News for the Week of 1/2/2019

Congratulations to Father Matera who was one of nine priests in the Archdiocese of Hartford named "Monsignor". This title of Monsignor was granted by Pope Francis at the request of Archbishop Blair.  Click here to read the Hartford Courant's article. 

Our January school Mass will be held on Tuesday, 1/8/19 at 9am in the Church.  All are welcome to attend.  Please remember that no PE uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Hot Lunch Ordering Period for February Opens on Monday, 1/7/19.  The hot lunch ordering period for February will be open from Monday, 1/7/19 - Friday, 1/11/19.  This is your only opportunity to order hot lunches for February.  All orders should be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  Payment should be sent in as soon as your order is placed.

Hot Lunch Volunteers Urgently Needed!  The success of our hot lunch program relies heavily on volunteer support to help serve student lunches.  More and more often, we are finding ourselves short of volunteer assistance.  Unless volunteers are reliably available, it may be necessary to reassess our ability to provide hot lunch 3 times per week.  If you are Virtus trained, and able to come in to serve lunch- even only occasionally - your help would be greatly appreciated.  Training is provided and SMS staff is always available for questions/concern or assistance.  Serving lunch is a great way to be part of our school day.  Click here to sign up.  Thanks in advance!

Advancement News - Getting 2019 Off to a Great Start!

Events for Little Learners & Children Entering Kindergarten next year are beginning this week & next!

It's Jumbled Fairy Tale January at St. Mary's School! Please join us with your little one (all children under the age of 5 are welcome!) on Friday mornings starting January 4th for Story Time & Craft - 9:00 am - 9:30 am   ~RSVP to Toni Chagnon at 860-658-9412 or sign up at  http://bit.ly/ftjumbled

Keys to Kindergarten -  Next week, families with students eligible for Kindergarten next year are invited to join us for a special evening.  Keys to Kindergarten will be held on Wednesday, 1/9/19, at 6pm.   There will be a special storytime for children while parents attend an informative presentation regarding kindergarten readiness.  Children are invited to wear their PJ's for this evening storytime.

St. Mary's School Open House for Prospective Families

 Sunday, January 26th from 2-4 pm

Encourage friends or neighbors who are wondering about SMS to come to meet our faculty, staff, parents and students. From cursive to coding, we'll be sharing what has made us a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence! Contact Toni Chagnon for more information or to RSVP 860-658-9412 or  tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net .  Don't forget about our Family Referral Program!  Click here to learn more.

Students in grades 6-8 will host their exhibition of Los Paises de Habla Hispana (Spanish Speaking countries) on Wednesday, January 16th from 11-11:30am in the parish center. Parents are welcome to attend.

Mark Your Calendar for some Winter Family Fun!
Saturday, January 26th from 5-8pm ~ Family Mass & our Student Art Show Gallery. Our annual art show will be presented after the 5pm Mass on 1/26/19.  Students should wear their uniform to Mass. Families are then invited to come across to the Parish Center to enjoy the art show along with a selection of snacks and appetizers.  Enjoy a cozy cup of cocoa from our hot cocoa bar while touring the "gallery".  The art show theme this year is in keeping with our Laudato Si theme.  Students are working hard and creatively to design and produce artistic pieces that will evoke taking care of our environment through recycling. Every student PreK thru 8th grade will have a piece of artwork on display for our community to enjoy.