Wednesday, December 18, 2019

News for the Week of 12/18/19



May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Romans 15:13

Merry Christmas from the students, faculty, administration, and staff of St. Mary's School. 




School will be dismissed early at 12:45pm on Friday, December 20th to begin our Christmas break.  There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  School will reopen for a regular full day of school on Thursday, January 2nd.




Christmas Carnival!  This Friday, December 20, all students, PreK - Gr. 8,  will participate in a morning of Christmas Carnival activities and are invited to wear holiday clothing with a donation of either non-perishable food items or $5.  Donations will benefit the Simsbury Food Closet. Here are the dress guidelines for the day - All choices should be appropriate for the school day.  Pajama pants may not be worn.

1 non- perishable item - Wear a red or green top with the uniform of the day.
2 non-perishable items - Wear both a red or green top and pants/skirt/skort.
3 or more non-perishable items - Add a holiday accessory to outfit (e.g., hair bow, socks, Santa hat)
$5 cash donation - Wear green & red holiday outfit and accessory.




Looking ahead to January 2020 - Please take a moment to get acquainted with important things to remember when we come back to school after our Christmas vacation.

Hot Lunch Ordering for February will open Monday, January 6.

January School Mass will be on Tuesday, January 7 at 9am in the Church.  All are welcome.  Please remember that no PE uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Friday, January 17 will be a 12:45pm early dismissal with NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  School will be closed on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.




Know a friend looking for Prekindergarten?
Invite them to our Five Senses Fridays in January at 9am in our PreK classroom! All little ones should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver for this program. Free and all are welcome! In the event of a delayed opening or school cancellation, the program will be cancelled for the day. 

Make sure to sign up for our Family Referral Program too! 
   



Save the Date in February - 





Merry Christmas SMS Families! ~Our Christmas Marketplace is Still Open!~

Still need some last minute gifts? Stop by the school office, we still have many craft items available for sale! Sparkly earrings, festive zip pouches and totes, Christmas card holders, galaxy ornaments, washcloths, crocheted scarves & cowls, scented heat sacks and much, much more!! 

*** Saint Socks make the perfect Catholic School stocking stuffer!!! 

Socks are available in kids and adult sizes and can be worn to school on designated days throughout the school year!! Come buy yours today! Kids are $10.  Adult sizes $14.








It Was a Warm Cozy Friday - Last week, staff and students participated in Pajama Day to benefit CCMC.  Thanks to your generous support, we raised $795!













Community News

Simsbury Youth Lacrosse - The 2020 spring lacrosse season is only a few months away and registration is now open at www.simslax.org.  Please click HERE for more information or to register today.   Please note:  Registration is now open & will close at midnight on January 31st, 2020 for all returning players, no exceptions will be made. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

News for the Week of 12/11/19











Have you seen these smiles?  A copy of our annual Blue Knight magazine was sent via US mail to all school families and all those that have supported our mission.  Click here to view the magazine electronically. Extra copies are available in the school office.














The Hot Lunch Order Period for January is OPEN NOW.  Orders will be accepted through Friday, 12/13/19, via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  This will be your only opportunity to order hot lunches for January.  Please keep in mind that Thursday, January 30th, is Family Lunch Day!  You can order additional lunches (for parents, special guests) by using the Parent/Guardian tab in Educonnect.  Payment should be sent into the school office as soon as your order is complete.

Hot Lunch - Snow Day Credits - If your child(ren) were scheduled to receive hot lunch on either or both of our recent snow days (Monday, 12/2 and Tuesday, 12/3), your account will be credited for the meal(s) ordered. 

Tomorrow, Thursday, 12/12, is our Chess Club Open House!  Stop by and learn more about this new club open to students in grades 1-8. 


More Club News - One more team member is needed for our Mock Trial Team. This club is open to students in grades 6-8.  The group meets on Fridays after school in the Reading Room of the Magowan Center from 3:45-4:45pm and is scheduled for a competition on Wednesday, January 22 from 4-8 pm at Kingswood Oxford School.  If interested or if you would like more information, please contact club moderator, Nicole Bernabo at nnbernabo@gmail.com






Let's Get Cozy! Pajama Day is This Friday, 12/13/19On Friday, 12/13, students who donate $5 (this will go to CCMC) may wear their PJs to school.  Cash or checks payable to St. Mary's School with PJ Day in the memo section.





Lessons & Carols will be on Monday, 12/16/19, in the Church. This beautiful retelling of the Nativity story is a beloved SMS tradition involving all students in Kindergarten- Grade 8.  Student attendance is considered mandatory.  If your family has a conflict, please contact Mrs. Williamson. There will be a dress rehearsal at 10am and an evening presentation at 7pm.  Students in 8th grade should arrive at 6:30pm.  Students in grades K-7 should arrive at 6:45pm.  Guests are welcome at either performance and the morning is especially suitable for preschool age siblings since it is much less crowded and easier to see the Nativity story unfold. Students in Grades 1-7 should wear their formal uniform - no sweatshirts or spirit wear.  Students in Kindergarten and Grade 8 follow dress guidelines provided by Miss Ciarcia and Mrs. Work.  The snow date for Lessons & Carols is Tuesday, 12/17/19.


You have Kidmail today!  Save the Date for our Dad & Daughter Sweetheart Dance on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. More information to follow soon! Brought to you by Knights United Family & School Association. 





Again this year, we are going to participate in a new toy drive sponsored by the Stich family to benefit CCMC.  New, unwrapped toys may be brought to school through Wednesday, December 18.  Thanks in advance for your generous support!





School will be dismissed early at 12:45pm on Friday, December 20th to begin our Christmas break.  There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  School will reopen for a regular full day of school on Thursday, January 2nd.




We were so happy to share the "Sounds of the Season" at our Christmas Band & Choral Concert on Monday, 12/9.  The highlight of the evening was the combined band and chorus performance of Joy to the World. We are so proud of all our student musicians and vocalists. Our special thanks to Mrs. Deb Morse, our FMI Instrumental Music Instructor and Mrs. Raimonda Jalinskas, our Vocal Music Teacher for their instruction and guidance of these students and for a beautiful performance.





It was a "Knight to Remember"Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make our first Light Up the Knight holiday spectacular such a success! We are very grateful to those that baked delicious homemade cookies and those that donated beautiful handmade items to our Christmas marketplace.  Congratulations to our young entrepreneurs from Kids in Business on their terrific assortment of products. It was a fabulous evening and we were so glad to see so many of our families at Mass and then at the event having a wonderful time.  All proceeds from this event (other than Kids in Business) directly benefit our school and students.  What a great way to kick off the holiday season!














































Community News





Again this Sunday, December 15, CHOICE cards will be available for sale after all Masses.  This is a great opportunity to purchase gift cards for the parish giving tree, as holiday gifts or just for your own use.








Santa's Workshop & Breakfast - There's still time to request tickets for Santa's Workshop & Breakfast in the Parish Center on Saturday, 12/14, from 8:30-11am.  There will be breakfast, crafts and Christmas card making for area shelters along with that important visit from Santa!  Adults & children are $10 per person with a $50 family cap.  Children under age 2 are free.  If interested in reserving a place, please contact the parish offices at 860-658-7627.



Simsbury Youth Lacrosse - The 2020 spring lacrosse season is only a few months away and registration is now open at www.simslax.org.  Please click HERE to register today.
Simsbury Youth Lacrosse aims to provide a fun & exciting lacrosse experience for boys and girls of all skill levels in grades K-8th.   Below is information related to the registration process which we encourage you to read closely, this note will be posted on the SYL homepage.  
In addition, please note that this year’s registration will include a SYL “Shooter Shirt” (athletic t-shirt worn under the jersey) as well as complimentary access to the Simsbury High School lacrosse clinic in late March/Early April (more info to follow as we get closer to the season). 
2020 Birthdate ranges by division and pricing is below.  
U8   (Primarily K-2nd graders)  - birthdate range 9/1/2011 – 8/31/2014:  $155
U10 (Primarily 3rd-4th graders) - birthdate range 9/1/2009 – 8/31/2011:  $210
U12 (Primarily 5th-6th graders) - birthdate range 9/1/2007 – 8/31/2009:$230
U14 (Primarily 7th-8th graders) - birthdate range 3/1/2005 – 8/31/2007:    $240

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

News for the Week of 12/4/19









Thanks to all who purchased poinsettias from our 8th grade fundraiser.  Plants will be available for pickup on Friday, 12/6, from 2-4pm and then after all Masses on Saturday, 12/7 and Sunday, 12/8. 

First Trimester Report Cards will be available at the end of the school day on Friday, 12/6/19, via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  No paper copy of the report card will be sent home.

***Come Light up the Knight  this Saturday - December 7th!***

Food, Crafts, Chances to Win will all be available to purchase. Sir Ted is sending you a reminder that Cash & Checks are preferred, ** if using debit or credit cards please note that there will be a service fee for every transaction. 



Help Us Light up the Knight! We have some easy and fun volunteer opportunities that do not require much time or effort. We would love to have your help in making our Christmas Festival & Market a super success. Click here for more information. 

The Hot Lunch Order Period for January will open on Monday, 12/9/19.  Orders will be accepted through Friday, 12/13/19, via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  This will be your only opportunity to order hot lunches for January.  Payment should be sent into the school office as soon as your order is complete.

Christmas Band & Choral Concert will be on Monday, 12/9/19, in the Parish Center.  There will be a dress rehearsal at 2pm and an evening performance at 7pm.   Attendance is considered mandatory if a student is a member of instrumental music/band and/or chorus.  If your family has a conflict, please contact Mrs. Williamson.   Instrumental musicians should follow Mrs. Morse's directions regarding arrival time and attire but are reminded that instruments, accessories and sheet music should all be brought to school on Monday for the dress rehearsal.  All are welcome to attend this concert and enjoy the "Sounds of the Season".  The snow date for this concert is Monday, 1/6/2020.

Lessons & Carols will be on Monday, 12/16/19, in the Church. This beautiful retelling of the Nativity story is a beloved SMS tradition involving all students in Kindergarten- Grade 8.  Student attendance is considered mandatory.  If your family has a conflict, please contact Mrs. Williamson. There will be a dress rehearsal at 10am and an evening presentation at 7pm.  Students in 8th grade should arrive at 6:30pm.  Students in grades K-7 should arrive at 6:45pm.  Guests are welcome at either performance and the morning is especially suitable for preschool age siblings since it is much less crowded and easier to see the Nativity story unfold. Students in Grades 1-7 should wear their formal uniform - no sweatshirts or spirit wear.  Students in Kindergarten and Grade 8 follow dress guidelines provided by Miss Ciarcia and Mrs. Work.  The snow date for Lessons & Carols is Tuesday, 12/17/19.



It's time to make your move! Chess Club is coming to SMS!
Check out our Chess Club Open House on Thursday, December 12th from 3:45 to 5pm in the Reading Room of the Magowan Center. Parents and students in grades 1st thru 8th grade are welcome.  
Sessions will begin in January! 





Signs of the Season - Let's have some fun this holiday season!  If you have photos of your family's Advent wreath, Christmas tree or family celebration/tradition, please send them to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. 


The Omar family spent some time
with Santa at Simsbury Celebrates!



Alumni News - Our congratulations to Ava Howard, SMS Class of '17 who was just crowned Miss America Junior Teen over Thanksgiving weekend.










CHOICE News - GL Scrip is offering a great incentive to purchase your holiday giving gift cards with no credit card fees!
As you know, all families with students in grades K-8 have a CHOICE obligation as part of the tuition commitment for the year.  Every purchase from CHOICE benefits our school & helps you meet your family's CHOICE tuition obligation.  Just look at the difference your participation can make -

If 100 families purchase a $100 gift card with a 14% profit rate (like Lands End),
SMS earns $1,400!


Community News





CHOICE Cards will be available for sale after all Masses on Sunday, 12/8, in the Magowan Center Gathering Space.  This will be a great opportunity to purchase gift cards for the St. Mary's Parish Giving Tree or just for holiday gifts!










Doing a little pre-holiday clean up?  Boy Scout Troop 175 will take your donations this Saturday, 12/7!