from 1-2pm in the church on March 10, 17, 24 and 31.  It is necessary to attend all 4 sessions. Questions should be directed to Sheila Garilli via email at serverleader@stmarysimsbury.org.

St. Mary's Invites You to the Annual St Patrick's Dinner - Saturday, March 17th at 6 pm in the Parish Center. Come and enjoy corned beef & cabbage, potatoes, carrots, irish soda bread, dessert and beverage and stay for the sing along. Tickets will be sold after the weekend Masses at Church on March 3, 4, 10, & 11. Also available in the Parish Office after March 1. Adults - $15; Children 12 and under- $7. RSVP no later than March 12th. Get your tickets early, we frequently sell out. No tickets will be sold at the door. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus & St Mary’s Parish. For additional info, call 860-651-4027 or 860-658-7627.

Simsbury Public Library will be hosting many programs in March, including some that are open to grades 5 & up and adults. Click here to learn more and sign up.

News for the Week of 2/21/18

Lenten Service Projects -

As we have begun the season of Lent, we want to resume the school’s efforts to perform works of charity and/or service projects. Our efforts this semester will fall under the title “Hearts to Heaven” based on the following quote from Pope St. Gregory the Great:

“The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things.”
The goal during this Lenten & Easter season is to have the students perform hands-on projects. We plan to have a series of opportunities in the next few months. The first project is focused on supporting the charity “Crayons for Cancer”.  Click here to get an idea of what the project entails. Our part is to collect old or new crayons! This is your chance to clean out cupboards and send in the crayons. The students will sort them and take off the wrappers and forward them to the organization to be melted and formed into fun shapes to sell and raise money for CCMC in Hartford. We are collecting crayons through next Friday,March 2.
Other projects may include supporting the House of Bread and local soup kitchens. The most important feature of this effort is to involve the students. Watch the blog for details as more projects are organized!

IMPORTANT CALENDAR UPDATE - SNOW DAY MAKE-UP INFORMATION

Due to the snow days we have had thus far the following IMPORTANT calendar adjustments are being made.


*   Friday, March 9 (School was scheduled to be closed) will NOW BE REGULAR SCHOOL DAY.   Both PreK Enrichment and Aftercare will be available.  

Please note that there will be NO HOT LUNCH ON FRIDAY, MARCH 9.  

All students will need a brown bag lunch.  

Updated reservation forms that include a reservation date for 3/9 for Early Drop Off, PreK Enrichment & Aftercare are available.

Early Drop Off

PreK Enrichment

Aftercare

* Graduation remains scheduled for Friday, June 8.

*  At this time, the last day of school for grades PreK-7 will be FRIDAY, June 15. This will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  No PreK Enrichment or Aftercare will be available.  However, if we have another snow day then the Easter Monday Holiday (April 2) could be in jeopardy. At this time, we will still take April 2 as a holiday. We understand that families may have made travel plans for Easter weekend, enjoy the family time and do not stress if we have to have school that day.

Hot Lunch Snow Day Make Up -  Thank you to those who volunteered to serve hot lunch on February 22 for our snow day make up!  If you signed up for lasagna on 2/7's snow day we will be serving it on Thursday, 2/22.

SMS Art Show!

The Art Show is Next Friday - March 2nd! 

This year's Art Show will be from 7-10pm on Friday, March 2nd, at the Silpe Gallery at The University of Hartford. 

This is a great adult evening out to enjoy and purchase your child's artwork. Every child in Prekindergarten thru 8th grade will have a framed piece of artwork on display and available for sale for $40 a piece.

Click here to RSVP for the Art Show.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are Next Week!  Our second trimester Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, 2/27; Wednesday, 2/28 and Thursday, 3/1. Each of these days will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  

***Friday, 3/2, is also a 12:45pm early dismissal for Faculty Faith Formation.***

There will be NO Aftercare or PreK Enrichment on Tuesday, 2/28 - Friday, 3/2. PE Club will be available to those that have signed up for February & March on both Wednesday, 2/28 & Thursday, 3/1 and will run from 1-2:15pm. 

Parents with students in middle school (Grades 6, 7, & 8), please make note that Mrs. Gina Raymond is only available on Tuesday and Wednesdays so if your child has Gina Raymond for math, you should select a conference on Tuesday or Wednesday only. Ms. Nikki Raymond will be available on all conference days.

To sign up for your Parent/Teacher Conferences, click here.

Help our 8th Grade Reach Their Fund Raising Goal!

Be sure to check backpacks on Friday for your order form!

Grade 7 Fundraising - Our seventh grade will be hosting 2 fundraisers to help them with costs associated with their field trip to Boston:

Munsons Chocolates - Delicious treats for Easter!  ORDERS & PAYMENTS ARE DUE NLT THIS FRIDAY, 2/23/18.   Extra order forms are available in the school office.  Chocolates will be available for pickup on Friday, March 23rd.  Additional pick up details will be announced closer to the pick up date.

NEXT TUESDAY - 2/27/18

Enjoy a No-Fuss Tuesday Night Delicious Dinner - Dine In or Take Out

Click here to download a copy of this flyer to print & present.
A copy of this flyer will be sent home with all students on Friday, 2/23/18
Please check backpacks!

Applications for Admission are being accepted for 2018-19! Walk In Wednesdays continue in February! Invite a friend to come learn more about our school. Every Wednesday, 9-11am, Feb. 7th - 28th. All are welcome! Contact Toni Chagnon for more information 860-658-9412/ tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Save the Date!  The Advancement Committee invites you to join us for a Cinco de Mayo celebration!  Click here.

Time to order the 17-18 SMS Yearbook!  

Every student is pictured along with all SMS school events.

Click here to order online or click here to download & print an order form.
Our school ID  - # 9415318
Order forms will also be available during Parent/Teacher Conferences

Campus Connection Update - Click here to read Father Matera's latest update regarding the Campus Connection project.

2018 Altar Serving Training for New Servers - Students in Grades 4 and up are invited to join the St. Mary's Altar Server ministry.  Preparatory classes will meet on Saturdays from 1-2pm in the church on March 10, 17, 24 and 31.  It is necessary to attend all 4 sessions. Questions should be directed to Sheila Garilli via email at serverleader@stmarysimsbury.org.

Alumni news

Our congratulations to Griffin Myslow, SMS Class of '13, on being named to the President's List for the fall semester at Clemson University.  Griffin is majoring in General Engineering.  To be named to the President's List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all As) grade-point average.  We also extend our congratulations to Madeline Mancarella, SMS Class of '11.  Madeline has been named to the President's List at Western New England University for the fall semester. Madeline is majoring in Communication - Media Theory & Production.

Community News

All are encouraged to see this one man show but middle school students, in particular, are reminded
that this show can be counted toward required service hours as part of "faith formation".

Supporting SMS - Supporting SMS - 

Help SMS Earn Free School Supplies & Equipment with Big Y Education Express -

Big Y Education Express helps schools get FREE, much needed supplies & equipment!

• Everyone can participate! Family and friends can support SMS by signing up for Education Express.
• From February 1 through April 25, 2018, for every 500 Education Express Points earned, you get a GOLD COIN!
• Just shop Big Y and look for the participating items marked with the Education Express logo. Each item will have a point value and savings on top of that!

Click here to register for Education Express.

News for the Week of 2/14/18

IMPORTANT CALENDAR UPDATE - SNOW DAY MAKE-UP INFORMATION

Due to the snow days we have had thus far the following IMPORTANT calendar adjustments are being made.

1.   Friday, March 9 (School was scheduled to be closed) will NOW BE REGULAR SCHOOL DAY.   Both PreK Enrichment and Aftercare will be available.  Please note that there will be NO HOT LUNCH ON FRIDAY, MARCH 9.  All students will need a brown bag lunch.  Updated reservation forms that include a reservation date for 3/9 for Early Drop Off, PreK Enrichment & Aftercare are available.

Early Drop Off

PreK Enrichment

Aftercare

2.  Graduation remains scheduled for Friday, June 8.

3.   As of today, February 14, the last day of school for grades PreK-7 will be FRIDAY, June 15. This will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  No PreK Enrichment or Aftercare will be available.  However, if we have another snow day then the Easter Monday Holiday (April 2) could be in jeopardy. At this time, we will still take April 2 as a holiday. We understand that families may have made travel plans for Easter weekend, enjoy the family time and do not stress if we have to have school that day.

The Open Order Period for March Hot Lunches began on Monday, 2/11/18.  The Open Order Period will close on Friday, 2/16/18.

All orders should be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  This is the only opportunity to order hot lunches for March.  Payments should be sent into the office as soon as your order is placed.


Hot Lunch Snow Day Make Up -   Thank you to those who volunteered to serve hot lunch on February 22 for our snow day make up!  If you signed up for lasagna on 2/7's snow day we will be serving it on Thursday, 2/22.

School will be CLOSED on Friday, 2/16; Monday, 2/19, and Tuesday, 2/20 - Enjoy this long winter weekend!

Applications for Admission are being accepted for 2018-19! Walk In Wednesdays continue in February! Invite a friend to come learn more about our school. Every Wednesday, 9-11am, Feb. 7th - 28th. All are welcome! Contact Toni Chagnon for more information 860-658-9412/ tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Congratulations to the Dolan Family! The Dolans have received a $25 gift certificate to the SMS Spirit Shop for participating in the Family Referral Program! The Dolan's referral family attended our Jan. 28th Open House! 

It's Time to Sign Up for Parent/Teacher Conferences -  Our second trimester Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, 2/27; Wednesday, 2/28 and Thursday, 3/1. Each of these days will be a 12:45pm early dismissal.  

***Friday, 3/2, is also a 12:45pm early dismissal for Faculty Faith Formation.***

There will be NO Aftercare or PreK Enrichment on Tuesday, 2/28 - Friday, 3/2. PE Club will be available to those that have signed up for February & March on both Wednesday, 2/28 & Thursday, 3/1 and will run from 1-2:15pm. 

Parents with students in middle school (Grades 6, 7, & 8), please make note that Mrs. Gina Raymond is only available on Tuesday and Wednesdays so if your child has Gina Raymond for math, you should select a conference on Tuesday or Wednesday only. Ms. Nikki Raymond will be available on all conference days.

To sign up for your Parent/Teacher Conferences, click here.

2018 Altar Serving Training for New Servers - Students in Grades 4 and up are invited to join the St. Mary's Altar Server ministry.  Preparatory classes will meet on Saturdays from 1-2pm in the church on March 10, 17, 24 and 31.  It is necessary to attend all 4 sessions. Questions should be directed to Sheila Garilli via email at serverleader@stmarysimsbury.org.

SMS Stars

This year's Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee was a great display of hard work and good sportsmanship.  We are proud of all the students who studied hard to prepare for the grade level spelling bees and those who made it to the championship rounds.  Congratulations to this year's Spelling Bee winners!  Each grade's winner will now advance to Knights of Columbus Regional Spelling Bee.  Runners Up will attend if the winner is not available.

4th Grade:

Winner: Ana S.

Runner Up: Amelie C.

5th Grade:

Winner: Will O.

Runner Up: Claudia S.

6th Grade:

Winner: James F.

Runner Up: Sasha M.

Congratulations to our five CT Future Musicians students who have all qualified for the All-State Symphonic Band - this is FMI's most accomplished and prestigious band.

Hannah K., Gr. 8 and Faith P., Gr. 7 are highly placed in the flute section and both also made the All State Flute Choir (top 12) in CT.

In the clarinet section,  both Francesca C., Gr. 8, and Sophia G., Gr. 7, earned second chair in Clarinet I and II respectively.

Jenna G., Gr. 8, earned FIRST CHAIR in the trombone section out of the entire state! She also earned third chair in the Jazz Band!

All their practice and dedication really paid off! St. Mary's is justifiably proud! You can hear the girls perform at the All State Concert on Saturday, March 24 at 2 pm at Central CT State University. Many thanks to Mrs. Deb Morse who faithfully instructs and encourages the students each week!

We are also happy to announce that this week, our third grade class met with Mrs. Debbie Morse for the first session of their FMI Recorder Class.  We are all looking forward to hearing them perform at the spring concert.  Thanks to all that supported our Yankee Candle Fundraiser this fall.  Funds from this sale helped make this program possible.

Grade 7 Fundraising - Our seventh grade will be hosting 2 fundraisers to help them with costs associated with their field trip to Boston:

Munsons Chocolates - Delicious treats for Easter!  Order forms were sent home with students on Friday, January 26th.  Extra order forms are available in the school office.  All orders and payments will be due back NLT Friday, February 23rd.  Chocolates will be available for pickup on Friday, March 23rd.  Additional pick up details will be announced closer to the pick up date.

Enjoy a No-Fuss Tuesday Night Delicious Dinner - Dine In or Take Out

Click here to download a copy of this flyer to print & present

Supporting SMS - Supporting SMS - 

Help SMS Earn Free School Supplies & Equipment with Big Y Education Express -

Big Y Education Express helps schools get FREE, much needed supplies & equipment!

• Everyone can participate! Family and friends can support SMS by signing up for Education Express.
• From February 1 through April 25, 2018, for every 500 Education Express Points earned, you get a GOLD COIN!
• Just shop Big Y and look for the participating items marked with the Education Express logo. Each item will have a point value and savings on top of that!

Click here to register for Education Express.

Time to order the 17-18 SMS Yearbook!  
Every student is pictured along with all SMS school events.

Click here to order online or click here to download & print an order form.
Our school ID  - # 9415318

SMS Art Show!

Save the Date & Book Your Babysitter!  

St. Mary's School 3rd Annual Art Show is coming soon! This year's Art Show will be from 7-10pm on Friday, March 2nd, at the Silpe Gallery at The University of Hartford. 

This is a great adult evening out to enjoy and purchase your child's artwork. Every child in Prekindergarten thru 8th grade will have a framed piece of artwork on display and available for sale for $40 a piece.

Click here to RSVP for the Art Show.

100 Days of Fun & Learning!