News for the Week of 1/23/19

Looking forward to Winter Family Fun THIS WEEKEND at the Start of Catholic Schools Week!

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 initiatives.  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.

Please click here to RSVP.  

Your RSVP helps us be sure we have enough food for this family event, so thanks in advance! 

More Catholic Schools Week Fun!

Again this year, we will celebrate Catholic Schools Week with several fun activities for both our students and our faculty/staff.  

Sunday, January 27th - Open House for Prospective Families from 2-4pm beginning in the Parish Center.  Additional details appear below.

Teacher Appreciation Week - Your help is needed! Click here to learn more about the activities that are planned and how you can help with a donation!

Student Appreciation Activities -  Students are an important part of Catholic Schools Week and we have some special events planned!  

On Monday, 1/28, students who attended Mass on Saturday, 1/26, are allowed to wear their PE clothes to school!

On Tuesday, 1/29, the Big Band and Jazz Singers from Northwest Catholic HS will perform for the students and conduct vocal and instrumental workshops. Students who are in band will be asked to bring their instruments so they can have the opportunity to work with the Director and high school students.

Wednesday, 1/30, is Blue Ribbon picture day! Students may wear their PE uniforms to school and we would especially ask that everyone wear the spirit tee shirt that has the knight on it. Mrs. Chagnon has various sizes available for $15. We want to take our “official” Blue Ribbon School photo.

Thursday, 1/31 - Family Lunch  Again this year, all families are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and join their favorite students at lunch.  Times for Family Lunch Day are:

11:00-11:35 PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2

11:40-12:15 Grades 3, 4 & 5

12:20-12:50 Grades 6, 7 & 8

Friday,  2/1, we will offer free Freezer pops at lunch time!

Other things going on include: extra recess, a “no homework” coupon and Teacher Choice!

Winter Weather Reminders - Just a reminder that if the opening of school is delayed, there is NO Early Drop Off.
Please also keep in mind that unless the temperature/wind chill is less than 20 degrees students do wait outside in the morning and do go out for recess.  In order to play in the snow, students need boots and snowpants along with hats, coats and gloves.  Please be sure to label all outerwear with names.  We also encourage sending in a dry pair of socks so everyone has warm feet in the afternoon!

Advancement News 

Well, last week, there was a giant swan....and rubber ducks....
Trust us - Jumbled Fairy Tales are a LOT of fun!

How Much Fun are Jumbled Fairy Tales?

Join us this Friday (1/25) for our final Jumbled Fairy Tale! Please join us with your little one (all children under the age of 5 are welcome!) for Story Time & Craft - 9:00 -9:30am   ~RSVP to Toni Chagnon at 860-658-9412 or sign up at  http://bit.ly/ftjumbled

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.

Spelling Bee - All are invited to attend our annual Spelling Bee for grades 4-6 on Wednesday, February 6 after morning prayer (9am) in the Parish Center. It's bound to be exciting - e x c i t i n g - exciting!

Lost & Found - Our Lost & Found bin is overflowing!  There are lots of Lands End sweaters and sweatshirts.  If you child(ren) are missing items, please encourage them to look in the Lost & Found.  The bin is located right outside the PreK classroom.  You are also invited to stop in at any time to look for missing items.  At the end of January, we will be donating all leftover items to either the Used Uniform Exchange or charity.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE USING VERIZON FOR CELL PHONES - Please take a moment to read this very important information that may affect your ability to receive our Remind texts.  NOTE - THIS APPLIES ONLY TO THOSE WITH VERIZON SERVICE.

We have received information from Remind that effective Monday, January 28th, those with Verizon will NO LONGER receive Remind text messages.  This is because Verizon will be charging Remind a new fee that makes it impossible for them to continue free service with this carrier.

IF YOU ARE  VERIZON CUSTOMER - you can continue to receive your messages if you download the Remind Mobile app or email enable email notifications - both of which are free of charge. 

Click here to read additional information.  We would also like to encourage you to contact Verizon and request that they exclude Remind from this new fee so that you can continue to receive your text messages from the school office & athletics.  Verizon Customer Service: 1-800-922-0204

We are sorry to have to share this news but want to STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL VERIZON CUSTOMERS TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO CONTINUE RECEIVING REMIND COMMUNICATIONS.

Alumni News - Congratulations to Amelia Toscano, SMS Class of '14!  Amelia has been named to the Dean's List at Emerson College for the fall semester. 

SMS Alumni Reconnect in Panama!
Declan Wlochowski, SMS Class of '16, Conall Hughes, SMS Class of '11,
&  Aiden Wlochowski , SMS Class of '17 had an impromptu reunion
at World Youth Day in Panama.

Community News

Give Kids a Smile Day - Avon Wellness Center Dental Associates will again be participating in the American Dental Association's Give Kids a Smile Day.  This year's event is on Friday, March 29, 2019.  Appointments begin at 8am.  Free services include:  exam, cleaning, x-rays, flouride, sealants, fillings (if needed) and extractions (if needed).  Qualifications for services:  children up to age 18 of uninsured or under-insured families.  Children who qualify for assisted lunch and children who are on the CT HUSKY program.  Please call as soon as possible to schedule an appointment - 860-606-0066.