News for the Week of 10/31/18

Here's your Halloween Reminder that formal uniforms begin tomorrow!

Formal Uniforms begin tomorrow - Thursday, November 1, for students in Grades K -7.  Eighth grade students may wear their relaxed uniforms until Monday, December 3.

It's getting chilly, too!  Just a gentle reminder that the weather is feeling distinctly more like late autumn.  Students do wait outside for our opening bell and do go out for recess unless the temperature is below 20 degrees or it is wet and inclement.  Please be sure your child(ren) have outerwear appropriate for the season and encourage them to wear it.  We also request that all outerwear and especially hats, boots, and gloves are clearly labelled.

We will worship with our parish family at the 12:15 Mass tomorrow for All Saints Day.  Please remember that no PE Uniforms should be worn to Mass.  All are welcome to join us.







 

The first New England Catholic Schools Week will be held from November 4th -10th.  We will kick off this week with a Family Mass & pizza dinner on this Saturday, November 3.  

Join us for the 5pm Mass and then come across to the Parish Center to enjoy a casual family pizza dinner and visit the bookfair!  Students are requested to wear their formal uniforms to Mass.  Click here to RSVP via Sign Up Genius.  We do need a head count for dinner and we are requesting donation of some items to help with the setup and serving of dinner. Thanks in advance for your attendance & your donations!

Fall Bookfair will be open after all Masses on November 3 and 4 and then through Thursday, November 8.  See details below.  Virtus trained volunteers are needed!

SMS is OPEN on Election Day on Tuesday, November 6,  for a regular full day of school and we will also host an Open House on that day and in the evening.  See details below.

SMS is OPEN on Veterans Day Observed, Monday, November 12th.  There will be a Veterans Day Assembly - see details below. Group Class Photos and Individual Student makeup/retake photos will be taken by Lifetouch Photography - more details below.  Frozen Pies and cookie dough ordered from the Lyman Pie Fundraiser will be available for pickup. More details soon.

The annual Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, 11/14.  This annual event provides a delicious Thanksgiving meal to over 175 area senior citizens.

 Click here to access the Sign Up Geniuses that will list the donations needed by grade level.  In order for this event to be successful, your donations are really important so please do be sure to sign up to donate a requested item. Please note that NO HOT LUNCH is served on this day since the kitchen is very busy making Thanksgiving dinner!

Fall Bookfair begins THIS Saturday, 11/5/18!  

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Shop after Mass on Saturday or Sunday or check your teacher’s blogs for scheduled class visits.  Remember, all purchases benefit our Home & School Association. Thank you for supporting our readers!

Book Fair dates: Saturday, November 3rd - Thursday, November 8th

There are still opportunities to volunteer.  Virtus training is required. Thanks in advance!  Click here for Volunteer Sign Up.

Blue Knight Spirit!  Our thanks to all that participated in our Spirit Day Fundraiser on Monday.  Over $3,000 was raised in Amazon gift cards and donations for purchase of Amazon gift cards.

We are hosting an Open House for Prospective Families on Tuesday, November 6th.  Interested families are invited to drop in at any time during our school day or to attend our evening event that will begin at 6pm in the Parish Center.  An RSVP to the office is appreciated but not required.

 If you know someone who would like to get to know more about us, please encourage them to drop by that day or attend our evening event and be sure to register for our Family Referral Program!   We appreciate your support of our school.

Veterans Day Assembly - We welcome all parents/guardians and all veterans to join us for a Veterans Day Assembly on Monday, November 12, in the Parish Center beginning with morning prayer at 8:45am.

Athletic News - Basketball season is getting underway!  

Coaches will be contacting families to provide scheduling information.  Participation Fees:  Fee amounts were set up to cover the costs of the program, playoffs, tournaments and referees without the need for fundraisers, tournaments, concession sale, etc.

$150 for grades 4-8
$50 Grades 2-3
Max family cap of $250
Checks should made out to St Mary School with "Basketball" in the memo section.

Please sign up for the Athletic Department Remind to receive all texts regarding the basketball program.  Please note that the Athletic Department Remind is SEPARATE from the school remind and has to be joined separately.  All cancellations, changes and updates will go out through Remind.  To join the Athletic Department Remind:

Text @smssport to the number 81010
You will receive a welcome text from Remind.
If anyone has trouble with 81010, please try texting @smssport to (301) 200-4763.

Have you ever wondered about what it would be like to live in Egypt?  Reem Nouh Omar, School Board member and mother of Sara, Gr. 6 and Kareem, PreK, has lived in Egypt and shared her life experiences with Mrs. Work's grade 6 social studies class.  Her insights brought their recent study of Egypt to life.

Grade 8 Fundraising - 

Thank you to all the parents who have supported the 8th graders and their fundraisers to date. We are most appreciative. Our car wash raised $1,354 and our mum sale raised approximately $1,800! For those who enjoyed eating - Joe Pizza and Peachwave raised $450 profit!  The poinsettia sale begins this week and orders will be accepted until November  30. See details below. Thank you again to all of the families that continue to support the Class of 2019!





It's Time to Order Your Holiday Poinsettias!  Click here to download & print your order form.

Group Class Photos & Individual Make-up & Retake Photos -   Monday,  November 12th

Lifetouch will be at school to take group class photos for PreKindergarten - Grade 7.  All students in grades K-7 should wear their full formal uniform for the group class photo.

If you child(ren) were absent on picture day (9/10) an individual photo will be taken on 11/12 even if no portrait package is being purchased since a photo is needed for the yearbook.  If you were not not satisfied with original portrait(s) taken in September - Return the complete package to the photographer on retake day.  Students having an individual photo taken may bring clothing to school to change into for the photo.  School uniform should be worn to school.

Any student who did not purchase on the original day and would like to purchase a package. Order forms are available in the school office approximately one week prior to retake day  Or online at mylifetouch.com -- picture day id: EJ418008Q1 (site is available for ordering approximately 2 weeks prior to retake day).  Any questions, please call Lifetouch at 203-735-5933

Health Office News 

Regular attendance at school is always encouraged, but it is equally as important that when your child is ill, they should stay at home.  Please click here for helpful guidelines from our Parent Student Handbook in regard to when to keep your child home from school.

Parents are the first, middle and last line of defense against head lice.  Routine screening at home is far more effective in terms of prevention and early identification than mass screenings in school can ever be.  St. Mary’s School and Simsbury School system have followed the lead of the American Pediatric Association and continue to encourage frequent screening at home.  For more details, please click here.

Our congratulations to Adrian Hatch, SMS Class of '09, on being named to BuiltWorld's 2018 Adoption Leaders Top List.  Adrian is #18 on this list of 50 champions of technology within their organizations or leaders who stepped into newly created roles that exist today as the result of increased tech adoption. Click here to view the list.

Community News

Sara, Gr. 6,  volunteered at an interfaith event sponsored by the Farmington Valley League of Light called Embracing the Other. Faith leaders including Deacon Art Miller spoke on a panel and shared their perspectives and inspirations. It was a great  event!

St. Mary's Parish Christmas Youth Choir -  The Christmas Youth Choir will rehearse on three Thursdays: 12/6, 12/13, and 12/20 from 4:30 - 5:15 inside the church. All children old enough to learn the words to traditional Christmas carols are invited to participate. The choir sings prior to the 6pm Mass on Christmas Eve starting at 5:30pm. Please see Music Director Gena Sullivan after Mass if you have any questions.

Halloween Fun!

PreK & K went on a costume parade!

News for the Week of 10/24/18

Parent/Teacher Conferences are Underway! 
Both Thursday, 10/25 and Friday, 10/26, are 12:45pm early dismissals.

PreK Enrichment is available on both Thursday and Friday but there is no AFTERCARE.

PE Club will meet on Thursday from 12:45-2pm.

There is still time to sign up for a conference if you have not already done so.  For your convenience, tomorrow evening (Thursday, 10/25) conferences are available until 7pm. Click here to visit the Sign Up Geniuses for conferences.

Spirit Wear will be for sale during Thursday and Friday conferences.  Perfect timing with Spirit Day coming up on Monday, 10/29 (see below).  It's chilly out there! Check out clearance items including fleece jackets and novelty fleece for $10 and $15! Checks and cash accepted.

The Used Uniform Exchange will also be available during conferences on Thursday and Friday for any items needed for transition to our formal uniforms next week. 

Mark Your Calendars - There are 2 special events for students next week - 

Below are a couple of photos showing some of the damage to the St. John Catholic School that will benefit from our Spirit Day donations.

"P" is for Penmanship - Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade
demonstrate focus and determination in "writing position"
(sitting with their feet on the floor or standing straight & tall)
to help assure their letter formation is neat and correct.

Looking Ahead to November -  November is right around the corner and as always, it will be a really busy month.  Here's a few highlights to look forward to and think about.  Look for additional specifics about these events as they get closer.


*  Formal Uniforms begins for students in grades K-7 on next Thursday, November 1.  Grade 8 begins to wear the formal uniform on December 3.

*  We will worship with our parish family at the All Saints Day Mass at 12:15pm on Thursday, November 1.  All are welcome to join us.  Please remember that no PE uniforms should be worn to Mass.

*  The first New England Catholic Schools Week will be held from November 4th -10th.  We will kick off this week with a Family Mass & pizza dinner on Saturday, November 3.  Join us for the 5pm Mass and then come across to the Parish Center to enjoy a casual family pizza dinner and visit the bookfair!  Students are requested to wear their formal uniforms to Mass.  A Sign Up Genius with additional dinner details will be made available soon.  We do need a head count for dinner and we are requesting donation of some items to help with the setup and serving of dinner.  If you can help with the reception, please contact the school office.

*  Fall Bookfair will be open after all Masses on November 3 and 4 and then through Thursday, November 8.  See details below.  Virtus trained volunteers are needed!

*  SMS is OPEN on Election Day on Tuesday, November 6,  for a regular full day of school and we will also host an Open House on that day and in the evening.  See details below.

*  SMS is OPEN on Veterans Day Observed, Monday, November 12th.  Group Class Photos and Individual Student makeup/retake photos will be taken by Lifetouch Photography.  Frozen Pies and cookie dough ordered from the Lyman Pie Fundraiser will be available for pickup. More details soon.

*  The annual Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, 11/14.  This annual event provides a delicious Thanksgiving meal to over 175 area senior citizens.  Next week, all parents will receive an email containing a link to a Sign Up Genius that will list the donations needed by grade level.  In order for this event to be successful, your donations are really important so please do be sure to sign up to donate a requested item. Please note that NO HOT LUNCH is served on this day since the kitchen is very busy making Thanksgiving dinner!

Fall Bookfair is Almost Here!  Your help is needed!


There will be a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level.

Book Fair dates: Saturday, November 3rd - Thursday, November 8th. The Bookfair will be open after all weekend Masses & during our Family Dinner after the 5pm Mass on Saturday, 11/3.

Virtus Trained volunteers are needed to help during the bookfair - particularly during classroom visits.  Click here for Volunteer Sign Up.

We will also be hosting an Open House for Prospective Families on Tuesday, November 6th.  Interested families are invited to drop in at any time during our school day or to attend our evening event that will begin at 6pm in the Parish Center.  An RSVP to the office is appreciated but not required.

 If you know someone who would like to get to know more about us, please encourage them to drop by that day or attend our evening event and be sure to register for our Family Referral Program!   We appreciate your support of our school.

Athletic News -  This Friday's soccer game with St. Tims has been postponed until next Friday 11/2 at 4pm at St. Tims.

Just in Time for Holiday Celebrations & Giving -- Again this year, Yankee Candle Fundraising is helping us raise money to support our instrumental music program including the FMI Recorder program in grade 3.  Shop now for the best selection of holiday items.  Click here and then enter our group number - 999977285 - where requested under "Start Shopping".  All products will ship directly to your home.

Our congratulations to our four 8th grade students that
participated in the FMI Regional Band Concert on Saturday,
October 20th.  Our thanks to our FMI Instructor, Mrs. Deb
Morse, for all her encouragement and support preparing these musicians
for this concert.  These students are now eligible to audition for FMI's
All-Stand bands that perform in the spring.

CHOICE Corner - Usage statements will be coming home with youngest or only children.  If you have opted out or have not yet begun to participate, your statement will come home in the next few days.  Regular participants will receive their statements after October 31. - Please be sure to check backpacks.  

We Want Your Old Markers! Crayola ColorCycle is a marker recycling program in which schools collect markers of any brand or kind, including traditional markers, dry erase markers, highlighters, and permanent markers. Crayola pays the shipping cost to mail them back to them. This program is a sustainability initiative that recycles markers and eliminates placing hundreds of tons of markers into landfills. The bin is located in Mrs. Gore's fifth grade room.  For more information, contact Anna in Mrs. Gore's class. Click here to learn more about Crayola ColorCycle.

Box Tops for Education - So simple, it's scary!  Just neatly clip your box tops and send them into school.  All classrooms have collection boxes.  

Science is "eggciting" - Students in Mrs. Herron's
second grade conducted a science experiment to
learn more about the enamel on our teeth.

Alumni News

Thanks to all that voted - We are happy to share that Maria Nolan, SMS Class '16, was voted Hartford Courant Athlete of the Week!


















Community News

Clean, Gently Used Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Needed!  Again this year, we are collecting gently used clothing( all seasons), shoes, handbags, accessories, jewelry, jackets and coats (infant/youth/teen clothing especially needed) for the St. Ann's Clothing Sale.

 Items may be brought into school until Friday, 10/26/18, and put into the donation bin that is in the school office.  

The Clothing Sale will be held on November 2 &3 and benefits the St. Ann Scholarship Program which provides partial tuition support for Hartford students attending area Catholic high schools. Begun in 1979, the program has helped over 100 young people get their high school diplomas in a safe, supportive and spiritual environment.

Fifth & Sixth Grade Boys are Invited to Learn More About Boy Scout Troop 174. 

Wondering if it's worth your time to get Virtus trained? 
This picture tells the whole story!
Your gift of time & talent makes a school day super special for your child(ren).