Test Post - Monday, 3/30

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for You” (1 Peter 5:7).

This blog post is just a test to see if last week's issue has been resolved.

Hope everyone's week is off to a good start and you are all keeping well.  Thank you for all you continue to do in support of distance learning and thanks to our wonderful teachers too, for all their hard work to make distance learning possible.  Assuming this test post is successful, please expect a regular blog subscription post in your designated email on Wednesday evening.  Thanks for your patience with last week's technical difficulties:)


Below are a few pictures of our students hard at work at home. We would love to see more and also would love any and all photos of how your family is using this time to keep busy in happy and productive ways.  Please send emails to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  If you include Mrs. Work, kwork@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net, she can also share your photos on our Facebook and Instagram accounts!  Let's show the world the power of being #uKnighted!

News for the Week of 3/25/20

As directed by Governor Lamont, St. Mary's School will be CLOSED from 3/16/20 through at least 4/20/20. At this time, the School Office is closed but emails are being checked regularly.

As noted in Mrs. Williamson's email dated 3/23/20, unless you hear differently, we will plan to conduct distance learning through Wednesday, April 8. April 9 is Holy Thursday and April 10 is Good Friday. At the very least take both of these days as "no school" and use the time for reflection on Easter. Again, unless you hear differently, the following week of April 13-17 will be our April break. Rest, relax catch up on assignments if need be but there will be no planned schooling during the break.

We must understand that the situation is fluid and does change. If we are closed beyond April 20, we will pick up again with distance learning. 

Thanks to all for the efforts you are making at home to help your children, our students, navigate the new world of distance learning.  Many of you are doing this while also working from home or caring for younger siblings or both!  We commend our teachers for their daily heroism - trying new things, communicating in new ways, consistently giving more than 110%!  Distance learning is happening because of them AND because of you and your terrific kids!  All of us are facing new challenges and uncertainties during these very peculiar and sometimes scary days.  How blessed we are to have each other - a community #uKnighted in faith and perseverance and, of course, hope.

Attendance Policy During Distance Learning - If your child(ren) is/are unable to participate in distance learning because of illness (or other cause), please send an email to: HOffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net, smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net and your child(ren)'s homeroom teacher.  Please make note if the absence is due to illness or another cause.  Since it is our intention that these days can be counted as days of school completed, it is important that we continue to maintain our attendance records.

We encourage all to follow us on Facebook (St. Mary's School) and Instagram (smssimsburyknights). Students (and parents/guardians) are encouraged to join us for Morning Prayer each day and Facebook GoodKNIGHT stories are airing nightly at 7pm! Mrs. Gore is sharing a chapter read aloud at 8pm! Keep an eye out for great ideas from our Create Club moderators, too! There's an idea from them later in this blog, too!

Do you have photos of distance learning in progress? We'd love to see and share some photos of our students hard at work at home. Share on Facebook & Instagram or send emails to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

2020-21 Family Enrollment Forms and Fees should be mailed to school. Please keep in mind that the Family Enrollment Forms and Fees are due back NLT THIS FRIDAY, March 27th. We appreciate your timely return of these items as it helps us prepare for a successful new school year. Mail is being picked up and processed on a periodic basis.

Second Trimester Report cards are available on the Educonnect Parent Portal.    No paper copy of the report card will be sent home.

Create It at Home!  It's not quite part of the formal uniform, but it's super fun!  Click here for directions on how to create your own SMS paper hat, then snap a pic and share it with us via email to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or on Facebook or Instagram.







Yearbook Orders - Order Deadline is THIS FRIDAY, March 27!
 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.   Our yearbook ID code is 9415320.  Please note that the order deadline is March 27, 2020 and that all yearbooks must be preordered. 

Our faith can be of great consolation during these uncertain days, visit the St. Mary's Church website homepage for Staying Connected Through the Word. Once on the homepage, you may need to scroll down a bit to access the daily service. Each service is approximately 15 minutes and includes the readings for the day, a brief homily, and an opportunity for Spiritual Communion. Our thanks to our Pastor, Monsignor Matera, for making this resource available to us. It may also be helpful for all of us to keep in mind his wise advice - "Make these stressful days your Lenten retreat. Make this retreat with your family and loved ones. Take time to pray and read God’s Word. Let this time be an opportunity to reflect on what is important."

Contact Congress on COVID-19 Relief -  The U.S .Senate is currently considering a coronavirus relief package that includes aid to K-12 schools. Currently, there is language in the legislation allowing non-public schools to receive relief. However, it appears that some are attempting to remove this language.    Please use CAPE's Legislative Action Center to urge senators to make sure that private schools are not excluded from Congress' COVID-19 relief package.

News for the Week of 3/19/20

As directed by Governor Lamont, St. Mary's School will be CLOSED from 3/16/20 through 3/31/20. At this time, the School Office is being staffed from 9am-1pm each day or by appointment. CHOICE cards are available during office hours.

We extend our grateful thanks to our very dedicated faculty for all their efforts to make "distance learning" meaningful and successful. We are very proud of our students for responsibly completing their assigned work and communicating with their teachers. Thanks to all our parents/guardians for supporting our distance learning efforts and for encouraging your children to complete their assignments and be faithful to their school work!

We encourage all to follow us on Facebook (St. Mary's School) and Instagram (smssimsburyknights). Students (and parents/guardians) are encouraged to join us for Morning Prayer each day and Facebook GoodKNIGHT stories are airing nightly at 7pm! Mrs. Gore is sharing a chapter read aloud at 8pm!

Do you have photos of distance learning in progress? We'd love to see and share some photos of our students hard at work at home. Emails to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

2020-21 Family Enrollment Forms and Fees may be dropped off or mailed to school. Please keep in mind that the Family Enrollment Forms and Fees are due back NLT March 27th. We appreciate your timely return of these items as it helps us prepare for a successful new school year.

Second Trimester Report cards will be available on the Educonnect Parent Portal after 1pm on 3/20/20.  No paper copy of the report card will be sent home.







Minutes from the 1/15/20 School Board Meeting are available for review.  Click here.

Mrs. Williamson's 19-20 State of the School Report is also available.  Click here.



Community News

St. Mary's Parish News - All parish events have been suspended for the time being in light of the Coronavirus.   Here is a current parish update:
 

• Daily Mass - CANCELLED (Per Archdiocese of Hartford on 3/17)
• Sunday Mass - CANCELLED (Per Archdiocese of Hartford on 3/17)
• Confessions will continue to be heard on Mondays (6 PM) during Lent. 

The north wing of the church will be open from 10am - 4pm for individual prayer.
We will limit church access to the north wing and it will be sanitized daily.

The Parish is working on providing a daily video message from Father Matera, including daily readings and homilies. We will share information on accessing these messages as soon as it is available.

News for Friday, 3/13/20

As directed by the Simsbury BOE, St. Mary's School will be CLOSED from 3/16/20 through 3/27/20. The School Office will be staffed from 9am-1pm each day or by appointment. CHOICE cards are available during office hours.

2020-21 Family Enrollment Forms and Fees may be dropped off or mailed to school. Please keep in mind that the Family Enrollment Forms and Fees are due back NLT March 27th. We appreciate your timely return of these items as it helps us prepare for a successful new school year.


Hot Lunch, Early Drop Off, PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare that have been paid for but have not been "delivered" during our closure will be credited to future use.  Hot Lunch credits will be applied to May/June lunches.

Second Trimester Report cards will be available on the Educonnect Parent Portal after 1pm on 3/20/20.  No paper copy of the report card will be sent home.








FACS (Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools) Scholarships Application Deadline Extended -  In light of current circumstances, the deadline for FACS Scholarships has been extended.  Please do submit your applications in as timely a way as possible but be aware that there has been an extension.  These applications must be submitted to Mrs. Williamson not FACS. If you have questions about the FACS Scholarships, please refer to Mrs. Williamson's 2/27/20 email or call the school office.

News for the Week of 3/11/20

Bring a Water Bottle From Home - In accordance with an OEEC directive, our water "fountains" are not available to students as a precautionary measure at this time.  Our water bottle filling stations are still working and can be used to refill water bottles brought from home.  Please be sure to send students with an unbreakable, reusable water bottle that is clearly labelled with first and last name.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Order April Hot Lunches Now - The hot lunch order period for April is open through Friday, 3/13/20  via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  No late orders can be accepted.  Payment should be sent in as soon as your order is submitted.

Second Trimester Grades will close on Friday, 3/13/20.  Report cards will be available on the Educonnect Parent Portal at the close of the school day on 3/20/20.  No paper copy of the report card will be sent home.









All are invited to attend the March School Board Meeting on Wednesday, 3/18/20, at 7pm in the Reading Room of the Magowan Center.  Mrs. Williamson will present the annual State of the School Address at this meeting.

St. Mary's School has a tradition of having a well-organized and hard working School Board! We are looking for a few people to fill upcoming vacancies for the 2020-21 school year. Ability to attend Board meetings approximately 6 times per year and participate on Committees is very important. We are also interested in members with financial and/or marketing experience. The term of service is three years with a one time renewal possible.  Please contact Board Chair Sarah Mutarelli at SEMutarelli@comcast.net or Mrs. Williamson at mwilliamson@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Mother/Son Bowling CANCELLED - Out of an abundance of caution, the Mother/Son Bowling scheduled for Thursday, 3/19, has been cancelled at this time.  The event will be rescheduled for a date to be announced in the future.  The sign-up list will be retained and use it in the future, if possible.  Any payments that have been sent in will be returned.  Thank you for your understanding.

School will be dismissed early on Friday, 3/20/20, at 12:45pm.  There will be no PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.

Congratulations to our Girls Varsity team on their Deanery Championship win! #uKNIGHTedinPride!

Yearbook Orders - Order Deadline is Friday, March 27!
 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 Natalie McDonough, SMS Class of '12.  Natalie has been named to the Fall 2019 Dean's List at Stonehill College.  To qualify for the Dean's List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better and must have completed successfully all courses for which they were registered.

We also congratulate Jacob Hanelius, SMS Class of '16.  Jacob has attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Relaxed Uniforms begin on Monday, April 20th!
Our school code is 900132150

Community News

A Special Lenten Invitation from Father Matera -

Dear Friends,

I am writing to invite you to a Parish Retreat Day—Alive in Christ—that our Parish Council is sponsoring on Saturday, March 28^th, from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Parish Center.

The theme of our Retreat Day is the theme that we have been developing throughout the year: Being Alive in Christ. As we journey through Lent this year, seeking to deepen our relationship with Christ, please join us for this one day retreat so that you can become more Alive in Christ. 

The day begins with a light breakfast. The rest of the day will focus on how we can become more Alive in Christ, as individuals and as a parish. The retreat includes Morning Prayer, an inspiring video on sharing the gospel, prayer in silence, recitation of the Rosary, small and large group discussions, and stories of faith. We will conclude our day with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the Church.

This Retreat Day is an opportunity for us to pause during this Lenten season and spend time in community considering what it means to follow the Lord and how we can share our faith in Christ with others. Come, even if you can only be present at part of the day!

Please set aside Saturday, March 28^th, for a day of prayer and renewal. Registration opens the weekend of March 8^th in the bulletin and online.

Sincerely,

Father Matera

Looking Ahead to Summer - Vacation Bible School!  Students that have completed PreK3 - grade 6 are invited to participate in the St. Mary's Parish Vacation Bible School from Monday, June 29 - Thursday, July 2.  Registration will open soon.   For more information, send an email to Kathy Piggott at reled1-6@stmarysimsbury.org .

News for the Week of 3/4/20

School will be CLOSED this Friday, 3/6/20, 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.  

Hot Lunch Ordering - The hot lunch order period for April will open on Monday, 3/9/20.  Orders will be accepted via the Educonnect Parent Portal through Friday, 3/13/20.  No late orders can be accepted.  Payment should be sent in as soon as your order is submitted.

Second Trimester Grades will close on Friday, 3/13/20.  Report cards will be available on the Educonnect Parent Portal at the close of the school day on 3/20/20.  No paper copy of the report card will be sent home.

Students in Kindergarten - Grade 3 enjoyed listening to stories read to them by Tammy Nguyen, mom of Will, Gr. 7, Addy, Gr. 6 and Rowan, K in celebration of  Read Across America Day.

All are invited to attend the March School Board Meeting on Wednesday, 3/18/20, at 7pm in the Reading Room of the Magowan Center.  Mrs. Williamson will present the annual State of the School Address at this meeting.

St. Mary's School has a tradition of having a well-organized and hard working School Board! We are looking for a few people to fill upcoming vacancies for the 2020-21 school year. Ability to attend Board meetings approximately 6 times per year and participate on Committees is very important. We are also interested in members with financial and/or marketing experience. The term of service is three years with a one time renewal possible.  Please contact Board Chair Sarah Mutarelli at SEMutarelli@comcast.net or Mrs. Williamson at mwilliamson@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

School will be dismissed early on Friday, 3/20/20, at 12:45pm.  There will be no PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.

2020-21 Family Enrollment Packets were emailed to all families on Friday, 2/28/20.  If you did not receive your packet, please contact the school office.  Don't forget our special incentive for families that choose to return their signed Family Enrollment Form and Family Enrollment Fee at Moving Up Knight (see below).

Up. Up and away to the next grade!! 

Moving Up Knight is next 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. 

This year we are pleased to offer an incentive to those who bring their completed Family Enrollment Agreement and Family Enrollment Fee to Moving Up Knight  - Your Family Enrollment Fee will be reduced to $200 and may be paid by credit card if desired (a $6 processing fee will be applied if a credit card is used).   Please note - this incentive is available ONLY at Moving Up Knight.

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 - Only 8 spots are available at this time, sign up promptly to avoid disappointment!

CALLING ALL JUMPERS!   Open to students in Grades K-8.

The 2020 St. Mary’s School Jump Rope Club will begin March 26th, and will continue on Thursdays ending on May 28th. Club starts at 3:30pm and runs until 4:30pm.  Pick up will be at the main school entrance.  Jump Rope Club is a program that incorporates dance, rhythm, coordination and
jump roping skills. It is a high energy club that gets our heart rates up and burns off that extra energy before going home! Participation fee is $50. (Checks made payable to St. Mary School – Please put
Jump Rope Club in the memo section.) Please email Mr. Gangloff with any questions about the program.  Click here to download and print a permission slip.  Please sign and return with payment NLT 3/13/20.  

Yearbook Orders - Order Deadline is Friday, March 27!
 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. 

CHOICE News - CHOICE statements will be sent home in backpacks on Thursday (3/5/20).  Please be sure to check backpacks and review your statement carefully.  Please keep in mind that families with students in K - Gr. 8 have until April 30th to complete their annual CHOICE obligation either via purchase of CHOICE cards or by an opt out payment.  As noted on the Family Enrollment Agreement, your CHOICE obligation is a part of your tuition commitment.  CHOICE cards purchased after April 30th will be credited to your family's 2020-21 CHOICE obligation.  Thanks for your continued support of the CHOICE program!

SMS Stars

SMS Boys JVA - Deanery Champions!

Congratulations to our JVA boys who won the Deanery Championship on Tuesday evening!  They played a hard fought, amazing game and won 38-35. #uKNIGHTedinPride !  Our Girls Varsity will play their Deanery Championship game tonight (Wednesday, 3/4) at 6pm at Corpus Christi! 

Congratulations to our Mock Trial Club on such a great
performance at their first scrimmage with a Kingswood Oxford
team.  Many thanks to Ms. Bernabo for mentoring this club - It's
been a great experience!

Alumni News

Ava Howard, SMS Class of '17, reigning
Miss America Junior Teen, & her dad participated
in the United Way's Read Across America day
in the Hartford Public School System.

Community News

SMS families are encouraged to contact Tricia Henderson for more information and/or
to organize participation in this important event.  Mrs. Henderson's contact information is available
via the Educonnect Parent Portal.

St. Mary's Parish Annual St. Patrick's Dinner Saturday, March 14, at 6PM Parish Center - Come and enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Irish Soda Bread, Dessert and Beverage and stay for the Live Entertainment! Tickets will be sold after the weekend Masses at Church on March 7 and 8. Tickets are also available in the Parish Offices. Adults $17; Children 12 and under $7. RSVP no later than March 9.  No tickets will be sold at the door. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus and St Mary’s Women’s Guild. For additional information, call (860) 658-7627 or (860) 651-4027




Granny’s Attic & Boutique: New Location - St. Mary’s Parish Center. Wednesday, April 15, - Saturday, April 18. You can help by donating gently used items or by volunteering. St. Mary's School receives a generous portion of the proceeds from Granny's Attic.  The remainder of the proceeds benefit other community organizations sponsored by the parish.   For specific information about drop off dates, accepted donation items and the volunteer Sign-up Genius, please click here or contact Peg Mancarella, our3pumpkins@gmail.com (860) 593-1512, Stephanie McIntyre, smcintyre@gmail.com (860) 651-3862, Ann O’Donnell, annno@snet.net (860) 658-2120.