News for the Week of 9/30/20

 Second grade students have created cheerful fall posters with
 bible verses and lovely messages for seniors in our community
so they know that we are thinking of them.

Looking Ahead to October! 

October School Mass will be on Tuesday, 10/6, at 9am.  We will continue to have a limited number of students attend Mass in the church while others attend via livestreaming.    At this time, parents are requested not to attend these Masses so we can comply with current restrictions on attendance.

Early Dismissal - School will be dismissed at 12:45pm on Friday, 10/9.  There will be no aftercare on 10/9.

School will be closed on Monday, 10/12, in observation of Columbus Day.

Lunch Program - Tomorrow - Thursday,10/1/20 - is the last day to order lunches for the week of 10/5/20. All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal. Lunch orders for the week of 10/13 (School is closed on Monday, 10/12, for Columbus Day), may be placed from Monday, 10/5 - Thursday,10/8. Please note that NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED. If you miss the order period, you will need to wait for the following week. Payment should be sent in promptly after completing your order.

Important Lunch Program Update!

You can now pay your lunch order balance online on the Educonnect website. Simply log into your Educonnect account, click the link “Make Online Lunch Payment” and enter the amount you would like to pay (a small processing fee will be added automatically to each transaction). After you click “Pay Now”, you will be presented with the options of paying with your Pay Pal account, debit or credit card. You may also continue to send in lunch payment checks to the office.

If you have any questions regarding our lunch program, please email tprausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. 

Individual Student Photos from Lifetouch Have Arrived!  Portrait packages for students in grades PreK, K through grade 7 will be sent home with students on Friday, 10/2/20.  Please be sure to check backpacks.  If you wish to have a retake photo, this can be done on Monday, 11/9/20, but the original portrait package must be sent in with your child.  Make up photos for students that were not in school on picture day will also be taken on 11/9/20 along with group class photos.

Formal Uniforms will begin on Monday, November 2, for students in grades K- 7.  Students in 8th grade are given the privilege of wearing their relaxed uniforms an additional month and will begin formal uniforms on Tuesday, December 1. Don't forget to get your CHOICE cards before shopping at Lands' End!  Cards are in-stock in the school office and are also available via glscrip.com.  Please be sure to use our Lands' End School Uniform Code (900132150) when shopping to assure only items/styles associated with our uniform guidelines are purchased.  Click here to review our uniform guidelines.  Contact information for our Used Uniform Exchange is available here.

News for the Week of 9/23/20

 

First Sir Ted's School Spirit Day - Monday, 9/28/20 - Sir Ted invites all students to get your school spirit on next Monday!  Students who bring $5 or 3 non-perishable food items to benefit the Simsbury Food Closet may wear their PE uniform bottom with a Spirit Wear tee/sweatshirt, an SMS Club or sports tee or other blue or white accessories.  Students may also wear last year's Saint Socks!  Socks still available, $10 per pair - Contact Mrs. Chagnon to reserve a pair. 

Ready to Get Involved? - Join us at our first Knights United Family & School Association meeting on Wednesday, September 30th at 9:00 am in the Forucci Faith Formation Center in the lower church. This will be a safe, socially distanced meeting.  Please plan to wear your mask.  This is an awesome opportunity to meet new families and get involved in our community, we have many events throughout the school year that need many hands to make happen.   Click here to sign up. 

The Spirit Shop is all ready for Sir Ted's School Spirit Day!  Contact Mrs. Chagnon if you need an SMS gym tee or sweatshirt or 1/4 zip.  Saint socks and SMS water bottles are also available. The Spirit Shop is also taking orders for Sir Ted face masks (These will NOT be available for the first School Spirit Day next week).

Looking Ahead to October! 

October School Mass will be on Tuesday, 10/6, at 9am.  We will continue to have a limited number of students attend Mass in the church while others attend via livestreaming.    At this time, parents are requested not to attend these Masses so we can comply with current restrictions on attendance.

Early Dismissal - School will be dismissed at 12:45pm on Friday, 10/9.  There will be no aftercare.

School will be closed on Monday, 10/12, in observation of Columbus Day.

Health Office Reminder - When considering whether your child is well enough to attend school, please consult the Screening Tool to make your decision.  The recommendations for students returning to school is outlined on second page of the Screening Tool.

 Click here to download and print a copy for handy reference. 

Additionally, please remember that student health concerns and reports of absence should be reported to our school nurse, Kim Tyrrell via the health office email - hoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or by calling the school and requesting the absentee/health extension.

Lunch Program - Tomorrow - Thursday, 9/24/20 - is the last day to order lunches for the week of 9/28/20. All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal. Lunch orders for the week of 10/5, may be placed from Monday, 9/8 - Thursday,10/1. Please note that NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED. If you miss the order period, you will need to wait for the following week. Payment should be sent in promptly after completing your order.

Autumn Weather Ahead!  We've had some chilly starts and there are sure to be more to come!  Please be sure your child(ren) have appropriate dress for outdoor temperatures and for classrooms that may have windows open for fresh air.  

Students in Mrs. Herron's second grade are learning about the 
Sacrament of Baptism as they prepare for First Reconciliation and First HolyCommunion.
Father Matera provided the children with a demonstration of the Sacrament. 
Thank you, Father, for bringing the Sacrament to life!

Let's Chat About CHOICE!

Did you know that we have Vincent Sport Shop gift certificates available in the school office?  You can purchase all that hockey gear and earn towards your CHOICE obligation!  Certificates are available in $10, $25, and $50 denominations.  Please send your order to the school office or email tprausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Thanks!

8th Grade News!  On Saturday, our 8th graders enjoyed the brisk fall weather to gather, laugh and wash cars as a fund (and fun!) raiser.  Thanks to all who came and got their cars washed.  Special thanks to Bill at Mattress Firm for donation of the "wiggle man"!  

News for the Week of 9/16/20

Lunch Program - Tomorrow - Thursday, 9/17/20 - is the last day to order lunches for the week of 9/21/20. All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal. Lunch orders for the week of 9/28, may be placed from Monday, 9/21 - Thursday, 9/24. Please note that NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED. If you miss the order period, you will need to wait for the following week. Payment should be sent in promptly after completing your order.

Health Office Reminder - When considering whether your child is well enough to attend school, we encourage you to use the below screening tool from the Farmington Valley Health Department.  Click here to download and print a copy for handy reference.  Additionally, please remember that student health concerns and reports of absence should be reported to our school nurse, Kim Tyrrell via the health office email - hoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or by calling the school and requesting the absentee/health extension.

 

Thanks to All Who Purchased Mums to Help Our Gr. 8 with Their Fundraising - Mums will be available for pickup beginning Friday, 9/18, after 2pm through afternoon dismissal in the Parish Center.   When picking up mums on Friday afternoon, please plan to park in the parking lot that is in front of the Magowan Center between the church and the school.  Please enter the Parish Center through the large brown double doors.  If picking up mums at dismissal time, please plan to pick up your child(ren) and drive around to the Parish Center parking lot to pick up your mums.  Please note that no mums will be sent home with students that ride the bus unless the school office is contacted and requested to do this. Mums may also be picked up after the 5pm Mass on Saturday and after all Sunday Masses.

A Clean Car is a Happy Car!  Our 8th grade is hosting a car wash this Saturday, 9/19, from 9am - noon in the north (playground) parking lot.  Tickets are available from any 8th grade student or just bring $5 on Saturday to have a shiny car!  Thanks in advance for your support.

CHOICE Program News - ThankScriping Day 2020 is tomorrow, Thursday, September 17^th! 

Earn up to 20% towards your Choice obligation with 85+ bonuses on eGift cards and reloaded gift cards on ShopWithScrip.com or by using the app, RaiseRight.  Here’s a sneak peak at some of the tomorrow’s great opportunities:

Bath & Body Works: 19%

Old Navy: 18%

Starbucks: 8.75%

Home Depot: 8%

HomeGoods: 10%

And more!  Check the app for the full list of tomorrow’s bonuses.

Contact the office with any questions.  Happy Shopping!

We have also updated our order form for CHOICE cards kept in stock in the school office.  Click here to download and print an order form.

Annual Asbestos Notification - 

Click here to download and print a copy of this letter. 

School Uniform News - Students in grades K-7 will transition to the formal uniform on Monday, November 2nd.  Eighth grade students are given the privilege of wearing the relaxed uniform for an additional month and will transition to the formal uniform on Tuesday, December 1.   When shopping for uniforms at Lands' End, please remember to enter our school's uniform code - 900132150 to be sure the items selected are those that match our uniform guidelines.  Additionally, remember that CHOICE cards can be purchased for Lands' End to help earn toward your family's required CHOICE participation.

Grade 8 Scholarship Opportunity - Again this year, Lands' End is sponsoring a scholarship program that is open to students in grades 8-12.  Please see below for more information.

Alumni News - Congratulations to Adrian Hatch, SMS Class of '09 and his startup company, Imajion, on winning the Bosch Digital Breakthrough Challenge 2020 in the PRO Construction site category.  Imajion will now have benefit of a $15,000 pilot with Bosch Power Tools!  Learn more about Imajion.

News for the Week of 9/9/20

 

Back to School Forms Reminder - Thanks to all that have returned their many "Back to School" forms.  If you have not already done so - please make every effort to get these forms completed and returned this week:  Parent/Student Handbook Signature Acknowledgement, iPad AUP Signature Acknowledgement, Milk Enrollment (if ordering milk), Electronic Use Agreement, Student Image Permission, Directory Verification (please contact school office if you need another copy), Student and Field Trip Emergency Cards (provided to you on card stock - contact school office if you need another copy).

Back to School Night - We've put a new spin on this important event!  This year, all the information you need to know about your child's new school year is available to you on helpful videos and recorded presentations created by our homeroom teachers. All parents are encouraged to view these videos/presentations at a convenient time.

PreK: https://youtu.be/5iItIXH0qx0

K: https://youtu.be/v7J7tyUlyQ4

1: https://youtu.be/NdivvNTymwU

2: https://youtu.be/EUPK8nmPv4o

3: https://youtu.be/t1020QGIrTE

4: https://youtu.be/8dBwctQXq2Y

5: https://youtu.be/TaJtkF9CkPQ

MS: https://youtu.be/fJJdNRIRZTY

If you have questions after watching, please send an email to your child(ren)'s teacher(s) and they will be happy to respond or find a mutually agreeable time for a phone call for further discussion.

Carpool Dismissal Safety Reminder - Please DO NOT arrive prior to 3:10pm to line up for admission to the north lot.  The safety gate cannot be opened until after 3:10pm due to use by afternoon PE classes and outdoor class use.  Traffic that backs up onto Hopmeadow Street presents a significant safety risk.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Cadet & Advanced Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 14 .   Instrumental music students should bring their instruments and any accessories to school.

Individual Student Photos - Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, September 14, to take individual student photos of all students in PreK, K - Gr. 7.  PK3 students and 8th grade students will be photographed on a different date to be announced.  You may order a portrait package online prior to Picture Day - Click here and use our Picture Day ID:  EVTNNM92Z.  If you would prefer not to order online, order envelopes for portrait packages were sent home with all applicable students on Friday, 9/4/20.  IF you are ordering a portrait package via the paper form, the envelope and payment should be sent in on picture day with your student. Each student must have their own form if the paper form is used. Photos will be taken of ALL applicable students even if no portrait package is being ordered because all students are featured in our school's annual yearbook.  All applicable students may wear school appropriate non-uniform dress for picture day or may wear their uniform of the day for their photo.

Lunch Program - Tomorrow - Thursday, 9/10/20 - is the last day to order lunches for the week of 9/14/20.  All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  Lunch orders for the week of 9/21, may be placed from Monday, 9/14 - Thursday, 9/17.   Please note that NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED.  If you miss the order period, you will need to wait for the following week.  Payment should be sent in promptly after completing your order.

There's still time to order mums!  Add some gorgeous fall color to your landscape & support our 8th grade.   Last Day to order is this Friday, 9/11/20.

Click here to download & print your order form.

                                       Sara & Kareem looking sharp in back to school smiles!

News for the Week of 9/2/20

 

Our first day of school was Monday, 8/31/20!

It has been so great to see all the "Back to School" smiles!

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, 9/8, at 9am in the church. To comply with current health and safety guidelines, there will be a rotation schedule for student Mass attendance in the church.  We are hopeful that those students not present in the church will be able to view a livestream of the Mass in the Parish Center.  At this time, we must ask that families plan NOT to attend these Masses to assure we are in compliance with attendance guidelines.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Back to School Night - We're putting a new spin on this important event!  This year, all the information you need to know about your child's new school year will be available to you on helpful videos and recorded presentations created by our homeroom teachers. Links to grade level "Back to School Night" videos/presentations will be published in next week's blog.  All parents are encouraged to view these videos/presentations at a convenient time.  If you have questions after watching, please send an email to your child(ren)'s teacher(s) and they will be happy to respond or find a mutually agreeable time for a phone call for further discussion.

Cadet & Advanced Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 14 .   There will be a Zoom meeting on Thursday, 9/3/20, at 7pm, for parents with students beginning instrumental music lessons for the first time this year. The Zoom ID for the meeting is 75891774193 and meeting password is 7aCMmh.  NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

Individual Student Photos - Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, September 14, to take individual student photos of all students in PreK, K - Gr. 7.  PK3 students and 8th grade students will be photographed on a different date to be announced.  You may order a portrait package online prior to Picture Day - Click here and use our Picture Day ID:  EVTNNM92Z.  If you would prefer not to order online, order envelopes for portrait packages will be sent home with all applicable students on Friday, 9/4/20.  IF you are ordering a portrait package via the paper form, the envelope and payment should be sent in on picture day with your student. Each student must have their own form if the paper form is used. Photos will be taken of ALL applicable students even if no portrait package is being ordered because all students are featured in our school's annual yearbook.  All applicable students may wear school appropriate non-uniform dress for picture day or may wear their uniform of the day for their photo.

Lunch Program - Tomorrow - Thursday, 9/3/20 - is the last day to order lunches for the week of 9/8/20.  All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal.  Lunch orders for the week of 9/14, may be placed from Monday, 9/7 - Thursday, 9/10.   Please note that NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED.  If you miss the order period, you will need to wait for the following week.  Payment should be sent in promptly after completing your order.  All students should continue to bring lunch for the remainder of this week.

Virtus Training for Volunteers - All parents are encouraged to complete Virtus Training.  This training is required to volunteer at school in any capacity (once health and safety guidelines allow us to welcome back our dedicated volunteers).  The training only needs to be completed once.  At this time, Virtus training is being conducted via Zoom sessions.  Preregistration is required for these sessions.  Click here and choose "First Time Registrant" and then choose the Hartford Archdiocese to view available sessions and select the one that will work for you. 

It's Time for Our Mum Sale!  Add some gorgeous fall color to your landscape & support our 8th grade.   Last Day to order is Friday, 9/11/20.

Click here to download & print your order form.

Community News 

Simsbury Public Library is offering many virtual programs!  Click here for their online calendar.

Please join us in wishing Sister Mary Kolbe all God's blessings!

Sister has now professed her final vows.  Several former students

joined her on her special day and we are sure their support was greatly appreciated.