Welcome Back! News for the Week of 8/28/19

Back to School Smiles - Do you have a "back to school" smile to share?  Email smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net!

It was all smiles this morning at Salla and Penelope's
house.

Clare, Thomas, Daniel and Nora looking sharp
on our first day!

Hot Lunch Ordering Period  for September is open now through Friday!  All orders due NLT Friday, 8/30/19.

Please keep in mind that hot lunch will now be served 5 days per week and gluten free pizza is an option for Fridays! All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal . User names and passwords were included in your "Back to School" email packet.  These packets were emailed last Friday, 8/16, to all families that have completed enrollment for 19-20.

Prior to placing your hot lunch order, please carefully review the ordering procedures that are on our school's website. Lunches may ONLY be ordered during the "open order" period. If you miss an "open order" period, you will have to wait until the next order period to participate in hot lunch. "Open order" periods will be announced via an email and via the school blog.

Last day to place lunch orders for September and submit payment to office is Friday, 8/30/19. No late orders can be accepted. Your hot lunch order is not considered complete until your payment is received.

Hot Lunch will begin on Friday, September 6. Until hot lunch begins, all students should bring a brown bag lunch each day. 

Back to School Forms are Due Now!  We know it's a very busy time, but please be as prompt as possible returning your "Back to School" forms.  Daily iPad use cannot begin until the majority of each class returns:  Parent/Student Handbook Acknowledgement, iPad Acceptable Use Agreement Acknowledgement, Electronic Use Agreement and iPad Coverage Form and Fee.  Additionally, we cannot share any great photos of your child(ren) until you have returned your Image Permission form.  The PE and Sports Permission Form is needed for all students in grades Kindergarten - Grade 8 to participate in PE and team/club sports. Our school nurse and the homeroom teachers rely on the information you provide on your Student Emergency and Field Trip Emergency Cards.  Your Directory Verification form helps assure we have the best contact information for you and that our school directory is accurate. Besides these "basics", there may be other forms required for your family/students including the acknowledgements from our new Athletic guidelines.  Refer to your Back to School email packet or call the office if you have questions.  Thanks!  And special thanks to everyone who has already turned in their forms!

Back to School Night for Parents - Friday, September 6th is "Back to School Night for Parents". Babysitting WILL be available!  All parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend "Back to School" night beginning at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. This is your opportunity to meet your child(ren)'s new teacher(s) and learn about the daily classroom routine.  "Back to School" night will be a fun SMS immersion experience designed to share all facets of our community's culture, events and opportunities. Learn about all we have planned while enjoying a light adult beverage of your choice. A Sign-Up Genius will be coming soon so that you can sign up for babysitting.

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 9. 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, 9/6) at 6pm in the Art/Music Room of the Magowan Center. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, September 9th, to take individual student photos of all students in PreK 3's, PreKindergarten and Kindergarten through grade 7.  Picture orders may be placed online - click here - using our Picture Day ID:  RI239207Q0.  

If you would prefer to order via payment envelope, order forms will be coming home with students on Friday, 8/30.  If paying via order form and envelope, these should be sent in with your student(s) on picture day not before.  Please note that even if no photos are ordered, a picture will be taken for our yearbook.  

Students, except those in 8th grade, may wear non-uniform clothing that is appropriate for school on picture day.  Eighth grade students will have individual photos taken on another date.  More information available soon.







September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 10th at 9am in the church. All are welcome to worship with us. Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Fall Sports Clubs are Coming!

Please note new start dates and sign up sheets for for Basketball Club and Running Club.
Basketball Club is open to students in grades 4-8.  The club will meet on Fridays in the Parish Center from 3:45-5pm.  The first session for the 19-20 school year will be Friday, 9/6/19.  $40 participation fee.  Please make your check payable to St. Mary's School with "Basketball Club" in the memo section.  Click here to download a signup sheet.

P.E. Club -  A different format this year. There will be one session each week for grades 1-8.  Students in grades 5-8th will take on a leadership role as they learn to teach and instruct our upcoming athletes! Sessions will be setup to accommodate play styles for older and younger students. Sign ups went out over the summer (on the back of the PE/Sports Permission Form that was part of your Back to School email packets) Participation Fee $40 per month.  For the 19-20 school year, P.E. Club will meet Wednesdays after school from 3:30-5pm in the Parish Center.   The participation fee is $40 per month.  Please make your check payable to St. Mary's School with P.E. Club in the memo section.  Sessions are limited to 30 participants.

Running Club - Distance running under coach's supervision on a planned course, usually Iron Horse Boulevard. This club is open to students in grades 3-8.Session #1 of the St. Mary’s School Running Club will begin September 5th and run on Thursdays until November 21st from 3:30pm-4:30pm. 

 Runners gather in the Parish Center at 3:30pm and should be picked up at 4:30pm at location specified by the coach.  Click here to download a signup sheet.

Co-Ed Soccer - Open to students in grades 5-8. Will begin September 6th and meet on Fridays. Students will walk down with the coach to Iron Horse Fields. Practice runs from 3:30-5pm. Sign ups went out over the summer (on the back of the PE/Sports permission slip that was part of your Back to School email packet). $30 participation fee.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with Co-Ed Soccer in the memo section.
Please be sure your child(ren)'s teacher(s) and the school office know that student(s) will be participating in the club.

Announcing a New Club!  

Does your Kindergarten, First Grade, or Second Grade student love math or get stressed out by math? Do they avoid math or look for connections in every day life? 

Bedtimemath.org is dedicated to making math fun, relatable, and engaging for all students to enjoy, and it’s coming to SMS in September!  Click here to download and print a flyer.

SMS Stars

Max W., Jameson K., and Cayden D., all grade 7 students,  volunteered for Simsbury’s Aging and Disability Commission’s Picnic in the Park hosted by St. Catherine of Sienna. The picnic is a fun day of food, games and friendship for seniors and those with disabilities in Simsbury. The boys stocked water, put out food and played games with guests. 

Grade 8 Fundraising - Every year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fundraisers to help defray costs associated with their field trip and graduation activities.  Your support is gratefully appreciated!

Beautiful Fall Mums Now Available for Order!

Click here to download and print an order form for mums.

Summer Fun

Sara (Gr. 7)  and Kareem’s (Kindergarten) first trip to NY city! Visited Times Square, Rockefeller Center, The Statue of Liberty and more!

What kind of summer fun has your family enjoyed?  We'd love to share your photos, too.  Email to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.


Community News -

St. Mary's - Connecting Our Community - Designed to spotlight the Campus Connection and our school's Blue Ribbon status, the program will air on the Tuesdays of September, 2:30PM and 9:30 PM, and and the Thursdays of September, 11AM on Channel 5 and digital channel 1084.  Click here to view online.

St. Mary's Parish Picnic - Everyone is invited!  All school and church families are welcome at our Church picnic on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 3-5PM in the North parking lot (In case of rain in the Parish Center). Kane’s Market will be grilling hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs, you bring a side dish or dessert to share. Enjoy food, fellowship, and fun with music and games. Sign-up sheets at all entrances to the church beginning on Labor Day weekend or click here on or after 8/31. Your RSVP requested for food count by Wednesday, September 18. Hope to see you there!

Simsbury Public Library has Great Fall Programming- Click here for the Simsbury Public Library's offerings for teens and tweens.

Summer Blog Post #4

 Mark Your Calendars and Join Us for these "Back to School Events"!


This Sunday!  Family Picnic & Playground - All families are invited to our "Back to School" picnic and playground on Sunday, 8/25, at 5pm at the SMS playground.  Bring a picnic dinner and share your summer stories with your friends and meet some new friends, too!  Used uniform exchange will also be available.

*Please note, this is a "family event" - all children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Meet & Greets - Tuesday, August 27th is "Meet & Greet" Day!

PreK 3's & PreKindergarten - 8/27 from 9:30-10:30 in the PreK classroom.  All students should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  School supplies may also be brought to school.

Meet & Greet for Grades Kindergarten - Grade 5 - 10:30-11:30 in the classrooms.  All students should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  School supplies may also be brought to school.

Morning in Middle School - Students entering grade 6 and students new to our 7th and 8th grades are invited to attend a "Morning in Middle School" on 8/27 from 10-11am.  Students may wear casual attire and bring in school supplies.

* Since parking behind the Magowan Center is limited, please plan to park in the north (playground) parking lot for the "Meet & Greet" events and to drop off for "Morning in Middle School".  For these events, the North door will be used as an entrance.  When our school year begins, you should use the main entrance behind the Magowan Center if coming to school for an event (unless alternate directions are provided) or to volunteer.

Hot Lunch Ordering Period  for September opens Monday, 8/26/19!  All orders due NLT Friday, 8/30/19.

Please keep in mind that hot lunch will now be served 5 days per week and gluten free pizza is an option for Fridays! All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal . User names and passwords were included in your "Back to School" email packet.  These packets were emailed last Friday, 8/16, to all families that have completed enrollment for 19-20.

Prior to placing your hot lunch order, please carefully review the ordering procedures that are on our school's website. Lunches may ONLY be ordered during the "open order" period. If you miss an "open order" period, you will have to wait until the next order period to participate in hot lunch. "Open order" periods will be announced via an email and via the school blog.

Last day to place lunch orders for September and submit payment to office is Friday, 8/30/19. No late orders can be accepted. Your hot lunch order is not considered complete until your payment is received. 

Hot Lunch will begin on Friday, September 6. Until hot lunch begins, all students should bring a brown bag lunch each day. 

First Day of School - Wednesday, August 28th - This is a regular, full day of school with Early Drop Off,  PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare.

Click here to reserve Early Drop Off.
Click here to reserve PreK Enrichment.
Click here to reserve Aftercare. 

Back to School Night for Parents - Friday, September 6th is "Back to School Night for Parents". Babysitting WILL be available!  All parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend "Back to School" night beginning at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. This is your opportunity to meet your child(ren)'s new teacher(s) and learn about the daily classroom routine.  "Back to School" night will be a fun SMS immersion experience designed to share all facets of our community's culture, events and opportunities. Learn about all we have planned while enjoying a light adult beverage of your choice. A Sign-Up Genius will be coming soon so that you can sign up for babysitting.

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 9. 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, 9/6) at 6pm in the Art/Music Room of the Magowan Center. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, September 9th, to take individual student photos of all students in PreK 3's, PreKindergarten and Kindergarten through grade 7.  Order information will be provided soon but even if no photos are ordered, a picture will be taken for the school's yearbook.  Students except those in 8th grade may wear non-uniform clothing that is appropriate for school on picture day.  Eighth grade students will have individual photos taken on another date.  More information available soon.







September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 10th at 9am in the church. All are welcome to worship with us. Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Fall Sports Clubs are Coming!

Basketball Club is open to students in grades 4-8.  The club will meet on Fridays in the Parish Center from 3:45-5pm.  The first session for the 19-20 school year will be Friday, 9/19/19.  $50 participation fee.  Please make your check payable to St. Mary's School with "Basketball Club" in the memo section.

P.E. Club - The purpose of this club is to give students an additional opportunity to improve their physical fitness, fundamental skills and mostly have fun while being active.  For the 19-20 school year, P.E. Club will meet Wednesdays after school from 3:30-5:00pm in the Parish Center.  The Wednesday session is open to students in grades 1-8.  The participation fee is $40 per month.  Please make your check payable to St. Mary's School with P.E. Club in the memo section.  Sessions are limited to 30 participants.

Running Club - Distance running under coach's supervision on a planned course, usually Iron Horse Boulevard. This club is open to students in grades 3-8 and will meet on Thursdays beginning on 9/12/19. Runners gather in the Parish Center at 3:30pm and should be picked up at 4:30pm at location specified by the coach.

Co-Ed Soccer - Open to students in grades 5-8.  Team conditioning, skills & drills, soccer play on Meadow Field and other venues under coach's supervision.  All practices will be on Fridays from 3:30-5pm.  Transportation, when needed, will be provided by parents.  Start date to be announced.

To sign up for any of these fall sports clubs, use the 19-20 Permission Slip for Physical Education, Field Day & Athletics that will be part of your electronic "Back to School" packet.  

When school begins, please be sure your child(ren)'s teacher(s) and the school office know that student(s) will be participating in the club.


Announcing a New Club!  

Does your Kindergarten, First Grade, or Second Grade student love math or get stressed out by math? Do they avoid math or look for connections in every day life? 


Bedtimemath.org is dedicated to making math fun, relatable, and engaging for all students to enjoy, and it’s coming to SMS in September!  Click here to download and print a flyer.

Last Minute Uniform Shopping or Looking Ahead to Formal Uniforms?  Lands End will be offering 25% off all school uniform apparel until 9/3.  Our school code is 900132150.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Every year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fundraisers to help defray costs associated with their field trip and graduation activities.  Your support is gratefully appreciated!

Beautiful Fall Mums Now Available for Order!

Click here to download and print an order form for mums.

SMS Stars 

Congratulations to Thomas C., Gr. 6, & his U11 teammates
on a successful summer season.  .
Thomas’ U11 team won the sectional championship
and ended up coming in second in the state.

Community News

Check Out Our New Television Program - Designed to spotlight the Campus Connection and our school's Blue Ribbon status, the program will air on the Tuesdays of September, 2:30PM and 9:30 PM, and and the Thursdays of September, 11AM on Channel 5 and digital channel 1084.  The program will also be available on the St. Mary's Parish website in September.

Summer Blog Post #3

It's almost here!  Our brand new school year!

Be sure to check your email for your SMS Back to School email packet.  These packets have been emailed to all families that have completed family enrollment for the 19-20 school year and were sent to the email address you have shared with us as your primary contact email.  If you have not yet completed family enrollment, please contact the school office so we can assist you.  We want everyone to have a great start to the new year.

 Mark Your Calendars and Join Us for these "Back to School Events"!

PreK Playground - Families with students joining our PreK 3's and PreKindergarten are invited to an evening playground playdate on Thursday, 8/22, from 6-7pm on the SMS playground.  Miss Kane, Mrs. Rienow and Mrs. Carter will all be on hand to greet you and help everyone get acquainted!

Family Picnic & Playground - All families are invited to our "Back to School" picnic and playground on Sunday, 8/25, at 5pm at the SMS playground.  Bring a picnic dinner and share your summer stories with your friends and meet some new friends, too!  Used uniform exchange will also be available.

*Please note, both playground dates are "family events" - all children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Meet & Greets - Tuesday, August 27th is "Meet & Greet" Day!

PreK 3's & PreKindergarten - 8/27 from 9:30-10:30 in the PreK classroom.  All students should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  School supplies may also be brought to school.

Meet & Greet for Grades Kindergarten - Grade 5 - 10:30-11:30 in the classrooms.  All students should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  School supplies may also be brought to school.

Morning in Middle School - Students entering grade 6 and students new to our 7th and 8th grades are invited to attend a "Morning in Middle School" on 8/27 from 10-11am.  Students may wear casual attire and bring in school supplies.

Hot Lunch Ordering for September!  Monday, 8/26/19 -Hot Lunch Order Period for September Opens. 

Please keep in mind that hot lunch will now be served 5 days per week and gluten free pizza is an option for Fridays! All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal . User names and passwords will be included the "Back to School" email packet mentioned at the top of this blog post.

Prior to placing your hot lunch order, please carefully review the ordering procedures that are on our school's website. Lunches may ONLY be ordered during the "open order" period. If you miss an "open order" period, you will have to wait until the next order period to participate in hot lunch. "Open order" periods will be announced via an email and via the school blog.

Last day to place lunch orders for September and submit payment to office is Friday, 8/30/19. No late orders can be accepted. Your hot lunch order is not considered complete until your payment is received.

Hot Lunch will begin on Friday, September 6. Until hot lunch begins, all students should bring a brown bag lunch each day.

First Day of School - Wednesday, August 28th - This is a regular, full day of school with Early Drop Off,  PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare.

Back to School Night for Parents - Friday, September 6th is "Back to School Night for Parents". Babysitting WILL be available!  All parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend "Back to School" night beginning at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. This is your opportunity to meet your child(ren)'s new teacher(s) and learn about the daily classroom routine. This year, we are excited to share that "Back to School" night will be a fun SMS immersion experience designed to share all facets of our community's culture, events and opportunities. Learn about all we have planned while enjoying a light adult beverage of your choice. A Sign-Up Genius will be coming soon so that you can sign up for babysitting.

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 9. 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, 9/6) at 6pm in the Art/Music Room of the Magowan Center. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band.

Picture Day - Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, September 9th, to take individual student photos of all students in PreK 3's, PreKindergarten and Kindergarten through grade 7.  Order information will be provided soon but even if no photos are ordered, a picture will be taken for the school's yearbook.  Students except those in 8th grade may wear non-uniform clothing that is appropriate for school on picture day.  Eighth grade students will have individual photos taken on another date.  More information available soon.

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 10th at 9am in the church. All are welcome to worship with us. Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

New Year - New Blogs!  New Emails!

We are excited to share that both Mrs. Russo and Mrs. Janaskie have launched new teacher blogs.  Mrs. Russo will be teaching HonorsLiterature in grades 6-8, Language Arts for grade 8 and Geography in grades 7 & 8.  Click here for her blog.  Mrs. Janaskie is our fourth grade homeroom teacher.  Click here to view her new blog.  Families are strongly encouraged to subscribe to the appropriate teachers' blogs so that all new posts are automatically delivered to your preferred email address.

Middle School Math teacher, Nikki Raymond, has gotten married this summer.  The former Miss Raymond is now Mrs. Chantharasouk. We wish her and her husband all the best as they begin this new chapter in their lives.  Her school email is now nchantharasouk@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Please be sure to update your contacts list with this new email.

Fall Sports Clubs are Coming!

Basketball Club is open to students in grades 4-8.  The club will meet on Fridays in the Parish Center from 3:45-5pm.  The first session for the 19-20 school year will be Friday, 9/19/19.  $50 participation fee.  Please make your check payable to St. Mary's School with "Basketball Club" in the memo section.

P.E. Club - The purpose of this club is to give students an additional opportunity to improve their physical fitness, fundamental skills and mostly have fun while being active.  For the 19-20 school year, P.E. Club will meet Wednesdays after school from 3:30-5:00pm in the Parish Center.  The Wednesday session is open to students in grades 1-8.  The participation fee is $40 per month.  Please make your check payable to St. Mary's School with P.E. Club in the memo section.  Sessions are limited to 30 participants.

Running Club - Distance running under coach's supervision on a planned course, usually Iron Horse Boulevard. This club is open to students in grades 3-8 and will meet on Thursdays beginning on 9/12/19. Runners gather in the Parish Center at 3:30pm and should be picked up at 4:30pm at location specified by the coach.

Co-Ed Soccer - Open to students in grades 5-8.  Team conditioning, skills & drills, soccer play on Meadow Field and other venues under coach's supervision.  All practices will be on Fridays from 3:30-5pm.  Transportation, when needed, will be provided by parents.  Start date to be announced.

To sign up for any of these fall sports clubs, use the 19-20 Permission Slip for Physical Education, Field Day & Athletics that will be part of your electronic "Back to School" packet.  

When school begins, please be sure your child(ren)'s teacher(s) and the school office know that student(s) will be participating in the club.

Supporting SMS -

Stop & Shop A+ Rewards - Again this year, we will participate in the Stop & Shop A+ rewards program.  If you have previously registered, there is NO NEED TO REGISTER AGAIN.  If you have not participated in the past, signing up is easy - click here.  New registrations will be accepted beginning September 6th.  This year's program will conclude on March 14, 2020.  Thanks for supporting SMS!






Community News

Mass and a Movie Under the Stars!

Please mark your calendars for a COMMUNITY WIDE parish event. Saturday, August 24, Father Matera is planning to celebrate an outdoor Mass followed by a family movie in the front parking lot. Mass will begin just before sunset and our church will be open for tours before we begin a family movie on an outdoor screen. Bring your friends, a chair and blankets. We will be providing popcorn and water for all. If you would like to volunteer to help,click (HERE) or contact Sandy at (860) 214-6557.

SMS Stars-

Coach Williams, Andrew M. and Max W., both Gr. 7,  proudly display the Connecticut Little League Section 2 Banner.  Simsbury went on to the State Tournament in Willimantic where they lost to North Haven.

Summer Fun

Rising second graders, Ella C. & Greta F., are
enjoying some VBS fun this summer!

What's your family been up to this summer?  We'd love to share your adventures in the blog.  Photos can be sent to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Alumni News

Avery Hatch, SMS Class of  '12, has recently completed a 10 week Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at Eastern Carolina University.  Working under the direction of Dr. Shoquan Huo, Avery's research focused on the synthesis of 1,2-diketones through platinum-catalyzed C-H functionalization.  Avery will be a senior at Elon University in the fall, majoring in BioChemistry.