News for the Week of 5/30/18

This Saturday (June 2) is Portable Pack Up!  

As part of preparation for the Campus Connection construction, the portable classrooms will be leaving.  The classrooms need to be emptied and their contents relocated on Saturday, June 2, 2018.  The library's books and book shelves and the art room's supplies all need to be moved to the lower church and/or other storage areas.  The furniture from both classrooms needs to be moved to the lower church, the rectory garage and the rectory basement.

Your help is needed!  Many hands will make light work and your SUV and/or pickup truck or minivan will be a huge help.  Please consider signing up, even if you only have an hour or two to spare - your help will make a big difference!  Click here to sign up to help.

Please note - student help is welcome but all students must have adult supervision at all times.

Book Fair continues through Thursday, 5/31/18!  There's still time to shop on Thursday between 8:30am & 3:30pm.

Kids love picking out their own books to read, and this is the perfect opportunity. Everything is Buy One - Get One Free!

Cash, checks payable to St. Mary's School and credit cards are all accepted. Students can bring shopping money to school or you are welcome to shop with them during class visits. Please check teacher blogs for information regarding days and times for class visits.

We need your help! Please use this sign up link to volunteer: Book Fair Volunteers
Thank you so much!

Hot Lunch Balances are Due! If you have not yet sent in your payment for June's hot lunches, please send it in ASAP. We are not able to "carry forward" into the new school year.

Celebrating the Class of 2018! All are welcome to join us at Mass at 10am on Friday, June 8th. Please remember that no PE uniforms should be worn to Mass. Eighth grade students should follow the dress guidelines provided by Mrs Work.

The graduation ceremony will take place immediately after Mass.

At 1:30, the Class Day Assembly will be held. This year, Class Day will be held in the church this year instead of in the parish center. Class Day will feature a special moment for our graduates with their PreK buddies, a speaker, graduation essays and 8th grade song along with presentation of 8th grade awards and recognition of those students that have been enrolled at SMS since PreKindergarten.

Twelve 17-18 Yearbooks are available for sale - Did you forget to place your yearbook order? We have 12 copies that are available for sale. They are $32 each and are available first come/first served. Reserve your copy now by sending payment to the school office. Your check should be payable to St. Mary's School with "Yearbook" in the memo section. Yearbooks will be distributed prior to 8th grade's graduation next Friday, June 8th.

SMS Stars

Dr. Larry Christian, financial officer for the Knights of Columbus,
presented awards to this year's Spelling Bee winners.  Our congratulations to
Anna S., Gr. 4, Will O., Gr. 5 and James F., Gr. 6 - Great job!

Interested in Instrumental Music for 18-19? Is your rising 4th - 8th grade student interested in beginning participation in our instrumental music next year? Our FMI instructor, Deb Morse, will meet with interested parents on Monday, June 11th at 7pm in the third grade classroom. This meeting is designed for parents whose students will be NEW to instrumental music and band next year.

Supporting the Class of '19! Our rising 8th grade is selling beautiful SMS logo bracelets and keychains.

Bracelets are $20 and keychains are $10. The colored crystal beads on the bracelet are clear and dark blue (brighter than indicated in the picture). Proceeds from this fundraiser will help these students begin to save for the expenses associated with their 8th grade field trip and graduation activities. Click here for order form. Payment may be sent into the school office. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "bracelet/keychain" in the memo section.

Saint Mary's 39th annual Spring Carnival will be held NEXT WEEK from June 6^th- 9^th at 34 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury (Field North of Eversource Energy formerly Connecticut Light & Power – same location as 2017).

50% of the proceeds directly benefit St. Mary’s School!!!

Carnival Hours

Wednesday (June 6)    6-10 pm
Thursday (June 7)       6-10 pm 
Friday (June 8)          6-10 pm
Saturday (June 9)    5-10 pm

Ride all night!
$20/person Wednesday & Thursday
$25/person Friday and Saturday
(Individual ride tickets also available) 

     -          Volunteers are needed. Please join us to make this fun-filled event a success. Click here to be directed to the Volunteer Page of the carnival website.

-          Raffle tickets are officially for sale at $20 per ticket. 1^st prize - $10,000; 2^nd prize - $600 Gift Certificate to Bill Selig Jewelers; 3^rd prize - Cake-of-the-Month for one year plus $250 gift certificate at Fitzgerald’s; and 4^th prize - $500 Holloways Appliance Store Gift Certificate. Drawing to be held Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 8pm at the St. Mary’s Carnival (winner need not be present)

-          Please consider a sponsorship, available at varying levels (including a colorful flag as pictured below with your individual, family or business name to fly at the carnival starting at $50 or $25 if a renewal from a previous year). Click here for sponsorship information.

News for the Week of 5/23/18

Friday, May 25 is a 12:45pm Early Dismissal with NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.   Monday, May 28, school will be CLOSED in observance of Memorial Day.

The Parish Center was alive with the sounds of Spring on Monday evening for our annual Spring Band & Vocal concert.  Our school bands played an entertaining variety of songs and our students performed a selection of themes from movies and television.  Our third grade students did an outstanding job performing with their recorders.  Our thanks to our FMI instructor, Mrs. Deb Morse and our vocal music teacher, Mrs. Raimonda Jalinskas for all their hard working preparing our students for this concert. 



The time to pack up the portable classrooms is here!  

As part of preparation for the Campus Connection construction, the portable classrooms will be leaving.  The classrooms need to be emptied and their contents relocated on Saturday, June 2, 2018.  The library's books and book shelves and the art room's supplies all need to be moved to the lower church and/or other storage areas.  The furniture from both classrooms needs to be moved to the lower church, the rectory garage and the rectory basement.

Your help is needed!  Many hands will make light work and your SUV and/or pickup truck or minivan will be a huge help.  Please consider signing up, even if you only have an hour or two to spare - your help will make a big difference!  Click here to sign up to help.

Please note - student help is welcome but all students must have adult supervision at all times.

8th grade students spent an art class drawing the portables
that we will soon be bidding farewell.

Book Fair is Next Week!  Kids love picking out their own books to read, and this is the perfect opportunity. Everything is Buy One - Get One Free!  Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair or send your child with payment (cash, check to St. Mary’s School, or credit card) and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.  Please check teacher blogs for information regarding days and times for class visits.

Book Fair dates: Tuesday, May 29th - Thursday, May 31st

Shopping hours: Tuesday: 11:00 - 3:30

Wednesday: 8:30 - 3:30

Thursday: 8:30 - 3:30

We need your help! Please use this sign up link to volunteer: Book Fair Volunteers
Thank you so much!

Supporting the Class of '19! Our rising 8th grade is selling beautiful SMS logo bracelets and keychains.

Bracelets are $20 and keychains are $10. The colored crystal beads on the bracelet are clear and dark blue (brighter than indicated in the picture). Proceeds from this fundraiser will help these students begin to save for the expenses associated with their 8th grade field trip and graduation activities. Click here for order form. Payment may be sent into the school office. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "bracelet/keychain" in the memo section.

Students in Miss Kane's PreK enjoyed a trip to the Simsbury firehouse on Friday, 5/18/18.











Supporting SMS - 

Box Tops for Education - Thanks to your faithful clipping, our school has recently received a check for $164.40.  Please send in any Box Tops for Education that you may have clipped before the end of the school year.  We hope you'll keep clipping all summer!  Collection will continue again in the new school year.



Community News

Is your daughter interested in field hockey? The Simsbury Sparks is a travel team for 7th and 8th grade girls, and their season starts at the end of August. They will practice 1-2x per week and have 2 games per week (no schedule set yet — games may be a combination of after school and on weekends). They anticipate forming two teams, and they hope for no cuts. They will play teams from the Farmington Valley and West Hartford. Cost will be $275 before July 1 and $300 after. This covers buses, insurance, referee fee and uniforms. The season will start at the end of August and run until early November. Girls must have stick, goggles, mouth guard, shin guards, and cleats. If you think you might be interested, please send an email to simsburyyouthfieldhockey@gmail.com, and they will put your name on their contact list and answer any questions you may have. You can also Like their “Simsbury Youth Field Hockey” Facebook page, and follow them at @simsburysparks on Instagram.

Saint Mary's 39th annual Spring Carnival will be held from June 6^th- 9^th at 34 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury (Field North of Eversource Energy formerly Connecticut Light & Power – same location as 2017).

50% of the proceeds directly benefit St. Mary’s School!!!

     -          Volunteers are needed. Please join us to make this fun-filled event a success. Click here to be directed to the Volunteer Page of the carnival website.

-          Raffle tickets are officially for sale at $20 per ticket. 1^st prize - $10,000; 2^nd prize - $600 Gift Certificate to Bill Selig Jewelers; 3^rd prize - Cake-of-the-Month for one year plus $250 gift certificate at Fitzgerald’s; and 4^th prize - $500 Holloways Appliance Store Gift Certificate. Drawing to be held Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 8pm at the St. Mary’s Carnival (winner need not be present)

-          Please consider a sponsorship, available at varying levels (including a colorful flag as pictured below with your individual, family or business name to fly at the carnival starting at $50 or $25 if a renewal from a previous year). Click here for sponsorship information.

News for the Week of 5/16/18

Our congratulations & all God's blessings to the children of St. Mary's School
and Parish that received their First Holy Communion last Saturday.

Hot Lunch Order Period for June is OPEN NOW!  Orders for June hot lunches will be accepted until the end of the school day on Friday, 5/18/18.  All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  Payment should be sent in as soon as your order is placed.  No late orders can be accepted.

Spring Band & Vocal Concert - Our Spring Band & Vocal Concert will be held on Monday, 5/21/18.  All students in grades K-8 perform in the vocal concert and attendance is considered mandatory since performance is part of a student's Music grade.  If your child(ren) will not be attending, please notify Mrs. Williamson and provide a reason for their absence from the event.  There will be a dress rehearsal of the Vocal Concert at 2pm.  The evening performance will be at 7pm.  Band students should bring their instruments, accessories and music to school on 5/21/18, for final practices.  Band Students should follow Mrs. Morse's directions regarding dress and arrival times.  Other students should wear "Sunday Best".  Sunday Best for girls means a dress, skirt, dress walking shorts or slacks or skort.  Shoulders must be covered and length must be modest.  No backless shoes or high heels, please. Sunday Best for boys means a collared shirt with walking shorts or dress pants.  No jeans for boys or girls.  If Sunday Best is unavailable, the relaxed uniform may be worn. 

Friday, May 25 is a 12:45pm Early Dismissal with NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.   Monday, May 28 school will be CLOSED in observance of Memorial Day.



The time to pack up the portable classrooms is here!  

As part of preparation for the Campus Connection construction, the portable classrooms will be leaving.  The classrooms need to be emptied and their contents relocated on Saturday, June 2, 2018.  The library's books and book shelves and the art room's supplies all need to be moved to the lower church and/or other storage areas.  The furniture from both classrooms needs to be moved to the lower church, the rectory garage and the rectory basement.

Your help is needed!  Many hands will make light work and your SUV and/or pickup truck or minivan will be a huge help.  Please consider signing up, even if you only have an hour or two to spare - your help will make a big difference!  Click here to sign up to help.

Please note - student help is welcome but all students must have adult supervision at all times.

It’s Almost Book Fair time!  Kids love picking out their own books to read, and this is the perfect opportunity. Everything is Buy One - Get One Free!  Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair or send your child with payment (cash, check to St. Mary’s School, or credit card) and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.  Please check teacher blogs for information regarding days and times for class visits.

Book Fair dates: Tuesday, May 29th - Thursday, May 31st

Shopping hours: Tuesday: 11:00 - 3:30

Wednesday: 8:30 - 3:30

Thursday: 8:30 - 3:30

We need your help! Please use this sign up link to volunteer: Book Fair Volunteers
Thank you so much!

Supporting the Class of '19! Our rising 8th grade is selling beautiful SMS logo bracelets and keychains.

Bracelets are $20 and keychains are $10. The colored crystal beads on the bracelet are clear and dark blue (brighter than indicated in the picture). Proceeds from this fundraiser will help these students begin to save for the expenses associated with their 8th grade field trip and graduation activities. Click here for order form. Payment may be sent into the school office. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "bracelet/keychain" in the memo section. Bracelets & keychains will also be available for "cash & carry" purchase at our Spring Band & Vocal Concert on Monday, 5/21/18.

CHOICE News - Please don't forget to pay your 17-18 CHOICE balance that was due on 4/30/18. Please contact Michelle Howard in the school office with any questions. NEW CHOICES! - The CHOICE box is now offering $10 & $25 cards to Chipotle (10%) and $25 & $100 cards to Nordstrom (6%). Click here for an updated CHOICE order form. All purchases made at this point in the school year are being credited to your family's 18-19 CHOICE obligation.

Grandparents' & Special Person's Day & May Crowning - We enjoyed meeting so many grandparents and special people last Friday and were so glad they were able to share some time in our classrooms and in our beautiful May Crowning ceremony. Our thanks to Mrs. Herron and her second grade class for such a faith filled and beautiful Crowning of Mary.

Alumni News - It's that exciting time of year featuring lots of awards, announcements, graduations, weddings & other celebrations. If you have alumni news to share, please send an email to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. We are always happy to learn about and share the successes of our alumni.

Our congratulations to Adrian Hatch, SMS Class of '09, on receiving his Master of Science in Information Management and Certificate of Advanced Study in Data Science from the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. Adrian will now turn his full attention to his responsibilities as Chief Technology Officer for his startup company, Imajion.

Community News

39th Annual St. Mary's Spring Carnival
June 6 - 9, 2018
34 Hopmeadow St

The success of carnival depends on your volunteer support!  The school receives a very generous portion of the carnival proceeds and this money is critical to our operating budget.  This event is a fabulous community builder and a great opportunity for student service hours.  Please consider donating your time, even just for a shift!  Thanks!  Click here to volunteer.

Carnival Hours

Wednesday (June 6)    6-10 pm
Thursday (June 7)       6-10 pm 
Friday (June 8) *        6-10 pm
Saturday (June 9)    5-10 pm

* We're excited to share that on Friday night, Matt Forneris' band SoundRisk will be performing.  Matt is the father of Greta (Gr. 3)  and Noelle (K)!

Ride all night!
$20/person Wednesday & Thursday
$25/person Friday and Saturday
(Individual ride tickets also available)


Win $10,000!! 

or some other fabulous prizes.

Raffle Tickets $20 each 
Click here for Raffle information
Must be 18 years or older to purchase raffle tickets. 

Register now! Vacation Bible School will run from Monday, June 25 through Thursday, June 28 from 8:45-12:15 PM at Saint Mary's School and Parish Center. There will be live music, outdoor games, and more! Campers (those who have completed Pre-K3 through grade 6) will enter Babylon to experience life in Biblical times. To register or learn more, click here.