News for the Week of 2/26/20

Looking Ahead to March - School will be closed on Friday, March 6 for Faculty Faith Formation.

Our March School Mass will be on Tuesday, 3/10/20, at 9am in the Church. All are welcome to join us.  

2020-21 Family Enrollment Packets Are Coming Soon!  Today, Wednesday, 2/26/20, all families should have received an email containing information regarding tuition for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.  The email also contained information regarding the types of tuition assistance available and the process for applying for tuition assistance.  If you did not receive this email, please contact the school office.  The next step toward our new school year is Family Enrollment.  A Family Enrollment Packet will be emailed to all families in the coming week.  This packet will include both a Family Enrollment Form and an iPad Coverage Agreement (for students in Kindergarten - Grade 8).  Please be on the look out for this packet.  There will be a special incentive available for those that choose to return their signed Family Enrollment Agreement and Family Enrollment Fee at Moving Up Knight on Wednesday, March 11th. 

Up. Up and away to the next grade!! 

Moving Up Knight is Wednesday, March 11th at 6:30pm! 

This special evening just for parents will be Open House style from 6:30 pm to 8pm. Come any time between 6:30 and 7:30pm to learn more about what to expect in your child(ren)'s upcoming grade(s).  This is a casual, informational, Q&A evening with adult refreshments and snacks. All faculty and staff will be here and we invite you to visit as many classrooms/grades as you would like. 

Mother - Son Bowling!  Moms, grandmoms, aunties and other special women are invited to a night of bowling and fun with their favorite son, grandson, nephew, etc... on March 19, at Blue Fox Rock 'n Bowl in Simsbury starting at 6 pm.  Price is $40 per couple and $15 per extra child. Price includes rental, pizza, soda, and cake. Click here to sign up.   NOTE - Event is limited to 60 participants - sign up promptly to avoid disappointment!

On Monday, 3/2/20 -
Give me an "I" for Initial Artwork!

Let's Get Creating! 

Create It! Club is open to Kindergarten thru 8th grade students and features a new creation to be made each week. Sessions continue on Mondays through 3/23.  All sessions will run from 3:45-5pm.  Crafty kids can choose to participate in just one or all remaining sessions or any combination.  Parents only pay for the creations chosen! Cost covers materials and kids take their creations home!

Limited seats available, click here for more information and to sign up for sessions.

2020 Altar Server Training for New Servers: Have you ever thought about becoming an altar server? Then please join us for our 2020 training. Classes will be held from 4-5pm on the following Tuesdays: March 17^th, 24^th, and 31^st.  All boys and girls in the 4th grade or above are welcome to attend. Please contact our altar server coordinator, Sheila Garilli, at ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org to sign up for the class.

Virtus Training - In order to volunteer in any capacity here at St. Mary's, including chaperoning field trips, helping with hot lunch, coaching, etc., it is necessary to complete Virtus training and have a background check completed.  We are pleased to share that there will be a Virtus Training Session here at St. Mary's on Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm in the Forcucci Faith Formation Center (in the lower church).  This is a great, convenient opportunity to complete your Virtus training so that you can more fully participate in student related activities here at school. To register for this session, click here, select "First Time Registrant" and then "View a List of Sessions".  Choose the Hartford Archdiocese and scroll to locate our session and complete your registration.  If you have questions, please contact Michelle Howard in the school office. 

Grade 8 Fundraising - Support our 8th grade and stock up on quality reusable, multiuse totes, organizers, storage items and more from Mixed Bag Designs/Boon Supply!  An order form for Mixed Bag Designs was sent home with all students on Friday, 2/14/20.  Orders and payments are due NLT this Friday, 2/28/20.  You may also order online- Click here and then click on "Find a Fundraiser" and enter our Fundraiser ID# - 1040759.   A couple of important things to remember - 1.  Online orders DO pay sales tax.  Orders submitted to the school office via paper order form DO NOT pay sales tax.  2. If using the paper order form, your check should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Boon Supply" in the memo section.

CHOICE News - Just a reminder that families with students in grades K-8 have until April 30th to fulfill their annual CHOICE commitment or make an opt-out payment.  All CHOICE purchases made after 5/1/20 will be credited to the 20-21 school year obligation.  If you have any questions about your family's CHOICE obligation or balance due, please contact Michelle Howard in the school office. Also, CHOICE cards will be available after the 8am and 9:30am Masses this Sunday, 3/1/20.  Credit cards are accepted with a 3% processing fee.

Alumni News - We are proud of the following alumni that have been named to the Honor Roll for the second marking period at Simsbury High School:  Grade 12 General Honors - Shayna Glazier, SMS Class of '16, Grade 11 General Honors - Ellie and Mary McElroy, SMS Class of '17, Grade 10 High Honors - Francesca Cirielli and Greyson Kellner, SMS Class of '18, Grade 9 High Honors - Maggie Sullivan, SMS Class of '19 and Grade 9 General Honors - Moira Hughes, SMS Class of '19.

News for the Week of 2/19/20

Our February School Mass will be on Ash Wednesday, 2/26/20.  We will worship with our parish family at the 12:15pm Mass.  All are welcome to join us as we begin the holy season of Lent.  Please remember that no PE uniforms should be worn to Mass. 

Looking Ahead to March - School will be closed on Friday, March 6 for Faculty Faith Formation.

Our March School Mass will be on Tuesday, 3/10/20, at 9am in the Church. All are welcome to join us.  






Club News - 

Session 1 Create It! -
Furry Friend Toy
Make two - one for your
furry friend &
donate one to a homeless pet!

Let's Get Creating! 

Create It! Club is open to Kindergarten thru 8th grade students and features a new creation to be made each week. First of five sessions begins next Monday, 2/24/20.  All sessions will run on Mondays from 3:45-5pm.  Crafty kids can choose to do all five creations or only the ones they like. Parents only pay for the creations chosen! Cost covers materials and kids take their creations home!

Limited seats available, click here for more information and to sign up for sessions.

SPRING SESSION! Kids in Business - Session 2 begins next Monday, 2/24/20. !  Kids in Business for students in grades K-8 will resume for the spring with our kickoff meeting on Monday, February 24, 2020. New club members are always welcome. The Club will meet on 2/24, 3/9, 3/23, 4/6, and 4/20 after school from 3:45-5pm. Our sale will be during school hours on 4/22 and 4/23. Please contact Mrs. Herron at cherron@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net to register. There is a participation fee of $10. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Kids in Business" in the memo section.

SESSION 2 - Chess Club - It's not too late to make your move!  New members welcome!  The second session of Chess Club starts Thursday, February 27th thru April 2nd from 3:45 to 4:45pm in the Reading Room of the Magowan Center.   Registration and payment can be sent to the school office via kidmail. Questions? Contact Toni Chagnon - tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net

2020 Altar Server Training for New Servers: Have you ever thought about becoming an altar server? Then please join us for our 2020 training. Classes will be held from 4-5pm on the following Tuesdays: March 17^th, 24^th, and 31^st.  All boys and girls in the 4th grade or above are welcome to attend. Please contact our altar server coordinator, Sheila Garilli, at ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org to sign up for the class.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Support our 8th grade and stock up on quality reusable, multiuse totes, organizers, storage items and more from Mixed Bag Designs/Boon Supply!  An order form for Mixed Bag Designs was sent home with all students on Friday, 2/14/20.  Orders and payments are due NLT 2/28/20.  You may also order online- Click here and then click on "Find a Fundraiser" and enter our Fundraiser ID# - 1040759.   A couple of important things to remember - 1.  Online orders DO pay sales tax.  Orders submitted to the school office via paper order form DO NOT pay sales tax.  2. If using the paper order form, your check should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Boon Supply" in the memo section.


Yearbook Orders Now Being Accepted!  Don't miss a minute of memories!  The SMS yearbook contains a photo of every student along with candid photos from all major school events.  Yearbooks are $35 each and may be ordered online - click here.  You may also complete a paper order form.  Order forms were sent home earlier in the month with all students and extra order forms are available in the school office.  Our yearbook ID code is 9415320.  Please note that the order deadline is March 27, 2020 and that all yearbooks must be preordered. 



Alumni News
Congratulations to Mikayla Zordan, SMS Class of '15.  Mikayla was named to the Dean's List at the University of New England for the 2019 fall semester.



Community News





Granny's Attic & Boutique, the Farmington Valley's best tag and treasure sale, is coming up in April!  This year, Granny's Attic will be conveniently located in our Parish Center and will be open from Wednesday, April 15 - Saturday, April 18.  Your clean, good condition donations will be welcome and your help is always needed!  The school receives a generous portion of the proceeds from Granny's Attic, so please help as you can.  Click here for more information, hours for donation and to sign up to help. 





The Simsbury Public Library has lots of great programs coming up for all ages in March.  Click here for their event calendar. 

News for the Week of 2/12/20

Hot Lunch Ordering For March - Hot Lunch Orders will be accepted via the Educonnect Parent Portal through Friday, 2/14/20.  No late orders can be accepted.


February Parent/Teacher Conferences -  Our February conferences will continue on Thursday, 2/13/20 and Friday, 2/14/2020.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm early dismissal with NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  If you need to make a change to your scheduled conference day or time, please contact the school office.  Both the Used Uniform Exchange and CHOICE cards are available during conferences.

**IF THERE IS A DELAYED OPENING ON THURSDAY, 2/13, DUE TO WINTER WEATHER,  WE WILL HAVE A FULL DAY OF SCHOOL WITH 3:20 DISMISSAL.  BOTH PREK ENRICHMENT & AFTERCARE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A DROP IN BASIS.  CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE IF YOU NEED EITHER OF THESE PROGRAMS ON THURSDAY.  THERE IS NO CHESS CLUB TOMORROW REGARDLESS OF DISMISSAL TIME.  IF THERE IS A FULL DAY, CONFERENCES WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A MUTUALLY CONVENIENT TIME FOR TEACHER AND PARENTS**

On Friday, 2/14/20, all students are invited to celebrate Valentines Day and wear the PE uniform with red or pink shirts (e.g., tee shirt, polo shirt, sweatshirt or sweater - appropriate for school).  Students may also wear pink or red headbands or socks!





School will be CLOSED on Monday, 2/17/20 & Tuesday, 2/18/20 for our Long Winter Weekend.  











Our February School Mass will be on Ash Wednesday, 2/26/20.  We will worship with our parish family at the 12:15pm Mass.  All are welcome to join us as we begin the holy season of Lent.  Please remember that no PE uniforms should be worn to Mass. 









2020 Altar Server Training for New Servers: Have you ever thought about becoming an altar server? Then please join us for our 2020 training. Classes will be held from 4-5pm on the following Tuesdays: March 17^th, 24^th, and 31^st.  All boys and girls in the 4th grade or above are welcome to attend. Please contact our altar server coordinator, Sheila Garilli, at ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org to sign up for the class.





Looking Ahead to Next Year - It's that time of year again when we are preparing for re-enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year.   Your kids are just the best and we are looking forward to their siblings joining them here at SMS!

If you have decided to enroll a sibling(s) for the upcoming school year, we are waiving the application fee for those applications if received by Wednesday, February 19th. 

** Submitting your applications for siblings allows us to include them on your enrollment agreement so that you have an accurate total for tuition. 

**Remember PreK 4 is going to full day for the 2020-2021 school year!

Exciting news! St. Mary's School is pleased to offer a Foundation funded Large Family Grant to help Catholic families realize a Catholic education for their children. Families who would like to enroll 4 or more children or currently have 4 or more children enrolled are eligible to receive a financial grant towards their tuition. **Additional sources of financial assistance are also available in addition to the Large Family Grant.   Please contact Principal Williamson for more information - mwilliamson@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net / 860-658-9412 

Everyone knows that reading opens the door to creativity, imagination, new perspectives and new ideas.  The CHOICE program can help you discover new books and magazines with gift cards to Barnes & Noble and Amazon! 

Grade 8 Fundraising - Support our 8th grade and stock up on quality reusable, multiuse totes, organizers, storage items and more from Mixed Bag Designs/Boon Supply!  An order form for Mixed Bag Designs will be coming home with all students on Friday, 2/14/20.  Orders and payments will be due NLT 2/28/20.  You may also order online- Click here and then click on "Find a Fundraiser" and enter our Fundraiser ID# - 1040759. 


Thanks to all who made our Sweetheart Masquerade Ball such a success!  There was a terrific turn out for this special dance.  It was an evening full of excitement, music, games, a photo booth and even snacks.  Many thanks to Mrs. Dooley who chaired the Dance committee and to all those that helped bring this event together with beautiful invitations and decorations, a great playlist and a full evening of fun.  Next up - Mother/Son Bowling!  Look for more information soon!






Alumni News - Congratulations to our alumni currently attending Northwest Catholic High School that have been inducted into the National Honor Society:  Jonathan Heiden, SMS Class of '16 and Emily McKenna, Connor Melanson, Megan Shanley and Maureen VonHassel, all SMS Class of '17.

We are also proud to share that Domenico Cirielli, SMS Class of '14,  has qualified for the fall 2019 Dean's List at Seton Hall University.   At Seton Hall, undergraduate students completing all courses with a GPA of 3.4, with no grades lower than "C", qualify for the Dean's List.  Additionally, our congratulations to Ethan Meskill, SMS Class of '12, who has been named to the Dean's List at the University of Hartford for the Fall 2019 semester.

Calling All Alumni!! We would love to reconnect and hear what you are up to! Have an email you would like to share so we can let you know about events and reunions? Contact Toni Chagnon: tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net 

Diocesan News - We have been notified that Sister Mary Grace Walsh has accepted the Position of President at Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis, MO and will, therefore, be leaving her position as Provost of the OEEC effective July 1, 2020.  Click here to read Sister Mary's Grace's announcement.  We wish her well as she begins this new opportunity and are grateful for all her help and guidance during her tenure as Provost. 

News for the Week of 2/5/20

Hot Lunch Ordering For March - The Hot Lunch Order period for March will open on Monday, 2/10/20.  Orders will be accepted via the Educonnect Parent Portal through Friday, 2/14/20.  No late orders can be accepted.


February Parent/Teacher Conferences -  Our February conferences will take place on Wednesday, 2/12/20 - Friday, 2/14/2020.  Each of these days will be a 12:45pm early dismissal with NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  Click here to sign up for your conference(s).  If you do not sign up for a conference, none will be scheduled for you.  Please note that the Sign Up Geniuses for conferences will be locked as of midnight 2/9/20.  If you need to sign up for a conference after that or if you need to change the day/time you signed up for, you will need to call the school office.

** Special Note - PE Club will meet on Wednesday, 2/12, from 12:45-2pm**

Looking Ahead in February - 

On Friday, 2/14/20, all students are invited to celebrate Valentines Day and wear the PE uniform with red or pink shirts (e.g., tee shirt, polo shirt, sweatshirt or sweater - appropriate for school).  Students may also wear pink or red headbands or socks!





School will be CLOSED on Monday, 2/17/20 & Tuesday, 2/18/20 for our Long Winter Weekend.  

SPRING SESSION! Kids in Business - Session 2 is Coming Soon!  Kids in Business for students in grades K-8 will resume for the spring with our kickoff meeting on Monday, February 24, 2020. New club members are always welcome. The Club will meet on 2/24, 3/9, 3/23, 4/6, and 4/20 after school from 3:45-5pm. Our sale will be during school hours on 4/22 and 4/23. Please contact Mrs. Herron at cherron@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net to register. There is a participation fee of $10. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Kids in Business" in the memo section.

Session 1 Create It! -
Furry Friend Toy
Make two - one for your
furry friend &
donate one to a homeless pet!

Let's Get Creating! 

Create It! Club is open to Kindergarten thru 8th grade students and features a new creation to be made each week. First of five sessions begins Monday, 2/24/20.  All sessions will run on Mondays from 3:45-5pm.  Crafty kids can choose to do all five creations or only the ones they like. Parents only pay for the creations chosen! Cost covers materials and kids take their creations home!

Limited seats available, click here for more information and to sign up for sessions.

2020 Altar Server Training for New Servers: Have you ever thought about becoming an altar server? Then please join us for our 2020 training. Classes will be held from 4-5pm on the following Tuesdays: March 17^th, 24^th, and 31^st.  All boys and girls in the 4th grade or above are welcome to attend. Please contact our altar server coordinator, Sheila Garilli, at ServerLeader@StMarySimsbury.org to sign up for the class.

A big thank you to everyone who supported our first JClub Catholic Book Fair! 
Our orders have been submitted and your children will receive their books via kidmail next week. We hope that everyone enjoys their new books!  Our special thanks to Mrs. Prausa for coordinating our first JClub sale!  Also, congratulations to Nora C. who won our St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Smarties guessing jar!

Maximizing Family Time - Have you decided to make "family time" a priority in 2020?  Let the CHOICE program help you!  Grocery cards to Big Y, Stop & Shop, Shoprite and Fitzgeralds can help you put together that special Sunday dinner or fun weekend family brunch.  Cards to Lowes, Home Depot, or Michaels can help with DIY projects or family crafts.  All those cards and more are available for daily purchase in the school office.  Click here for our "kid mail" order form. Your next family outing can also be funded via CHOICE with an order from GL Scrip for AMC Theaters, Build a Bear, Dave & Busters, Disney, even Carnival Cruise or many other entertainment venues and restaurants nation wide!

**CHOICE Cards will be available after the 8am and 9:30am Masses 

at St. Mary's this Sunday, 2/9/20.  Credit cards are accepted with a processing fee.**

Yearbook Orders Now Being Accepted!  Don't miss a minute of memories!  The SMS yearbook contains a photo of every student along with candid photos from all major school events.  Yearbooks are $35 each and may be ordered online - click here.  You may also complete a paper order form.  Order forms were sent home earlier in the month with all students and extra order forms are available in the school office.  Our yearbook ID code is 9415320.  Please note that the order deadline is March 27, 2020 and that all yearbooks must be preordered. 







Congratulations & All God's Blessings to the students in our second grade and parish who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time last Saturday.  Please keep all these children in your prayers as they continue to prepare for their First Holy Communion later in the spring.







SMS Moment of Joy

Mary, Our Mother of Joy, with her joyful friend, Luke.

Community News

Click here to download and print the registration form for the Tennis clinic.

Click here to learn more about the summer Spirit Sports Camp programs at Ethel Walker School.