News for the Week of 9/26/18

Looking Ahead to October -
Our October school Mass will be held on Tuesday, 10/2, at 9am in church.

School will be closed on Wednesday, 10/3, for professional development.

School will be dismissed early on Friday, 10/5, at 12:45pm for faculty faith formation.  There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.

School will be closed on Monday, 10/8, in observance of Columbus Day.

Congratulations to our HOPES St. John Neumann
Award recipients.  Pictured from left - Father Matera,
Rose Marie Belo, Sarah Mutarelli & Mrs. Williamson

Individual Student Photos by Lifetouch for Students in Grs. PreK-7 will be sent home on Friday, 9/28/18.  Be sure to check backpacks!  Photo proofs for students in Gr. 8 may be viewed online - click here.  Makeup photos & retakes will be available when our group class photos are taken on Monday, 11/12.  The original photo package must be returned for a retake.

Walk-In Wednesdays are coming in October - Families interested in learning more about SMS are invited to drop in any Wednesday morning that school is open in October.  If you know someone who would like to get to know more about us, please encourage them to drop by and be sure to register for our Family Referral Program!  Your support of our school is greatly appreciated.



Read All About It!  

This year's first issue of the SMS Times is fresh off the presses!  Click here.



Annual Lyman Pie & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fund Raiser is Coming Soon!  Just in time for the holidays, our Home & School Association will be selling frozen Lyman Pies & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough.  Order forms will be sent home with all students on Friday, October 5th.  All orders and payments must be returned to the school office no later than Friday, October 19th.  Orders may also be placed online - click here.  Pies & cookie dough will be available for pickup on Monday, 11/12/18, 1-4pm in the Parish Center.  Please note - all products arrive frozen and must be picked up on 11/12.  The school does not have freezer space for products that are not picked up and will not be responsible for products that thaw.

Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class have developed
a "growth mindset mantra" --- We can all benefit from their wisdom!

2018 Altar Server Training for New Servers -New altar servers are needed at Saint Mary’s Church and School. Are you interested in joining this wonderful ministry? Classes will meet on Saturdays, time to TBD, on October 20th, 27th, and November 10th. All children in 4th grade or above are invited to join us. You must RSVP by email to Sheila Garilli, altar server coordinator, via email at ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org.

"Every Brick Has A Memory To Share"
Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Watch this brief video clip to hear about why one student at SMS sponsored a brick and then don't miss your chance to leave a legacy! Help us create a beautiful Mary Garden.  Extended through October 15th.  Click here to learn more and to order your brick.

CHOICE Corner - It's fall fashion week in the Choice Corner.

Purchase your gift cards to update your fall wardrobe. 

Nordstrom $100 and $25 6%

Macy's $100 10%

Lands End $100 and $25 15% - Formal uniform starts on 11/1 for grades K-7.  Eighth grade begins formal uniform on 12/3.

Lots of other vendors are also available both "in stock" and via GLScrip.  Click here to learn more.

Grade 8 Invites You to "Celebrate" an Early Dismissal Day with Peachwave!

Click here to download & print the flyer or just mention it when paying for your order
Peachwave is located in the Drake Hill Mall at 710 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury.

Fall Fun!

Last weekend featured scarecrows, classic cars and an airshow!  Sara (gr. 6) and Kareem (PreK) enjoyed these great autumn activities.  If your family is having a fall adventure, we'd love to share your photos.  Photos can be emailed to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

News for the Week of 9/19/18

School Board Meets Tonight - Wednesday, 9/19/18, at 7pm in the lower church.  All are welcome.








Important Safety Request - So far our drop off and pick up procedures have gone extremely well and, with safety as our primary goal, we have managed to do things in a timely fashion.  Now that we are a few weeks into the year, we have run into a couple of issues that really need attention.

#1 When waiting to enter the parking lot  for afternoon pickup please, please do not park two or three across the opening. We must maintain a lane for people to enter or exit in case of emergency. It never mattered before because we did not use the north entrance for anything during the day, now we do. 

#2 Please consider arriving at school close to or just after the 3:20 dismissal. Traffic backing up on Hopmeadow is not safe and when the line begins at 2:30 we are just asking for an accident or for police intervention.

Thank you so much for your attention to these matters.

Looking Ahead to October -
Our October school Mass will be held on Tuesday, 10/2, at 9am in church.

School will be closed on Wednesday, 10/3, for professional development.

School will be dismissed early on Friday, 10/5, at 12:45pm for faculty faith formation.  There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.

School will be closed on Monday, 10/8, in observance of Columbus Day.

Walk-In Wednesdays are coming in October - Families interested in learning more about SMS are invited to drop in any Wednesday morning that school is open in October.  If you know someone who would like to get to know more about us, please encourage them to drop by and be sure to register for our Family Referral Program!  Your support of our school is greatly appreciated.

2018 Altar Server Training for New Servers -New altar servers are needed at Saint Mary’s Church and School. Are you interested in joining this wonderful ministry? Classes will meet on Saturdays, time to TBD, on October 20th, 27th, and November 10th. All children in 4th grade or above are invited to join us. You must RSVP by email to Sheila Garilli, altar server coordinator, via email at ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org.

CHOICE Card Corner - It's football season! Where are you getting your snacks from? 

You choose...

Fitzgeralds 5%

Shop Rite 5%

Stop & Shop 5%

Whole Foods 3%

Game on!

Click here for a CHOICE card order form 

or stop by the school office to get your CHOICE cards.

Grade 8 Fundraising - 

It's time to pick up your beautiful fall mums! Those that ordered mums from the Gr. 8 mum sale may pick up plants on Friday, 9/21, from 2-4pm in the Parish Center or after all Masses on 9/22 and 9/23. Thanks to all who purchased!

This Saturday, 9/22, is the 8th grade carwash!  Come on down to the north (playground) parking lot between 8am-12noon and our smiling 8th grade students will give your car a fabulous wash and rinse.  Thanks in advance for your support!

Athletic News - If you have not already done so, please send in all Running Club, PE Club, Basketball Club and Soccer Club payments by Friday, 9/21/18. Fee Schedule is as follows:

Soccer - $30
PE Club - $40 per month of participation, due in advance
Running Club - $30 for 6 sessions
Basketball Club - $40 for 8 session in September & October

Basketball season is coming soon!  We are looking for a volunteer coach for JVC (Grs. 2 & 3) Boys. Virtus training is required for all coaches.  More information about the upcoming basketball season will be coming soon!

Don't miss your chance to leave a legacy! Help us create a beautiful Mary Garden.

Students, parents, teachers, and alumni - please consider sponsoring a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard now through the end of September. Please click here to learn more and place your order.   

HOPES Dinner - Congratulations to Mrs. Mutarelli & Mrs. Belo - Each year, the HOPES Dinner recognizes the extraordinary volunteers who support our students, teachers and faculty in making Catholic schools exceptional institutions for learning academics and the Gospel.  Please join us in congratulating this year's SMS recipients of the St. John Neumann Award - Mrs. Rose Marie Belo and Mrs. Sarah Mutarelli.  Mrs. Belo has served as our school's Advancement Chair for the past 2 years and has been instrumental in the success of important events like our 60th Anniversary Gala and last year's Cinco de Mayo celebration along with our recent "Back to School Knight" and other advancement activities.  Mrs. Mutarelli has been an active volunteer in our community since her children began school here.  She has been a loyal hot lunch volunteer and an active member of our Advancement Committee. Currently, Mrs. Mutarelli also serves as  the chairperson of our School Board.  This year's HOPES dinner will be held on Tuesday, September 25th at the Aquaturf in Southington.  There is still one seat available at the SMS table.  Please contact Mrs. Williamson if you interested in attending.

Grade 3 students are happy to get reacquainted with their coding friends,
Dot & Dash.

News for the Week of 9/12/18

Hot Lunch Order Period for October Open Now!  Orders for October hot lunch will be accepted through Friday, 9/14/18.  All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal and payment should be sent into school as soon as your order is complete.  Please keep in mind that this is your only opportunity to order hot lunches for October - NO late orders can be accepted.

Hot Lunch Volunteers Are Needed!  We are always happy to welcome new volunteers to the hot lunch program & training is provided on your first day of service.  If you are Virtus trained and can help serve lunch, even just once in a while, please sign up for the days that will work for you.  Serving hot lunch is a great way to be a part of the school day and enjoy the spirit of our school and and the happy energy generated by your child(ren) and his/her/their friends!

What is Advancement? Come to our Open House and learn more about us and the kinds of events we host throughout the school year.

 We have great opportunities for sharing your time and talent to help continue making our school great!   Join us for our morning or evening Open House on Thursday, 9/13/18. Stop in for bagels and coffee in the lower church at 9am or drop by for a glass of wine in the 5th grade classroom at 6:30 pm.   All are welcome! See you there! 

For more information contact Toni Chagnon 860-658-9412 or tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Spirit Wear Shop - New PE Shorts Approved for Uniform Wear on Gym Days!   Uniform approved "basketball style" unisex gym shorts are now available to order! $20 each.  Youth XS thru XL and Adult XS-XXL are available.  Click here for an order form.







SMS School Board Welcomes You to the New School Year - Please take a moment to get to know your school board and learn more about the important role the board plays in our school's operation.  Click here.  The next school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th in the lower church at 7pm.  All are welcome to attend.






Carpool Parking Reminder - Last spring, at Advancement's Cinco de Mayo event, there was very spirited bidding during the live auction for the coveted "first & second parking spots"in the carpool lot.  These spots have now been clearly marked to help everyone remember which spots are reserved for last year's successful bidders.  The great news is, these spots will undoubtedly be up for bid again at our next big event - next year, you could be enjoying one of these spots!

Athletic News - Fall sports and clubs are getting underway!

Soccer
5-8th Co-Ed 
Started Friday, 9/7/18 3:45-5:00pm
Coach Fraser
Instructions:Students meet in PC walk to Iron Horse Fields together. (Pickup at Iron Horse)
$30 fee for participation


PE Club
Wednesdays - Grades 1-5th 3:45-5pm
Thursdays  Grades 5-8th 3:45-5pm
Coach Gangloff
Instructions: Meet in the PC after school until Mr. G picks you up. (Pick up in North Parking Lot)
$40 per month of participation

Running Club
Mondays -Rain delayed this club's start this Monday.  Will begin Monday, 9/17/18- Grades 2-8th
Coach Williams
Instructions: Meet in the PC until Mrs. Williams picks you up. Pick up at Iron Horse Fields at 4:30pm.
$30 for 6 running sessions

Basketball Club
Fridays - Begin this Friday, 9/14/18. 3:45-5pm in the Parish Center.
Grades 4-8th
3:45pm-5pm. 
Coach Gangloff
$40 for 8 sessions September-October (Pick up North Parking Lot)

Please make checks out to St Mary's School and direct them to Mr. Gangloff's attention.

Campus Connection - Be Part of Mary's Garden!

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Grade 8 Fundraising - It's time for the annual mum sale & carwash! Mum orders will be accepted through this Friday, 9/14/18.  Each year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their graduation activities and field trip.   Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for your support!

Click here to download and print an order form for beautiful fall mums!  Available in several sizes and colors, these will definitely put you in a "pumpkin spice" frame of mind and help our 8th grade!  All orders & payments must be received in the school office NLT Friday, 9/14.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Gr. 8 mum sale" in the memo line.  Mums will be available for pick up in the Parish Center on Friday, 9/21 from 2-4 pm and after all Masses during the weekend of 9/22-23.  Thanks in advance for your support!  

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 9/22, & look forward to a clean and shiny car!  8th grade students will hold a car wash on 9/22 in the north (playground) parking lot from 8am-12noon.  Advance tickets will be available at "Back to School Knight".

Scholarship Opportunity - 
The Lands’ End Starboard Scholarship is now officially open for students in Grades 6 and higher.  Up to 7 scholarships of $10,000 each will be granted, one student for each grade 6 – 12. Click here for an electronic application.  Applications will be accepted until December 7th or until 3,000 applications are received.

Alumni News

SMS Alums Thomas(SMS Class of '16) and Ava Howard (SMS Class of '17)
participated in theNational Day of Service in remembrance of 9-11 at the USS Intrepid
in NYC.  Thomas is one of over 13,000 children born on 9/11/01, so this day of service is
  particularly meaningful to the Howard family.

News for the Week of 9/5/18

Wondering what to do for dinner tonight?  

Enjoy a delicious dine in or take out from Joe Pizza and help our 8th grade!

Click here to download & print flyer.

Back to School "Knight" is this Friday, 9/7/18

We are excited to offer a whole new format & also child care for Back to School Knight!

Parents will still visit classrooms but there will also be an information fair where you can learn more about all the different events, programming and volunteer opportunities we offer here at St. Mary's School.  Wine and cheese and coffee and dessert will be served. Please look for the flyer that went home in your child's backpack today for more information!

Our childcare Back to School Movie "Knight" will be from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and feature the Disney movie Moana. Light snacks and drinks will be served.   Our librarian, Mrs. Mortillaro, and After Care Supervisor & Substitute Teacher, Mrs. Livingston, will be supervising along with help from some of our 8th grade students.  Movie "Knight" will be held in the lower church, in the library. Drop off is between 6:00 and 6:20 pm and is on the side of the church where construction is not taking place across from the rectory.

If you would like your children to attend, please click here.

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 11.   There will be a meeting for parents with students beginning instrumental music and band lessons for the first time this year.  This meeting will take place right before "Back to School Night" (Friday, 9/7) at 6pm in the grade 4 classroom. If you have a student entering grades 4-8 that is interested in beginning instrumental music and band, please plan to meet in the grade 4classroom at 6pm. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

Picture Day!  Individual Student Photos for all students, PreK - 8, will be taken on Monday, September 10th by Lifetouch Photography.  Order forms for portrait packages were sent home with each student on Friday, August 31.    Please note that students may wear "business casual" attire on picture day.  Eighth grade students will receive additional dress guidelines from Mrs. Work.  A photo is taken of each student even if no portrait package is ordered since a photo is needed for the school yearbook.  Group Class Photos will be taken on November 12th.  Makeup and retake individual photos will also be taken on that day.

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 11th at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to worship with us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Annual Notification regarding SMS Asbestos Management Plan - Click here to read this annual notification.

Athletic News - Fall sports and clubs are getting underway!

Soccer
5-8th Co-Ed
Starting Friday, 9/7/18 3:45-5:00pm
Coach Fraser
Instructions: Beginning 9/14/18, meet in PC walk to Iron Horse Fields together. (Pickup at Iron Horse)
Special NOTE - This Friday, 9/7, team will meet in PC and practice will be in the SMS North (playground) parking lot.  Please pick up at the North lot. 
$30 fee for participation

PE Club
Wednesday 9/5/18 - Grades 1-5th 3:45-5pm
Thursday 9/6/18 Grades 5-8th 3:45-5pm
Coach Gangloff
Instructions: Meet in the PC after school until Mr. G picks you up. (Pick up in North Parking Lot)
$40 per month of participation

Running Club
Mondays - begins 9/10/18- Grades 2-8th
Coach Williams
Instructions: Meet in the PC until Mrs. Williams picks you up. Pick up at Iron Horse Fields at 4:30pm.
$30 for 6 running sessions

Basketball Club
Fridays - Due to Back to School Night Basketball Club will begin 9/14/18 not 9/7/18. 3:45-5pm in the Parish Center.
Grades 4-8th
3:45pm-5pm.
Coach Gangloff
$40 for 8 sessions September-October (Pick up North Parking Lot)

Please make checks out to St Mary's School and direct them to Mr. Gangloff's attention.

Campus Connection - Be Part of Mary's Garden!

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Grade 8 Fundraising - It's time for the annual mum sale & carwash! Each year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their graduation activities and field trip.   Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for your support!

Click here to download and print an order form for beautiful fall mums!  Available in several sizes and colors, these will definitely put you in a "pumpkin spice" frame of mind and help our 8th grade!  All orders & payments must be received in the school office NLT Friday, 9/14.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Gr. 8 mum sale" in the memo line.  Mums will be available for pick up in the Parish Center on Friday, 9/21 from 2-4 pm and after all Masses during the weekend of 9/22-23.  Thanks in advance for your support!  

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 9/22, & look forward to a clean and shiny car!  8th grade students will hold a car wash on 9/22 in the north (playground) parking lot from 8am-12noon.  Advance tickets will be available at "Back to School Knight".

Supporting SMS - Here are 4 super easy ways to support our school -

Again this year, our school is participating in the Big Y's Education Express program.  This program earns us points that we can redeem for school supplies. This program will be active until 12/26/18.  For more information and to register to participate, click here.  No need to re-register if you signed up last year.





We are also participating in Stop & Shop's A+ Rewards program.  New participants may register beginning 9/7/18.  No need to re-register if you've signed up previously.  Click here for more information and to register.

Participation will also continue in Shoprite's Education program  Click here to register.  Our school code is 18436.

We are still (and always!) collecting Box Tops for Education!  Please send them, neatly clipped, into school at any time!

Community News 

Hartford Gospel Fest at Bushnell Park Pavilion - 

Music, Arts, Food Trucks, Vendors, Exhibitors, Gospel Choirs and more music!Saturday, 9/8/18 -noon to 7 PM

Free of charge; Bring a lawn chair and your friends

www.LEVAS.org

Signs of the Season

Well, it still feels like summer but Sara (Gr. 6) and Kareem (PreK) enjoyed some apple picking that makes us think of Fall!  If you are out and about having Fall adventures, we'd love to share your pictures as well - just email smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.