News for the Week of 3/28/18

Calendar Reminders - 
*  School will be dismissed early at 12:45pm on Holy Thursday, 3/29/18.  There will be no PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.

*  Club photos for the yearbook will be taken on Thursday, 3/29/18.  If your child participates in scouting and you wish them to appear in their scout shirt for the club photo, please have them bring the shirt to school.  Students will put the shirt on for the photo but otherwise should be in the SMS uniform of the day.

*  School will be closed on Good Friday, 3/30/18, and Monday, 4/2/18.  Have a blessed and happy Easter!

*  Our April School Mass will NOT take place on Tuesday, 4/3/18, as originally scheduled.  Once the Mass has been rescheduled, we will announce the new date.

*  School will be closed from Monday, 4/9/18 - Friday, 4/13/18 for Spring vacation.  The relaxed uniform may be worn when school reopens on Monday, 4/16/18.  Please remember that a belt is required with walking shorts and school shoes are required with the relaxed uniform.  Please take a few minutes ahead of 4/16, to assure that the relaxed uniforms worn in the fall still fit appropriately and are in good condition so that there is time to purchase replacements if needed.

Do You Know a Family that Should Be #uKnighted? Invite Them to Spring Open House! Wednesday, April 4th at 6:30pm. It will be a great opportunity to visit classrooms, meet our faculty and staff and learn more about the the advantages of a Catholic education.  Your invitation could help you pay your tuition - click here to learn more about our New Family Referral Program!

For more information or to RSVP please contact Toni Chagnon, 860-658-9412 or

 tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net 

2018-19 Family Enrollment Agreements & Fees were due Monday, 3/26/18.  If you have not returned your enrollment material yet, please do so ASAP.  Reminder courtesy calls will be made during the week of April 2 for those families who have not returned their enrollments.  If you have questions about your enrollment packet, please contact the school office.

Tuition Assistance is Available!  SMS offers families several opportunities for tuition assistance each year.  In order to be considered for any type of assistance, you must complete a SmartAid application no later than Friday, April 27, 2018.  Click here for additional information about tuition assistance.  Click here to complete a SmartAid application. 

CHOICE News - The 2017-18 CHOICE program concludes on 4/30/18. Participation in the CHOICE program is a mandatory part of your family's financial commitment to SMS if your children are in grades K-8.  CHOICE statements will be provided after Easter to all families with an outstanding balance.  CHOICE purchases made beginning 5/1/18 will be credited to the 18-19 CHOICE program.

The School Board Meeting originally scheduled for 3/21/18, will be held on Tuesday, April 3rd at 7pm in the lower church.  All are welcome. Mrs. Williamson will present the annual State of the School report.

School Board News - Do you know someone interested in serving our school as a member of our School Board? Would you like to be a part of our School Board? There will be 2 openings on our board for the 18-19 school year. Please contact Sarah Mutarelli, SMS School Board Chair, if you want to learn more or would like to be considered for nomination.

Save the Date! Join Us for Cinco de Mayo!  Book your babysitter for Saturday, May 5th and join us at the Hartford Golf Club at 7pm for an evening of festivities including dinner, dancing, margaritas, raffle, auction and more!  Your invitation will be on its way to you via U.S. mail next week.

Sponsorship Opportunities are available, too!  A sponsorship form is being sent home with each family's youngest or only child today - 3/28/18.  You can also click here to download a copy.

Hands On Learning in  Fourth Grade - Students in Sister Mary Kolbe's fourth grade classroom had the opportunity to learn more about how hosts are made using a machine from 1918 that is used by Sister's congregation for educational purposes.

SMS Stars

Congratulations to our five FMI All State Symphonic Musicians!  From left, Hannah K., Gr, 8 and Faith P., Gr. 7. Both girls also made the All State Flute Choir (top 12) in CT. Francesca C., Gr.8 and Sophia G., Gr. 7 and Jenna G., Gr, 8 top chair out of all trombones and also a member of the FMI All State Jazz Band, Chair 3!

Alumni News -  Our congratulations to Alexandra Carter, SMS Class of '09.  Alexandra was among 30 University of Scranton students inducted into Chi Delta Rho, the University's chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for counseling. Alexandra is a graduate student at University of Scranton.




Domenic Cirielli, SMS Class of 2014, will be graduating from Simsbury High School this June. His notable achievements include National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Trojan Code Character Distinction. Domenic is looking forward to attending Seton Hall University in Fall 2018. His commitment to academic excellence and strong work ethic has also earned him acceptance into the Leadership Honors Program at the Stillman School of Business.

Community News

News for the Week of 3/21/18

POSTPONED - The School Board meeting scheduled for tonight Wednesday, 3/21/18, has been postponed.  The School Board Meeting will now be held on Tuesday, April 3rd at 7pm in the lower church.  All are welcome.  Mrs. Williamson will present the annual State of the School report.

School Board News - Do you know someone interested in serving our school as a member of our School Board?  Would you like to be a part of our School Board?  There will be 2 openings on our board for the 18-19 school year.  Please contact Sarah Mutarelli, SMS School Board Chair, if you want to learn more or would like to be considered for nomination.

Lenten Service Project - Help Us Fill Up Easter Baskets -Your Help is Needed by Monday, 3/26/18

One of our service projects for Lent will be to create Easter baskets for the Waste Not Want Not Community Kitchen in Granby. SMS students from all grades will work together to create these baskets from the items sent in from home. We ask that items be sent in by Monday, 3/26.  Please help us help others! Please visit sign up genius to choose what you will donate - click here.

Munsons Chocolates - Ready for Pick Up on Friday!  Thanks to all who ordered from the Gr. 7 Munsons Chocolates Fundraiser.  Chocolates will be ready for pickup on Friday, 3/23, from 3-4pm in the lower church.  Questions about pickup?  Please contact Jen Darnowski.






Palm Sunday Procession - Father Matera is inviting the children of Saint Mary's Parish to process with palms from the Parish Center to the Church, before the 9:30am Mass this Sunday, March 25. Children who wish to participate in this year's Palm Sunday Procession should assemble in the Parish Center at 9:10am.





Athletic News - Congratulations to everyone who made this year's basketball season so terrific!  Our special thanks to Mr. G. and all those that volunteered to coach our teams.  The JVA Boys and Varsity Girls ended their seasons with hard fought games that demonstrated great spirit, teamwork and good sportsmanship. We are proud to share that the JVA Boys are Deanery Champions! #uKnighted!

Boys JVA - Deanery Champions!

Blue Knight Night will be held on Monday, March 26th from 6:30-8pm at the Ethel Walker School.  Blue Knight Night is a celebration of our Junior Varsity Boys and Girls & Boys Varsity Teams' seasons.  Players will have certificates and awards handed out.  Coaches will summarize the season. There will also be a Player vs. Parents scrimmage.  Players should wear their team jerseys.  Parents should wear athletic attire for the scrimmage.

Bon Anniversaire!  Our school community treated our favorite principal to a day in Paris for her birthday on Tuesday. Students greeted Mrs. Williamson at morning arrival with a cheery "Bon Anniversaire" and Mrs. Raymond recited the Hail Mary in French at morning prayer.  Mrs. Williamson was then whisked off to "Bradley Airport" departure in PreK for her quick trip to Paris, landing in Kindergarten to be escorted from the airport by students in "2 straight lines" ala Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans.  Her stops in Paris included the Eiffel Tower (gr.1), The Louvre (gr. 2), the
Champs-Elysees and the Arc De Triomphe (gr. 3), Notre Dame Cathedral - complete with Dot & Dash singing gargoyles (gr. 4) and a river cruise on the Seine ( gr. 5).  Our middle school students provided a beautiful hallway mural and other decorations.

Waiting to board at Bradley

Arriving at the Paris airport

The Eiffel Tower

The Louvre

Champs-Elysees and the Arc De Triomphe

Notre Dame Cathedral

A singing gargoyle at the cathedral

Seine River Cruise

Alumni News - Our congratulations to Tim Nolan, SMS Class of '14, on being recognized by The Valley Press as a Rising Star.  Students are selected for this recognition "by their respective school administrators for their significant contributions to their school and community.  They are being lauded for their potential future success and ability to be a positive force in all their endeavors." Tim is currently a senior at Granby High and is planning to attend the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.  He is planning to major in Broadcast Journalism.

We are proud to share a letter that was received at school this week.  Students wrote letters to recruits completing Navy Basic Training thanking them for their service.  This letter back to our students shows how important this "small act of kindness" was and the impact a "small gesture" may have on someone else. 

Community News

Granny's Attic & Granny's Boutique - It is that time of year!!! We encourage families to donate unwanted treasures they no longer need. Items must be in good to excellent condition and clean. Last year Granny’s Attic made over $20,000 and one-half of those proceeds directly benefited St. Mary’s School! This year we will once again be accepting clean gently used coats and clothing. Antiques or collectibles will be specially priced. If you are donating an item that has a cord or remote please tape it to the item. Items that we will not accept due to state regulations and/or are not of interest for buyers are: automobile tires, computers, monitors, printers, old computer software, paint, chemicals, fertilizers, batteries, full size appliances, magazines, Reader’s Digest, textbooks, encyclopedias, mattresses, TV’s, skis, car seats, heavy exercise equipment, trunks, dorm refrigerators and disposable or personal items such as cosmetics, electric razors, or toothbrushes. Location will be the Wagner Showroom, thanks to the generosity of Rick and Carole Wagner.  If you have questions and/or would like to volunteer to collect, sort and assist in selling, please contact Jane Stevenson 860-651-5017 stevenje@comcast.net; Stephanie McIntyre 860-651-3862 smcintyre190@gmail; or Ann O’Donnell 860-658-2120 annno@snet.net

Collection dates: Wed 4/11 , Thu  4/12 and Fri 4/13 4pm-7pm – Sat 4/14 and Sun 4/14 9am-4pm

Granny’s Attic will be open to the public: Mon 4/16-Sun 4/22: for times, click here.

Volunteers Needed:  We have jobs for everyone, from organizing before the sale, helping customers on sell dates and the “Great Clean Up” after the sale.  Sign up now and plan to spend the day serving our church and school and meeting new friends!  There is a link to the sign up genius on the front page of St. Mary’s Church website or you can click here.  Thanks again!  Remember, many hands make light work!

Special Note for Middle School Students- Helping out at this event would be a great way for grades 6-8 to complete service hours for this year!  Click here to volunteer via Sign Up Genius.  Be sure to sign up in a "Teen Volunteer" slot.

News for the Week of 3/14/18

 Tonight - 3/14/18 - is "Moving up Knight" Featuring the Art Show. "Moving Up Knight" begins at 6:30pm in the Parish Center.  Parents are invited to arrive at 6pm for an "Art Show Preview".  The parish center has been transformed into an art gallery and cafe.  Enjoy a glass of wine and delicious appetizers and desserts  as you tour the gallery and purchase your child(ren)'s beautifully framed artwork.   If you did not get a chance to RSVP, you are still welcome and encouraged to come and enjoy the Art Show and then take 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 tonight!  

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

"Moving Up Knight" is for parents.  Students enjoyed "moving up" activities this morning.

Second Trimester Report Cards will be available via the Educonnect Parent Portal at the end of the school day on Friday, 3/16/18.  Please note that no paper copy of the report card will be sent home. 

The Open Order Period for April Hot Lunches will close this Friday, 3/16/18.

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

Important Calendar Information - Making Up Our Snow Days!

Given that we have had 3 more snow days since we had last discussed the final day for the year, here is the new (and hopefully) last plan:

Monday April 2 - Easter Monday - will REMAIN a day off.

St. Mary's will have school on Monday-Wednesday of the week of June 18; this pushes our last day to Wednesday, June 20.  The last day of school will be a 12:45pm early dismissal with NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare available.  Let's cross our fingers that we are all set now!

Living Stations of the Cross - All are invited to attend our 8th grade's presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, 3/16/18.  Students will attend the 9:30am presentation.  There will be an additional presentation at 7pm for the Parish and others who may not be able to attend the morning presentation.

Athletic News - The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team recently made it to the Deanery Final Four before losing to St. James in the semi-final.  Last weekend, the girls won the first two games of the CT State Tournament, beating St. Mary’s of Waterbury and St. Rita’s.  They are now in the State Final Four playing this Saturday against top seed St. John’s.  Good Luck Knights!

We are also wishing our JV A boys well in their quest for the Deanery Championship tonight at Corpus Christi. Also, the JV A boys won their quarterfinal game in the State competition last Sunday evening with a thriller - 30-29 over Assumption School. They will play at St. John's School in Watertown on Saturday at 4:15.


Go Blue Knights - girls and boys!

SMS Stars - Our congratulations to Sara O., Gr. 5.  Sara qualified for the New England YMCA Swimming Competition at MIT in Cambridge, MA. She swam 50 Butterfly, 50 Backstroke, 100 Backstroke, Freestyle Relay and a Medley Relay! So proud of her and her team. Go Farmington Valley Tsunamis!

We also congratulate Will O., Gr. 5 and Anna S, Gr. 4. Will and Anna both won the regional Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee for their respective grades this past Sunday, March 11th in Newington competing against students from several other schools. Will and Anna will be moving on to the State competition in New Haven on Saturday, April 21st.

We are proud to share that our school has received a Certificate of Participation from the Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis for our recycling efforts as part of the Laudato Si' Challenge. Patrick Laorden from the OEEC presented the certificate to those that have been coordinating this program since it's inception this fall.

Community News

Granny's Attic & Granny's Boutique - It is that time of year!!! We encourage families to donate unwanted treasures they no longer need. Items must be in good to excellent condition and clean. Last year Granny’s Attic made over $20,000 and one-half of those proceeds directly benefited St. Mary’s School! This year we will once again be accepting clean gently used coats and clothing. Antiques or collectibles will be specially priced. If you are donating an item that has a cord or remote please tape it to the item. Items that we will not accept due to state regulations and/or are not of interest for buyers are: automobile tires, computers, monitors, printers, old computer software, paint, chemicals, fertilizers, batteries, full size appliances, magazines, Reader’s Digest, textbooks, encyclopedias, mattresses, TV’s, skis, car seats, heavy exercise equipment, trunks, dorm refrigerators and disposable or personal items such as cosmetics, electric razors, or toothbrushes. Location will be the Wagner Showroom, thanks to the generosity of Rick and Carole Wagner.  If you have questions and/or would like to volunteer to collect, sort and assist in selling, please contact Jane Stevenson 860-651-5017 stevenje@comcast.net; Stephanie McIntyre 860-651-3862 smcintyre190@gmail; or Ann O’Donnell 860-658-2120 annno@snet.net

Collection dates: Wed 4/11 , Thu  4/12 and Fri 4/13 4pm-7pm – Sat 4/14 and Sun 4/14 9am-4pm

Granny’s Attic will be open to the public: Mon 4/16-Sun 4/22: for times, click here.

Volunteers Needed:  We have jobs for everyone, from organizing before the sale, helping customers on sell dates and the “Great Clean Up” after the sale.  Sign up now and plan to spend the day serving our church and school and meeting new friends!  There is a link to the sign up genius on the front page of St. Mary’s Church website or you can click here.  Thanks again!  Remember, many hands make light work!

Special Note for Middle School Students- Helping out at this event would be a great way for grades 6-8 to complete service hours for this year!